The History Blog
The Pomegranate Pact: Why April Showers Bring May Flowers
While we often look to science to explain the changing seasons, the ancient Greeks saw something far more dramatic: a story of kidnapping, pomegranate seeds, and a mother’s fierce love.
Why Maps Lie to Us: Unlocking the Secret History of Cartography
Maps are a vital tool for teaching history, but they are far more complex than they first appear. From the “economical” routes of cattle drovers to the way global distortions illustrate power and politics, every map is shaped by the needs of its creator.
The secret to making history anything but boring
Discover how to bridge the gap between dry historical facts and the powerful human stories of the past. From Churchill’s quiet moments to the secrets of the Domesday Book, learn why chronology and imagination are the keys to bringing the KS2 history curriculum to life.
Æthelflæd: The Warrior Queen Who Defied the Vikings and Forged England
Uncover the life of Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians. See how her strategic mind and military victories over the Vikings in the 10th century secured English independence and unified the realm.
When’s the Best Time for a School Workshop? Beginning, Middle, or End?
Wondering when the best time is to book a school workshop? Explore the benefits of a “big bang” launch at the beginning of a topic, a mid-topic boost to enrich learning, or a fantastic finish to celebrate success. Discover which timing is right for your class.
Why is August called August?
Dive into a fascinating historical “rabbit hole” with us as we uncover the surprising origins of this summer month. From Roman emperors to ancient calendars and pivotal reforms, discover the curious journey that shaped the names and structure of our modern year.
Unlocking Key Life Skills Through the Study of History and Archaeology
Discover how the fascinating study of history and archaeology actively helps to unlock essential life skills like creative thinking, research, and empathy, offering profound benefits for personal and intellectual growth.
Connecting Generations: Making World War II relevant for today’s pupils
Mark the 80th anniversary of WWII with engaging social history lessons. Discover how personal stories, family artefacts, and local resources can bring this pivotal period to life for your pupils.
Beyond the Surface: Using “How Do You Know?” to Foster Critical Thinking in History
Understand the theoretical basis for teaching history through sources and empowering students to question historical claims.
Fact or fiction? 8 everyday sayings and the stories behind their historical explanations
Explore the real stories behind 8 everyday sayings. We debunk historical myths and reveal the surprising origins of common phrases. Learn the truth about your language!
Unearthing the Past: Engaging History Workshops for KS2
Discover how our immersive, hands-on workshops bring the past to life for students of all ages. From object handling to dramatic reenactments, we offer engaging experiences that make learning memorable. Learn more about our workshop offerings and why they matter.
A Festive Pause: The History of Christmas Holidays
Long before the birth of Christ, people celebrated the winter solstice with feasts and rituals. From ancient pagan traditions to Victorian revivals, learn how Christmas has evolved into the holiday we know today.
Flint tools: A brief history of their evolution
From evidence that predates humans, through to the modern age, the evolution of flint being used for tools is fascinating.
1066: The most memorable date in English history?
In 1066 there was a major change in English history which would have significant consequences for these islands and further afield even to this day.
Arthur: Fact or fiction?
A great king or character of fiction? Learn more about what recent research has found out about this famous man.
The history of Diogenes, the cynical Greek philosopher
Who was Diogenes? And why is he called the cynical Greek philosopher? Learn more about this fascinating man (and his barrel!)
A Toast to the Fourth of July: Understanding British and American History
The American Revolution is little taught in Britain, despite us having a rather large part in it! Learn more about this fascinating & important bit of history
Crete: The Heart of Greek Mythology’s Heroes, Monsters, and Intrigues
Greek mythology is an engaging study. It is full of exciting places, monsters and heroes but of all the places Crete is a epicentre of action and intrigue. Home to Knossos it looms large in the Greek imagination. The first Queen of Crete was Europa. Europa was a princess of Tyre of the Phoenicians who
Arminius: The Tribal Leader Who Shattered the Myth of Roman Invincibility
When Arminius was about ten years old he saw something amazing. He saw a Roman Legion fighting in Germany get into trouble. It taught him two key lessons. The first was that given the right terrain and the right tactics the Romans would struggle to bring their discipline and strategic advantages to bear on the
Unveiling the Enigmatic Origins of British Celts, from Woad Magic to Roman Encounters
Origins of British Celts The Celts are a fascinating Iron Age culture who came to Britain around 1000BC. They were well known to the Greeks and the Romans especially as the continental cousins of the British Celts looted Delphi in 279BC. The earliest reference to the British Celts is in Pytheas who wrote of a
From Stone Henge to Dickensian Delights: A Festive Journey Through Christmas Past!
Midwinter Midwinter has been a sacred time of the year since time immemorial. It is romantic to imagine our Stone Age and Bronze Age ancestors celebrating the midwinter sun, at a site such as Stone Henge, as it makes its return from decline into renewal. By the time we leave prehistoric Britain in the
The Remarkable “Wooden Wonder” of WWII
The de Havilland Mosquito is less famous than the Spitfire or Hurricane fighters but was a remarkable British aircraft during the Second World War. Nicknamed the “Wooden Wonder”, the Air Ministry was sceptical of its proposed design and role in the years leading up to the start of the war. In fact, the Americans were
Prometheus; The Titan who defied the Gods
Prometheus is one of the most exciting minor players in Greek mythology. Despite this secondary role there is so much material about him despite much of it being lost to scholarship. Prometheus is either a Titan or the son of a Titan and a sea nymph. In any case he is clever and farsighted like
Unveiling the woodwose: The wild men of medieval myth
Introducing the wild and enigmatic woodwose What’s that in the woods? Could it be? It is! Behold a woodwose! Not to be confused with a green man but a hairy, beclubbed and lion friended woodwose! What is a woodwose? Well, I suppose that they need some introduction in this cold modern world. A woodwose
The Boudican Revolt
The history of Roman Britain is peppered with revolts and conflict but the most famous is the Boudican revolt. The Boudican revolt took place during 60-61AD and nearly caused Emperor Nero to withdraw from Britain. Nero was an emperor with many problems, not least that he was running out of money for the extravagant schemes
Kennings: The nuance of Nordic and Anglo-Saxon poetry
What are Kennings? Kennings are a niche form of poetry associated with the Nordic and Anglo-Saxon culture. They are fun, playful and form themselves into poems very easily. This makes them a popular choice of activity for schools, poets and historians. In short a kenning is a way of saying something without saying what it
Catastrophe in 1666; The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London is an exciting topic for key stage one. Key stage one children love to learn about the buildings of London, how the fire started and the progress of the fire over those fateful days in September 1666. It is very important to ask ourselves how we know so much about
Three of the greatest explorers in history
In world history, there are hundreds of men and women who would qualify as the greatest explorers. Here are three stories of the most heroic explorers in history. We have chosen to focus in on these admirable for key stage two topic great explorers. They are exciting characters whom the children can associate themselves and
The Escape of Charles II
On the 3rd of September Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army defeated the Royalist army at Worcester. The ambitions of King Charles II to regain his kingdom were thwarted and he returned to his lodging in the city. As he was planning his escape a troop of Parliamentary horsemen arrived at the front door to arrest
Paleo Art: a glimpse of the world 65 million years ago
Paleo Art is the practice of combining the disciplines of science and art to create the most realistic depictions of ancient life as possible. We cannot have photographs of real dinosaurs but need the artist to interpret the remains and use the skills an artist to create a realistic image. This type of art is