Political

A century ago international anarchists were causing public outrage and panic with their terror tactics. Matt Carr considers the parallels with al-Qaeda today.

Clive Foss introduces the Kharijites, a radical sect from the first century of Islam based in southern Iraq and Iran, who adopted an extreme interpretation of the Koran, ruthless tactics and opposed hereditary political leadership. After causing centuries of problems to the caliphate, they survive in a quietist form in East Africa and Oman.

The Duke of Orleans was assassinated on November 23rd, 1407.

John Shepherd says it’s time to reappraise the political reputation of Ramsay MacDonald.

Kenneth Baker discusses the many facets of King George and shows how these were depicted by the great caricaturists of the day.

Why is the sordid murder of Horst Wessel, a young Nazi storm troop leader in Berlin in early 1930, so important? Nigel Jones recalls his death and the black legend that sprang from it.

T.G. Otte goes to the heart of Whitehall to explore the origins and future of an important government archive which is becoming far more accessible to historians.

Janet Copeland focuses on an important figure in the emancipation of British women.

F.G. Stapleton highlights the key role played by the Italian King in the Rise of Mussolini.

Did it matter that the fifth Tudor monarch was a woman rather than a man? Retha Warnicke investigates.