FeaturesHistory

How Elizabeth I used Accession Day celebrations to protect her crown

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26th May 2015
On 17 November 1558 England’s first undisputed Queen regnant, Mary I, died, paving the way for the accession of her half-sister Elizabeth I. Mary had been a staunch Roman Catholic and she had been determined to bring England back to what she believed to be the true faith. Her short reign and early death ended her ambitions of re-establishing Roman Catholicism in England and she reluctantly…
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Palaces & Buildings

Security alert as tourist flies drone over Windsor Castle

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10th May 2015
An American tourist caused quite a scare by flying a drone close to Windsor Castle, where The Queen was in residence. The unmanned aircraft was spotted flying within 50 metres of the castle, and was being controlled by a remote. The drone was reportedly being used to film a video, and was brought down due to the security risks involved. By flying the drone over the A tourist has been spoken to by…
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History

The King that stormed the Commons

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7th May 2015
Charles I was never popular with his Parliament. Upon his accession to the throne in 1625, members made clear that they would not be bullied. In an unprecedented break with tradition, England’s law-making body decided to allow the king to collect customs duties for only one year, as opposed to previous monarchs who had been granted the right for life. Despite this, Charles decided to levy tax…
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History

Charlotte, a name with royal pedigree

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4th May 2015
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge named their daughter Charlotte. It’s not a big shock – the name has been one of the favourites with the bookmakers almost since Kate announced she was expecting back in September. And one of the reasons it’s always been such a popular…
History

Richard III - Myth or Monster, Saint or Sinner

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3rd May 2015
Although one of our more controversial monarchs, Richard III has been ill-served by history. On the basis of very little evidence, he has been portrayed as a child-killing monster who waded in blood to a throne that wasn’t his to take, but the facts show that relatively little blood was shed as Richard of Gloucester assumed the crown. Far less was shed during his reign than ever was to flow…
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