history

Topic description and stories

Witchcraft accusations an ‘occupational hazard’ for female workers

19 Sep 2023

Women’s working conditions increased the odds of them being suspected as witches, according to a new analysis of an English astrologer’s case files...

An illuminated manuscript from the late 14th to the early 15th century, depicting two individuals observing a lunar eclipse

Medieval monks accidentally recorded some of history’s biggest volcanic eruptions

05 Apr 2023

By observing the night sky, medieval monks unwittingly recorded some of history’s largest volcanic eruptions, according to a new analysis of 12th and...

Saffron: a Cambridge spice

17 Jan 2023

An investigation into the local histories of saffron in Cambridgeshire.

Do not try this at home: Medieval medicine under the spotlight in major new project

17 Aug 2022

How did our medieval ancestors use dove faeces, fox lungs, salted owl or eel grease in medical treatments? A Wellcome-funded project at Cambridge...

Discarded history: Cairo Genizah treasures

31 May 2022

How the discovery and study of ancient deeds, fables, letters, magical amulets, contracts and lists in a sacred storeroom created unparalleled...

Students taking GCSE Ancient History worry they appear ‘elitist’ to friends and family

04 Mar 2022

̽��ֱ��tiny minority of state-educated students who take Ancient History at GCSE worry that the subject’s exclusive reputation will brand them ‘elitist...

Oldest Scottish manuscript to go on display in Aberdeen

24 Nov 2021

̽��ֱ��Book of Deer, possibly Scotland’s oldest surviving manuscript, is set to return to the north-east of Scotland for the first time in 1,000 years...