The pilgrimage site of Croagh Patrick lies on a mountain some 2500-feet high in County Mayo, which is on the northwest coast of Ireland. The site serves as the modern pilgrimage destination for those who wish to take the penitential journey to and vigil at the summit at the end of each July. The terrain […]
I was looking for reaction to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol from his contemporaries when I came upon a collection of the author’s other Christmas works. The work, Household Words: Christmas Stories, 1851-1858, was a compilation of short stories and reflections that Dickens had authored over the years. Among them are stories such as “What […]
Some time ago I began to understand and appreciate the impact that Victorian culture has had on certain holiday traditions. The Victorians instilled an idea of familial happiness that was created through playing of quaint games and creating traditions that could be enjoyed in the middle and upper classes. These turned out to be so […]
There was a program on the History Channel program about the origins of Frankenstein and the inspiration for Mary Shelley, who was only in her teens at the time she wrote her famous book in 1815 (published 1818). Frankenstein presented a timeless classic of a doctor who creates a person with sewn-together body parts and […]
No one denies that Lee was courageous, resourceful, and daring, both as a junior officer in Mexico and commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. And no one denies that his string of victories is impressive with the Seven Days, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. But one must also look at his opponents. Seven Days […]
The Romans eventually expanded into Britain, bringing with them their culture and their armies. Because of the hostile tribes there, such as the Celts, the Romans had to expend energy and resources to defend this faraway outpost. Such was the case when the Icenic queen, Boudica (also spelled Boadicea), rose to prominence and led an army […]
Older generation historians structured their monographs around great man themes. Today’s generation of historians focus less on significant actors in history, and more on cultural and ideological based themes. Is this a step forward or backward in historical method practice? Or are there times when both are appropriate?
There was one survivor from that fateful day on the 25th June 1876, when Lt.- Col George “General” Armstrong Custer led five troops of the 7th Cavalry in his fatal attack on Chief Sitting Bull’s combined Sioux and Cheyenne encampment at the Little Big Horn. Two days later, when General Terry’s force arrived at the […]
When the Austrian General Raddik descended on Berlin in 1757 he is said to have demanded not only a large sum of money, but also, two dozen gloves for Maria Theresa (1717-1780). However, when the gift arrived in Vienna, it was discovered that the Berliners had taken their revenge by providing only left-handed gloves. This, […]
