by David West | Feb 12, 2025 | News
On 12th February 1554 Lady Jane Grey was executed after only nine days as queen. Jane was born in 1537, the great-granddaughter of Henry VII through her mother, Lady Frances Brandon, who was the daughter of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister. This royal lineage placed...
by David West | Feb 11, 2025 | News
Claire and I went to see a quite brilliant performance of The Merchant of Venice last night at the Theatre Royal in Bath. Claire said it was the most moving performance she has seen of any play, anywhere, and I wholeheartedly agree. There were a few adaptations:...
by David West | Feb 11, 2025 | News
On 11th February 55 AD Britannicus was murdered. I recently posted about the murder of Emperor Commodus, but it’s never too soon for another grisly Roman murder. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, commonly known as Britannicus, was the son of the Roman Emperor...
by David West | Feb 10, 2025 | News
On 10th February 1635 William Davenant’s play, “The Temple of Love”, was performed at Whitehall featuring Queen Henrietta Maria. Sir William Davenant was an English poet, playwright, and theatrical figure, best known for his role in the development of English drama...
by David West | Feb 9, 2025 | News
On the 9th of February 1287 a massive storm across south-east England hit the Cinque Ports and the port of New Romney was stranded a mile inland. The Cinque Ports were a medieval confederation of five key coastal towns in southeastern England, originally granted...
by David West | Feb 8, 2025 | News
On 8th February 1587 Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringay Castle. I have posted about Mary before, because she knighted my ancestor, Elizabethan Spy, Sir Anthony Standen. The execution itself was rather a gruesome mess. Mary was led to the Great Hall of...
