Celibacy, Misogyny, and Sodomy
The medieval insistence on clerical celibacy had dangerous and long-lasting consequences.
History Today
On the Spot: Natalie Zemon Davis
‘I’d like to meet the 16th-century Leo Africanus’
On the Streets Where They Lived
Those immersed in history are never alone, even when the company they keep is invisible.
The First Performance of ‘Silent Night’
A recital took place at the church of St Nicholas in Oberndorf in Salzburg, on the evening of 24 December 1818.
‘Did You Hear the One …’
What to do when a good joke becomes bad taste.
A Stand on the Streetcar
How an individual act of resistance in 1850s’ New York led to the desegregation of the city’s transit system.
Unchained Melody
The dark side of Harry Houdini.
The Original Anti-Vaxxers
When widespread vaccination was introduced there were objections – some justified, some not.
Contested Legacy of the Conquistadors
If we are to better understand the actions of men such as Hernán Cortés, we must place them in the context of a medieval world view that predated the nation state.
The Future of the Past
In the 70 years since History Today was launched, the way we engage with the past has changed, often for the better. But challenges remain.