Tag: British history
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Princess on the Streets: How Catherine of Aragon Came to Live on the Strand
Following the sudden death of her first husband, Catherine of Aragon found herself thrust into poverty and turmoil regarding her consequent betrothal. Marnie Camping-Harris discusses the turbulent formative years of the future Queen of England.
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Henry VIII: The Spare Who Changed History
Whilst the phrase “spare to the heir” has dominated headlines in recent months, it is an appellation which also overshadowed the early years of the future King Henry VIII. Naomi Wallace discusses the events that shaped the monarch, and the history of England.
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Book Review – Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence
R. F. Kuang’s 2022 novel, “Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence”, holds a critical lens to the British Empire, examining the atrocities perpetuated by academic institutions. Naomi Wallace discusses Kuang’s work which combines fantasy with a powerful critique of imperialism, set in nineteenth-century Oxford.
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Revealing Royal Jewellery: The Chequers Ring
Once belonging to Queen Elizabeth I, the Chequers Ring has prompted intrigue – not least concerning the identity of the woman whose portrait sits alongside the monarch. Naomi Wallace discusses the theories surrounding this captivating piece.
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Migration and the Neocolonial ‘National Front’: British Post-war Immigration Policy and Culture
HMT Empire Windrush brought hundreds of migrants from Commonwealth countries with the promise of employment and prosperity; what greeted them was discrimination and racism. Ash Tomkins discusses the impact of Britain’s hostile post-war immigration policy, the effects of which are felt to this day.
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From the Slums of London to the Kings Court: The Story of Nell Gwynn
From an impoverished childhood to one of the earliest female stage actors in England, Nell Gwynn became committed to the annals of history for her relationship with King Charles II. Megan Crutchley explores the life of this central figure in Restoration London.
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Memorials and Memoirs: Piecing Together the Lives of Formerly Enslaved Women
Malvina Wells, born in Carriacou around 1804, was one of a number of enslaved persons brought to Scotland during the period of colonial expansionism. Verity Limond examines the stories of women freed from slavery in Britain, where sources are sparse, to help shed light on their lives and experiences.
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Skeletons in Westminster: Is it Time to Solve the Mystery of the Princes in the Tower?
The identity of the “Princes of the Tower” has remained a mystery since their sudden disappearance in 1483. Naomi Wallace and Marnie Camping-Harris discuss the prevailing theories regarding their fate, and the debates which continue to preclude examination of their remains.
Retrospect Journal 