The History of England Magazine
Every month we present new feature articles relating to the history of this green and pleasant land. From ancient battlefields to famous people, hangings to national celebrations, we’ve got something to interest everyone.
You may also be interested in our History of Britain section covering the period from the Act of Union during Queen Anne‘s reign to the modern day.
Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Daniel Wintle MC
The last British officer to be held in the Tower of London, the monocled Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Daniel Wintle MC was a decorated war veteran, and one of the most flamboyant and unconventional figures of the 20th century.
Dido Elizabeth Belle
The illegitimate daughter of Captain John Lindsay and Maria Belle, a slave of African origin, Dido Elizabeth Belle’s story is quite remarkable for its time, as she was brought up in an aristocratic English family…
The Gruesome Career of Mabel de Bellême, Countess of Shrewsbury
A Norman noblewoman, Mabel de Bellême became Countess of Shrewsbury through her marriage to Sir Roger de Montgomery. Shrewd and politically adept, she was however infamous for her cruelty and ruthlessness…
Gaius Suetonius Paulinus – Governor of Britain
There is a statue of the warrior queen of the Iceni tribe, Boudica, on the Victoria Embankment in London. Her revolt against the Romans is well known – but who led the Roman army against Boudica in her final battle?
Arbella Stuart
A cousin of both Elizabeth I and James I and VI of Scotland, and next in line to the throne after James’ children, Arbella’s royal lineage was a curse, not a blessing…
Bess of Hardwick
Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as ‘Bess of Hardwick’, became one of the richest and most influential people in Tudor England; some might say second only to Queen Elizabeth I herself. Bess also had a passion for building and furnishing, and visitors can still appreciate her design and flair at Hardwick Hall today.
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.
The King of Pirates
Henry Avery, also known as Henry Every, earned the name ‘King of Pirates’ for an audacious act of piracy against a convoy of twenty-five Grand Mughal ships, loaded with gold, jewels and treasure…
