In Defence of Leicester Archaeologists: Identifying the Skeleton in the Car Park

16th century portrait of Richard III from The National Portrait Gallery

At the end of March 2014 BBC History magazine published an interview with Winchester historian Michael Hicks and archaeologist Martin Biddle in which the 2012 discovery and subsequent identification of the supposed skeleton of Richard III -- previously thought lost -- was refuted on the grounds of inadequate evidence.

Although I'm no archaeological expert, I thought here might be a better place than any to collect my own thoughts from the past few weeks regarding the opinion of Hicks and Biddle in relation to some of the documentary and physical evidence surrounding Richard III's life and death. It is my opinion that there is overwhelming evidence, both scientific and circumstantial, to support the University of Leicester's identification of the skeleton in the carpark as King Richard III.

Book Review: Lancaster and York; The Wars of the Roses by Alison Weir

I had been wanting to pick something by Alison Weir up for a while, having heard only good things about her as a historian, so with the current hype surrounding The Wars of the Roses I thought Weir's account of the topic would be a timely choice. Below the cut: a review.

Feature: African American Civil Rights and the Presidents

In 1865, African Americans were newly emancipated from slavery, with freedom at last to move and worship and supposedly a wealth of new opportunities, yet still deemed socially inferior to the rest of society and thus heavily discriminated against. By the end of the 20th century/beginning of the 21st century, they were (legally at least) equal and had made gains in almost all societal spheres. But what role did the US Presidents play in this change? As a democratically elected leader the President was expected to do what was best for the people he governed over and oversee the other branches of the Federal government.

Television: The Last Days Of Anne Boleyn

In early 2013, as part of the BBC's Tudor season, this documentary about Anne Boleyn's life and downfall was aired. Packed with theories and facts from a range of historians famous for writing on this subject, this show provokes the mind and introduces us to new possibilities when it comes to Anne's divorce and execution. Below the cut: a review of the programme.

Feature: Has the way that leaders are portrayed in art been corrupted over time?

Has the way that leaders are portrayed in art been corrupted over time? 

Following on from last week's article about Thera and the wonderful paintings at Akrotiri, I was reminded of the research I did for this piece I wrote last year surrounding the theme of the portrayal of leaders in artwork. Below the cut: French cave paintings, Byzantine artwork and Soviet propaganda. 

Television: Who Were The Greeks?

Dr Michael Scott presents a fascinating pair of documentaries about the Ancient Greeks that might not be exactly what is expected but which casts a somewhat revisionist eye on some of the common beliefs of the general public. Below the cut: a review of the episode.

Feature: "A little man lost in the immensity of his realm" - the downfall of Nicholas II and the Romanovs.

Today, July 17th 2013, marks 95 years since the assassination of the Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, children, and most of their household at the hands of the Bolsheviks in the Russian town of Yekaterinburg following a period of imprisonment. This marked the end of the Russian autocracy and the start of the road to Communism in Russia. Many were pleased to see the Tsar go, but how well had he performed as Tsar? Below the cut: the problems facing Nicholas II in his reign as ruler, how effectively he played his role, and the eventual lead-up to the demise of himself and his family.