British & Irish History

Irish History 

A Decade of Commemorations in Ireland

April 6, 2014June 18, 2020 Tom Byrne 0 Comments 'home rule', 'Irish Citizens Army', 'Ulster Volunteer Force', ICA, lockout, nationalist, princip, unionist, uvf

2014 marks the centenary of the start of World War I. In Ireland (and Britain) it also marks a century

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

The Coming of the Vikings

January 23, 2014June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments aethelred, alfred, coenwulf, halfdan, mercia, saxon, viking, wessex

In the year 793AD, on the 8th of June, the Anglo Saxon Chronicle relates that, “fierce foreboding omens came over

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

Cnut and the Rise of Earl Godwin

January 6, 2014June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments 'earl godwin', 'Ulf Jarl', Aelgyfu, canute, cnut, Danegeld, Eadric, Edwulf, Gunhilda, Harefoot, Harthacanute, Hlathir, Leofric, Leofwine, Sweyn, Thorkil

One of Cnut’s first tasks following his coronation at Christmas 1016AD, was to strengthen his grip on the new realm.

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

The Danish Invasion

January 5, 2014June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments 'Olaf Tryggvason', 'Swein Forkbeard', Byrhtnoth, cnut, Eadric, Elgifu, Ethelred, Thored, Uhtred, Unraed, unready, Witan, Wulfstan

Ethelred was the second son of King Edgar. He was ten years old when his brother Edward the Martyr was

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

Arthur and the Celtic Decline

December 29, 2013June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments 'Geoffrey of Monmouth', 'Ranulf Higden', Aedan, Badon, Camelot, Camlann, Ceredig, Circinn, Cunedda, Dalriada, Gildas, Guithelimus, Meirion, Merlin, Miathi, Mordred, Nennius, Tigernach, Vortigern

In 402AD, Constantine’s son, also Constantine, was king having invaded Britain reportedly at the request of Guithelimus, the Archbishop of

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

The Birth of the Saxon Kingdoms

December 29, 2013June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments Aelle, Aethelfrith, Caninus, Cerdic, Cerdicesford, Conanus, Cynegils, Cynric, Eolderman, Ermenric, Fflamddwyn, Gaullauc, Gododdin, Gwyrangon, Hengist, Morcant, Nerthus, Penda, Riderich, saxon, Ulph, Urien, Vortiporius, Wihtgaraesburh, Winwaed

The period following the Roman withdrawal was one of gradual turmoil and civic breakdown, although St Patrick, writing some ten

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Anglo-Saxon (500-1000) 

The Fight For Territory

December 29, 2013June 19, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments Aethelbert, Bretwalda, Deusdedit, Dumnonia, Eadbald, Eadric, Eanswith, Eorcenberht, Eormenred, Hlothere, Mellitus, mercia, Paganism, Raedwald, Saebert, Saeweard, saxon, Seaxberh, Sexred, Sigiberht, Swithelm, wessex, wifrithm, Wulfhere, Ymme

By the middle of the seventh century Britain was a patchwork of native and invading communities led by powerful chieftains

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Norman and Medieval (1001-1500) 

Richard the Lionheart – Hero or Villain?

November 24, 2013June 18, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments 'Berengaria of Navarre', 'Bertrand de Gourdon', 'Coeur De Lion', Châlus, crusades, Fontenvrault, lionheart, saladin

Richard was born at Oxford on 8th September 1157, the third son of Henry II, and, as such, never expected

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Norman and Medieval (1001-1500) 

Stephen and Matilda

October 20, 2013June 18, 2020 Jim Keys 0 Comments 'Henry of Blois', 'Hugh Bigod', baldwin, Fitzempress, fulk, Kaladrius, Madog, Mariadeth, matilda, Northallerton, stephen, winchester

Following the deaths by drowning of his two legitimate sons, William and Richard, plus their half brother Outtel, Henry I

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Early Modern (1501-1700) 

Losing Our Heads (Online) – Mary Queen of Scots and 16th Century Surveillance

July 2, 2013June 18, 2020 Tom Byrne 0 Comments Tom Byrne uses the example of Mary Queen of Scots to demonstrate that the monitoring of personal communication is not purely a 21st Century problem.

“The executioner then picked up the severed head and, showing it to those present, cried out: ‘God save Queen Elizabeth!

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