IN ENGLAND THIS WEEK: On September 29, 1399, Richard II became the first monarch to abdicate, being replaced by Henry IV (Bolingbroke); Jack the Ripper murdered two more women on September 30, 1888 and News of the World was published for the first time on October 1, 1843.

THE WORLD THIS WEEK: John D Rockefeller, on September 29, 1916, became the world's first billionaire; the Taj Mahal was completed on October 3, 1678 and, on October 4, 1905, Orville Wright became the first person to fly an aircraft for more than 33 minutes.

BORN THIS WEEK: Horatio Nelson, on September 29, 1758; actor Ian McShane, on September 29, 1942, (he turned down the chance to play for Manchester United, in favour of acting) and Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 1869.

DIED THIS WEEK: Bill Shankly, Liverpool manager, on September 29, 1981; US acting icon James Dean, in a car crash on September 30, 1955 and Lady Coventry, on October 1, 1760, after painting her face with white lead to look paler.

AND FINALLY: Playwright George Bernard Shaw, on September 29, 1930, refused an offer of a peerage and, on September 29, 1960, while Harold Wilson was addressing the United Nations, USSR premier Nikita Kruschev banged on his table with his shoe. Wilson asked for a translation.

Plain sailing?

THE whole family, or part of it, can live, eat and sleep like 16th century sailors on the Golden Hinde on the night of October 6 or November 10, from 5pm.

Book by calling 08700 118700, the cost is £31.50 per person.