Often referred to as the ‘Hungry Decade’, the 1840s was characterised by social unrest, military losses and economic hardship ...

The chimney sweep, or climbing boys as they were often called, was a harsh profession to be in and most likely one that would severely cut your life short. Those employed were often orphans or from ...

Margaret was born in 1046 and was a member of an ancient English royal family. She was a direct descendant of King Alfred and was the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England through his son ...

Some have said: ‘The Darien Venture was the most ambitious colonial scheme attempted in the 17th century… The Scots were the first to realise the strategic ...

Mary Tudor, favourite sister of King Henry VIII, was feted around Europe for her pale skin and good looks. Henry arranged for Mary’s marriage to the aging and gouty King Louis XII as part of a peace ...

Mystery, legend and myth surround the Knights Templar, a religious military order of knighthood formed at the time of the Crusades and sworn to defend Christian holy sites in the Holy Land. One of ...

Out of the night he came, a leaping, bounding superman who terrified the English nation for more than 60 years. At first, tales of this devil-like figure who leaped from roof-top to roof-top was ...

In Victorian times, people were enthralled by the novels of Sir Walter Scott, who portrayed a man called Rob Roy in one of his stories… a dashing and chivalrous outlaw. The truth was a little less ...

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Rudyard Kipling. One of the best known stories in English history is that of King Alfred and the cakes. Children are ...

Although lots of portraits exist of Elizabeth, she did not pose for many of them. Perhaps she was a little vain – if she disliked a particular picture she would have it destroyed. Her Secretary of ...

In northeastern England you would be hard-pressed to find a person unaware of the legend of the Lambton Worm, well established in English folklore since the 13th Century. However, when John Lambton ...

Following his restoration to the throne, King Charles II gradually imposed strict controls on the religions practiced throughout his kingdoms. In particular the Presbyterian Covenanters of Scotland ...