British Royals

Kenneth Branagh reveals the advice Prince Charles gave him when playing king

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4th March 2022
Considered one of his career highlights, Sir Kenneth Branagh took on royalty in the war drama Henry V back in 1989. His interpretation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece had Branagh take on the dual roles of both director and lead actor. While it is one of his well-known roles, perhaps it’s the advice he got while filming from a very special, unofficial adviser on set that makes it one of…
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HistoryHistory

Royals and witchcraft: Eleanor Cobham

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31st October 2019
Eleanor Cobham is perhaps one of the lesser known royal wives of medieval times. As with most women of her time, not much is known of her youth. She was born around 1400, probably at Sterborough Castle in Kent, which didn’t survive the reign of Oliver Cromwell. Her…
Features

6 Facts about the Battle of Agincourt

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25th October 2015
Six hundred years ago to the day, King Henry V of England led his army to victory against the French troops in the Battle of Agincourt. Fought on the morning of the 25th of October 1415, the battle proved to be a crippling defeat for the French, and a major victory for the…
History

Sceptre gifted by Henry V to City of London after Battle of Agincourt goes on display

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12th October 2015
It’s just 17 inches tall, but it has a world of history embedded in its jewels. The beautifully bejewelled sceptre given in thanks by King Henry V of England to the City of London for the funding of his forces against the French at the Battle of Agincourt, fought in 1415, will go on display. It will be the first time in its 600-year-old history that the sceptre will go on display. It was…
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FeaturesHistory

Royal Connections: City of Portsmouth

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3rd October 2015
Portsmouth comes from the Old English Portesm?ða, which translates to: “mouth of the harbour called Portus.” It was a city founded in the year 1180 by John of Gisors, a Norman lord. Before that, it was known to have been a Saxon fort called Portus Adurni in the…
History

Isabella of Valois, The Child Bride of Richard II

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4th August 2015
In medieval times royal brides were often quite young when they married, though consummation was usually forbidden until a more appropriate age was reached. A certain young bridge might ring a bell as the founder of the Tudor Dynasty. Lady Margaret Beaufort was first married when she was just 12. Another ‘marriage’ happened when she was just one, but she never recognized this marriage…
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