by David West | Jul 5, 2026 | News
On the 5th of July, 1851, Thomas Cook organised the first package holiday, or excursion, from Leicester to Loughborough. I have posted on a few of the package holidays that Claire and I have taken, such as the Valley of the Kings, and Machu Picchu. Let’s explore the...
by David West | Jul 4, 2026 | News
I have written about the Battle of Marathon. So let’s have a look at a later Ancient Greek battle. The Battle of Mantinea was fought on the 4th of July in 362 BCE. The Battle of Mantinea, fought in 362 BC, was one of the most significant and decisive engagements of...
by David West | Jul 3, 2026 | News
On the 3rd of July, 987, Hugh Capet was crowned King of France. Hugh Capet (c.939–996) was one of the most important, yet often understated figures in European history. As the founder of the Capetian dynasty, his accession to the throne in 987 marked the beginning of...
by David West | Jul 2, 2026 | News
Fire and Earth, the second book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, features Galileo Galilei. Today I shall write about his father. Vincenzo Galilei was an Italian composer, lutenist, and music theorist of the late Renaissance. Vincenzo’s contributions to music and...
by David West | Jul 1, 2026 | News
On the 1st of July, 1523, Jan Van Hessen and Hendrik Voes were burnt at the stake in Brussels. They were the first Lutheran martyrs executed by the Council of Brabant. When Martin Luther heard the news he wrote what is believed to be his first hymn, “Ein neues Lied...
