Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian saint whose reputation for gift-giving inspired the Dutch folk figure of Sinterklaas, later to become Santa Claus. This mythical figure would then ...

Scientists used data from the skull of Saint Nicholas of Myra — whose penchant for gift-giving prompted the legend of Father Christmas — to “forensically recreate” his white-bearded likeness.

This mythical figure would then merge with the English Father Christmas – often associated with feasting and games, rather than gifts – to create the character children adore today. Yet no ...