Defining Moments

Welcome

Knights Templar protecting pilgrims on the way to

ALL ABOUT CLOCKS

Wind back the years as we reveal the origins of timekeeping and how its methods and technology have evolved

BATTLE OF DIEN BIEN PHU

INDOCHINA, 13 MARCH – 7 MAY, 1954

ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES HAD BEEN BANNED?

How excluding one book could have created a devastating hole in human understanding of ourselves and the world around us

THE UNSEEN WORKS OF HOKUSAI

Over 100 ‘lost’ works by the great Japanese artist are soon to be displayed at the British Museum. We present a tantalising selection…

REVIEWS

The books, TV shows and films causing a stir in the history world this month

HISTORY VS HOLLYWOOD

Fact versus fiction on the silver screen

KAISERSCHMARRN

A DESSERT FIT FOR AN EMPEROR, AUSTRIA, 19TH CENTURY – PRESENT

Key Events

STONEHENGE AND THE SOLSTICE C.3000 BCE The prehistoric

ELIZABETH TOWER

London, UK 1859 – Present

CLOCKMAKER

Europe 14th century – present

MELANCHTHON’S WATCH

A forerunner to the modern pocket watch Nuremberg, 1530

HOROLOGISTS

Meet ten pioneers of timekeeping, from the inventor of the first mechanical clock to the creator of the wristwatch

LOST HISTORY OF WOMEN AND CLOCKS

The manager of the Museum of Timekeeping, Alex Bond, reveals the roles women played in the horological industry

FAMOUS CLOCKS

Visit some of the world’s most spectacular timepieces

RISE OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

How the mysterious order forged power and prestige to conquer the Holy Land

Defining moments od the knight Templar

Important dates in the founding of this powerful order

Influetial Grand Masters

The men who shaped the Order and the Middle Ages

Rivan School

Dr Rory McLellan reveals the differences between the Templars and the Hospitallers

LIVIA DRUSILLA FIRST ROMAN EMPRESS

How one woman shaped a blueprint and legacy that would last for millennia

“IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE SURVIVAL STORY”

FIENNES ON SHACKLETON

THE HISTORY OF YŌKAI

We explore Japanese folklore’s menagerie of strange and terrifying creatures known as Yōkai

“The history we were taught was very narrow”

Stephen Bourne discusses his long career and his work in rediscovering Black history

The Making Of CHURCHILL

The early events and decisions that helped to shape Winston Churchill into the wartime leader Britain needed during WWII