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. 

Werewolves

 In the 16th and 17th centuries, many people believed that human beings people could use witchcraft to transform themselves into animals, including wolves. Being a werewolf was punishable by death. In France, Germany, and other parts of Europe, a number of men were convicted of being werewolves and executed. The first known case was a Frenchman in 1521. The last known case was in 1691 when 1691 a Latvian named Theiss confessed to being a werewolf. But Theiss was lucky. He was only sentenced to 20 lashes.

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.

Ruth Ellis

 I wrote about Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain 

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. 

The Acid Bath Murderer

John George Haigh, the acid bath murderer, was hanged on 10 August 1949. 

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

 I wrote about Burke and Hare. They are sometimes called graverobbers. In fact, they didn't; they killed people and then sold the victims' bodies to surgeons for dissection.

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.

Fanny Adams

 I wrote about Fanny Adams, an 8-year-old girl who was the victim of a horrific murder in Alton, Hampshire in 1867 

The Bloody Benders

 I wrote about the Bloody Benders, a family of murderers in Kansas in the 1870s

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 Rowse Armstrong was the only British solicitor to be hanged for murder. He was hanged on 31 May 1922. Armstrong poisoned his wife with arsenic. He attempted to poison another solicitor. That's one way to deal with the competition. Fortunately, the other solicitor was suspicious, and tests proved he had been poisoned.

At first, it was thought that Mrs Armstrong had died of natural causes, but her body was exhumed, and it was found to contain poison. The police found Armstrong had small amounts of arsenic conveniently wrapped in sachets of paper. Armstrong claimed he was planning to use the arsenic to kill weeds in his garden. The jury was not impressed.

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).

National Lingerie Day

 25 April is National Lingerie Day. This is my history of women's underwear. 

Bass Fishing

A history of bass fishing

Sitka, Alaska

  I wrote a brief history of the town of Sitka, Alaska. It's a really nice town to visit and it has an interesting history.

Happy St Georges Day

 A happy St Georges Day to everyone 

Moon Timeline

 I wrote a timeline of the Moon 

Good Friday

 It’s Good Friday. I wondered why it's called that. The word good used to mean holy, so it was Holy Friday. We are not sure why people eat hot cross buns on this day. It used to be the custom to put crosses on all buns and loaves of bread, but the custom died out except for spiced buns eaten on Good Friday.

Blue Umbrella Day

 16 April is Blue Umbrella Day. A day to raise awareness about sexual violence against boys.

The British Fascists

 In 1923, a woman named Miss Rotha Lintorn-Orman founded the first Fascist movement in Britain. At first, she called her organisation the British Fascisti, but she soon changed the name to the British Fascists. Later, in 1932 Oswald Moseley founded the British Union of Fascists.

Many former suffragettes joined the Fascists. A former suffragette named Mary Richardson became head of the women’s section of the British Union of Fascists.

History of Easter Video

 I made a video about the history of Easter 

17th century food

 One year ago I made this video about food and drink in the 17th century 

Purbrook Video

 I made a video about the history of the Hampshire villages of Purbrook and Widley 

St George's Day Video

 I made another video, this time about the history of St George's Day 

Women did work in the past

It's a persistent myth that women in the past did not work. They certainly did. 

History of Iran

 I wrote a brief history of Iran from the Ancient Persian Empire to The Present Day.

A video of Romsey

 Three years ago I made a video about the history of Romsey 

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day to all mothers 💝 This is a history of Mother's Day by Portsmouth Cathedral. 

Corporal Punishment Thailand

 Today, in 2025 Thailand has banned all corporal punishment. So far 68 countries have banned it completely.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

 On 25 March 1911, a fire began at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York. (A shirtwaist was a type of women's blouse). The fire began on the top floors of a building. Some workers could not escape because a door to a stairwell was locked to prevent employee theft. One fire escape collapsed while people were trying to climb down it. Unfortunately, the fire department ladders were not long enough to reach the top floors of the building.

Altogether 146 people died, some of them jumping or falling from windows. After the tragedy, the New York State Legislature formed the Factory Investigating Commission. As a result of their findings, many laws were passed in New York State to improve the safety of factories. Laws were also passed regulating the employment of women and children.

A memorial to those who died was created in 2023.

The Battle of Margate

 On 24 March 1387, the English won a great naval victory at the Battle of Margate. The French were planning to invade England and gathered a large fleet. In a stunning victory, the English sank or captured more than 100 French ships. I had not heard of the Battle of Margate but without it, the French would have invaded England and they would likely have succeeded. So it was an important battle in English history.

Easter Bunny

 I found a video debunking the myth that the Easter Bunny has Ancient Pagan Roots

History of El Salvador

I wrote a short history of the Central American nation of El Salvador

The History of Slot Machines

This is a history of slot machines

Massacre of Jews 1190

 On 16 March 1190, Jews were massacred in Clifford's Tower in York  

Stamshaw

This is my video about the history of Stamshaw in Portsmouth 

Aztec New Year

 12 March 2025 is the Aztec New Year. Happy New Year.

Debunking Day

 11 March is Debunking Day. I made this video debunking myths about the Tudors.

History of Menstruation

I wrote a brief history of menstruation 

Did they empty chamber pots into the street?

 You often hear the myth that people emptied their chamber pots into the street. This man does an excellent job of debunking the myth. 

International Women's Day

 8 March is International Women's Day. I wrote a history of women. 

History of Vietnam

 I wrote a short history of Vietnam. Its economy is booming today and it's well on the way to becoming a rich country.

Dentists Day

6 March is Dentists Day

History of Underwear

 I wrote a history of underwear 

History of Morecambe

 I found this history of the seaside town of Morecambe 

Timeline of Flying

 I wrote a new article, a timeline of flying 

Pictures of Portsmouth

 I made a new article for my website, pictures of Portsmouth 

Pictures of Winchester

 I created a new article, pictures of Winchester

Animal Firsts

 I wrote a little article about some animal firsts 

Lady Jane Grey

 I wrote a biography of Lady Jane Grey, who was queen of England for 9 days in 1553 

More myths about history

 One year ago I made this video about more myths about history 

Myths about the Guillotine

 I made a video about a myth about the guillotine 

History of St Valentine's Day

 I made a video about the history of St Valentine's Day Happy St Valentine's Day.

White Wedding Dresses

 I made a video about white wedding dresses. They are not worn to show virginity.

Rule of Thumb

 I heard this myth again the other day. This myth refuses to die. In the past, a man had a right to beat his wife provided he did not use a stick thicker than his thumb.

There has never been a rule or a law in England that a man is entitled to beat his wife provided he uses a stick no thicker than his thumb. William Blackstone (1723-80) wrote Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-1769). He made no mention of a supposed rule that a stick could be used to hit your wife if it was not thicker than a thumb. So it was never a part of English common law.

We are not certain how the phrase ‘rule of thumb’ arose but it probably came from craftsmen using their thumbs to measure.

Namibia

 I wrote a brief history of Namibia 

Malawi

 This is my history of Malawi 

Jamaica

 I have written a history of Jamaica 

The Cathars

 I wrote a brief history of the Cathars, a religious sect that flourished in southern France in the Middle Ages

Blackpool

 I wrote a brief history of the English seaside town of Blackpool. It's a famous resort. 

Holocaust Memorial Day

27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day. On 27 January 1945, the Russian army liberated Auschwitz concentration camp.

Manchester History

 I wrote a history of the great English city of Manchester 

Liverpool

 This is my history of the English port of Liverpool. It was founded as a town by King John in the early 13th century. 

On Tenterhooks

 Why do say on tenterhooks? After it was woven wool was pounded in a mixture of clay and water to clean and thicken it. This was called fulling. Afterward, the wool was stretched on a frame called a tenter to dry. It was hung on tenterhooks. So if you were very tense, like stretched cloth, you were on tenterhooks.

Where do old sayings come from?

 My video about the origin of old sayings has reached 161,000 views

Sliced Bread

 Sliced bread went on sale in the USA in 1928. The first recorded use of the phrase ‘the best thing since sliced bread’ (or one just like it) was in 1952 when a comedian called Red Skelton said in a newspaper that television was ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread’.

Adverts for sliced bread said it was the greatest thing since wrapped bread (wrapped in waxed paper). So the best thing before sliced bread was wrapped bread.

Deep Wood

 When I was a child I had a book called Deep Wood. It was about talking animals, a badger, an owl, a hedgehog, etc. I loved that book. I thought it was easily as good as Winnie the Pooh but it never got anything like the same fame. It's a shame. It's also a mystery why some books are a big hit and others are not. 🦉Deep Wood was written by Trevor Elleston. It was published in 1945. 🦔

Sumptuary Laws

 On 19 January 1363, King Edward III introduced a sumptuary law. It laid down which types of cloth and fur each class could wear. The laws applied to the middle ranks of society, knights, merchants, and craftsmen. The king didn't want them to get ideas above their station and dress like nobles.

The law didn't mention the poor - since they couldn't afford expensive cloth anyway. Many more sumptuary laws were passed until the time of Elizabeth I in the late 16th century. Most people ignored them.

Medieval Women Doctors

 There were women doctors in the Middle Ages. In 1292 there were 8 registered women doctors in Paris (it was then a town of about 80,000 people). In 1311 women in France were forbidden to practice as surgeons unless they passed an examination in front of master surgeons.

Exeter

 I wrote a history of Exeter. It's a charming and historic town.

Timeline of Executions

 I wrote a timeline of executions 

Facts and Myths about Elizabeth I

 I found an interesting website of facts and myths about Queen Elizabeth I 

Timeline of Railways

 I wrote a timeline of railways 

The Olympic Games

 I wrote a brief history of the Olympic Games 

Selling your wife

 In the 18th century and early 19th century, men in England sometimes sold their wives 

The Tudor Year

 I wrote an article called What Happened on This Day in Tudor History. It's a list of dates during the year and bits of info about what happened on that day.