The Chantry Chapel of St Mary Magdalene at Norbiton was founded by Edward Lovekyn in 1309 and is known locally as the Lovekyn Chapel. It is the oldest complete building in Kingston Upon Thames and is Grade 2 listed. It underwent numerous renovations before it received listed status in 1927. It is also the one remaining free-standing chantry chapel in England. The Chapel is small, … Continue reading Lovekyn Chapel
Originally posted on HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany:
HistorianRuby invites you all to participate in a blog trip of your choice! You don’t like history? Really? You may be surprised at how many ways we can consume history – if you’re not sure, take a look at my post The Many Ways to Consume History. Did you stop to look at that statue that had a… Continue reading You’re all Welcome to Join HistorianRuby on a Trip to the Museum!
Two weekends in September offer the chance to discover history for free! Heritage Open Days 2018 is this weekend 6-9 September AND next weekend 13-16 September. Explore what’s going on in your area and don’t miss out! ‘Every September some 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new … Continue reading Heritage Open Days 2018: Don’t Miss Out
HistorianRuby invites you all to participate in a blog trip of your choice! You don’t like history? Really? You may be surprised at how many ways we can consume history – if you’re not sure, take a look at my post The Many Ways to Consume History. Did you stop to look at that statue that had a bird on its head? Did it make you … Continue reading You’re all Welcome to Join HistorianRuby on a Trip to the Museum!
While out this weekend, I happened across some unusual postboxes. I used to go out specifically to find rare postboxes, but I’ve enough to occupy myself these days and have retired that hobby. The first unusual postbox I found was the below example of a George VI lamp box that would have been cast sometime during the period of his reign, 1936 to 1952. Lamp … Continue reading Two Ludlows and a Lamp Box
Freemasons to share its history Later this month, the Freemasons will open an exhibition to showcase their impressive collection of jewels, which includes items bequeathed to them by King Edward VII. The Freemasons, once so secretive, have tried to dispel myths surrounding their membership in recent months and this further permission to explore rarely seen pieces is as enticing as it is fascinating. For someone … Continue reading In the News: Museum of Freemasonry Opens its Doors
September has started as August did, with HistorianRuby being away from home! I’m not sure of the history I’ll encounter, but I’ll keep you informed. In the meantime, enjoy this snap of a churchyard I came across yesterday – and was easily tempted to explore. FYI the sheep looked at me, not at all perturbed that I was entering their domain, and carried on eating … Continue reading September Snap: The Churchyard
In my post Suffragettes – Pictures say a Thousand Words, I touched on the subject of Edwardian propaganda. The battle (as at times it was a battle) for women to achieve the vote, is remembered this centenary year of the Representation of the People Act which permitted some women who met property rules, the right to vote. Suffragists, like Millicent Fawcett, used diplomacy and law-abiding methods to … Continue reading Using Postcards for History: Suffragettes
The National Wallace Monument at Abbey Craig, Stirling, Scotland, holds a commanding place within sight of Stirling Bridge, where, in 1297, William Wallace’s army defeated King Edward I’s English invaders. It sits majestically high up on a hill, visible from the motorway below, and peers out from above the trees. It was designed by architect J T Rochead, whose design came first in a national … Continue reading The National Wallace Monument, Stirling
I recently visited the churchyard of Dunblane Cathedral. Although a Sunday afternoon, I wasn’t compelled to explore inside and concentrated on walking around the outside of the building and thought I’d share a few photos of my all-too-brief visit. The church dates back to the twelveth century and is overseen by Historic Scotland. It is the parish church of Dunblane and is of the Church of Scotland … Continue reading The Churchyard of Dunblane Cathedral
Originally posted on HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany:
Thirty-two years after being built, Walton Prison in Liverpool witnessed its first execution. On 14 March 1887, Elizabeth Berry suffered the ignominy of being the first prisoner and one of only two women to be executed there. The execution chamber was hastily built. It appears that a reprieve for the prisoner was expected and when this was… Continue reading Walton Prison’s First Execution: Elizabeth Berry, Serial Poisoner?
I recently visited Aberdeen, and one of the places that drew me in was the Kirkyard of St Nicholas. I have a slightly odd fascination with cemeteries and love reading the sometimes fascinating inscriptions on gravestones. St Nicholas is the patron saint of Aberdeen, on the north-east coast of Scotland. The site has been used for burials for at least 900 years and was particularly … Continue reading The Kirkyard of St Nicholas, Aberdeen
Originally posted on Woman and her Sphere:
A planning application has been made to Westminster Council to dismantle this statue of Mrs Pankhurst – which stands as close as possible to the Houses of Parliament. The plan is to banish this statue to the grounds of Regent’s University, a private university, in Regent’s Park. See the planning application here. The group behind the application calls… Continue reading Suffrage Stories: Save Mrs Pankhurst’s Statue
A Lost Elizabethan* Ring An English metal detectorist literally struck gold when searching a Somerset field. Last year he found a gold ring that has been dated to between 1550 and 1650. After being registered as treasure, it was examined by the British Museum and has since been offered for sale. However, with no museums wishing to purchase it, it will be auctioned next month. … Continue reading In the News: Elizabethan Ring Found and Henry VIII Portrait Dated Using Dendrochronology
Lawrence Beesley was a second-class passenger on the ill-fated Titanic, the White Star Line Liner that sank on its maiden voyage on 15 April 1912. A Cambridge-educated teacher, he had recently resigned his post as science master at Dulwich College, London. He was travelling to America for an extended holiday and had aimed to visit his brother who was residing in Canada. Within weeks of … Continue reading Titanic Survivor Lawrence Beesley: the Day of the Disaster
This blog is a selection of interesting things I've come across during my history research. I have a wide interest in history ranging from Wars of the Roses, country houses, Stuarts, Georgians, Louis XIV, Napoleon and criminals. So expect to see a bit of everything on here, with a focus on little known stories.
Sharing recipes, DIYs and lifestyle tips
The ramblings and obsessions of a longtime Avon lady
The Home Of T-Bird From The Dork Web.
Mind • Body • Life
Adventures in motherhood, fitness, youth hockey & corporate America
Genealogy, Family history, and Whatnot
Piecing together my family history . . .
Stories of immigrants, expatriates and family evolution
Family and local stories and history, favorite books
Discover and re-discover Mexico’s cuisine, culture and history through the recipes, backyard stories and other interesting findings of an expatriate in Canada
History and Travel Blog
Eats plants
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'a lesbian with a lot of opinions' - my friends and family (probably) xx
aka Helene Harrison, Author and Historian
Tonight I Dream. Tomorrow I Do!
Exploring historical thoughts and themes, a bit at a time.
HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany 