Tag: The Middle Ages
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UK’s Tutankhamun found behind Essex Aldi
The discovery of a “King of Bling” buried with his harp is testament to the riches of Saxon civilisation. Saxons permeated society at every level. Could we call this early pop culture?
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You are part of the royal family. Probably.
A leading geneticist has calculated that almost every Briton is directly descended from Edward III. But many find facts like this scarcely believable. Why are we so bad at probability?
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We need Robin Hood today, says movie director
Is Robin Hood relevant to the modern world? The famous outlaw of Sherwood Forest has returned to our screens once more, reinvented for the 21st century, but the film has been poorly received.
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Marriage, #MeToo and dating in the dark ages
Do we need new rules for dating? The feminist revolutions of the 1900s ended centuries of strict rituals for young couples. In the #MeToo era, should we look to the past for guidance?
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New Shakespeare play celebrates warrior queen
Is it brilliant or blasphemy? The ambitious production combines material from the Bard’s plays with fresh lines from playwright Jeanie O’Hare to tell the bloody history of Margaret of Anjou.
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After 950 years stunning tapestry ‘comes home’
Is the world’s most famous embroidery actually British? As France today confirms the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry, an age-old debate has revived over who made the miraculous masterpiece.
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The artists who gave up colour to see better
Does art need colour? A new book reveals rare colour photos from the second world war. They are remarkable — but throughout history, some artists have preferred to work in black and white…
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Landmark ‘cultural genocide’ trial begins
A jihadist leader has been charged with razing historic buildings in Mali. This is the first international trial to focus on such a crime. Is it an important milestone, or a waste of time?
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Henry V’s warship found buried in Hampshire
The wreck of a 600 year-old warship, called the ‘Holigost’, has been discovered buried in the mud of the River Hamble. What is behind this island nation’s obsession with ships?
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Magna Carta 800th anniversary to be marked
It’s 800 years since Magna Carta, a charter of free men’s rights, was sealed. As British politicians consider scrapping the Human Rights Act, how valuable are written declarations of rights?
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‘Jesus’s burial cloth’ back on display
The Shroud of Turin will return to public display until June. The piece of cloth is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, but some have cast doubts over its authenticity.
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Calls for a revival of Scottish literary hero
The portrayal of Scotland in Sir Walter Scott’s writing became legendary. His historical romances took Europe by storm and influenced generations of artists. Is it now time for a revival?
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New mini ice age warning as Sun ‘goes to sleep’
Space physicists are talking about an extraordinary and inexplicable slowdown in solar activity. It sounds hugely alarming but just how much should we actually worry?
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‘Bilge!’ mock critics as Dan Brown sales rocket
With his action-packed stories and intricate plotting, Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown is more widely read than almost any writer alive. So why do critics greet his books with such contempt?
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Shakespeare’s history plays revived for a TV age
Four brand new adaptations of Shakespeare’s history plays have been launched on the BBC. They tell stories of power, politics and identity — but should the plays really be called history?