Anglo-Saxon kings often used to favour their sister's son to their own - for at least you could guarantee there was your own blood in your sister's son!
As historians, we spend days in archives, gazing at account books. We train would-be historians in the arts of deciphering letters and documents, early Latin, scribal handwriting, medieval French.
Analysis of soil, grave goods and skeletons has been key to our understanding of archaeology and the migration of peoples, as well as their daily lives. But in mainstream history, we tend to stick to documents.
I receive many letters from people hoping to research their own houses.
One child is never enough for a monarch.
Throughout history, the only way to secure a throne has been with a phalanx of children - nine for Victoria, 13 for George III.
Are we really so far from the Victorians? Much of what our society holds important was shaped in the 19th century.
Still often interventionist, convinced of our importance in the world, even those of us born long after 1900 live in a country that is much more Victorian than we think.
I chose my house because I loved the fact that there was a really busy road with lots of things to stare at.
I used to hate reading my old work, but now I'm rather fond of it. I quite like going through it in the hope of making it better.
