The Day of the Dupes

The Day of the Dupes

The tenth of November 1630 was a critical day in an ambitious attempt to overthrow Cardinal Richelieu, France’s powerful chief minister, shook the political landscape of France. Known as the “Day of the Dupes,” this dramatic failed “palace revolution” revealed the...
Charles Neville

Charles Neville

Charles Neville was one of the leaders of the Northern Rebellion of 1569 and also a character in The Spy who Sank the Armada,the story of Sir Anthony Standen my 10th great-grandfather’s elder brother. I chose Neville because he was in the right places at the...
Libraries

Libraries

The eighth of November seems to have been an important day in the history of libraries on both sides of the Atlantic, as both the Bodleian and Library Company of Philadelphia were founded on that day, in 1602 and 1731 respectively. The Bodleian Library is one of the...
John Blanke: A Remarkable Musician in Tudor England

John Blanke: A Remarkable Musician in Tudor England

I have posted about Renaissance musicians previously. The On This Day website tells me that on the seventh of November 1507 John Blanke is first mentioned in a written record when he petitioned Henry VII for a pay increase, citing his commitment and expertise. He was...
Gutenberg and the Printing Press

Gutenberg and the Printing Press

The Sir Anthony Standen Adventures would be nothing more than a hand written memoir if it weren’t for Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. I think many of us know of Gutenberg, but what about Johann Fust? Gutenberg is famous for his printing press...