Peasants’ Revolt
On the 12th of June, 1381, rebels assembled at Blackheath, just outside London, during the Peasants’ Revolt. In researching this post, a myth that I held to be true since childhood, has been shattered. I was born and grew up within a few miles of Blackheath. The story...
Miracle of the Rain
On the 11th of June 173 AD, in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius defeated the Quadi during the Macromanic wars. The reign of Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's most celebrated emperors, is often remembered for his philosophical insights...
The Favourite Murder
After touring Europe by rail, I have begun work on the second draft of the fifth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, The Favourite Murder. My intention with this book is to submit it to one of the independent publishers such as Joffe, Storm, Bloodhound,...
Boat Race
The first University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge took place on the 10th of June, 1829. The Boat Race, a classic rivalry on the River Thames, has grown to become an iconic event, watched by millions worldwide and attended by thousands who line the riverbanks...
Nero
The 9th of June is most famous for being my wedding anniversary, but amongst the other events on this date is the suicide of Emperor Nero, one of history's most notorious and intriguing figures. Emperor Nero, whose reign from 54 to 68 AD is often remembered for its...
Lindisfarne
Vikings raided Lindisfarne on the 8th of June, 793, the beginning of Norse activity in the British Isles. It marked a pivotal moment in European history, often cited as the dawn of the Viking Age. This brutal incursion on a small island off the northeast coast of...
The First Crusade
On the 7th of June, 1099, during the First Crusade, the Siege of Jerusalem began. This siege not only symbolised the efforts of the crusaders to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule but also embodied the religious fervour and military prowess of the time. The roots...
Battle of Midway
The 6th of June is, of course, famous for D-Day and the opening of Operation Overlord. My father landed in Normandy on D-Day +1, as I have already posted. But another vitally important battle was waged in the Pacific Ocean from the 4th to the 7th of June, 1942, the...
Orient Express
Wikipedia tells me that on the 5th of June, 1883, the first scheduled Orient Express departed from Paris to Vienna. The first item ticked off our bucket list when Claire and I retired was to take that fabulous train from Paris to Istanbul, and Interrail our way home....
Peasants’ Revolt
On the 12th of June, 1381, rebels assembled at Blackheath, just outside London, during the Peasants’ Revolt. In researching this post, a myth that I held to be true since childhood, has been shattered. I was born and grew up within a few miles of Blackheath. The story...
Miracle of the Rain
On the 11th of June 173 AD, in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius defeated the Quadi during the Macromanic wars. The reign of Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's most celebrated emperors, is often remembered for his philosophical insights...
The Favourite Murder
After touring Europe by rail, I have begun work on the second draft of the fifth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, The Favourite Murder. My intention with this book is to submit it to one of the independent publishers such as Joffe, Storm, Bloodhound,...
Boat Race
The first University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge took place on the 10th of June, 1829. The Boat Race, a classic rivalry on the River Thames, has grown to become an iconic event, watched by millions worldwide and attended by thousands who line the riverbanks...
Nero
The 9th of June is most famous for being my wedding anniversary, but amongst the other events on this date is the suicide of Emperor Nero, one of history's most notorious and intriguing figures. Emperor Nero, whose reign from 54 to 68 AD is often remembered for its...
Lindisfarne
Vikings raided Lindisfarne on the 8th of June, 793, the beginning of Norse activity in the British Isles. It marked a pivotal moment in European history, often cited as the dawn of the Viking Age. This brutal incursion on a small island off the northeast coast of...
The First Crusade
On the 7th of June, 1099, during the First Crusade, the Siege of Jerusalem began. This siege not only symbolised the efforts of the crusaders to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule but also embodied the religious fervour and military prowess of the time. The roots...
Battle of Midway
The 6th of June is, of course, famous for D-Day and the opening of Operation Overlord. My father landed in Normandy on D-Day +1, as I have already posted. But another vitally important battle was waged in the Pacific Ocean from the 4th to the 7th of June, 1942, the...
Orient Express
Wikipedia tells me that on the 5th of June, 1883, the first scheduled Orient Express departed from Paris to Vienna. The first item ticked off our bucket list when Claire and I retired was to take that fabulous train from Paris to Istanbul, and Interrail our way home....