On 3rd February…

1399 - John of Gaunt, the fourth son of King Edward III died. On John’s death his cousin, King Richard II, confiscated his lands and prevented them from being passed down to his son Henry Bolingbroke. Henry Bolingbroke got a little bit annoyed about that and eventually deposed King Richard II, forcing him to abdicate. Henry then became King Henry IV and the whole affair began the friction and family feud which ended up as the Wars of the Roses.

On 4th February…

211CE - The Roman Emperor Septimius Severus died in the city of Eboracum which is now called York. He was preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians (Scottish tribes) when he died.

On 5th February…

On 6th February…

On 7th February…

2005 - Ellen MacArthur became the fastest female to sail solo around the world. It took her 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

On 8th February…

On 9th February…

1555 - The Bishop of Gloucester, Thomas Hooper, was burned at the stake near Gloucester Cathedral. He was the first bishop to be executed in this way during the reign of Queen Mary I. Thomas had originally been a Catholic Bishop but had converted to Protestantism during the reign of King Edward VI, son of Henry VIII. He had supported Queen Mary in her claim to the throne but was found guilty of heresy when Queen Mary made England a Catholic country again. Many of the Protestant Bishops were found guilty during this time and were executed by being burnt at the stake. This is how Queen Mary earned her nickname Bloody Mary.