The National Gallery, London: Early Renaissance Art

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting The National Gallery, London. I explored the Sainsbury Wing which houses their awe-inspiring Early Renaissance paintings. I was enthralled by their treasures on display, some of which were 700 years old! The above is a fragment from the Chapter House of the Sienese church of San Francesco. This depiction of serene nuns is one of my favourite … Continue reading The National Gallery, London: Early Renaissance Art

HistorianRuby04/05/201805/05/20189 Comments

History

Pictures of History: Rosslyn Chapel

Welcome to the second in my new Pictures of History series! Over the years I’ve visited many historic locations and taken lots of photos alongside other visitors. I was a little reluctant to share my experiences of these fascinating sites as various amounts of time has passed and potentially exhibits may have been updated. However, feedback from other bloggers indicated their interest and so Pictures … Continue reading Pictures of History: Rosslyn Chapel

HistorianRuby02/05/201831/05/201812 Comments

20th Century, History

Thoughts on George VI

George VI became King of the United Kingdom and the dominions of the British Commonwealth in December 1936 when his elder brother abdicated after only 326 days on the throne. He became known as the reluctant king. Never primed for the ‘top job’, it wasn’t certain that he would excel in the role and there was a suggestion that the crown should bypass him and … Continue reading Thoughts on George VI

HistorianRuby01/05/201825/09/20189 Comments

20th Century, History, Women's History

London’s Millicent Fawcett Statue: the First Female Representation in Parliament Square

One hundred years ago Britain passed the Representation of the People Act which gave certain women over the age of thirty the right to vote. Women, and some men, had fought for years for suffrage equality but it took until towards the end of World War One before this was achieved. This week a statue was unveiled of the suffragist campaigner Millicent Garrett Fawcett in Parliament … Continue reading London’s Millicent Fawcett Statue: the First Female Representation in Parliament Square

HistorianRuby28/04/201827/05/20187 Comments

Blogging, History

Your Thoughts Required: ‘Guest Posts’ on Blogs

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve wondered how I can keep up with the pace of writing articles for 2 – 3 posts a week. Including this post I have published 16 articles in April and I’ve two scheduled for May. I’ve increased my output a lot since I started blogging again back in October. I’ve really enjoyed increasing my frequency of posting and I’ve … Continue reading Your Thoughts Required: ‘Guest Posts’ on Blogs

HistorianRuby27/04/201825/05/20189 Comments

History

Pictures of History: Alnwick Castle

Welcome to my new series! Over the years I’ve visited many historical sites and snapped lots of photos alongside other visitors, but I’ve been loath to share my experiences since time has passed and exhibits may have changed. However, feedback from other bloggers said I was wrong, therefore I thought my readers would enjoy seeing some of my favourite pictures from my exploits around the … Continue reading Pictures of History: Alnwick Castle

HistorianRuby25/04/201831/05/201826 Comments

Blogging

A Blogging Experiment and a Domain Name

In the last six months my blog has grown gaining many new readers and (I assume) some of my original 40-odd followers are no longer blogging. Indeed, initially enthusiastic, after three months I failed to blog for fourteen whole months! But I had a couple of early posts that proved popular with internet searches and thus my blog was not exactly dormant (even though I … Continue reading A Blogging Experiment and a Domain Name

HistorianRuby21/04/201825/05/201819 Comments

18th Century, History

More from the Philanthropic Society

In my recent post the Philanthropic Society I introduced you to ten-year-old George Lefoy the first ‘subject’, as the children of the Philanthropic Society were called. In this article I give you Thomas Mitchell and Nicholas Sweetman, subjects number two and three. Children admitted into the Society’s Reform were the offspring of the criminal classes or those destitute and in need of rescuing from penury … Continue reading More from the Philanthropic Society

HistorianRuby17/04/201827/07/20192 Comments

18th Century, History

The Philanthropic Society

My Master’s dissertation was a study of the Philanthropic Society founded in the late eighteenth century. Having changed computers since my original research, with the majority of it lost, I was thrilled to come across this photograph in my ‘old’ emails. The Philanthropic Society was founded in London in 1788 and its mission was to resolve the problem of homeless and criminal children. It was … Continue reading The Philanthropic Society

HistorianRuby16/04/201827/07/20191 Comment

17th Century, 18th Century, History

History of Early Actresses

Professional theatre had to be recreated after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, for during the Interregnum period most forms of theatre had ceased, Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan government had closed theatres in 1642. The first actress appeared on the London stage in 1660. Subsequently, Charles II issued a royal warrant in 1662 stating that henceforth ‘women rather than boy actors were to play … Continue reading History of Early Actresses

HistorianRuby15/04/201815/04/20186 Comments

18th Century, Academic Research, History

Why was the Perception of the Actress and the Prostitute Interchangeable in the Eighteenth Century?

Introduction During the eighteenth century, the social standing of the actress and the prostitute was targeted by moral reformers and satirical authors. The moral reformer targeted actresses for criticism ‘as their actions and speech on stage were considered immodest.’ The satirical author was interested in publishing any related scandal that surrounded the actress. Historians have argued that ‘either sort of author could criticise an actress … Continue reading Why was the Perception of the Actress and the Prostitute Interchangeable in the Eighteenth Century?

HistorianRuby14/04/201813/04/20181 Comment

History

Edinburgh Castle: a Brief Visit

In weather not so surprising for April in Scotland, I visited Edinburgh Castle earlier this week on a cold day that was mostly drenched in fine rain. Edinburgh Castle sits high at the top of an extinct volcano that boasts impressive views on a clear day. There has been a castle on this site since the twelfth century and it was the home of the … Continue reading Edinburgh Castle: a Brief Visit

HistorianRuby12/04/201801/07/20186 Comments

20th Century, History

Titanic: Before the Disaster

Titanic was the largest moving object in the world at the time; a sixth of a mile long and 175 feet high, with eleven decks and a maximum speed of 23 knots she was the epitome of style and class. She set sail from Southampton, England, on 10 April 1912, bound for New York. There were numerous first class suites on Titanic, but the four … Continue reading Titanic: Before the Disaster

HistorianRuby10/04/201810/04/201813 Comments

Blogging, History

Sourcing History for Blogging: Research Without Leaving the House

What inspires me to write an article for my history blog? The answer could be anything. A phrase, a book, watching a film, a TV programme, a memory or possibly a newspaper article. I work away from home a lot and so need resources that can inform when at home or staying in a hotel. Here I take a look at some of my blog … Continue reading Sourcing History for Blogging: Research Without Leaving the House

HistorianRuby09/04/201825/05/20183 Comments

17th Century, History

Mayflower Passenger Pilgrim Father William Mullins Lived Here

On a trip to Dorking, Surrey, I came across this plaque commemorating the home of Pilgrim Father William Mullins. He lived at 58 West Street and it is the only surviving home of a Pilgrim Father. The building dates from the late sixteenth century. Mullins bought it with a mortgage in 1612 and sold it in 1619. He ran a successful shoe shop and was … Continue reading Mayflower Passenger Pilgrim Father William Mullins Lived Here

HistorianRuby07/04/201807/04/20187 Comments