PERIOD OF HISTORY

The Appeal of 1950’s Cuba

1950's Cuba

The appeal of 1950’s Cuba echos down the decades drawing tourists to the island for decades. Will it change as Cuba embraces the hand held out by the US?

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The Mystery of John Trehearne

John Treherne

A stroll around Southwark Cathedral is a perfect way to escape the bustle of Borough Market. Grand monuments in churches are fascinating, they instantly require our attention but most times we pass on by, content to limit our knowledge to the inscription. But there is a little mystery attached to the monument to John Treherne,…

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Who Was Emma of Normandy?

Queen Emma of Normandy
This entry is part 12 of 12 in the series Intriguing Women
This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Kings of Denmark

Queen Emma, twice Queen of England and gatekeeper to the Norman dynasty, is one of histories most intriguing Medieval women. What was her role in the melee of Viking, Anglo Saxon and Norman rule?

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Gin Act 1751

Gin Act 1751

The Gin Act 1751 is a reminder that drunkenness on the streets is nothing new. London has always been a magnet for people wanting to improve their chances in life.  The early 18th century rural economy was already beginning to creak and groan under the yoke of enclosure and agricultural revolution. More people were seeking…

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The Old Music Halls

Old Music Halls

The old music halls filled the ordinary Victorians with a sense of fun and joy in what might otherwise be a pretty desolate life. Their tenure was to be fairly brief though as music halls gave way to picture houses.

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The Great Seals of England

The Great Seals of England, have been attached to important state documents for hundreds of years but what is the purpose and ceremony behind them?

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Margaret Pole Who Was She?

This entry is part 11 of 12 in the series Intriguing Women

Margaret Pole was an intriguing and complex character. One of the few survivors of the Plantagenet dynasty after the wars of the 15th Century she was executed under the orders of King Henry VIII in 1541, aged sixty seven years old. So what happened to cause this old lady to lose her head? First let’s…

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John Wilkinson Ironmaster

John Wilkinson
This entry is part 12 of 14 in the series Industrial Revolution

John Wilkinson was the ‘Ironmaster’ of the industrial revolution Iron  ran through the veins of John Wilkinson, who was fortunate enough to be born into the heart of the industrial revolution, both literally and figuratively. He was born in 1728, the son of Isaac Wilkinson. He worked in the iron industry at a blast furnace…

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Historic Gold in Old Books

Old Books

A chance find in a charity book store, led to the unexpected discovery of a collection of books that belonged to the late Colin Sorenson. All sorts of books on London containing a few historical golden nuggets.

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