By Tim Lambert 1600 The East India Company is founded 1601 The Poor Law is passed. People are made to pay a rate to support the poor. 1603 In March Queen Elizabeth dies. James I becomes king. 1605 The gunpowder plot, a Catholic conspiracy to blow up parliament, is discovered. 1607 Jamestown, the first successful British colony in North America,… Continue reading A Timeline of 17th Century England
A History of Scotland in the 16th and 17th Century
By Tim Lambert Scotland in the 16th Century During the reign of James IV (1488-1513) Renaissance reached Scotland and it was a great age for literature. Also, the first printing press was set up in Edinburgh in 1507. Meanwhile, Aberdeen University was founded in 1495, and in 1496 a law was passed requiring all well-off… Continue reading A History of Scotland in the 16th and 17th Century
A History of Gambling in the UK
The British have long enjoyed different forms of gambling. In fact, if we look back at the history of wagering in the UK, we can see that this country has played a key role in the evolution of gambling over the centuries. The First National Lottery Draw Up to the 17th Century – horse racing… Continue reading A History of Gambling in the UK
Visit New Zealand
New Zealand is known for its diverse landscape and natural outlook. There are many exotic destinations to visit in New Zealand that it is challenging to decide where to go. Read on to learn about six destinations you can visit for a memorable trip. Bay Islands Bay Islands are one of the top tourist attractions in New… Continue reading Visit New Zealand
The Ashby Garrison in the Civil War
By Alan Roberts During the Civil War, the stronghold at Ashby-de-la-Zouch was the most troublesome royalist garrison in the county, a real thorn in the side of Parliament. This formidable stronghold was the seat of the Hastings family. Colonel Henry Hastings, the earl of Huntington, the leader of the East midlands forces, had executed the… Continue reading The Ashby Garrison in the Civil War
Life in the 1970s
By Tim Lambert There were two sides to the 1970s. On one hand, by 1973 a long period of economic prosperity was coming to an end. By the spring of 1975 unemployment had climbed to 1 million. It was over 5% of the workforce. By 1977 it had risen to 5.5% and in 1979 it… Continue reading Life in the 1970s
Life in the 1960s
By Tim Lambert In the 1960s there was a big rise in living standards in Britain. Consumer goods like cars and fridges became common. Washing machines and vacuum cleaners became near-universal. Meanwhile, plastic or PVC was first used in the 1940s. By the 1960s all kinds of household goods from drain pipes to combs were… Continue reading Life in the 1960s
The Druids
By Tim Lambert After about 650 BC a people called the Celts lived in England. The Celts had priests called Druids. The Druids were very important in Celtic society. As well as being priests they were scholars, judges, and advisers to the kings. The Celts were polytheists (they worshiped many gods and goddesses). They did… Continue reading The Druids
A Brief History of Egypt
By Tim Lambert Ancient Egypt By 5,000 BC the people of Egypt had begun farming. They also wove linen and made pottery. Later they learned to use bronze. About 3,200 BC the Egyptians invented writing. The first Egyptian in history was King Menes aka Narmer who lived shortly before 3,100 BC. At that time Egypt… Continue reading A Brief History of Egypt
Science and Technology in the 19th Century
By Tim Lambert During the 19th century, science made great progress. John Dalton (1766-1844) published his atomic theory in 1808. According to the theory, matter is made of tiny, indivisible particles. Dalton also said that atoms of different elements had different weights. Dalton also studied color blindness. In 1827 the German chemist Friedrich Wohler (1800-1882) isolated aluminium.… Continue reading Science and Technology in the 19th Century