The strange story of the first Elephant in England

It’s long been the habit for monarchs around the world to receive some of the most incredible gifts. You only have to go to Windsor Castle to see some of the things our Royal Family have received over the centuries and apparently there are entire stores of more humdrum or precious objects. But what to get… Continue reading The strange story of the first Elephant in England

Celebrating The Platinum Jubilee

There aren’t many things in life longer in the making than the opening of the Elizabeth Line but one of them is the Platinum Jubilee which marks the 70th year of service Her Majesty The Queen has given to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth, the longest in history. To… Continue reading Celebrating The Platinum Jubilee

Pineapples – From Regal luxury to 70’s chintz!

Do you like Pineapples?  I don’t know about you but I don’t really like them at all.  They burn my tongue which is as good a reason as any not to like a food but there was a time when the lowly Pineapple was about the most desirable object one could own and it’s not… Continue reading Pineapples – From Regal luxury to 70’s chintz!

The Queen homes in on being the longest serving monarch in history

Last week Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II  became the fourth longest-serving monarch today, surpassing legendary Mayan ruler Pakal the Great. The Queen has surpassed  K’inich Janaab Pakal who ruled the Mayan city state of Palenque for 68 years and 33 days before his death in 683AD. The Queen obviously holds several records including her title as the longest-living… Continue reading The Queen homes in on being the longest serving monarch in history

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?

Is the Queen descended from the Prophet Muhammad?

It is said that most of us have hundreds or thousands of living relations, if only we knew who they were.  On one line of my family tree I have found to be descended from such people such as the brother of King Harold of 1066 fame, Robert The Bruce and various old Saxon and… Continue reading Is the Queen descended from the Prophet Muhammad?

King Edward III Manor House

This my second post resulting from my scouting out a new tour I have been wanting to start offering to my lovely tourists.  As well as the regular tourist hotspots, I really enjoy taking people to the lesser visited parts and judging from the reactions of my tourists, the more authentic an experience, the greater… Continue reading King Edward III Manor House

Peter The Wild Boy

In the summer of 1725 an uncouth youth was found in the forest of Hertswold near Hameln in northern Germany. It was thought the boy was aged about 10 years old though he walked on all fours and fed on grass and leaves. ‘A naked, brownish, ‘A naked, brownish, black haired creature’, he would run… Continue reading Peter The Wild Boy

Longest reign over us – Queen Elizabeth II becomes our longest serving monarch in history

Today is one of those typically historic but low-level sort of days when The Queen becomes the longest serving British monarch in history, surpassing the magnificent reign of Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days and died in January 1901. The precise moment that The Queen will break the record is believed… Continue reading Longest reign over us – Queen Elizabeth II becomes our longest serving monarch in history

It’s a boy! New successor to the British Crown.

Yesterday will go down in history, not only was it the hottest day since 2006 but at 4.24pm a new successor to the throne was born. For a couple of weeks the worlds press has been camped around the streets outside St. Mary’s hospital in London awaiting the birth of the first child of Kate… Continue reading It’s a boy! New successor to the British Crown.