The Battle of Gettysburg epitomises the futility of war and offered people of the time a terrifying glimpse at the devastating future of conflict. It is a landmark moment not only in the American Civil War but in world history; a victory and tragedy in the same breath. Fought from the 1st of July through … More The Battle of Gettysburg: The Turning Point
On the 17th October 1346, Scottish and English forces clashed outside Durham in one of the key battles of 14th-century British history. The Battle of Neville’s Cross was a disastrous military failure for the Kingdom of Scotland which led to the capture and humiliation of King David II. Embroiled deep in the Hundred Years War, … More Defeat and Humiliation: The Battle of Neville’s Cross
Every year on the 5th November, the skies above Britain are awash with colour as thousands of fireworks let out their brief, explosive bursts of light. Bonfires burn throughout the land and Brits young and old recall the rhyme, “Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot“. The Gunpowder Plot reads like your … More Kings, Queens & Treacherous Schemes: The Gunpowder Plot
It was a warm July day as they clambered to plug gaps in the walls; flesh and bone replaced their bricks and mortar. They had endured much already, yet with every slaughtered horse they piled up, the grotesque stench grew in severity, permeating the humid air and lingering in their nostrils. Guy, Count of Namur … More The Battle of Boroughmuir : Desperation in Defeat
The Battle of Falkirk, which took place on the 22nd July 1298, is one of the most famous battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence.
The euphoria of victory would be short-lived, however. And at the Battle of Falkirk, Wallace and the Scots would go toe-to-toe with a far different animal to the one they previously encountered on the banks of the River Forth.
… More The Battle of Falkirk : The End of the Beginning
Human history has been shaped by great catastrophic events. In this series of articles, I will explore a wide range of catastrophes throughout our history, ranging from natural disasters to pandemics and global conflicts. In September 1666, the Great Fire of London began its devastating rampage throughout the city. It is by all accounts the … More Great Catastrophes, Part 1: The Great Fire of London
The Battle of Largs, which took place on 2nd October 1263, was by and large an inconclusive engagement between the kingdoms of Scotland and Norway.
Although the battle itself proved rather indecisive, the repercussions of this engagement were immense; heralding a downturn in Norse influence in Scotland, the death of a king and the consolidation of Scottish influence in the north of Britain. … More The Battle of Largs: Norway’s Death Throes in Scotland
British history has featured some exceptional, innovative and fearless women. From Boudica to Elizabeth I, Ada Lovelace to the Suffragettes, the list goes on.
One of the most fascinating and relatively unknown characters from Scottish history is Agnes Randolph, Countess of Dunbar. … More Black Agnes: One of Scotland’s Most Fearless Female Figures
Commonly known as the Cadaver Synod, the ecclesiastical trial of Pope Formosus began in 897AD and is an event that wouldn’t be out of place in a Monty Python sketch. … More The Cadaver Synod
Scottish history is rich, vibrant and littered with colourful tales of bravery, deceit, violence and lust. It is no surprise that George RR Martin drew some inspiration from it.
There are many tales from Scotland’s past that aren’t immortalised in fantasy fiction, however, yet they are every bit as brutal and harrowing. … More Fact or Fiction? Scotland’s Darkest Historical Events
