Blogs about History

Series, sequels and spin-offs are at the centre of the modern media landscape. But our literary culture has a rich history of continuation and narrative transformation, in particular when it concerns the medieval romance tradition.

My student Kris Stinson will be defending his dissertation at the end of the semester. Here is the formal announcement: The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to announce the following dissertation defense: …

If you have ever walked around the financial district you would have almost certainly have seen St Mary Woolnoth church. It sits in a prominent position, at the corner of Lombard Street and King William …

A guest post by LH Member Lissa Chapman. This article first appeared in London Historians Members’ Newsletter of February 2017. Anne Boleyn’s coronation was an immensely significant, and highly controversial public event planned to an …

The most eye-catching building along Southwark Street is a glorious sweep of white and blue columns, the Hop Exchange. Dating from 1866, its details and story give a fascinating insight into the history of the …

I quit the old bird site last December, and I’ve been a happy Mastodon user instead ever since. Nonetheless, I’ve recently begun dalliances with Threads and Bluesky. I’m not looking for greener pastures, but I’m …

In medieval England, land was conventionally held in return for either rent (in the form of money or other items) or service (acts performed by one party to the other). These items could range from …

A couple of weeks ago I said on social media that I would blog about the very earliest origin of the plagiarism accusations against Carla Rossi, so here it is.In several of her many attempts …

Happy 2024, everyone! I don’t know if there’s some symbolism behind this year’s J.C. Leyendecker New Year’s baby that I’m missing, or if it’s just a baby knight riding a mechanical horse and using a …

A few weeks ago, the database publisher Gale organised an online symposium on the archives of social movements called ‘Power to the People‘. I took part with a talk on online radical archives. You can …

Hi,I read this morning, with great interest, your Old Deptford History, very good, so much information. My reason for looking on your site was because I am starting a novel which begins in Deptford High …

There’s a scene early in the new film Civil War that probably won’t strike many people as weird, but it stuck out to me like a sore thumb. Journalists are sitting in the lobby of …

Source: Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano (Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1962 [orig. 1947]), pp. 30-32 Text: He stood, out of breath, under the shelter of the theatre entrance which was, however, more like the entrance to …

At dusk I am standing in front of the Staatsbibliothek with two large bags of loan books on my shoulders. I’m looking on my mobile which bus comes first. I hear a shy voice behind …

March always seems to be a slower month for history books for some reason that I can't entirely fathom, but there's enough to be getting on with! I've shared a few notes below on a …

In 1927, a pair of lurid “translations” appeared in English, marketed as authentic tales by Giovanni Boccaccio and illustrated with supposedly new works by Aubrey Beardsley. Jonah Lubin and Maria Laurids Lazzarotti search for the …

Nestled in northeastern France, Alsace is a region steeped in a rich and complex history, often serving as a cultural crossroads between France and Germany. This unique position is reflected in its hearty cuisine, charming …

It is quite common that people get asked what they think is the most import development in technology or the most significant technological invention in human history. Apart from the ubiquitous wheel, which is almost …

What follows are “Useful Directions to Epicures,” published in the (New York) Weekly Museum. The publication’s motto was: “Here Justice with her balance sits, and weighs impartially the deeds of men.” (The word “Museum” was …

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom carved its niche as a riveting piece of film history, captivating audiences with its daring escapades and dark undertones. Released in 1984, this sequel to the iconic Raiders …