Joan of Arc

On 30 May 1431 that unfortunate woman Joan of Arc was burned to death. http://www.localhistories.org/joan.html

First World War Myths

I grew up with myths about the First World War, especially the idea that British soldiers were lions led by donkeys. This BBC article debunks the myths: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25776836

Florence Nightingale

The famous nurse Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 http://www.localhistories.org/nightingale.html

Olympe de Gouges

Woman writer Olympe de Gouges was born on 7 May 1748. She was executed during the French Revolution for her radical views. https://www.olympedegouges.eu/

History of Portsmouth Video

My video about the history of Portsmouth has reached 15,000 views https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si42h8wKIUE

Eyam and the Plague

Most people in England have heard of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire. According to legend when plague struck the village the people heroically quarantined themselves to stop it spreading and most of them died. It's probably a myth. The village WAS quarantined but the evidence suggests the authorities imposed the quarantine. It also seems the wealthy villagers fled before the quarantine was imposed, leaving the poor to their fate

This article examines the evidence: https://www.1843magazine.com/features/rewind/eyam-revisited-lessons-from-a-plague-village?fbclid=IwAR0xj_79-BMwsD4wFChc--zN6cWJ-UxECQ9lWBlU_mctd020vcTFSOSv3O8

Mayday

Welcome to May. It's probably named after Maia the Roman goddess who caused plants to grow. This is my history of Mayday: http://www.localhistories.org/mayday.html