Elizabeth I meets the French ambassador – 1597
After the French ambassador André Herault met Queen Elizabeth I towards the end of her reign, he sent a detailed account
Read moreNormans to Tudors
Jousting during the Hundred Years War – 1382
The French chronicler Jean Froissart recounts how an English knight won his spurs in a joust of 1382.
Read moreBlack Death comes to England – 1348
Black Death devastated England and caused massive social disruption. Henry Knighton saw it at first hand.
Read moreScotland declares its independence – 1320
In the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320, Scotland asserted its independence as a nation. Here is the text in full.
Read moreWilliam the Conqueror crowned King of England – 1066
William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066. Orderic Vitalis wrote the nearest we have to a contemporary
Read more