During this current academic year I’ve started completing a part-time MA in History. It’s been great being able to learn new things again, whilst also attempting to write essays; although, I’ve struggled at times juggling the course along with work and other commitments. My current module focuses on German history from 1870 to 1945, and […]
In the Year 2 A-level History class last week we covered the development of antisemitic policies in Nazi Germany, ending our final session on Friday by covering Kristallnacht (its origins, what happened, and its overall impact on German-Jews). A couple of years ago I attempted to develop this session by including more primary sources, and […]
Having recently posted up one of old degree essays – on the decline of the Mediterranean economy – I thought I would post another one which focused on the final decades of the USSR. During my degree programme – at Plymouth Marjons in the 2000s – I was fortunate enough to pick a module on […]
In the early months and years of this blog – back in those pre-Covid days of the 2010s – I posted up a few old essays I had written during my degree. The blog seemed a suitable home for the blood, toils, tears, and sweat that I expended on researching, drafting, and writing my old […]
I’ve recently marked a batch of mock exams for my A-level History group on the Tudors module that we cover. On the whole, I’m happy with their progress, and am optimistic about their chances in the final exams in May and June later this year. One of the questions focused on the problems of succession […]
Today is the coronation of King Charles III, and Britain (and the wider Commonwealth) are in celebration mood, months after losing the much loved Queen Elizabeth II. The British media has gone all guns blazing on the big event (which I am currently watching whilst typing this), and there is an additional bank holiday provided […]
Earlier this week in an A-level History revision session, I covered the breakdown of society during the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509). This involves an overview of the feudalist structure, with further focus on the hierarchy and influence of the Catholic Church. I haven’t seen any questions relating to this on previous exam papers (the […]
Recent research has allowed me the opportunity to delve back into the events of the Cornish rebellions of 1497. I’ve posted about these uprisings previously on the blog, including one focusing on Michael Joseph (the Cornish Braveheart), as well as an article on how on how a considerable number of textbooks have mixed up the […]
As noted in previous posts, I recently researched – as part of my book The Tudor Empire – the John Cabot voyages for Henry VII during the 1490s (you can read about the myths of phantom islands of the Atlantic ocean, as well as the legend of the disappearance of John Cabot himself). What I […]
The last post outlined the various myths and legends of the medieval period of the phantom islands in the Atlantic ocean. This stemmed from the research that I am currently undertaking in preparation for my book about the empire-building of the Tudor state: The Tudor Empire. This research has enabled to delve further into the […]
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK, a time to ‘remember those who were murdered for who they were’. The theme for 2022 is ‘One Day’, which provides an open interpretation: one day from history, one day in which life changed, or one day in the future when persecution is overcome. A couple of […]
Last week I taught a session about the importance of local history on the History foundation degree at University Centre South Devon. I outlined my interest in local history and the role that it plays in promoting the identity of communities. I also developed this further to suggest that local history can apply new approaches […]
This is a series about a brief history of the former hamlet of King’s Tamerton, in St. Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon. The first part outlined definitions of King’s Tamerton (what it is and what area it compromises), and the second part outlined its possible Roman origins. Part 3 continues with speculation regarding its ancient origins. Although […]
During a recent revision session I ended up digressing (as I am prone to do) and we somehow ended up discussing what makes an era of history. The study of history tends to sectionalise periods of time: we focus on the Tudor dynasty or the interwar period, with each of these periods having distinct themes. […]
During the first coronavirus lock-down in 2020 I often saw posts on social media sites of people proudly stating their intention to “get their life in order” after all of the Covid disruption was over. Covid-19 caused such a jolt to the normal way of living life that it served to act as a reboot […]
During this month I have posted the various chapters of my short eBook Ralph Wilford: Henry VII’s Forgotten Pretender. The first chapter provided a contextual overview of the reign of Henry VII up to the year of 1499. Chapter 2 was an overview of the “rebellion” itself, whilst Chapter 3 delved into the issue as to how much of a threat […]
Earlier this month I noted how I would post all chapters of my short eBook Ralph Wilford: Henry VII’s Forgotten Pretender. The first chapter provided a contextual overview of the reign of Henry VII up to the year of 1499. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the “rebellion” itself, whilst Chapter 3 delves into the issue as to how […]
Like many people, I’ve delighted in watching the Netflix series The Crown. I was a couple of years behind the band wagon, however, as soon as I converted I became a strong convert. When reading a Guardian article about the third season I was pleased to see the plaudits provided to Olivia Colman pulling off her […]
