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Great Eastern
The Great Eastern was a huge steamship launched in 1858, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The ship was so big it wasn't fit for purpose
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Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury
It has become one of the defining speeches in British history - read the words Elizabeth is supposed to have said in full
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Greek fire
Greek fire was a weapon used by the Byzantine Empire in naval warfare. It was effective as it continued to burn on water.
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Life at sea in the age of sail
What did it mean to be 'tarred and feathered' and why were punishments so harsh at sea?
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Elizabeth I: marriage and succession
Concerns about who would succeed Queen Elizabeth I saw Parliament petition her to marry and produce an heir almost immediately.
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A nautical mile
The 'standard' nautical mile is taken as 6080 feet (1.151 statute miles or 1853 metres) and is the unit of length used in sea and air navigation.
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Symbolism in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I
Find out more about the Tudor symbols used in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and discover what they mean
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Samuel Pepys and the Navy
Samuel Pepys, the famous 17th century British diarist, helped to establish the Navy and is often described as the father of the modern Royal Navy