I wrote a history of the Welsh town of Wrexham
A blog about history and true crime. Historical trivia and stories about true crime.
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Sunday, 18 February 2024
The Well of Loneliness
Lesbianism has never been illegal in England. In 1921 an act to make it illegal was introduced into parliament but it was rejected by the House of Lords. But in 1928 a lesbian novel called The Well of Loneliness was banned in Britain on the grounds it was obscene. It was banned in Britain until 1959. In the USA in 1929 the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice tried to have the book banned but they lost the court case.
Saturday, 17 February 2024
Quacksalver
Why do we call doctors quacks? A quacksalver was a man who sold potions or salves that he claimed could heal diseases. He 'quacked' or made a loud noise about his salves and potions.
Friday, 16 February 2024
Thursday, 15 February 2024
Killed by a Tiger
In 1703 Hannah Twynnoy became the first known person in Britain to be killed by a tiger. It was with a travelling fair and it was chained to a staple in the ground. Twynnoy kept annoying the tiger and eventually, it pulled up the staple and mauled her to death.
Sunday, 11 February 2024
Wedding Flower Bouquet
At a wedding, a bride throws a bouquet into the air and according to tradition the woman who catches it will be the next to get married. It was once thought that touching the bride would bring good luck. People also tried to rip off pieces of her dress to bring them luck.
Throwing the bouquet into the air began as a way of distracting the crowd. People thought if you caught the bouquet she carried it would pass on her luck to you. In time, that meant that you would be the next to get married.