The Battle of Toulon began on the 22nd of February, 1744, as a result of which several Royal Navy captains were court-martialed, and the Articles of War were amended. It was a major naval engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession and one of the most...

On the 21st of February, 1808, Russian troops crossed the border at Abborfors in Eastern Finland into Swedish territory and starting the first Finnish War.  The First Finnish War, more commonly known in English as the Finnish War of 1808–1809, was a decisive conflict...

I thought it was time to provide an update on my progress with Cade’s Point, the sixth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. Don’t be concerned if you think you’ve missed book 5, Serpent’s Teeth. I’ve written it but haven’t published it yet. I hope to publish...

On the 20th of February, 1472, Orkney and Shetland were pawned by Norway to Scotland. My first job after Oxford was with Foster Wheeler, who had the contract for building the Sullem Voe Oil Terminal in Shetland. It wasn’t a project I worked on, but I had many friends...

On the 19th of February, 1594, Sigismund III was crowned King of Sweden. Sigismund III of Sweden, also known as Sigismund III Vasa (1566–1632), was one of the most complex and consequential monarchs of early modern Europe. He reigned as King of Poland and Grand Duke...

On the 18th of February, 1930, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an aeroplane. I have been crazy about flying for much of my life and held a pilot’s license, but transporting a cow in a small plane? I think I’d have left that to someone else. Elm Farm...

On the 17th of February, 1801, a tie in the Electoral College between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson was resolved when Jefferson was elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was one of the most influential figures...

The Battle of Torrington was fought on the 16th of February, 1646. I recall that Admiral Sir John Byng was Viscount Torrington, but Torrington was a land battle in Devon. It was one of the last major engagements of the First English Civil War and marked the effective...

On the 15th of February, 1113, Pope Paschal II issued the Pie Postulatio Voluntatis recognising the Order of Hospitallers. I have written about the Knights Templar before, and the Hospitallers are the other major chivalric order that I’m aware of. The Knights...

The Battle of Toulon began on the 22nd of February, 1744, as a result of which several Royal Navy captains were court-martialed, and the Articles of War were amended. It was a major naval engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession and one of the most...

On the 21st of February, 1808, Russian troops crossed the border at Abborfors in Eastern Finland into Swedish territory and starting the first Finnish War.  The First Finnish War, more commonly known in English as the Finnish War of 1808–1809, was a decisive conflict...

I thought it was time to provide an update on my progress with Cade’s Point, the sixth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. Don’t be concerned if you think you’ve missed book 5, Serpent’s Teeth. I’ve written it but haven’t published it yet. I hope to publish...

On the 20th of February, 1472, Orkney and Shetland were pawned by Norway to Scotland. My first job after Oxford was with Foster Wheeler, who had the contract for building the Sullem Voe Oil Terminal in Shetland. It wasn’t a project I worked on, but I had many friends...

On the 19th of February, 1594, Sigismund III was crowned King of Sweden. Sigismund III of Sweden, also known as Sigismund III Vasa (1566–1632), was one of the most complex and consequential monarchs of early modern Europe. He reigned as King of Poland and Grand Duke...

On the 18th of February, 1930, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an aeroplane. I have been crazy about flying for much of my life and held a pilot’s license, but transporting a cow in a small plane? I think I’d have left that to someone else. Elm Farm...

On the 17th of February, 1801, a tie in the Electoral College between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson was resolved when Jefferson was elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was one of the most influential figures...

The Battle of Torrington was fought on the 16th of February, 1646. I recall that Admiral Sir John Byng was Viscount Torrington, but Torrington was a land battle in Devon. It was one of the last major engagements of the First English Civil War and marked the effective...

On the 15th of February, 1113, Pope Paschal II issued the Pie Postulatio Voluntatis recognising the Order of Hospitallers. I have written about the Knights Templar before, and the Hospitallers are the other major chivalric order that I’m aware of. The Knights...