British History Articles

Article / Updated 06-20-2023

Prior to her accession to the throne on her 21st birthday, Elizabeth spoke to the nations of the British Commonwealth via radio broadcast, saying, "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong." This commitment to serve the people of the Commonwealth characterized her reign from the beginning to her death in 2022. Queen Elizabeth’s reign started in 1952 when she was just 25 years old. She reigned through decades of enormous social change and development within the United Kingdom and around the world. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II Traditionally, the head of the British Commonwealth takes no official stance on public policy and remains neutral on party politics. Being the traditionalist, Queen Elizabeth kept her views on political issues mostly private. It is considered "bad form" to repeat anything that the Queen says in private and British newspapers had a long-standing policy of not publishing the Queen’s private utterances. As a result, the Queen's public actions and words influenced the culture of her nation in ways that no elected official could. For example, in 2011, Queen Elizabeth made the first trip to the Irish Republic by a British monarch in over a century. The visit, in and of itself, carried significance, but to make sure the point was not missed, Queen Elizabeth arrived wearing an emerald green suit, surrounded by ladies-in-waiting also wearing shades of green. She publicly encouraged both sides of the English-Irish conflict "to bow to the past but not be bound by it." She visited the Garden of Remembrance, the sacred ground for Irish patriots who died battling for independence, where she bowed her head in reverence. She also visited Croke Park, the site of Bloody Sunday in 1920, where 14 Irish civilians died after British forces opened fire on them. Thus, without voicing a political position, Queen Elizabeth II set the stage for improved relations between the peoples and governments of these two Commonwealth nations over which she reigned. In 2013, the Queen publicly signed a Commonwealth Charter that opposes "all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, color, creed, political belief, or other grounds." With the stroke of the pen, the queen made a symbolic pledge for equal rights for all people in the 54 countries around the world that belong to the British Commonwealth. Never in her years as monarch had she done anything like it before. The press speculated that the signing of the Commonwealth Charter signaled the Queen's support of gay rights. "The queen has to remain politically neutral," ABC News royal contributor Victoria Arbiter said. "While we won't hear her personal views on this, the fact that she is endorsing it publicly in front of television cameras, it really does speak volumes." Through the course of her reign, Queen Elizabeth introduced reforms to the monarchy. In 1992, she volunteered to start paying both income and capital gains taxes. She opened her official residencies to the public — including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle — in order to finance their maintenance. She supported ending the rule of male primogeniture, meaning the eldest child can succeed to the throne, regardless of gender. On October 28, 2011, the 16 Commonwealth countries at the Perth Commonwealth Summit voted unanimously to scrap male primogeniture in the British royal family. Henceforth, the oldest child in the direct line would be heir, regardless of gender. Despite her reputation for being distant and aloof, Queen Elizabeth II brought a personal touch to the British monarchy, introducing more informal engagements and increasing the number of visits to both countries within and outside of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth was said to be the most well-travelled British monarch in history. As a means of staying connected to the people she served, Elizabeth II also introduced the walkabout, in which she met and greeted large numbers of the public. In 1981, on one of the royal walkabouts, a British subject seeking fame and notoriety fired six blank shots at her. Despite the danger presented by these up close and personal appearances, she continued to do the walkabouts regularly. The Queen’s own service leadership works to encourage others to volunteer and serve their communities. Her Majesty was involved with more than 600 charities and non-profit organizations — she served to bring recognition to their achievements and contributions and to persuade other people to join. The personal side of Queen Elizabeth II It is said that when Elizabeth met Prince Philip, even though she was only 13 years old, she fell in love with him and they began exchanging letters. They were officially engaged on July 9, 1947 and they were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey. They had four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. During the Queen’s reign she experienced personal tragedies, including the death of her father at 56, the breakdown of her children’s marriages — particularly that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales — and the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997. Her mother and sister also passed during her reign, both in 2002.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-08-2023

This Cheat Sheet contains bite-sized text that lets you know some of the key points contained in British Politics For Dummies, but in an ultra-condensed form. Want to impress your friends with your political knowhow or simply want to grasp one or two key facts? Here, you'll find a list of prime ministers since 1945 and a list of some of the key events in Britain since 1900. Also, discover exactly what all those political ideologies mean.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-21-2022

The British Isles have witnessed many great regal dynasties through the ages, but none more turbulent, exciting and controversial than the Tudors. This Cheat Sheet gives you the essential up-front information about this period in world history.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-08-2022

If you're interested in Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, this Cheat Sheet is a useful reference to her life and family. It includes a timeline of important events in the queen's life, the line of succession to her throne, and the various movies and TV shows that have featured her.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-08-2022

British history is full of wonderful people (quite a few of whom were clearly stark raving mad, but that’s history for you) and exciting events – all of which helped make Britain the sort of place it is today. This Cheat Sheet sets out the lie of the land, and identifies the leaders and the events that mattered.

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated throughout Britain on November 5. Guy Fawkes Day goes by a couple of other names as well: Bonfire Night and Firework Night. But, you may be wondering who was Guy Fawkes or why is this a day of celebration? Here are ten things you should know before celebrating the next Guy Fawkes Day.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The key stages in the development of Tudor government are marked by the passage of acts of Parliament. Indeed, the Tudors never claimed the right to make laws by any other means. Here are some of the more significant laws made by the Tudor monarchs: 1489: Justices of the Peace 1504: Statute of Liveries 1510: Sumptuary Laws 1533: Act of Appeals 1534: Act of Supremacy 1536: Franchises 1536: Act for the Dissolution of the Monasteries 1539: Act of Six Articles 1547: Treasons Act 1547: Dissolution of the Chantries 1549: First Act of Uniformity 1552: Second Act of Uniformity 1553: First Act of Repeal 1554: Heresy 1554: Second Act of Repeal 1559: Act of Supremacy 1559: Act of Uniformity 1563: Statute of Artificers 1581: Against Reconciliation With Rome 1585: For the Queen’s Surety 1601: Poor Law

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Apart from Henry VII, the Tudors weren’t very lucky in their marriages. Despite marrying six times, Henry VIII was survived by only one son and two daughters. Of these offspring, only Mary married – and disastrously at that – and none of them left any children. Result? End of the line: Henry VII, born 1457; reigned 1485–1509 Married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV Henry VIII, born 1491; reigned 1509–1547 Married Catherine of Aragon; Queen 1509–1533 Married Anne Boleyn; Queen 1533–1536 Married Jane Seymour; Queen 1536–1537 Married Anne of Cleves; Queen 1539–1540 Married Catherine Howard; Queen 1540–1541 Married Catherine Parr, Lady Latimer; Queen 1543–1547 Edward VI, born 1537; reigned 1547–1553 Jane Grey, born 1537; reigned 10–19 July 1553 Mary I, born 1516; reigned 1553–1558 Married Philip II of Spain; 1554–1558 Elizabeth I, born 1533; reigned 1558–1603

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Rebellions and conspiracies against the Tudors were all unsuccessful, because many of the relevant grievances were of local concern only and the dynasty was pretty good at getting hold of most of the rebels. Following are the most noteworthy uprising and plots: 1487: Invasion by Lambert Simnel, who claimed to be the earl of Warwick 1494–1497: Conspiracies in favour of Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be Richard of York 1497: Rebellion in Cornwall 1536: The Pilgrimage of Grace 1549: Rebellions in Devon, Cornwall, Oxfordshire and East Anglia 1554: Sir Thomas Wyatt’s conspiracy and rebellion 1556: The Dudley conspiracy 1569: Rebellion of the Northern Earls 1571: Ridolfi Plot 1586: Babington Plot 1601: Rebellion of the earl of Essex

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Trade and exploration weren’t high on the royal agenda until the reign of Edward VI. After that, the Crown and the merchant community keenly backed voyages. Here are some of the most important voyages of the era: 1553: Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor seek a North East passage 1562–1563: John Hawkins’ first slaving voyage 1564: John Hawkins’ second voyage. 1568: Hawkins’ third voyage – San Juan d’Ulloa 1576: Martin Frobisher reaches Meta Incognita – Baffin Land 1577–1580: Francis Drake sails round the world. Columbus, you were right – it’s round!