Stories from the collection

This 17th-century mince pie recipe contains spices, eggs and raisins, but also something slightly stranger.

This Second World War War Office document assessed the British Indian Army's battle readiness and made recommendations for its development.

On one tragic night in March 1943 in Bethnal Green, East London, 173 people lost their lives taking shelter from German bombing as the air raid sirens sounded.

In 1325, officials found suspicious mistakes in the account of the former treasurer of Ireland and hauled him through the courts. What did they uncover?

Recently rediscovered, this letter offers new archival evidence into Britain and Portugal's shared history.

This note threatens death upon anyone talking to the authorities about the Luddites, textile workers protesting against new, labour-saving technology.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912) was a trailblazing British composer and conductor from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

We hold one of the lesser known records from the Battle of Trafalgar, the Surgeon’s journal for HMS Victory by William Beatty.

This 15th-century list of ‘alien’ residents, gathered for tax purposes, gives us a remarkable insight into London’s medieval immigrant population.

Over three days in April 1981, violence broke out in Brixton, London between young people and the Metropolitan Police. What did the inquiry about it find out?

This book caused confusion and disagreement among family members, but also provided an unusually intimate view of this well-known household.

This roll provides a glimpse into how medieval Ireland was governed, but today plays a starring role in the development of scientific methodologies.