Category Archives: Cool Britannia

Posts predominantly related to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Up Close and Personal with the Greenwich Painted Hall Ceiling

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Two weeks ago you may have seen my post on the Painted Hall in Greenwich which is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of England. The artwork is 300 years old however and due to age, wear and tear … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Life, London, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Art, Conservation, Greenwich, London, Painted Hall Ceiling, Royal Navy, Sir James Thornhill | 2 Comments

The Painted Hall of Greenwich – Englands Sistine Chapel

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Said by many to be the English equivalent of the Sistine Chapel, The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich is one of the most spectacular and important baroque interiors in Europe. You might get some idea what … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Heritage, history, London, Photography, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Art, Greenwich, Painted Hall, Royal Navy, Sir James Thornhill | 1 Comment

The Tale of the Cursed Amethyst at the Natural History Museum in London

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Whilst preparing for a tour tomorrow to the Natural History Museum in London, I thought I should do a reconnaisance sortie as well as a bit of research. The museum is a work of art and shows what value Victorians … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Life, London, Science and Engineering | Tagged Edward Heron-Allen, Hope The Blue Whale, London, Natural History Museum, The Cursed Amethyst | 3 Comments

The Divine Right of Kings and the Execution of King Charles I

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Ever since I wrote the post Thomas Harrison – Executed whilst cheerful! who was hung drawn and quartered, I have been thinking about the tulmultuous events leading up to the execution of King Charles I. Regicide as it is known, is very … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, Politics | Tagged Civil War, Divine Right of Kings, King Charles I, Mandate of Heaven., Oliver Cromwell, Parliament, Regicide, Westminster | 4 Comments

William Lenthall -The man who risked his life to uphold democracy and defy the King.

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Not many people are familiar with William Lenthall but if history were fair then we all would be. For William Lenthall was once the Speaker of the House of Commons and by his actions changed the course of the world … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, Politics | Tagged Civil War, Democracy, House of Commons, King Charles I, Mr. Speaker, Parliament, Speaker of the House, William Lenthall | 3 Comments

ST PAUL’S MONASTERY IN JARROW AND THE OLDEST STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN THE WORLD

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Recently when I was in the area for my Hadrians Wall walk, I took a detour to a place I had long wanted to visited. Not too many miles from the ancestral home of George Washington which I visited on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Northumberland and Durham, Travel | Tagged #WPLongform, church, Faith, Long reads, Monastery, northumbria, St Paul's Monastery, Stained Glass Window, Venerable Bede | 7 Comments

The Gumball 3000 London to Tokyo 2018

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Yesterday when I was giving one of my tours round London, I stumbled across an unexpected sight. A collection of over 100 souped up cars all ready to take place in the Gumball 3000. It wasn’t a total surprise as … Continue reading →