The many abdications and occasional depositions of the Kings of Norway

In 872 various Scandinavian petty kingdoms unified in what would eventually become the kingdom of Norway under their first king, Harald Fairhair. As with many unifications, the first hundred years of their history is littered with depositions and internal conflicts. However, whereas most countries settle into their history, Norway’s line of kings is a rollercoaster… Read More The many abdications and occasional depositions of the Kings of Norway

July 13, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment

‘Just Good Friends’ : The Erasure of LGBTQ+ History feat. 3 Women who weren’t straight

It isn’t often that I open a post with memes but in this instance they’re actually pretty on point. It’s such a common theme in modern history to look back on relationships that clearly weren’t strictly monogamously heterosexual in nature and go to great lengths to explain why it simply couldn’t be true. People who… Read More ‘Just Good Friends’ : The Erasure of LGBTQ+ History feat. 3 Women who weren’t straight

June 29, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment

Creepy History: ‘Based on a True Story…’ Pt II

Once again, I find myself looking into the stories that inspired various horror films as part of my increasingly bad decisions to read weird and unexplainable stuff before trying to sleep. The term ‘based on a true story’ or ‘inspired by true events’ can cover a pretty wide base. It doesn’t necessarily mean the film… Read More Creepy History: ‘Based on a True Story…’ Pt II

June 8, 2021January 25, 2023 Sarah1 Comment

Dancing Bears, Painted Wings: The Mystery of Anastasia and the Romanov Pretenders

In March 1917 Nicholas Romanov, Emperor of Russia abdicated the Imperial throne giving the country’s political power to a provisionally formed Bolshevik government. The Tsar and his family were placed under house arrest while the government decided what to do with them. The family were moved around while plans were made for their future, the… Read More Dancing Bears, Painted Wings: The Mystery of Anastasia and the Romanov Pretenders

May 25, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment

The History of The Spanish Princess: Katherine’s Road to the Crown

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Not so long ago, I was talking about how I was really impressed with The Spanish Princess and how well it dramatized events. I said that it altered ages and compressed events in the name of a good story, but that nothing about it had made my historian lizard… Read More The History of The Spanish Princess: Katherine’s Road to the Crown

May 11, 2021January 25, 2023 Sarah3 Comments

Who went to Prince Phillip’s funeral?

The funeral of an HRH is usually a public spectacle with thousands lining the route and/or gathering in public spaces to pay their respects or leave flowers. The funeral of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh on the 17th April 2021 was an altogether quieter affair due to the global pandemic which hasn’t quite gone away.… Read More Who went to Prince Phillip’s funeral?

April 27, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment

How did the Tudors die?

I decided to do a sort of concise overview of the various deaths that affected the Tudor dynasty. Even though they were the ruling monarchs, the causes of their deaths is often unknown and limited by sixteenth century knowledge of medicine. Most of them died of an illness, or quietly in their sleep, at odds… Read More How did the Tudors die?

April 13, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment

The History of the Spanish Princess: Three deaths and a curse

I really didn’t expect to be enjoying The Spanish Princess nearly as much as I am. I’m not just enjoying the drama but I’m actually living for the way they’ve dramatized history. At the end of each episode comes a disclaimer that events have been dramatized which usually means ‘we’ve taken these historical characters and… Read More The History of the Spanish Princess: Three deaths and a curse

March 30, 2021January 25, 2023 Sarah1 Comment

Why Sybil Ludington wasn’t ‘the female Paul Revere’

On the night of April 18th 1775, Paul Revere rode through the night calling to the people of Boston that, “the British are coming!” Tension had been brewing between American colonists and their British overlords, and in April 1775 British troops moved to disrupt the recently formed ‘Massachusetts Provincial Congress’. Seeing the British arrive, Revere… Read More Why Sybil Ludington wasn’t ‘the female Paul Revere’

March 16, 2021January 25, 2023 Sarah6 Comments

‘The Crown’s Crowns (Season 3 & 4)

I recently wrote a piece about the history of the royal tiaras featured in the first two seasons of The Crown. It turned into one of my longer posts just because Claire Foy, as Queen Elizabeth II, was given a multitude of tiaras and ornaments to wear. By comparison, this will be much shorter, as… Read More ‘The Crown’s Crowns (Season 3 & 4)

March 2, 2021January 25, 2023 SarahLeave a comment