During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the crusaders constructed tens of castles across the Middle East, some merely small watchtowers, others massive strongholds or fortress cities - but why did the crusaders place so much importance on fortifications? Nicholas Morton explores the development of this remarkable phenomenon asking key questions such...

Congratulations to everyone getting their GCSE and other exam results today, especially those of you who took history – well done, milestone achieved! You’ve worked hard to get this far, so take a breath and consider your options carefully. Whether it’s A-levels, BTechs, T-levels or any other qualification or training...

Whether it is A-levels, T-levels, BTEC, or something similar, congratulations – you have achieved another milestone and hopefully it is one that sets you on to your next path. All of these exams are an opportunity to help frame your next steps in life – however, they are not the only...

Due to maternity leave, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an Education and Events Administrator to support the delivery of a first-class service across our CPD and programmes. We are looking for a highly organised and motivated individual with strong experience in event administration to join our team for a...

Book Now (Registration is via Cademy which opens in a new window. Please read the course terms and conditions before registering) What does the course cover? With the Bayeux Tapestry coming to the UK for the first time in 2026, and 2027 heralding the ‘Year of the Normans’, there will...

The events that finally brought the Second World War to an end across the globe are not commemorated in quite the same way as the end of the war in Europe. This can be attributed in part to the way in which Japan was forced to surrender, but also to...

Summer holidays often tempt us to look further afield. Yet some of the most fascinating stories are hiding in plain sight: beneath our feet, behind garden walls, along harbour fronts and on windswept headlands. This year, why not slow down, look a little closer, and discover the history woven through...

In the Year of Reading, we've selected a few reads linked to the month, alongside some seasonal suggestions – all drawn from the riches of our own archive. Goethe (1749–1832) 28 August is the anniversary of the birth of Goethe (1749–1832), the German polymath who is often considered the most...

Why did the the Maginot Line – that marvel of 1930s engineering with its miles of fortifications and bunkers to deter German invasion – fail so spectacularly in 1940? Its vast underground forts were designed to withstand artillery and chemical attack, yet France fell in just six weeks, leaving the Line as a symbol of...