Last year I posted a short walk I did during my last trip to Oxford, and it got a good response, so I thought it would be fun to go back to the well and write about a walk we did a couple of years ago. Shaftesbury, in Dorset, is the closest place we have to a hometown in England when we visit. We've stayed there almost a dozen times over 15 years of travels so you get to know … [Read more...] about A Dorset Walk: Wardour Castle Old and New and Beautiful Countryside
Interregnum Era Britain
The Fates of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians After the English Civil Wars
Conflicts between King Charles I and Parliament over who should make decisions for the United Kingdom came to a head during the English Civil Wars, a series of three conflicts spanning 1642-1651. In 1649, Parliament claimed a major victory when it tried and executed Charles for treason, leading to a period in which Parliament ruled followed by a dictatorship under Oliver … [Read more...] about The Fates of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians After the English Civil Wars
The (Royal) Pretenders – The Stuart Dynasty after King James II
The reign of King James II was the one that brought the Stuart Dynasty to an end in Britain. A convert to Catholicism, James became more politically active in the conflicts between that sect of Christianity and the Anglican sect that he was supposed to be head of as the Sovereign. This caused a great deal of concern in Parliament, but the lack of a male heir and his … [Read more...] about The (Royal) Pretenders – The Stuart Dynasty after King James II
Brit History: Top Ten British Battlefields To Visit for the History Buff
Human conflict has long devolved into two armies meeting out in a field to determine who’s boss. The United Kingdom has seen its share of conflicts, from battles against invading forces to wars between groups within the country. From the raiding Vikings to the English Civil War, plenty of battlefields can be found all over the UK, and we at Anglotopia are here to tell you our … [Read more...] about Brit History: Top Ten British Battlefields To Visit for the History Buff
Great Events in British History: The Interregnum – The Republic When Britain Had No Monarch
After the execution of Charles I and up to the restoration of Charles II, England was for the first time without a monarch. The period between the two reigns, the interregnum, was an uneasy time during which the country was led by the deeply religious Oliver Cromwell. The Commonwealth was ahead of the times, but ultimately England rejected republicanism, and the restored … [Read more...] about Great Events in British History: The Interregnum – The Republic When Britain Had No Monarch
Great British Houses: A Brief History of the Old and New Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
In the fourteenth century, Baron Lovell returned triumphant from battles overseas and built Wardour Castle, a grand fortress worthy of a powerful English Lord. Originally built as a show of strength and victory over enemies overseas, Wardour Castle was eventually ruined by enemies on home soil after being besieged in both the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War. In the … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: A Brief History of the Old and New Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the English Civil War
Parliamentarians versus Royalists. Less than forty years after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, English erupted into a bloody civil war between King Charles I with his Royalist supporters (the Cavaliers) and those supporting Parliament (also known as the Roundheads). Charles’ attempts to circumvent Parliament and rule without them led to people taking sides and eventually, open … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the English Civil War
Great British Houses: Forde Abbey – A Former Monastery Turned Stately Home in Dorset
Editor's Note: After a short hiatus while we had new articles written, Great British Houses is back with a new series of 12 articles about some more of Britain's greatest houses. Enjoy! Forde Abbey has provided a home to Cistercian Monks, one of Oliver Cromwell’s top Parliamentarian aides, a penny-pinching Victorian merchant, and finally an enterprising 21st century family … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Forde Abbey – A Former Monastery Turned Stately Home in Dorset
A History of Rebellion – Rebellions against English Rule in Britain
Ruling is never easy, but it gets even harder when a group of people decide they no longer want to be ruled by you. Since the Norman invasion of 1066, the kings and queens of England have had to find off rebellions into the 20th Century. The reasons for these rebellions vary from slighted nobles to the quest for freedom. Here is a look at the rebellions that rocked Britain, not … [Read more...] about A History of Rebellion – Rebellions against English Rule in Britain
The Monarchs: King Charles I (1625-1649) – The King Who Lost His Head
Charles I was not the most successful King in the history of the British monarchy but he was certainly the most stubborn. Ruler of the Kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland during the mid-seventeenth century, Charles’ unwavering belief in the king’s divine right to rule his country unencumbered by the demands of democracy and the rights of parliament led to a devastating … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: King Charles I (1625-1649) – The King Who Lost His Head
Great Events in British History: The English Civil War – A Beginners Guide to England’s Civil Wars
In the mid seventeenth century, tensions between King Charles I and Parliament reached a head. War broke out between the King’s supporters and those who favoured Parliament. The King lost not only the war but also his head. He was replaced by a military dictatorship. The Commonwealth was to be brief, the English deciding that a monarchy was preferable to a republic. Three … [Read more...] about Great Events in British History: The English Civil War – A Beginners Guide to England’s Civil Wars
Great British Houses: Bolsover Castle – A Stunning Castle in Derbyshire That Played a Key Role in the English Civil War
Part 12th century medieval palace ruins and part 17th century Elizabethan renaissance mansion, Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire is a unique and internationally important structure. Once home to Cavalier playboy Sir William Cavendish who entertained King Charles I within its walls, Bolsover Castle has an intriguing past and earned its place in history with its role during the … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Bolsover Castle – A Stunning Castle in Derbyshire That Played a Key Role in the English Civil War
Great Britons: Sir Christopher Wren – The Man Who Re-built St Paul’s Cathedral After the Great Fire of London
Sir Christopher Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history. He was accorded responsibility for rebuilding 52 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710. Key Facts Sir Christopher Wren Born 1632, died 1723 Supervised the … [Read more...] about Great Britons: Sir Christopher Wren – The Man Who Re-built St Paul’s Cathedral After the Great Fire of London
Great Britons: Oliver Cromwell – Everything You Need to Know about Britain’s Controversial Interregnum Dictatorial Ruler
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader and later Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. He ruled as Lord Protector and was Britain's only non-monarch ruler (during the Interregnum period). He ruled as essentially a genocidal dictator and he's very controversial to this day but his legacy is alive and well in Britain's vibrant … [Read more...] about Great Britons: Oliver Cromwell – Everything You Need to Know about Britain’s Controversial Interregnum Dictatorial Ruler
Understanding The Development of the British Constitution and Government Structure – A Primer
In the United States, when we think of the Constitution, we think of one document (and possibly the Bill of Rights included in that document). However, in the United Kingdom there is no single document that comprises the British Constitution. Instead, this constitution comes from a variety of documents dating back hundreds of years, each building upon the legal precendent set … [Read more...] about Understanding The Development of the British Constitution and Government Structure – A Primer
Doctor Whooligan: Prince Charles In The TARDIS, Broadchurch, A Curious Night At The Theatre, Remembrance Of The Daleks On BBC America
The biggest news of the week surrounds the Monarchy representin' at the BBC's shiny new studios in Wales and the release of more info on the official DW 50th Celebration in the UK. ROYALS IN THE TARDIS This past Wednesday saw a collision of two epic British traditions when the Prince of Wales The Duchess of Cornwall, popped by the BBC's new Roath Lock Studios as part of their … [Read more...] about Doctor Whooligan: Prince Charles In The TARDIS, Broadchurch, A Curious Night At The Theatre, Remembrance Of The Daleks On BBC America
Brit History: A User’s Guide to the English Civil War
The Great Rebellion or how England put its parliamentary system in place. A great revolt, a tyrannical king, arguments over taxation? Does all this sound familiar? It's the American Revolutionary War did I hear you say. No, I am talking about is the English Civil War an internecine conflict that drew in Scotland, Ireland and Wales (before the United Kingdom existed). The … [Read more...] about Brit History: A User’s Guide to the English Civil War
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
