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
Category: Articles
A 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 History of Ancient China
A Timeline of Boston
By Tim Lambert 1630 English Puritans found Boston 1631 The first sailing ship built in America is launched from Boston 1634 Samuel Cole opens an inn in Boston 1659 Two Quakers are hanged in Boston 1636 Harvard College opens 1659 Copp’s Hill Burying Ground opens. It is named after William Copp. 1660 Smallpox strikes Boston 1676 The first coffeehouse opens in Boston 1690 Smallpox… Continue reading A Timeline of Boston
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 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 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
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