The Latest Breaking News from James II

Stuart monarchs were repeatedly challenged by dangerous threats – a gunpowder plot, a civil war and political revolution. As a result, by the restoration of Charles II in 1660, the English government had come to rely on a shadowy trade of secrets for gathering domestic and international intelligence.

A debate about reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade overshadowed a summit in Samoa of the Commonwealth, many of whose member nations were once British colonies

Lidia Thorpe’s right to make accusations without fear of legal repercussions starts with a Dutch prince invading Britain in 1688

A group of central London schoolchildren are rehearsing for a “small yet significant” part of the ceremony rooted in hundreds of years of history.

Most items of regalia used for coronation are at most 350-years-old, but there is one notable exception

From Elizabeth I to William IV, over a period of 270 years monarchs had links to the slave trade

Assuming you have a high tolerance for maritime pictures this exhibition is a fascinating look at two artists who entranced the English court with their images of the sea

Judge James Ho concurs, adding "I write separately to point out that our Founders firmly believed in the fundamental role of government in protecting citizens against violence, as well as the individual right to keep and bear arms—and that these two principles are not inconsistent but entirely compatible with one…

Fifteen questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes every Thursday. How will you fare?