CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2021
FEATURES
EVERY MONTH
22 The modern Middle Ages From climate change to pandemics, Dan Jones looks at the issues that preoccupied our medieval ancestors – and keep us awake at night today
29 What is history in 2021? Suzannah Lipscomb and Helen Carr consider how we should tell the story of the past in the 21st century
34 Royals in the trenches The British royal family emerged from the First World War stronger than ever. Heather Jones explains why
42 The radical Wedgwood Tristram Hunt reveals how an English potter embedded activism into his celebrated earthenware
50 Romancing the Tudors Sarah Gristwood chronicles how Henry VIII and Elizabeth I used courtly love to further their agendas
60 In the shadow of 9/11 David Reynolds asks i f the events of 11 September 2001 really were a turning point in world history
69 The future for the past Four historians discuss the issues shaping the study of history in universities, from Covid-19 to calls to decolonise the curriculum
This month in history
7 History news 10 Behind the news: football’s problems with prejudice 13 Michael Wood on the
Tamils’ cultural universe 14 Anniversaries 18 Emma Dabiri’s
Hidden Histories 20 Letters
56 Q&A Your history questions answered
Books
76 Interview: Saul David reveals how the Special Boat Service helped change the course of the Second World War 80 New history books reviewed
Encounters
8 8 Diary: What to see and do this month 9 4 Explore: Gloucester’s rich heritage
96 Prize crossword
98 My histor y hero Reeta Chakrabarti chooses Janusz Korczak
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