Arctic Survival in the 18th Century
The amazing six-year struggle of four shipwrecked sailors to stay alive.
The amazing six-year struggle of four shipwrecked sailors to stay alive.
Stories worth discovering
Access Heritage Magazine
People, places and unexpected moments from our shared history.
Watch & discover
From our video collection
A seven-minute journey into history.
General interest
A Frenchman's Act of Chivalry
In the triumph and tragedy of British Colonel Hervey's life, a noble act on the battlefield by a French officer stands out.Â
In the triumph and tragedy of British Colonel Hervey's life, a noble act on the battlefield by a French officer stands out.Â
Crazy Things Done to Fail a British Army Medical Inspection in the Napoleonic Wars
What lengths some went to to be rejected from the army are shocking.
What lengths some went to to be rejected from the army are shocking.
An Ambition for Glory: The Undaunted Royal Highlander Alexander McLean, 1759
The true story of a daring, young Scottish officer leading the charge to storm enemy entrenchments.
The true story of a daring, young Scottish officer leading the charge to storm enemy entrenchments.
Blowing up Pirates, or Beware the Black Sails of the Infernal Machine
A plague of state-sanctioned French pirates has been unleashed upon the English Channel. Hundreds of merchant vessels are captured. A 17th century "nuclear option" is the response.
A plague of state-sanctioned French pirates has been unleashed upon the English Channel. Hundreds of merchant vessels are captured. A 17th century "nuclear option" is the response.
Why Palm out? History of the British Army Salute
The mystery of the origins of the famous salute is finally solved. However, it is a two-century long story full of twists and turns.
The mystery of the origins of the famous salute is finally solved. However, it is a two-century long story full of twists and turns.
"Come on you brave Yank, Come on!"
Texan Confederates' respect and admiration for an enemy hero at the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863.
Texan Confederates' respect and admiration for an enemy hero at the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863.
Count Dracula's War on Islam
A True Story of Cruelty, Power and Betrayal as the real Dracula battles with the Islamic forces of the Ottoman or Turkish Empire.
A True Story of Cruelty, Power and Betrayal as the real Dracula battles with the Islamic forces of the Ottoman or Turkish Empire.
Hunter, Hero and Friend: The British Soldier's Dog in the Napoleonic Wars
Stories of man's best friend in barracks, on the march, and under fire. Â
Stories of man's best friend in barracks, on the march, and under fire. Â
Battling with Matchlock, Rapier and Quarterstaff.
The Bizarre Attack on Cadiz and an Englishman Duels Three Spaniards at Once! This amazing and true story should be a movie.
The Bizarre Attack on Cadiz and an Englishman Duels Three Spaniards at Once! This amazing and true story should be a movie.
"Full of Confidence" The American Attack on Kingston in 1812
 U.S. Commodore Isaac Chauncey's daring raid into the fortified harbour of Kingston during the War of 1812.
 U.S. Commodore Isaac Chauncey's daring raid into the fortified harbour of Kingston during the War of 1812.
The Surprising Battlefield Struggles of Two Royal American Officers at Quebec, 1759
Wounded multiple times, defending themselves with a shotgun from attack, this rare battlefield account captures the on-the-ground combat experience in the war.
Wounded multiple times, defending themselves with a shotgun from attack, this rare battlefield account captures the on-the-ground combat experience in the war.
Simon Bolivar: Liberator of Latin America
Bolivar is one of the most significant military figures in the history of the New World yet is a relative unknown to the English-speaking historical enthusiasts. This article attempts to rectify this.
Bolivar is one of the most significant military figures in the history of the New World yet is a relative unknown to the English-speaking historical enthusiasts. This article attempts to rectify this.
Ramming Speed! Naval Battles of the Ironclad Emperor of the Pacific
A Story of Bravery, Honour, Technology, and Bird Droppings.Â
A Story of Bravery, Honour, Technology, and Bird Droppings.Â
The Extraordinary Life and Sword Play of Lieutenant John Shipp
 The life of John Shipp is so interwoven with adventure and bravery, it sounds like a work of fiction. His sword fight with a Ghurka warlord is masterfully recounted by the Lieutenant himself.
 The life of John Shipp is so interwoven with adventure and bravery, it sounds like a work of fiction. His sword fight with a Ghurka warlord is masterfully recounted by the Lieutenant himself.
Winning the French and Indian War with BeerÂ
The struggles faced and a secret to preserving a fighting force while campaigning in the wilderness of North America.
The struggles faced and a secret to preserving a fighting force while campaigning in the wilderness of North America.
"Rage, Fury, and Desperation" The Struggle for Schellenberg Heights, 1704
An exciting eyewitness account of cannonade carnage, bayonet charges, grenade barrages, and a daring escape.
An exciting eyewitness account of cannonade carnage, bayonet charges, grenade barrages, and a daring escape.
The Backdoor to the Confederacy, 1863.
Camels, Cotton, Union renegades, and a Texan lynching along the Rio Grande.
Camels, Cotton, Union renegades, and a Texan lynching along the Rio Grande.
Military slang
OLD FOGEY
The term dates to as early as 1785 and was a nickname for an invalided or pensioned soldier. It is derived from the French word fougeau meaning fierce or fiery. It was a respectful expression.
Weaponry
How Cartridge Paper almost killed King George
A strange case of mistaken identities.
The British Firebombing of Quebec, 1759
The most destructive event in the entire French and Indian War was the bombardment of Quebec. Fire was used on both sides from fire ships to firebombs. What happened and the technology used is covered here.
The most destructive event in the entire French and Indian War was the bombardment of Quebec. Fire was used on both sides from fire ships to firebombs. What happened and the technology used is covered here.
From Bright Steel to Brown: The Colour of British Musket Barrels 1755-1865
This article explores the evolution from highly polished musket barrels in the 18th century to the browning of the infantry brown bess. How the browning process changed from 1815 to 1865 is also covered.
This article explores the evolution from highly polished musket barrels in the 18th century to the browning of the infantry brown bess. How the browning process changed from 1815 to 1865 is also covered.
On the Thin Red Line: Loading and Firing Muskets in the Crimean War, 1854-56
How did the British survive the onslaught of Russian cavalry while still deployed in line? A rapid rate of fire and a good bayonet. This article provides the drill procedure of loading and firing used by British infantry, along with insights into what the British were armed with.
How did the British survive the onslaught of Russian cavalry while still deployed in line? A rapid rate of fire and a good bayonet. This article provides the drill procedure of loading and firing used by British infantry, along with insights into what the British were armed with.
How to Mount a Flint on American and British Muskets: A History
Is lead, copper or leather better to hold a flint in place? What color of flint was best? How do you adjust the angle for a perfect ignition? Advise from historical sources is revealed.
Is lead, copper or leather better to hold a flint in place? What color of flint was best? How do you adjust the angle for a perfect ignition? Advise from historical sources is revealed.
Case Shot or Canister Shot used by Artillery in the 18th Century
Devastating to Infantry, canister shot used in cannons is studied in detail here.
Devastating to Infantry, canister shot used in cannons is studied in detail here.
Military recipes
From the archives
Never before published extracts of a diary of British cavalry officer during the War of 1812.
This is a copy of one of the first orders concerning the dress of the Royal Navy. It is reproduced here in old English complete with the original spellings.
Early into the reign of William IV there was a cry from military officers that a medal be issued for the services of soldiers in times of conflict. Described and illustrated here is one suggested pattern.
Displayed here are some historic tailor drawings of military uniforms of a feature British regiment during the Napoleonic Wars.
There is a history of the 41st Regiment's service, a brief biography of Faulkner, and details of the uniform worn by Surgeons.
Why did the grenadiers wear tall caps while the rest of the army wore hats? The answer is here along with details on the famous mitre cap.
This is a brief excerpt on the Garde ImpÃĐriale from 1803 to Jena. A great short read for Napoleonic enthusiasts.
Where it began
Our original âMilitary Heritage: The Internet Magazineâ banner from 1995.
