‘… a respectable woman’s place was in the home. Unfortunately, though, it was rapidly becoming obvious that the home was not necessarily a more retired or safer place than the field of battle’[1] During the English Civil War, many women were left at home whilst their husbands fought for either the Crown or Parliament. However, … Read more
In the seventeenth century, Hampden emerged as a powerful influence in the struggle between Charles I and Parliament that culminated in the English Civil War. Background Born in 1594, John Hampden was the eldest son and heir of William Hampden of Buckinghamshire, and Oliver Cromwell’s cousin. Raised as a Protestant, he was educated at … Read more
Following an insurrection in Canterbury in December 1647, the accused leaders were put on trial in May 1648. However, the Grand Jury refused to indict. The events that followed culminated in the Kentish Rebellion: one of the most significant uprisings of the Second English Civil War. After the jury failed to reach a verdict, they … Read more
In 1647 the celebration of Christmas was declared by Parliament to be a punishable offence. In Canterbury, attempts to enforce this led to discord, rebellion, and violence that erupted in a series of riots. On Wednesday 22nd December 1647 the Canterbury Town Crier declared that Christmas Day would be a normal market day. The mayor … Read more
On Sunday 3rd June 2018, the Festival of History brought to life the struggle for democracy and freedom in a family-friendly extravaganza. In the heart of Royal Holloway’s iconic Founder’s Building, visitors witnessed suffragette self-defence classes, participated in arts and crafts activities and observed First World War soldiers and Medieval knights in demonstrations and drills. In … Read more
If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should! A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens and published in December 1843, is a much loved Christmas tale. Its … Read more
By virtue of being a free-man, I conceive I have as true a right to all the privileges that doe belong to a free-man, as the greatest man in England, whatsoever he be ….. and the ground and foundation of my freedome, I build upon the Grand Charter of England John Lilburne was a seventeenth … Read more
On Sunday 4 June 2017, Royal Holloway opened its magnificent North Quad to the public for the first Festival of History. The festival was organised by the team at Citizens 800, a heritage lottery funded project with schools, museums and other organisations to chart the history of the relationship between the citizen and the British … Read more
