History

Sanditon is the only novel by Jane Austen to feature a black character. But given the diversity of late Georgian society, wouldn't her contemporary readers have assumed people of color were there anyway?

Gunpowder, treason and plot! We dig into the real history of why a failed domestic terrorist attack four centuries ago is still celebrated by Brits today.

The real-life story of reckless, tempestuous colonel Edward Despard is woven through much of Poldark Season 5.

But was he a dangerous revolutionary or a flawed idealist? We'll give you the history to decide for yourself. 

On October 14, 1066 William of Normandy won the Battle of Hastings, taking the English crown and changing history. How did this happen? Why is it so important that all Brits can remember it?

Let's take a look at the myths and facts of England's most important date.

Do you know what happened at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814 and why it became known as the Bladensburg Races?

Our Janet Mullany goes back in time to nineteenth-century Maryland to investigate.

We all know the beloved author Jane Austen--or do we? What do you think she looked like?

Let's explore the good, the bad, and the ugly depictions of our favorite writer.

The first installment of STARZ's preiod drama The Spanish Princess has ended. Our Janet Mullany takes a look at the real-life history of Catherine of Aragon and discusses how accurate the show's portrayal of Henry VIII's first queen was. 

Our Janet Mullany takes us on a nostalgia trip through the history of the British seaside holiday and explains how it all began.

A look at the impact of color-blind casting for actors and viewers, and how it can reflect history.

Now that Mike Leigh's movie Peterloo is on general release, let's take a look at the history behind the tragic event it depicts.