History Blog

Shakespeare Quotes T-Shirts: The Story Behind "Shakespeare Wrote Drama, Not His Bank Account"
Shakespeare Quotes T-Shirts: The Story Behind "Shakespeare Wrote Drama, Not His Bank Account" "Shakespeare wrote drama, not his bank account." It is a joke, of course, but like most good historical jokes, there is more truth behind it than people might expect. William Shakespeare gave the world some of the most famous plays ever written. His works have inspired films, novels, theatre productions, television programmes, university courses, memes, and endless quotations. Yet, despite becoming one of the most influential writers in history, Shakespeare himself often occupies an unusual position in... Read more...
Viking Axes: The History Behind “Too Many Idiots, Not Enough Axes”
“Too many idiots. Not enough axes.” It is not a serious solution to modern life. It is, however, exactly the kind of gloriously exaggerated statement that sounds as though it could have been muttered by a Viking who had run out of patience several centuries ago. The joke works because axes have become inseparable from the popular image of the Viking warrior. Films, television programmes, games and novels frequently depict Vikings charging into battle with enormous axes raised above their heads. Some of those images are inspired by genuine Viking... Read more...
Please Be Round: What Christopher Columbus Really Believed in 1492
“Please be round.” It is easy to imagine Christopher Columbus standing aboard a wooden ship in the middle of the Atlantic, staring nervously towards the horizon and hoping that his calculations were correct. The popular version of the story says that Columbus sailed west in 1492 to prove that Earth was round while everyone else believed it was flat. It makes a memorable story—but it is not historically accurate. Educated Europeans had generally understood that Earth was spherical for centuries before Columbus began his voyage. The real disagreement was not... Read more...
Viking Longships: The Original Scandinavian Cruise Line
Welcome aboard the original Scandinavian cruise line. There were no swimming pools, luxury cabins or all-inclusive buffets. The entertainment was unpredictable, the seas could be unforgiving and some of the destinations were not expecting visitors. For the Vikings, however, the longship was one of the most effective forms of transport in the medieval world. These remarkable vessels carried Scandinavian sailors across seas, along coastlines and deep into foreign territories. They helped Vikings raid, trade, explore and settle across an enormous geographical area stretching from the North Atlantic to the rivers... Read more...
Never Surrender: The Story Behind Churchill's Famous Words
Few words are more closely associated with Winston Churchill or Britain’s experience during the Second World War. They evoke determination in the face of overwhelming danger, defiance when defeat appeared possible and the refusal to abandon a cause simply because victory seemed distant. Read more...
Why Do We Think About the Roman Empire?
It sounds like a simple question, but it became one of the internet’s most memorable history trends. People around the world began asking their partners, friends and relatives how often Ancient Rome crossed their minds. To widespread surprise, many answered weekly, daily or even several times a day. Read more...
Winston Churchill - “We Shall Never Surrender” (The Speech That Defined a Nation)
Winston Churchill - “We Shall Never Surrender” (The Speech That Defined a Nation)
“We Shall Never Surrender”: The Speech That Defined a Nation On June 4, 1940, as Britain stood on the edge of invasion following the evacuation at Dunkirk, Prime Minister Winston... Read more...
The Surprisingly Cool History of the T-Shirt
The Surprisingly Cool History of the T-Shirt
The Surprisingly Cool History of the T-Shirt: From Underwear to Overachiever Ah, the T-shirt. The unsung hero of the wardrobe. The “I woke up like this” of clothing. How did... Read more...