Editor’s Note

In this issue of the history journal, we delve into the lives of a multitude of groups and individuals from various backgrounds and periods of time who have defied the status quo and have left an immeasurable mark upon history. From the Mughal Empire to the much more recent success of Leicester City in the Premier League, each article published this year has exhibited the stories of individuals who have flourished in the face of adversity and have gone on to achieve the seemingly impossible. We hope from these stories you are able to take inspiration from their legacies and reflect upon the qualities that make these individuals so successful. During editing, both Aryaman Singh and myself have been astounded by the standard and versatility of articles that have been submitted to the journal this year with themes ranging from politics to football; we hope there is something in this journal that is able to interest you!

Suzanna Wade and Aryaman Singh Co-editors of the History Journal

The study of History is changing to reflect our more modern, inter-connected world. Historians are working hard to research and place the stories of previously marginalised peoples into their rightful place within the bigger picture. Works such as ‘The Silk Roads’ by Frankopan, ‘Black and British’ by Olusoga and ‘Black Tudors’ by Kaufmann have played important roles in bringing this change to popular perception. Within the History Society at Saint Olave’s we have worked to diversify our topics, focusing previous journals on ‘Untold Stories’ and this edition seeks to build upon this by looking at the stories of the underdog. History is a dynamic endeavour that has been reflected in the articles printed here. It is great to see work from all sections of the school. We hope that from this you learn something about underdogs in history, people who faced incredible odds.

Mr Wearn

Contents Page

Page 3-5: Japan: A time when the Red Sun (Nearly) Rose By Shaan Goli (Year 10)

Page 6-7: Leicester City: From Relegation Battle to Premier League Winners–

By Aryan Sanka

(Year 10)

Page 8–10: Afghanistan: A Country Exploited - By Amrita Selvaraj (Year 12)

Page 11-13: How William the Conqueror Became King of England—

By Koushik Rajesh (Year

7)

Page 14-16: The Mughals: From 300 Soldiers to 300 Years of Rule–

By Aryaman Singh (Year

12)

Page 17-20: Martin Luther: Religious Innovator or Underdog?- By Mr Wearn

Page 21: The Battle of Thermopylae (the story behind ‘300’)-

By Aryaman Singh (Year

12)

Page 22-24: From Above The Grocer’s to The Steps of Number 10: The Rise of The Iron Lady—By George Clements (Year 12)