By Tim Lambert Nicolaus Copernicus In the 16th century and the early 17th century, there were huge advances in astronomy. People’s view of the universe changed completely. The first great astronomer was Nicolaus Copernicus. He was born on 19 February 1473 in the Polish town of Torun. An ancient Greek called Aristarchus (c 310-230 BC)… Continue reading Tudor Astronomy
Author: Tim Lambert
19th Century America
By Tim Lambert Early 19th Century America In 1803 American territory was greatly increased by the Louisiana Purchase. France claimed a vast amount of land in central North America around the Missouri River and the Arkansas River. In 1803 Napoleon agreed to sell the lot for $15 million. Buying the French land meant there was… Continue reading 19th Century America
The Origins of English Place Names
By Tim Lambert BURY, BOROUGH This is usually a corruption of burh, which meant a fort of fortified place. Aylesbury was Aegel’s burh or burgh. Boarhunt was burh funta the spring by the fort. Narborough in Leicestershire was nor (north) burh. BY By was the Danish word for village. Derby was Deor By the deer… Continue reading The Origins of English Place Names
A Timeline of Britain in the 19th Century
By Tim Lambert 1801 The first census is held Another Act of Union joins Ireland to England and Scotland 1805 The battle of Trafalgar 1807 The slave trade is abolished 1811 Prince George becomes Prince Regent as his father is insane 1812 Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is shot by John Bellingham Charles Dickens is born… Continue reading A Timeline of Britain in the 19th Century
A Timeline of Punishments
By Tim Lambert 337 AD Crucifixion is abolished in the Roman Empire 1307 In Dublin a device for beheading people is mentioned 1401 In England a law makes burning the punishment for heresy 1431 In France Joan of Arc is burned 1531 In England a law makes boiling alive the punishment for poisoners 1547 Boiling… Continue reading A Timeline of Punishments
The Reformation in England
By Tim Lambert In 1501 Arthur the oldest son of King Henry VII married Catherine of Aragon. However, Arthur died in April 1502. Henry VII’s son Henry now became heir to the throne. Henry married Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow in 1509. Normally such a marriage would not have been allowed but the Pope… Continue reading The Reformation in England
A Timeline of Colonial America
By Tim Lambert 1585 Walter Raleigh attempts to fund a colony in Virginia. An expedition is led by Richard Grenville. 1586 The colony is abandoned 1587 John White leads another attempt to establish a colony in Virginia. However the colonists mysteriously disappear. 17th Century America 1607 The Virginia Company founds a colony at Jamestown. 1612… Continue reading A Timeline of Colonial America
A Timeline of Plagues
By Tim Lambert 430 BC Athens is struck by an unknown disease 165-180 AD Rome is ravaged by a disease, probably smallpox or measles. 543 Plague strikes the Byzantine Empire. It then spreads to western Europe. 1346 The Black Death breaks out in Crimea 1348 The Black Death reaches England 1492 Smallpox and measles are… Continue reading A Timeline of Plagues
A Timeline of China
By Tim Lambert 5,000 BC The Chinese begin farming. Rice is grown in the south and millet in the north. The Chinese make pottery. 2,000 BC The Chinese make bronze tools c. 1,750 BC The Shang dynasty rules China c. 1,300 BC Silk is made in China 1022 BC The Zhou dynasty takes power in… Continue reading A Timeline of China
Place Names in the Meon Valley
By Tim Lambert In the 6th century AD a people from Denmark called the Meon Wara (wara meant people or tribe) settled in the Meon Valley and they gave the River Meon its name. They gave names to villages in the Meon Valley. The villages of West Meon and East Meon are obviously named after… Continue reading Place Names in the Meon Valley