On 9th February 1981 a novel was published that would reinigerate historical fiction, begin a series that would sell millions of copies, and inspire a certain Sheffield born actor to take on a role that would lead him to Hollywood as a Bond villain and the star of Lord of the Rings.

In the build up to World Cup 98 in France, Glenn Hoddle pondered the selection of England’s greatest and most skilful player.

On 27th September 1943, in German occupied Naples, an uprising began that lasted four days. By the 29th the Germans had lost the city and so made the decision to leave, heading north for safety as the victorious Neapolitans and Partisans celebrated in the streets. On 1st October the Allies arrived, and the city was secure. Or was it?

Latest film club is to celebrate the publication of Roger Moorhouse's latest book, ⁠Wolfpack⁠, and it's great sub movie ⁠Hunt For Red October⁠, starring Sean Connery & Alec Baldwin. We talk crazy Ivans, safety measures on torpedoes and an egregious example of mansplaining.

In 1562 the Witchcraft Act was passed in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. The Act stated that anyone who should "use, practise, or exercise any Witchcraft, Enchantment, Charm, or Sorcery, whereby any person shall happen to be killed or destroyed", was guilty of a felony without benefit of clergy, and was to be put to death. The Scottish Witchcraft Act followed a year later.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries there was huge demand among medical practitioners for corpses on which to practices and perform. With the demand so came the suppliers in the form of body snatchers.

In October 1939 U-47 approached Scapa Flow in silence, as its crew prepared to attack. Their target were British warships at port in the deepwater natural harbour.

On the night of 14th August 1943, a Halifax bomber approached the Savoie region of SE France. Coming under fire from the ground, the aircraft was hit and only one airman survived, Squadron Leader Frank Griffiths.

Do you think you know Oliver Cromwell and Prince Rupert of the Rhine?

Latest film club is to celebrate the publication of Roger Moorhouse's latest book, ⁠Wolfpack⁠, and it's the Tony Scott classic starring Denzel Washington & Gene Hackman.

On 17 November 1943 Allied troops began their campaign against the Germans and Italians in the Tunisian campaign, in the last effort to push the Axis out of North  Africa, and open the way to Sicily and Italy, and,  as you heard from the Winston Churchill quote at the top, meaning Germany would be surrounded in the last 18 months of the war.

On the 4th August 1265 Henry III’s army led by his son Edward, met rebels of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester at Evesham.

Latest Film Club is the Kubrick 1975 masterpiece, Barry Lyndon starring Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Leonard Rossiter and Hardy Kruger.

On the outskirts of North London, near Chipping Barnet and Enfield, stands a marvellous country house, Trent Park that belonged to the Sassoon family.

In the summer of 1940, Britain was on its knees. The British Expeditionary Force had fled from mainland Europe in humiliation, and Nazi Germany eyed the South East of England greedily.

On 22 August 1485 Henry Tudor met Richard III at Bosworth Field. In a strange battle, Henry’s smaller force eventually overcame Richard’s army.

In August of 1483 a sighting was reported of two young boys playing in the grounds of the Tower of London. Rumours spread that these were the two princes, Edward V and his younger brother Richard Duke of York.

Welcome to episode 4 of this 6 part special on the Wars of the Roses. Today’s episode sees Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker, make plans which soon fall apart.

Welcome to episode 3 of this 6 part special on the Wars of the Roses. Today Edward IV emerges as the great new hope for the Yorkist cause now that his father, Richard Duke of York is dead.

Welcome to episode 2 of this 6 part special on the Wars of the Roses as today we deal with the fall of Edward Duke of York.

Welcome to the first of 6 episodes on the Wars of the Roses. Over the next few weeks we’ll be starting with the Battle of St. Alban’s in 1455, all the way up to the Battle of Bosworth thirty years later in 1485 when Richard definitely said, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"

On Sunday 23 October 1642, at Edgehill during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Parliament and the Royalists met on the field of battle. In an inconclusive engagement, both sides left the field largely intact, but one man’s name would be known throughout England.

On 27th February 2022, three days after the Russians invaded Ukraine, President Zelensky sent out the call for volunteers from abroad to join the Ukrainians in resisting Putin’s so called special military operation.

This month’s film club is the Terrence Malick 1998 masterpiece The Thin Red Line starring Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, John Cusack, John Travolta and Woody Harrelson, among many others.