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The Duchy of Courland and a Baltic colonial venture across the ocean
Historian article
The Duchy of Courland’s attempts to establish outposts in the Caribbean and Africa were not the only Baltic ventures across the Atlantic during the seventeenth century. However, the expeditions of the small vassal dukedom were possibly the most unlikely. The article introduces the motivations behind the Couronian colonial project, as...
The Duchy of Courland and a Baltic colonial venture across the ocean
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From Lithuania to Lancashire: life and death in the pursuit of freedom
Historian article
In this article, Simon Bromiley explores the history of twentieth-century Lithuania through the life of his grandfather. He experienced much of its difficult history, including the Soviet annexation of 1940 and the German invasion and occupation of the following year. The article follows him as he made a new life for himself in...
From Lithuania to Lancashire: life and death in the pursuit of freedom
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Harriet Kettle, Victorian rebel
Historian article
Harriet Kettle had a remarkable life. She was on the receiving end of everything that the institutions of social control in Victorian England could throw at her, but resisted, survived and fought back.
Harriet’s defiance earned her references in the records of a workhouse, two prisons, two asylums and, in...
Harriet Kettle, Victorian rebel
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How Sweden almost became a nuclear-armed state – and why it didn’t
Historian article
This article examines the conditions under which Sweden considered and subsequently pursued nuclear weapons. After failing to secure the establishment of a Scandinavian defence union, the Swedish government initially viewed nuclear arms as an effective means to safeguard the country’s neutrality. Owing to technical limitations, reassessments on the value of such...
How Sweden almost became a nuclear-armed state – and why it didn’t
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Flight from Kabul: a historical perspective
Historian article
In this article, Matt Jux-Blayney compares the British retreat from Kabul in 1842 with the most recent flight of NATO from Kabul in August 2021. Matt explores the various similarities between the two campaigns and includes personal recollections from his service in Afghanistan with the British Army.
On 6 January...
Flight from Kabul: a historical perspective
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History Abridged: Salt mines in Eastern Europe
Historian feature
History Abridged: This feature seeks to take a person, event or period and abridge, or focus on, an important event or detail that can get lost in the big picture. See all History Abridged articles
Towards the end of the Bronze Age, the climate across Europe began to warm. This...
History Abridged: Salt mines in Eastern Europe
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Real Lives: Rebecca West
Historian feature
Our series ‘Real Lives’ seeks to put the story of the ordinary person into our great historical narrative. We are all part of the rich fabric of the communities in which we live and we are affected to greater and lesser degrees by the big events that happen on a daily...
Real Lives: Rebecca West
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The Great Spa Towns of Europe: a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historian article
Catherine Lloyd introduces us to an international heritage initiative to celebrate ‘spa’ culture.
From ancient times, people believed that gods and spirits brought the means of natural healing. Step back in time to imagine an eerie wilderness, a glade in a wood, or a pool by a river, where the snow...
The Great Spa Towns of Europe: a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Out and About in Wheathampstead
Historian feature
Dianne Payne examines the structural local history of Wheathampstead and provides a template for wider comparisons.
The rural village of Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, situated about four miles from St Albans, lies on the River Lea. The village and surrounding land has a long history and in ancient times was owned by the...
Out and About in Wheathampstead
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The last days of Lord Londonderry
Historian article
Richard A. Gaunt explores a tragedy at the heart of early nineteenth century British politics, with the suicide of Viscount Castlereagh.
At 7.30 in the morning on Monday 12 August 1822, Robert Stewart, second Marquess of Londonderry, died from self-inflicted injuries caused by cutting the carotid artery in his neck...
The last days of Lord Londonderry
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Civilian expertise in war
Historian article
Philip Hamlyn Williams introduces us to the commercial and industrial background to modern-day warfare.
When I think of war, I immediately see men and women in one of three uniforms: Royal Navy, RAF and Army. My research over the past seven years into how the British army was supplied in two...
Civilian expertise in war
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Real Lives: Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan
Historian feature
Our series ‘Real Lives’ seeks to put the story of the ordinary person into our great historical narrative. We are all part of the rich fabric of the communities in which we live and we are affected to greater and lesser degrees by the big events that happen on a daily...
Real Lives: Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan
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Croydon’s Tudor and Stuart inns
Historian article
Trevor James offers a case study in how to define and identify inns as part of the historic urban environment.
Croydon’s Tudor and Stuart inns Croydon’s Tudor and Stuart inns had a remarkable and formative effect on its urban landscape, an effect which still endures into modern times. Topographers and...
Croydon’s Tudor and Stuart inns
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My Favourite History Place: Swarkestone Bridge
Historian feature
Trevor James reveals his continued fascination with this major Midland scheduled monument.
Almost 40 years ago, my role as a Nottingham University extra-mural tutor took me to Melbourne in Derbyshire. For the first few weeks I followed a cross-country route to Melbourne, via Burton-upon-Trent, Woodville and Hartshorne, but, on a dark November...
My Favourite History Place: Swarkestone Bridge
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History Abridged: Libraries
Historian feature
History Abridged: This feature seeks to take a person, event or period and abridge, or focus on, an important event or detail that can get lost in the big picture. See all History Abridged articles
The collecting of stories through written record is one of the most important methods societies...
History Abridged: Libraries
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The Historian 152: Out now
The magazine of the Historical Association
Read The Historian 152: Built environment
From its inception The Historian has been built on the voluntary efforts of both its editorial leadership and also its contributors. This voluntary context has been delivered in as professional a manner as possible. One of our recent strategies has been to identify a...
The Historian 152: Out now
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The Historian 152: Built Environment
The magazine of the Historical Association
4 Reviews
5 Editorial (Read article)
8 The Great Spa Towns of Europe: a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Catherine Lloyd (Read article)
16 Out and About in Wheathampstead – Dianne Payne (Read article)
20 The last days of Lord Londonderry – Richard A. Gaunt (Read article)
25 Reviews
26 Civilian expertise...
The Historian 152: Built Environment
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The Historian 1
The magazine of the Historical Association
The first ever edition of The Historian magazine, first published in Autumn 1983. The edition's editorial sets out this vision for the magazine:
“The Historian lays no claim to an elaborate philosophy, but is conceived as an up-to-date and forward-looking magazine provided by and for all historians. It advances no editorial...
The Historian 1
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The Historian 3
The magazine of the Historical Association
Articles include:
3 Feature: Siecle des Lumieres – Hugh Dunthome
15 Record Linkage: Deltiology – Ian F. Imlay
19 Eyewitness: Letters from Lady Buchanan – Keith Wilson
22 Local History: American Local History through English Eyes – W.B. Stephens
26 Spotlight: Allen Brown's Normandy – Harry Challis
28 Personalia: Profile of Professor Wang Juefei
29...
The Historian 3
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The Historian 4
The magazine of the Historical Association
Articles include:
3 Feature: The Great Fire of Westminster 1834 – Patrick Cormack
8 Local History: Archive Services in the Metropolitan Counties and in Greater London – Elizabeth Berry
12 Record Linkage: Cartoonists and the General Elections of 1945 and 1983 – Adrian Smith
16 Update: Parliament in the Middle Ages – Helen Jewell
20 Medals of...
The Historian 4
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The Historian 5
The magazine of the Historical Association
Articles include:
3 Presidential Lecture: Hardly Any Women At All – Irene Collins
9 Local History: Married Women – Helen Meller and Margaret Gerrish
11 The Battle of Nevilles Cross – John Rhodes
12 Update: Russia, 1855-1917 – R.B. McKean
16 Personalia: Profile of Donald Read
35 Spotlight: Leeds
The Historian 5
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The Historian 6
The magazine of the Historical Association
Articles include:
3 Feature: Forty Years in the Field – Maurice Beresford
10 Local History: Agrarian Changes in the 18th and 19th Centuries
15 Record Linkage: The Factory and the Community – Chris Wrigley
18 Westminster Diary: Archives in Danger
20 Personalia: Profile of Geoffrey Dickens
32 Spotlight: Styal
The Historian 6
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The Historian 7
The magazine of the Historical Association
3 The Death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Jeanne Handzic
8 The Duke of Wellington at Home, R.E Foster
10 George V. Ferguson, Canada and Appeasement, Robin Betts
13 The Dykes, J.L. Ferns
16 Social History: The Seaside Resort, John K. Walton
25 Update: The Ancien Regime, Nora Temple
28...
The Historian 7
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The Historian 8
The magazine of the Historical Association
3 Feature: Institute of Historical Research, F.M.L. Thompson
10 Domesday Celebrations: Robert Smith, John Palmer
16 Local History: The Victoria County History, C.R J. Currie
20 Past Presidents: W.N. Medlicott
31 Spotlight: Cambridge
The Historian 8
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The Historian 9
The magazine of the Historical Association
3 Feature: The Past's Living Voice: Coinage as Media, Harold Mattingly
10 Update: Trade Unions in Britain 1875-1939, Chris Wrigley
24 Personalia: Profile of Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr
27 Spotlight: Bangor
The Historian 9
