The Heart of Midlothian by Sir Walter Scott 'On the day when the unhappy Porteous was expected to suffer the sentence of the law, the place of execution, extensive as it is, was crowded almost to suffocation.' Edinburgh 1737: Captain John Porteous, King's officer, is confined in the Tolbooth prison for firing on a crowd …
Category: British History
Witches and Castles
"There shall not be found among you anyone who practises divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or necromancer.' The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham by Tony Riches History and historians have been unkind to women, giving them at best a minor role, at worst demonising them and even, …
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett A Review My choice of title has nothing to do with the Robert Wise classic sci-fi film of 1951, or indeed the inferior remake of 2008. Instead, it refers to the day - 22nd November 1963 - when the world was rocked with the news that US President John …
The Last of the Mitfords
Debo - An Obituary Deborah Vivien Mitford Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, who died a few days ago at 94, was according to common opinion, one of the nicest of the six Mitford sisters. Only Pamela, the quiet, private sister can be regarded as her equal in that respect. I never met any of them …
Better Together!
Scottish Independence Entzwei' und gebiete! Tüchtig Wort; Verein' und Leite! Bess'rer Hort. (JW von Goethe 1749-1832) Goethe's words, roughly translating into English as 'Unite and lead is a much better cry than divide and rule', have been much quoted during the past two hundred years. The motto is not one, it …
Lost Edinburgh
"In growing from a huddle of huts round a fortress on a volcanic rock into an international and cosmopolitan city, Edinburgh has had to change." Not only is Edinburgh one of my favourite cities but it's one I thought I knew really well - that is, until I picked up the book my sister gave …
Mataoka's Last Journey
'Tis enough that the child liveth.' Rebecca's Tale (Part Three) by Andrew G Lockhart Wahunsenacawh did not attend his daughter’s wedding. Instead, he sent a brother-in-law and two nephews ‘to see the manner of the mariage and to doe in that behalfe what they were requested'. According to some accounts, he also sent Mataoka a …
'for the good of this plantation'
'... Pokahuntas. To whom my hartie and best thoughts are ...' Rebecca's Tale (Part Two) by Andrew G Lockhart Heacham is a holiday resort in the county of Norfolk. Situated on the shores of the Wash, it is the English centre of lavender farming and distilling, and boasts 100 acres under cultivation. The village was …
From Jamestown to Gravesend
'... the Kings most dear and well-beloved daughter ...' Rebecca's Tale (Part One) by Andrew G Lockhart Somewhere in a quiet churchyard in Gravesend, on the south bank of the River Thames, lie the remains of a young woman called Rebecca Rolfe. Gravesend dates back to ancient times. It has its own entry in the …
The Road to Fotheringhay
In the Footsteps of a Queen by Andrew G Lockhart Fotheringhay hides its past well. The village comprises a few dwellings, a charming hostelry and an historic church. The River Nene meanders through its fields on the way from the Grand Union Canal at Northampton to the North Sea. From time to time, a narrow …
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