Each week BRITAIN magazine brings you a round-up of the significant historical dates in the week ahead; this week we look back at the birth of a great British social event and the appointment of the first King of Scotland.
25 March
Robert Bruce became the first King of Scotland on this day in 1306 at Scone Palace in Perthshire. In his tumultuous reign, he gained independence for Scotland in 1314 in a victorious battle with Edward II of England.
26 March
The Henley Royal Regatta was first held in 1839 on 26 March and has remained a steadfast highlight of the British social season ever since. Originally held as an event taking place over a single afternoon in 1839, it has now transcended into a five-day festivity.
27 March
Former British prime minister, Charles Watson-Wentworth began his second non-consecutive term as prime minister of Great Britain for the Whig Party in 1782. After a short-lived first term, he served briefly again before dying later on in the same year from influenza. However, in his even-shorter second term he managed to open peace negotiations with America, help to champion independence for the Irish Parliament and start political reforms.
27 March
Charles I ascended to the throne as the second Stuart King of England on this day in 1625. He became king following the death of King James I after 22 years on the throne. Charles’s rule was to be dominated by controversy and disputes as he reigned as a stubborn king until his death in 1689.
29 March
The Royal Albert Hall in London was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. The Royal Albert Hall was originally built under the vision of Prince Albert who wanted a venue to help to promote the appreciation of the arts and sciences. However, he died in 1861 before it was completed and so the construction was handed over to Henry Cole who finished the building in 1867. When Queen Victoria officially opened the Hall in 1871 she was still in mourning of the loss of her loved one and had to hand the proceedings over to her son, the Prince of Wales, as she was too overcome with emotion.
30 March
Thomas Cramner became the Archbishop of Canterbury on 30 March in 1533. Under the rule of King Henry VIII he was a leader for the English Reformation and helped to establish much of the framework of the Church of England. He famously helped Henry VIII to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and married him and Anne Boleyn in 1533.
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