Literary History
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Object of the Week: Mary, Queen of Scots' final letter - "I am to be executed like a criminal"
On February 8 1587, at 2am on the morning of her execution, Mary, Queen of Scotland, wrote to her former brother-in-law, the French King Henry III.
Robert Burns admits to being worse for wear in poetic response to party invite
A recently rediscovered and authenticated Burns manuscript in which the Bard responds to a party invite and admits to having a hangover is to go on show to the public at Paisley Museum and Art Gallery.
Archaeologists uncover the stage and other treasures at Shakepseare's Curtain Theatre
Archaeologists have unearthed yet more treasures and the original stage during their dig at the Shakespearean Curtain Theatre in London's Shoreditch.
X-ray of painting solves mystery surrounding portrait of Catherine Dickens
Staff at the The Dickens Museum have found themselves swinging from dismay to elation as X-rays have been used to investigate the truth hidden inside a treasured portrait of Catherine Dickens by......
Catherine Dickens' 19th century cookbook offers recipes for 20 and "frequent toasted cheese"
Catherine Dickens’ cookbook, written during the mid-19th century, includes an introduction by Charles Dickens, writing as Sir Charles Coldstream.
How William Wordsworth's glasses show the poet's lifelong struggle with eye problems
William Wordsworth was at times left partially sighted and sensitive to bright lights. Read more in this piece from the Wordsworth Museum, where his 19th century glasses are on display.
The poet, the polymath and the fallen archbishop: Precious 17th century writings acquired by Bodleian Libraries
National literary treasures are now back in the UK after the Bodleian Libraries secured several rare works by 17th century greats Donne, Locke and Aubrey, from the collection of the late American......
Middle Earth Map annotated by JRR Tolkien acquired by Bodleian Libraries
A map of Middle-earth, annotated by JRR Tolkien and Pauline Baynes for Baynes’ iconic poster map of Middle-earth, published in 1970, has been acquired by the Bodleian Libraries.
Object of the Week: The news sheets relating the King's surrender days after the fall of Newark in the English Civil War
In May 1646, news sheets - now held in the town's National Civil War - confirmed that Newark had been taken during a Civil War clash between the Parliamentary and Royalist forces.
Metamorphosis: Experts say 21st century is seventh age of William Shakespeare's works
Four hundred years after William Shakespeare's baptism, a new exhibition suggests digitising his work only creates the latest stage in its metamorphosis.
Object of the Week: William Shakespeare's First Folio, as owned by King George III
Printed in 1623, this copy of the First Folio has been left open at A Midsummer Night’s Dream as it makes its first appearance outside of the British Library.
A man of note: The artwork behind William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet's £20 note
A new Bank of England Museum exhibition revisits the beautiful artwork of the £20 series D note issued in 1970 - and remembers designer Harry Eccleston six years after his death.
Shakespeare's Dead: Deathbeds, leering skulls and the folio that started it all
Death is eternal in Shakespeare. Take a look at the new Shakespeare's Dead exhibition at the Weston Library in Oxford, with co-curator Professor Emma Smith.
