The stories of Gavrilo Princip, Mata Hari, and Rasputin, and a Bakewell tart as demolished by Rasputin in The King’s Man

The history of mincemeat pies from food preservation to a Prohibition loophole and beyond, and a Victorian recipe that contains meat

Why this mulled wine, mentioned in A Christmas Carol, is called smoking bishop, and a delicious, warming 19th century recipe

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot and how Bonfire Night became associated with parkin, along with a 1915 recipe for the sticky ginger cake

The history of apple pie and a 16th century German recipe for a pie made with grated apples and cheese

The history of wedding cakes and an elaborate 18th century recipe for a fruitcake with two kinds of icing

The efforts to curb the violent tendencies of medieval knights from tournaments to Crusades, and a late medieval recipe for meat pies that are perfect for the knight on the go

The many achievements of Sir Hugh Platt, a quick history of biscuits and what that word means in different places, and a recipe for a caraway baked good that is nothing like any modern biscuit

George Cassidy, the man in the green hat who provided liquor to the House and the Senate during Prohibition, and a cocktail possibly named for the Green Room at the White House

A brief history of saffron in medieval Europe and a recipe for a risotto-like dish

The history of iced foods and ice cream, and an 18th century recipe for parmesan ice cream

Cows, cattle raiding, elves, and fairies in Scotland, and a recipe for toad-in-the-hole made with beef

The history of and recipe for this coronation stew, and the jocular custom of gifting manors for odd jobs

The food of sailors and pirates, and recipes for seafaring staples: hardtack and grog

The origins and variations of gingerbread and a 14th century recipe for a candy-like version

The history of Christmas puddings and a Victorian recipe for a boiled Christmas pudding with raisins

The history of pumpkins and pumpkin pie, and a 17th century recipe for a super delicious non-custard pumpkin pie

Controlling the quality of ale in Elizabethan England, and a late 16th century recipe for real buttered beer