By Tim Lambert An Italian, Giovanni da Verrazano discovered New York Harbor in 1524. In 1609 an Englishman, Henry Hudson, sailed up the Hudson River. Then in 1624, the Dutch founded the first permanent trading post. In 1626 the first governor, Peter Minuit, bought the island of Manhattan from the Native Americans. The Dutch built… Continue reading 17th Century New York
Category: Articles
London in the Middle Ages
By Tim Lambert Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) built a wooden palace at Westminster. Later Parliament met here. Because of this Westminster became the seat of government not the city of London itself. Edward also built Westminster Abbey, which was consecrated a few weeks before his death. After the battle of Hastings, an advance guard of… Continue reading London in the Middle Ages
Tudor Astronomy
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
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
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
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
A History of England in the Middle Ages
By Tim Lambert William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England on 25 December 1066. However, at first, his position was by no means secure. He had only several thousand men to control a population of about 2 million. Furthermore, Swein, king of Denmark also claimed the throne of England. At first, the Normans… Continue reading A History of England in the Middle Ages
A Biography of Pol Pot
By Tim Lambert Pol Pot was one of the worst tyrants of the 20th century. Pol Pot was born in Cambodia in 1925. His family was not poor. Instead, his father was a well-off farmer. However, Pol Pot became a Marxist. Marxism was the creation of Karl Marx (1818-1883). According to him, society went through… Continue reading A Biography of Pol Pot