On the 25th of February, 1939, the first Anderson Shelter was constructed in a garden in Islington. I remember when I was a child that one of my friends still had an Anderson Shelter in his back garden. The Anderson shelter was one of the most important civil-defence...

On the 24th of February, 1809, London’s Drury Lane Theatre burnt to the ground leaving its owner, Richard Brinsley Sheridan destitute. Sheridan was an immensely talented man, and it’s him rather than the theatre that I want to write about. Sheridan was born in Dublin...

The Alamo is a film that I watched so many times as a child. My parents were both great fans of John Wayne. The Siege of the Alamo, fought from the 23rd of February to the 6th of March, 1836, is one of the most famous and symbolically powerful episodes in American and...

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 25th of February, 1939, the first Anderson Shelter was constructed in a garden in Islington. I remember when I was a child that one of my friends still had an Anderson Shelter in his back garden. The Anderson shelter was one of the most important civil-defence...

On the 24th of February, 1809, London’s Drury Lane Theatre burnt to the ground leaving its owner, Richard Brinsley Sheridan destitute. Sheridan was an immensely talented man, and it’s him rather than the theatre that I want to write about. Sheridan was born in Dublin...

The Alamo is a film that I watched so many times as a child. My parents were both great fans of John Wayne. The Siege of the Alamo, fought from the 23rd of February to the 6th of March, 1836, is one of the most famous and symbolically powerful episodes in American and...

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...