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).

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

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. 

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.

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.

Battle of Crecy

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.  

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?

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.