I took some pictures of Frome in Somerset
localhistories.org
A history blog. Facts about history.
Friday 15 March 2024
Thursday 14 March 2024
History of Menstruation
I wrote a history of menstruation
Red Letter Days
Why do we say red-letter days? In the Middle Ages, saint's days were marked in red in calendars. People did not work on some saint's days, which were also called holy days. Our word holiday is derived from a holy day.
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Diving Suit
I found an interesting video about the world's oldest diving suit
Uranus
On 13 March 1781, William Herschel discovered the Planet Uranus, the first new planet discovered since Ancient Times. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-the-outer-planets/
Tuesday 12 March 2024
Let The Cat Out of The Bag
Why do we say let the cat out of the bag? This old saying is probably derived from the days when people who sold piglets in bags sometimes put a cat in the bag instead. If you let the cat out of the bag you exposed the trick. I have heard it said, on certain historical ships I could mention that it comes because a cat o'nine tails was kept in a bag. But the cat o'nine tails was not used by the English navy till the mid-17th century and the saying is certainly older than that.
Friday 1 March 2024
Myths about witchcraft
This is an interesting article about myths about witchcraft