Catherine Fletcher of Swansea University considers the claims that Alessandro de Medici, the first duke of Florence, was of mixed race. Show more

Nadine Muller uncovers the hidden history of widows in Britain from the 19th century to the present day, asking what has made them so melancholic and exceptional in British culture. Show more

Sandeep Parmar explores the life of Nancy Cunard of the famous shipping family. She was a poet and anti-fascist, yet was disinherited and seen as the black sheep of her family. Show more

Peter Mackay of the University of St Andrews explores poetry and first-hand accounts from World War One to find out how soldiers in kilted regiments discussed their allegiances. Show more

Kylie Murray explores the ways in which sentiments about Anglo-Scottish relations and Scottish identity are demonstrated in 15th-century Scottish literature. Show more

Joe Moshenska explores the travels of Sir Kenelm Digby, a member of Charles I's privy council as well as a philosopher, diplomat, privateer and collector of recipes. Show more

Sam Goodman of the University of Bournemouth explores the benefits of beer-drinking in colonial India and asks how much of its legacy remains today. Show more

Daniel Lee explores the way some Jewish groups prospered in Vichy France and asks whether we need to rethink the way the history of this period is often presented. Show more

Curator and art historian Danielle Thom of the Victoria and Albert Museum explores the relationship between classical sculpture and bawdy prints circulating in 18th-century London. Show more