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  1. Blackleaf

    Charles Dickens and the Staplehurst rail disaster

    When his train derailed while crossing a bridge, the celebrated novelist confronted death, despair and destruction to save others – and his work... Charles Dickens and the Staplehurst rail disaster...
  2. Blackleaf

    The ruthless football 'ultras' who symbolise the new Russia

    Russia have been charged with 'crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and setting off of fireworks' following the violent clashes that marred England's Euro 2016 opener in Marseille. The Russian Football Union will discover on Tuesday whether they will face sanctions after supporters...
  3. Blackleaf

    Hunt begins for a SECOND King under a car park

    The search for the missing remains of Henry I around the ruins of Reading Abbey has begun as surveyors hunt for the 12th century king under a playground and school car park. Four years after Richard III’s grave was also found under a car park in Leicester, investigators in Berkshire...
  4. Blackleaf

    The man who stole the Crown Jewels

    On the morning of May 9, 1671, Thomas “Colonel” Blood and a small group of accomplices bluffed their way into the Tower of London, overpowered a guard and pilfered a famous prize: the gem-encrusted Crown Jewels of the British monarchy. Though Blood was quickly captured, King Charles II was...
  5. Blackleaf

    The British people have risen at last - and we're about to unleash Brexit chaos

    I think we are about to have the most serious constitutional crisis since the Abdication of King Edward VIII. I suppose we had better try to enjoy it. If – as I think we will – we vote to leave the EU on June 23, a democratically elected Parliament, which wants to stay, will confront a force as...
  6. Blackleaf

    Queen's birthday: Guests brave rain at Queen's picnic lunch

    Today's lunch on The Mall to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday has got underway - and, after several days of bright sunshine and hot temperatures, it is raining. Heavy bursts of rain have not dampened the spirits of guests attending a picnic-hamper lunch - the last event of three days of...
  7. Blackleaf

    Rugby: Fabulous England stun the Aussies by winning series opener in Brisbane

    What a treat is was for English sports fans yesterday with the England football, rugby union and cricket teams all in action yesterday, against Russia, Australia and Sri Lanka respectively. Whereas the footballers put in a great performance against Russia and drew, the rugby union team put in a...
  8. Blackleaf

    7 medieval kings you should know about

    With lands to conquer, rebellions to quash and finances to raise, ruling over medieval England was no mean feat. Some monarchs flourished, while others floundered. Here, we look back on seven kings whose leadership – whether good or bad – changed the course of English history… 7 medieval...
  9. Blackleaf

    Here's what Farage's vision of Britain really looks like

    Ukip leader, MEP and Leave campaigner Nigel Farage sets out his vision for Britain: Don't let David Cameron and George Osborne fool you: here's what my vision of Britain really looks like Nigel Farage, Ukip leader and MEP for South East England 10 June 2016 The Telegraph...
  10. Blackleaf

    The truth behind the mystery of Henry VII's heir

    In 1486, a year after Henry VII had killed Richard III at the battle of Bosworth and seized the crown, a young man claiming to be a Yorkist prince appeared, as if from nowhere, to oust the usurper and reclaim the throne for the legitimate royal family... Lambert Simnel...
  11. Blackleaf

    Ancient Orkney islanders ripped flesh from dead relatives

    When a loved one dies, family members may look to cremation or burial as a means to lay them to rest. But some Neolithic Britons may have taken an altogether more violent approach to the idea of respectful burial, hacking their loved ones limb from limb before mixing their bones in a pit...
  12. Blackleaf

    There’s something fishy about this vote registration extension

    Parliament has extended the deadline to register to vote in the EU in/out referendum. Brendan O'Neill smells something fishy. Are the Remain camp playing dirty, anti-democratic tricks? Is this about enfranchising more of the ‘right people’ in order to counter all those wrong’uns already...
  13. Blackleaf

    The six best reasons to vote Leave

    Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for South East England, gives six reason why Britain should vote to Leave the EU on 23rd June... Features The six best reasons to vote Leave Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for South East England...
  14. Blackleaf

    Happy and glorious! London flies the flag for Queen's 90th

    London has been draped in red, white and blue ahead of the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations this weekend. Union Flags have been hung all the way down the Mall and above Regent Street and Oxford Street as the capital gets ready to party in honour of Her Majesty. Three days of events...
  15. Blackleaf

    Woman drags her dead dog along London street after it collapses during walk

    This is the shocking moment a pet owner was apparently caught on camera dragging a dead dog along the pavement - before walking off and abandoning it when rescuers tried to come to its aid. Horrified commuters said they were left 'disgusted' by the sickening act which occurred in the...
  16. Blackleaf

    'Elephant Man' Joseph Merrick 'should be buried in Leicester'

    Researchers are calling for Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, to be given a Christian burial in his home city of Leicester. They claim that while he agreed to be exhibited during his life, he "almost certainly" did not want his remains to be displayed after he died. The Queen...
  17. Blackleaf

    Murder, conspiracy and execution: six centuries of scandalous royal deaths

    Royal status brings with it privilege and power – but also danger, particularly the risk of assassination by those craving that power. From the Norman conquest to Charles’s execution in 1649, many British men, women and children of royal blood died in extraordinary circumstances. Deaths early in...
  18. Blackleaf

    'Rare' Roman bronze wing unearthed in Gloucester

    An "extremely rare" Roman bronze wing has been found during an archaeological dig in Gloucester. The object, which is 5.5in long, was found during an excavation for a new housing development in Brunswick Road, in an area that would have been just behind the city's Roman wall. Experts say it...
  19. Blackleaf

    UK has 'secretly' upgraded Trident nuke arsenal and developed an entirely new warhead

    The row over Trident is set to reignite after it emerged Britain has been secretly upgrading its arsenal of nuclear wepons and developed an entirely new warhead. A report from the Nuclear Information Service revealed ministers have already authorised £85 million for the more accurate and...
  20. Blackleaf

    12 facts about the Stuarts

    In her new book, Andrea Zuvich condenses more than a century of turmoil into 100 bite-sized facts. Exploring well-known myths and unlikely truths, The Stuarts in 100 Facts examines one of the most turbulent – and fascinating – periods in our history. Here, writing for History Extra...