The History of Britain Magazine
Welcome to the History of Britain! The home nations share a varied and shared history unlike anywhere else, so we thought it only right to create a section dedicated to our mutual heritage.
The Asian Theatre of War
Singapore, Hong Kong, Imphal, Kohima, Hiroshima, Nagasaki. Names that will forever evoke images of the brutal war fought by the Allies against the Imperial Japanese Army in South East Asia. We commemorate the surrender of Japan each year on Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, 15th August: this also marks the end of World War II.
The Talalla Brothers: Heroes of World War Two
This is the inspiring story of the Talalla brothers, Cyril, known as Jimmy, and Henry, known as Sonny, who made the long trip from Malaysia to Britain to fight in the war against Fascism.
Anne Vane, Royal Mistress
Anne Vane was the archetypal ‘scarlet woman’. She scandalised Georgian society with her affairs, most notably with Frederick, Prince of Wales, to whom she bore two illegitimate children.
Margaret Douglas: The Women Who Defied Henry VIII – Twice!
Margaret Douglas was a formidable figure in Tudor history. A cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, her position in Tudor politics was perilous however her ambition, resilience, and political acumen ensured that her family remained at the centre of royal affairs. Though she faced imprisonment and disgrace multiple times, she never wavered in her pursuit of power for her descendants. Her grandson, James VI of Scotland, would later inherit both the Scottish and English thrones, becoming King James I of England.
Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim
The 2017 film ‘Victoria and Abdul’ highlights the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian Muslim servant, Abdul Karim. This unlikely friendship and his sudden elevation to Queen’s confidant made him many enemies at court…
Robert Clive ‘Clive of India’ 1725-1774
A ruthless military leader and company administrator, Robert Clive, also known as Clive of India played a pivotal role in securing the East India Company’s power and laying the foundations for the establishment of British rule in India. However the Nabob General was far from universally liked; in fact he was despised by many and is still seen as a controversial figure today.
The Chindits: Unique Burma Jungle Force
One of the most controversial, eccentric individuals of the Second World War was Major-General Orde Wingate, leader of the Chindits during the Burma Campaign…
Did Cavalry End With World War One?
The role of mounted cavalry seems to belong to another age. It brings to mind the Charge of the Light Brigade, the subject of the famous poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson;
“Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.”
However the last British cavalry charge actually took place in 1942 in Burma…
