In the time between World War I and World war II, the world wrestled with enormous questions - can Capitalism survive? Is Democracy desirable? How do we cope in a world that is filled with possibilit...
I started a new writing project, still in the planning stage. Its set during the Thirty Years War and for the first time, being Swedish is actually good, because there is a wealth of material in Swed...
Long time ago, I wrote a blogpost for another blog about warm, alcoholic beverages. Since I recently found myself discussing this topic, I dug out this old post and rewrote a bit. It does reference c...
Lucia celebration in SwedenIf you’re ever in Sweden around Christmas, you’ll likely get acquainted with a peculiar Christmas tradition – the celebration of St. Lucia on Dec 13. Its a tradition that, ...
Because its finally December and we need to get jolly (and because I have a terrible sense of humor) Im posting a Christmas video I made over at JibJab, featuring a bunch of historical people (click ...
In 1611, Randle Cotgrave published a French-English dictionary. It must have been fairly popular because there was apparently a second edition in 1632. The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1...
In the year 1754, William Pitt (who was later to be known as "the Elder") suffered several disappointments. His career wasnt really going anywhere and his health, never very good, failed him,...
This is Blenheim Palace, the impressive heap of stone constructed for John, 1st Duke of Marlborough, by Vanbrugh. Like Sarah, the first Duchess, I think its rather unattractive, but you have to hand ...
"Upon Complaint made to this House, That there is such an Interruption, by Hackney Coaches, Carts, Drays in King-street, and the Passages in The Old Palace Yard in Westmr, that the Lords and othe...
The court of Louis XIV was ordered according to a very strict hierarchy. At the very top was, naturally, the monarch himself, and right below him "the children of France"; i.e. the children o...
The exterior of Drottningholms slottsteaterOutside of Stockholm, youll find the royal domain of Drottningholm, which is the residence of the king and queen of Sweden. I often go there to walk i...
I take a lot of pictures. Two birds passing over Vadstena Castle, built in the 16th centurySome of them are of historical places and buildings. Highgate Cemetary, LondonOthers are of random...
I used to blog pretty regularly. Then Big Stuff happened and I had to prioritise which meant that this blog more or less died. Now, when things are slowly improving, I hope to be able to ease back in...
"At his house at Walcot-place, Lambeth, in his 85th year, the celebrated Jn. Broughton, whose skill in boxing is well known, and will ever be recorded in the annals of that science. He was origin...
The hall at Jesus College, Oxford. Thats Lawrence of Arabia and the legs of Charles I (I think). A while back I was in Oxford (as evident from my previous post). While I was there, I went on a ...
I recently stumbled over a bizarre incident in the Annual Register for 1761. It took place on May 4, 1761 and is told like this:"A little after two oclock the people on the Royal Exchange were mu...
Ive been away and busy and all that over the summer, but I hope to return to regular blogging soon.Meanwhile, enjoy these picture of the north quadrangle at All Souls in Oxford, built by Nicholas Haw...
”Liberty, like other good and bad principles, can never be taught the people but when it is taught them by faction. The mob will never sing lilibullero but in opposition to some other mob.”Letter fro...
Peg Plunkett, aka Mrs. Leeson, was a rather infamous Dublin courtesan, born in 1727. There are many stories told about her - many of which are recounted by herself in her Memoirs, published 1795-1797...
Sometimes you stumble over the most amazing stories by mistake. I found this, looking for mundane comments on the political going-ons of 1762 and was immediately intrigued."Whereas a lady, who ca...
At the coronation of George III in September 1761, part of the festivities was a challenge issued by a champion knight against anyone who would contest the kings right. He was supposed to be ac...
I read a lot of costuming blogs and one of my absolute favorites is Diary of a Mantua Maker, which contains a lot of in-depth and useful info on a variety of topics relating to 18th century fashion (...
Why today: On June 27, 1743, George took part in the Battle of Dettingen, thereby becoming the last British monarch to personally led his troops into battle.Name: GeorgeClass: KingLived: 1683 - 1760A...
Westminster Bridge, around 1750 (retrieved from Wikipedia)"It is enacted by 9 Geo. 1. c. 29. f. 6. for preventing the wilful and malicious damaging or destroying Westminster-bridge, or any ...
Recently, someone asked about mitts. Now, 18th century mitts are not to be confused with modern mittens. A mitt, essentially, is "a womans glove that leaves the fingers uncovered" (definition...
The Swedish Count Axel von Fersen, who died on June 20, 1810, lived an extraordinary life. He took part in the American Revolutionary War – among other things he served as an interpreter between Wash...
"A jocular name given by the French to Englishmen, who, as many of them suppose, cannot exist without roast beef, plum pudding and punch; which liquor they term contradiction, from being compound...
Dental hygiene in the 18th century wasnt always top-notch. Not only did teeth decay from cavities, but they were also lost for other reasons, such as periodontitis and scurvy. In fact, losing your te...
"In good roast-beef my landlord sticks his knife, The capon fat delights his dainty wife, Pudding our parson eats, the squire loves hare, But white-pot thick is my Buxomas fare. While she loves w...
"To be sold by Mr. HutchinsA very neat complete Villa, with excellent Officies, a new-built Coach-house, Stable for Seven Horses, new Colt-house, Cart-house, Cow-house for four Cows, Poultry Yard...
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