December 2023

The school for girls imprisoned at Tothill Fields in the late 1850s. A dedicated schoolmistress was employed to teach that institution’s large female population; in other prisons, the matron took lessons. (Engraving from Chronicle, via Alamy)

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Reading, writing and retribution: inside Victorian prison schools. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A 1971 propaganda poster extolling the power of China’s cultural revolution

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The long history of Chinese intelligence-gathering. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A colourful illustration showing crusaders storm Jerusalem using a huge siege tower

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The crusade against the odds: how the First Crusade succeeded despite the obstacles. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

David Mitchell. (Photo by PAL HANSEN-GUARDIAN-EYEVINE)

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David Mitchell on England's monarchy. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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My history heroCommonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland chooses Ulric Cross. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.