Medieval

The Battle of Hastings depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry

The Battle of Hastings is considered one of the most important battles of England's history. It put an end to Anglo-Saxon England, and started a new era of Norman rule. Following the death of Edward the Confessor in January 1066, Harold…

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Fact of the Day

The monks of Abingdon drank so much beer that they were limited to 20 pints a day each.

Quote of the Day

"Increased means and increased leisure are the two civilisers of man. "

~ Benjamin Disraeli

On This Day

1554 Thomas Wyatt the Younger was executed for leading the Wyatt Rebellion against Mary I's marriage to Philip of Spain.

1689 William III and Mary II were crowned as joint sovereigns of England.

1814 The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed. It forced Napoleon to abdicate and exiled him to the island of Elba.

1890 Joseph Merrick, more commonly known as the Elephant Man, died aged 27. No-one knows what caused his condition, but it's thought that he died of asphyxiation or a dislocated neck when he attempted to sleep lying down.

1945 American soldiers liberated Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp.

1961 Adolf Eichmann's trial started in Israel. He was charged with 15 crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes.

1970 Apollo 13 launched on its mission to the moon, but an explosion caused the mission to be abandoned.