Charles ii’s cursed reign

Charles II visited Norfolk in September 1671, accompanied by other members of the royal family and a large retinue of gentlemen and servants. Royal visits were a great rarity in the 17th century, as w

Edward VII swept away the cobwebs of mid-Victorian style, Queen Mary had passion for all things small and the Queen Mother bought rather avant-garde art. In a forthcoming talk, Tim Knox, director of the Royal Collection, charts a century of regal taste

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The origins of the Protestation Returns rest in the political crisis during the early months of 1641. The relationship between Charles I and Parliament had seriously deteriorated and Parliament, along

LONG MARSTON, YORKSHIRE 2 JULY 1644

I n 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. That, at least, is what the famous rhyme tells us. Memorising such dates is a common experience of being taught history – a cliché superbly lampooned by the w