Category: history

Posts predominantly history related.

The terrible murder of Fanny Adams which gives us a phrase we still use today.

Last I wrote about the attempted murder of Victorian Prime Minister Robert Peel that led to the concept that people suffering from extreme mental illness, may not be responsible for their acts. This was a time of great reform in man areas of life and in 1861, a legal milestone, the Offences Against The Person… Continue reading The terrible murder of Fanny Adams which gives us a phrase we still use today.

The fall and rise of St Pancras Clock

Railways have become synonymous with time keeping as their successful operation is measured through following a timetable. Before the railways time was a much more local matter based on the 24hr rotation of the earth resulting in East Anglia being about 5 minutes ahead of London and Bristol being some 12 minutes behind and places… Continue reading The fall and rise of St Pancras Clock

Did a lunatic try to kill a Prime Minister Robert Peel or was it all a cover story?

Most people know Sir Robert Peel as the man who founded the first modern police force in the world, London’s Metropolitan Police.  It must have been a good move as he went on to become Prime Minister, living in the famous 10 Downing Street but little did anyone expect that he would soon be involved… Continue reading Did a lunatic try to kill a Prime Minister Robert Peel or was it all a cover story?

My new St Albans 360 degree Virtual Video Tour

As almost everyone who reads my blog must know, I’m in my 16th month of no tour work or any government support whatsoever so during the winter I started creating video tours in and around London. Virtual Video Tours They are all filmed in a special 360 degree camera which allows you to scroll on… Continue reading My new St Albans 360 degree Virtual Video Tour

Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant

Michael (Mickey) Victor Davies (sometimes mentioned as Davis) was born in Stepney in East London on the 22nd April, 1910. Sadly as a result of some sort of spinal defect, he only grew to the height of 4 feet 6 inches tall and became affectionately known as “Mickey the Midget”. Despite his small statue Mickey became an… Continue reading Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant

67 Hopton Street – an island of antiquity in a sea of modernity

Everyone knows I like to explore all the nooks and crannies in London and find the less well known places and remnants of times past. One such old place is hidden away behind the Southbank and despite almost the whole area being bombed out in the 1940s and since reconstructed, sometimes several times, 67 Hopton… Continue reading 67 Hopton Street – an island of antiquity in a sea of modernity

Practical Georgian Dating Advice from ‘Black Jackie’ Johnson

You know how it is; at best you’ve been living miserably, having minimal social contact and at worst you’ve been Excluded from all help and Shielded at home alone for 16 months.   With some of freedoms tantalisingly close to hand, you might want to look for that special someone. But what happens if if… Continue reading Practical Georgian Dating Advice from ‘Black Jackie’ Johnson

Morton’s Tower at Lambeth Palace

There aren’t too many early Tudor buildings left around these days but Central London has a few.  One of them is within sight of Parliament itself and it’s at one of the palaces that is much less visited than some of its near neighbours. Lambeth Palace is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury… Continue reading Morton’s Tower at Lambeth Palace