The Decorated Duchess
A very happy birthday to Sarah Churchill, first Duchess of Marlborough, and one of the most influential women in English history. She was born Sarah Jennings on June 5, 1660....
Enough is Enough
Peace at last (for the time being)! On August 5, 910, the last major army sent by the Danes to raid England was defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall, near...
Great Britain, Round I
Most of us believe that England, Scotland, and Wales were united and became Great Britain in the 18th century, but surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time these lands were united...
Queen for a Week
On July 10, 1553, 16-year-old Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen of England, four days after the death of her cousin, Edward VI. The reign, as I’m sure you all know,...
Better Luck Next Time
The fourth time was not a charm for Henry VIII, who annulled his marriage to Anne of Cleves on July 9, 1540 on the grounds of non-consummation. Even as royal...
Two Crowns
Care for a coronation? On July 6 two of England’s most famous (and infamous) kings ascended the throne or were crowned. First, in 1189, was Richard the Lionheart, who’s become...
Warrior King
On June 27, 1743, King George II became the last King of England to lead his troops in battle, when he guided them to victory against the French at the...
The Great Charter
On June 15, 1215, King John of England put his seal to the Magna Carta in the meadow at Runnymede, after months of negotiations with his rebellious barons. The Magna...
The Viking Invasion
On June 8 (or thereabouts) in 793, Vikings raided the monastery of Lindisfarne in the northeast of England, spreading terror throughout Britain and ushering in the Viking Age of Invasion....
The Beginning of the End
May 15 was the beginning of the end for a pair of 16th century queens. First, in 1536, Anne Boleyn was brought to trial on (almost certainly) bogus charges of...