I’ve had an interest in the English Civil War for some time, but have never really got to grips with it, that is until this Christmas when I received a really good book on the subject. As far as actual battles go, London, or to be exact it’s suburbs only had two. The Battle of… Continue reading Hide and Seek in Moorgate
Tag: History
Ham Yard, an apt setting
Philanthropy at Christmas comes in many forms whether it is sending money to an appeal, donating to a food bank or possibly even volunteering to serve Christmas dinner to those who find themselves homeless. I’m afraid I can only own up to one of these and its not the last one. I came across a… Continue reading Ham Yard, an apt setting
“Why was the Snowman sorting through the carrots?”
The answer can only be found in one place and that is the inside of a Christmas cracker, for it is one of the many terrible jokes that have become a festive institution. What has the Christmas cracker and a rather hideous drinking fountain have in common? No not another one, this is a fact… Continue reading “Why was the Snowman sorting through the carrots?”
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting…..stolen!
I came across a seasonal tale recently, one that Charles Dickens if he’d been alive at the time might have woven into one of his stories about the metropolis. It’s a tale with a lesson, one that warns against greed during the festive season. It also goes to show that as today Christmas to some… Continue reading Christmas is coming, the goose is getting…..stolen!
Seasons Greetings
Not a flake of snow or a plump robin to be seen in the picture above, but this grand building in Chancery Lane is probably the birth place of the modern Christmas card. Whether you like them or not, Christmas cards are a part of the season. They may feel like they’ve been around forever,… Continue reading Seasons Greetings
Marguerite Alibert, Maggie Meller, Marguerite Laurent, and Princess Fahmy
This is a story despite the title about one person. Marguerite Marie Alibert was born on 9 December 1890, in Paris to Firmin Alibert, a coachman, and Marie Aurand, a housekeeper. When she was sixteen she gave birth to a daughter, Raymonde, the father unknown and after a few months left the child with her parents… Continue reading Marguerite Alibert, Maggie Meller, Marguerite Laurent, and Princess Fahmy
Political Assassination in Belgravia
Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes Wilson was one of the most senior British Army staff officers of the First World War and was briefly an Irish unionist politician. Wilson served as Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley, and then as Director of Military Operations at the War Office. He played a large part in drawing up plans to deploy the British Expeditionary Force to France… Continue reading Political Assassination in Belgravia
Argyll Robertson Pupils
It’s a chilly mid morning in November 1883 and you have just sat down at the table to enjoy a morning coffee in your flat at number ten Greek Street, Soho. The table is next to the first floor window and looks out onto the busy street. Engrossed in the periodical you’re reading you are… Continue reading Argyll Robertson Pupils
Cobblers! No it’s a true story
This year saw the 356th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. The whole event is shrouded in misinformation, untruths and supposition. What the fire did is pretty well documented, but how it affected the lives of those that lived through it is more difficult to come by. I recently came across a story of… Continue reading Cobblers! No it’s a true story
Face
One Word Sunday The Seven ages of man monologue in William Shakespeare’s play ‘All the World’s a Stage’ depicts the Seven stages of mankind, and is the inspiration for this 22-foot high cast aluminium Sculpture by Richard Kindersley, located near Blackfriars underground station.The Post office commissioned the sculpture in 1980 for its Baynard House building. The… Continue reading Face
A LONDON MISCELLANY 