ON
THIS DAY
ON
THIS DAY
There are several places where you can look up on your birthday and find which events and/or famous people you share it with. But I've noticed most of these seem to limit themselves to the 20th century or only vital events before it, so this page shows which events in (primarily British) history happened when!
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Wednesday 1st January, 1752: First New Years Day [originally March 25]
And a Happy New Year - for the first time! The government has finally got rid of the anomaly that makes each year officially begin on March 25. The financial year will still begin then, but the rest of us can now mark New Year in its rightful place - at the start of the New Year!
Friday 2nd January, 1987: Golliwogs banned from Enid Blyton books
Your children can all sleep safely in their beds tonight, as a great menace has been removed from society. The overtly racist golliwogs have been banned from books by that archetypal politically incorrect authoress, Ms. Enid Blyton. Three naughty monkeys will replace them. Don't you all feel a lot safer now?
Tuesday 4th January, 1642: Charles I enters parliament
In a fateful move, King Charles I today entered the House of Commons in order to arrest the five leaders of the opposition, only to find they had been forewarned and had fled. Furthermore, the king earned himself a memorable rebuke from Speaker Thomas Lenthall, who sided with parliament rather than with Charles. The king is now reported to be considering leaving the capital, and a civil war looks horribly inevitable.
Thursday 5th January, 1066: Death of Edward the Confessor
After twenty-four years of peaceful (many would say bland) rule, King Edward the Confessor has passed peacefully away. The Witan is reported to have already chosen Harold, Edward's son-in-law and Earl of Wessex, as their new king, over the rival claims of Harold III of Norway and William II of Normandy.
Friday 5th January, 1827: Death of Frederick Duke of York (1827)
Duke Frederick of York, whose ineffectual rule at the Admiralty earned him the nickname of 'The Grand Old Duke of York', has passed peacefully away in his sleep. His death means his younger brother William Duke of Clarence now becomes heir to the much-hated George IV, the former Prince Regent.
Wednesday 6th January, 1367: Birth of Richard (II)
With Edward the Black Prince, the ailing King Edward III's oldest son, engaged in adventures in Castille, his wife Princess Joan has given birth to a second son at Bordeaux, who is to be named Richard.
Wednesday 6th January, 1540: Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves
One of the most downbeat marriages in history took place today, when King Henry VIII reluctantly married his fourth wife, Princess Anne of Cleves (a duchy on the German side of the border with the Austrian Netherlands). The King only went through with the marriage to seal the treaty with Cleves, and is reported to be furious with his Vicar-General Thomas Cromwell, who arranged it.
Sunday 7th January, 871: Battle of Ashdown
High on the Berkshire Downs today the future of Wessex and the free English states was, however temporarily, secured, when King Aethelred and his brother Alfred defeated the Danish Great Army. Reports that the king refused to engage battle until he finished his prayers are said to be untrue, as he waited until the Danes had moved to a position where he could more easily attack them.
Friday 7th January, 1558: Calais lost
There was widespread anger in London today when Calais, the last English possession on the continent, was lost to the French after Queen Mary dragged England into a war alongside her husband Philip II of Spain. Only the fact that the queen is obviously in failing health and has a Protestant heir looks set to save her from the indignity of being deposed.
Saturday 8th January, 1536: Death of Catherine of Aragon
King Henry VIII and Queen Anne both wore yellow at court today, as news arrived that the former Queen Catherine (of Aragon) had passed away peacefully in her country exile at Kimbolton Castle in Huntingdonshire. However, her replacement may have little cause to celebrate, as it is rumoured that the king already has his eye on a lady-in-waiting, one Jane Seymour, and that Anne's failure to provide the much-desired may heir may prove her undoing.
Friday 9th January, 1942: Desert Island Discs first broadcast
A new radio programme has been broadcast from the BBC. Desert Island Discs features a celebrity who has to state the eight records they would take to a mythical desert island. It'll never last.
Monday 13th January, 1164: Constitutions of Clarendon
Two years of zero progress in reforming the powers of the church have led King Henry II to issue the Constitutions of Clarendon from his Wiltshire palace of that name. This seems even more certain to put him on a collision course with his one-time friend, the now-Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas a Becket.
Thursday 14th January, 1892: Death of Albert Duke of Clarence
The Royal Family is in deep mourning today, following the death of the popular oldest son of Edward Prince of Wales, Duke Albert. It was planned that he should marry his cousin Princess Mary of Teck, but she now looks set to marry his younger brother George Duke of York instead.
Friday 17th January, 1746: Battle of Falkirk
In an engagement fought near the town of Falkirk west of Edinburgh today, the rebel forces of the Young Pretender (AKA Bonnie Prince Charlie) inflicted a surprise defeat on the government forces. It is still expected however that Charles will retreat into the Highlands in the face of an advance led by King George II's second son, William Duke of Cumberland. This victory may have only delayed the inevitable.
Tuesday 20th January, 1327: Accession of Edward III
King Edward II, now a prisoner at Kenilworth Castle, has agreed to abdicate in favour of his oldest son, who will now become Edward III. With Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer Earl of March in charge of the country now, it is not expected the former king will last long. Accidents will happen, as they say.
Monday 20th January, 1936: Death of King George V
Only a couple of months ago the king, who passed peacefully away in his sleep last night, reportedly said that his oldest son would ruin himself within twelve months. Now that we have King Edward VIII - and his controversial 'lady from Baltimore' Wallis Simpson - that claim looks set to be put to the test.
Tuesday 22nd January, 1901: Death of Queen Victoria
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of our much-loved sovereign and this country's longest-serving monarch in our glorious 1400 years of history, Queen Victoria. Her Majesty passed peacefully away in her sleep last night, after reigning for sixty-four years that took the crown to new depths and new heights, and will be sadly missed. It has been announced that her oldest son Albert Prince of Wales will now reign as King Edward VII.
Saturday 22nd January, 1972: Britain joins the EEC
Seventy-one years to the day after the great Queen Victoria passed away, she must be turning in her grave, as Prime Minister Edward Heath signed away a large chunk of British sovereignty and most of our prime fishing waters to gain entry to the European Economic Community. Britain will formally enter the Union on January 1st next year, but it's now all over bar the shouting. It'll all end in tears.
Thursday 22nd January, 1644: Battle of Nantwich
With the war going increasingly against King Charles I, a further blow came today when his forces were defeated at Nantwich in Cheshire, severely weakening the royal grip on the northwest and midlands. It now seems that Charles cannot win this war - but can Parliament?
Sunday 25th January, 1533: Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
Whatever everyone thought of today's marriage between the king and his long-time mistress, they kept their thoughts to themselves as the 'happy event' took place at Whitehall, London. Many doubtless remembered the late Cardinal Wolsey, hounded to his grave by the king for failing to secure a divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Mistress Anne is already heavily pregnant, and it is to be hoped that a son will follow to secure the dynasty, which wife #1 failed to provide.
Sunday 26th January, 1788: First penal colonists arrive at Botany Bay
Two hundred years after the first attempts were made to colonize America, it looks like another British boob in sending our worst criminals to the new island province of Australia. Next thing you know they'll be running the country!
Friday 28th January, 1457: Birth of Henry (VII) Tudor
The birth of a son to a minor member of the ruling (just!) Lancastrian dynasty may seem a minor event - but only two people really stand between the infant Henry Tudor, son of Margaret Beaufort and the late Edmund Tudor - King Henry VI and his son Edward. There are of course the Yorkists, but we sincerely doubt these claims of a potential War Between The Roses.
Friday 28th January, 1547: Death of Henry VIII
Well, Bluff King Hal has finally passed away, aged 55, at Whitehall, London. He leaves a sickly nine-year-old son, Edward VI, two daughters of dubious legitimacy, an empty treasury and a religiously divided country. Not so good, really. It is thought that the new king's uncle, Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, will be appointed Protector, as requested by the late king.
Sunday 28th January, 1554: 'Battle' of Wrotham Hill
Our Kent correspondent reports that at Wrotham in the west of the county, Queen Mary's army has been annihilated by the rebel force that is now threatening to march on London demanding an abandonment of the return to popery, the so-called Wyatt's Rebellion. Since the rising is in the late Queen Jane's name, it is widely thought Mary will have her executed. Mary may also want to move against her ostensibly Catholic (but not as ostensibly that anyone believes it) sister Elizabeth, but the young princess has many supporters at court, and such a move carries great risk. All assuming, of course, Mary survives ....
Saturday 29th January, 1820: Death of King George III
Alone and almost unnoticed by the nation he had led for longer than any other king (if the past nine years of Regency are included), 'Farmer George' died today at Windsor, Berkshire. He was 81 years old. His son the Prince Regent, now George IV, faces a difficult start to his reign, not only for his vast unpopularity but also for his treatment (or mistreatment) of his estranged wife Caroline.
Tuesday 30th January, 1649: Execution of King Charles I
And the crowd uttered a terrible moan, as the king's head was severed from his shoulders. They then trampled each other in a mad rush to dip their hankies in the royal blood. The Monarchy is at an end; the Commonwealth of England is all we have to look forward to. The late king's son has declared himself Charles II, but his prospects of regaining the crown look weak in the extreme.
Sunday 2nd February, 1645: Battle of Inverlochy
Surely he can't carry on much longer, but the Duke of Montrose continues to keep the royalist flag flying in Scotland. Today he scored yet another victory over the Covenanters, this time at Inverlochy in northern Argyllshire on the Oban-Crianlarich road. It is only when he marches into stronger Covenanter territory of central Scotland that his real strength can be revealed.
Tuesday 3rd February, 1461: Battle of Mortimers Cross
No-one is seriously suggesting that young Edward Duke of York's victory at the small Herefordshire village really amounts to much (even if it was ingenious to use the fluke of light to claim the appearance of three suns was a blessing for his side). readers will remember, however, that we have consistently warned them not to underestimate this man. Although Queen Margaret must be clear favourite to reach London first, whatever army stands in her way, we would still fancy a quiet wager on the White Rose.
Sunday 3rd February, 1014: Death of King Swegn
Consternation in the Anglo-Scandinavian Empire today when King Swegn died, less than two months after becoming King of England. The deposed King Aethelred is already said to be mustering his forces for an attack from Normandy against Swegn's son, Canute, who faces rival claimants elsewhere in the Empire as well.
Wednesday 5th February, 1665: Birth of Queen Anne
Princess Anne, wife of the king's brother James Duke of York, was safely delivered of a baby daughter in London. It is however exceedingly unlikely that the new princess, who is to be named after her mother, will ever become queen, as she already has one older sister, and brothers are expected to follow.
Monday 5th February, 1811: Regency starts
Today saw the formal commencement of the Regency, as George Prince of Wales took over the powers of government from his father George III, who worsening mental state has lead to him being removed to the solitude of Windsor Caste. It is thought unlikely the king will ever make a full recovery from his current sufferings, which have ailed him for at least the past 20 years.
Friday 6th February, 1685: Death of King Charles II
Never having been known to shun unpopularity, we believe that the death of the late King Charles II came at an opportune moment for him at least. His dalliances with France led to three costly and oft-times humiliating wars with the Netherlands, and suspicions that he wanted to return the country to Catholicism seem confirmed by a story that on his deathbed he was converted to that faith. Largely, it must be noted, through the pressure of the man who now succeeds him, his brother James Duke of York. It's going to be a rough ride, folks.
Wednesday 6th February, 1952: Death of King George VI
It is with the most sincere regrets that we beg to inform our readers that the king died in his sleep last night. Coming to the throne after the traumas of his brother's abdication (what a narrow escape we had there, folks!), he led the country well through wartime, but his health suffered as a result. His daughter and our new queen, Elizabeth II, is currently on a state visit to the African colonies, and was informed immediately.
Saturday 7th February, 1450: Duke of Suffolk banished
Parliament signalled its growing determination to voice the people's fears today when it impeached the vastly unpopular Duke of Suffolk for his abject mishandling of the war in France. King Henry VI has agreed to banish Suffolk for five years, though this still means he has to get out of the country.
Wednesday 8th February, 1587: Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
At Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire today, Mary, late Queen of Scots, was beheaded by the order of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Mary had repaid her cousin's hospitality by intriguing against her, until the evidence was too much for even Elizabeth to overlook. It is thought that Mary's removal from the scene makes a Spanish invasion from Philip II more likely, and the nations' forces are being put on full alert.
Wednesday 9th February, 1973: Three-day week begins
As the miners' strike begins to bite, the government today put the nation onto a three-day working week, and declared a state of emergency.
Monday 10th February, 1567: Murder of Lord Darnley
Did she or didn't she? Many people think that Mary Queen of Scots had at least some interest in the strangulation of her husband when he tried to escape from a gunpowder explosion at Kirk O' Field near Edinburgh in the small hours of this morning. Certainly she never fully forgave him for his hand in the murder by the Scottish barons of her Italian secretary, David Rizzio. And more importantly, what will happen now?
Thursday 10th February, 1763: Treaty of Paris
We cannot but feel that, although Great Britain has won the recent Seven Years' War, formally concluded in Paris today, we somehow contrived to lose the peace. Land gains seem fair enough, particularly in north America, but the country will have to tread carefully with the colonists, some of whom are already demanding more decision-making and tax-raising powers be made on their side of the Atlantic.
Tuesday 10th February, 1840: Marriage of Queen Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1841)
In London today Her Majesty Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (a small duchy in eastern Germany), who is also her first cousin. We wish Her Majesty well, and hope to hear the patter of tiny royal feet soon.
Monday 12th February, 1554: Execution of Lady Jane Grey
In a shameful act which we hope will lose her much support, Queen Mary today carried out her plans to execute one of her Protestant rivals for the crown, her short-lived successor Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane had never wanted the crown and had not opposed the country's support for Mary, but Wyatt's recent rising in her name has led the Queen to sentence her to death. Shame on her Majesty!
Sunday 12th February, 1797: Last invasion of Britain
1400 French troops who landed today off the Pembrokeshire coast were rounded up by the womenfolk of the town of Fishguard, who held them captive until local soldiers arrive. You'll have to do better than that, Boney!
Monday 13th February, 1542: Execution of Queen Catherine Howard
And another one bites the dust! Henry VIII's fifth attempt at matrimony ended in disaster today when Queen Catherine was beheaded on Tower Green along with two of her (probably rightly) alleged lovers, Thomas Culpepper and Francis Dereham. Surely the king won't try again after two childless marriages?
Wednesday 13th February, 1689: William III and Mary II declared joint king/queen
In the conclusion to what they are already calling the Bloodless revolution, in which the Catholic James II was virtually pushed off the British throne by parliament, his daughter Mary and son-in-law William have been accepted as the country's joint king and queen. William has however had to sign the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing certain parliamentary rights and powers.
Saturday 13th February, 1692: Glencoe Massacre
In an outbreak of feudal clan violence, the government representative in Scotland, Sir John Dalrymple (a Macdonald) today ordered his men to attack and kill a group of Campbells who had been hosting them in the valley of Glen Coe, near Fort William. casualties are thought to be around 30-40, and politicians are already calling for Dalrymple to resign, fearing the attack will further strengthen the cause of the exiled James II north of the border.
Saturday 14th February, 1400: ?Murder of Richard II
Our court correspondent suggests that the lately-deposed King Richard II has been murdered on the orders of his successor, Henry IV. Richard had been imprisoned in Pontefract (Pomfret) Castle in Yorkshire. His murder removes at least one rival to the Lancastrian succession - but more will surely follow.
Monday 15th February, 1971: Decimalization
A black day for Great Britain, as the country buckled to pressure from Europe and effectively devalued its currency. From now on a pound will consist of only 100 pennies, not 240, and several old favourites amongst our coinage will also disappear. The change is expected to cause widespread confusion for several months to come.
Wednesday 16th February, 1659: First cheque drawn on a British bank written today
A new age dawned today, when a new system of paying came into being. The 'cheque' is a piece of paper similar to a banknote, except that it has the added flexibility of being able to be for any amount, no matter how large or small. It'll never catch on.
Tuesday 17th February, 1461: Second battle of St. Albans
Queen Margaret has inflicted a major defeat on the Earl of Warwick in the second battle to be fought at the Hertfordshire town of St. Albans within six years. Margaret is expected to enter London and secure her husband Henry VI's release, but it is not known whether she will try to defend it against Edward of York, advancing from the west. London has always been Yorkist, and pundits expect her to draw off to the Lancastrian heartlands of the north and Scotland.
Wednesday 18th February, 1478: Execution of George Duke of Clarence
Why? That was the question on most lips as George Duke of Clarence, King Edward IV's wayward younger brother, met his death today by being drowned in a butt of his favourite wine, Malmsey. The most intriguing rumour is that George had somehow found out that Edward's marriage to his unpopular queen Elizabeth Woodville was illegal due to his having a pre-contract with another woman. This would make all the king's children illegitimate - and would have made George his heir. We wonder ....
Monday 18th February, 1516: Birth of Queen Mary I
Queen Catherine has been safely delivered of a baby girl, who is to be named Mary. Though it is not the son King Henry VIII so badly wants, the couple are still young and should eventually produce a male offspring.
Thursday 19th February, 1674: Third Dutch War ends
Sighs of relief all round today as the third war with the country many regard as our friend, the Netherlands, ended. Although England has emerged largely victorious, gaining the small American town of New Amsterdam (now called New York), many regard France as our real enemy, and our restored King Charles II's desire for money as behind his cuddling up to the French King Louis XIV.
Wednesday 23rd February, 1820: Cato Street Conspiracy
Hopes for political reform suffered a setback today, when a plot to blow up the Cabinet was uncovered in Cato Street in London. Following on from last year's Peterloo Massacre, chances of reform now look further away than ever.
Wednesday 25th February, 1545: Battle of Ancrum Moor/French troops on IOW
A double setback for the beleaguered government of King Henry VIII today, as the Scots defeated English troops at Ancrum Moor near Jedburgh in Roxburghshire, and French troops once again set up a base on the Isle of Wight. Honestly, the way this king governs we might as well have a civil war and become a republic!
Friday 26th February, 1742: Walpole's 'rule' ends
British involvement in the war of the Austrian Succession has proved the final straw that has broken 21 years of unbroken rule by Horace Walpole, whom some are already calling Great Britain's first 'prime minister'. He is succeeded by Lord Carteret, who must also consider whether to continue the current war with Spain.
Tuesday 26th February, 1935: Radar first demonstrated
A new system of locating planes and ships when they are miles away has been demonstrated today at Daventry by its inventor, Mr. Robert Watson-Watt. The system is known as radar (from RAdio Detection And Ranging), and could give Great Britain a decisive advantage in future wars.
Wednesday 27th February, 1991: Kuwait City liberated
The 'mother of all battles' turned out to be the second cousin twice removed, as the great conflict threatened by madman ruler of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, failed to materialize. British, French and American troops today liberated Kuwait City, and the Iraqi army is in full retreat back to its own borders.
Friday 1st March, 1963: Beeching Report published
Never in the history of railways in our country has such a wholesale destruction of the system been proposed as was today out forward by Doctor Beeching. Surely even the current inept government cannot accept these outlandish proposals? What would they result in - a country full of cars?
Thursday 1st March, 1979: Devolution vote
The United Kingdom today survived its greatest threat yet - from the ballot box. Scotsmen and Welshmen voted on devolution today as the crumbling Labour government of PM James Callaghan tries desperately to cling onto the support of the Nationalists. Scots voted fractionally in favour, but failed to reach the 40% threshold that parliament agreed. The Welsh voted decidedly against.
Friday 2nd March, 1750: Earth tremor hits London
A minor earthquake struck the British capital this morning. No major structural damage was caused, and no casualties have thus far been reported.
Friday 5th March, 1133: Birth of Henry II
A baby son has been safely delivered to Princess Matilda, King Henry I's daughter and heir nominative, and her husband Duke Geoffrey of Anjou. The boy is to be named Henry after his grandfather, and much is to be hoped of him - both that he will help secure the turbulent marriage and that the barons may now be more ready to swear allegiance to a future Queen Matilda now she has a male heir.
Thursday 5th March, 1461: Accession of Edward IV
Edward Duke of York was today proclaimed King of all England - but it could be a short reign. His Lancastrian rival Queen Margaret has drawn off from the capital after securing the release of her husband Henry VI, and is reported to be negotiating with King James IV of Scotland for more troops. A major battle now looks inevitable in this ongoing War Between The Roses.
Tuesday 5th March, 1790: Death of Flora Macdonald
London. The death has been reported of Miss Flora Macdonald, the Scottish lady who helped Prince Charles escape to France after his abortive attempt to regain the English crown back in 1745-6. Miss Macdonald was later imprisoned by the British government, but a public outcry led to her release.
Sunday 8th March, 1702: Death of William III
Though it probably doesn't know it, England has today lost one of its best-ever monarchs when King William III died from a fall from his horse. Better known as William of Orange, came over at parliament's invitation to claim the throne and depose the Catholic James II. For his pains he had thirteen years of sniping from parliament, and also saw his beloved wife and co-ruler Mary die in 1694. He also inflicted many defeats on the ambitious Louis XIV of France, ending his ambitions for a pan-European empire. The Dutch ruler who came to England will, in the long run, be greatly missed.
Friday 9th March, 1973: Northern Ireland Referendum
In spite of a Catholic boycott, just short of 600,000 people voted in a referendum today to remain in the united Kingdom, as against 6,000 who wanted to become part of Eire.
Monday 12th March, 1470: Battle of Empingham/Losecoat Field
A rebellion by King Edward IV's tax-collectors, which many believe was backed by his former allies George Duke of Clarence and Richard Earl of Warwick, ended today when the king defeated the rebels at a field near Empingham in Rutlandshire. So quickly did the rebels flee that they discarded their false coats of arms, which has led some to christen it 'the battle of Losecoat Field'.
Monday 12th March, 1984: Miners' strike begins
Six days after the Coal Board announced plans to close 21 pits and lay off 20,000 employees, the National Union of Mineworkers has announced a full strike. Many see this as its leader Arthur Scargill getting at the government of Margaret Thatcher, re-elected last year. Memories of the way the miners brought down Edward Heath's government twelve years ago are still fresh in many people's minds, but this time the absence of a ballot may mean that the more moderate miners, particularly in Nottinghamshire, do not back the strike.
Wednesday 15th March, 44 BC: Assassination of Julius Caesar
Drama in Rome today, when Emperor Julius Caesar, whom many suspected of trying to become king, was assassinated by a cabal of his enemies in the senate. Speculation is rife as to whether Mark Antony, Caesar's long-time friend, will retaliate against the cabal or work with them.
Tuesday 16th March, 1322: Battle of Boroughbridge
King Edward II today gained final and full revenge on his uncle Thomas Earl of Lancaster for his murder of Edward's lover and foster-brother Piers Gaveston ten years since. Since his disaster against the Scots at Bannockburn back in '14, Edward had steadily picked off his lesser supports, and last month Thomas fled for Scotland. But he was cut off by the King's army whilst trying to cross the River Ouse at Boroughbridge, and Thomas himself was captured. He is expected to be executed shortly.
Friday March 16th, 1649: Monarchy/House of Lords abolished/Second battle of Burford
Just over a month after Charles I's head hit the deck, Cromwell's parliament has formally abolished both the monarchy and the House of Lords. Meanwhile in Oxfordshire, the Levellers, a grouping promoting the strange idea of votes for all (!!) were decisively defeated at Burford on the Thames, and their leaders executed.
Monday 17th March, 1040: Death of Harold I
So the son of the late, great King Canute is dead - which means his other son becomes King of England! The new king will be Hardicanute, who was proclaimed king on Canute's death but whom Danish affairs kept him occupied, allowing his half-brother the late Harold I to take the crown. Harold's death from a long illness has averted invasion, for it is known that Hardicanute had decided to save himself the expense on being informed of his illness. Hardicanute has no heirs, and is though to favour a restoration of the Saxon line on his death.
Tuesday 17th March, 1058: Death of Lulach, King of Scots
What began with his stepfather's murder of the ineffectual young King Duncan eighteen years ago finally came to an end when the House of Canmore regained the Scottish throne in the form of Duncan's eldest son, Malcolm III. Two previous invasions in 1054 and 1057 had succeeded in defeating and finally killing Macbeth, but the Scottish barons backed Lulach, and only Lulach's untimely death (from natural causes, amazingly!) has allowed Malcolm to regain the crown he has sought.
Monday 18th March, 978: Murder of Edward the Martyr at Corfe Castle
A black day for the new state of England, when young King Edward was killed when his horse bolted from his stepmother's castle, dragging him to his death - and if you believe that, you'll believe anything! Queen Aelfthryth has clearly murdered her stepson in order that her own son, Aethelred, should succeed. Are you ready for this, England?
Tuesday 19th March, 1286: Death of Alexander III, King of Scots
Drunken riding claimed a noble victim this evening, when King Alexander III managed to ride his horse off a cliff in Fifeshire whilst returning somewhat the worse for drink from a party. The Scottish barons have already acknowledged that his grand-daughter Margaret (the Maid of Norway) as the next monarch, and negotiations already in hand for her betrothal to Edward, son of King Edward I of England, are expected to proceed as expected.
Monday 20th March, 1413: Death of King Henry IV
Ye who disbelieve in fortune-tellers, be prepared to eat your words. King Henry IV, after fourteen years of turbulent reigning, had known it was foretold he would die in sight of Jerusalem, and today he did. Okay, so it was the Jerusalem Chamber in Windsor Castle, but he can't say he wasn't warned!
Wednesday 20th March, 1751: Death of Frederick, Prince of Wales
The new-fangled sport of cricket, against which we have spoken out on many occasions, today claimed its latest and greatest victim, the popular Frederick Prince of Wales, son of King George II. Prince Fred was struck by a cricket ball whilst playing today, and has died of his wounds.
Thursday 21st March, 1644: Battle of Newark
The Royalist cause continues to weaken on all fronts, and control of East Anglia was effectively ceded today with defeat at Newark-on-Trent. One notable casualty of the battle was young Oliver Cromwell, second son of his rising father.
Monday 23rd March, 1702: Coronation of Queen Anne
The coronation of the new queen, the last of the Stuarts, passed off peacefully today in London. A pity the same could not be said in British America, where Lord Cornbury, the governor-general of America, turned up for the ceremony over there in full ceremonial dress - a woman's dress!
Thursday 24th March, 1603: Death of Queen Elizabeth I
118 years after it started on a Leicestershire battlefield, the Tudor dynasty finally came to a close today, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I passed peacefully away in London. Inheriting a country broke, politically and religiously divided and surrounded on all sides by enemies poised to invade, she has done wonders for this country, and will be sadly missed. We reserve judgement on whether her nominated successor, James VI of Scotland, can ever match up to her - which with an increasingly obstreperous parliament he will have to do.
Sunday 27th March, 1625: Death of King James I
Is it really 22 years since the late, lamented Queen Elizabeth passed away, and left her country to the care of her Scottish cousin? The new King James I has been little short of a disaster, alienating parliament and stirring up religious divides (remember the Gunpowder Plot?). Let's hope his son and successor Charles I does better - surely he can't do any worse?
Wednesday 28th March, 1660: Birth of King George I
Good news from Hanover, where the succession in an important British ally has been secured by the birth of a son to the Elector Ernest and Duchess Sophia. The new Prince George will be a cousin to the self-proclaimed Charles II, expected to be soon restored to the British throne.
Sunday 29th March, 1461: Battle of Towton
Three days of bloody fighting, in which casualties are rated somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 (about 2% of the country's population!), have ended with the Yorkist forces in possession of the South Yorkshire field near the village of Towton, and the Lancastrian forces of Henry VI and Queen Margaret fleeing in disarray to their castles in Northumberland and Scotland. It seems that one phase of this war between the Roses has come to an end, and the Yorkist Edward IV is definitively the victor.
Friday 29th March, 1644: Battle of Cheriton
283 years after the bloodiest battle in English history, casualties in today's Civil War battle barely reached into the hundreds - but as the soldier said to the barmaid, size doesn't matter. In defeating the Royalists at Cheriton in central Hampshire today, the Parliamentarian forces have stopped what could have been a fatal move by their rivals to surround London from the south.
Monday 1st April, 1918: Royal Air Force formed
The rising importance of air power in the Great War with Germany was recognized by the government today, when the air branch of the Navy was given its separate status as the third branch of the country's armed forces.
Saturday 2nd April, 1502: Death of Arthur Tudor
The country is in mourning today, following the unexpected death of Arthur Prince of Wales, King Henry VII's oldest son. It is now expected that both the title Prince of Wales and the late prince's new wife Catherine of Aragon will be transferred to the second son, Henry Duke of York, although a papal dispensation will need to be obtained for the latter.
Thursday 2nd April, 1801: Battle of Copenhagen
As the threat of Napoleonic France looms ever larger over Europe, it fell to Great Britain to strike a major blow for freedom today. The British fleet's victory over the Scandinavians at Copenhagen today means that the threat from northern Europe has now been neutralized, and Britannia still rules the waves. One particular incident of note records that second-in-command Lord Nelson, commanding the Elephant, deliberately put his blind eye to a telescope to ignore a signal to disengage, which will surely land him well and truly in it.
Friday 2nd April, 1982: Falklands War begins
After months of saber-rattling, Argentina has finally done it - they have invaded the British protectorate of the Falkland Islands (for the uninitiated, they're the two dots on the map to the right of South America). Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has already pledged to recover the islands by whatever means are necessary, and Britain's allies are rushing. Some may even back us in the end!
Friday 3rd April, 1366: Birth of Henry IV
A son has been born to Blanche and John, Duchess and Duke of Lancaster. It is thought he will be named Henry, a name currently out of favour among royal circles, but with John having three older brothers his chances of becoming king seem remote.
Thursday 5th April, 1509: Death of King Henry VII
Widespread celebrations, after the first Tudor monarch passed away after 24 years on the throne. The new dynasty now seems firmly established, and it is thought that his second son and successor, Henry VIII, will shortly marry his late brother's widow Princess Catherine of Aragon. We look forward to a quiet, prosperous reign.
Tuesday 6th April, 1199: Death of King Richard I
There are some things which defy explanation. Religion is one of them. The Universe is another. And as for the popularity of the late King Richard, who spent only ten months of his ten year reign in Britain and bled the country white to pay for his overseas ventures - well, we just don't get it. He is succeeded by his brother John, the first time we have had a king of that name. Surely he can only be better?
Saturday 7th April, 1739: Dick Turpin hanged at York
Murder, cattle-stealing, smuggling and holding up coaches - was ever such a villain so mourned at his hanging as Richard (Dick) Turpin when he dangled from on high at York today.
Sunday 8th April, 1795: George (IV), Prince of Wales, marries Caroline of Brunswick
The Prince of Wales, who was reported as saying he didn't feel well and needed a stiff drink when he first saw his new wife, was today married to her in London. Parliament has voted the prince a generous new allowance and agreed to wipe off all past debts in return for his securing the royal succession - something George III's fourteen other children have thus far signally failed to do.
Sunday 8th April, 1838: S.S. Great Western leaves Bristol for New York
The steamship Great Western left Bristol for New York, U.S., today. With this amazing new service, it is now possible to travel from London to NY in a stunning fifteen days! Isn’t technology wonderful?
Wednesday 9th April, 1483: Death of King Edward IV
In a shock development in London today, King Edward IV passed suddenly away, aged just forty. His death bequeaths the crown to his twelve-year-old son, who should become Edward V - but many are worried that he is just a pawn of the late king's powerful Woodville in-laws, and favour instead Richard Duke of Gloucester. Unfortunately Richard (who is named Protector of the Realm during the new king's minority) is currently in the north, although his ally the Duke of Buckingham is reportedly beseeching him to return south quickly.
Monday 11th April, 1814: Emperor Napoleon abdicates
The on-off war which stretches all the way back to the French Revolution of 1789 was finally declared off today, when Emperor Napoleon abdicated. With British troops having liberated Spain and now across the Pyrenees, and Allied states liberating themselves from his rule in the east, he has at least gone before he was pushed - too much. It is expected that Great Britain and the Allies will choose the isle of Elba, off the Italian west coast, for his exile.
Saturday 12th April, 1606: Union Jack adopted
'A compromise that pleases no-one' is how one wag describes it, but although a formal Anglo-Scottish union has been ruled out, the flag for it has now been unveiled. Scots resent the fact that the English cross goes through theirs, whilst the English don't like the blue-white background. This 'union jack' will never catch on.
Sunday 13th April, 1203: Murder of Arthur Duke of Brittany
Rumours abound that Arthur Duke of Brittany, King John's nephew and claimant to large parts of the Angevin Empire, has met his end - but no-one knows exactly how. It is highly likely that it was at John's orders (indeed, some think he did it personally!), as the young duke was captured in a recent engagement. We shall probably never know - but if he is gone, then John's chances of holding onto any Angevin possessions on the continent look slim indeed.
Monday 13th April, 1360: Black Monday
With the plague afflicting many parts of England, today also saw unusual weather conditions across the country. heavy mist and hail lowered temperatures so rapidly many thought it the work of supernatural forces. It is even reported that some men died of cold on horseback.
Sunday 14th April, 1471: Battle of Barnet
Three days after Londoners deposed the Lancastrian King Henry VI, his Yorkist rival Edward IV won a decisive battle over the Lancastrians at Barnet north of the capital. The battle claimed one casualty of great note; Richard Earl of Warwick, who had backed both sides at different stages in the contention, was killed trying to escape from the battlefield. It is reported that heavy fog in the area caused the Lancastrian Earl of Oxford to swing his troops round, whereon their emblem was mistaken for a Yorkist one and he was fired on by his own side! Queen Margaret, who is expected to arrive with an army from France any day now, is faced with a difficult decision - should she attack or leave?
Saturday 14th April, 1917: Battle of Arras finishes
Six days of fighting came to an end on the Western Front today, with the Allies a few miles further forward but not having made any substantial gains. Will this terrible war never end?
Monday 15th April, 1912: RMS Titanic sinks
They called her unsinkable and wondered whether the oceans could hold her. Well, they're holding her tonight, for the liner Titanic, three days out of Southampton, is reported to have struck an iceberg in the early hours of this morning and sunk. Reports are confused, but it is thought about one-third (700) of her compliment were rescued by the Carpathia, which fortunately was in the area.
Sunday 15th April, 1945: Belsen concentration camp liberated
So those terrible stories were true after all. Allied troops advancing through western Germany today found a horrific sight; a concentration camp at Belsen, where thousands of Jews had been put to death. The guards, many of whom had been responsible for these deaths, had tried to disguise themselves and hide amongst the emaciated prisoners, but were soon spotted. In its dying days, the Third Reich has brought new shame upon humanity.
Wednesday 16th April, 1746: Battle of Culloden
What started last year in a triumphant march into England to reclaim 'his' throne ended on a Nairnshire moor for Prince Charles Stuart, when his remaining Highland forces were cut to pieces by the king's army, led by his son the Duke of Cumberland. A price of £10,000 has been put on Charles' head, and he will find it difficult to escape from the country.
Wednesday 21st April, 1926: Birth of Queen Elizabeth II
The Duchess of York has been safely delivered of a baby girl, who is to be called Elizabeth after her mother. The new baby is third-in-line to the throne, after her uncle the Prince of Wales and her father, so it is highly unlikely we shall have a second Elizabethan reign.
Tuesday 22nd April, 1884: Earthquake in Essex
Four people are reported to have been killed when a massive earthquake struck eastern Essex today. Its epicentre is thought to be around the town of Wivenhoe, south-east of Colchester.
Monday 23rd April, 1016: Death of King Aethelred II
Unfortunately 38 years too late. The 'Unready' monarch's miserable reign ended in suitable confusion today, as he signed off without openly backing his son Edmund 'Ironside'. Edmund now faces a difficult battle for the crown against Canute, son of Sweyn, Aethelred's predecessor and conqueror three years since.
Saturday 23rd April, 1616: Death of William Shakespeare
On his fifty-second birthday Master William Shakespeare has passed away. He wrote many passable plays and even the odd interesting one, but we cannot say he will be greatly missed. Given twenty years, no-one will even remember who he was, let alone what he wrote.
Tuesday 25th April, 1284: Birth of King Edward II
The Queen has been safely delivered of a son, who is to be called Edward after his father. Although the fourth son she has had, with the first tow dead he follows his one surviving elder brother, Alphonso. It is expected that the king will shortly declare Alphonso to be Prince of Wales, which he has recently conquered.
Wednesday 25th April, 1464: Battle of Hedgeley Moor (1464)
King Edward IV's campaign to reduce the last Lancastrian castles to hold out against him took another step forward today, when he defeated a small Lancastrian army at Hedgeley Moor in Northumberland.
Saturday 28th April, 1442: Birth of Edward IV
We understand that a son has been born to Richard Duke of York and his wife, Lady Cicely Neville. With the protector Duke Humphrey and King Henry VI's Lancastrian entourage trying to blame each other for the deteriorating situation in English-held France, many view the Duke of York, who has a better claim to the throne than the king, as an important factor in English politics.
Wednesday 30th April, 1662: Birth of Mary II
Princess Anne, wife to James Duke of York, has been safely delivered of a daughter, who is to be called Mary. The choice of the name of a Catholic queen of England has not gone down well at court, although it is hoped that King Charles II, recently restored to the throne, will eventually have children of his own - or his wife will (you know what we mean!)
Tuesday 1st May, 1464: Marriage of King Edward IV to Elizabeth Woodville
A terrible rumour is circling the court, namely that the king has secretly married a commoner, one Lady Elizabeth Woodville, widow of Sir John Grey. We can only hope this is untrue, as the king's chief supporter, Richard Earl of Warwick, is currently in France negotiating for Edward to marry a French princess - and he would most definitely not be pleased!
Tuesday 1st May, 1660: Convention Parliament votes to restore monarchy
In a simple division at the Houses of Parliament in London today, members voted unanimously to undo the past 18 years, and restore the monarchy. However, it will not be a complete reversal of the past, as parliament has placed new limits on the king's power. Will this arrangement work? We can but hope.
Thursday 1st May, 1707: Act of Union/Union Jack adopted
With the help of a large amount of money in the right pockets, the Scottish parliament today voted for union with England in a new country to be called Great Britain. The Union Jack flag has been formally adopted as the new country's banner, although neither side is completely happy with it.
Saturday 2nd May, 1450: Duke of Suffolk beheaded on board ship
Oh ye who disbelieve in fortune-tellers, hang your heads today. The Duke of Suffolk, who was told he would meet his death by water, was intercepted as he tried to flee the country and beheaded today on board a ship. Not by water, you might think - except the captain of the intercepting ship was called - Walter!
Saturday 4th May, 1471: Battle of Tewkesbury
In what looks to be the decisive if not final engagement of the Wars of the Roses, King Edward VI has defeated the Lancastrian Queen Margaret at the battle of Tewkesbury on the Gloucestershire-Worcestershire border. The Queen was trying to make for Wales, a centre of Lancastrian support, but Edward caught her before she could cross the Severn. It is also understood that Prince Edouard, the queen's son, died in the battle, and it is expected that the days of her husband the late King Henry VI, imprisoned in the Tower of London, are now but few. The Lancastrian mantle now falls on the exiled Henry Tudor, in hiding in Brittany.
Tuesday 5th May, 1629: King Charles I begins rule without parliament
After four years of bickering, the king has finally and irrevocably prorogued parliament. The country now awaits his attempt to rule directly with trepidation; Charles will have to raise his own taxes without parliament.
Sunday 7th May, 1659: Richard Cromwell resigns
Barely months after succeeding his father as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, Richard Cromwell, nicknamed by his opponents 'Tumbledown Dick', has finally had enough of bickering army generals and resigned. Many hope that this will lead to the restoration of the monarchy, although at the moment it is hard to see just how this can happen - or who will take charge now.
Tuesday 8th May, 1660: Formal restoration of monarchy
A year and a day since Richard Cromwell resigned as Lord Protector, parliament has passed a bill bringing about the formal restoration of the monarchy in the form of King Charles II. However, the new law leaves unclear the dividing line between the King's and parliament's powers which caused the recent civil war. Then again, history never repeats itself, does it?
Tuesday 8th May, 1945:VE Day/End of World War 2
The whole country was celebrating today after Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared VE (Victory in Europe) Day, to mark the formal end of the war in Europe. Although fighting is still intense in Japan, the British and American armies are slowly driving the Japanese back across the Pacific, island by island. We can only hope for a swift end to this terrible conflict.
Friday 9th May, 1645: Battle of Auldearn (1645)
The Scottish Royalists have scored yet another victory, with the duke of Montrose crushing a Covenanter army at Auldearn, east of Nairn. This contrasts with the rapidly collapsing Royalist position in England, where matters are coming to a head as the two main armies close on each other in the midlands.
Saturday 11th May, 1689: Claverhouse Revolt in Scotland
Two months after the Scottish parliament begrudgingly accepted William and Mary as King and Queen of Scotland as well as England, the leading Stuart supporter John 'Bonnie' Dundee, Viscount Claverhouse, has raised the standard in support of the exiled James II. James is expected to arrive in Ireland any day now, where he will try to build a base to reclaim his crown.
Thursday 13th May, 1568: Battle of Langside
Eleven days after she escaped from her captivity, Mary Queen of Scots has been decisively defeated by the Scottish barons at Langside in Perthshire, and is reportedly fleeing to England. It is doubtful whether Queen Elizabeth I will welcome the arrival of her nearest Catholic heir, particularly as Mary has still not been cleared of involvement in the murder of her late husband, Lord Darnley.
Wednesday 13th May, 1607: Refounding of Jamestown VA
The English settlement in America recommenced today, when the first ship reached Jamestown, the settlement which was mysteriously abandoned after the first attempt at settlement. It is hoped this new advance of the Anglo-Scottish Empire will meet with better luck.
Wednesday 14th May, 1264: Battle of Lewes
In an amazing development, barons' leader Simon de Montfort has inflicted a crushing defeat on his brother-in-law King Henry III in battle at Lewes, Sussex. Though smaller in numbers, victory was ironically secured by Prince Edward, who charged a small part of Simon's army and pursued it from the battlefield, fatally exposing his father's flank. With both king and prince in captivity, it now falls to the earl to run the country - and that won't be easy!
Tuesday 15th May, 1464: Battle of Hexham
In what looks set to be virtually the last engagement of the Wars of the Roses (at least this bit!), Yorkist forces have defeated a small Lancastrian force holding out in Northumberland at the battle of Hexham. This victory was made even sweeter with the capture of the unpopular Lancastrian Earl of Somerset, and with King Edward IV close to a truce with Scotland, the Lancastrians are fast running out of places to go.
Tuesday 16th May, 1643: Battle of Stratton
In an engagement in the civil war today, Royalist forces easily repulsed an attempt by the Parliamentarians to break into their stronghold of Cornwall, defeating them outside the village of Stratton near Bude.
Tuesday 16th May, 1943: Dambusters' Raid (1943)
Four days after the Germans were forced out of Tunisia, Great Britain struck right at the heart of the German armaments industry. Special 'bouncing bombs' destroyed the Mohne, Sorpe and Eder dams, stopping all arms production in the Ruhr Valley. Though the Germans may repair them, the damage to morale and the vast increase in resources to defend them make this a major triumph for us.
Friday 19th May, 1536: Beheading of Anne Boleyn
We have been asked to remind those opponents of King Henry VIII that the king retained tender feelings towards his second queen in spite of her unfaithfulness towards him - he even hired a special French executioner to behead her, so her agonies would not be prolonged. What other husband would do so much these days?
Thursday 19th May, 1692: Battle of La Hogue starts
Battle has been joined between the Anglo-Dutch fleets and the French fleet of King Louis XIV off La Hogue, on the Normandy coast. The threat of invasion has hung over the country since the Allied fleets were defeated at Beachy Head some two years since. Queen Mary II, regent for the country whilst her husband William III is curtailing Louis' European ambitions, has denied rumours of a mutiny aboard British ships, saying they will fight for her.
Tuesday 21st May, 1471: 'Death' of King Henry VI
The triumphant Yorkists have not denied it, so maybe the rumours are true. It is murmured in London that King Henry VI, late king of the country, has died in captivity in the Tower of London. How convenient - just after his only son was killed at the battle of Tewkesbury!
Thursday 22nd May, 1455: First Battle of St. Albans
In a short engagement in the town of St. Albans today, Richard Duke of York defeated the Lancastrian forces surrounding the king and obtained the death of the much-hated Duke of Somerset. Somerset had thought himself safe in the small town, as it had been foretold he would die under a castle - but he was killed in street-fighting outside the pub. Yes, the Castle Inn. Fate can be cruel at times. many hope this will end conflict between Lancastrians and Yorkists, and surely we cannot be bound for a full-scale War of the Roses?
Wednesday 24th May, 1692: Battle of La Hogue finishes
Queen Mary's faith in her sailors has been shown to have been justified; after six days of fierce fighting the Anglo-Dutch fleet has scored a resounding victory over the French fleet of King Louis XIV, thus ending the threat of a French invasion.
Monday 24th May, 1819: Birth of Queen Victoria
A daughter has been safely delivered of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and is to be named Alexandrina Georgiana. If she survives, she will displace Prince Adolphus, son of the Duke of Sussex, but could still herself be displaced if the marriage of her uncle Prince William produces any further children.
Saturday 25th May, 1471: Re-accession of King Edward IV
Parliament formally acknowledged the re-accession of the Yorkist King Edward IV today, three weeks to the day after the battle of Tewkesbury. The war between the Roses now seems to be finally over, although some Lancastrian forces have rallied round the exiled illegitimate Henry Tudor.
Wednesday 25th May, 1659: Resignation of Richard Cromwell
Eight months after he took over leadership of the country from his father Oliver, Richard Cromwell, known as Tumbledown Dick to his critics, has shocked his critics and friends alike by resigning and telling the army exactly what they can do with his position. This removes an important blockage on the road to a restoration for the exiled Charles II, but many dangers still lie ahead.
Tuesday 26th May, 946: Assassination of Edmund I
Consternation at the royal court at Pucklechurch in Gloucestershire today when an exiled robber named Leofa returned and, in an affray, fatally stabbed King Edmund. Edmund had had a difficult seven-year reign, and had only just restored the united England he had inherited, but his death surely robs the country of a great fourth king in succession. He is succeeded by his younger brother Edred, as his sons Edwy and Edgar are too young to reign.
Thursday 27th May, 1199: John elected king of England
Whether or not it may his been his late, lamented brother's will, John, the last surviving son of King Henry II, has been elected as King of England. He has also secured Normandy and Aquitaine, but Brittany, Maine, Torraine and Anjou have selected the technically superior claim of his nephew Arthur, son of his older brother Geoffrey Duke of Brittany. It is feared that Philip II of France might be able to exploit these divisions, and fatally weaken the Angevin Empire.
Monday 27th May, 1940: Dunkirk evacuation begins
In one of the most amazing escapes out of tight corners in history, the British Expeditionary Force has begun its escape from the beaches of Dunkirk. It seems the Germans have not pressed for a battle because they thought large ships could not enter the harbour to get them off - but the resourceful British have instead used every small boat from the southern and eastern ports instead! The evacuation is forecast to take eight days.
Sunday 28th May, 1972: Death of Edward VIII in exile
The death was announced today of the late King Edward VIII in exile in France. His decision to surrender the throne in 1936 in order to marry the American divorcee Wallis led to a constitutional crisis that shook the monarchy, but in retrospect his replacement by his brother and sister-in-law was a godsend. It is though the Duchess will stay at Buckingham Palace during the funeral to be held at Windsor.
Saturday 29th May, 1630: Birth of Charles II
A son has been born to Queen Henrietta Maria and King Charles I. It is expected he will be named after his father. The palace is expected to celebrate this event to draw people's mind off the king's personal rule without parliament, now entering its second year.
Thursday 30th May, 1381: Peasants' Revolt begins at Fobbing
It is reported that three poll tax collectors have been seized by angry villagers at Fobbing on the Thames, east of London. Rumours abound that both Kent and Essex are furious over the new tax, now being levied for the third time.
Tuesday 30th May, 1536: Marriage of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour
Eleven days after his specially-hired French executioner severed the head of his second wife from her shoulders, Henry VIII has made it three, by marrying Mifs Jane Seymour. It is rumoured in some circles that she is already pregnant; let us hope she can succeed where her two predecessors have failed, and produce the much-desired son for her hubbie.
Sunday 1st June, 1975: Snow falls in London
And this is summer? For the first time since records began, some three hundred years ago, snow fell in the capital in June.
Thursday 3rd June, 1865: Birth of King George V
A second son has been born to Prince Edward of Wales and Princess Alexandra. It is understood he is to be named Albert after his grandfather.
Friday 4th June, 1738: Birth of King George III
A son has been born to Prince Frederick of Wales and Princess Augusta. Rather surprisingly in view of current relations between the prince and his father, the baby is to be named George.
Monday 4th June, 1832: Great Reform Bill passed
Today the Great Reform Bill became the Great Reform Act, at its third attempt. The House of Lords backed down in the face of the King's agreement to create enough new Whig peers to ensure a safe passage if they continued their opposition. The bill doubles the number of those entitled to vote to around one million, standardizes the entitlement to vote, removes most of the rotten boroughs and gives the new northern industrial towns representation for the first time.
Saturday 6th June, 1846: Corn Laws repealed
To cries of anguish by farmers and delight from just about everyone else, parliament today repealed the Corn Laws. These laws effectively imposed a levy on the price of bread, and their removal should make it cheaper for everyone. This will be of particular benefit to Ireland, currently experiencing the potato famine.
Monday 6th June, 1910: Death of King Edward VII
The king who had to wait longer than any other in history to become king today passed away after just nine years on the throne. Initially dismissed as a playboy, Victoria's son quickly made his mark as an impressive statesman, and will be sorely missed. His successor George V inherits a difficult political situation, with the Commons and Lords virtually at war with each other over the budget.
Tuesday 6th June, 1944: D-Day
Our prayers today go out to British, American and Allied soldiers, who in the early hours of this morning descended in mass on the beaches of Normandy. Initial reports suggest the landing has been largely successful, but we will have to wait many weeks to see if they can establish and then build on this vital bridgehead.
Tuesday 7th June, 1328: Death of King Robert (I) the Bruce
Scotland is in mourning today, after its popular King Robert I passed peacefully away. He is succeeded by his son David II. Rumours already abound that King Edward III of England is planning to raise an army for David's rival, Edward Baliol.
Tuesday 8th June, 1042: Death of King Hardicanute
King Hardicanute died today after a reign of just two years. He died from over-eating at the wedding-feast at Court. He has however achieved what his father Canute did not; an undisputed succession. Prince Edward, of the Saxon royal line, inherits the throne.
Sunday 8th June, 1376: Death of Edward the Black Prince
With King Edward III's health failing, the country was thrown into turmoil today following the death of Edward Prince of Wales, better known as the Black Prince. This leaves his ten-year-old son Richard of Bordeaux as the heir apparent, and the prospect of another minority rule - something this country could well do without just now.
Sunday 10th June, 1688: Birth of James [III]
Turmoil in London today, when Queen Mary of Modena, wife of the Catholic King James II, was safely delivered of a baby son, who we understand is to be named after his father. With the king 52 years old, a strange rumour that the baby was born dead, carried out in a warming-pan and substituted for another one is now circulating. However, with the prospect of a Catholic dynasty looming large, we cannot see James II lasting too long.
Wednesday 10th June, 1719: Battle of Glenshiel
A small battle fought between supporters of the exiled self-proclaimed James 'III' and royal forces was fought to an inconclusive end at Glenshiel (between Kyle of Lochalsh and Fort Augustus), Ross-shire today. The rebel forces were later reported to be dispersing, and it looks as if this latest attempt by the Jacobites to regain the throne has failed.
Monday 11th June, 1509: Marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon
Less than two months after his father passed away, the new young king has cut through the red tape and married his Spanish princess after a seven-year engagement. We wish the royal couple a long and happy life together and many, many children.
Monday 12th June, 1727: Death of King George I
It is reported from Hanover that King George I has passed peacefully away in his sleep. He is succeeded by his son, George II.
Sunday 14th June, 1170: Coronation of Henry the Young King
Amidst much pomp and ceremony, Henry Prince of Wales has been crowned co-king alongside his father, Henry II. It is hoped that this move will ease tensions between the king and his sons, but it certainly raises those between the king and his exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas a Becket.
Saturday 14th June, 1645: Battle of Naseby
In what looks to be the final major battle of the civil war, King Charles I's remaining midlands forces were crushed by those of parliament at the village of Naseby, between Northampton and Harborough. The king has returned to his 'capital' at Oxford, and is considering his next move. He has few choices.
Monday 14th June, 1982: Falklands War ends
Widespread rejoicing in Britain today, as British forces retook Port Stanley and the Argentinians formally surrendered. The Falklands War, which has lasted two and a half months, has claimed 256 British lives and over 1000 Argentinian lives.
Monday 15th June, 1215: King John signs Magna Carta
There was a nervy silence at Runnymede in Surrey today, when King John, however reluctantly, signed the Charter that the barons had been demanding. Royal ineffectualness in a wide range of fields, including foreign relations and cash management, had led the barons to demand that the king guarantee certain basic rights, most notably the right to be consulted on a more regular basis. Whether or not the king keeps his word, however ....
Saturday 15th June, 1381: Wat Tyler killed after meeting Richard II
Two days after the Peasants' Revolt reached London, and the day after he first spoke with the king, former prisoner Wat Tyler was quietly and efficiently done to death in a backstreet London hospital by the orders of the Lord Mayor of London. He had been stabbed by the Mayor whilst talking to the king a second time, but the rebels had followed Richard II rather than him.
Saturday 16th June, 1487: Battle of Stoke
In what history will probably regard as an interesting afterblow, the Wars of the Roses wrote another bloody page in the history books when a rebel Yorkist army under John Earl of Suffolk was cut to pieces in an engagement outside the Nottinghamshire village of Stoke, near Newark.
Friday 16th June, 1815: Battle of Quatre Bras
With the Prussians nowhere to be seen, Great Britain's Arthur Duke of Wellington today won the most important drawn battle of his career. With Napoleon's resurgent French army poised to sweep into Brussels, Wellington's 'draw' has won him the vital few days he needs to join up with the Prussians, and bring his and the French armies to near-parity.
Saturday 17th June, 1497: Battle of Blackheath
To call the massacre of Cornish tin-miners demanding government action to save their jobs a 'battle' would be to insult the use of the word. It was a massacre.
Saturday 18th June, 1239: Birth of King Edward I
Queen Eleanor has been safely delivered of a baby son, whom King Henry III has named Edward after the Saxon king Edward the Confessor.
Sunday 18th June, 1643: Battle of Chalgrove Field
There was mixed news for parliamentarian supporters today. Although their forces won the battle of Chalgrove Field, near the town of Thame, the battle saw the death of John Hampden, who has led and united the various factions against King Charles I.
Wednesday 18th June, 1815: Battle of Waterloo
Two days after their holding action at nearby Quatre Bras, Anglo-Prussian forces won a decisive victory over Napoleon's forces at the village of Waterloo, just south of Brussels. It is expected that Napoleon will now be exiled a second time - and let us hope this time it is for good!
Wednesday 19th June, 1566: Birth of King James I
With speculation mounting over whether the Scottish barons will depose Queen Mary, she was today safely delivered of a son, who is to be named James after her father. Many think, however, that the baby is not that of her husband Lord Henry Darnley, but instead of the rising Admiral of the Scottish Fleet, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell.
Tuesday 20th June, 1837: Death of King William IV
Well, he got his wish. The late king (old Pineapple Head) had very publicly expressed that he hoped he would live to see his niece and successor Victoria reach her eighteenth birthday before he died, so her bossy mother couldn't interfere - and by 29 days he did it. However, the throne of Hanover, united with this country since 1714, cannot pass to a woman, and hence goes to William's brother Ernest Duke of Cumberland.
Sunday 21st June, 1377: Death of King Edward III
One of the longest reigns this country has ever seen came to a sad end today, when King Edward III passed peacefully away at Windsor Castle. He leaves a country broke and still at war with the French, who are currently occupying the Isle of Wight. He is succeeded by his ten-year-old grandson, Richard II.
Monday 21st June, 1982: Birth of ?King William V
A son has been safely delivered of Princess Diana. It is thought that she and Prince Charles will name the boy William, a name unused in the royal family since the wayward King William IV (1830-7).
Sunday 22nd June, 1483: Robert Stillington declares Edward V illegitimate
In a packed church in London today, Robert Stillington, Bishop of Bath and Wells, announced that the recently-proclaimed King Edward V and his brother are illegitimate, and that his uncle and Protector Richard Duke of Gloucester is the rightful king. We understand that this stems from a pre-contract between the late Edward IV and Lady Eleanor Butler, which was still in force at the time of his marriage to Queen Elizabeth. The news was received in stunned silence, and it now seems certain that the duke will be declared Richard III.
Tuesday 22nd June, 1897: Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
Major celebrations in London today, as the country rejoiced at the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession. All Empire countries sent representatives and gifts, and it topped even the Golden Jubilee celebrations of ten years ago.
Saturday 23rd June, 1894: Birth of King Edward VIII
A son has been born to Prince George and Princess Mary, and we understand he is to be named David. He stands third-in-line to the throne after his father and grandfather.
Monday 24th June, 1314: Battle of Bannockburn
Divided we fall ... divisions between King Edward II and his leading barons today dealt a death-blow to English aspirations in Scotland, when a force led by the king marching to relieve Stirling was destroyed by a Scots army under King Robert I at the village of Bannockburn, just east of the city.
Tuesday 24th June, 1567: Accession of King James VI of Scotland
The Scottish barons finally closed the book on the troubled reign of Queen Mary today, and declared her baby son king. Mary surrendered nine days ago, and is currently imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle. It is unclear how this move will affect relations with England, which were improving recently following the Scots' conversion to Protestantism.
Wednesday 25th June, 1483: Accession of King Richard III
Just three days after the young Edward V was declared illegitimate, parliament has accepted his uncle as King Richard III. However, there are many supporters of the so-called Princes in the Tower, and there is also Henry Tudor, in exile in Brittany and current champion of the Lancastrian cause. This looks set to be a troubled reign.
Thursday 25th June, 1830: Death of King George IV
The country is in deep mourning following the death of King George IV today - and if you believe that, you'll believe anything! The ruler who treated his wife Caroline so badly and was always in debt because of his extravagant lifestyle will most definitely not be missed. He is succeeded by his third brother, who becomes King William IV.
Tuesday 28th June, 1491: Birth of King Henry VIII
The new Tudor dynasty has been further strengthened today, following the birth of a second son to Queen Elizabeth, whom we understand is to be named after his father, Henry VII. He is their third child, the king and queen already having a son Arthur and a daughter Margaret.
Saturday 29th June, 1644: Battle of Cropredy Bridge
One of those increasingly rare events today - a royalist victory in the civil war. An attempt by parliamentarian troops to take Banbury and put pressure on King Charles I's capital of Oxford was repulsed at Cropredy Bridge on the River Cherwell. But in spite of this, parliament still looks by far the better bet to win this war.
Monday 30th June, 1645: Battle of Adwalton Moor
On a moor near the small town of Leeds in Yorkshire's West Riding, the civil war took another twist today when royalist forces won an important victory to increase their grip on the north and north-east. Parliament, facing this latest in a string of defeats, is reported to be desperately negotiating with the Scots to try to get them to come in on their side.
Wednesday 1st July, 1691: Battle of the Boyne
King William III today hammered another nail in the coffin of his predecessor's chances of regaining the throne, when he decisively defeated his rival at Oldbridge on the river Boyne in Ireland. James is now reported to be fleeing the country, and it is not expected that William will take long to mop up the remaining centres of Jacobite resistance.
Tuesday 2nd July, 1644: Battle of Marston Moor
Sometimes, history is made by master strokes of genius - and sometimes, like today, it is made by the most awful cock-ups! Lord Byron, in command of York, the last Yorkist outpost in the north after the Scots took over the north of England for parliament, just had to defend the city - but instead he left his defensive position and flattened his pikemen as he tried to get at the attacking parliamentarians! In spite of the support of the king's cousin Prince Rupert, the royalists have now lost virtually all the north of the country after their defeat today.
Wednesday 2nd July, 1645: Battle of Alford
The Duke of Montrose has secured yet another victory against the Scottish Covenanters, leading his small royalist band to victory at a battle fought near Alford in southern Aberdeenshire. Although the war is all but lost for King Charles I, the duke continues to fight on.
Monday 4th July, 1776: American Declaration of Independence
Disaster for Great Britain today, when its thirteen American colonies declared their independence. although few seriously expect them to win it on the field of battle, one must have some sympathies with the colonists, whose ham-fisted treatment at the hands of Lord North's government has driven them to such extremes. British colonies in neighbouring Canada have shown no such inclination to defect.
Wednesday 5th July, 1643: Battle of Lansdown
The parliamentarian fortress at Bristol, their most important holding in the predominantly-royalist west Country, looks ever more vulnerable after the royalists won an important victory at nearby Lansdown. Royalist forces are said to be marching on the city.
Sunday 5th July, 1450: Cade's Rebellion
As the country rocks under the deteriorating position in France, a group of country rebels under the leadership of one Jack Cade was dispersed after fighting London's forces on London Bridge. The rebellion was provoked by the recent surrender of Caen by everyone's current pet-hate, the Duke of Somerset.
Thursday 6th July, 1189: Death of King Henry II
It is with regret that we learn of the passing of King Henry II, ruler of the Angevin Empire. Succeeding after the nineteen long winters of King Stephen I's reign, he ruled by and large successfully, apart from the rather unfortunate murder of his Archbishop of Canterbury, St. Thomas a Becket. He faced continual trouble from his large family, and had recently been deposed by his oldest surviving son Duke Richard of Aquitaine, but with his health failing he was allowed to remain king in name at least. It is rumoured that he died upon discovering that his youngest son, John, whom he had thought loyal, had backed Richard. Either way, it is Richard who now becomes Richard I, and inherits the problems of keeping this unwieldy empire together.
Thursday 6th July, 1307: Death of King Edward I
It is with regret that we learn of the passing of King Edward I, who has died at Burgh-over-Sands in Cumberland whilst on his latest Scottish campaign. Although facing continual trouble from parliament, he succeeded in bringing the remainder of Wales into the kingdom, and for a few brief years it looked as if Scotland too would yield to him. But his death leaves us with his ineffectual son Edward II as the next king, and few think he will want to continue the war.
Thursday 6th July, 1553: Death of King Edward VI
It is with regret that we learn of the passing of King Edward VI, aged just sixteen, in London today. The only surviving son of King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour (wife #3, who died in childbirth), he was always a sickly child, and despite the best (or worst?) efforts of the doctors he succumbed to death today. Although his father clearly stated that his Catholic daughter Mary was to succeed him next, it is widely known that the Duke of Northumberland is angling for Edward's cousin Lady Jane Grey (his daughter-in-law) to become queen instead.
Sunday 6th July, 1561: Treaty of Edinburgh
Rarely can a treaty have yielded England so much! Under the treaty signed in the Scottish capital today, all French troops are to withdraw from the country, which is to become Protestant in spite of having a Catholic queen. Our noble Queen Elizabeth I's policy of helping Scots Protestants has succeeded in removing one enemy and making peace with another.
Monday 6th July, 1685: Battle of Sedgemoor
Rarely can a rebellion have had such a soggy ending. The uprising by the Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of the late Charles II, failed on a soggy Somerset moor near the village of Weston Zoyland, and his rag-tag peasant army was cut to pieces. The Duke is reported to have fled the battlefield, and King James II's soldiers are searching for him.
Thursday 8th July, 975: Death of King Edgar the Peaceable
It is with no regret whatsoever that we learn today of the passing of King Edgar I, known by those he favoured as the 'Peaceable'. Having split the kingdom and quite probably helped his brother and predecessor into an early grave, he made the church far too powerful, allowed the Vikings to keep a base they set up at Scarborough on the north-east coast, and gave away Lothian and all English land north of the river Tweed to the Scots for nothing more than peace treaty. He is succeeded by his oldest son Edward, although the church favour his younger son Aethelred.
Friday 9th July, 1540: Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves annulled
The formal annulment of King Henry VIII's fourth marriage was secured today, and it is understood that Miftress Anne of Cleves is to receive a generous pension and her own house in the country, plus suitable servants for her position. Not bad bearing what befell her predecessors!
Monday 9th July, 1540: York Minster struck by lightning
So David Jenkins believes he should speak his mind as the new Bishop of Durham. Clearly that opinion is not shared by his boss; three days after his inauguration the roof of one of the transepts of York Minster was struck by a lightning bolt and destroyed. Take the hint?
Thursday 10th July, 1460: Battle of Northampton
It looks as if nothing can save the country now from a full-blown civil war, after yet another engagement today. The Yorkist party have defeated the army of King Henry VI and captured the king after a battle fought near the midlands town of Northampton. Speculation is rising that Duke Richard of York, who does have a technically better claim to the throne than the king, may soon claim it formally.
Monday 10th July, 1553: Lady Jane Grey proclaimed queen
There was a stunned silence in London today, as the Duke of Northumberland formally announced that, by the will of the late Edward VI, his cousin (the duke's daughter-in-law) Jane Grey was to be the next queen. Our initial soundings, however, indicate that in spite of her religion, the country will prefer to stand full-square behind Henry VIII's oldest daughter and the woman he said should succeed his son, Lady Mary.
Thursday 10th July, 1645: Battle of Langport
The small town of Langport today claimed its place in history as the civil war draws towards its inevitable conclusion - defeat for the Royalists. Today the last major Royalist force in the west country, once the heartland of Charles I's support, was destroyed here, and the west is now firmly parliamentarian.
Thursday 12th July, 1543: King Henry VIII marries Katherine Parr (1543)
Few ladies can have been more nervous on their wedding night that Miftress Katherine Parr, who today took as her second husband Henry VIII. For him it is marriage number six - and we wish him and her the best of luck. She might just need it!
Friday 12th July, 1588: The Armada leaves Spain
So it's official. After a year's delay following Sir Francis Drake's lightning raid on Cadiz, the Spanish invasion of England has begun, with over 130 ships leaving Lisbon harbour. England stands ready to receive them.
Thursday 13th July, 1643: Battle of Roundway Down
The Royalist forces have won yet another victory down in the West Country, defeating the forces of parliament in central Wiltshire. A move towards London is expected shortly, although it could come from several directions.
Saturday 17th July, 924: Death of King Edward the Elder
It is with great regret that we learn today of the death of King Edward I, son of King Alfred. Edward successfully united most of the Danelaw with Free England, but was always troubled with separatists who wanted to retain independence for Mercia. It was after one engagement against these renegades, at Farndon near Chester, that he received he mortal wound which has now claimed his life. He leaves a disputed succession; Mercia will favour his eldest son Athelstan, whilst Wessex looks set to prefer the second son Aelfweard.
Monday 19th July, 1333; Battle of Halidon Hill
The combined forces of King Edward III of England and Edward Baliol, pretender to the Scots throne, have defeated the Scots army of David II, who has fled to France. Baliol, son of the man whom Edward I chose for the Scots throne back in 1296, is now expected to become king of Scotland.
Wednesday 19th July, 1553: Mary I proclaimed queen
The shortest reign ever is over. Lady Jane Grey, who was proclaimed queen nine days ago as part of an attempt by her father-in-law the Duke of Northumberland to seize power, has been replaced as queen by Henry VIII's elder daughter, Mary Tudor. Although Mary is a Catholic, the country has supported her both by dint of her father's legacy and Northumberland's unpopularity. Lady Jane is now reported to be under house-arrest.
Thursday 20th July, 1837: Euston Station (first in London) opens
The Railway Age came to the capital today, when the first railway station was opened at Euston Road by the Grand Junction Railway, which will run regular trains to towns between here and Birmingham.
Saturday 21st July, 1403: Battle of Shrewsbury/Berwick
Well, our new king Henry IV may not be the most competent of monarchs - but he sure is lucky! He just happened to be in the midlands when he heard of the rebellion against him by Hotspur (young Harry Percy), Lord Douglas and Owen Glendower, and managed to reach Shrewsbury where his son is to stop the two armies from meeting up. Henry duly won the ensuing battle, and we regret to report that the much-liked Hotspur is dead - but the king still has to face the fact he is not the rightful heir to the throne.
Monday 24th July, 1704: Gibraltar captured
Yet another major success in the war with France and her allies today, when Great Britain managed to capture the strategic naval base at Gibraltar. Situated close to the narrow entrance to the Middle Sea, this will make all movements of Franco-Spanish shipping much more difficult.
Wednesday 26th July, 1469: Battle of Edgecote
Of all the dumb ways to lose a battle, this Northamptonshire village today saw the dumbest yet! The Earls of Pembroke and Devon, supposed to be defending the Yorkist cause against the Earl of Warwick, quarreled over a local barmaid, with the result that Devon stormed off and Pembroke and his army got badly killed! Warwick is now expected to take King Edward IV, his one-time protege, into custody.
Saturday 27th July, 1689: Battle of Killiecrankie
The rebellion by some Scots against their parliament's endorsement of William III and Mary II as joint king and queen seems to be over. Although the rebels defeated the royal army at Killiecrankie in Perthshire today, in doing so they lost their leader Viscount Claverhouse ('Bonnie' John Dundee), and are now leaderless.
Thursday 28th July, 1586: First potatoes arrive in England
A new delicacy has been imported from the New World. The small brown-skinned vegetable is called the batata or potato, and can be either eaten or used heated in ladies' gloves to keep them warm.
Sunday 28th July, 1588: Battle of Gravelines
In the small hours of this morning, the British fleet attacked the Spanish invasion force (the 'Armada') in Gravelines harbour using fire-ships. Although many Spanish ships did escape, it was at the cost of cutting their anchors, and many were badly damaged in the engagement that followed. The Armada has now fled into the German Ocean, and must now sail right round Britain to return to Spain. It looks as if the invasion threat is over.
Friday 29th July, 796: Death of King Offa
Wessex and Kent can sleep a little sounder tonight; Offa, the mighty king of Mercia who forced puppet kings on both of them, has died in hi sleep. He is succeeded by his only son Ecgfrith, who many suspect will continue his father's reign of terror.
Wednesday 29th July, 796: Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer
It is estimated that around one billion people around the world watched the happy event today, when the Prince of Wales became the first to marry a commoner since Edward IV's secret and ill-starred marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464. Let us hope this one turns out rather better.
Wednesday 31st July, 1415: Southampton Plot discovered
A plot aimed at deposing King Henry V was uncovered today as the king was about to set sail for France. Chief amongst the movers was the king's cousin Richard Earl of Cambridge, whose marriage to his cousin Anne has given him a technically better claim to the throne than the king. Richard and his chief advisers were discovered plotting in the Dolphin Hotel in Southampton, and have now all been executed.
Sunday 1st August, 924: Death of Prince Aelfweard
Two weeks of worry for the proto-English state came to a sudden and dramatic end today with the unexpected death of Aelfweard, prince of Wessex. Following the death of King Edward, the throne had been disputed between the Wessex-backed Athelstan, eldest son but of doubtful legitimacy, and his rival Aelfweard. Many suspect Athelstan of involvement in his half-brother’s death, but with Aelfweard’s younger brother Edwin having no desire to become king, the path for Athelstan seems clear.
Sunday 1st August, 1714: Death of Queen Anne
After twelve years of glorious reign, the woman whose eighteen children all predeceased her has passed away and brought the disastrous Stuart dynasty to an end. She is succeeded by her cousin George I, Elector of Hanover, who it was once thought she might marry.
Thursday 2nd August, 1100: ?Murder of William II
So King William II has been ‘accidentally’ shot by an arrow whilst hunting in the New Forest in Hampshire. Of course it is just coincidence that this happened whilst his technical heir and brother Robert Duke of Normandy is not yet back from his crusade - and that his other brother Henry just happened to be nearby, and has since gone to Winchester to claim the crown. A complete coincidence!
Tuesday 4th August, 1265: Battle of Evesham
A black day for democracy today, when Simon de Montfort's army was defeated by that of Prince Edward, son of the imprisoned Henry III. Simon himself was personally dismembered after the battle by his nephew, who has now gone on to London. The fate of Simon's partially-elected parliament now hangs in the balance.
Tuesday 4th August, 1914: Great Britain enters World War 1
We are at war. The country today formally declared war on Germany, and is planning to dispatch millions of troops to defend our ally Belgium against the aggression of the Germans. One can only hope the whole thing will be over by Christmas.
Monday 6th August, 910: Battle of Tettenhall
In what looks set to be the first battle of a long campaign, King Edward of Free England inflicted a crushing defeat on the Danelaw kingdoms at Tettenhall near Wolverhampton, on the southern border between the kingdoms. Having drawn the Danes into battle, they have now lost three of their kings. Edward is expected to follow up this success by instituting a reconquest of the occupied lands of the midlands and north.
Tuesday 8th August, 1542: Marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine Howard
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try again! The king made his fifth venture into the marriage stakes today by wedding Lady Catherine Howard. Let us hope she does not meet the same fate as her ill-starred cousin, Anne Boleyn.
Friday 9th August, 1387: Birth of (King) Henry V
Celebrations at last at court today, when the popular John Duke of Lancaster (John of Gaunt) became a grandfather for the first time. His son Henry Earl of Richmond has become a father, and the new boy is to be named ... Henry. It is however unlikely he will ever become king, as he is currently sixth in line to the throne.
Thursday 12th August, 1762: Birth of (King) George IV
Worries about the succession were eased somewhat today, when Queen Augusta gave birth to her first son who is to be named George after his father the king.
Sunday 13th August, 1704: Battle of Blenheim
John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, has gained his greatest victory yet over Great Britain's combined enemies in Europe, by crushing the French-led army at Blenheim in southern Germany. Although the war is putting a great stress on the country's economy, the run of victories makes it all worthwhile.
Thursday 14th August, 1040: Murder of Duncan I by Macbeth
Young King Duncan I's ineffectual reign came to a gruesome end today, when he was killed by one of his own henchmen. Macbeth, Thane of Fife, has now taken the crown, and the deposed king's sons, Malcolm and Donaldbane, have both fled to Ireland.
Friday 15th August, 1057: Death of Macbeth, succeeded by son-in-law Lulach
Three years after an unsuccessful invasion attempt, Malcolm Canmore has gained revenge for the murder of his father by killing the murderer Macbeth. The country however has not yet accepted him; after seventeen years of peaceful rule the barons have nominated Macbeth's son-in-law Lulach as their new king. A further battle looks inevitable.
Friday 15th August, 1645: Battle of Kilsyth
The Royalist cause, now all but dead in England, continues to flicker north of the border, and today the Duke of Montrose gained yet another victory over the Scottish Presbyterians at Kilsyth, near Edinburgh. However, it is reported that parliament is trying to mass all its troops in Scotland for one all-out attack against the errant Duke.
Monday 16th August, 1819: Peterloo Massacre
Four years after the country had its finest hour in the battle of Waterloo, today it had one of its most shameful. Government troops fired on a peaceful demonstration in St. Peter's Fields, Manchester. The number of dead is thought to be around six to ten, but the disgraceful act only serves to reinforce images of a government determined to resist all attempts at reform.
Tuesday 19th August, 1186: Death of Geoffrey Plantaganet at a tournament
Calls for increased safety at tournaments were proved all too right today, when Duke Geoffrey of Brittany, King Henry II's fourth and second surviving son, was killed at one in his homeland today. His death leaves an uncertain succession in the key province; his wife Constance is pregnant, but we must wait to see if it is a boy or a girl.
Saturday 20th August, 1642: Charles I raises standard at Nottingham
In a muddy field outside the city of Nottingham, King Charles I raised the royal Standard, heralding the start of the first civil war in England for nearly 200 years. He is expected to raise an army and make an attack on parliament's capital, London, shortly.
Sunday 20th August, 1648: Battle of Preston finishes
King Charles I's final gamble in the Civil War has failed. Having brought the Scots into the war on his side, he had to sit on the sidelines and watch the four-day engagement near the Lancashire town of Preston, which culminated today in victory for parliament's side. Our correspondent in London states that he now expects the more militant elements in parliament to move to execute the king, although we do not see how this can be achieved.
Tuesday 21st August, 1750: Birth of (King) William III
A minor piece of good news from one of our few European allies, the Netherlands. A new prince called William has been born to the ruling house of Orange, strengthening the weakened royal line.
Monday 22nd August, 1138: Battle of the Standard/Brampton
King Stephen's northern border has been saved, thanks to the unlikely form of Archbishop Thurstan of York. His Grace promised a short-cut to paradise for those who enlisted in his scratch army, and eternal damnation for those who didn't, then took the four saints' standards from his church and inflicted a crushing defeat on King David of Scotland at Brampton in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The Scots are now reported to be prepared to give up all their gains of two years since expect the British province of Cumberland.
Saturday 22nd August, 1388: Battle of Otterburn (1388)
Defeat or victory? An English army led by Thomas Duke of Gloucester, uncle and 'adviser' to King Richard II, was defeated by the Scots at Otterburn in Northumberland today - but the defeat may prove beneficial to the king, as it reduces the popularity and influence of his uncle.
Monday 22nd August, 1485: Battle of Bosworth
In an engagement fought near the hamlet of Ambion, some three miles south of Market Bosworth, the Lancastrian standard-bearer Henry Tudor defeated the Yorkist King Richard III. The new King Henry VII's victory remained uncertain until his father-in-law Lord Stanley intervened on his side at the last minute. Although Richard died in battle, there are still several sprigs of the Yorkist line around, and this War between the Roses may be far from over.
Monday 23rd August, 1305: Execution of William Wallace
Twenty days after he was captured near Carlisle, Scots hero William Wallace was today hung, drawn and quartered in London. He shocked the English by defeating them at the battle of Stirling Bridge eight years ago, but after his own defeat at Falkirk the following year was constantly on the run. The leadership of the Scots rebelling against the rule of Edward I now falls between John Comyn, with whom Edward has some form of treaty, and the exiled Robert de Bruce, great-grandson of the man passed over by Edward for the Scots throne back in 1296.
Friday 25th August, 1939: Anglo-Polish treaty signed
Speculation became reality this morning, when both Great Britain and France signed a treaty with Poland, promising to declare war on Germany if, as virtually everyone expects, it attacks Poland. A Second Great War now looks all but inevitable.
Saturday 26th August, 1346: Battle of Crecy
The army of King Edward III has gained a stunning victory over the French at the battle of Crecy, fought in Ponthieu today, which now leaves virtually no significant French force left between him and Paris. This greatly improves the king's chances of pursuing his claim to the French throne.
Friday 28th August, 1640: Battle of Newburn
The defeat of King Charles I's army at Newburn in Northumberland today means basically two things. Firstly, it leaves the Scots in control of the whole of the county including Newcastle, and secondly, it means Charles will need money to pay the Scots the price of peace - which means he will now have to do what he has successfully avoided doing for the past eleven years, and summon a parliament. Hold onto your hats, folks - it's going to be a rough decade, the forties.
Thursday 29th August, 1833: Factory Act passed
The reforming zeal of the new Whig administration shows no signs of wavering, and today they passed the Factory Act. Although it applies initially to only the textile industry, it forbids the employment of children under nine, and demands that those under 13 receive at least two whole hours of schooling every day.
Monday 31st August, 1422: Death of King Henry V
The United Kingdom of England and France is in mourning today, after King Henry V died of dysentery resulting from an arrow wound received in the siege of Vincennes, as he strove to march south of the occupied capital Paris towards the next French stronghold, Orleans. He is succeeded by his nine-month-old son Henry VI, for whom the late king's brother John Duke of Bedford will act as Protector. A populist movement supporting Thomas Duke of Gloucester, John's younger brother, looks set to fail.
Sunday 31st August, 1644: Battle of Lostwithiel
Another defeat for King Charles I's troops today, and what hurt was that it meant he lost virtually his last major force in Royalist Cornwall, where he had tried to secure parliamentary support by cresting many more MPs in the area. The defeat at Lostwithiel means he still holds the west of the county, but looks set to lose that too before long.
Sunday 1st September, 1644: Battle of Tippamuir
The day after the disaster in Cornwall, the king's newest Royalist outpost was made a little more secure by a Royalist victory at Tippamuir, won by the Duke of Montrose, recently returned from the Continent. But it seems unlikely the duke can follow up this success, although to do so would seriously stretch the Scottish Presbyterians, now occupying most of the north of England for their parliamentarian allies.
Friday 1st September, 1939: German troops invade Poland
Exactly a week to the day after Great Britain and France signed their treaties with Poland, the latter has, as everyone expected, been invaded by Germany. With the Poles losing ground rapidly, war in Europe now once again looks inevitable.
Sunday 2nd September, 1666: Great Fire of London starts (to 6th)
A small fire which broke out in the small hours of the morning in a bakery in Pudding Lane, off the Strand, has spread rapidly, and is now threatening large parts of the capital. Although casualties are thought to be few and far between, the reluctance of the corporation to blow up the wooden houses that are fuelling the fire has not helped the situation.
Wednesday 2nd September, 1752: Sept. 3-13 'lost' as G.B. gets Gregorian calendar
Today is September 2nd. Tomorrow will be September 14th, as Great Britain falls in line with the rest of Europe and replaces the Julian calendar with the more efficient Gregorian one. Unfortunately as our seasons are already slightly out, this will involve the loss of the eleven days between September 3 and 13, and many demonstrations are expected as people protest about these 'lost' days.
Sunday 2nd September, 1945: VJ Day
Following the formal surrender of Japan last month after the dropping of the first two atomic bombs, the country celebrated VJ (Victory over Japan) Day with as much fervour and excitement as it showed on VE Day earlier this year. Thank heaven the Second World War is finally over.
Tuesday 3rd September, 1650: Battle of Dunbar
On a sandy plain in East Lothian, the Commonwealth army of Oliver Cromwell today inflicted a crushing defeat on a royalist army supporting Charles II, self-proclaimed King of Scotland and son of the recently-executed Charles I. It is understood that the 'king' has slipped into England, and is now trying to muster support to regain his father's throne.
Wednesday 3rd September, 1651: Battle of Worcester
A year to the day after his defeat in Scotland, the self-proclaimed King Charles II saw his English army decisively defeated by the Commonwealth forces at Worcester today. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, promising a huge reward. Charles' chances of escape seem slight; he is 50 miles from the nearest coastline, and all the new state's resources are being devoted to hunting him down.
Friday 3rd September, 1658: Death of Oliver Cromwell
On the anniversary of his great victories at Dunbar and Worcester, the man who has held England together the past nine years finally passed away. Oliver Cromwell was hated by many as being responsible for the execution of King Charles I, yet he provided strong if dull rule for his time, and greatly advanced Britain's standing abroad, capturing Dunkirk from the French. He is succeeded by his only surviving son Richard, known to his enemies as 'Tumbledown Dick'.
Sunday 3rd September, 1783: Treaty of Versailles
After the Seven Years' War (1756-63), Great Britain had won on the battlefield but lost the peace. Now, after the American War of Independence, we lost the war but somehow have managed to win the peace. Since the fighting stopped, the country has established excellent relations with the United States, and has preserved most of the rest of its empire, ceding Tobago, St. Lucia, Pondicherry and Chandernagore in return for Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent, Nevis, Montserrat, St. Kitts and the Gambia. We have also traded Florida and Minorca to Spain in return for Providence, the Bahamas and Gibraltar.
Sunday 3rd September, 1939: Great Britain enters World War II
Air raid sirens blared over London this afternoon, but it was only a false alarm. It happened only hours after Great Britain had, under its obligation to Poland, declared war on Germany, at exactly 11:00 this morning. Six hours later the French ultimatum to Germany expired, and they too declared war. Concern has been expressed already that Germany will once again try to attack France through the Low Countries, and the trench warfare of the Great War could once again be repeated.
Monday 4th September, 1346: Battle of Neville's Cross
Over-confidence has proved the undoing of David II, King of Scots. After a successful eight-year fight for his kingdom against the English-backed Edward Baliol, he made the mistake of leading an army into England, thinking that with King Edward III engaged in France he could gain ground in the northern counties. However, he reckoned without the leadership of Queen Philippa, who herself led the English army northwards, and in the ensuing battle David himself was captured. He has now been taken to London.
Saturday 5th September, 1997: Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales
Over a million people poured into London today, and millions more watched nationwide as Westminster Abbey saw a ceremonial service for the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris last Sunday whilst being chased by paparazzi. After the service thousands lined the route to her family home at Althorp, Northamptonshire. It capped a monumental week, during which the Royal Family yielded to public opinion on many issues, such as changing the funereal route and flying a Union Jack at half-mast on Buckingham Palace.
Saturday 6th September, 1701: Death of King James II in exile
Paris. It is reported that the exiled James II, who fled England in the face of the Glorious Revolution in 1688, has passed peacefully away. King Louis XIV has declared his son 'James III', and is expected to back his words with some for of army to help him regain his father's throne.
Thursday 7th September, 1533: Birth of (Queen) Elizabeth I
The proclamation encourages widespread rejoicing, but we do not think there will be much happiness at King Henry VIII's table today. His new wife Anne Boleyn, for whom he ditched his first wife and broke with Rome, today gave birth to a daughter, who is to be named Elizabeth after her grandmother. The much hoped-for son did not appear. The new queen had better make sure it does - for her own sake!
Friday 7th September, 1838: Grace Darling rescues the crew of the Forfarshire
An amazing story of rescue today, when the entire crew of the Forfarshire was rescued after it was shipwrecked off the Farne Islands in Northumberland. The seven crew members were rescued from the rocks by a small boat rowed by the nearby lighthouse keeper and his daughter, Grace, who encouraged him in this daring rescue attempt.
Sunday 8th September, 1157: Birth of (King) Richard I
Queen Eleanor has been safely delivered of yet another son, her fourth so far. It is hoped this is a good omen, following the death of her second, Prince William, last year. It is rumoured that the new baby will be named Richard, a traditional name of the former Norman dynasty.
Thursday 9th September, 1087: Death of King William I
William the Conqueror is no more. The man who conquered England died after a wound received in the siege of Chinon, France. He leaves a troubled succession; Normandy has been left to his oldest son Robert, whilst his next, William Rufus, receives England. With many barons having lands in both countries, this situation is basically untenable.
Friday 9th September, 1513: Battle of Flodden
The Scottish invasion of England has been resoundingly crushed at the village of Flodden, in northern Northumberland. The undisciplined Scots army was crushed by the English, and thousands are reported slain - amongst them King James IV himself. It is unclear yet as to whether this move will force Scotland to strengthen ties with England's old enemy, France, but it seems likely.
Sunday 10th September, 1547: Battle of Pinkie
An English army has been routed at Pinkie just outside Edinburgh. Franco-Scottish ties look to be further strengthened, as England under its young king Edward VI and his guardian Edward Seymour is rent by religious divisions.
Wednesday 11th September, 1297: Battle of Stirling Bridge
With King Edward I engaged in Flanders, an English army was surprisingly defeated by the rebel Scots under their new leader William Wallace, today. The battle took place just outside Stirling, and undoes much of the work last year which seemed to add Scotland to the king's growing list of conquests.
Thursday 11th September, 1997: Scotland votes for own parliament
On the 700th anniversary of the battle of Stirling Bridge, Scotland today voted by around 2-1 for its own parliament with tax-raising powers. The new body will be set up in 1999, and will consist of 73 members based on the Westminster constituencies (with the exception that Orkney and Shetland each get their own MSP), plus a further 49 elected by proportional representation.
Friday 13th September, 1588: First remnants of Armada reach Spain
It was an unlucky Friday 13th if you happened to be on the portside in Corunna, northern Spain, today, as the first remnants of that country's once-proud Armada limped into port. The invasion fleet was badly defeated at Gravelines, and although most ships got away, British summer storms in the North Atlantic sunk around half of them.
Tuesday 13th September, 1645: Battle of Philiphaugh
It fell to a small field not far from Selkirk in southern Scotland today to witness what could be the last act in this country's terrible civil war, as the Duke of Montrose's forces were annihilated by the Covenanters. The duke himself is reported to have escaped to the continent, but the royalist cause in Scotland is now well and truly dead.
Wednesday 15th September, 1830: Liverpool-Manchester Railway opened
Technology took a great leap forward today - and promptly killed someone who happened to be in its way. On the day that the nation's first full-time passenger started between Manchester and Liverpool, one of the railways chief supporters in parliament, William Huskisson MP, was knocked down by the Rocket locomotive in an accident at Eccles, and died later in hospital. These 'rail ways' will never catch on.
Sunday 15th September, 1940: The Longest Day (Battle of Britain)
Is this it? After the heaviest day of air battles over the South of England yet, news reaches us that the Germans are abandoning Operation Sea-Lion, their planned invasion of our scepter'd isle. The Germans have lost over 1700 planes this year, and the British 900, and although Germany still has more planes the damage this has done to the morale of the hitherto invincible Luftwaffe is incalculable. Perhaps - just perhaps - this war is turning in our favour.
Saturday 16th September, 1620: Pilgrim Fathers sail for America
News from the West Country. A group of crank Puritans have apparently set sail for the New World, claiming they are going to found a new country. Some hope!
Monday 17th September, 1992: Black Monday; Britain forced out of ERM
Humiliation for leaders across Europe, when what they said could never happen happened just as everyone had told them it would. The pound sterling has been forced out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism, the preparatory mechanism for the much-vaunted single currency, after currency speculators sold it incessantly and the German Bundesbank broke its promise and stopped trying to save it. The ERM now lies in ruins, although some think the British economy, freed of the restraints imposed by it, could now actually recover.
Saturday 18th September, 1759: British capture Quebec in Annus Mirabilis
Five days after the French were defeated on the Plains of Abraham, albeit at the cost of General Wolfe's life, the British have notched up yet another conquest in this long-running European war, taking Quebec from the French and forcing them southwards beyond the Great Lakes. Surely the beleaguered Frogs must soon sue for peace?
Monday 19th September, 1356: Battle of Poitiers
In what looks set to be a decisive engagement in the long-running war with the French, Edward the Black Prince has defeated their major army at Poitiers, and captured King John II as well. The irony will not be lost on the reader that the French will now be obliged to treat for the return of a king many of them believe they could well do without. Everyone say aaah!
Friday 19th September, 1997: Welsh vote for devolution
It all came down to the last vote, and Carmarthenshire's declaration at 3:30 this morning meant that the Welsh had voted by under 7,000 votes or 0.6% for the government's proposals for a Welsh assembly, to start in 1999. But the vote divided the country, with Pembrokeshire and the east voting strongly No whilst the Valleys and the west voted Yes.
Wednesday 20th September, 1066: Battle of Fulford
In a battle fought at the village of Fulford just outside York, the invading forces of King Harold III of Norway were held by the English under Earls Edwin and Morcar. With King Harold II of England hurrying north, the Norwegians are retreating along the Derwent Valley. But many fear that the other invasion threat, that from Duke William II of Normandy, could materialize whilst Harold II's back is turned, if only storms in the Channel cease.
Wednesday 20th September, 1643: First battle of Newbury
Straddling routes from the midlands to the south and London to Bristol, it was perhaps inevitable that the small town of Newbury should be scene to a battle at some time or another - and today was it. But although the outcome of today’s battle was indecisive, the failure of the Royalists to march on the parliamentarian capital at London could be critical, although we hear his dashing nephew Prince Rupert of the Rhine is making an assault with his own troops.
Saturday 21st September, 1745: Battle of Prestonpans
Consternation in London today when an army marching to the relief of an Edinburgh under siege by the forces of the Young Pretender, Charles Stuart, was decisively beaten at Prestonpans east of the city. Charles is now expected to march south into England, hoping for support from Catholics along the way.
Tuesday 22nd September, 1327: ?Murder of King Edward II
Mystery today surrounds the announcement by the government of Queen Isabella and her paramour Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, that Isabella's husband, the recently deposed Edward II, has died of natural causes in Berkeley castle, Gloucestershire. The mystery is deepened by the fact that, although there is a common rumour that the homosexual king was done to death by anal impalement by a red-hot iron (ouch!), there were no reports of his recapture after the well-publicized third rescue attempt. Did he escape or was he murdered? We shall probably never know.
Sunday 23rd September, 1459: Battle of Blore Heath
As the Lancastrian bloc in parliament moved against the Yorkists, a Lancastrian army did rather less well on a Staffordshire battlefield, losing to the Yorkists under the Earl of Salisbury near the village of Blore earlier today.
Friday 23rd September, 1642: Battle of Powick Bridge
The first small engagement in what threatens to be a long and bloody civil war took place today, when a Royalist army routed a group of parliamentarians when they tried to seize a bridge over the Rover Severn at Powick, just south of the strongly Royalist town of Worcester.
Wednesday 24th September, 1645: Battle of Rowton Heath
In freezing conditions, the Royalist cause was dealt another mortal blow today when it lost its last major army in the north-west, in an engagement fought at Rowton near Chester. It is though that King Charles I's surrender can not now be far away.
Wednesday 24th September, 1651: Charles II at Charmouth/Bridport
A frightfully narrow escape today for the self-proclaimed Charles I, when he was nearly caught by parliamentarian troops in Dorset. An observant Bridport soldier reported his suspicions of Charles' party to a local priest, one Benjamin Wesley - or rather, he would have done, but was delayed several hours because the priest was at his prayers and could not be disturbed. By the time the priest had carried the tale to the local militia, their pursuit of Charles was too late - just. They apparently missed the prince by some ten minutes at nearby Dorchester, and only then because he turned off the road unexpectedly.
Monday 25th September, 1066: Battle of Stamford Bridge
King Harold II of England today defeated his rival and namesake Harold III of Norway - but although he did crush the Viking army at Stamford Bridge, a crossing of the River Derwent east of York, his troubles are far from over. Reports from across the Channel suggest the recent bad weather is abating, and Duke William II of Normandy, another claimant for the throne, has an army ready and waiting.
Tuesday 26th September, 1066: William I falls over at Pevensey
Our Sussex correspondent today reports that Duke William II of Normandy made a successful crossing to England - almost. Unfortunately as he stood on the first ship and leapt ashore, he fell flat on his face! The duke's attempt to pass it off as 'grabbing the soil of England' didn't really fool anyone - but with King Harold II far away in the north having just got rid of the Viking invasion threat, the duke will have plenty of time to prepare himself for the oncoming battle.
Tuesday 26th September, 1290: Death of Margaret, Maid of Norway
Tragic news from the Orkney Islands, where Margaret, the Maid of Norway, has died aged seven just short of the Scottish mainland. Declared queen when she was three, it had been agreed that she should eventually marry Prince Edward, King Edward I of England's son, and her death threatens to throw Scotland into turmoil, with many rival claimants to the throne now the direct line has died out.
Monday 26th September, 1580: Drake returns to Plymouth in the Golden Hind
Much English cheering and Spanish gnashing of teeth as that arch-pirate, Francis Drake, returned to Plymouth today with his ship the Golden Hind laden down with stolen Spanish treasure. It is thought that King Philip II of Spain wants Queen Elizabeth to have him executed - but Elizabeth is far more likely to take her share of the profits of the mission instead!
Friday 28th September, 1106: Battle of Tinchebray
One of the most monumental battles in England's history took place in Normandy today, and the result was a victory for King Henry I over his brother and rival for the crown of the Anglo-Norman Empire, Duke Robert II. Henry seized the crown after his brother William II's untimely (ahem!) death six years ago, and ever since has been maneuvering to defeat Robert, who was technically the rightful heir to England after William. We understand that Robert has been taken to England in chains, although his son William Clito escaped the field. This victory for Henry means that the Empire will hitherto be centred not on Normandy, but where it truly belongs - England.
Monday 29th September, 1399: Forced abdication of King Richard II
The paperwork has been signed, and Henry Duke of Lancaster has usurped his cousin to become King Henry IV. Leaving aside for a moment that he is not the rightful king, this seems also to sign Richard's death-warrant, as he is not expected to live long in this world.
Thursday 29th September, 1938: Munich Agreement
So this is the famous 'peace in our time'? All British prime minister Neville Chamberlain has done is bought some time by selling off Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland (and by implication Czechoslovakia) to Germany and Adolf Hitler's ambitions. Those who expect Germany to stop here must be blind or stupid. Or both.
Tuesday 30th September, 1399: Proclamation of Henry IV
The day after his predecessor abdicated, King Henry IV has been formally proclaimed king in London and across the country. It is thought that a challenge to his leadership will not be long in coming, as Richard II's nominated successor was the young Edward Earl of March, currently in Ireland.
Monday 1st October, 1207: Birth of (King) Henry III
With her husband surrounded by enemies both abroad and at home, Queen Isabella today gave birth to a son, who we understand is to be named Henry after his grandfather.
Monday 2nd October, 1452: Birth of (King) Richard III
With rumours abounding that Richard Duke of York will soon be pressing his claim to the throne, the White Rose was strengthened today by the birth of a fourth son to his wife Cicely, who is to be named after his father.
Tuesday 4th October, 1938: German troops invade Sudetenland
British PM Neville Chamberlain found out just how much time his selling the Sudetenland to Germany had bought last week - one week. German troops met little or no resistance as they entered the largely German-speaking Sudetenland, but as this area contains most of Czechoslovakia's defences, one cannot expect what remains of that country to last long.
Tuesday 7th October, 1337: King Edward III declares himself King of England and France
Heigh ho, here we go again. King Edward III today revived his claim to the French throne, and started preparations for a full-scale invasion. The Capetian dynasty expired in France nine years ago, and although Edward does have a better claim to the throne than King Philip IV, many other European leaders have a still better one. But then, they don't have an army!
Saturday 8th October, 1831: Second Reform Bill rejected
It is estimated that around one hundred people were killed in widespread riots across Britain today when the House of Lords rejected the Reform Bill recently passed by the Commons. The Bill would standardize the requirements to vote, abolish the rotten boroughs and give representation to the rapidly-growing cities of the North.
Wednesday 11th October, 1643: Battle of Winceby
A rare victory for the parliamentarian forces in this year of royalist victories, when this Lincolnshire village saw parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell MP triumphant. However, in spite of the king’s failure to march on London things still seem very much in favour of the royalist cause.
Friday 12th October, 1537: Birth of (King) Edward VI
Mixed feelings in the Palace today, when Queen Jane gave birth to the son her husband, King Henry VIII, has so long coveted. But although the boy (who is to be called Edward after his maternal grandfather) is reportedly a healthy one, fears are expressed for the survival of the queen, who has undergone complications following the birth.
Friday 12th October, 1984: Grand Hotel Bombing
An attempt by the Irish Republican army to assassinate the entire British cabinet narrowly failed today, but four people were killed when a huge bomb ripped out the heart of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where most of the Conservative Party's top brass were staying during the party conference.
Saturday 13th October, 1459: Battle of Ludford Bridge
As hostilities intensified in the war between the Roses today, Lancastrian forces scored a major victory over the Yorkists at Ludford Bridge, just outside the Welsh capital, Ludlow. Richard Duke of York is reported to have fled into Wales following his defeat.
Wednesday 14th October, 632: Battle of Hatfield Chase
The balance of power shifted southwards again today, after an alliance between King Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon, prince of Wales, defeated and killed King Edwin of Northumbria and his army. The traditional enemies were united by their fears of growing Northumbrian expansionism. The victory gives Penda control of virtually all Deira (the southern half of Northumbria), as far north as the Tyne.
Saturday 14th October, 1066: Battle of Hastings
It is reported that King Harold II has been defeated and killed by Duke William II of Normandy in a battle fought today at Senlac Hill, six miles north of Hastings, Sussex. The deaths of Harold's two brothers in battle leave the way all but clear for William to march on London and claim the crown.
Wednesday 14th October, 1829: Rainhill Trials
Nine days of railway locomotive trials concluded at Rainhill, between Liverpool and Manchester, today. Five locomotives were entered for the competition, and the winner was George Stephenson's Rocket, which will next year start service on the railway line currently being built between the two cities.
Tuesday 15th October, 1633: Birth of (King) James II
Queen Henrietta has been safely delivered of a second son, who is to be called James after his grandfather. With his father Charles I engaged in trying to run the country without a parliament, this development offers some much-needed relief for the Royal Family.
Wednesday 15th October, 1651: Charles II escapes from Shoreham
If this report is true, parliamentarian forces everywhere will be a-wailing and a-gnashing their teeth. It is reported that the self-proclaimed Charles II, six weeks after his defeat at Worcester, has escaped England in a coal-barge from the port of Shoreham in Sussex, and is now in the safety of France.
Friday 16th October, 1987: Hurricane
It was undoubtedly foolish of weatherman Michael Fish to say at 11.15 last night that some woman had phoned the BBC to say there was a hurricane coming, and we needn't worry because there wasn't. Three hours later, seventeen people were dead and fifteen million trees had been flattened across south-eastern England. Oops!
Thursday 18th October, 1016: Battle of Ashingdon
The Cerdicing dynasty is not dead - but it was mortally wounded by the treachery that befell it and England today. King Edmund II finally succeeded in bringing his rival Canute to battle at Ashingdon in Essex, only for that arch-turncoat Edric Streona of Mercia to refuse to fight. Edmund's army was defeated, but he himself has escaped into his native Wessex, where it is thought he is already preparing to form a new army.
Tuesday 18th October, 1216: Death (?) of King John
Mystery surrounds the death today of the unpopular King John, who died at Newark, Nottinghamshire. It is rumoured that whilst he dined last night at Swineshead Abbey, a monk gave his own life by deliberately drinking from a poisoned chalice before giving it to the king. John, who in his time lost the English lands in France, sold England to the pope, signed away a large slice of royal power and lost the crown jewels, leaves behind an awkward situation; the barons had just installed his nephew the French dauphin Prince Louis in London. However, it is thought many will now rally to John's young son, Prince Henry.
Friday 19th October, 1330: Edward III captures Roger Mortimer at Nottingham
Did his mother and her lover really kill his father, King Edward II? We shall probably never know, but if it was, then his son gained full revenge today, using a secret underground tunnel to surprise and capture the lover, Roger Mortimer, in Nottingham Castle. Edward has now assumed full control of the government and banished his mother to the remote royal castle in Norfolk, Castle Rising. Bets on Mortimer seeing 1331 are not being taken.
Monday 21st October, 1805: Battle of Trafalgar
Mixed emotions for the British nation today, after the British fleet crushed Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion plans in a naval engagement fought off Cape Trafalgar, not far from Gibraltar. Although the victory was decisive, it is reported that one of our greatest leaders, Admiral Lord Nelson, has fallen in battle. His body is being brought home to Britain aboard his flagship, the HMS Victory .
Sunday 23rd October, 1642: Battle of Edgehill
So who really won this battle fought to the north-west of Banbury in Oxfordshire? The royalists claim that they won as Prince Rupert drove a large part of the parliamentarian army from the field - but the parliamentarians claim they won because the remainder of their army held the field, and stopped the royalist march on London!
Friday 23rd October, 1942: Battle of El-Alamein
The to-ing and fro-ing in North Africa finally seems to have ended in the Germans being thrown back, after they were crushed by the Anglo-American army at El-Alamein, eighty miles west of Alexandria in Egypt. The German army is now reported to be in full retreat towards the Libyan border.
Monday 25th October, 1154: Death of King Stephen
Faversham, Kent. The death has been reported of Stephen, king of England. Stephen seized the throne in 1135 after the death of his uncle Henry I, but faced constant challenges from first Henry's daughter Matilda - who at one point captured him but then had to release him - and her son Henry. His reign has already been called 'the nineteen long winters', as the breakdown in central control led to wide-scale lawlessness. He is succeeded by young henry, who becomes Henry II, and has already shown the ruthlessness so necessary for a monarch in these times.
Friday 25th October, 1415: Battle of Agincourt
Outside a small Picardy village, the English army today scored their greatest and most unlikely victory yet, crushing a 10,000-strong French army that outnumbered them by six to one. The victory was helped by the supremacy of the English longbow, which decimated the French knights before they could reach the English. There is now no French army of any size to oppose him, and the two factions at court, the Burgundians and Armagnacs, are once again at each others throats. The title King of France is Henry's whenever he wants it.
Thursday 25th October, 1537: Death of Jane Seymour
King Henry VIII is in deep mourning today, after the death of his much-loved wife Jane Seymour. Jane gave birth to the son he so much wanted twelve days ago, but never fully recovered from the birth and died earlier today. It is thought unlikely the king will ever marry again.
Saturday 25th October, 1760: Death of King George II
What a way to go - literally! King George II died today after straining too much on his lavatory. His son Frederick having predeceased him nine years ago, he is succeeded by his grandson, George III.
Sunday 27th October, 939: Death of King Athelstan
The state of England lies mourning today, for the man who created it twelve years ago has passed peacefully away in his sleep. Athelstan completed the work started by his father by crushing the Danish Kingdom of York in 927, then went on to incorporate the Cornish in 936 and crush a Danish-British invasion in one of the biggest battles yet seen at Bromborough the following year. He is succeeded by his fourth brother Edmund I - the two intervening brothers, Aelfweard and Edwin, both had 'accidents' at sea ....
Sunday 27th October, 1644: Second Battle of Newbury
The good citizens of Newbury found themselves in the firing line again today, when history couldn't wait to repeat itself. A year after a royalist army was stopped in its advance on London by a parliamentarian one - a royalist army was stopped in its advance on London by a parliamentarian one. We hear Newbury bookies are refusing to take odds on 1645.
Sunday 28th October, 899, Death of King Alfred
The death has been reported of King Alfred, who has guided Wessex from its near-collapse after the battle of Martin to its point today when it controls all of free (i.e. non-Danish) England. Alfred was temporarily deposed back in 878 when a Danish invasion caught him off-guard, but fought back to crush the Danes at the battle of Edington. The ensuing treaty gave him control over English Mercia and English Northumbria. He leaves a slightly disputed succession; some barons think that Aethelwold, son of Alfred's older brother King Aethelred I who was passed over in 871 for being too young, is the rightful heir. However, most back Alfred's son Edward.
Wednesday 1st November, 1290: Massacre of Jews at York Castle
The increasing wave of anti-Semitism that has been sweeping this country recently (with, we regret to note, royal approval in all but name) reached new depths today with a wholesale massacre of Jews at York Castle. When will this country learn?
Friday 2nd November, 1470: Birth of (King) Edward V
Flanders. We hear that the recently-deposed King Edward IV has acquired a son, who is to bear his name. All he really needs to do now is get back the crown of England. Easy!
Monday 4th November, 1650: Birth of (King) William III
A son has been born to Mary Stuart, late widow of William II of the Netherlands who died just a few months ago, and is to bear his father's name. The Dutch monarchy has traditionally been a troubled one, but the new boy is a cousin of our own deposed royal family, so we thought we'd let you know.
Tuesday 5th November, 1605: Gunpowder Plot discovered
So what was it - a Catholic plot to destroy King, Lords and Commons, or a Protestant plot to discredit the Catholics. Certainly in spite of the official line, many suspect the latter, even though one of the plotters, gunpowder expert Guido Fawkes, was discovered in a Commons cellar after an anonymous tip-off. The remaining plotters were cornered at Holbeach House in Lincolnshire and either captured or killed.
Monday 5th November, 1688: William III lands at Brixham
The Gods are with him - or it must seem that way to William of Orange, who today stepped ashore in the invasion he was invited to do at Brixham, Devonshire. King James II, whose new son has sparked this 'invasion', is heading westwards with an army, but his navy failed to capture William's after a strong easterly pinned it in the German Ocean whilst taking William's fleet to safety, and then dropped just as they'd finally got behind it. James' chances of keeping his throne get slimmer by the day.
Friday 6th November, 1612: Death of Henry Stuart
The Royal Family is in mourning today after one of its most promising members, Henry Prince of Wales, died unexpectedly aged just 18. This means his vapid younger brother, Charles Duke of York, is now heir to James I.
Thursday 6th November, 1817: Death of Princess Charlotte
Tragic news from London, where it was announced that Charlotte Princess of Wales had died in childbirth earlier today. Her baby also died. This leaves the Royal Family in a difficult position, for her father George IV had been the only one of George III's sons to make a legal marriage - hence there is a sudden and rather urgent shortage of heirs apparent!
Sunday 8th November, 1987: Enniskillen bombing
Eleven people were indiscriminately murdered by the Irish Republican Army today when a bomb exploded at the Remembrance Sunday parade at Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. And we thought these terrorist scum couldn't sink any lower?
Tuesday 9th November, 1841: Birth of (King) Edward VII
It is reported today that Queen Victoria has been safely delivered of her second child and first son, who is to be named Edward after her father, the late Duke of Kent. Mother and baby are doing well.
Wednesday 10th November, 1683: Birth of (King) George II
Some good news from one of Britain's allies on the Continent; it is reported that Duchess Sophie, daughter-in-law of Ernest Elector of Hanover, has given birth to a healthy so, who is to be named George after his father. The new baby is distantly related to our royal family, being a second cousin twice removed to King Charles II.
Monday 12th November, 1035: Death of King Canute
London. It is reported that Canute, king of the Anglo-Scandinavian Empire that stretches from Greenland via London to Sweden, has passed peacefully away in his sleep. He has had a surprisingly populist reign, freeing the country from Viking raids after the disastrous reign of Aethelred II (the Unready), but he leaves behind a succession complicated by both the extent of geography and the lack of monogamy.
Friday 13th November, 1002: St. Brice's Day Massacre
In one of the dumbest acts of his reign so far (and believe us, that's a long and thorough catalogue!), King Aethelred II today sanctioned an attempt to exterminate the Danish population in England. And like most things he has done, it's all gone hopelessly wrong, most notably at Oxford, where the locals burnt down St. Fridewide's Church and all in it. Amongst the casualties was Gunnhild, sister of King Sweyn of Sweden - and we don't somehow think he's going to be very pleased!
Monday 13th November, 1312: Birth of (King) Edward III
Whisper it softly in the Court, but some say that the son born to Queen Isabella today might not be that of her husband Edward II (after who he will be named) but rather her lover Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. At least it will still be a Cerdicing; Isabella herself is descended from King Stephen.
Monday 13th November, 1643: Battle of Turnham Green
A small battle with possibly monumental consequences took place today at Turnham Green, five miles west of London. Following the inconclusive battle at Newbury recently, King Charles I decided not to march on the capital - but his dashing nephew Prince Rupert did. He was today defeated by the Trained Bands, London's own small but highly-efficient army.
Sunday 13th November, 1715: Battle of Sherriffmuir
The theory that there are no drawn battles gained some weight today, after an inconclusive engagement at Sherriffmuir, Perthshire between the royalist forces and those of the self-proclaimed James 'III', the Old Pretender. Although the battle was technically drawn, James has withdrawn and is thought to be back en route to exile in France.
Tuesday 14th November, 1948: BBC starts broadcasting
The British Broadcasting Company has started regular news broadcasts from 2LO, its London radio station.
Sunday 14th November, 1948: Birth of (?King) Charles III
Queen Elizabeth II has today been safely delivered of a healthy baby boy. Some surprise was expressed at the choice of name for the child, as Charles has not before been a particularly lucky name for the Royal Family.
Saturday 15th November, 654: Battle of Winwaed
A mass cull in the ranks of the Anglo-Saxon royal dynasties took place today, when King Oswy of Northumbria attacked and defeated King Penda of Mercia in a battle fought at Winwaed in Lincolnshire. With Penda having fallen in battle, the road seems clear for Oswy to reassert Northumbria's old supremacy over Mercia.
Wednesday 16th November, 1272: Death of King Henry III
The death was announced today of King Henry III, who had ruled England since 1216. And a right pig's ear he made of it, upsetting the barons enough to cause a civil war in the process. His son and successor Edward I is on a crusade in the Holy Land, and is not thought to be set to hurry home.
Thursday 17th November, 1558: Death of Mary I
Today England marked the passing of Henry VIII's oldest daughter, the late Queen Mary - and not before time! In her five years on the throne this abysmal monarch increased religious divisions in the country by dragging it back to the Catholic faith (and burnt at the stake some 288 Protestants who opposed her), made an unpopular marriage with our enemy King Philip II of Spain, and lost England's last possession on the continent, Calais. The only bad news is that she is succeeded by yet another woman, her half-sister Elizabeth. Crossed fingers, everyone! Still, at least the country has had a huge, drunken party to celebrate the late queen's departure.
Friday 19th November, 1600: Birth of Charles (I)
EDINBURGH: With King James VI of Scotland now looking virtually certain to succeed our great monarch Queen Elizabeth, some good news arrived today in the form of a first baby son for the king, by his wife Queen Anne. The son is to be named Charles, an unusual choice. Let us hope it is not unlucky as well.
Thursday 20th November, 1947: Marriage of Elizabeth (II) to Philip Mountbatten
A splash of colour to brighten up dreary post-war Britain - a royal marriage. King George VI's eldest daughter and almost certainly our future queen today married her long-time sweetheart, Prince Philip of Greece, whom the king has created Duke of Edinburgh.
Wednesday 21st November, 1947: British troops withdraw from Suez
And the lion - ran. Great Britain's standing in the world has collapsed today as the last British troops left Egypt. Britain, France and Israel invaded Egypt earlier this year following the dictator Nasser's illegal seizure of the Suez Canal, but the Americans' failure to back the British - and more importantly, our shaky economy - meant that we could not sustain our army abroad. The shame of it.
Friday 23rd November, 955: Death of King Edred
The unexpected passing of our late, lamented monarch today leaves the infant state of England facing a perilous future. Though his fourteen-year-old son Edwy has been proclaimed the new king, there is a significant body of opinion behind his younger half-brother Edgar, and with the barons behind Edwy and the church his brother, the outlook is far from fair.
Saturday 23rd November, 1499: Perkin Warbeck and Edmund Earl of Warwick hanged in the Tower
With today's double-executions, the Tudor dynasty now looks very firmly established on the throne. By his actions today King Henry VII has not only eliminated the male line of Edward IV, he has also disposed of one of the pretender 'lookalikes' whom the Yorkists are now increasingly forced to turn to, and who may well think twice after today's events. And with the new king's third son arriving this year, the Tudor dynasty should run and run.
Tuesday 27th November, 1582: William Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway
Aspiring City of Stratford playwright Mr. William Shakespeare, 18, today married Mifs Anne Hathaway, daughter of a local burgher. He has as yet produced only a few minor sonnets, but these have received rave reviews from the critics, who look forward to his first full play.
Monday 29th November, 1529: Death of Cardinal Wolsey
Sometimes death comes as a relief .... Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, already suspended as King Henry VIII's Chancellor, today passed peacefully away at Hampton Court. His failure to both secure a divorce for the King (who wishes to marry Mifs Anne Boleyn) and to speed up reform of the English Church had led many to expect the King to pursue charges against him. Sir Thomas More has now succeeded him as Chancellor.
Friday 30th November, 1016: ?Murder of King Edmund II
Less than a month after England was divided under the Treaty of Deerhurst, news from Minsterworth in Gloucestershire that King Edmund II has mysteriously died. Reports are confused, but many believe that Edric Streona, alderman of Mercia whose treachery cost Edmund the full crown, has paid an assassin to murder Edmund so as to gain favour with his rival King Canute. Canute now becomes King of all England.
Sunday 1st December, 1135: Death of King Henry I
Shock news from Anjou, where King Henry I has died suddenly after an eating-binge. Reports state that he had had yet another quarrel with his tempestuous daughter and heir Matilda and her husband Count Geoffrey, and gorged himself on lampreys (small eels). Although the barons have sworn allegiance to Matilda on at least three occasions, many expect that the late king's nephew Stephen of Blois will mount a rival claim.
Sunday 1st December, 1420: King Henry V enters Paris (1420)
Five years after his triumph at Agincourt, King Henry V today entered Paris to a rapturous reception. Negotiations are already in hand for the King to marry Catherine, Charles VI of France's daughter, and succeed the ailing Charles VI on the French throne. However, a rebel army under Charles' son, the dauphin Charles, is still based at Orleans less than fifty miles away, and will almost certainly mount a challenge to Henry sooner rather than later.
Saturday 5th December, 1936: Abdication of Edward VIII
The monarchy rocked today but did not fall, as King Edward VIII abdicated the crown in favour of his brother Albert Duke of York, who now becomes George VI. The former King will now leave the country with his wife-to-be, the divorcee from Baltimore Mrs. Simpson. Opinion polls show that people were roughly 3 to 1 against his continuing as king.
Saturday 6th December, 1421: Birth of Henry VI
The marriage of King Henry V and Queen Catherine of France was today blessed with a baby son, who is to be named Henry after his father. The king, now appointed heir to the French throne, was at the birth, but is expected to leave soon to deal with French rebels who are still threatening Paris from their base at Orleans.
Friday 8th December, 1542: Birth of Mary Queen of Scots
Amidst rising tensions with Scotland, King James V, who is reported to be raising an army to attack England, today became a father when his wife Queen Mary gave birth to a baby daughter, who is to be named after her mother. Frequent raids across the border by the Scots after their victory earlier this year at Hadden Rigg have led King Henry VIII to raise a full army against them, further depleting an English treasury already stretched by the war with France.
Friday 9th December, 1960: Coronation Street first broadcast A new concept for British television, when a 'soap opera' based around life in a northern street begins a 13-week run tonight. Critics have already panned the programme, saying it'll never last.
Saturday 11th December, 1283: Battle of Irfon Bridge
King Edward I's wars against Welsh rebels gained a huge boost today, when Prince Llewelyn of Gwynedd was killed in a small-scale battle at Irfon Bridge near Builth Wells, Brecknockshire. Although leadership of the rebels now passes to Llewelyn's brother David, the loss of their charismatic leader is expected to seriously demoralize the Welsh and to shorten the wars considerably.
Wednesday 13th December, 1643: Battle of Alton (1643)
Size isn't everything, they say - but in this case it may well be true. Parliamentary forces today won a skirmish at Alton in Hampshire which, if they had lost, would have threatened their capital London on its south-western flank.
Thursday December 14th, 1542: Battle of Solway Moss
In a major engagement north of Carlisle, the Scottish army of King James V has been utterly destroyed by an English force. Worse for the Scots, the king himself was amongst the casualties, which means his six-day-old daughter now becomes Queen Mary. Hopefully this will lead to a renewal of the peace between England and Scotland.
Saturday 14th December, 1895: Birth of King George VI
London. It was reported today that Princess Mary of Teck, wife of George Prince of Wales, has been safely delivered of a baby son, who is to be christened Albert after his grandfather. Mother and son are doing well. The new baby joins his older brother David, born last year. Queen Victoria is said to be delighted at the news.
Monday 17th December, 1895: Harrods bomb
London. Six people were murdered by the Irish Republican Army when a bomb it had planted outside the Harrods store in London exploded at the height of the pre-Christmas shopping rush.
Friday 20th December, 1387: Battle of Radcot Bridge
King Richard II's attempt to free himself from the baronial yoke ended in disaster today when an army raised in his name was crushed by the barons at Radcot Bridge, on the border between Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The five Lords Appellant are now expected to reign the young king in even tighter.
Thursday 21st December, 1620: Pilgrim Fathers land in New England
We have reason to believe that a bunch of religious Puritans who left Plymouth earlier this year to escape religious persecution has made a successful landfall in America. It is thought that the town they will now found will be also be called Plymouth.
Sunday 22nd December, 1135: Coronation of King Stephen
Three weeks to the day after the ate King Henry I died, his popular nephew Stephen of Blois was today crowned in London. Stephen has been extremely fortuitous; he was in Boulogne when Henry died whilst his rival Matilda was in Anjou, his younger brother Henry is Bishop of Winchester where the Treasury is kept, and he has also had the wit to claim (probably untruthfully) that Henry wanted him to succeed. However, getting the crown is one thing - keeping it may be quite another.
Wednesday 22nd December, 1445: Henry VI secretly promises to deliver Maine to France
Rumours abounded in London today that King Henry VI has, in a personal letter to King Charles VII of France, to give up all claim to the key states of Maine and Anjou as part of his marriage to Margaret of Anjou. If such a story is true, it will infuriate the barons, as not only will it involve the loss of lands they have spent nearly a hundred years fighting for, it will also perilously expose Normandy's southern flank.
Sunday December 23rd, 1688: King James II leaves country
Eleven days after he was captured whilst fleeing the country in the face of William of Orange's 'invasion', the disgraced former king has been allowed to 'escape' to France. Three years after he acceded to the throne amidst popular acclaim, the monarch who tried to drag England back into the Catholic fold has paid for his principles with his crown. However, it is expected that King Louis XIV of France will continue to recognize James as rightful King of England and Scotland, and may even try to help him regain the crown.
Sunday December 24th, 1167: Birth of King John
Talk about securing the dynasty - Queen Eleanor has given birth to yet another son, her fifth but fourth surviving one. Rather unusually the boy is to be named John, but it is unlikely he will ever come to the throne, as he has three older brothers, Henry, Richard and Geoffrey.
Monday 25th December, 1066: Coronation of William I
Chaos reigned in the English capital today, when Duke William II of Normandy was crowned King William I of England. During the coronation a fire broke out in Westminster Abbey, which caused chaos amongst the duke's courtiers who mistakenly thought it had been started in an attempt to kill him.
Friday 28th December, 1694: Death of Mary II (1694)
The country is in mourning today, after the death from smallpox of our popular queen, Mary II. Chosen by parliament to rue jointly with her husband after her father James II was expected for trying to make England Catholic again, she proved a wise monarch, and will be greatly missed. Her husband William III, who must now struggle on his own, is said to be desolate at the loss of his wife.
Tuesday 29th December, 1170: Murder of Thomas a Becket
Mystery surrounds the dramatic events this morning at Canterbury Cathedral, when four of King Henry II's knights entered and stabbed the Archbishop of Canterbury to death. The king had apparently expressed a strong wish to be rid of his one-time friend, who had become a staunch adversary against the king's attempts to reform the church, but once he realized the knights had gone he sent a second party after them, albeit to no avail. Though many will bewail this brutal act, the equally brutal truth is that the country is a lot better off without him.
Tuesday 30th December, 1460: Battle of Wakefield/Sandal
Any hopes Richard Duke of York may have had of succeeding to the crown came to an abrupt end, when he and his second son Edmund Earl of Rutland were both killed in a battle near his castle at Sandal, near the town of Wakefield. Queen Margaret, wife of the Lancastrian Henry VI, has ordered the duke's head to be stuck on the gates of his native York.
Wednesday 31st December, 1600: Elizabeth I charters East India Company
Twelve years after Spain attempted to crush us, the development of the English Empire took another step forward today when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth graciously granted a royal charter to the East India Company. The Company will establish and maintain trading posts in an area previously dominated by the Dutch and Spanish, in return for generous trade and tax allowances.
Tuesday 31st December, 1974: Petrol prices reach all-time high
What with VAT and OPEC, it's been a terrible year for car drivers. Petrol cost just 42p a gallon (9p a litre) at the start of the year. It now costs a massive 76p a gallon (17p a litre). When will it all end?
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