Anyone else see the programme on ITV last night where Richard Hammond, the short dude from Top Gear and Brainiac attempted to replicate the would-be climactic event of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, and see if a ton of 17th century Spanish gunpowder really could blow a 30-ton concrete-and-pine "House of Lords", king and nobles inclusive? I found it ( Read more... )

Am trying to fathom the Mercian royal line for the 7th century, and it's a real headache. No two set of dates agree, and the births, deaths and ascensions of all sorts of people are accurate only to within about two decades--not helpful, kthnx Historia Brittonum &c.. So, for literary purposes, am having to create an entire genealogy for two dozen ( Read more... )