War Zone

There is a debate amongst historians regarding the moment as to when America became a world power. When did this vast country emerge from a position of isolationist continental force to become a significant player on the global stage? The 1898 Spanish-American War is a clear candidate for that very moment; when the young United […]

The Crimean War appears to have become one of those forgotten wars of the past: people can sometimes connect a name or a event, but not really have an understanding as to why Britain went to war with Russia. The immediate images that come to mind are that of Florence Nightingale, balaclavas (named after the […]

The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 has the odd distinction of being the shortest war in the history of the world: it was over in under an hour, with some estimates placing it at 38 minutes. Quite a different span of time when compared to the likes of the Thirty Years’ War or the Hundred Years’ War. […]

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks reading up on the Norman invasion and its impact on English history. This is in connection to research on the role of the Norman earls of Cornwall during the 11th-12th centuries. I’ve found myself engrossed in the Norman ducal/royal family and their constant intrigue and back-stabbing of one […]