Tag Archives: Christmas

Throwing Cheese from the Belfry

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 39.  There is a longstanding tradition in Britain of giving aid to the poor at Christmas.  200 years ago, the Leicester Chronicle reported a wealthy landowner distributing “a fat beast, four sheep, and two hundred and eight yards of … Continue reading →

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The Post-War Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 38. Christmas 1918 was a time for thanksgiving, relief and perhaps taking stock, because the Great War had come to an end. Kaiser Wilhelm had abdicated on 9th November, and Germany had signed an armistice on 11th November. However, … Continue reading →

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The Danger of a Frost Fair Thaw

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 37.  In the last Christmas History article we looked at the final ever frost fair on the River Thames, in February 1814.  But what happened when a frost fair came to an end because the river was starting … Continue reading →

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The Last Frost Fair

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 36.  Between the 15th and 19th Centuries the River Thames in London froze over more than 20 times, often leading to celebrations on the ice known as “frost fairs”.  The last time this ever happened was the year … Continue reading →

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How to Celebrate Christmas, 1818

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 35. How was Christmas celebrated, 200 years ago?  1818 was a simpler time, but in many ways the spirit of Christmas was much the same: the importance of good company, good cheer, and thinking of others.  The following … Continue reading →

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Christmas in the Workhouse

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 34.  The plan for this year’s Christmas History series of articles was to look exclusively at the Christmas of 150 years ago, the year 1868.  Unfortunately it turns out that 1868 was a year for unseasonable weather, so … Continue reading →

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Journals 2.1 – Journal of Travels by G.E. Winants (Part 1)

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Roger Pocock

Garrett E. Winants was one of the richest men in America. Throughout his life he amassed a fortune of around six million dollars, money that he made in shipbuilding and property investments. He chose to spend his money travelling the … Continue reading →

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