History Today

Jeremy Black tells how the delicate system of international relations and ancien regime diplomacy was shattered by the Emperor’s arrogance and refusal to play by the rules.

Richard Cavendish remembers the events of February 27th, 1848

Charles Esdaile explores grass roots opposition to Napoleonic rule, the forms it took and how the empire fought back.

Richard Cavendish visits Plas Newydd, the seat of the Marquess of Anglesey.

John Horgan examines the attempts by the new Irish Free State government to disarm the IRA at the end of the civil war in 1923 and the way in which the issue of the IRA arms dumps rumbled on in Irish politics for the next ten years. 

Richard Cavendish remembers the events of February 11th, 1948

The island of Ceylon officially gained its independence on 4 February 1948 as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. 

The United States battleship was blown up in an explosion during Cuba's uprising against Spain. What caused the explosion and who was responsible?

January 30th, 1948

Angela Morgan traces the recovery of a Saxon horse and rider, recently discovered in Suffolk.