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It is today associated with merriment, gift giving and indulgence. But how was Christmas celebrated in the Middle Ages? Here, Dr Matthew Champion from St Catharine's College Cambridge shares his top tips for a medieval Christmas… Medieval Christmas: how was it celebrated...

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said the lorry attack on a Christmas market in the German capital, which left 12 dead and dozens injured, was 'terrible news... but no surprise'. 'Events like these will be the Merkel legacy,' Mr Farage said today and even suggested the German...

Jediism, the worship of the mythology of Star Wars, is not a religion, the Charity Commission has ruled. The commission rejected an application to grant charitable status to The Temple of the Jedi Order. It said Jediism did not "promote moral or ethical improvement" for charity law purposes in...

Here are some of the world's greatest castles - and you can visit them.... Romantic Bavarian fortresses, Scottish ruins and fairy-tale French chateaux: Revealing the world’s most incredible castles... that you can visit Since 11th century, across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, fortified...

2016 has been a momentous year. The UK's vote to leave the European Union and the election of Donald Trump confounded expectations, while the wars in Syria and Yemen caused more bloodshed. BBC Radio 4's Today programme asked top historians which year in history 2016 most resembled...

The quest to find King Arthur's Camelot has puzzled and intrigued scholars and fans for over a thousand years. The mythical ruler's legendary court has been associated with locations throughout Wales, including Carmarthen, St David's, and Cardigan. Now a retired Bangor University professor...

Nazi commandos raided the Isle of Wight during the Second World War in a sabotage operation that has been hushed up for more than 70 years, according to a new book. The revelations throw into doubt the proud wartime boast that no German forces engaged in active military service ever encroached...

In the era of the great monarchies, the royal families of European nations were people of dignity and culture, above the low and filthy lifestyles of the poor. At least, that’s what they wanted people to believe. The reality, though, is a bit different. There was enough inbreeding...

Civil servants and other holders of public office should swear an oath to British values, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has said. Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Javid said people could not play a "positive role" in public life unless they accepted basic values. These included...

He was one of the most famous kings of England, known for founding the Tudor dynasty. But until now, little has been known about the specific location of Henry VII's birth in 1457. Now, a new geophysical survey suggests that he may have been born in an outer ward in the late-medieval Pembroke...

If you thought 2016 was a weird year, you might think again after reading these bizarre historical facts... YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP King Tutankhamen’s parents were SIBLINGS, 7UP contained lithium… and 10 more bonkers historical facts that sound fake but are true...

A team of Chinese archaeologists have unearthed an ancient cooking vessel which contained a number of cow bones. This discovery was made on December 13 in Henan Province in central China where the Chinese civilisation is thought to have originated. A member of the archaeological team said...

A spider bearing an "uncanny" resemblance to the sorting hat in the Harry Potter series has been discovered by scientists in India. The Eriovixia gryffindori, measuring just 7mm in length, closely resembles the magical artefact in the series. The spider takes its name from Godric...

Derek Wilson presents the key moments and personalities of a royal dynasty that was crucial in developing England’s national identity... An A to Z of the Plantagenets...

From biblical names to those inspired by flowers and places, personal names have changed massively over the centuries, reflecting social, economic and cultural shifts in Britain. Now, in his new book, writer Neil Burdess charts the history and importance of given names, surnames, titles...

Monks who make Buckfast tonic wine linked to violent crime in Scotland raked in a record £8.8m in a year. Sales of the caffeine-fuelled wine made at Buckfast Abbey in Devon make up most of the income to its charitable trust. A Scottish sheriff said last week there was a "very definite...

The highest-ever wave of 62.3ft has been recorded in the North Atlantic. An automated buoy recorded the wave in the ocean between Iceland and the United Kingdom, the World Meteorological Organization said. It was created in the aftermath of a very strong cold front with 43.8 knot (50.4mph)...

THE European Union’s political and financial arms could be on the brink of collapse and the world should prepare for its implosion in order to avoid disaster, a top economic expert has claimed. Roger Bootle believes Italy is edging closer to the EU exit door and France’s impending...

A Brit war hero who single-handedly took on Germany’s most fearsome warship has died at the age of 97. Lt Cdr John “Jock” Moffat faced down the Bismarck in his flimsy Swordfish bi-plane in 1941, sending a torpedo hurtling into the great ship... BISMARCK CONQUEROR DIES War hero...

A series of messages that appeared on the stadium scoreboard during England's fourth Test in India have been condemned as "sick" by a fan group. References to Madeleine McCann, Adam Johnson and Josef Fritzl were displayed after fans were invited to post messages during the game. The...