Blog entry
Escape!
Posted April 21, 2015
All is prepared for the execution. The blade of the guillotine has been sharpened, or the hangman’s noose is ready, or firing squad awaits, and then, at the last minute, it is discovered that the prisoner has escaped!
A Romantic Tale and a Screwball Comedy
Posted March 24, 2015
In the early 19th century there were four Tree sisters, all of whom went on the stage. (If there were three of them, one could probably create a nice tongue twister, but there were four.) Ellen Tree, who married the noted actor Charles Kean, was the only one who remained in the theater, performing with her husband as Mrs. Charles Kean until his death.
A Dickensian Childhood
Posted March 3, 2015
A Dickensian childhood. The phrase conjures up images of small children working in coal mines or cotton mills, ragged urchins huddled in a doorway, Oliver Twist asking for more gruel. But you didn’t have to be poor to have a Dickensian childhood. Consider Augustus Hare.
The Worth of Fashion
Posted February 4, 2015
Since Fashion Week is almost here, thoughts turn to fabulous clothes and their designers, people with names like Balenciaga, Givenchy, Dior, Versace, Saint Laurent, Armani.
Do you notice anything odd about that list? They are all men. Well, all right, Chanel ought to be there too, but that doesn’t change the fact that for the past hundred years and more, the famous couturiers have been men.
A-Banting We Will Go
Posted January 28, 2015
William Banting was huffing and puffing by the time he reached the top of the first flight of stairs, or so the story goes. He said to himself, “I need to lose some weight.”
He was probably right about that.
At five feet five inches, Banting was not a tall man—but in his mid-60s he weighed in at about 200 pounds.
Galla Placidia, Empress of Rome
Posted November 24, 2014
Galla Placidia is one of the most fascinating historic figures I know, partly because so much about her life is shrouded in mystery, starting with the date of her birth, sometime around 390. What is known has all the makings of an epic novel.
Buried Treasure: Alaric's Gold
Posted November 10, 2014
In 410 AD Alaric and his Visigoths sacked Rome.
Back when I was in high school, that date marked the Fall of the Roman Empire. Next came the Dark Ages, followed by the Middle Ages (they began in 800, with Charlemagne being crowned Holy Roman Emperor) and Modern Europe (1492—you know that date).
Do you suppose anyone noticed at the time?
What to pack in 1841
Posted October 14, 2014
When I began researching 19th century travelers for Lady Elinor's Wicked Adventure, I met Mrs. Hamilton Gray, one of those well-read Victorian ladies of insatiable curiosity and determination and good humor.
Contessa Maria della Torre
Posted September 2, 2014
The Contessa Maria della Torre was not one to sit quietly at home while great events were changing the world around her.
