By Tim Lambert Early Southsea Henry VIII built a castle, east of the town of Portsmouth, overlooking the sea. Southsea Castle, as it is called, was ready in 1544. However, during the Civil War in 1642, the military governor of Portsmouth declared for the king. Parliament sent men to besiege Portsmouth and Southsea Castle was… Continue reading A History of Southsea
A History of Stamshaw, Portsmouth
By Tim Lambert Early Stamshaw In the 6th century, the Saxons landed on Portsea Island and they gave names to the areas of Portsmouth. The name Stamshaw was originally made up of two words, stam meaning post and shaw, which was an old way of spelling shore. Nobody knows why there was a post by… Continue reading A History of Stamshaw, Portsmouth
A Biography of George Fox
By Tim Lambert His Early Life George Fox was a founder of the Quakers. Fox was born in Fenny Drayton, in Leicestershire in July 1624. His father was a weaver and the family was comfortably off. George Fox trained as a shoemaker. George Fox came to believe that every person has an inner light to… Continue reading A Biography of George Fox
A Biography of John Wycliffe
By Tim Lambert John Wycliffe was a famous preacher of the Middle Ages. He was born in the North of England but we do not know the exact year (it was around 1328). John Wycliffe was educated at Oxford University and he soon became famous there for his learning and his skill in debate. In… Continue reading A Biography of John Wycliffe
A Short History of Oxford University
By Tim Lambert OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDDLE AGES According to legend Oxford University was founded in 872 when Alfred the Great happened to meet some monks there and had a scholarly debate that lasted several days. In reality, it grew up in the 12th century when famous teachers began to lecture there and groups… Continue reading A Short History of Oxford University
A History of Cosham, Portsmouth
By Tim Lambert Early Cosham Cosham started as a Saxon village in the 6th century. It was called Cossa’s ham, which meant Cossa’s village or estate. However, until the 19th century, Cosham was only a small village. At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 England was divided into areas called manors. Cosham was… Continue reading A History of Cosham, Portsmouth
A History of Council Houses in Portsmouth
By Tim Lambert The First Council Houses In the late 19th century housing for the poor was often terrible. In some cases, whole families lived in one room. The first council houses in Portsmouth were built in 1911 in Portsea in Curzon Howe Road on the site of Whites Row, a notorious slum. The new… Continue reading A History of Council Houses in Portsmouth
Life in Prehistoric England
By Tim Lambert Stone Age Hunters The first people lived in England at about 450,000 BC. At that time England was much warmer than it is today. Animals like elephants, lions, and rhinoceros lived in England alongside deer, horses, bears, and wolves. The humans made simple stone tools and lived in caves. In 15,000 BC… Continue reading Life in Prehistoric England
A Biography of Beatrix Potter
By Tim Lambert Helen Beatrix Potter was a famous author of the early 20th century. Beatrix was born in South Kensington, London on 28 July 1866. Her father, Rupert Potter was a lawyer. Since her mother was also called Helen she was called by her middle name, Beatrix. She had one brother who was 6… Continue reading A Biography of Beatrix Potter
A Biography of Isaac Newton
By Tim Lambert The early life of Newton Isaac Newton was born at Woolsthorpe near Grantham in Lincolnshire, England on 4 January 1643. His father died before he was born and in 1645 his mother married a clergyman from North Welham in Leicestershire. She went to live with him while Isaac Newton lived with his… Continue reading A Biography of Isaac Newton