Half Hours of English History
Selected & Illustrated by Charles Knight
Published by Charles Knight: London 1853
Contains 2 Volumes Bound As 1 (Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
NOTE:
Carries an inscription from John Broadwood Shepherd - Ship "Lincolnshire" - 24th June 1871. The Lincolnshire was a 19th-century barque built by Money Wigram & Son's at Blackwall in 1858. This vessel, registered in London, was a wooden ship of 1,025 tons, with a length of 197.4 feet, a breadth of 33.0 feet, and a depth of 20.8 feet. It was built for Money Wigram & Son's and was used for
transporting cargo and passengers between the UK and Australia
, carrying significant amounts of gold, wool, and other goods. The ship was sold in 1862 to Charles, Clifford and Robert Wigram, and later sold to Norwegian owners in 1880 after being condemned. It was eventually wrecked in 1883.
"Half Hours of English History (1853), selected and illustrated by Charles Knight, presents a carefully curated series of short historical narratives designed to give readers an accessible yet engaging overview of England's past. The book draws upon Knight's lifelong mission to make history understandable to the general public, distilling key events, figures, and turning points into concise readings that could be enjoyed in brief sittings. Richly illustrated, the volume sought to bring history to life visually as well as textually, capturing both the drama and the continuity of England's national story.
Rather than presenting a dry chronology, Knight emphasizes episodes that reveal the shaping of English institutions, character, and culture—making it both instructive and entertaining. The work balances political and social history, highlighting monarchs, statesmen, and battles alongside themes of law, religion, and common life. By packaging history into "half hours," Knight appealed to the Victorian appetite for self-improvement and education, providing a volume suitable for both the family circle and individual study. The book reflects Knight's belief that history, when vividly told and made accessible, could cultivate patriotism, moral reflection, and a deeper understanding of England's place in the world."
