Who is Harriet Quimby? If I tell you that on the 25th of July, 1909, Louis Bleriot became the first man to pilot an aeroplane across the English Channel, you’ll probably say “I knew that.” On the 16th of April, 1912, Harriet Quimby became the first woman to pilot an...

The Battle of Rain was fought on the 15th of April, 1632. I have written about the Miracle of the Rain so let’s delve into the Battle of Rain. Rain is a town in the Donau-Ries district, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the river Lech, close to its confluence...

The Battle of Barnet was fought on the 14th of April, 1471. Barnet got a fleeting mention in my post on Malmsey wine, but let’s delve into the detail. The Battle of Barnet was one of the decisive engagements of the Wars of the Roses and a turning point in the struggle...

Catherine de Medici was born on the 13th of April, 1519, in Florence. She is a minor character in The Spy who Sank the Armada, the first book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. I have mentioned her in a previous post, but let us look into her life in more detail....

On the 12th of April, 1606, the Union Flag was adopted as the flag of English and Scottish ships. I’m going to say straight away that I consider the Union Flag to be the Union Jack when it is flown at the jackstaff of one of His Majesty’s ships. It’s controversial but...

On the 11th of April, 1814, the Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed. It ended the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon Bonaparte, and forced him to abdicate uncondionally for the first time. It does feel increasingly as though I’m running out of history I want...

I mentioned copyright in my last post, Quisling. Well on the 10th of April, 1710, the Statute of Anne came into force in Great Britain. It was the first law regulating copyright.  The Statute of Anne, which came into force in Great Britain in 1710, is widely regarded...

On the 9th of April, 1940, Vidkun Quisling seized power in Norway. I have posted about famous Norwegians such as Harald Hardrada and Thor Heyerdahl so now it’s time to write about an infamous one. Before we start I must apologise for the illustration. I normally use...

On the 8th of April, 1954, South African Airways Flight 201 crashed into the sea killing 21 people. It was a de Havilland DH106 Comet. Regular readers will know my fascination with flight and flying machines. The de Havilland Comet holds a unique and poignant place in...

Who is Harriet Quimby? If I tell you that on the 25th of July, 1909, Louis Bleriot became the first man to pilot an aeroplane across the English Channel, you’ll probably say “I knew that.” On the 16th of April, 1912, Harriet Quimby became the first woman to pilot an...

The Battle of Rain was fought on the 15th of April, 1632. I have written about the Miracle of the Rain so let’s delve into the Battle of Rain. Rain is a town in the Donau-Ries district, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the river Lech, close to its confluence...

The Battle of Barnet was fought on the 14th of April, 1471. Barnet got a fleeting mention in my post on Malmsey wine, but let’s delve into the detail. The Battle of Barnet was one of the decisive engagements of the Wars of the Roses and a turning point in the struggle...

Catherine de Medici was born on the 13th of April, 1519, in Florence. She is a minor character in The Spy who Sank the Armada, the first book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. I have mentioned her in a previous post, but let us look into her life in more detail....

On the 12th of April, 1606, the Union Flag was adopted as the flag of English and Scottish ships. I’m going to say straight away that I consider the Union Flag to be the Union Jack when it is flown at the jackstaff of one of His Majesty’s ships. It’s controversial but...

On the 11th of April, 1814, the Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed. It ended the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon Bonaparte, and forced him to abdicate uncondionally for the first time. It does feel increasingly as though I’m running out of history I want...

I mentioned copyright in my last post, Quisling. Well on the 10th of April, 1710, the Statute of Anne came into force in Great Britain. It was the first law regulating copyright.  The Statute of Anne, which came into force in Great Britain in 1710, is widely regarded...

On the 9th of April, 1940, Vidkun Quisling seized power in Norway. I have posted about famous Norwegians such as Harald Hardrada and Thor Heyerdahl so now it’s time to write about an infamous one. Before we start I must apologise for the illustration. I normally use...

On the 8th of April, 1954, South African Airways Flight 201 crashed into the sea killing 21 people. It was a de Havilland DH106 Comet. Regular readers will know my fascination with flight and flying machines. The de Havilland Comet holds a unique and poignant place in...