British History

In 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was foiled — a daring plan by Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. Their discovery sparked nationwide relief and celebrations that continue today as Guy Fawkes Day, with fireworks and bonfires marking the night England narrowly escaped disaster.

Edward I was born on June 17, 1239, the eldest son of King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence. His early years were marked by the turbulence of a kingdom still wrestling with the legacy of Magna Carta. Unlike his bookish father, Edward developed a love for war and governance, training as a knight and learning to lead men from a young age. These lessons in power and conflict would define his reign as one of England’s most formidable kings.

Henry I wasn’t supposed to be king. As the youngest son of William the Conqueror, he was expected to pursue a life of learning—not power. But when opportunity knocked in 1100 after his brother’s sudden death, Henry seized the crown with remarkable speed. Known for his sharp mind and political skill, he issued reforms, defeated rivals, and ruled longer than any king since the Conquest.

Richard II, crowned at just ten years old, believed deeply in the divine right of kings. His dramatic reign was marked by rebellion, political intrigue, and a fateful clash with his cousin Henry Bolingbroke. Deposed and later immortalized by Shakespeare, Richard’s story is a powerful reminder of how fragile power can be—and how history remembers more than just victories.