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A composite image of athlete Gertrude Ederle and actor Daisy Ridley

Gertrude Ederle: the first woman to swim the English Channel

King James was king of Scotland (as James VI) from 1567 to 1625 and the first Stuart king of England, from 1603 to 1625, acceding to the throne upon the death of Elizabeth I. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

King James VI and I: your guide to the first Stuart monarch of England

Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, and the real Queen Elizabeth II

Netflix’s The Crown: the real history behind the royal drama

BBC History Magazine's 2023 History Books Of the Year. (Illustration by simonmaskellart)

BBC History Magazine's 2023 Books of the Year 33 best books for history lovers

England's Daley Thompson during the high jump event of the decathlon at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Emonton, Canada

A brief history of the Commonwealth Games

The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, on display at the British Museum

The Elgin Marbles: what are they and where are they located?

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, with his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, riding in an open carriage at Sarajevo shortly before their assassination on 28 June 1914

Franz Ferdinand “This mythologised murder did not trigger WW1”

The Floralia, an ancient Roman celebration of fertility and nature that took place around early May

What is the history behind May Day and why do we celebrate it?

NEWResurrectionJesusChristEaster-2a71a1c

Eggs, bunnies and Jesus Christ: the history and origins of Easter

Sir Oswald Mosley taking the salute from female members of the BUF

Your guide to Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists (BUF)

Mrs Caroline Backhouse Astor

Mrs Astor and the Four Hundred

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in season six of 'Peaky Blinders'

Peaky Blinders: The story so far, plus the real figures to expect in season 6

Emerald Fennell plays Camilla Parker Bowles (then Shand) in 'The Crown'

In profile: Queen Consort Camilla

Charles and Camilla, 1979

Charles and Camilla A history of their romance

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, next to a Regency portrait of Kitty Kirkpatrick.

Inspiring Bridgerton: the real South Asian women in Regency-era England