The Carolingian Empire, which existed from 800 to 888, was a dominant force in western and central Europe during the early Middle Ages. Founded by the Carolingian dynasty, this empire emerged from the Frankish kingdom, which had been ruled by this lineage since 751 and included control over the Lombards in Italy starting in 774. The empire's significance was amplified when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne, the Frankish king, as emperor in Rome on Christmas Day in 800, marking a pivotal mom...

BBC Radio adaptations of selected novels and short stories by the great 19th century French writer - plus bonus programmesGuy de Maupassant is renowned as one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protégé of Flaubert, he was celebrated for his naturalistic fiction, and wrote over 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books and one volume of verse in his short but highly productive lifetime. He died in an asylum aged just 43.This collection bring...