A few days ago I took two lovely people around some of the most famous sights in London. Normally even in January there would be crowds of people everywhere but as you can see out of millions of people, we use about had the whole place to ourselves. If you’ve never thought how people are… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 84 – Deserted icons of London in Winter
Tag: Parliament
Less than 1% of the population own 50% of England…. how do I compare?
There can be few such good decisions by individuals in history as to have been a Norman baron in the mid 11th Century than pledging allegiance to William The Conqueror in return for land in the British Isles. It’s quite incredible that 1,000 years later one way or the other, an overwhelming number of their… Continue reading Less than 1% of the population own 50% of England…. how do I compare?
The original 9 principles of the police
There had been many attempts at upholding law and order over the centuries. Groups of Night Watchmen and organisations such as the Bow Street Runners came and went, doing the best they could but the concept of a professional police did not come to light until 1829 when Robert Peel became the Home Secretary. It was… Continue reading The original 9 principles of the police
The day we rioted as the government stole 11 days of our lives!
If you think moving the clock an hour in October is a tedious, weird thing to do that only cheats you of an hour of precious useful daylight in the evening then do spare a thought for our forebears who centuries ago were trying to come to terms with the government stealing 11 days of… Continue reading The day we rioted as the government stole 11 days of our lives!
The Divine Right of Kings and the Execution of King Charles I
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 rare in British history and usually when it was comitted, it was done so 1500… Continue reading The Divine Right of Kings and the Execution of King Charles I
William Lenthall -The man who risked his life to uphold democracy and defy the King.
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 forever. On 4 January 1642, King Charles I entered the House of Commons to arrest… Continue reading William Lenthall -The man who risked his life to uphold democracy and defy the King.
Spencer Perceval – The only British Prime Minister to be killed in office
It is said that the more things change, the more they say the same. This is perhaps never more true than in May 1812. Britain was in turmoil. Social and political unrest spread had spread across the country, as old economic models clash with new technologies, and the spectre of global trade tariffs loom large.… Continue reading Spencer Perceval – The only British Prime Minister to be killed in office
Westminster Terror Attack
A terrorist attack has taken place in London, England near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster bridge. Several people have been injured. At least four fatalities and 20 catastrophic injuries. Just a quick update as I have had a few people message asking me if I am ok. I was actually in that area this… Continue reading Westminster Terror Attack
The Queen – Her powers, perks and privileges.
It seems likely that September 9th will see Queen Elizabeth II surpass the achievement of her Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria, and become the longest ever serving monarch in British history. Whilst the role of the monarch has long since been transformed from the potentially tyrannical approach taken by some of her forebears, it is… Continue reading The Queen – Her powers, perks and privileges.
A Guided Tour Inside The Houses Of Parliament
The last year or so I have probably visited Parliament a dozen times but always from the outside. I’ve been in before when I was about 10 years and remember bits and pieces of the interior and especially inside the famous clock tower of Big Ben and the unusual scenario of being deafened by the… Continue reading A Guided Tour Inside The Houses Of Parliament