The Mermaid was a large, dilapidated pub in Sparkhill, a working-class neighbourhood 3 miles south of Birmingham city centre. A microcosm of Birmingham, Sparkhill has been shaped by Irish and South Asian immigration and was where pub landlords welcomed teenagers to play weirdo music in the upstairs room. Sparkhill’s a very working-class area. It seemed…
Queen Elizabeth I was an unlikely queen. Although she was the daughter of Henry VIII and born a Tudor princess, she was declared illegitimate at just 2 years old following the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. Following the birth of Henry’s son, the future Edward VI, in 1537, Henry now had the male heir…
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 to 1859) was one of the giants of the Industrial Revolution. Engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel stood in front of the enormous launching chains of the SS Great Eastern in 1857. Source: Public Domain. His originality of thought, extraordinary vision, and risk-taking ushered out the old world of sailing ships and horse-drawn…
The term ‘high street’ has been used for centuries and seems to have been first used in the 12th century, when ‘high’ signalled superior rank or importance. Today, there are over 6,000 high streets in England. From ancient beginnings, they have been the backdrop of communities and, to reflect the changing needs of consumers, their…
The idea of a quintessential village green is a neat grassy area, probably surrounded by old cottages, where fetes and village activities take place. A duck pond, a pub, and an ancient church might be nearby. A war memorial and benches under trees where people can watch the world go by. Boys fishing in the…
Inter-war Britain was obsessed with historical pageants: mammoth theatrical events featuring historical re-enactments. Many of the most successful were helmed by Gwen Lally, the ‘world’s pageant master,’ whose unorthodox gender presentation and meticulous work set her head and shoulders above the rest. A ‘pageant master’ is a person who oversees the production of an entertainment…
During the 16th and 17th centuries, a widespread belief in witches permeated all levels of English society. Witchcraft was initially deemed a capital offence in 1542 during the reign of Henry VIII, only to be repealed 5 years later. Witch fever reached new heights when witchcraft was again classed as a felony in 1563 under…
What does the name ‘King Arthur’ bring to mind for you? Chivalric tales of knights of the Round Table and their ladies? Maybe a Romano-British general beating off Saxon invaders from the continent? Or perhaps a ‘Celtic’ resistance leader? The story of King Arthur has fascinated people for hundreds of years, particularly after medieval versions…
The First World War profoundly impacted life in England from 1914 to 1918, reshaping the home front in countless ways. Life on the home front Food shortages and rationing became the norm, and women took on roles traditionally held by men, becoming engineers and working in factories, farms, and offices. Cities and towns faced air…
A castle is a fortified structure built by monarchs and nobility, serving as a residence and a stronghold. Strategically located to control key territories, castles were vital in medieval military and political landscapes. Castles also indicated status and displayed their owners’ wealth and power. While ruined castles can look bleak and inhospitable today, many would…