“Whenever the history books are kept, they’ll call him the phony King of England.” So goes the lyrics for “Phony King of England” from Disney’s animated Robin Hood film. Most of what people know today about King John of England comes either from the legends of Robin Hood or John’s barons forcing him to sign the Magna Carta. Of course, thou fiction has been less than kind to … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King John
Medieval British History
Ten Interesting Facts about King Richard I
King Richard I of England is a figure who arguably lives greater in legend than actual fact. Richard has often been a figure in Robin Hood lore either as a looming presence or an actual character who arrives to save Robin from Richard’s wicked brother John. In reality, Richard wasn’t quite as heroic a figure as these tales make him out to be, and he spent much of his reign … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King Richard I
Brit History: Plague Doctors in British History
The Black Death (also known as the Bubonic Plague or simply “The Plague”) ravaged Europe for Centuries beginning in 1346 and continued periodically until the early-18th Century. By the time of the Great Plague of 1665, doctors had become used to treating plague victims, but had little to no success, typically only easing the symptoms until the patient died. Early treatments … [Read more...] about Brit History: Plague Doctors in British History
Ten Interesting Facts about King Henry V
While King Henry V only reigned for nine years from 1413 to 1422, his time on the throne was one of the most influential in England’s history. Henry was one of the most militarily successful kings of England and helped push the tide of the Hundred Years’ War in England’s favor. In fact, it was his fighting prowess that earned him the nickname “Warrior King”. Of course, there … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King Henry V
The Monarchs: Richard II – The Tragic Boy King
Richard II succeeded to the English throne at the age of ten and by the age of fourteen was playing a major role in English politics, particularly the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. But his reign was blighted by the ambitions of his powerful uncles, most notably John of Gaunt who constantly threatened Richard with rebellion. More interested in art and culture than war and … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Richard II – The Tragic Boy King
Through the Lens: Fiddleford Manor in Dorset
It's the little things you come across when you're exploring England that stick with you the most. I came upon Fiddleford Manor House completely by chance one day and I was completely enchanted by it. It was a special day, sometime between Christmas and New Year's when we were in England for the holiday season, back in 2013. I was on an expedition around Dorset and Wiltshire … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: Fiddleford Manor in Dorset
The Monarchs: Edward II – The King Betrayed By His Wife
Ultimately a failure as a king, Edward II spent the majority of his reign battling with the baronial lords of the time who constantly rebelled and sought to gain power over the king and control of the country. Edward II incurred large debts during his years as King and oversaw the Scots’ famous victory at Bannockburn by Robert the Bruce. Criticized for his habit of taking close … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Edward II – The King Betrayed By His Wife
The Fiver – Five British Castles Still in Private Ownership
Britain is filled with castles, once-glorious fortresses that were the homes of kings and lords. Since the days of yore in which they served as the center of a local community’s life, many have fallen into ruin, and others have become far too expensive to main. As such, they’ve been given over to charities and trusts that have opened them to the public. A relatively small … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five British Castles Still in Private Ownership
Royal Oak: Ten of the Spookiest National Trust Properties to Visit This October
This post was sponsored by the Royal Oak Foundation, the American affiliate of the National Trust. Anglotopia Readers can get a discount on joining – details at the bottom of the post! In dark moors and high cliffs, many a spooky old home and ancient castle sits. Even those that don’t appear frightening can sometimes be haunted by the spirits of those who once lived there, … [Read more...] about Royal Oak: Ten of the Spookiest National Trust Properties to Visit This October
British History Mysteries – Where are the Princes in the Tower?
One of Britain’s greatest unsolved mysteries is that of the deaths of King Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (and future King Richard III) housed his young wards in the Tower of London for their protection prior to Edward’s coronation. However, before that could happen, Edward was declared illegitimate and Richard was crowned in his … [Read more...] about British History Mysteries – Where are the Princes in the Tower?
An American Student Abroad: A Visit to Whitby – A Gothic Exploration
Whitby has been on my 'bucket list' since I first read Dracula with my English teacher, Mr Stark, when I was twelve years old. The descriptions in Bram Stoker's masterful novel of the ruined abbey and the churchyard that overlooks the sea at Whitby have stuck with me, and still, resonate with me every time I read the novel. Yet, despite having visited England several times, … [Read more...] about An American Student Abroad: A Visit to Whitby – A Gothic Exploration
Brit Movies: The King Trailer Released – Timothée Chalamet Plays Henry in Shakespeare Adaptations for Netflix
Not content with just Scottish Kings, Netflix has also produced a lush period drama adapted from several of Shakespeare's plays. Netflix, which will be releasing the film directly to its service, released a trailer today. Inspired by elements of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V, The King is about a young, disgraced prince, named Hal inherits the crown and must learn what it … [Read more...] about Brit Movies: The King Trailer Released – Timothée Chalamet Plays Henry in Shakespeare Adaptations for Netflix
Through the Lens: Brougham Castle in the Lake District
I generally have one rule when traveling in Britain, if there is a ruin near me, I will stop at the ruin. I love ruins. And Britain is full of them. Brougham Castle (pronounced 'Broom') is one of the finest Castle ruins I've ever been to. Situated in the heart of Cumbria, next to a river, Brougham Castle is a quintessential Medieval castle ruin. The site is currently owned and … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: Brougham Castle in the Lake District
British History Mysteries – Did Henry II Order Thomas Beckett’s Death?
Until King Henry VIII officially broke with the Catholic Church to start the Anglican Church, there had long been a struggle between the Crown and the Church over whose authority was superior. While the two institutions had often been able to live with one another, the greatest conflict between the two prior to the Tudor era was the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Beckett. On … [Read more...] about British History Mysteries – Did Henry II Order Thomas Beckett’s Death?
Ten Interesting Facts about the Battle of Bosworth Field
At Bosworth Field, the War of the Roses came to a final and bloody end. King Richard III, representing the Yorks, met with Henry Tudor, representing the Lancasters, in a battle that ended thirty-two years of conflict that split England down the middle. It also gave birth to one of the monarchy’s most-influential houses as the Tudors would oversee England own’s participation … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Battle of Bosworth Field
Ten Interesting Facts About the Battle of Hastings
There’s no question that the Battle of Hastings was the most important conflict in British history. Fought between the Anglo-Saxons (led by Harold of Wessex) and the Normans (headed by William of Normandy), the Norman victory led to William becoming king and instituting feudalism, fundamentally altering British society and the country’s destiny. As fundamental as … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts About the Battle of Hastings
10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire is one of the most incredible abbey ruins I've been to in Britain, and I've been to many. The massive cellarium is worth visiting Fountains Abbey alone - it's a massive space that just goes on and on. Despite it being a ruin, there is still much on site that remains. We highly recommend a visit. Here are 10 interesting facts we gathered from our … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire
The Fiver – Five Royal Nicknames and How They Were Earned
While we don’t tend to grant nicknames to kings and queens today, in ages past, they helped to make monarchs into the stuff of legend. Whether the name was earned by great deeds or other circumstance, it encompasses the totality of his or her legacy. There have been many great nicknames throughout the years, and their stories are as fascinating as the men and women to which … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Royal Nicknames and How They Were Earned
The Monarchs: Edward III – The Fifty-Year King
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Issue #10 of the Anglotopia Print Magazine in 2018. Support great long-form writing about British History, Culture, and travel by subscribing to the Anglotopia Magazine. Every subscription helps keep Anglotopia running and provides us to the opportunity to produce articles like this. You can subscribe here. Edward III was the … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Edward III – The Fifty-Year King
The Fiver – Five of Britain’s Oldest Businesses
Transacting business is something that goes back centuries, if not millennia, to the first time humans began to trade with one other. In Britain, the oldest businesses stretch back to before the Norman Conquest and represent some of the island’s oldest professions. While some are still owned by the original families that formed them, others have made the transition to … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of Britain’s Oldest Businesses
More than Taunting: A Brief History of Anglo-French Relations
The history between the United Kingdom and France is one that has been fraught with conflict until the late 19th Century. If the term “frenemies” could be applied to countries, it would perhaps be the most accurate description of the relationship the two nations enjoy with one another. It could be said that it finally took threats to both countries to put the conflicts of the … [Read more...] about More than Taunting: A Brief History of Anglo-French Relations
Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
I visited Ightham Mote on a beautiful summer's day. And that's the last time I'm going to type the name of this place because it's impossible to get right every time. I was attracted to the place because it was a proper moated manor house - and it was a National Trust property, so there would be tea and cake. I'm a sucker for tea and cake at a National Trust property. When I … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
Through the Lens: Old and New Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
Whenever we stay in Dorset, our 'local' castle is Wardour Castle, which is just over the county border in Wiltshire. It's a beautiful old castle ruin - as romantic as they get. If it looks familiar to you - it's because it was in the Kevin Costner Robin Hood in the '90s. I've had the pleasure of visiting the place twice - first when we traveled to Britain for Christmas in 2013 … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: Old and New Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
A Guide to the Four Patron Saints of Great Britain and Ireland
Every country has its own unique symbols. They can be places, things, and even people that represent the country. Patron saints are in many ways an extension of this symbolism, each an important figure not only for Christianity but specifically for the country which he patronizes, his history and lore tied to the land and its culture. The countries of the British Isles each … [Read more...] about A Guide to the Four Patron Saints of Great Britain and Ireland
British Christmas: A History of How the Royal Family Has Celebrated Christmas Through the Ages
Every year we tune in to watch Queen Elizabeth II send her Christmas message out to the world. Oftentimes, she has discussed what the Royal Family does for the holidays. While a retreat to Sandringham is an annual event, other traditions for the Windsors include sharing Christmas gifts at tea on Christmas Eve, supper, a church service, and the giving of Christmas puddings to … [Read more...] about British Christmas: A History of How the Royal Family Has Celebrated Christmas Through the Ages
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!
