The History of England Magazine

During the 3rd and 4th centuries, barbarian tribes made increasing incursions against Roman held territory in Britain. Roman garrisons across the country found themselves overwhelmed as forces came from all directions: the Picts from the north, the Scotti from Ireland in the west, and the Saxons from the southeast…

Two earthquakes shook London in early 1750. Then a third was predicted. Cue thousands of Londoners fleeing the city in panic, women clutching their ‘earthquake gowns’…

The tombstone of Regina, found at Arbeia Roman Fort in modern-day South Shields, is extraordinary. The inscription tells us that it was erected by her husband Barates. So far, not unusual. However what Barates tells us about his wife is very unusual…

Often referred to as the ‘Hungry Decade’, the 1840s was characterised by social unrest, military losses and economic hardship. The year 1842 in particular was fraught with problems, which led to it becoming known as the Terrible Year, arguably the worst of the 19th century.

In 1781, American and French forces under George Washington laid siege to the British army at Yorktown. This would become the most decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War…

A British Army intelligence officer, John André was hanged as a spy at Tappan, New York, on Oct. 2nd 1780 on the orders of George Washington..

Worshipped by the Druids for its longevity, the Common Yew is typically found in churchyards, its soft wood used over centuries for the longbows that defined medieval warfare. Its Latin name however warns us of its toxicity: ‘Taxus baccata’ translates as ‘toxic tree with berries’…

It could be argued that the concept of a parliament has its roots in Anglo-Saxon England with the Witan, or Witenagemot. This was a meeting or council of wise men whose role was to advise the king…