History

Monarchy Monday: The Wives of King Henry VIII

Today you may not have to worry about the hazards of being married to a King, but it wasn’t always that way. King Henry VIII’s wives suffered fates that would far outweigh the perks of being Queen! Here is a guide of each of six wives and their unfortunate destinies. Catherine of Aragon King Henry’s first wife was the Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon. She and Henry had a…
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History

Stories of the Stuarts: River Thames Frost Fairs

There are records of a Frost Fair on the River Thames dating back to as early as the Winter of 1607 though they really became a popular event as the 17th century was drawing to an end. Though just what is a Frost Fair I hear you ask? Well they are exactly what they sound…
FeaturesHistory

The stories of Queen Victoria's granddaughters: Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein

In the winter of 1900, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein fled in a panic from Cumberland Lodge, clutching an alarming telegram. Arriving at Windsor Castle, she frantically explained to her mother, Queen Victoria, that the Duke of Anhalt had tersely demanded that her daughter, Marie Louise, should return at once to the Duchy to face divorce proceedings on the grounds that she had…
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History

Stories of the Stuarts: Ring-a-ring of Roses

It is one of the most popular nursery rhymes in this country though not many people know the true origins of Ring-a-ring of Roses. The rhyme was first sung during the Great Plague of 1665 and perfectly summed up the symptoms of this devastating disease. “Ring-a-ring of…
History

The stories of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters: Princess Margaret of Connaught

Princess Margaret Victoria Augusta Charlotte Norah of Connaught was born on 15 January 1882 at Bagshot Park in Surrey. She was baptised in the Private Chapel of Windsor Castle on 11 March 1882 by The Archbishop of Canterbury. Princess Margaret of Connaught, Crown Princess of Sweden andDuchess of Scania. Princess Margaret was the eldest daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Duke of…
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FeaturesHistory

Burying a Queen's Heart - Queen Marie of Romania

This autumn, the heart of a Queen and British-born princess will be laid to rest in Romania. Born in Kent as Princess Marie of Edinburgh, the second child and eldest daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna, daughter of Tsar Alexander II, she received the names Marie Alexandra Victoria but was always known as “Missy” in the intimacy of the…
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