The Early Stuarts: A Political History of England, 1603-42

By Roger Lockyer (1998)

Early Stuart England is one of the most intensively examined periods in English history. The outwardly successful reign of Elizabeth I gives way during the period to the breakdown of consensus, civil war, and eventually to the destruction of the monarchy itself. The reasons for this are hotly disputed. The tradional explanations have been challenged by the "Revisionsts", whose own work is being challenged in its turn. Although it takes proper account of the important secondary material, this book, therefore, is based on primary sources. Whilst the main focus is on politics and religion, the book also points to the significane of economic, social and cultural currents in the history of the period.

Fact of the Day

The earliest book of English table manners was written by Daniel of Beccles in the time of Henry II. It prohibited elbows on tables, talking with full mouths and scratching armpits. It also gave guidance on what to do if the wife of the host were to make a pass at a guest: he should feign illness.

Quote of the Day

"The English piously believe themselves to be a peaceful people; nobody else is of the same belief. "

~ Gladstone

On This Day

1846 Scottish surgeon Robert Liston was the first European to use anaesthesia during an amputation. He could amputate a leg in two and a half minutes.

1898 Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.

1937 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the world's first full-length animated film, premiered in the USA

1946 A tsunami caused by an undersea earthquake killed at least 1,362 and left thousands homeless in Japan.

1967 Louis Washkansky, the first man to undergo a heart transplant, died in Cape Town, South Africa, 18 days after his operation.

1988 Pan Am Flight 103 exploded as it was flying over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 243 passengers and 16 crew, and 11 residents of Lockerbie were killed