Henry VI (Penguin Monarchs)

By James Ross (2017)

Succeeding to the throne at the age of only nine months, Henry VI had a turbulent reign: he inherited a war with France and, in time, found himself at war with his own nobles. James Ross surveys this eventful life, including Henry's deposition at the hands of Edward IV and his eventual return to the throne.

Fact of the Day

One of the English ships sent on the disastrous attack on Cadiz in 1625 had sails that had been used during the Armada, almost 40 years earlier.

Quote of the Day

"I have no words to describe Bonaparte's merit: much technical skill, an equal degree of intelligence, and too much gallantry "

~ General Jacques François Dugommier, at the Siege of Toulon

On This Day

796 King Æthelred I of Northumbria was murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada.

1881 The Natural History Museum in London opened its doors for the first time.

1906 Three thousand people died and 80% of the city was destroyed when a 7.8 Mw earthquake hit San Francisco.

1909 French heroine Joan of Arc was beatified, the first step towards canonisation.

1912 RMS Carpathia arrived in New York with 705 survivors from the Titanic disaster.

1955 Theoretical physicist and developer of the general theory of relativity, Albert Einstein died of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He refused surgery, stating 'I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go.'

1968 London Bridge was sold for $2.46 million to American oil tycoon Robert P McCulloch. He had it dismantled and shipped to Arizona, where it was rebuilt brick by brick.

1980 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe and independent from Britain, with Robert Mugabe appointed as Prime Minister.