Happy New Year 2026

 Happy New Year, everyone! 

History of Disability

 I wrote a brief history of disability

Sierra Leone

 I wrote a brief history of Sierra Leone 

Krakow History

 This is my history of Krakow 

Road Safety History

 I wrote a history of road safety 

Witchcraft Myths

 I found a very good video debunking myths about witchcraft

Men's Underwear History

 I wrote a brief history of men's underwear 

History of Donkeys

I wrote a little history of donkeys 

History of Cats

 I wrote a brief history of cats 

Seaside History

 I wrote a brief history of the seaside 

Morecambe History

 I wrote a little history of Morecambe, a seaside town in Lancashire, England.

Durham History

 I wrote a brief history of the old English town of Durham 

Glass history

 This is my latest article, a history of glass 

Hartlepool History

 I wrote a brief history of Hartlepool 

Iraq History

 I wrote a brief history of Iraq 

The Zanj Rebellion

 In the 9th century there were large numbers of black African slaves in Iraq. They were called Zanj. In 869 they rebelled. The Zanj rebellion lasted until 1883.

History of Cakes

I wrote a brief history of cakes 

Bournemouth History

  I wrote about the English seaside town of Bournemouth, which grew up in the 19th century. 

Birkenhead History

 I wrote a short history of Birkenhead 

Food history

 I wrote a brief history of food 

Merry Christmas 2025

 A Merry Christmas to all my readers 

Azerbaijan History

 I wrote a concise history of Azerbaijan 

Afghanistan History

 I wrote a brief history of Afghanistan

Moldova History

 I wrote a little history of Moldova 

A video about Derek Bentley

 I found a very good video about Derek Bentley. That unfortunate man was hanged in 1953 and he was pardoned in 1958. It was a terrible injustice.  

Florence Ransom

I found out by accident that in 1940, a woman called Florence Ransom shot and killed 3 women. She was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but a medical examination found she was insane and she was sent to an asylum. She spent 26 years there.

Nigeria History

 I wrote a little history of Nigeria 

Togo History

 I wrote a little history of Togo 

Tajikistan History

 I wrote a little history of Tajikistan 

The History of Glass

I found a very good video about the history of glass. It's something we usually take for granted but glass has a fascinating history. 

Turkmenistan History

 I wrote a little history of Turkmenistan 

Franz Muller

 On 14 November 1864, Franz Müller, the first railway murderer in Britain, was hanged.

Portsmouth Natural History Museum

 Portsmouth Natural History Museum is a very good one. I recommend it.

Kazakhstan History

 I have written a brief history of Kazakhstan 

Stalin's Famine in Kazakhstan

 I am writing a history of Kazakhstan. I didn't realise that Stalin caused a terrible famine in Kazakhstan in 1931-1933. More than 1.5 million people died.

Uzbekistan History

 I have written a brief history of Uzbekistan

Some Famous Tudors

This is my latest book. It's a collection of little biographies of famous Tudors.

You can buy it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/timothy-lambert/some-famous-tudors/hardcover/product-p6j6j7v.html?q=some+famous+tudors+timothy+lambert&page=1&pageSize=4

History of Libraries

 I wrote a little history of libraries

Laura Bassi

 Famous woman physicist Laura Bassi was born in Bologna, Italy, on 31 October 1711. She studied at Bologna and gained a doctorate degree in 1732. She became a lecturer at the university and also made important contributions to science. https://www.europeana.eu/en/stories/laura-bassi-one-of-the-first-women-in-science

Some Famous Tudors

 I have written a new book, a collection of brief biographies of famous Tudors

Tudor Towns

I created another article. It is a look at some towns near Portsmouth as they were in Tudor Times, including Chichester and Petersfield.

A History of the Country of Georgia

 I wrote a brief history of the country of Georgia 

Austria's Nazi Past

 I found an interesting article about Austria and its Nazi past

Zambia Independence Day

 24 October is Zambian Independence Day. Happy Independence Day.

Sports and Society in the 1920s

 This is an article about sports and society in the 1920s 

National Nut Day

22 October is National Nut Day. Here is some nut-related info:

1. Almonds are native to western Asia. They are mentioned in the Bible, and the Egyptians grew them. The Romans grew almonds, and they have been popular ever since.

2. Brazil nuts are native to South America. The Dutch introduced them into Europe in the early 17th century. They became popular in the 18th century.

3. Cashew nuts came from Brazil but in the late 16th century the Portuguese spread them to other parts of the world.

4. Peanuts are native to Central America. The Spanish introduced them into Europe.

5. Walnuts first grew in Persia. They were grown by the Greeks and later by the Romans, and walnuts spread through Europe. Walnuts were well-known in England in the 16th century.

My Calendar

 I created a 2026 calendar with some of my old photos. You can buy it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/timothy-lambert/localhistories-calendar/paperback/product-45825yw.html?q=localhistories+calendar&page=1&pageSize=4 📆

Zu Wetian

 On 17 October 690 AD, Empress Wu Zetian became the first woman to rule China

Executions at Nuremberg

 On 16 October 1946 ten Nazis were executed at Nuremberg

Desserts

 14 October is National Desserts Day. Here is my history of desserts. 

Jazz in Nazi Germany

 On 12th October 1935, Hitler banned jazz music from German radio. He said it was un-German. But some 'Swing Kids' still listened to jazz.

Gordon Cummins

 I wrote about Gordon Cummins. He was a serial killer in Britain during World War II. They called him the blackout killer because he took advantage of wartime blackouts to kill.

My article about the Holodomor

 I wrote a brief article about the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Ukraine.

Guardian Angels

 2 October is Guardian Angel Day 

The Invention of the Chimney

 One often overlooked invention of the Middle Ages was the chimney. It made houses warm but much less smokey. This is an article about the invention of the chimney.

National Black Dog Day

 1 October is National Black Dog Day. Let's hear it for black dogs!

Old Murder Cases Newsreel

 I found an old newsreel about old murder cases

Titchfield Video

10 years ago I made this video about the history of Titchfield 

My History of England

I have published a new book, My History of England 

Pressed to Death

 In the 17th century, in England, people who refused to plead either 'guilty' or 'not guilty' at a trial were 'pressed'. That means a wooden board was placed on them and weights were put on top, one by one. Sometimes, the person could not stand the increasing weight and agreed to plead. However sometimes he was pressed to death. The last man to be pressed to death died at Horsham, Sussex in 1735.

Stalin's Famine in Ukraine

 I found a good video about the Holodomor, a genocide in Ukraine

Daughters of Bilitis

 The Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organisation, was founded in Los Angeles on 21 September 1955.

Tudor Food

Nine years ago I made a video about Tudor Food and Drink 

Malta Independence Day

 21 September is Malta Independence Day. Happy Independence Day.

My History of England

 Yes, folks I have written another book. I called it My History of England. It's a concise history of England from the Stone Age to the 21st Century. You can buy it from Lulu.com.

Jina Mahsa Amini

 On 16 September 2022 an Iranian woman, Jina Mahsa Amini died in custody after being arrested by the Morality Police for 'improper clothing'. Her death started a series of protests with the slogan Woman, Life, Freedom.

Pictures of Krakow

 I made another article. This one is of pictures of my trip to Krakow in Poland.

Cruel Sports Banned

 On 9 September 1835, a new law in Britain outlawed 'sports' such as bull baiting. (A bull was chained to a post and dogs were trained to attack it. Some butchers would not sell bull meat unless the bull had been bitten by dogs. They said it made the meat more tender). The new law also banned cockfighting and dogfighting. Of course, making them illegal and actually stopping them were two different things but it was a step in the right direction.

My Latest Book

A copy of my latest book has arrived. I am quite proud of it. I always wanted to write a book about life in the past. It goes from Prehistoric Times through Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxons etc. Up to the 21st Century. You can buy it from Lulu Books. 

Gas Central Heating

 Central heating has been around since Ancient Times. But in 1919, a woman named Alice Parker patented a central heating system fueled by gas rather than coal. However, her design was never built because it was unsafe. The first practical gas central heating system was invented by the Chaffoteaux brothers in France in 1925.

International Bacon Day

 6 September is International Bacon Day  

W T Stead 1885

In 1885, a journalist called W T Stead purchased a 13-year-old girl from a woman for prostitution. (At that time, the age of consent was 13). The girl’s mother sold her for 5 pounds (several weeks' wages for many people). The buyer made it clear that the child must be ‘pure’ i.e. a virgin. But Stead took the girl to safety in France. Stead then wrote about it to show how easy it was to buy a child. Partly as a result, the age of consent was raised to 16.

England's Birthday

On 4 September 925, King Athelstan became the first king to rule all of England. The date is traditionally seen as the foundation day of England. You might say it's England's birthday.

A Guide to Life in England in the Past

 I have published another book (Oh no! Not another one!). This one is a comprehensive look at life in England from Prehistoric Times through the ages up to the 21st Century.

It's a fascinating look at life in the past.

Theano of Crotona

The famous mathematician Pythagoras was married to a woman named Theano of Crotona. She was a famous mathematician in her own right. Pythagoras allowed women to study at his famous school.

Music on the Mary Rose

 Francesca Raine wrote this article about music on the Mary Rose,  Henry VIII's warship

Martha Place

I wrote an article about Martha Place. In 1899, she became the first woman to be executed in the electric chair. 

Rhazes

 The famous Persian physician Al-Razi, known in the West as Rhazes, was born on 27 August 885. He had a huge influence on medicine in the Middle Ages.

Polly Nicholls

 Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols, who many believe was the first victim of Jack the Ripper, was born on 26 August 1845. She died in 1888. I looked for a meme, but they all propagate the myth that he was a 'toff' in a top hat. In reality, several witnesses saw a man with the victims shortly before they were killed. They all described a similar individual, and he wore ordinary working clothes. He was completely nondescript and probably lived and worked in the area.

Prehistoric Jericho

I wrote an article about prehistoric Jericho 

Nazi Euthanasia

 In 1939, Hitler began a euthanasia programme for the disabled. It was called Aktion T4. Victims were gassed using carbon monoxide gas. The bodies were then cremated. The family were informed that the victim had died of some natural cause. But the news leaked out. On 24 August 1941, Hitler ordered an end to the gassings, partly because of the opposition from the churches. However, euthanasia of the disabled continued ad hoc using drug overdoses, until the German surrender in 1945. About 250,000 people were murdered. Aktion T4 provided a blueprint for the Jewish Holocaust.

Here Come The Tudors!

 For all you lovers of Tudor history, I wrote a book in three parts. The first part is a description of life in Tudor England. The second part is a brief history of Tudor England. The third part is a description of Tudor Portsmouth and Tudor Southampton.

Myths About Women's Clothes

 I found an interesting video that debunks myths about 19th century women's clothes 

USS Constitution

 On 19 August 1812 the frigate USS Constitution defeated a British ship in battle. It earned the nickname Old Ironsides. It's now a museum in Boston. https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

The Last Teenager Hanged in Britain

 On 22 December 1960 19-year-old Anthony Miller was hanged for murder in Glasgow. He was the last teenager to be hanged in Britain. 

India Independence Day

 15 August is India Independence Day. This is my history of India. 

The last executions in Britain

On 13 August 1964, the last executions in Britain were carried out when Gwynne Evans and Peter Allen were hanged in separate prisons. The death sentence for murder was abolished for a trial period of 5 years in 1965. It was permanently abolished for murder in 1969.

Here Come the Tudors!

 For all you lovers of Tudor history, I have written a new book. It's called Here Come the Tudors! and it includes a description of life at the time and a history of Tudor England. It also includes a look at Tudor Portsmouth and Tudor Southampton.

A History of Women from Ancient Times to Today

 I wrote another book. I called it A History of Women From Ancient Times to Today. When I read about the history of women I was amazed at how many prominent women there were in the past, who are largely overlooked today. Many women philosophers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists and musicians were famous in their own day but have been largely overlooked today. In my book I try to redress the balance. It's available from Lulu Books. 

Passion Fruit Day

 9 August is National Passion Fruit Day. This is my history of fruit. 

A History of Southeast Hampshire

 I published another book, a collection of histories and towns and villages in Southeast Hampshire 

A Parade of Killers

 I wrote another book about true crime. I called it A Parade of Killers. 

Roma Holocaust Memorial Day

2 August is Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. The Nazis hated the Roma and they murdered hundreds of thousands of them. 

Burke and Hare

Burke and Hare are often called grave robbers. In reality, they did not rob graves. Instead, they murdered people and then sold the victims’ bodies to surgeons for dissection. Today, many people donate their bodies to science but in the early 19th century, attitudes were very different. Most people were horrified by the idea of being cut up after they were dead. As a result, surgeons found it hard to find bodies to dissect in lectures. So some were willing to pay large amounts of money for dead bodies, without asking too many questions. Burke and Hare are believed to have murdered 16 people. 

William Burke was born in Ireland around 1792, and it’s believed he came to Scotland to work as a navvy on the canals. He eventually settled in Edinburgh, where he worked as a cobbler, repairing shoes. It’s not certain when William Hare was born. He was probably from Ireland. At any rate, by 1827, he owned a lodging house in Edinburgh and he had befriended William Burke. 

The murders began in stages. In November 1827, a boarder known as Old Donald died in Hare’s lodging house. He died owing £4 (a considerable sum of money in those days). Hare told Burke and they decided to sell the body to anatomists to recoup the money. They told the authorities that Old Donald was dead. A carpenter made a coffin for him. Burke and Hare filled it with bark (normally used for tanning). They sold the body to a surgeon, Dr Robert Knox, for £7 and 10 shillings (there were 20 shillings in a pound). So they made a handsome profit from his death.

The next step was to murder a man who was ill but still alive. A tenant called Joseph, a miller, fell ill with an infectious disease. That would drive away other tenants from the lodging house. The two men gave Joseph whisky, then suffocated him.

This time, Burke and Hare sold the body for £10. Suffocating him meant there were no marks on the body. When the body was dissected, it would not be obvious that the person had been murdered.

Burke and Hare began regularly killing people and selling the victims’ bodies. It’s not certain in what order they killed the victims, but the third victim was probably a woman named Abigail Simpson. In February 1828, she was lured to the lodging house and given whisky. She was then suffocated. Once again, they sold the body for £10. Over the next months, Burke and Hare continued luring people to the lodging house, giving them whisky, then suffocating them, and then selling the bodies.

One of the victims was a mentally disabled man, James Wilson. He was called ‘Daft Jamie’. He was well known in Edinburgh. He was often seen begging. The unfortunate man was lured to the lodging house, where he was given whisky and suffocated. They sold the body, as usual, but this time several medical students recognised the dead person. Local people also noticed James was missing. Dr Knox likely suspected the truth because he ordered the immediate dissection of James’ body. Like so many other murderers, Burke and Hare became overconfident and started being careless.

The last victim was an Irishwoman named Margaret Docherty. She was murdered on 31 October 1828. Burke and Hare befriended her. She was invited to stay at the lodging house. Two other lodgers, James and Ann Gray, were told they must move out to make room for her. Margaret Docherty was suffocated in the usual way and her body was hidden under some straw. The Grays returned the next day to collect their belongings. They were left alone in the house and they looked under the straw, discovering the dead body. 

The Grays immediately alerted the authorities but while they were away, Burke and Hare removed the body and took it to be dissected. 

On 3 November, Burke and Hare were arrested. But the authorities were not sure if they could secure convictions.

So Hare was offered immunity from prosecution if he turned King’s evidence, that is if he testified against Burke. On 25 December 1828, William Burke was found guilty of murder and he was sentenced to death. 

He was hanged in public in Edinburgh on 28 January 1829. Burke’s body was publicly dissected, as his victims' bodies were. His skeleton was given to the Anatomical Museum of the Edinburgh Medical School. 

William Hare moved to England. What happened to him after that is not known. No action was taken against the surgeon, Dr Robert Knox.

The dreadful crimes were remembered in a rhyme:

‘Burke's the butcher, Hare's the thief, Knox the boy that buys the beef’

Witchcraft Law

 In England, the first law against witchcraft was passed in 1542. It was repealed in 1547 but was replaced by a new law in 1563. The first person in England to be executed for witchcraft was Agnes Waterhouse in 1566. Sadly, many other men and women followed.

The Aztec Eagles

 On 24 July 1944 about 300 Mexicans formed a squadron called the Aztec Eagles. They fought against Japan. Brazilian soldiers fought against Germany. Mexico and Brazil were the only Latin American countries to send armed forces to fight in the Second World War. 👏

Colombia Independence Day

 20 July is Colombia Independence Day. Happy Independence Day! 

A Quid

 The slang word quid probably comes from the Latin 'quid pro quo', which means 'something for something'. Until the 19th century all banks not just the Bank of England issued notes when you deposited gold with them.

They gave a note saying 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of 1 pound (of gold) or later 5 pounds or 10 pounds. The notes were quid pro quo (something for something).

The Nazis Banned Jazz

 In 1935, the Nazis banned broadcasting jazz music and swing music, claiming it was degenerate music created by Jews and black people (The Nazis despised both). The Nazis also banned the saxophone. In 1939, they made it illegal to listen to foreign radio stations. Yet, some brave young people known as 'swings' continued to listen to jazz.

My New Book About True Crime

 A copy of my first book has arrived. I am rather proud of it. You can buy it from Lulu books

St Swithun's Day

 15 July is St Swithun's Day. St Swithun was Bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. He asked to be buried outside the cathedral so people could walk over his grave and raindrops could fall on it. However, on 15 July 971, his body was reburied in the cathedral.

According to legend St Swithun was not happy about it and it rained heavily that day. There is a superstition that if it rains on St Swithun’s day (15 July) it will rain for the next 40 days!

Margarine

 On 15 July 1869 Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès patented margarine, a cheap substitute for butter. Big deal, you might think but remember that in the 19th century poor people survived mostly on bread. It was a big part of their diet and butter was expensive. Margarine was a big help to the poorest. 🧈

Gertrude Bell

 Gertrude Bell was born on 14 July 1868. She was an archeologist and writer. And she wrote about her travels in the Middle East. Gertrude was also an anti-suffragist. She believed women should NOT be allowed to vote and she campaigned against it.

The Nazis Disapproved of Makeup

The Nazis strongly discouraged make-up. While not actually illegal lipstick, hair dye and painted nails were frowned upon. Girls in the Hitler Youth were forbidden to have them.

In contrast, in Britain using make-up was encouraged with slogans like ‘beauty is your duty’. Like most things, cosmetics were in short supply but women improvised, dying their legs brown to make it look as if they were wearing stockings and using boot polish as mascara.

Ruth Ellis was hanged

 I found an interesting newsreel about the execution of Ruth Ellis 

My First eBook

 My first eBook is now available on Kindle.

The Bloody Benders

The Benders were a family of murderers in Kansas in the 1870s. Little is known about them; unfortunately, there are different versions of what happened. No doubt myths and legends have grown up.

It’s known for certain that the Benders were a family of four. They were German immigrants. Pa Bender was described as being about 60 years old in 1873. Ma Bender was said to be about 50. John Bender was about 27. Kate Bender was about 24.

The Homestead Act of 1862 gave settlers the right to free land if they farmed it for five years. After the Civil War, the Osage Indians were moved to a reservation in Oklahoma, and their land was then given to homesteaders.

At the end of 1870, the Benders claimed land in Kansas. They built a cabin about 2 miles from the town of Cherry Vale next to the Osage Trail. In the 1870s, many people traveled along the trail by horse or wagon. The Benders let travelers stay the night. They also sold groceries to their neighbors. In the 1870s, Spiritualism was popular in the USA. Kate Bender claimed to be a spiritual healer. She even called herself ‘Professor Kate Bender’.

The Bender’s ‘inn’ was divided into two rooms by a canvas curtain. Nobody witnessed their murders, but the victims all had the back of their heads caved in and their throats cut. It’s believed the Benders would ask guests to sit with their backs to the curtain. Standing behind it was a man holding a hammer. At the right moment, he would smash the back of the guest’s head with the hammer. The Benders would then cut his throat and rob him. Under the Bender’s hut was a small ‘cellar’. 

It’s thought the dead body was hidden there until it could be disposed of. The Benders also sold the victims’ horses and wagons.

The Benders killed at least 11 people. The first definite victim was a man named Jones who was murdered at the beginning of 1871. His body was found dumped in Drum Creek. His head had been smashed in, and his throat was cut. 

Shortly after, two unidentified men were found dumped on the prairie, both of them had been killed in the same way as Mr Jones. The Benders then began burying their victims near their cabin rather than dumping them in the open.

The last victim of the Bloody Benders was Dr William H. York. Dr York had been an assistant surgeon in the Unionist army during the Civil War. He was in his early 30s at the time of his death.

In March 1873, Dr. York set out on horseback from Fort Scott, Kansas, for Independence. He told someone that he planned to stay at the Benders’ place. 

He was never seen alive again. His brother, Colonel Alexander York, grew alarmed when his brother did not return, and he set out with a party of men to look for him. The Benders admitted Dr York had stayed at their ‘inn’, but they claimed he had left normally. Colonel York and his men moved on, but the trail went cold. When the Colonel returned to the Benders’ place, he found it abandoned. The Benders had realized the game was up and they had fled. 

On 6 May 1873, Colonel York’s men discovered a trapdoor in the Bender’s ‘inn’ with a ‘cellar’ below. They found it had dried blood in it. Then someone noticed a depression in the ground near the shack. On digging, they found the body of Dr York. His head was smashed in, and his throat was cut. 

Several other victims were found buried near the Benders ‘inn’. Altogether, seven graves were found. One of them contained two bodies.

Among the victims was Henry F. McKenzie from Indiana, who was relocating to Independence. He was about 29 at the time of his death. The body of William F. McCrotty from Cedar Vale was also found. 

Two victims were buried in the same grave. One of them was George Newton Longcor. Mr Longcor served in the American Civil War. He was 30 years old at the time of his death. 

The other body was his infant daughter Mary Ann Longcor. She was only about 19 months old when she died. The child was either strangled or buried alive. A victim named Benjamin M. Brown was identified by his silver ring. 

The bodies of two other men were never identified. Sadly, the bodies were too decomposed to allow identification. Altogether, the bodies of 7 men and a baby were found buried by the Benders’ shack, but it seems almost certain that the Benders also killed the three men found dumped in 1871.

Meanwhile, the Benders had fled with their wagon to the town of Thayer. They then escaped by train. What happened to them afterward is a mystery. A party of men pursued the Benders, but the trail went cold. For years afterward, there were rumors that vigilantes had caught the Benders and killed them, but no evidence was ever found to prove this. 

The governor of Kansas offered a reward of $2000 (a large sum of money at that time) to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the Benders, but nobody ever claimed it. The Bender’s shack was then broken up. People took pieces of it as souvenirs, and it soon disappeared.

South Sudan

9 July is South Sudan Independence Day. (South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011). Happy Independence Day! 👏

Here Come the Murderers!

Today, I published my first book about true crime. I called it Here Come the Murderers! The price for my new book is £6 (UK pounds). 

Quebec Founded

 Happy birthday Quebec. The city was founded on 3 July 1608.

The condemned Cell

 I found an interesting video about the condemned cell of a Welsh prison 

Waterlooville Video

 11 years ago I made this video about the history of Waterlooville 

Leigh Park

 11 years ago I made this video about the history of Leigh Park 

Latvian Song

 I found a beautiful Latvian song about a midsummer festival 

National Pink Day

 23 June is National Pink Day. Here is a bit about the history of pink. 

Gussie Moran

 On 20 June American tennis player Gertrude 'Gussie' Moran caused a sensation at Wimbledon when she wore a short skirt that revealed her frilly panties. Very daring in 1949! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbNg1v9cuqk

Celebrating Women in Gaming History: Pioneers Who Shaped the Industry

I have uploaded an article about women in gaming history 

Tudor Watches

 19 June is National Watch Day. The first watch was made in Germany c. 1504. In Elizabethan England, they were popular with the nobility. In 1571, Queen Elizabeth I was given a wristwatch as a gift. (At the time, it was called an arm watch). This is my history of clocks. 

Women's Jobs in the Middle Ages

 I found an interesting video about women's jobs in the Middle Ages 

The Origins of Young Earth Creationism

 This fascinating video shows where the idea of Young Earth Creationism really came from. You might be surprised! 

Herbert Rowse Armstrong - The only British solicitor hanged for murder

 Herbert Armstrong was the only British solicitor to be hanged for murder. I wrote this article about him.

Persian Women

 In the Persian Empire the king hired women as labourers, skilled workers and supervisors. They were given rations of food and wine. Female labourers were given less food rations than male ones (not sure why) but female skilled workers were given the same. Pregnant women were given extra rations.

Facts About Pigs

 Here are some fun facts about pigs 🐖

The Scarlet Shoes

 Chloe Annabel is the mother of two young children. She is also a budding author. She has written a children's book called The Scarlet Shoes 

Gerasim Izmailov and Alaska

 On 11 June 1788 Russian Explorer Gerasim Izmailov reached Yakutat Bay in Alaska

National No Apologies Period Day

 9 June is National No Apologies Period Day. It's a day to destigmatise menstruation.

Treaty of Tordesillas

 On 7 June 1494, Spain and Portugal divided the world between them by the Treaty of Tordesillas. An imaginary line was drawn from Pole to Pole 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands (which are off the west coast of Africa). All newly discovered land west of the land belonged to Spain. All newly discovered land to the east belonged to Portugal.

A History of Women's Rights in Iran

 I found an interesting video: a history of women's rights in Iran

History of Dogs

 I wrote a history of man's best friend, the dog 

History of homosexuality in the Middle East

 I found a very interesting video about the history of homosexuality in the Middle East 

Girl Guides

 Happy birthday, Girl Guides. The organisation was founded in Britain on 31 May 1910. This is a video about them.

Biscuit Day

 29 May is National Biscuit Day. This is my history of biscuits. 

Life in the 1950s

 I wrote an article about life in Britain in the 1950s

World Dracula Day

 26 May is World Dracula Day. (The novel by Bram Stoker was published on 26 May 1897). I love Dracula. 🧛

History of Lesbians

 I wrote a brief history of lesbians. 

Pictures of Bradford on Avon

 Here are some pictures I took of the charming old town of Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire 

A History of Women's Education Video

 Seven years ago, I made this video about the history of women's education 

The Execution of Anne Boleyn

 On 19 May 1536, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was beheaded.

International Boys Day

 16 May is International Boys Day. Let's hear it for boys everywhere!🏈

Nylon Stocking Day

15 May is Nylon Stocking Day. Here is my history of women's underwear.

History of Bread

 I wrote a history of bread 

Were the Tudors really dirty?

 I made a YouTube short: Were the Tudors dirty? It's my first short to get over 1,000 views 

The Assyrian Genocide

 I found an interesting video about the Assyrian genocide 

History of the Post Office

 I wrote a brief history of the Post Office 

Timeline of Surgery

 I wrote a timeline of surgery 

Frilly Knickers History

 I found an interesting article about the history of frilly knickers 

Viking Women

 I wrote a little article about Viking Women 

Happy Mayday

 Happy Mayday! I made a video about the history of Mayday.

The Crimean Slave Trade

 When most people think of the slave trade, they think of the transatlantic slave trade. However, there was another huge slave trade. For hundreds of years, slave traders raided Ukraine and Southern Russia, and slaves were sold in Crimea.

Battle of Hormozdgan

 On 28 April 224 AD, the Sassanids defeated the Parthians at the battle of Hormozdgan in Iran. The Parthians had ruled Iraq and Iran for 400 years. The Sassanids conquered Iraq and Iran and ruled them for 400 years until the Arabs invaded. The Parthians and the Sassanids were both powerful empires. Both were enemies of Rome, and they fought the Romans several times. I heard about an earlier empire, the Persian Empire, when I was young, mostly because they fought the Greeks. But I never heard about the later empires in the region, the Parthians and the Sassanids.

At school, I was taught a very Eurocentric version of history. I was told that the Romans conquered most of the known world, which isn’t true. I was not told that the Roman Empire had powerful rivals, the Parthian Empire, followed by the Sassanid Empire. As I said, I heard about the Persian Empire, but it was a very biased version of history in which the Greeks were the goodies and the Persians were the baddies.

The Sultana Steamship

 On 27 April 1865, a boiler on a steamship called The Sultana exploded. Hundreds of people were killed straight away, but the explosion caused a fire that quickly spread. The ship burned and sank. About 1,800 people died on the Sultana, more than died on the Titanic. The Sultana Disaster Museum. 

Alaska Timeline

 On 3 January 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the USA. This is my timeline of Alaska.

Mayday Video

 I made a video about the history of Mayday 

History of Burlesque

 26 April is World Burlesque Day. This website has a history of burlesque. 

The Great Michael

 In 1512, the Scots launched the Great Michael. At 240 feet long, it was the largest ship afloat. She was much bigger than the Mary Rose. She was named after the Archangel Michael. She was supposed to have oak walls 10 feet thick, so thick that cannonballs could not penetrate them.

However, the Great Michael was too expensive for a poor country like Scotland to run, and in 1514, it was sold to the French. It’s not certain what happened to the Great Michael, but it’s possible she fought against the English at the Battle of the Solent in 1545 under the new name La Grande Nef d’Ecosse (The Great Scottish Nave).