Category Archives: Britain

The Gloucester Miser

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 214. 184 years ago today, the “richest commoner” in Britain died.  James (Jemmy) Wood made his money in banking, and had wealth of around £900,000.  Calculating the value of that money in today’s terms is notoriously difficult, and depending … Continue reading →

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Giant Feet and Rhinoceros Gums

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Max of the Month 7.  When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading →

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Humorous Review of 1919

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 212.  Exactly one hundred years ago today, on 1st January 1920, the West Sussex Gazette carried a very tongue-in-cheek look back on previous year, titled “Humorous Review of the Year 1919”. The following are the highlights of this amusing … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Message

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 40.  December is upon us once again, so that means we turn our attentions to Christmas past on Windows into History.  The following words of wisdom are from the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 9th December 1869: Holidays, games … Continue reading →

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Halloween Superstitions

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 65.  Happy Halloween, and I hope you have enjoyed another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  Our last Halloween themed quote for now is from the Dundee Courier, 3rd November 1902: The ghostly spells of Hallowe’en … Continue reading →

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The Harbinger

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 64.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: In some cases, families have been … Continue reading →

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The Kingdom Underground

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 63.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: At Rushen Castle, Isle of Man, … Continue reading →

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Music of the Dead

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 62.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: But, in modern days, one of … Continue reading →

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The Doppelganger Ghost

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 61.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from the Lakes Herald, 15th March 1895, and references a book by Thomas Thistleton-Dyer, which we will be looking … Continue reading →

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Jumping to Conclusions

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 59.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  A brief snippet today.  The following quote is from the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 4th January 1918: Stories of a mysterious highwayman seen … Continue reading →

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