Jonny Wilkes

A former BBC History Revealed staff writer, Jonny has a lifelong love of history and continues to write for BBC History Revealed and HistoryExtra.com. Armed with a BA in History from the University of York (and a Journalism masters from Cardiff University) he has developed a fascination with ancient civilisations, the history of North America from the Founding Fathers, and everything around D-Day. Jonny has spent many hours on Normandy beaches, the cliff at Pointe du Hoc, and the town of Sainte-Mère-Église contemplating how that one day in 1944 changed the 20th century.

A medieval nautical map illustration depicting a ruler or figure in a tall hat and blue cloak, surrounded by walled cities, flags, and red rhumb lines

Medieval

This medieval king ruled a vast empire and inspired the pope. He also didn't exist

Vintage black-and-white studio portrait of a seated aristocrat wearing an ornate theatrical costume with a winged headdress

Edwardian

Is Madfabulous based on a true story? The real history of ‘Dancing Marquess’ Henry Cyril Paget

Architectural reconstruction illustration of the grand Temple of Artemis at Ephesus with imposing marble columns, sculptured pediment, steps, and small figures gathered in the courtyard

Ancient Greece

It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – so why was it destroyed three times?

1858 Punch satirical cartoon titled 'The Silent Highwayman,' showing the Grim Reaper rowing on a polluted River Thames in front of London landmarks

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Victorian London's poop explosion: why even Queen Victoria couldn't escape the stench. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Hitler against a backdrop of stars and UFOs

Second World War

ConspiracyDid Hitler escape from his bunker and live in Argentina after WW2?

A circular object resembling an ancient clay tablet is shown against a black background with swirling coloured mist. The tablet is inscribed with cuneiform markings and partly covered by an orange overlay that includes a small metallic disc near its centre.

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21 facts about farts: from Hitler's wind to the flatulent Roman who caused 10,000 deaths. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A loaf of whole‑grain bread sits behind two slices, one of which has a dark liquid being poured onto it. In front of the bread, several fresh fish stand upright in a row with shiny scales and wide eyes. The background is a bright green, creating a surreal contrast between the unrelated food items.

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Popcorn with sardines? These must be history’s 21 strangest sandwiches. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

shows ballet dancers on stage, with a male dancer supporting a ballerina in a white tutu as she extends one leg; in her dress, the Kremlin can be seen

20th Century

In times of crisis, the Soviet Union turned to something unexpected to calm the masses

A collage combines several portraits and illustrations of rulers and notable figures, including people in regal robes, armour, and elaborate crowns, alongside a muscular figure drawn in a black‑and‑white engraving style.

Medieval

16 of the worst monarchs in history

A split image shows a vintage portrait of a 19th-century woman wearing a floral headpiece on the left and a modern actress in period costume portraying her on stage on the right

Victorian

Oh, Mary! makes a monster of Mary Todd Lincoln – but has history been too harsh?

“A collage showing three historical figures: an older person in a coat and hat raising a hand, a middle‑aged person in a suit, and an 18th‑century portrait of a man with curled hair and formal dress, all set against a deep blue textured backdrop

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Famous last words: what did Winston Churchill, Walt Disney and Marie Antoinette say on their deathbeds?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustrated collage shows a historical scientific machine with a hand crank above a detailed engraved portrait of a man, set against a background of old scientific diagrams and text

Georgian

This musical instrument was made by a US Founding Father – and it 'drove people mad'

A modern illustration shows a man dressed in a grey and red hooded outfit, knelt on the ground with a wooden bucket behind him and a lit lantern in front of him. He is shovelling a pile of poo

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Think your job is bad? These 17 occupations from the past were much, much worse. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Painting of the first Thanksgiving

General Modern

Think you know everything about the history of Thanksgiving? Here’s 21 facts that will prove you wrong

Habsburg royals displaying the distinctive jaw that became a hallmark of their intermarrying to stay in power. (Images by Getty)

Medieval

What was the Habsburg jaw?

An illustration of a witch on a broomstick, wearing a pointed hat.

General History

Why do ‘wicked’ witches wear pointed hats? The real history explained

US President James Garfiled as played by Michael Shannon in Netflix drama Death by Lightning, and a photo of the real James Garfield

Victorian

Who was the real James Garfield, ‘the man from Ohio’ and doomed president of Death by Lightning?

A collage of Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau in Netflix series Death by Lightning, alongside a portrait of the real Charles Guiteau.

Victorian

Death by Lightning real history: the true story of Charles Guiteau and a president’s assassination

The real Edward Guinness, Earl of Iveagh (right), played by Louis Partridge (left)

Victorian

Who was the real Edward Guinness of House of Guinness?

Arthur Edward Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, played by Anthony Boyle

Victorian

Who was the real Arthur Guinness of House of Guinness, and what happened to him?

Naked figures bath in a fountain

General History

Is the Fountain of Youth real?

Illustration of Adolf Hitler perfroming the Nazi salute with one testicle on the floor

Second World War

Did Adolf Hitler really only have one testicle?

Composite image of the historical Talleyrand and his portrayal in Apple TV+ drama Carême

Georgian

The master of political survival: Talleyrand, the cunning foreign minister of Carême

Georgian

Was Carême a spy? The true story of the world’s first celebrity chef

Christ on the Cross, with the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist below him

General History

Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?

A character from Atomfall in front of the Windscale nuclear facility.

20th Century

Britain’s worst nuclear disaster: the Windscale fire of 1957

A Japanese painting on silk, in a traditional Japanese style, of a Samurai warrior riding a horse.

General Early Modern

The 47 Rōnin: the true story behind the famous Japanese tale of revenge

A depiction of an attack by the 47 ronin

Medieval

What is a rōnin in Japan, and how is it different to a samurai?

The assassination of Julius Caesar on the 'Ides of March'.

Roman

Q&AWhy do we need to beware the Ides of March?

Gilles de Rais, accused of murdering at least 140 children in 15th-century France

Medieval

Was Gilles de Rais really history’s first recorded serial killer?

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