By Tim Lambert In the early 17th century rich men continued to build houses west of London. The Earl of Bedford built houses at Covent Garden, on the Strand, and at Long Acre. He also obtained permission to hold a fruit and vegetable market at Covent Garden. Other rich people build houses at Lincoln Inn… Continue reading 17th Century London
Category: Articles
Britain In The 19th Century
By Tim Lambert The early 19th century was an era of political and social unrest in Britain. In the early 19th century a group of Evangelical Christians called the Clapham Sect were active in politics. They campaigned for an end to slavery and cruel sports. They gained their name because so many of them lived… Continue reading Britain In The 19th Century
A History of 18th Century Britain
By Tim Lambert In 1702 Queen Anne began her reign. In the same year, the War of the Spanish succession began. In 1704 the great general the Duke of Marlborough won a great victory over the French at Blenheim. Also in 1704, the British captured Gibraltar – and they have held it ever since. The… Continue reading A History of 18th Century Britain
A Short History of Ancient China
By Tim Lambert After 10,000 BC people in China lived by hunting and gathering plants. Then, about 5,000 BC, the Chinese began farming. From about 5,000 BC rice was cultivated in southern China and millet was grown in the north. By 5,000 BC dogs and pigs were domesticated. By 3,000 BC sheep and (in the… Continue reading A Short History of Ancient China
A History of The French Revolution
By Tim Lambert The Revolt of the Nobles The French Revolution began as a revolt of the nobles. In theory, the king was an absolute monarch who could do as he pleased. However, after 1774 it turned out he was not as powerful as he seemed. At first resistance to the king was led by… Continue reading A History of The French Revolution
Leisure in the Middle Ages
By Tim Lambert In the Middle Ages, the main pastime of the upper class was still hunting. Lords hunted deer with packs of dogs and killed them with arrows. They also hunted wild boars with spears. Both men and women went hawking. In the evenings they feasted, danced, and played board games such as chess… Continue reading Leisure in the Middle Ages
A History of Religion in the 17th Century
By Tim Lambert In the early 17th century king and parliament clashed over the issue of religion. In the 17th century, religion was far more important than it is today. It was a vital part of everyday life. Furthermore, there was no tolerance in matters of religion. By law, everybody was supposed to belong to… Continue reading A History of Religion in the 17th Century
16th and 17th Century Technology
By Tim Lambert Technology in the 16th Century In the 16th century guns transformed warfare. Early guns were lit by a slow match (string was soaked in saltpeter and when it was lit it smoldered). The slow match was touched to the gunpowder to ignite it. However, in the early 16th century, the wheelock was… Continue reading 16th and 17th Century Technology
A Timeline of 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. 1607 The Virginia Company founds a colony at Jamestown 1612 John Rolfe begins growing tobacco in Virginia 1619 The… Continue reading A Timeline of America
A History of Scotland in the 16th and 17th Centuries
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 Centuries