King Richard II, winner at fourteen, died alone at thirty-three
On this day in 1381 King Richard II of England met the leaders of the Peasants’ revolt outside London. It was the bravest and most... Read More
William Butler Yeats, poet of passion and joy
On this day in 1865 Irish poet William Butler Yeats was born. In 1923 he received the Nobel Prize for literature. Much of his best... Read More
Harriet Martineau speaks her mind
On this day in 1802 Harriet Martineau the English writer and sociologist was born. Martineau’s work was admired by Queen Victoria and among her acquaintances... Read More
Troy – was it a trade war ?
On this day in 1184 BC according to legend, the ancient city of Troy was sacked. The ancient story of Helen, wife of Menelaus, king... Read More
Alexander the Great – was he an alcoholic ?
On this day in BC323 Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, Persia and Asia and Pharaoh of Egypt, died aged 32. Historians are divided as... Read More
Charles Dickens, father of the serialised story
On this day in 1870 the English writer Charles Dickens died. The man who wrote the best-selling novel of all time, (A Tale of Two... Read More
Robert Schumann’s fight with mental illness
On this day in 1810 the German composer Robert Schumann was born. During his forty six years he composed a body of musical work that... Read More