History
Guy Fawkes Day in Colonial Boston
November 5, 1765″This was the anniversary of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, in which Guy Fawkes figured, in 1605. Pope’s day, however, originated in 1558, on the accession of Queen Elizabeth. At first, the Pope and the Devil were the only pageants, but it afterwards became somewhat changed. These…
Halloween and Pagans
Yet again, people with good intentions are out on the walking mall trying to save the souls of Halloween celebrants. And once again I have to laugh.Because Wiccans don’t celebrate Halloween.Wiccans and pagans in the Celtic tradition celebrate Samhain (most commonly pronounced Sow (ow as in ouch) – inn). This…
Historical Truth
In the professional world of historians, there is some debate over the presence of truth in history. (For those of you who are students of history, this concept will come as no surprise.)The idea is, other than dates of events, all else is filtered through the person relating the fact….
Witch Hunt
A group of females start identifying witches in their village. A fearful mob seizes the accused and tortures them. There are underlying suspicions that the accused women may have been targeted for their land and money.Salem in 1692?Or India in 2009?From BBC NEWS:”Five women were paraded naked, beaten and forced…
Emigrants’ death voyage recalled
This photo and the quotes below are from BBC NewsThis is an interesting little corner of Highland emigration history. I’ve read about the emigration to Canada and the US, but I had not read of this. St. Kilda is a small, remote island, the westernmost of the Outer Hebrides. Today…
Prince Albert’s Prince Albert
From the Archives:Yes, we’re back to piercing again. This is sort of a tangent off of my Victorian Breast Piercing Research – it’s male piercing. If you don’t know what a Prince Albert piercing is … try Wikipedia.You will find many websites – and even books – declaring that this…
More on Victorian Nipple Piercing
From the Archive:Okay, I’ve found another book that mentions the “bosom ring” – it says that Victorian English women would go to France to get their nipples pierced.This book is from the same era (1970s) as the other book that referenced Victorian nipple-piercing. It does not contain any direct quote…
Victorian Nipple Piercing
From the Archives:That got your attention, right? I’ve been off doing research for a Victorian short story I’m writing. I luuvvvv doing research. This is one of the books I read. Tell me what you think:A history of make-up by Maggie AngeloglouMy reviewrating: 4 of 5 starsI really liked this…