The ‘Popish Plot’: Titus Oates and ‘Alternative Facts’ in Seventeenth-Century Britain
In 1681, a fictional Popish Plot went too far. Perhaps ‘alternative facts’ are not unique to the twenty-first century…
AUTHOR: SOPHIE TURBUTT
Category Archive: Early Modern History
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1666: Plague, War and Hellfire, by Rebecca Rideal (2016)
A Review of 1666: Plague, War and Hellfire, by Rebecca Rideal (2016).
AUTHOR: JESS AYRES
‘The Norman Yoke’: Uses of the Past During the English Civil War
In this article, Liam Greenacre considers the use of the Norman Conquest of 1066 during the 17th century English Civil War, contrasting the perceived utopian age with the realities of living under foreign rule.
AUTHOR: LIAM GREENACRE
“Be the Heroine of your Life”: Five Inspirational Women From History Assessed
This article looks five women from across history from vastly different backgrounds. The background of each woman is assessed, and a judgement made on their lasting contributions to society.
AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY AND OTHERS
Anti-Irish Sentiment in Early Modern Britain
Modern attitudes towards the Irish have a complex history, beginning in the Early Modern period. This article explores the evolution of Anti-Irish sentiment in this period, charting its changes and various forms.
AUTHOR: ENYA HOLLAND
“And Our Enemies We’ll Scatter”: The Glorious Revolution and the Battle of the Boyne Considered
The Glorious Revolution marked one of the greatest periods of political change within early modern Britain and Ireland. This article assesses the decisive Battle of the Boyne in securing the new dynasty, as well as its lasting historical significance.
AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY
The European Witch Hunts: A Mass Murder of Women?
The witch trials have been described as a ‘mass murder of women’. This article considers why the gender element to witch hunts has been surprisingly neglected, and what theories are most compelling as to why women were accused of witchcraft than men.
AUTHOR: ENYA HOLLAND
The Devonshire MS: Women and Literature
The Devonshire MS is a collection of poetry; its significance lies in its authorship – historical women of import in the Henrician period. This article outlines how the folio changed hands and how it came to be.
AUTHOR: JESSICA AYRES
The Tudors before the Tudors
The Tudors were a defining dynasty and remain a popular topic in historical studies. This article instead follows the threads of the key Tudors that preceded the reigns of the Tudor monarchs.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
‘Anomalies in the Colony’: Irish Catholics and the Codification of Racial Slavery
Irish workers were seen to be lesser in the eyes of English planters. The Irish held a legal status above their slave peers whilst still sharing a commonality and practical status with them.
AUTHOR: ENYA HOLLAND
Henry Fitzroy: Bastard or Heir?
Henry VIII’s first son Henry Fitzroy has been sidelined in Tudor History. His story reveals a great deal about legitimacy, royal lineage and succession.
AUTHOR JESSICA AYRES
The Rise and Fall of Edmund Dudley: the “hawk” of Henry VII?
Should we take the negative reputation of infamous Henrician minister Edmund Dudley at face value? This article outlines his life and career in order to explore the realities of his representation.
AUTHOR: LAURA FLANNIGAN
The Fall of the Ancien Régime
The role of literacy, the rising middle class, and the decline of the Church were all factors in the Ancien Régime’s steady demise, this article shows.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
Magic and Science in Early Modern Europe – Are They Really So Different?
An examination of Early Modern science and the practice of magic – how the two are more intertwined than it would seem.
AUTHOR: MARTHA BAILEY
Native American Women in the European Atlantic World
This article considers the shifting dynamics of gender roles for Native American women during the cultural exchange with European colonialism.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
Shakespeare’s Life
400 years after Shakespeare’s death, this article seeks to briefly layout the life of this revered, literary genius. AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
The Queen’s Birthday: Development, Forms, and Functions of the celebrations for Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II
On this day, the Queen’s 90th birthday, this article looks back at the development of this national holiday.
AUTHOR: LAURA FLANNIGAN
John Dee: Science, Occult and Empire
Inspired by a recent exhibition at the Royal Society of Physicians, this article explore the life and achievements of polymath John Dee, with a focus on his progressive views on navigation and empire.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
Tudor Royal Palaces – More Than Just Hampton Court?
Hampton Court Palace is the most famous of the Tudor dynasty. However, it was but one of a repertoire of many architectural marvels. This article explores the construction and use of other grand palaces used by the Tudors.
AUTHOR: JESS AYRES
“The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII” by Suzannah Libscomb (2015)
An interesting review of Suzannah Libscomb’s “The King is Dead” book, published last year.
AUTHOR: MAISY SZABO
Lady Jane Grey: The Most Overlooked Tudor Monarch
An insight into the life of Lady Jane Grey, a Tudor monarch who held the throne for nine days in 1553.
AUTHOR: EMILY DUNN
What was the significance of the 95 Theses?
There is no doubt among historians that Martin Luther’s ’95 Theses’ document was central to the Reformation in the 16th century. This article explores the 95 theses in detail, analysing what they were, why they were written and their impact.
AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY
“Close the wall up with our English dead”: does Shakespeare’s Henry V actually problematise Agincourt?
A contextualisation of Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, which allows for exploration of the portrayal of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
AUTHOR: LAURA FLANNIGAN
The Myth of Marie Antoinette
This interesting article discusses the ‘true’ nature of Marie Antoinette with insight from analyses of pamphlets.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
Why Did Elizabeth I Never Marry?
Elizabeth I is known as the Virgin Queen. This article surveys the potential reasons behind why she never married, a decision that caused the death of the Tudor dynasty.
AUTHOR: JESSICA AYRES
Anne Boleyn: A Romantic Heroine?
This article examines the romanticised representations of Anne Boleyn portrayed by historians and artists centuries after her death, with particular focus on Victorian perspectives on her character and execution.
AUTHOR: LAUREN MILLER
‘An heir and a spare’: a brief history of the royal succession in British history
The problem of succession to the British throne has consistently reared its head throughout history. This article explores different situations where trouble ensued regarding claims to the throne – with some more legitimate than others.
AUTHOR: LAURA FLANNIGAN
The Forgotten German History
A microcosmic study of the German town of Prichsenstadt followed by a deeper analysis into ways German history is studied today.
AUTHOR: CAITLIN BURGE
On This Day in 1491 – The Birth of Henry VIII
An insight into perceptions of Henry VIII and interpretations of his rule. Who was Henry VIII? AUTHOR: LAURA FLANNIGAN