The best pictures of William Shakespeare show the world’s greatest playwright as a man of the theatre and as a writer. The first picture of Shakespeare portrays him as actor and resident playwright speaking from the stage of the newly built Globe Theatre.

Shakespeare on stage at the Globe Theatre, by Peter Jackson

The second picture of Shakespeare shows him being presented to Queen Elizabeth I at the theatre.

Shakespeare being presented to Queen Elizabeth I, by Angus McBride

The third picture of Shakespeare shows the genius at his desk pondering over his latest poem or play.

William Shakespeare seeks inspiration as he writes at his desk, by Richard Hook

Many more pictures relating to Shakespeare and his plays can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of Richard Coeur de Lion or the Lionheart depict the mediaeval king as an implacable foe of the infidel and idealised Christian knight. The first picture of Richard the Lionheart depicts the fearless king heroically cutting down the infidel during the First Crusade.

King Richard the Lionheart by Peter Jackson

The second picture of Richard Coeur de Lion shows the King of England engaging in battle with Saladin and his forces.

Richard the Lionheart

The third picture of Richard I known as the Lionheart depicts an iconic Christian Prince on horseback, the emblem of the red cross enblazoned across his armour.

Richard de Coeur de Lion by F Stocks May

Many more pictures relating to Richard Coeur de Lion can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of the Battle of Omdurman in the Sudan all show the initial action in which the 21st Lancers lead the action against the Arab stronghold, the victorious campaign being commanded  by General Kitchener. The first picture of Omdurman shows Kitchener leading the light cavalry regiment the 21st Lancers against the enemy, just 400 men facing 2500 dervishes and among them a young Winston Churchill.

The 21st Lances lead the battle against the Arab stronghold of Omdurman, by Ferdinando Tacconi

The second picture of Omdurman is a similar depiction of the brave 21st Lancers and General Kitchener in the thick of battle.

The 21st Lancers at Omdurman lead by General Kitchener. Picture by Harry Payne

The third picture of Omdurman is a more expansive picture of the charge of the 21st Lancers, as they clear the way for the British advance.

The Charge of the 21st Lancers at the Battle of Omdurman by E Matthew Hale

Many more pictures of Lord Kitchener and Omdurman can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of the Battle of Quebec show the famous ascent of the cliffs around the fortress by General Wolfe and the British forces. Also called the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, this British victory began the end of French colonial power in North America. The first picture of  the Battle of Quebec depicts the perilous ascent of the Heights of Abraham.

The ascent of the Heights of Abraham at the Battle of Quebec, by Peter Jackson

The second picture also shows the silent arduous ascent of the Heights of Abraham.

The ascent of the Heights of Abraham, by R Caton Woodville

The third picture depicts the audacious British scaling the Heights of Abraham.

Wolfe’s men scaling the Heights of Abraham to attack Quebec, by Severino Baraldi

Many more pictures relating to General Wolfe and the Battle of Quebec can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of the Pilgrim Fathers portray the founding fathers on board ship and arriving in America. The first picture of the Pilgrim Fathers shows them on the deck of the ‘Mayflower’ as land is sighted.

The Pilgim Fathers on board the ‘Mayflower’

The second picture of the Pilgrim Fathers shows the first landing party in a rowing boat.

A landing party from the ‘Mayflower’ strikes out for shore, by Ron Embleton

The third picture of the Pilgrim Fathers shows the men and women coming ashore and giving thanks to God for their safe journey and arrival in America.

The first of the Pilgrim Fathers give thanks as they set foor on American soil

Many more pictures of the Pilgrim Fathers can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of Napoleon Bonaparte portray an heroic figure in his pomp and at the moments of his greatest failure and humiliation. The first picture of Napoleon is a superb portrait of a romantic hero and imperious conqueror.

Napoleon Bonaparte by Angus McBride

The second picture of Napoleon is an atmospheric depiction of him leading his army’s disastrous retreat from Moscow in the falling snow.

Napoleon’s crushing retreat from Moscow, by Peter Jackson

The third picture of Napoleon Bonaparte shows the defeated man gazing out from his exile on St Helena.

Napoleon in exile on St Helena, by Severino Baraldi

Many more pictures relating to Napoleon can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart portray the great composer as a famous child performer and successful composer doomed to die young and be buried in a pauper’s grave. The first picture of Mozart shows the child prodigy playing the keyboard at one of his concerts, with his violin-playing father, Leopold, and sister, “Nannerl”.

The Mozart family give a concert on one of their tours of Europe, by Peter Jackson

The second picture shows Mozart being dismissed from his musical post by the unpleasant Archbishop of Salzburg.

Mozart is literally thrown out of a job by the Archbishop of Salzburg, by Peter Jackson

The third picture of Mozart portrays the mysterious stranger calling at the composer’s lodgings to commission a Requiem,

The legendary mysterious stranger visits Mozart and asks him to compose a Requiem, which will turn out to be Mozart’s last and unfinished composition. Picture by Roger Payne

Many more pictures of Mozart can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of the Loch Ness Monster are dramatic and comic depictions of this famous Scottish monster. The first picture of the Loch Ness monster shows a hapless sailor recoil in horror as the monster rises out of the waters of Loch Ness.

The Loch Ness monster

The second picture of the Loch Ness monster shows two children shocked by the sight of the long-necked and friendly beast.

The Loch Ness monster

The third picture of the Loch Ness monster is a comic cartoon of two children who land the monster while fishing on the banks of Loch Ness.

Catching the Loch Ness monster

Many more pictures relating to monsters can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of Captain Kidd depict the fearless pirate as a swashbuckling sailor in control of his ship and especially his treasure. The first picture of Captain William Kidd shows him watching his crew bury his treasure chests on an island at night, as his ship lies at anchor in a moonlit bay.

Captain Kidd buries his treasure,  by Graham Coton

The second picture of Captain Kidd is a dramatic depiction of the cruel captain striking the unfortunate man More on the deck of his ship.

Captain Kidd strikes More

The third picture of Captain Kidd portrays the archetypal pirate hiding his treasure supposedly on the Salvage Islands.

Captain Kidd oversees the hiding of his treasure, by Roger Payne

Many more pictures  relating to Captain Kidd and piracy can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

The best pictures of Julius Caesar depict him at three key moments in his glorious life as conqueror of Gaul and Britain, and finally as victim of one of history’s most famous assassinations. The first picture of Julius Caesar shows him arriving in Britain to begin the Roman Conquest of that country.

Julius Caesar leads the Roman Conquest of Britain, by Ron Embleton

The second picture of Julius Caesar depicts Vercingetorix, chieftain of the Arverni tribe and Gallic rebel, flinging down his arms at the feet of  victorious Caesar.

Vercingetorix flings down his weapons at the feet of victorious Caesar, by John Millar Watt

The third picture of Julius Caesar shows his assassination in the Senate by Marcus Brutus and the other conspirators.

The assassination of Julius Caesar, by C L Doughty

Many more pictures relating to Julius Caesar can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.