31 August 1997: the Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

It used to be said that every person could say that they knew where they were when they heard the news that US President, John F Kennedy, had been assassinated. Nowadays, they can say the same about when they heard the news that Diana, Princess of Wales had died after a car crash in a Paris underpass. Diana, Princess of Wales was the former wife … Continue reading 31 August 1997: the Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Liverpool: 812 Years Young Today!

Liverpool, the city that gave us the Liver Birds, The Beatles, Scouse, Ferries ‘Cross the Mersey and you, me, is 812 years old today! Liverpool is forever my home, yet I only lived there for 9 months. I lived in New Brighton (over the water) for 17 years and then in South-West London for another 31 years! However, a trip to Liverpool, a walk along … Continue reading Liverpool: 812 Years Young Today!

Hampton Court Palace: the Georgian Story

The Georgian era began with the death of the last Stuart monarch. Queen Anne died in 1714 without an heir and so the throne passed to 58th in line Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover, who most importantly, was a Protestant. Fifty-seven Catholics were in front of George I in the royal pecking order, but Britain needed a Protestant ruler as the 1701 ‘Act of Settlement’ disqualified … Continue reading Hampton Court Palace: the Georgian Story

Guest Blog: The Citi Manga Exhibition at the British Museum

I’m delighted to share a guest post from Nabilah Roghey! Nabilah studied alongside me and I follow her historical and cultural adventures on Facebook. I saw that she had been to the British Museum last week and asked if she’d like to share her experience on Historian Ruby. What is manga? Manga is a Japanese art form that has its origins in the Handscrolls of … Continue reading Guest Blog: The Citi Manga Exhibition at the British Museum