England

  • This Day in History July 24, 1567

    By Ruth on July 24, 2014
    0
    0
    It was on this date in 1567, that Mary,  Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate the throne to her one-year-old son,  James.   As a side note,  this was eventually the king who authorized the King James version.  She was beheaded but a few years later. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mary-queen-of-scots-deposed http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/maryqueenofscots.htm
  • This Day in History May 28, 1644

    By Ruth on May 28, 2014
    0
    0
    It was on this date in 1644, that the infamous Bolton massacre occurred.  I was a particulsrly brutal part of the English civil war.  Although casualties are uncertain, 1600 may have been killed.  From what I can tell, religious differences fueled much of this war. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Massacre http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famdates.php?id=1364
  • This Day in History November 4, 1579

    By Ruth on November 4, 2013
    0
    0
    Today’s feature concerns a prominent character in King Henry VIII’s life.  On this date in 1579, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was arrested for treason.  It is assumed this was all due to his not being able to attain a marital annulment for the king from Catherine, his barren wife.  He died at the end of the month.  There is plenty more […]
  • This Day in History October 13, 1884

    By Ruth on October 13, 2013
    0
    0
    I would say that was a pretty momentous day in our world’s history.  On this date in 1884, Greenwich was established as the international standard zero degrees longitude.  And why would this be a big deal?  Well, things were changing all over the world.  The U.S. had adopted its time zones the previous year, and international trade and travel were […]
  • This Day in History October 10, 1970

    By Ruth on October 10, 2013
    0
    0
    I hope today’s feature is correct.  On this date, Fiji stopped being a British colony after 100 years.  They are most known for bottled water, and it is one of the most developed amongst the Pacific Islands. For more information: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/fiji/history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidji http://famousdaily.com/history/fiji-ceased-being-british-possession.html
  • This Day in History August 24, 1751

    By Ruth on August 24, 2013
    1
    0
    I knew about the Salem Witch Trials in this country, but I knew little about what happened in England.  On this date in 1751, Thomas Colley, an English chimney sweep, was executed for murdering a supposed witch.  I won’t go into detail about what he did (click on the first link below, and you can read about his barbarity).  On […]
  • This Day in History July 29, 1565 (UBC Day 29)

    By Ruth on July 28, 2013
    1
    0
    I honestly never seem to grow tired of learning about the Tudors in English history.  And I think their popularity does seem to last throughout the ages.  On this date in 1565, widowed Mary, Queen of Scots, married her second cousin, Lord Darnley Henry Stuart.  If you know anything of her tumultuous reign, suspicions of murder, rumored affair, treasonous accusations, […]
  • This Day in History July 22, 2010 (UBC Day 21)

    By Ruth on July 22, 2013
    8
    0
    I had the privilege of seeing Stonehenge when I visited England a few years ago.  Albeit, it was from a distance since it was the time of the summer solstice, but I even got a picture (not as good as the one featured here).  I think Stonehenge continues to fascinate us, and it is preserved for historical and religious significance. […]
  • This Day in History June 20, 1837

    By Ruth on June 20, 2013
    0
    0
    I was quite excited when I found out today’s feature.  On this date in 1837, Queen Victoria began her famous reign as Queen of England.  She was only 18 at the time, and William IV, her uncle, had died that morning.  Her mother woke her up, and she was taken to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conynham to be […]
  • “Exit the Actress” by Priya Parmar Book Review

    By Ruth on July 27, 2011
    0
    0
    Summary from goodreads: While selling oranges in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, sweet and sprightly Ellen “Nell” Gwyn impresses the theater’s proprietors with a wit and sparkle that belie her youth and poverty. She quickly earns a place in the company, narrowly avoiding the life of prostitution to which her sister has already succumbed. As her roles evolve from supporting to […]