How did heads of state control the narrative before social media? In this article, we look at the Swedish historiographer of the realm role – the early modern spreader of disinformation.

Scilicet is a blog dedicated to the history of knowledge. In the broadest terms, we’re interested in what people in the past knew, what it meant to know things, and what we as historians can learn abo...

In celebration of the UK 2024 general election, we delve into some intriguing and intricate elections from medieval Italy. This first one comes from 14th C. Florence and involves the mysterious Duke o...

A curious set of drawings by the future king of Sweden, 10 year old Gustav IV Adolf, shed some light on a royal childhood.

After the collapse of the Swedish empire, Swedes found themselves turning to their ancient forebearers the Vikings for help. But how did it come about and how did it shape their understanding of the S...

We all need to eat, but the way we do says much about our place in society. Looking at a range of recipe books through history shows this has long been the case.

The election of a Catholic pope is steeped in mystery, history, and political intrigue. But what are the origins of the conclave – the locked-room tradition that has was used in pontifical elections s...

A court case from fourteenth-century Bologna raises interesting questions about truths and gossip in the medieval courtroom, and how the concept of hearsay could be weaponised by accusers and defendan...

It's wolves hunting season in Pistoia's countryside, and a 1346 law from the commune of Pistoia has more to say.

A curious entry to an 18th century essay competition held by The Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities tells us some interesting things about the place of Roma people and other min...

Knowledge is great, but for some people of fourteenth-century Bologna the best option was to say 'dunno' to the authorities.