The Latest Breaking News from the National Archives

Will at centre of legal battle over Shakespeare’s home unearthed after 150 years

Document from 1642 made by husband of Shakespeare’s granddaughter found in unlabelled box at National Archives

The Guardian - UK · Aug 21, 2025

Historian finds 17th century will which sparked Shakespeare family row

The document was drawn up by Thomas Nash on August 25 1642.

Evening Standard · Aug 21, 2025

Ghislaine Maxwell may testify before Congress. A look at other criminals who have also done so

The U.S. Congress is preparing to subpoena testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell

The Independent UK · Jul 24, 2025

D-Day landings boosted by import of ‘wonder drug’ to Britain, archives reveal

Sir Winston Churchill became increasingly frustrated Britain had not been able to produce enough penicillin in preparation for the Normandy landings.

Evening Standard · Jun 6, 2025

Churchill documents reveal D-Day landings boosted by import of ‘wonder drug’ from America

The documents were released ahead of the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944

The Independent UK · Jun 6, 2025

Edward II’s coronation roll goes on display alongside King Charles’s

Oldest surviving version from 1308 is dwarfed in size by 21-metre roll produced more than 700 years later

The Guardian - UK · May 2, 2025

Stranger than fiction MI5 tales revealed in first National Archives collaboration

From Guy Burgess’s briefcase to microdots secreted in talc, an exhibition reveals remarkable items from the agency’s archives – and the extraordinary stories behind them

The Guardian - UK · Apr 2, 2025

Classified files and MI5 spy artefacts to be exhibited for the first time

The exhibition will offer the public a first-ever glimpse into MI5's private collection

The Independent UK · Apr 1, 2025

Australian home affairs secretary admits to using disappearing messages on Signal for work

In wake of Trump administration group chat scandal, department’s chief operating officer tells Senate there is no ban on staff using the feature

The Guardian - AU · Mar 27, 2025

‘A clever agent’: notes from ‘watchers’ of spy Kim Philby made public for first time

A new exhibition at the National Archives in London will reveal the extent of MI5 operation to expose the British double agent who was also Observer reporter

The Guardian - UK · Mar 22, 2025