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High on a cliff on the Isle of Portland near Weymouth , Dorset (not really an island; it’s joined to the land by a long causeway) stands the battered block of an ancient castle looking out across the waves. It is privately owned, so not accessible for touring , but it is clearly visible from…
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It is said that almost every European, statistically, is descended from Charlemagne, and one of his descendants was Richard III. Here is one of the possible pedigrees from Richard to Charlemagne (as Charlemagne had many children via numerous women, there are likely to be several routes from Richard to him). It’s in three parts –…
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These are probably the first things we think of when we picture mediaeval feasts, although both of them were thought of as tough and difficut to digest. However most great banquets had either one or the other of these, served in full plumage, because they made such an impressive spectacle. They were often served at…
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Polls are always interesting, whether for getting it wrong at General Elections or coming up with figures that take everyone so by surprise that no one believes them. If you go to this link—https://tinyurl.com/5c64bp23—you’ll find that YouGov has set about composing, in order of popularity and familiarity, a league of English/British monarchs….and an accompanying article…
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In rural Berkshire stands the little stone church of Aldworth. What makes this church remarkable is the numerous medieval effigies contained within, memorials to an important family with the surname ‘de la Beche’. Over the years, these effigies got called the ‘Aldworth giants’ and became something of a local attraction. Was there any truth to…
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This is the second You Tube video that Richard III Society has posted, debunking some of the myths regarding Richard. They are quite short, between five and just over ten minutes long. Here is this one: Who was Richard III? Busting the Mythology: 2. Did He Murder Hastings?
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If you go to this link https://tinyurl.com/5t4nyjfb, from which the above photograph is taken, you’ll learn of the following: “….The 2025 Season of monthly history talks and guided tours of St Matthew’s Church at Coldridge [Devon] re-start on Thursday, February 27…. “….Two tours will be held on the day, bookable in advance, starting at 11am…
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Isn’t it always the case that while you’re looking for one thing, another pops up to seize your attention? This time I was poking around for information about a portion of the Thames waterfront on the city side below London Bridge, and it turns out that the site I was seeking had become the site…
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Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) Costmary is an aromatic, perennial herb of the aster family. Costmary was a common ingredient in medieval tavern and kitchen gardens. It is also known as alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, and mint geranium. The name ‘costmary’ comes from ‘costus of Saint Mary’ (‘costus’ is another plant). Also, in other languages, it is…
The New Murrey and Blue blog 