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

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

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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, […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]