The Ministry for History

26/02/2026

This year is the 160th since the Battle of Königgrätz.

Just in time, Gábor Orbán’s comprehensive book on the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 will be released soon in English.

I enjoyed translating this from the original German and I hope my English version does justice to Gábor’s excellent work.

If you are a Civil War buff, but maybe feeling a little burnt out or overwhelmed by the sheer mass of material on the topic, I encourage you to take a look at the Austro-Prussian War. It’s just a year after the Civil War ended, and has a lot of things in common, but there’s also a lot of differences.

08/12/2025

If you need a bit of Christmas cheer - this is our favourite! A tour of ammunition in the mid-19th century with 'The Twelve Rounds of Christmas!'

After surprisingly few drinks, we compiled what is sure to become another classic piece of Christmas music.

08/10/2025

Join us for a tour of the Worcestershire Regiments Museum and history of the 29th and 36th Regiments of Foot including some interesting anecdotes from the American Revolution, Anglo-Sikh Wars, and the First World War.

Join His Lordship on a tour of the Worcester Soldier Gallery in Worcester before the museum moves to a different location! The History of the Worcestershire ...

26/06/2025

“Who hold Zam-Zammah, that ‘fire-breathing dragon’, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.”

‘Kim’ by Rudyard Kipling

The history of the massive cannon known as Zamzama - which has traded hands amongst the ruling princes of the Punjab for centuries. Durrani EmpireSikh MislsS...

17/02/2025

https://youtu.be/J9M62y10d9k

This is an annual Campaigner event held at Fort Tejon State Historic Park in Lebec, CA. The for dates to the Dragoon era of the late 1850s but was garrisoned...

21/12/2024

27/11/2024

Join us for some exceptional history at the National Portrait Gallery, London, and learn about some of the fascinating figures of the Company Raj - some reputable, and some less so! 🇬🇧

Portraits of the Raj: The Trial of Warren Hastings, & Battle of Plassey, National Portrait Gallery

We're exploring the National Portrait Gallery to find our favourite 18th century paintings to discuss including portraits of Warren Hastings, Sir Eyre Coote,...

25/10/2024

Exactly 170 years ago today, October 25th, 1854, at the Battle of Balaclava, the 93d Highlanders, standing as a “thin red streak tipped with steel” repulsed a Russian cavalry charge with aimed long range rifle fire alone.

It marked a paradigm shift in modern warfare, illustrating the power of a new infantry weapon — the rifle-musket — on the same day and just a few miles away from the “glorious catastrophe,” the Charge of the Light Brigade.

When can their glory fade?

14/09/2024

“The little cylinder is held before a die, precisely of the shape and dimensions of the Enfield bullet; it is made to take the prescribed form, and is marked on the base, with the broad arrow, proclaiming to all whom it may concern, that the diminutive but formidable missile before them, is the exclusive property of Her Majesty.”
— Hans Busk, “Hand-Book for Hythe” 1860

The shop is open today, so if you’re in the Gettysburg area and need to refresh your supply of Her Majesty’s diminutive but formidable missiles, they’ll be here waiting for you.