I wrote the history of the old English town of Bury St Edmunds
Sunday, 31 December 2023
Comfortable Corsets
It's a myth that corsets were torture instruments that made it difficult to breathe and caused you to faint.
Saturday, 30 December 2023
Women in Anglo-Saxon England
In Anglo-Saxon England, women had considerable rights and freedom (unless they were slaves! Both men and women were slaves). Married women could own and inherit property. Some women were landowners. If a man married a woman he had to give her either money or land. After they married it was her property to what she liked. She could sell it or leave it in her will to anyone she wished.
Friday, 29 December 2023
Bristol
I wrote a short history of the great British city of Bristol. It began as a Saxon settlement and in the Middle Ages it became one of England's largest towns.
HMS Warrior
HMS Warrior Britain's first iron warship was launched on 29 December 1860. She is now a major tourist attraction in Portsmouth. Happy birthday.
Thursday, 28 December 2023
Victorian myth
Another myth about 19th century women: they were not allowed to raise their arms above their heads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHn0VOwYVQ
The Bog
In Britain, a cesspit was once called a bog. The toilet was the bog room. When people stopped using cesspits and had flushing toilets they kept calling the toilet room the bog room. Soon it shortened to bog. Apparently the Australian word dunny comes from an old English word meaning a store of dung. There is a lot more to the history of toilets than you might think.
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur the great doctor who invented the germ theory of disease was born on 27 December 1822. His work saved countless lives.
Tuesday, 26 December 2023
Charles Babbage
Famous mathematician and pioneer of computers Charles Babbage was born on 26 December 1791
Sumerian Women
Sumer was the world's first civilization. It arose in what is now Iraq about 3,500 BC. Sumerian women could own and sell property such as land and slaves. They could also own businesses. Women could be witnesses in court the same as men. Some Sumerian women could read and write. Some women were doctors, others were scribes or priestesses.
Saturday, 23 December 2023
Square Meal
Why do we say 'a square meal' There is a popular myth that this saying comes from the time when British sailors ate off square plates. In reality, the phrase began in California in the mid-19th century and it simply meant a good meal for your money, as in the phrase 'fair and square'. Later the saying made its way to Britain.
Friday, 22 December 2023
Spartan Women
In Sparta women owned much of the land. We also know from records that women owned land in Thessaly and in the Cretan city-state of Gortyn. In Ancient Greece some women were tavern keepers. Others sold food or perfume. Some were wool workers.
Thursday, 21 December 2023
Four poster beds
I sometimes come across this old myth: Four Poster Beds had canopies to catch mice falling from thatched roofs. No,
Oxford
I wrote a brief history of the old English city of Oxford. It's famous for its university but there is much more to it than that.
Gosport
I wrote a history of the town of Gosport in Hampshire. It was founded in the early 13th century and it was originally Goose Port probably because of the wild geese who gathered there.
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Southampton
I wrote a history of Southampton. There was a Roman town near the modern city but the Saxons founded the 'modern' city.
Its a Wonderful Life
The first Christmas film was made in Britain in 1898. It was called Santa Claus. One of my favourite Christmas films, It’s a Wonderful Life was first shown on 20 December 1946.
Tuesday, 19 December 2023
Portsmouth
I wrote a history of Portsmouth. It was founded in the late 12th century and it has been an important English naval base for centuries.
A Christmas Carol
In the 19th century, it was traditional to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve (not sure why). The most famous Christmas ghost story is, of course, A Christmas Carol, which was published on 19 December 1843. I love old Scrooge. Bah! Humbug!
Monday, 18 December 2023
Garden Gnomes
Today we have garden gnomes but in the 18th century, rich people sometimes paid human beings to pose in their gardens. They were called ornamental hermits and they usually lived in a hut on the grounds of a large house. Often they were paid to wear strange clothes (sometimes they were dressed as druids). Sometimes they were supposed to just stand or sit in the garden without speaking to anyone. Garden gnomes were introduced in the 19th century.
Waterlooville
I wrote a brief history of Waterlooville in Hampshire. It began as a town in the early 19th century.
Sunday, 17 December 2023
Saturday, 16 December 2023
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on 16 December 1773. In the late 18th century the British imposed a tax on tea in the North American colonies, which was bitterly resented by the colonists. Then in 1773, three ships were sent to Boston with 298 chests of tea. On 16 December 1773 men dressed as Indians boarded the ships and threw the tea into the sea.
Friday, 15 December 2023
Suffragette Bomb
On 15 December 1913 suffragettes used dynamite to try and blow up the wall of Holloway prison. They did not succeed but the prison wall was badly damaged. (Suffragettes were held in Holloway for arson, smashing windows etc.)
Thursday, 14 December 2023
Purbrook
I wrote a history of the village of Purbrook in Hampshire. Its name means water spirit's brook.
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
China
I wrote a history of China. It's a fascinating civilisation that has survived for thousands of years.
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Unemployment
I wrote a history of unemployment in the Western World. It's a harrowing subject but an interesting one.
Christmas Carols
A carol was originally a dance with an accompanying song. Carols were once sung all year not just at Christmas. However, Christmas carols were first mentioned in English in 1426. But most of the carols we sing today were written in the 18th century and 19th century.
At first, people sang carols in pubs, not in churches. The first carol service was created in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, Edward White Benson. He wrote a service called the Nine Lessons with Carols. (He hoped he could draw people away from pubs to church!)
Monday, 11 December 2023
Crawley
I wrote about the town of Crawley in Sussex. Although it became a 'new town' after the Second World War it was a market town long before it.
Happy Birthday
Today is localhistories.org Day. On 11 December 2001 my website was switched on. At first, it contained the history of 6 places, Portsmouth, Winchester, Chichester, Petersfield Dublin, and London. It now has a history of about 130 towns and cities. I went on to write histories of countries and articles about life in the past. And I wrote some brief biographies. I remember when I was pleased when it got over 1,000 hits in a month. It now gets more than 100,000 hits each month.
Sunday, 10 December 2023
Santa's Reindeer
Santa’s reindeer were first mentioned in writing in 1821. Their names were first recorded in 1823 - except for one. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 by Robert L. May. He wrote a story about the famous reindeer. 😊
Saturday, 9 December 2023
Friday, 8 December 2023
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge opened on 8 December 1864. It was designed by the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This is his monument in Portsmouth.
First Actress
On 8 December 1660, Margaret Hughes performed on stage as Desdemona in Othello. She was the first recorded actress in England. Before then women's parts were played by boys.
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Christmas Decorations
Long before the 19th century people in England decorated their houses at Christmas with holly, ivy, and mistletoe. In the 19th century people began to use coloured paper decorations.
Happy St Nicholas Day
6 December is St Nicholas Day. As I am sure you know he morphed into Santa Claus. St Nick is the patron saint of children. He is also the patron saint of sailors.
In Portsmouth, the Garrison Church was originally called the Domus Dei (House of God). It was a hostel for pilgrims. It was dedicated to John the Baptist and St Nicholas. There is a St Nicholas Street in Old Portsmouth, so named because it led to the Domus Dei, dedicated to St Nick.
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Basingstoke
I wrote a brief history of the town of Basingstoke. It was designated a 'new town' and grew rapidly in the late 20th century but it has been a market town since the Middle Ages.
Monday, 4 December 2023
Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding was once called plum pudding or plum pottage (plum was a generic term, it included raisins and sultanas). But it was eaten all through the year. In the 19th century, it became associated with Christmas and people began calling it Christmas pudding.
Sunday, 3 December 2023
Saturday, 2 December 2023
Friday, 1 December 2023
Antarctica Day
Today is Antarctica Day. On 1 December 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed. Antarctica was to be preserved for peaceful research. This is my history of Antarctica.
Money Does Not Stink
In Rome, urine was used to wash clothes. The emperor Vespasian put a tax on urine collected from public toilets and sold for cleaning. His son complained that it was a disgusting way to raise money. Vespasian held a gold coin under his son's nose and said 'pecunia non olet' (money does not stink).
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Monday, 27 November 2023
Arundel
I wrote the history of Arundel. It's a picturesque little town in Sussex, England. It's famous for its castle.
Tudor Christmas
My friend Wendy wrote a history of Tudor Christmas Read all about how they celebrated Christmas in the 16th century.
Sunday, 26 November 2023
Weigh anchor
Why do we say weigh anchor? It's a corruption of the Old English word wegan, which meant carry or lift. Find out more in my origin of sayings.
Saturday, 25 November 2023
Survived hanging
On 24 November 1740, William Duell was hanged for murder. He was taken to the surgeons and laid out to be dissected but he regained consciousness (in those days hanging killed by strangulation rather than by breaking the neck). Duell had his sentence commuted to transportation. This is my history of capital punishment in Britain
Thursday, 23 November 2023
Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Blackbeard
The notorious pirate Edward Teach AKA Blackbeard was killed on 22 November 1718. This is my history of pirates.
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Monday, 20 November 2023
Women in Persia
In Ancient Persia, women could inherit and own property. Many of them had jobs. Some women were made managers, in charge of both male and female workers. If the king died the queen could rule until the crown prince came of age.
Sunday, 19 November 2023
World Toilet Day
19 November is World Toilet Day. So let's hear it for the men who invented the modern toilet. In 1775 Alexander Cumming was granted a patent for a flushing lavatory. Joseph Bramah made a better design in 1778. In 1883 Mr. A. Ashwell invented the vacant/engaged bolt for public toilets.
Women vote in Spain
On 19 November 1933 women in Spain voted in national elections for the first time. (Women were given the right to vote in 1931). All men in Spain were given the right to vote in 1892.
Saturday, 18 November 2023
Thursday, 16 November 2023
Escalators
The first escalator in Britain was unveiled on 16 November 1898 in Harrods (a famous store in London). This new device was so frightening, to some people that staff were ready at the top with brandy (for men) and smelling salts (for ladies) in case customers fainted or were overcome by the experience.
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Monday, 13 November 2023
Sunday, 12 November 2023
Saturday, 11 November 2023
Friday, 10 November 2023
Thursday, 9 November 2023
Coventry
I wrote a history of Coventry. It was once one of England's largest and most important towns.
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
Julian of Norwich
According to tradition, the English mystic Julian of Norwich was born on 8 November 1342
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Selsey
I wrote a history of Selsey. It was once a place of considerable importance but it is now a quiet town.
Bognor Regis
I wrote a history of the seaside town of Bognor Regis. For centuries it was a small fishing village till at the end of the 18th century it became a seaside resort.
Mighty Girl
This is an interesting website for anyone interested in women's history https://www.amightygirl.com/blog
Electric Razor
On 6 November 1928, Jacob Schick patented the electric razor. Well done Jacob. Find out more in my history of washing.
Basketball
James Naismith the man who invented basketball was born on 6 November 1861. Learn more in my history of sports.
Saxophone
6 November is National Saxophone Day. Adolphe Sax the man who invented the saxophone was born on 6 November 1814. Read more in my history of musical instruments.
Sunday, 5 November 2023
Fruit Fool
By the end of the 16th century, people in England were eating fruit fool. (Its name has nothing to do with idiots. It is derived from the French word fouler, meaning to mash.) Read more in my history of desserts.
Saturday, 4 November 2023
Going Underground
On 4 November 1890, the world's first electric underground railway opened in London. One of the first passengers was the future King Edward VII. Learn more about it in my history of transport.
Friday, 3 November 2023
Chichester
I wrote a history of Chichester. It has a long and fascinating history from its start as a Roman town to the present day.
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Marie Antoinette
Marie-Antoinette, queen of France was born on 2 November 1755. The unfortunate woman was guillotined in 1793 during the French Revolution.
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Pastry Fork
A pastry fork can mean two things. A pastry fork for eating cakes was invented in Britain in 1886. A different tool, one used in cooking but also called pastry fork was invented in the USA by Anna Mangin.
Spencer Perceval
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was born on 1 November 1762. He was assassinated in 1812. So far he is the only British prime minister to be assassinated.
Canterbury
I wrote a history of the English town of Canterbury. It was founded as a town by the Romans. It's famous for Christopher Marlowe.
Monday, 30 October 2023
Sunday, 29 October 2023
Sense and Sensibility
On 29 October 1811, Jane Austen published her famous novel Sense and Sensibility
Sunday, 22 October 2023
Thursday, 19 October 2023
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Timothy Evans
On 18 October 1966, the Queen granted Timothy Evans a royal pardon, 16 years after he was hanged for a murder he did not commit. A History of Capital Punishment.
Monday, 2 October 2023
Friday, 29 September 2023
Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Timeline of Corporal Punishment
I wrote a timeline of corporal punishment. Across the world public opinion is turning against it.
Monday, 25 September 2023
19th Century Toilets
In the 19th century toilet pans were made of porcelain. They were usually decorated, embossed, or painted with attractive colors. Seats were of wood and cisterns were often emptied by pulling a chain. At first toilet bowls were boxed in but the first pedestal toilet bowl was made in 1884.
Sunday, 24 September 2023
Saturday, 23 September 2023
Naval Battle
On 23 September 1338, the English and the French fought a naval battle. Records say that an English ship called The Cristofer had 3 cannons and a handgun. It was the first recorded time that a ship used guns in battle.
Friday, 22 September 2023
Friday, 8 September 2023
Weapons on the Mary Rose
The Anthony Roll is a record of the armaments on board Henry VIII's navy. It offers a fascinating glimpse of the weapons on board his warship The Mary Rose.
Thursday, 7 September 2023
H H Holmes
H H Holmes was a serial killer. But many myths exist about him - probably the result of journalists making them up. This article seeks to debunk them.
Sunday, 3 September 2023
Tuesday, 29 August 2023
The Royal George
On 29 August 1782, the warship Royal George sank while anchored at Spithead off Portsmouth. More than 800 people died including about 300 wives and 60 children of the sailors who were visiting to say goodbye before the ship sailed.
Sunday, 27 August 2023
Treaty of Nerchinsk
On 27 August 1689, China and Russia signed the treaty of Nerchinsk. It was the first time China signed a treaty with a European country.
Saturday, 26 August 2023
Battle of Crecy
On 26 August 1346, the English totally defeated the French at the Battle of Crecy. English longbowmen played a decisive part in the battle.
It's a popular myth that the two-finger gesture started because, in the Middle Ages, French soldiers cut two fingers off captured English archers (or threatened to do that) so they could no longer use a bow. So English archers waved two fingers at the French as a gesture of defiance.
It isn't true. The two-finger gesture was first recorded in 1901. It's thought it started in the 19th century but nobody is sure how or why. There is no evidence it has anything to do with archery. There is no evidence that the French ever cut two fingers off captured English archers or threatened to do that. Why would they? If the French captured an English archer wouldn't it be easier just to kill him?
Friday, 25 August 2023
Thursday, 24 August 2023
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce, the man who campaigned against slavery was born on 24 August 1759 👏
Wednesday, 23 August 2023
Zakopane
I wrote a short history of the town of Zakopane in Poland. It is sometimes called the Winter capital of Poland. ⛷
Tuesday, 22 August 2023
Monday, 21 August 2023
Hawaii
On 21 August 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA www.localhistories.org/hawaii.html
Saturday, 19 August 2023
An Alaskan Cruise
These are some pictures I took on a recent trip to Western Canada and during a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska. The scenery was breath-taking.
Thursday, 17 August 2023
Tuesday, 15 August 2023
A Pauper's Funeral
In the 18th century if you died poor the local authorities had to pay for your funeral. In the village of Buriton in Hampshire, an old woman was sick. Realising she was dying the authorities put her on a cart and took her to the town of Petersfield. They dumped her in the street. Legally if she died in Petersfield they would have to pay for her burial. Thank you so much. Petersfield refused to pay and they took the case to court. They won.
Thursday, 10 August 2023
Sunday, 6 August 2023
Friday, 4 August 2023
Tuesday, 1 August 2023
Friday, 28 July 2023
Saturday, 22 July 2023
Women Photographers
Women photographers have a long history. This is an interesting article about women photographers of the 19th century and early 20th century.
Thursday, 20 July 2023
Wednesday, 19 July 2023
The Mary Rose
On 19 July 1545, Henry VIII's warship Mary Rose sank https://localhistories.org/the-mary-rose/
Friday, 30 June 2023
The pillory
On 30 June 1837, the pillory (a wooden frame your head and arms were locked into) was abolished in Britain. This is my history of punishments.
Thursday, 29 June 2023
Waffle Iron Day
29 June is National Waffle Iron Day. For hundreds of years, people heated waffles over a fire. The first modern waffle iron was invented by a man named Cornelius Swartwout in 1869. An electric waffle iron went on sale in 1918.
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Monday, 26 June 2023
Thursday, 22 June 2023
Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Sack of Baltimore
The sack of Baltimore happened on 20 June 1631. People from North Africa often raided Europe for slaves. On this day in 1631, they raided Baltimore in Ireland and they took many slaves.
Monday, 12 June 2023
Friday, 9 June 2023
False teeth
On 9 June 1822 Charles Graham patented porcelain false teeth. (Previously they often used the teeth of dead people). This is my history of dentistry.
Wednesday, 7 June 2023
Tuesday, 6 June 2023
Saturday, 3 June 2023
Friday, 2 June 2023
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Pictures of Romsey, Hampshire
I created a new file of my pictures of Romsey - some photos I took in the charming Hampshire town of Romsey, which is famous for its abbey
Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Christopher Marlowe
On 30 May 1593, the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe was stabbed and killed.
Sunday, 28 May 2023
Dr Guillotin
Joseph-Ignace Guillotin was born on 28 May 1738. He didn't actually invent the guillotine. Mechanical beheading devices had been used in parts of Europe for centuries. But he proposed that such a device should be used in France as a humane method of killing people. The French government accepted his proposal and it was named the guillotine after him. A history of punishments
Sunday, 21 May 2023
Tuesday, 9 May 2023
Saturday, 6 May 2023
Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre, one of the leaders of the French Revolution was born on 6 May 1758. He was guillotined in 1794.
Friday, 5 May 2023
Pictures of Petersfield
I took some pictures of the charming market town of Petersfield in Hampshire
Wednesday, 3 May 2023
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
3 May is National Two Different Colored Shoes Day. Here is my history of shoes.