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MAY 2016

CONTENTS

Features

Every month

Discover how Edward IV nearly won and lost the Wars of the Roses, on page 40

22 Thomas More Was the Tudor statesman a saint or sinner? Joanne Paul o ers a fresh interpretation of his life

30 Turning the tide in Burma James Holland recalls a little-known, but crucial, Allied victory against Japan in the Second World War

34 Unusual underwear Spencer Mizen picks out some surprising garments from yesteryear

40 Warrior of the Roses AJ Pollard re-examines Edward IV’s role in the bloody 15th-century civil wars

46 After the Rising Diarmaid Ferriter charts 100 turbulent years of Anglo-Irish relations

50 Triumph at Jutland Nick Hewitt argues that the 1916 naval clash was pivotal in the First World War

60 Fairy danger Richard Sugg reveals how these mythical beings caused terror in the 19th century

6 ANNIVERSARIES 11 HISTORY NOW 1 1 The latest history news

1 4 Backgrounder: North Korea 1 6 Past notes: sugar

18 LETTERS 21 MICHAEL WOOD’S VIEW 58 OUR FIRST WORLD WAR 65 BOOKS The latest releases, plus Kate

Summerscale on a Victorian murder

77 TV & RADIO The pick of new history programmes

80 OUT &ABOUT 80 History Explorer:

the golden age of sail 85 Five things to do in May 86 My favourite place: Berlin

93 MISCELLANY 93 Q&A and quiz 94 Samantha’s recipe corner 95 Prize crossword

98 MY HISTORY HERO Ben Elton enthuses about WilliamShakespeare

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USPS Identification Statement

BBC HISTORY (ISSN 1469-8552)

(USPS 024-177) May 2016 is published 13 times a year under licence from BBC Worldwide by Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN, UK. Distributed in the US by Circulation Specialists, Inc., 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 945, Shelton CT 06484-6238. Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE, PO Box 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495.

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60 The sinister world of 19th-century fairies

30 How the Allies learned to defeat the Japanese

BBC History