The Rutland of Jutland – WW1 Flying Ace to WW2 traitor

There aren’t many things that connect WW1 Battle of Jutland to The Beatles and Pearl Harbor but if such things float your boat then this post is for you and it is all about a man called Frederick Rutland. Rutland’s 300-page FBI dossier describes an almost James Bond type figure “Square jaw; well poised; highly… Continue reading The Rutland of Jutland – WW1 Flying Ace to WW2 traitor

James Sharman – Photo of a man who fought with Lord Nelson

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. Maybe like myself you managed to squeeze in your 50th birthday on the 28th December. Whilst on my way to work a few days ago I found this wonderful old photo which caught my eye. This is the only known photograph of James Sharman. He was… Continue reading James Sharman – Photo of a man who fought with Lord Nelson

Top 10 Movies of 2023

Some years I do a TV and Movies countdown and some I pick one or the other. This year it’s going to be my favourite films of 2023 though it must be said I really enjoyed the recent Boat Story, The Tourist and the incredible Happy Valley… plus Doctor Who has been great too. I went… Continue reading Top 10 Movies of 2023

Where Little Dorrit slept – A secret spot of Dickensian London

Most peoples experiences of London are packed tube trains, busy shops, bright lights and crowds of people. Mine always seem to be very different and I often feel like I am living in a Charles Dickens story. Walking around quiet lanes or alleys, church bells ringing as random people shout out greetings as I run various errands.… Continue reading Where Little Dorrit slept – A secret spot of Dickensian London

Christmas trees of London

As I posted last week on the most famous Christmas Tree, the one being in Trafalgar Square, I thought I might put up a few photos of some of my favourite ones I’ve seen in public spaces in London this year. Of course there are hundreds of Christmas trees on display in London, possibly thousands… Continue reading Christmas trees of London

Raising a Hue and Cry

Even in the modern world with a trained police force it can be hard to catch criminals Centuries ago life was so much more vulnerable in many ways and there was a greater sense of community and with much fewer in the way of state assets. In medieval England, the best arrangement was the so-called… Continue reading Raising a Hue and Cry

Digging up patients from a medieval hospital

Last week news broke on the results of a study which was set up after the discovery of a medieval cemetery in Cambridge a few years ago that just happens to have been active during the Black Death. It is thought that London possibly suffered the worth mortality rate in the world from the Black… Continue reading Digging up patients from a medieval hospital

The History of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

It is said perhaps to be the most famous Christmas tree in the world and in London marks the run-in to Christmas. Every year, since 1947, the people of Norway have given the people of London a Christmas tree which finds its home in Trafalgar Square. This gift is in gratitude for Britain’s support for… Continue reading The History of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree