Christopher Russell
My stories are set at various periods in the past. Have a look at the timeline to see what else was going on around the world at the same time:
1265
Dante Alighieri, Italian poet and author of The Divine Comedy is born. He dies in 1325.
1325
The invention of the Jersey wheel revolutionises wool spinning.
1328
Hongwu, founder and first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, is born the son of peasants.
1340
King Edward III of England declared King of France.
1346
The Battle of Crécy, the reason Brind goes to France. Emergence of the English longbow helps them to victory over a much larger French army.
1348
The Black Death reaches England. The disease swept through the world and people who caught it died quickly. The Italian writer, Buccaccio, said that its victims 'ate lunch with their friends and dinner with their ancestors in paradise.'
1351
The game of tennis created in England.
1343
Geoffrey Chaucer, 'Father of English literature' and author of The Canterbury Tales born.
1492
Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba.
1564
William Shakespeare born.
1606
Dutch explorers discover Australia.
1666
The Great Fire of London destroys around 70,000 homes.
1771
Marie Tussaud, French wax sculptor, born.
1776
4th July, thirteen American states declare independence from Great Britain. This independence was recognised in 1783.
1787
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) founded.
1789
French Revolution begins and lasts for ten years.
1822
Brazil declares independence from Portugal.
Charles Babbage starts work on the difference engine.
1830
Edwin Beard Budding patents designs for the first lawnmower.
1863
International Red Cross founded.
Henry Royce and Henry Ford born.
Jakob Grimm dies.
The first service on the London underground starts.
1870
Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge begins.