Histories

A history of… domestic cats (Part 2)

Persian cats were created from a combination of smoke, fire, and stars…

Feb 6 • Paul Lenz

21

3

2

January 2026

The week in history: 30 January–5 February

A series of farewells, from the grisly to the grand!

Jan 30 • Andrew Chapman

14

3

1

A history of… domestic cats (Part 1)

It was handy to have some with you if you wanted to invade ancient Egypt…

Jan 23 • Paul Lenz

20

4

2

The week in history: January 16–22

A famous fleet, a royal execution, a defeated explorer…

Jan 16 • Andrew Chapman

8

5

A history of… hotels (Part 3)

Indoor toilets arrived on the scene really quite late…

Jan 9 • Paul Lenz

9

4

The week in history: January 2–8

An arrogant king, an innocent man, a missing woman

Jan 2 • Andrew Chapman

11

4

1

December 2025

A history of… the Christmas pudding

It was originally a kind of meat porridge…

Dec 24, 2025 • Paul Lenz

14

4

Today in history: December 19

A famous flotilla, a brutal battle, a mild-mannered murderer?

Dec 19, 2025 • Andrew Chapman

8

1

2

A history of… hotels (Part 2)

According to Erasmus, French inns were much more welcoming than German ones...

Dec 12, 2025 • Paul Lenz

8

2

1

Today in history: December 5

Ice, fog and an enduring mystery…

Dec 5, 2025 • Andrew Chapman

8

1

November 2025

A history of… hotels (Part 1)

The poet Horace's hotel nearly burned down due to the inept roasting of some "scrawny thrushes"

Nov 28, 2025 • Paul Lenz

18

9

8

Today in history: November 21

A flight, a marvel, a hoax…

Nov 21, 2025 • Andrew Chapman

6

5

1