Edward Jenner and smallpox vaccination – 1796
Edward Jenner carried out the first successful smallpox vaccination and overcame early expert scepticism before winning acceptance for his method. Here
Read more17th and 18th Centuries
Funeral of George II – 1760
Horace Walpole’s account of the funeral of George II in 1760 is a mix of pathos and bathos, both sad
Read moreOn board a slave ship – 1750s
Olaudah Equiano gave an account of being taken into slavery which strongly influenced the abolitionist movement. This is his story, written
Read moreJacobite armies seize Manchester – 1745
When Jacobite armies seized Manchester in 1745, Elizabeth Byrom was there to record the event.
Read moreDaniel Defoe visits Glasgow – 1707
Daniel Defoe visited Glasgow in 1707 as an agent of the English government, but his description of the city shows
Read moreSamuel Pepys’ Christmas – 1662
Samuel Pepys’ Christmas in 1662 was spent, as usual, in London. His diary gives a flavour of the day.
Read moreCharles II restored to the throne – 1660
When Charles II returned to London to reclaim his thrown in 1660, the diarist John Evelyn was on hand to
Read moreOliver Cromwell on the Battle of Marston Moor – 1644
After the Battle of Marston Moor, Oliver Cromwell had the unpleasant duty of having to tell his brother-in-law of the death
Read moreGunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes confesses – 1605
Guy Fawkes signed two confessions to his part in the Gunpowder plot of 1605. This is what he wrote.
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