Political

An acceptable minister in peace-time, Lord North’s misfortune was to hold office at the time of the American Revolution and War, as Eric Robson here shows.

L.F. Marks introduces Savonarola, dominant within the turbulence of Florentine politics of the 1490’s.

Chinese Governments are notoriously difficult in their relations with Europe. G.H.L. LeMay gives a chastening account of two early British attempts to get into diplomatic touch with Pekin.

A.P. Ryan introduces the life and career of The Earl of Balfour: Conservative Prime Minister, 1902-5; Foreign Secretary, 1916-19; President of the Council 1919-22, 1925-9.

Ann Dewar recounts the once-annual political battle to make Derby Day a parliamentary holiday

D.C. Somervell profiles the predominant figure in British politics during the interwar years.

J.D. Hargreaves reviews the delicate truce that existed between Britain and Japan in the early years of the twentieth century.

J.D. Hargreaves on the turn-of-the-century visit of Russia's Nicholas II to France and its wider diplomatic ramifications.

Adrian Brunel profiles the influential revolutionary pamphleteer and political philosopher.

Eric Robson looks at the constitutional background - and legacies - of the American Revolution.