All Questions
10 questions
1
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How did changes in the balance of land versus naval balance of power prevent England from being successfully invaded by foreign powers after 1066?
The last successful invasion of England was that by the Normans in 1066. Prior to that, England had been successfully invaded by waves of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes from the Continent, and before that, ...
- 104k
4
votes
0
answers
165
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Is there any evidence of naval ramming in the 9th and 10th century North Sea?
In Bernard Cornwell's 'Sword of the Kings', his main character uses the tactic of ramming to sink an enemy ship before engaging in hand-to-hand combat with surviving ships which get leashed together. ...
- 10.8k
13
votes
1
answer
1k
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Have any artifacts or archaeological remains from the White Ship disaster of 1120 ever been recovered?
After the White Ship disaster, which claimed the lives of all on board (except one), including William Adeline, the heir to the English throne, England was plunged into a civil war known as the ...
- 191
16
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1
answer
1k
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How many British navy officers were from lower classes at the end of 18th century?
Helping my daughter with a presentation about Cook, I looked for English sources about his biography and was surprised to read that he was a son of a farmer hand - practically, the bottom of the lower ...
- 7,275
4
votes
1
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196
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Did English/British merchant sailors receive written testimonials between 1500 and 1750?
I seem to remember reading that at the end of a voyage a sailor got a conduct report written by the captain along with his pay. These testimonials were then valuable in getting him his next job. It ...
- 871
7
votes
1
answer
513
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Reconstructing historic tide tables
I'm researching an event which occurred between mid-1794 and early 1796, but probably 1795; the even happened at a major English port with American shipping and a Royal Navy ship repair yard.
I ...
- 6,761
3
votes
0
answers
158
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Sloop of War Hand
It was recorded in our family history by a R.N.Lt that a John Chandler (who had prepared charts of the North Sea) died when in 179? the sloop of War "Hand" foundered in the North Sea with all hands. I ...
- 57
6
votes
2
answers
820
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What type of ferry boats were used in England in the early 19th century?
In 1800-1820, what sort of ferry boats were used by the general public in England and how were they powered? In particular I am interested in ferries used to access the Isle of Wight, and also ...
- 163
5
votes
1
answer
1k
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How were Warrant Officers appointed to Royal Navy ships during the Age of Sail?
As I understand it, Warrant Officers got their name from the warrant issued by the Admiralty (depending on the applicant having the correct qualifications). From the descriptions I've read, these ...
- 19.8k
11
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3
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1k
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What is the origin of the English Ship Building Philosophy?
I was reading an article on the Vasa the ship built under command of King Gustav Adolf, the ship sank during its launch on August 10, 1628. Part if the article mentions that the ship was somehow ...
- 7,547