It began with an election and ended just over 300 years later in a hail of bullets. Rulers of Russia from 1613 to 1917, the dynasty included such famed figures as Peter the Great – the westward-lookin

In 1494, the high castle walls that had dominated the Middle Ages came tumbling down in clouds of gunpowder smoke. It was the start of a new age

ARAPILES, SALAMANCA, SPAIN 22 JULY 1812

It was the summer of 1066 and two powerful leaders were rallying their supporters behind them and preparing for war. Their clash would result in political chaos, the spilling of much blood, and one of

The earth-shattering collapse of the Western Roman Empire was the result of invasions, corruption and cruelty

‘I felt that I should like to kiss the hands that had awakened a new world of music for me.’ The year was 1888, the occasion was the Paris debut of a 27-year-old pianist named Ignacy Jan Paderewski. A