Events 835: Sweet Dew Incident: Emperor Wenzong of the Tang dynasty conspires to kill the powerful eunuchs of the Tang court, but the plot is foiled. 1542: Princess Mary Stuart becomes Queen of Scots at the age of one week on the death of her father, James V of Scotland. 1751: The Theresian Military Academy… Read More
Events 1636: The Massachusetts Bay Colony organises three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. This organisation is recognised today as the founding of the National Guard of the United States. 1643: English Civil War: The Battle of Alton takes place in Hampshire. 1862: American Civil War: At the Battle of Fredericksburg,… Read More
In June this year a £2.4 billion Indian nuclear submarine nearly sank after a hatch was left open. But this is not the only costly submarine error this year. The arrival of Spain’s new diesel-electric Isaac Pera submarine class, was delayed because it was 75 tonnes too heavy. Although the ability to sink quickly to… Read More
Events 220: Emperor Xian of Han is forced to abdicate the throne by his son Cao Cao, ending the Han dynasty. 361: Julian enters Constantinople as sole Emperor of the Roman Empire. 861: Assassination of the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil by the Turkish guard, who raise al-Muntasir to the throne. Start of the “Anarchy at Samarra”.… Read More
Events 1041: The adoptive son of Empress Zoë of Byzantium succeeds to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V. 1317: The “Nyköping Banquet” – King Birger of Sweden treacherously seizes his two brothers Valdemar, Duke of Finland and Eric, Duke of Södermanland, who were subsequently starved to death in the dungeon of… Read More
1.0 Introduction “The office of master-gunner was a very ancient one. As soon as there were guns, there was a master-gunner in charge of them, responsible for their upkeep and efficiency, and in command of the gunners who served them.” (Maurice-Jones, 2012, p.138). This article provides an overview of the role of the Master Gunner,… Read More
PART ONE: BACKGROUND 1.0 Introduction “The office of master-gunner was a very ancient one. As soon as there were guns, there was a master-gunner in charge of them, responsible for their upkeep and efficiency, and in command of the gunners who served them.” (Maurice-Jones, 2012, p.138). This article provides an overview of the role of… Read More
