Category: History blog
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The History Series: What Led to the Hundred Years War?
Introduction The Hundred Years War was a complex beast. The most basic timelines will show that it was contested by England and France between 1337 and 1453. The reality is that swathes of Europe became involved in the long dispute and, rather than being a singular war, it was actually a period of intermittent fighting,…
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The History Series: Medieval Monarch Monikers and Nasty Nicknames
Introduction If you read my blog about the Battle of Crecy, you’ll be familiar with Philip the Fair of France and King John the Blind of Bohemia. Both of these men faced Edward III, who may have been the victor on the battlefield but was no match for his adversaries when it comes to descriptive…
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The History Series: Queen Isabella of France
Introduction Isabella of France, Queen of England, was a deft political player who blew the whistle on one of the biggest scandals of the 14th century and was a key actor in the outbreak of the Hundred Years War. She invaded England with a mercenary army and overthrew (and possibly murdered) her husband, allowing her…
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The History Series: Edward III and the Battle of Crécy
Introduction Lasting from 1337 until 1453, England and France were the main protagonists during a series of conflicts we refer to as the Hundred Years War. The ‘war’ was significant in shaping the national character of both nations and its effects resonated all over medieval Europe. One of the most important encounters was the battle…
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Visit North East: George Stephenson’s ‘Billy’
The Killingworth Colliery The engineer George Stephenson went to work for Killingworth Colliery, owned by Lord Ravensworth, in 1812. The area had several pits, with Ravensworth’s the best known. The town, purpose-built in the 1960s, is to the north of Newcastle and sits on the site of the former village that Stephenson would have been…
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Visit North East: South Shields Museum
*DISCLAIMER: I intended to visit the South Shields Museum to take my own photographs & learn more. I will be updating this post after the Covid19 lockdown has ended* Introduction The South Shields Museum is a huge, beautiful, stone-fronted building with white plaster features on the windows. It sits right in the centre of the…
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Visit North East: The Town Hutch
The Discovery Museum has so many brilliant artefacts that it’s almost impossible to single one out. However, the museum helped me out, as they’ve chosen their own ‘Top 10’ to highlight, so I’ve picked number two, the town hutch, to look at here. The Town Hutch The hutch is a large oak box, bound with…
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Visit North East: Isabella and the Pot of Basil
Isabella and the Pot of Basil, by William Holman Hunt, has always been a favourite of mine, so I was excited when the Laing Art Gallery chose to reproduce it on the side of the building. Unfortunately, it’s mostly obscured now by a rogue tree, but it’s still there. On first glance, the mournful Isabella…
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Time Pieces History Project: Final Thoughts
Introduction Today, I’m reflecting on the Time Pieces History Project, which finished on Tuesday. A year ago, I was wondering how to bring my passion for history into my work as a copywriter and content marketer. I wasn’t sure how to get into the industry as a writer-for-hire, because I didn’t have any connections or…
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Time Pieces History Project Item 100: Pompeii
First time on the blog or new to the Time Pieces History Project? Find out what it’s all about here, and then come back to this page for today’s item – Pompeii. Pompeii – Introduction to Item 100 My final place is somewhere that has been top of my list of must-see spots for more…