Madeleine Delacroix: The Apothecary’s Daughter Who Plays with Fire

Madeleine Delacroix

We visit the talented herbalist in her workshop behind the Sorbonne, where she’s grinding willow bark with practiced efficiency Renaissance Weekly: Madeleine, you’ve become quite the talk of Paris – the youngest licensed apothecary in the city, we’re told. How does it feel to break into such a male-dominated profession? She pauses in her grinding, … Read more

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 1547: First Artillery Victory

Introduction On a misty September morning in 1547, the thunder of cannons and the crash of naval bombardment forever changed the nature of warfare on British soil. The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, fought on 10th September 1547, represents a pivotal moment when medieval warfare gave way to early modern military tactics, marking the first major … Read more

Henry VIII’s 1544 Siege of Boulogne: 40,000 Troops & Bankruptcy

Introduction Picture this: it’s 1544, and England’s most infamous monarch, Henry VIII, is personally leading over 40,000 troops across the Channel into France. At 53 years old, overweight, and struggling with painful leg ulcers, the aging king still insisted on commanding what would become one of the largest English armies ever assembled during the Tudor … Read more

Battle of Flodden 1513: Last British Monarch Dies in Battle

Introduction In the annals of British history, few events carry the dramatic weight and lasting consequences of the Battle of Flodden, fought on 9th September 1513. This wasn’t merely another medieval skirmish, but a catastrophic turning point that would see Scotland’s King James IV become the last reigning monarch to die in battle on British … Read more