tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61080277389170266372024-03-04T17:25:28.228+00:00Sue WilkesI'm an author specialising in family history, social history, industrial history and literary biography. Real stories; real people; real lives. Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-32811325927012544372024-03-04T17:24:00.001+00:002024-03-04T17:24:30.541+00:00Saving Lives At Sea for 200 Years!<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN0TtgnzxjrAyBqiXdATtSo_qTJ4fJ6ylUPHQTIIijq8HDz0q1ZMVIT7JAX7lv0w2QKrsOT7AXk7HeRNak5EW_FOdnMP0SAVE3KywezIvBAiLMpOlJc9Q6jp4WOCDlQukDsvB5j15CuDp5ER333Jl7d9xsXtL4V5iJyoxTLaaGq0fVFDPIZWLHB2nOpY/s600/William%20Hillary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN0TtgnzxjrAyBqiXdATtSo_qTJ4fJ6ylUPHQTIIijq8HDz0q1ZMVIT7JAX7lv0w2QKrsOT7AXk7HeRNak5EW_FOdnMP0SAVE3KywezIvBAiLMpOlJc9Q6jp4WOCDlQukDsvB5j15CuDp5ER333Jl7d9xsXtL4V5iJyoxTLaaGq0fVFDPIZWLHB2nOpY/s320/William%20Hillary.jpg" width="215" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sir William Hillary</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Britain is an island nation. Since ancient times, our commerce and defence depended on the sea. But our treacherous waters exacted a terrific toll of ships and passengers every year. Victims often lost their lives within sight of shore because no vessel was strong enough to reach them safely. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The late eighteenth century witnessed the earliest recorded attempts at organized rescue efforts. At Formby, Lancashire, a boat was kept on shore specifically to aid shipwrecked persons as early as 1776. The notoriously dangerous Mersey estuary had shifting sandbanks, and the Liverpool Dock Trustees founded several coastal lifeboat stations. The crews manning the boats were rewarded for every life they saved. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sir William Hillary founded the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck in 1824. Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man, had personally witnessed several shipwrecks in Douglas Bay, and helped save some victims.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was very interested to discover that Jane Austen's sailor brothers, Frank and Charles, were keen supporters of the Institution. You can find out more in my</span> latest article for the March issue of <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Austen's Regency World magazine</a>, which features the amazing story of the birth of the <a href="https://rnli.org/" target="_blank">Royal National Lifeboat Institution</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyyyVHkR8hXYYwpJeO7jCxUUnQqua4AspJ8r2mEwDqSIl2Y_lJd-fkth_lMfAs6uRDJNIbs0a6mQf6QcOATGU6lBCEoHw8sMUOSPJt8iexoMMOr8m3zN9iSaR8aecaDPCbwuS6MbexBpsSJtSaEh2UMBZnPQIzDyFAgZTQG919FnmkcpX2UVX9V9cfDY/s2139/marryat%20lifeboat%20gentmag%20May%201820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="1335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyyyVHkR8hXYYwpJeO7jCxUUnQqua4AspJ8r2mEwDqSIl2Y_lJd-fkth_lMfAs6uRDJNIbs0a6mQf6QcOATGU6lBCEoHw8sMUOSPJt8iexoMMOr8m3zN9iSaR8aecaDPCbwuS6MbexBpsSJtSaEh2UMBZnPQIzDyFAgZTQG919FnmkcpX2UVX9V9cfDY/s320/marryat%20lifeboat%20gentmag%20May%201820.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>Images: Sir William Hillary, shown wearing the robes and cross of a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, commonly known as a Knight of Malta. Artist unknown, English School, mid 19th Century. Courtesy of the RNLI Archive.</p><p>Author’s Collection: Captain Marryat’s design for a new lifeboat, <i>Gentleman’s Magazine</i>, May 1820.</p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-23977120438841883352024-01-18T14:54:00.004+00:002024-01-18T14:54:31.369+00:00A Bright Future<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkP4Ad6Wr96EIVn9FVa6dd7ye86xnBqawtUVwJZO9mtu0dsz3NA1hIuBxm79zR9dE98ThbOwO5RoI4zkAcPhaINM9bANuitwHGptLbZNT5WIGsJT1xJ-9Tz0uVZGA8_7Uj7dxk3W3rb0rEvDhefJvhIRHlYUOXgjcbcgT13OwbtMnwe0AhUxxTkqa7Hk/s3736/old%20style%20shop%20window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3736" data-original-width="2710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkP4Ad6Wr96EIVn9FVa6dd7ye86xnBqawtUVwJZO9mtu0dsz3NA1hIuBxm79zR9dE98ThbOwO5RoI4zkAcPhaINM9bANuitwHGptLbZNT5WIGsJT1xJ-9Tz0uVZGA8_7Uj7dxk3W3rb0rEvDhefJvhIRHlYUOXgjcbcgT13OwbtMnwe0AhUxxTkqa7Hk/s320/old%20style%20shop%20window.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old-style crown glass shop windows.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My latest feature for <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Austen's Regency World</a>'s January issue, in my series on Austen and the Industrial Revolution, is on glass manufacture. </p><p>When Jane Austen visited her brother Henry in London, she would have seen the new fashion for large, imposing plate-glass shop-windows. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw1rrjb9uiTgHAND3QWIFL63gJf5bZDIfKoqXOG-0Xz-tIEbYTGdksLHwWGxrS2wQverBUl6NX9YLkq4soWDxYQj2-AyYfd1oQ0r-pqdPJ1-nhnxYds7onB1ada_q6T8ZtBkUreP9BUVJHhuz5CLKbo0NWib5lV4ymd3-uIGLqNSzEVcXNrk6TW7XvOc/s2733/Plate%20glass%20being%20cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2733" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw1rrjb9uiTgHAND3QWIFL63gJf5bZDIfKoqXOG-0Xz-tIEbYTGdksLHwWGxrS2wQverBUl6NX9YLkq4soWDxYQj2-AyYfd1oQ0r-pqdPJ1-nhnxYds7onB1ada_q6T8ZtBkUreP9BUVJHhuz5CLKbo0NWib5lV4ymd3-uIGLqNSzEVcXNrk6TW7XvOc/s320/Plate%20glass%20being%20cast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate-glass casting at Ravenhead.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Until the late eighteenth century, plate-glass, used for the largest windows or mirrors, was incredibly expensive. Only the wealthiest could afford it. </p><p></p><p>But the advent of plate-glass casting at Ravenhead (the British Plate Glass Co.) in 1773, followed by glass-houses on Tyneside, where there was already a flourishing industry, revolutionised the look of British retail establishments. <br /></p><p>Glass-making in Britain faced a bright future!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><u>Images</u></p><p>A New Bond street shop in the 1790s. Before plate glass became affordable, shop windows were made from small panes of crown glass. James Gillray 1796, courtesy Library of Congress, catalogue number: LC-USZC4-8787.</p><p>Casting plate glass at the Ravenhead works in Lancashire in the 1840s. Engraving by Mr Sly. Pictorial History of the County of Lancashire, 1844. Author’s collection.</p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-48183866663382323932024-01-09T17:59:00.010+00:002024-01-18T11:03:49.483+00:00Ready To Pre-Order!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDTKtUsA6joLpodYnwR9gCRKB_hH_OKTW6kSRmbnuvb83swB7_m_l6Htjig-7Y22TjYN9d6A9MgniSH-hhH-NIt-tYZanzxtfwpSO-mmqZGGuRVMMW2CMozjuLC3iV3zRQd4iQCfHBWF69ARbnn9l0wLi-NtkEuNQ1r7oUcsQfd5whbQ_rMxuL9KyD7c/s466/cover%20image%20from%20amazon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDTKtUsA6joLpodYnwR9gCRKB_hH_OKTW6kSRmbnuvb83swB7_m_l6Htjig-7Y22TjYN9d6A9MgniSH-hhH-NIt-tYZanzxtfwpSO-mmqZGGuRVMMW2CMozjuLC3iV3zRQd4iQCfHBWF69ARbnn9l0wLi-NtkEuNQ1r7oUcsQfd5whbQ_rMxuL9KyD7c/s466/cover%20image%20from%20amazon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqiev_0HXyaQTfwlzk3y8Pg13CfDc8dihLMkf701bFCLgKAvWew6Q4tlDODzl5nN5Vxn1EzE6gHaVg0vgeIvB9O-b5uToHIFegZtd-5STRa8UT1bWebYnfvoNiCWFIT3HJwGR8XJ-2e0pnBEwEllPxPmRmh7EW70N_0gGTQ-X7YViUmtCVqPKbHyZXL0/s679/cover%20image%20revised.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqiev_0HXyaQTfwlzk3y8Pg13CfDc8dihLMkf701bFCLgKAvWew6Q4tlDODzl5nN5Vxn1EzE6gHaVg0vgeIvB9O-b5uToHIFegZtd-5STRa8UT1bWebYnfvoNiCWFIT3HJwGR8XJ-2e0pnBEwEllPxPmRmh7EW70N_0gGTQ-X7YViUmtCVqPKbHyZXL0/s320/cover%20image%20revised.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I'm very pleased to say that 'Young Workers of the Industrial Age' is now available to pre-order from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1036113833/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3CCWB6QJODLPM&keywords=%22sue+Wilkes%22&qid=1704822425&s=books&sprefix=sue+wilkes+%2Cstripbooks%2C60&sr=1-5" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>! It's currently scheduled for publication in hardback in September this year. <p></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-79725931569553327802023-12-22T15:03:00.001+00:002023-12-22T15:03:05.255+00:00Happy Christmas!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_CRfoSRhR2Fp8yM1OLOxqKICCgNUMVe4Ztks_8eOowcG8J6kiLFkQIKlJG0KGS0UxIkOHb6mespHRuh2BjUwTotTbO1ULx7M7YarNVhqSEcug4A_n8gekrw6h_FmPqxxdKYI1Dokt1sZMsO6c3rbrqnIgb_GERSiirPMu1GausOCvP9egYZ8F3w-c0k/s4608/IMG_20231203_094023284_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_CRfoSRhR2Fp8yM1OLOxqKICCgNUMVe4Ztks_8eOowcG8J6kiLFkQIKlJG0KGS0UxIkOHb6mespHRuh2BjUwTotTbO1ULx7M7YarNVhqSEcug4A_n8gekrw6h_FmPqxxdKYI1Dokt1sZMsO6c3rbrqnIgb_GERSiirPMu1GausOCvP9egYZ8F3w-c0k/s320/IMG_20231203_094023284_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I doubt we'll have a white Christmas as it's so mild here at present, so here's a snowy picture of our garden from early December. <p></p><p>Wishing you all a happy Christmas, and a prosperous 2024!</p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-78041637194784284712023-11-10T15:16:00.000+00:002023-11-10T15:16:09.774+00:00Exciting News!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wf0Y2iZaPoSxozGE5GQnIioyjhI7X_T1b7dJHgFCdPVsbNuuiCPxLvRP8t1n-i04B-cyroWxEsqnBUCsrAf59lIEoN7_8NgN0S5Nub1v3CZXlPQQ3aP9Cx8zhpc1zU6VLvKB9dGb0MXXcxz7A7u52fDXB5wRJxlrTy-Ld0eGsP2ZsmtbuOE-hvLE0UI/s1442/chimney%20sweep%201820s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="854" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wf0Y2iZaPoSxozGE5GQnIioyjhI7X_T1b7dJHgFCdPVsbNuuiCPxLvRP8t1n-i04B-cyroWxEsqnBUCsrAf59lIEoN7_8NgN0S5Nub1v3CZXlPQQ3aP9Cx8zhpc1zU6VLvKB9dGb0MXXcxz7A7u52fDXB5wRJxlrTy-Ld0eGsP2ZsmtbuOE-hvLE0UI/s320/chimney%20sweep%201820s.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><br /> I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that I've just signed a new contract with <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pen & Sword</a> to republish my book <i>The Children History Forgot</i>! The book has been out of print for some time now, and will appear under the title <i>Young Workers of the Industrial Age: Child Labour in the 18th and 19th Centuries. </i><p></p><p>I'll post updates on my blog nearer publication date - currently provisionally the summer of 2024. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVE63LuLGuP7Uw1K2F6QCYUVMdGNgMzHKXTFfNq3AQDwnZ61TjZAWFnDgjhATnjanUUJCEoWS1UbWjEt9YhhnBBJViGxb7CbudTZ1meBSeKZk91gYjWUnCITW2XKswvKaP8KeeHxYcpbdf_yShhFxu6ZVkriGmXUV-PDXUOELJlqk2uFEZFjRA5RrMNI/s1509/gleaner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVE63LuLGuP7Uw1K2F6QCYUVMdGNgMzHKXTFfNq3AQDwnZ61TjZAWFnDgjhATnjanUUJCEoWS1UbWjEt9YhhnBBJViGxb7CbudTZ1meBSeKZk91gYjWUnCITW2XKswvKaP8KeeHxYcpbdf_yShhFxu6ZVkriGmXUV-PDXUOELJlqk2uFEZFjRA5RrMNI/s320/gleaner.jpg" width="205" /></a>Meanwhile, my other Pen & Sword titles are <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sue-Wilkes/a/1893" target="_blank">on special offer</a> at the moment - do take a look if you need some ideas for Christmas presents!</p><p>All images from my collection.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCrLlQvlDXEDAwC27uloHbXh_5KAhO_O9rQ4oPLWCUYlpPCIA3_HunfTsXUhczE9uMKLYPfzcAksT7nBq6cWbtTpAWbKFI8DzUUmxnOzG8aj2CpKffVL0Ajq_LIbqZSGc40pLas1QsRJCMC7vSG1jLrpFQiFww1uR3H-a_AHVNleIIM6sq0hezF5TYuM/s1609/Shaftesbury%20black%20country%201842%20300%20dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1609" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCrLlQvlDXEDAwC27uloHbXh_5KAhO_O9rQ4oPLWCUYlpPCIA3_HunfTsXUhczE9uMKLYPfzcAksT7nBq6cWbtTpAWbKFI8DzUUmxnOzG8aj2CpKffVL0Ajq_LIbqZSGc40pLas1QsRJCMC7vSG1jLrpFQiFww1uR3H-a_AHVNleIIM6sq0hezF5TYuM/s320/Shaftesbury%20black%20country%201842%20300%20dpi.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p><br /><br /></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-23282187873385338052023-06-26T10:41:00.005+01:002023-06-26T10:41:33.669+01:00My Top Five Picks<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IbgKDkjDq7WSBpreEco-B4o3Avf0_f2CatgGHqeQKv-dolkIpkv_ofpezvyfOsXRvxBfObMVhprcYvCtawHCbecpU8YCHpaWiruGUFAsh2G4L2vcpsuC7Z9wkjYwiA8LNi39HQ2HNP_vvNvAfk-FugECnMKaaUEQn5EtaTBFQS7l03zVDR1GvDAMx4E/s2264/1797%20fashions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2264" data-original-width="1472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IbgKDkjDq7WSBpreEco-B4o3Avf0_f2CatgGHqeQKv-dolkIpkv_ofpezvyfOsXRvxBfObMVhprcYvCtawHCbecpU8YCHpaWiruGUFAsh2G4L2vcpsuC7Z9wkjYwiA8LNi39HQ2HNP_vvNvAfk-FugECnMKaaUEQn5EtaTBFQS7l03zVDR1GvDAMx4E/s320/1797%20fashions.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br />Gallop over to the <a href="https://shepherd.com/best-books/understanding-jane-austens-england" target="_blank">Shepherd website</a>, where you'll find the Top Five books I recommend for understanding the history of Jane Austen's England!<p></p><p>Image from the author's collection - Fashions of 1797. </p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-78157659120003582892023-06-13T12:04:00.001+01:002023-06-13T12:04:04.620+01:00Porcelain and Pots<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8FjrR4PULdzNDyw4VNFkVeFhLW2Ok26-BSNvOePgVXwM0VxSO8dvBAvEDWWoyrS9Ui39GkJYdHFV76uMZ1xEA63awLavde0HgY_zM0KZUlnh0VfGj9X_taJ4d4P7310huKvaw1nBwtzInaZMDDOtPn9SmSW3-8ZPNzG5Swz2ierQyajSBMGLu3R5/s4780/Etruria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3540" data-original-width="4780" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8FjrR4PULdzNDyw4VNFkVeFhLW2Ok26-BSNvOePgVXwM0VxSO8dvBAvEDWWoyrS9Ui39GkJYdHFV76uMZ1xEA63awLavde0HgY_zM0KZUlnh0VfGj9X_taJ4d4P7310huKvaw1nBwtzInaZMDDOtPn9SmSW3-8ZPNzG5Swz2ierQyajSBMGLu3R5/s320/Etruria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />My series on Jane Austen and the Industrial Revolution is still ongoing, although I haven't had time to update this blog! <p></p><p>My feature in the March/April issue looked at 'canal mania', and 'Our Wedgwood Ware' is in the current issue of <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Austen's Regency World</a>. </p><p>'The Prettiest English China' is coming up in the July/August issue, and looks at the manufacture of English porcelain in places like Worcester, Bristol and London. </p><p><br /></p><p>Image: Etruria. Engraving by Henry Warren, G. Greatbach, <i>Staffordshire and Warwickshire Past and Present, Vol. III</i>, William Mackenzie, London, c.1870. </p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-62361461443880209262023-01-27T14:41:00.004+00:002023-01-27T14:41:39.046+00:00Muslins and Mule-Spinning<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW5t65_L7sWZJ2VTzANqXSecJBmqh4OBdbMjaS_J51psz3MuS9wWgefsCKAnG0bkCxmS2LidpEdNK-xmyLXNllk4v0Nyw20kQPakhhdCfVX5wc3_hB5Mbz6Oe3qT77xt5a6lyrP_xYrHVItV4VlOanuJuL6wCOERDEhOc1msYm5FNqt-fs1EbJV5f/s1985/LMM%20dec%201798%20full%20dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="1040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW5t65_L7sWZJ2VTzANqXSecJBmqh4OBdbMjaS_J51psz3MuS9wWgefsCKAnG0bkCxmS2LidpEdNK-xmyLXNllk4v0Nyw20kQPakhhdCfVX5wc3_hB5Mbz6Oe3qT77xt5a6lyrP_xYrHVItV4VlOanuJuL6wCOERDEhOc1msYm5FNqt-fs1EbJV5f/s320/LMM%20dec%201798%20full%20dress.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full dress for December 1798.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My latest feature for <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Austen's Regency World</a> (January issue) - on <a href="https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/cromptons-spinning-mule/" target="_blank">mule-spinning</a> - marks the beginning of my new series on the growing mechanization of Britain's industries during Austen's era. <div><br /></div><div>The Industrial Revolution affected not just the workers who were the 'shock troops' of the Revolution, but also the way that Jane and her family - and the characters in her novels - lived. I'm really enjoying writing this series, and I hope that you enjoy it, too! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwvaSpeKTZEqLda1U0omu83aasAoDs2LV0ZVpoinUwviWbN0b0jXFVyyIAVAr_EiqAQ0UtZzha9s_45THoVOjwmUTUHDgUdFXiihJOjoSwAtw_whg2Da1BTosvoQ_pedN2yCzUTd4yNpW8D_5F9XlzaS4lQUfAnd6hV5dPqFDZySr_IEWSaYxFGhh/s2989/Spinning%20Mule%20with%20child%20workers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="2989" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwvaSpeKTZEqLda1U0omu83aasAoDs2LV0ZVpoinUwviWbN0b0jXFVyyIAVAr_EiqAQ0UtZzha9s_45THoVOjwmUTUHDgUdFXiihJOjoSwAtw_whg2Da1BTosvoQ_pedN2yCzUTd4yNpW8D_5F9XlzaS4lQUfAnd6hV5dPqFDZySr_IEWSaYxFGhh/s320/Spinning%20Mule%20with%20child%20workers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><u>Illustrations</u> </div><div>Above:</div><div>‘Full dress for December 1798’. <i>The Lady’s Monthly Museum</i>, Vol.1, Vernor & Hood, London, December 1798. Author’s collection. </div><div>Right:</div><div>‘Mule’ for spinning cotton. Child workers ‘pieced’ together broken threads, and cleaned cotton waste from under the machine. Charles Knight, <i>Knight’s Pictorial Gallery of Arts, Vol. 1</i>, London Printing and Publishing Co., c.1858. Author’s collection.</div>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-71860769773568155952022-12-19T15:43:00.001+00:002022-12-19T15:43:05.872+00:00'A Tale of Manchester Life'<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_vVP4sVBq_WLTuleB66nDTWgZTBBAqcWwccpTxwj9vTq2RXMM2-JIYZb5_Wt23QyqLxg9CbvJ1zecF7x-d9gGPNAlGD_SgvYtfd1rq2W6VxJK8ZMRFZtgT_t67LIV0xNRVwc2x5ZgVNv_3sLSxgM5iREPXUuGWjA9TttQ7rYjJz3vKPPZya5I0-H/s2500/Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20House%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="2500" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_vVP4sVBq_WLTuleB66nDTWgZTBBAqcWwccpTxwj9vTq2RXMM2-JIYZb5_Wt23QyqLxg9CbvJ1zecF7x-d9gGPNAlGD_SgvYtfd1rq2W6VxJK8ZMRFZtgT_t67LIV0xNRVwc2x5ZgVNv_3sLSxgM5iREPXUuGWjA9TttQ7rYjJz3vKPPZya5I0-H/s320/Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20House%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">84 Plymouth Grove </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Next April, a new exhibition will open at <a href="https://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mrs Gaskell's House</a>. The exhibition will explore how Gaskell depicted Manchester and its workers in her novels and short stories. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3GJl9Y7QzjpzC3X8eimMYcxeMjK5Mkkyk4o4QgLhq-OjKV7VBrYo7PNTotIxIp6NuUEAqhVUtZvbrPdP-RNDw38vztD5ZYKwh-oBjH_cnTuyjgAL5kTU6bklP40pop2AApf53kHM7dM-eOfA5zGtTNS9OZZXoYV3cRguRQ6PV4hHQeIrEKqpjjS3/s2500/Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20writing%20desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2500" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3GJl9Y7QzjpzC3X8eimMYcxeMjK5Mkkyk4o4QgLhq-OjKV7VBrYo7PNTotIxIp6NuUEAqhVUtZvbrPdP-RNDw38vztD5ZYKwh-oBjH_cnTuyjgAL5kTU6bklP40pop2AApf53kHM7dM-eOfA5zGtTNS9OZZXoYV3cRguRQ6PV4hHQeIrEKqpjjS3/s320/Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20writing%20desk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaskell's writing desk. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>'<a href="https://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/events/online-talk-mary-barton-an-introduction/" target="_blank">Mary Barton</a>', her first published novel, was subtitled 'A Tale of Manchester Life', and the crisis it explored in contemporary relations between mill-owners and mill-workers, and the people's terrible living conditions, made a huge impact. It roused the conscience of a nation. </p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kJ8VNqImczQd6Kd1FKRzVnVsGQ_qqyOsaP1I-p2pDFA79yZpIYc270QCF-UTAYUTmRRbuRVXQYdIV4yu3-L7UrXv1dQ8q5Z8gKPCCsWltWzE8FN5MwGJA2W7e9yZY0P90hYt45WSHUeWmXCH12vIStHEvF0n9_PGsy5P0H60r4nnQPRqfjTju9OE/s2084/Bronte%20Room%20at%20Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="2084" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kJ8VNqImczQd6Kd1FKRzVnVsGQ_qqyOsaP1I-p2pDFA79yZpIYc270QCF-UTAYUTmRRbuRVXQYdIV4yu3-L7UrXv1dQ8q5Z8gKPCCsWltWzE8FN5MwGJA2W7e9yZY0P90hYt45WSHUeWmXCH12vIStHEvF0n9_PGsy5P0H60r4nnQPRqfjTju9OE/s320/Bronte%20Room%20at%20Elizabeth%20Gaskell's%20House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I am very much looking forward to visiting the new exhibition at 84 Plymouth Road, Manchester, next year, with its recently-opened Bronte room. (All images courtesy Elizabeth Gaskell's House). </p><p>I hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year!</p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-45407737241877373402022-06-12T11:21:00.002+01:002022-06-12T11:21:21.472+01:00The 'Palace of Puffs'<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZuxoJHHzanPqhlTjx9lZvOf8gk3HopapSY6dia8fg84R_PmluIMJY_dybiHrCEn4n-pFi6PRFsdbVZDYUmn21EpMJvgyfNJOGjH6b4RwJy_r8k3vrOIKzH3hh7tPe_C8o85c3hqqgEBHXiaOCAEE6GTJRS47FCel9ay41kDA-TMSolDqeE2s9trp/s1131/1.%201862%20exhibition%20exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1131" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZuxoJHHzanPqhlTjx9lZvOf8gk3HopapSY6dia8fg84R_PmluIMJY_dybiHrCEn4n-pFi6PRFsdbVZDYUmn21EpMJvgyfNJOGjH6b4RwJy_r8k3vrOIKzH3hh7tPe_C8o85c3hqqgEBHXiaOCAEE6GTJRS47FCel9ay41kDA-TMSolDqeE2s9trp/s320/1.%201862%20exhibition%20exterior.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>My latest feature for Discover Your Ancestors magazine (<a href="https://discoveryourancestors.co.uk/current-issue/" target="_blank">digital edition, June</a>) is on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1862_International_Exhibition" target="_blank">1862 International Exhibition</a>. <p></p><p>The landmark 1851 International Exhibition - with its glittering <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/the-great-exhibition-virtual-tour" target="_blank">Crystal Palace</a> - was the envy of the world. Events like these became a matter of national pride. Four years later, the French held an <a href="https://www.ndl.go.jp/exposition/e/s1/1855.html" target="_blank">International Exposition at Paris</a>. </p><p>In 1857, the arts were represented in <a href="https://manchesterarchiveplus.wordpress.com/2016/05/27/the-art-treasures-exhibition-1857/" target="_blank">Manchester's Art Treasures Exhibition</a>, which was also an unqualified success. </p><p>So public expectations ran high for the opening of 1862 'World's Fair' at South Kensington, London. But the project was dogged by difficulties from the beginning. And the exhibition <a href="https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol38/pp137-147" target="_blank">building</a>'s design, by <a href="https://victorianweb.org/art/architecture/fowke/index.html" target="_blank">Captain Fowke</a>, proved highly controversial...</p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-20088515752997374132022-03-04T11:11:00.003+00:002022-03-04T11:11:52.254+00:00NFReads Interview<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlrDPNV4riQJsrtkoAHf5i6J2Tj-7hmHp1gC6okfFVcDGHIhQZ4tOEqPjxPwgAdTHZvwCkznQbyYE9Mk-2E0yMO5iNQaRyCip2xHEMoawZ6SzNyez_GNyqHGmtzokhBRE5RNnrc0R_MYPgGwuVhcZ4W4v1CYF6lCK2Q90Pz93Wgz8M6M3Au8U7HFgR=s5401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5401" data-original-width="2666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlrDPNV4riQJsrtkoAHf5i6J2Tj-7hmHp1gC6okfFVcDGHIhQZ4tOEqPjxPwgAdTHZvwCkznQbyYE9Mk-2E0yMO5iNQaRyCip2xHEMoawZ6SzNyez_GNyqHGmtzokhBRE5RNnrc0R_MYPgGwuVhcZ4W4v1CYF6lCK2Q90Pz93Wgz8M6M3Au8U7HFgR=s320" width="158" /></a></div><br />Do pop over to the <a href="https://www.nfreads.com/interview-with-author-sue-wilkes/" target="_blank">NFReads website</a> where you can read an interview with me (and lots of other authors!).<p></p><p>Obviously I would have loved to have been dressed like this for the interview - 'Carriage Dress', <i>Ackermann's Repository</i>, March 1816. </p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-64969534224401848202022-02-15T17:12:00.003+00:002022-02-15T17:15:20.304+00:00Robert Burns' Mauchline<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtnGoNgYdcstXSZ_wlj_Ttp0j4dYwMvDHDTiJhsETFVvwhf4Qr_SoqER9rr7hfAgyqnBRFfEOHm75s_Hr9KqTty79L9kDmkMqlub5h9I9HW5u8LTbmsPMDAuFoXdZ9leqbrAm7rSDOxykGfnbCNfg-GiOzp1X7NfGCVU6iDpgZ0lTnoojhRZhzdYxo=s4608" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtnGoNgYdcstXSZ_wlj_Ttp0j4dYwMvDHDTiJhsETFVvwhf4Qr_SoqER9rr7hfAgyqnBRFfEOHm75s_Hr9KqTty79L9kDmkMqlub5h9I9HW5u8LTbmsPMDAuFoXdZ9leqbrAm7rSDOxykGfnbCNfg-GiOzp1X7NfGCVU6iDpgZ0lTnoojhRZhzdYxo=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burns House Museum</td></tr></tbody></table> Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, lived in Mauchline with his long-time sweetheart Jean Armour from the spring until the autumn of 1788. His farm, which he shared with his brother Gilbert, was at nearby <a href="https://electricscotland.com/burns/burns_mossgiel.htm" target="_blank">Mossgiel</a>. <p></p><p>While at Mossgiel, Burns wrote some of his most famous poems, including <a href="https://mossgielfarm.co.uk/about/robert-burns/to-a-mouse/" target="_blank">To A Mouse</a>, <a href="https://mossgielfarm.co.uk/about/robert-burns/the-twa-dogs/" target="_blank">The Twa Dogs</a>, <a href="http://www.robertburns.org/works/68.shtml" target="_blank">The Holy Fair</a>, and <a href="http://www.robertburns.org/works/82.shtml" target="_blank">The Cotter's Saturday Night</a>. </p><p>Jean, the daughter of a local stone-mason, was pregnant with twins for the second time. (One of her first twins had sadly died). She had been thrown out by her parents, who were furious when they found that Burns had got her pregnant again.</p><p>For her confinement, Robert found her a room in Mauchline (on the upper floor of the Burns House Museum, left). At this date, Burns believed that the couple were no longer married, as Jean's family had destroyed a piece of paper which showed they had wed informally.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEHD9p6nnyYQiO9hLb8dCZigYozpYJsMu73cAV2agROf7NZvTPtdwgMH7nranHjm1QUb1TPKBjvI-Hqf_MW5lgFmMnQ1aNQon8cJf4Y37GwUx5lMPUdaAYKu4gTdn5PGmVxoR4p9ORsrvePI6OAwPR5rI2VaCmPPoZm75F39i4LHjfW8a7KCuOijrQ=s4608" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEHD9p6nnyYQiO9hLb8dCZigYozpYJsMu73cAV2agROf7NZvTPtdwgMH7nranHjm1QUb1TPKBjvI-Hqf_MW5lgFmMnQ1aNQon8cJf4Y37GwUx5lMPUdaAYKu4gTdn5PGmVxoR4p9ORsrvePI6OAwPR5rI2VaCmPPoZm75F39i4LHjfW8a7KCuOijrQ=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Jean Armour, Mauchline.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Unfortunately, Jean lost both her twins shortly after their birth. Shortly afterwards, Jean and Robert were formally married by the local justice, Gavin Hamilton. </p><p>Meanwhile, Burns was on the look-out for a new farm, as Mossgiel was not proving profitable. He settled on <a href="https://www.ellislandfarm.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">Ellisland Farm</a>. However, its house was not habitable, so Robert set about building his family a new home. Burns, Jean, and their young son Robert, moved to Ellisland in December 1788. </p><p><br /></p><p>Mauchline is a bustling small town, and you can still see many of the buildings that Burns and Jean knew (see below). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsgSZXCdFJxhvwrofTWnj7L-fQd-7vReEPQ6_TPzwbhHXyvkuL4epDW0KMQT98xQJQsbHDuIBnYucCQUQr29ZkUzCgt4tPRgYN2KpKr61j-L2UKJPUIH0R6sYPBiudYtso6FofUjv5L4I0FeCKxr8H0J4Fv-raIfMuuhzbRMQ49CXagDnp-VWPSuUt=s3770" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="2711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsgSZXCdFJxhvwrofTWnj7L-fQd-7vReEPQ6_TPzwbhHXyvkuL4epDW0KMQT98xQJQsbHDuIBnYucCQUQr29ZkUzCgt4tPRgYN2KpKr61j-L2UKJPUIH0R6sYPBiudYtso6FofUjv5L4I0FeCKxr8H0J4Fv-raIfMuuhzbRMQ49CXagDnp-VWPSuUt=s320" width="230" /></a></div><br />The 'Sma' Inn' which belonged to Nanse Tinnock ('Poosie Nansie') in Castle Street is part of the Burns House Museum site.<p></p><p>Another inn owned by Nanse Tinnock (pictured with Burns on the left) is on the corner of Loudon Street and Cowgate (photo, below right). </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/mauchline-parish-church/" target="_blank">Mauchline church</a> is not the same building as the one known by Burns, as it was replaced in 1829. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHLvLw0BAyxDx15OAKNYYBo9jXxYJXsYRiANDoQPFCiT4owAm7Y7hLdxAHxb21alz7smcxyv6e3JguK3BEbrYQFqQbwqvDESLB5fAxZZJIkKFHpY5iD6LK-ku0yr2hJNgBeO8lINlgFQCkYKhCq2QJP4VOcNcS2UFcxoX_-TGERMBQ80xoDczeIjHi=s4582" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2575" data-original-width="4582" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHLvLw0BAyxDx15OAKNYYBo9jXxYJXsYRiANDoQPFCiT4owAm7Y7hLdxAHxb21alz7smcxyv6e3JguK3BEbrYQFqQbwqvDESLB5fAxZZJIkKFHpY5iD6LK-ku0yr2hJNgBeO8lINlgFQCkYKhCq2QJP4VOcNcS2UFcxoX_-TGERMBQ80xoDczeIjHi=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br />However, there are several interesting memorials of Mauchline folk who Burns was acquainted with, some of whom are mentioned in his poems. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidm476y8XKh0teoVGTIrrIExYw_46atMj_L-hUshRYn-0PfACFU8SczL2Pu14Gw2SpLoDxdYHWwXJo220r8--m3V955uf7_OIha1ZIYsIePeWe4ld3spxODHAWHty5vuqxi54jreDNbruPS64eOj-ItmGF4hgtOrBnFnKS4bw8fjpSLDKFyAhVpHux=s4608" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidm476y8XKh0teoVGTIrrIExYw_46atMj_L-hUshRYn-0PfACFU8SczL2Pu14Gw2SpLoDxdYHWwXJo220r8--m3V955uf7_OIha1ZIYsIePeWe4ld3spxODHAWHty5vuqxi54jreDNbruPS64eOj-ItmGF4hgtOrBnFnKS4bw8fjpSLDKFyAhVpHux=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armour Monument. </td></tr></tbody></table>Several relatives are also buried in the kirkyard - his brother John, and four of Robert's children by Jean Armour. <br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOmcKQYCLjFgKWnoJfW0ltLp5E2WuEr4eZZ5lzSOk6BizZpYgglqCTm3AAshDZBNR6Kv0EaekGDQs75d3WmjjYbdVqLmrQawe2SYUxG8Viqn5_bC-3ch4Zo8uMBbbknZekOzW7u9zINoiiuuSiGjtG6fDZNnPWKWfyAQYEUHbzIE7B0dmIb4syIBBG=s4608" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOmcKQYCLjFgKWnoJfW0ltLp5E2WuEr4eZZ5lzSOk6BizZpYgglqCTm3AAshDZBNR6Kv0EaekGDQs75d3WmjjYbdVqLmrQawe2SYUxG8Viqn5_bC-3ch4Zo8uMBbbknZekOzW7u9zINoiiuuSiGjtG6fDZNnPWKWfyAQYEUHbzIE7B0dmIb4syIBBG=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy Auld's Monument.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8oZghsYIasvxnDb6vIpVMneSOYrY3AcxXtwmXZLwmYcNTQZBHamg41XDSrbhSQUr_9meRbRmwel-7MO9zRSJmuupF7CDmy9wCuKm-ctH1Q25K9ETmBgE-x8IZ1CGyvftP_pgEYg8DCn1PQGV7L5EkebF_MyPRlXzIPbZtNdEh1XBH_aAMDo0fvnOl=s2439" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="1514" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8oZghsYIasvxnDb6vIpVMneSOYrY3AcxXtwmXZLwmYcNTQZBHamg41XDSrbhSQUr_9meRbRmwel-7MO9zRSJmuupF7CDmy9wCuKm-ctH1Q25K9ETmBgE-x8IZ1CGyvftP_pgEYg8DCn1PQGV7L5EkebF_MyPRlXzIPbZtNdEh1XBH_aAMDo0fvnOl=s320" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Title page of a volume of Burns' poems, 1813. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-63635631909828973312021-12-19T17:31:00.000+00:002021-12-19T20:47:17.692+00:00December Fashions for 1798<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMKteCbFfhhorQz3MoFO2xqNGz_awSnwqZMaYGBvASh3wwo2viOWW-pYX2su0slGMKrq_51mdvK_dd70puuVMIMzAPvKiRiVQ8zCMmTw1CPDXy-UghxATF8gpPoooDWrujgLdrPRUugMjxfq6BNP-bQB8vBaBuxhv4goy46elRVYICzG2-jrhKzBv6=s2023" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="1040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMKteCbFfhhorQz3MoFO2xqNGz_awSnwqZMaYGBvASh3wwo2viOWW-pYX2su0slGMKrq_51mdvK_dd70puuVMIMzAPvKiRiVQ8zCMmTw1CPDXy-UghxATF8gpPoooDWrujgLdrPRUugMjxfq6BNP-bQB8vBaBuxhv4goy46elRVYICzG2-jrhKzBv6=w165-h320" width="165" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lady's Monthly Museum</i>, 1798. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Paying morning visits was an important part of fashionable life - and it was important that a lady was properly dressed. Popular magazine <i>The Lady's Monthly Museum</i> included up-to-date fashions for its fair readers. The lady on the left is wearing a 'Plain White Gown' (like the ones favoured by Eleanor Tilney in Jane Austen's <i>Northanger Abbey</i>), with a 'Cloak of Purple Velvet, hanging in a point behind, trimmed with broad Black Lace'. She is sporting a 'Black Velvet Cap' with a 'Bandeau of Pink Ribbon', with a pink handkerchief and pink shoes. For warmth, she is carrying a 'Bear [skin] Muff'. Her companion is also attired in a 'Plain Gown' with a 'Cloak of Scarlet <a href="https://wroot.blog/tag/kerseymere/" target="_blank">Kerseymere</a>, trimmed with Sables, having either a hood or cape trimmed with the same'. This lady's 'head-dress' is made from 'Purple Velvet, with Bandeau, Puffing, and Rose of Scarlet Ribbon', with matching shoes. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvJmgSli3G_X1P6FTenW8DYut9hXjz1ZoOOE0XNx6BSWW7R89FKgcJm4ZRBMfuaoIx5OzQDMH0v-Jrpt_5fRg8GOJwaa-R6x_FNe0RHewCpTMxNAPu18xdXN9EDS3F3zEV4IBgj-_5n8caOmt5u7v6yH6MKNaHsoepVhSFAzAVYuf9EShFz7LwTHhq=s1985" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="1040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvJmgSli3G_X1P6FTenW8DYut9hXjz1ZoOOE0XNx6BSWW7R89FKgcJm4ZRBMfuaoIx5OzQDMH0v-Jrpt_5fRg8GOJwaa-R6x_FNe0RHewCpTMxNAPu18xdXN9EDS3F3zEV4IBgj-_5n8caOmt5u7v6yH6MKNaHsoepVhSFAzAVYuf9EShFz7LwTHhq=s320" width="168" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Plain gowns were also popular for evening wear, with suitable embellishments. Full dress (image right) for the first figure comprised a 'Round Gown, with the Agatha Robe of Pink Muslin'. The robe had satin half-sleeves, and was fashioned on each shoulder with a cornelian clasp. The lady is wearing a coral necklace and earrings, and a turban of purple velvet trimmed with white satin and pink muslin; purple shoes to match. The lady on the right is wearing a lilac muslin half-robe over her round gown with lace tucker. Her head-dress is a lilac 'fillet' fastened under her chin, decorated with pearls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 18 December 1798, Jane Austen was looking forward to a ball. She wrote to her sister Cassandra, 'I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your black velvet bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it very readily did, and by which I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me. I shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part. I still venture to retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round without any bow, and instead of the black military feather shall put in the coquelicot one as being smarter, and besides coquelicot is to be all the fashion this winter. After the ball I shall probably make it entirely black'. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A very Happy Christmas to all my readers! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-51430966597983388722021-08-14T16:41:00.000+01:002021-08-14T16:41:11.945+01:00Sir Walter Scott<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVHsR6tHacKur67HiU_gVIWLLaytBTZjHImAI3I_kKHBAU2PwTD_s5JptxsGumSLSZ2R72JriwW3u0Sns-7ng-0nCbeaGP4-wOpFu9j8s6c_KSUiZy1PL7yJWkZSo2WIb8v0gp7fOS5U/s2048/Sir+Walter+Scott+1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVHsR6tHacKur67HiU_gVIWLLaytBTZjHImAI3I_kKHBAU2PwTD_s5JptxsGumSLSZ2R72JriwW3u0Sns-7ng-0nCbeaGP4-wOpFu9j8s6c_KSUiZy1PL7yJWkZSo2WIb8v0gp7fOS5U/s320/Sir+Walter+Scott+1822.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Walter Scott, 1822.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Tomorrow marks 250 years since the birth of <a href="https://walterscott250.com/page/page/who-was-walter" target="_blank">Sir Walter Scott</a>, novelist and contemporary of Jane Austen. Young 'Wattie', as he was affectionately known by his family, was born '<span style="text-align: justify;">in a house belonging to my father, at the head of the College Wynd' in Edinburgh, he later <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24497/24497-h/24497-h.htm#page001" target="_blank">recalled</a>.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">At first Walter was a healthy child, but after an illness in which he lost the use of his right leg, he was sent to live with his paternal grandparents on their farm at <a href="http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/biography/sandy.html" target="_blank">Sandy Knowe</a>, Roxburghshire. The fresh country air and lots of exercise greatly restored Walter's health, although he was left with a permanent limp. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">But his stay at Sandy Knowe left an even more lasting legacy. His grandmother, and his Aunt Jenny, told Walter lots of stories and legends about the <a href="https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Border-Reivers/" target="_blank">Border reivers</a>, and the ill-fated Jacobite rebellions. These tales fired the young lad's imagination, and later inspired his poems and fiction. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After <a href="http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/biography/education.html" target="_blank">attending school</a> at Edinburgh and Kelso, Walter studied at Edinburgh University before becoming indentured to his father to train as a <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/writer-to-the-signet-ws">Writer to the Signet</a>. When his apprenticeship ended, Scott trained for the Scottish Bar. In 1792 he qualified as an Advocate 'with all its duties and honours'. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">While studying at Edinburgh, Walter joined <a href="http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/biography/beginning.html" target="_blank">several literary societies</a>. He also composed poetry. During the course of his legal training, he also visited the Highlands - and its scenery had a lasting impact on him. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Following an unrequited love for a young lady he met during his teens, Scott fell for the dazzlingly beautiful Charlotte Carpenter (Charpentier). They married at <a href="https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/carlisle/carlislecathedral/index.html" target="_blank">Carlisle</a> in 1797. Two years later, Scott was appointed <a href="https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/sir-walter-scotts-courtroom-p251761" target="_blank">Sheriff-Depute of Selkirk</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Scott's first full-length publication, <i>The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders </i>(1802) was a collection of traditional Scots ballads (see Alistair Johnson's <a href="http://www.advocates.org.uk/media/2079/the-minstrelsy-of-the-scottish-border-an-essay-by-alistair-johnson.pdf" target="_blank">essay here</a>); it also included some of Scott's own work. The <i>Minstrelsy</i> was a best-seller, and laid the foundations of Walter's first full-length published poem, <i><a href="https://archive.org/details/laylastminstrel13scotgoog" target="_blank">The Lay of the Last Minstrel</a></i> (1805), followed by <i><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5077" target="_blank">Marmion</a>; A Tale of Flodden Field.</i> (1808).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRZHb-3JXulQGPg3Fc-sVKBRjzUL2ieThZMO-ayTgARnbBNalSQJzQq9vIPTF0v9TFf9M_5M_yYT_q23Hk0Wnshvx6ZosI8jnfxmagczfBHXaYyEPrEOxZ8ISZFOVUPro8ai3XJ1tsE0/s2048/walter+scott+pocket+magazine+1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRZHb-3JXulQGPg3Fc-sVKBRjzUL2ieThZMO-ayTgARnbBNalSQJzQq9vIPTF0v9TFf9M_5M_yYT_q23Hk0Wnshvx6ZosI8jnfxmagczfBHXaYyEPrEOxZ8ISZFOVUPro8ai3XJ1tsE0/s320/walter+scott+pocket+magazine+1833.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott at Abbotsford. </td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtqu0eAMmziMWPGfYn9nNcx1ItuaPTCMjVw6UZeYQtoGg_M8ymOwHYVDxYAMPxP36XpF1ieEd83AVDRsu62qb-A2H8iTn80kQ7chFyeg5MpPuWhQYEfvNftgWiuDvzcVllo245Cf7YqY/s2048/Abbotsford+The+Study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="2048" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtqu0eAMmziMWPGfYn9nNcx1ItuaPTCMjVw6UZeYQtoGg_M8ymOwHYVDxYAMPxP36XpF1ieEd83AVDRsu62qb-A2H8iTn80kQ7chFyeg5MpPuWhQYEfvNftgWiuDvzcVllo245Cf7YqY/s320/Abbotsford+The+Study.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbotsford; Scott's Study.</td></tr></tbody></table>His poetry was incredibly successful, and warmly received by the critics. However, he had also been trying his hand at fiction, and his novel <i><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5998/5998-h/5998-h.htm" target="_blank">Waverley</a></i> was published anonymously in 1814. <i>Waverley </i>was a runaway success, and the stage was set for Scott's incredible writing career. He published <a href="http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/works/index.html#fiction" target="_blank">over twenty novels</a> before his death in 1832. Walter sold a phenomenal number of books during his lifetime, and the proceeds helped to fund his dream home - <a href="https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/" target="_blank">Abbotsford</a> - his 'Conundrum Castle'. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Scott's later years were overshadowed by illness and financial troubles, and the death of his wife. The <a href="http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/biography/finance.html" target="_blank">collapse of his publishers</a> led Scott to try and repay his debts honourably, by writing. He successfully reduced a large amount of the debts before his death at Abbotsford in 1832.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">All images from the author's collection. </p><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-86216665938753599232021-05-20T11:15:00.001+01:002021-05-20T11:15:25.815+01:00A Great Honour!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rA45kPXm2ApPZV1ITi4-wEvpZH6TQg_Im-7fYHhAITYKy9qu85dGeTzYM9nd5qPXaMq-zW3g42Ajt1FZVJYaRBK617Emq6bztnaSZS2BFngkvGK0PaVr_6gVxevaBJoeZEvuDlJhBek/s1815/Morning+visiting+dress+1837+Ladies+Cabinet+of+fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1815" data-original-width="1151" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rA45kPXm2ApPZV1ITi4-wEvpZH6TQg_Im-7fYHhAITYKy9qu85dGeTzYM9nd5qPXaMq-zW3g42Ajt1FZVJYaRBK617Emq6bztnaSZS2BFngkvGK0PaVr_6gVxevaBJoeZEvuDlJhBek/s320/Morning+visiting+dress+1837+Ladies+Cabinet+of+fashion.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm very pleased and honoured to say that I've just been elected a Fellow of the <a href="https://royalhistsoc.org/" target="_blank">Royal Historical Society</a>! I'd particularly like to thank the President, <a href="http://www.emmagriffin.info/" target="_blank">Emma Griffin</a>, for supporting my application. I am really looking forward to joining this international community of historians, and helping to promote and support the discipline of history as much as I can. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Illustration: Morning visiting dress, Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, 1837.</p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-53337814810549980632021-05-20T11:05:00.001+01:002021-05-20T11:05:18.519+01:00News for Email Subscribers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7rFIBPwuhGp2SVl1LMlBhvmVX0g6Rhv5KlRGuv2grX_KkpWsb73wjo5ro87wVsnn6DTal_YyRpUBCX4NphmjTT5KH7ncKrNk6RrqjX6bkNXlfRL8RQlhQA2EvMs8YJVEVZJFZPfTrWU/s1746/pattens+paddle+ourvillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="1150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7rFIBPwuhGp2SVl1LMlBhvmVX0g6Rhv5KlRGuv2grX_KkpWsb73wjo5ro87wVsnn6DTal_YyRpUBCX4NphmjTT5KH7ncKrNk6RrqjX6bkNXlfRL8RQlhQA2EvMs8YJVEVZJFZPfTrWU/s320/pattens+paddle+ourvillage.jpg" /></a></div><br /> It has been brought to my attention that the old 'subscribe by email' function, previously provided by Feedburner, will stop working in July. Therefore, I've switched subscribers to the new <a href="https://follow.it/enter-website">follow.it service</a> (with help from my dear husband Nigel, and from technical support!) Current subscribers should be switched automatically, if all goes well. <p></p><p></p><p>If you haven't already subscribed to my blog, you can do so via <a href="https://follow.it/suewilkes?action=followPub" target="_blank">this link</a>. If you'd like to subscribe to my Jane Austen blog, you can do so via <a href="https://follow.it/visitjaneaustensengland?action=followPub" target="_blank">this link here</a>.<br /></p><p>It's raining today, so here's a nice illustration of a lady wearing pattens - essential wear in Jane Austen's day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-40111121786835621562021-01-30T10:12:00.001+00:002021-01-30T10:13:28.423+00:00Caledonian Collection!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZchrs5Lt43ctTfkct9snyzAxGp-4AlbckA9RbpyfBml8WdFnZ0vz7XCjNJHgBCU08zrtyOpqfhHLQ9ImHrOMyxeyCa3mnkJIK3fvCeALTZv6PlpzpEzTfUuiYL5l8BfyUZTK4XYQBlhg/s738/cover+image+final.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZchrs5Lt43ctTfkct9snyzAxGp-4AlbckA9RbpyfBml8WdFnZ0vz7XCjNJHgBCU08zrtyOpqfhHLQ9ImHrOMyxeyCa3mnkJIK3fvCeALTZv6PlpzpEzTfUuiYL5l8BfyUZTK4XYQBlhg/s320/cover+image+final.PNG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahyG_J1Mt9yf4w97N_xRcGX8n6LTdHJijC5gx0e3A558f5nK5P5K27TbrobD5s0lQs6whvMV0r3IQGAqYssRR59CyNcFA9_FyscNuNQ_D7ohzvfPnpD7iQGSq0tETvlh9vUuJAvWrkWg/s2048/A+Highland+Outpost.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1397" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahyG_J1Mt9yf4w97N_xRcGX8n6LTdHJijC5gx0e3A558f5nK5P5K27TbrobD5s0lQs6whvMV0r3IQGAqYssRR59CyNcFA9_FyscNuNQ_D7ohzvfPnpD7iQGSq0tETvlh9vUuJAvWrkWg/w136-h200/A+Highland+Outpost.jpg" width="136" /></a> <br />I'm very pleased to announce that I've just published my new book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VD39GTJ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Caledonian+collection&qid=1612001401&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Caledonian Collection</a></i> on Amazon Kindle! It's a collection of published articles inspired by our holidays in Scotland, in former happier times. The topics covered include the 'Killing Times', Radical rebels, and Bonnie Prince Charlie's ill-fated venture to gain the British throne. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it! <p></p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-63311718763910899592020-12-16T12:11:00.002+00:002020-12-16T12:12:03.512+00:00Goodbye to 2020!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f_NuikEbzOMHnE85AzATJBi5DOYMnxTEcGZHA5XwEPxfUDOo2qHJFyrMDSYeYn4JuGNNjgh4mr-YqYHl8fWg_-9uw5qybuII7UYueVNqwCNlZohnYA52bsk9WPozRYDKBx7NUQIrb2g/s1652/aurora+borealis.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1652" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f_NuikEbzOMHnE85AzATJBi5DOYMnxTEcGZHA5XwEPxfUDOo2qHJFyrMDSYeYn4JuGNNjgh4mr-YqYHl8fWg_-9uw5qybuII7UYueVNqwCNlZohnYA52bsk9WPozRYDKBx7NUQIrb2g/s320/aurora+borealis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This has been a horrible year for so many people in so many countries.<p></p><p>However, the advent of several vaccines has given us fresh hope that some day soon we will be able to once again hug our loved ones safely. </p><p>This is not a good time of year weather-wise. But I do take pleasure in small things whilst unable to travel: the joy of spotting our resident Robin Redbreast; the last few chrysanthemums braving the December rain; and the first tentative harbingers of spring as next year's bulbs begin to appear. </p><p><br /></p><p>I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the new year. </p><p>Here's to better times next year! </p><p><br /></p><p>Image: The Aurora Borealis in Lapland. <i>Penny Magazine</i>, 21 December 1833. </p>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-15751341125211671692020-07-27T16:22:00.000+01:002020-08-03T14:06:57.709+01:00A Summer Like No OtherThis summer seems to have gone by like a dream.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvQydrO3uoF9S_p7F-xt0TH8E16xsunvEYG7x5PaQxxycngu0o4Q51cGMEVG_ipc1j3K_9NUu5id5_LuAGD0ZkA7qUKTejluhXlpFS90qxALRWCpL3r_MJ4hfSSt7SjIFUxh0aIflJdA/s1600/IMG_20200417_135823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvQydrO3uoF9S_p7F-xt0TH8E16xsunvEYG7x5PaQxxycngu0o4Q51cGMEVG_ipc1j3K_9NUu5id5_LuAGD0ZkA7qUKTejluhXlpFS90qxALRWCpL3r_MJ4hfSSt7SjIFUxh0aIflJdA/s200/IMG_20200417_135823.jpg" width="150" /></a>I cannot remember a situation like this during my lifetime – so many weeks of anxiety about the safety of our loved ones, both family and friends.<br />
<br />
I meant to start a diary at the start of the pandemic, but for the first time in my life I have been far too anxious and unsettled to write.<br />
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The first few weeks of lockdown were the worst – those blisteringly hot, seemingly endless days when we were confined to the house except for our permitted one walk per day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVfXU7oXJM818mpKc_mfVL3wDHg15jzEAuDi9iIqqRzXCryu2G0qVF9VwjLPIoTEXikwEqDSIJwn-yHQuaQE5XaH13eBaPaQ5IAi87nxEKctejhRYq7UjqKaMrTfxc1SSouVKsdhBCnk/s1600/IMG_20200417_135720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVfXU7oXJM818mpKc_mfVL3wDHg15jzEAuDi9iIqqRzXCryu2G0qVF9VwjLPIoTEXikwEqDSIJwn-yHQuaQE5XaH13eBaPaQ5IAi87nxEKctejhRYq7UjqKaMrTfxc1SSouVKsdhBCnk/s200/IMG_20200417_135720.jpg" width="150" /></a>We have been very lucky compared with many families – we were able to walk round our garden when we needed a breath of fresh air. It was a great comfort to see the spring flowers appearing and to watch birds playing on the lawn, oblivious to the drama unfolding in the human world.<br />
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Our son came home just before the start of the lockdown, and it has been a great comfort, knowing he was safe with us.<br />
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But the separation from other family members was the worst, especially my elderly parents and our daughter.<br />
<br />
We missed our daughter’s birthday, and my sister’s too, during the lockdown. Video calls aren’t the same as a hug, but better than nothing. Even though the restrictions have eased, it still hurts that I can’t cuddle my Mum and Dad, or our daughter.<br />
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We have enjoyed a few days out recently, but with no end to our invisible enemy in sight, it is hard to see when or if our lives will ever return to normal.<br />
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I hope that you and your loved ones are keeping well – and staying safe.<br />
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Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-37163661996914535592020-02-03T12:22:00.000+00:002020-02-03T12:22:33.615+00:00Meet the Cato Street Conspirators!Every November, we commemorate the discovery in 1605 of <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/gunpowderplot/">Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot</a> to blow up Parliament, over four hundred years after the event. Yet the Cato Street Conspirators - who planned to murder the whole British Cabinet and launch a revolution - are seemingly almost forgotten, even though it's the <a href="https://suewilkes.blogspot.com/2020/01/cato-street-conspiracy-bicentenary.html">bicentenary</a> of their executions this year. Most of the plotters were arrested in a loft at <a href="https://londonhistorians.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/remembering-the-cato-street-conspiracy/">Cato Street</a> following a <a href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/protest-democracy-1818-1820/raid-cato-street-plotters/">police 'sting' operation</a> set up by Home Office <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1783400617/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vamf_taft_p1_i0">spy</a> George Edwards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuAHiv0z5zNcMr7xDpJKyPrCPwY-pP5Jz_8PYotX2WbH6aHlQNlZFAuaj8T02j8gVfYcOBcl9k8ZmTIShaVDG9-5x_VGHrdGPCMDL8ZzEkVnnuY9VI_gbnqVNXkOJtnfRnoL7Qpg8Pq4/s1600/thistlewood+newgate5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="479" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuAHiv0z5zNcMr7xDpJKyPrCPwY-pP5Jz_8PYotX2WbH6aHlQNlZFAuaj8T02j8gVfYcOBcl9k8ZmTIShaVDG9-5x_VGHrdGPCMDL8ZzEkVnnuY9VI_gbnqVNXkOJtnfRnoL7Qpg8Pq4/s320/thistlewood+newgate5.PNG" width="229" /></a>On Monday 1 May 1820, Arthur Thistlewood, James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, Richard Tidd and William Davidson were hanged for high treason before a vast crowd at Newgate prison.<br />
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What type of men were the <a href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/protest-democracy-1818-1820/cato-conspirators-charged/">conspirators</a>?<br />
<br />
All the plotters were as poor as church mice. Their ringleader, Arthur Thistlewood, was already well known to the authorities for his role in the <a href="https://suewilkes.blogspot.com/2015/12/britons-to-arms-spa-fields-1816.html">Spa Fields Riots</a> (December 1816). He was 5ft 8in high, with ‘a sallow complexion’, dark hair, ‘dark hazel eyes and arched eyebrows’, a wide mouth and good teeth. Arthur had a scar under his chin, and the ‘appearance of a military man’. He customarily wore a blue riding coat and blue pantaloons. Thistlewood, now about 25 years old, was on his second marriage, and had previously been unfortunate in his finances. Arthur had a pathological hatred of government ministers like Lord Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth, and was notorious for his violent language and demeanour. When the police trap was sprung, Thistlewood fought his way out of the loft, killing a policeman, Smithers, with his sword. George Edwards later led the police to Thistlewood's hiding place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstHkWuYYUi4uJ4Ub_KCk70rwwHoE3erGorPQJ1rimmuXlenljgOjqUZlJWlI9X8l10Kcri3gkCbGQcLvZWZFEA0QMCQuXgD7qQWwkFT4VLN0FxWIBzyzA1wLItPGkQaTbfwrZOPLffw4/s1600/cato+st+ings+brunt+authentic.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstHkWuYYUi4uJ4Ub_KCk70rwwHoE3erGorPQJ1rimmuXlenljgOjqUZlJWlI9X8l10Kcri3gkCbGQcLvZWZFEA0QMCQuXgD7qQWwkFT4VLN0FxWIBzyzA1wLItPGkQaTbfwrZOPLffw4/s320/cato+st+ings+brunt+authentic.PNG" width="157" /></a></div>
James Ings, a Hampshire man, had formerly known more prosperous times, but lost much of his property and money during the trade slump after Waterloo. He had a wife, Celia, three daughters, and a son called William. Ings had recently kept a coffee-shop in Whitechapel, from which he sold political pamphlets, but this venture, too, failed. He was penniless in the run-up to the conspiracy, and is said to have been given money by government spy <a href="https://spartacus-educational.com/PRedwards.htm">George Edwards</a> to rent a room which served as an arms depot for the conspirators.<br />
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John Thomas Brunt was lodging in the same house. A Londoner, he earned a living as a 'boot-closer', and was said to be an 'excellent workman'. A married man, in his late thirties, he had a fourteen-year-old son. Brunt was seemingly of a poetic turn. The night before his execution, he sent his wife the last shilling he possessed, begging her to 'keep the shilling for his sake for as long as she lived'.<br />
He also wrote some verses for his wife:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Tho' in a cell I'm close confin'd,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>No fears alarm the noble mind,</i></div>
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<i>Tho' death itself appears in view, </i></div>
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<i>Daunts not the soul sincerely true, </i></div>
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<i>Let <a href="https://history.blog.gov.uk/2015/10/01/henry-addington-1st-viscount-sidmouth/">Sidmouth</a> and his base colleagues</i></div>
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<i>Cajole and plot their dark intrigues;</i></div>
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<i>Still each Briton's last words shall be,</i></div>
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<i>Oh! give me death or liberty!</i></div>
(George Theodore Wilkinson, <i>An Authentic History of the Cato Street Conspiracy</i>, London, 1820).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39mOPirdEjstojFftF3qgZWg4VKKTXLdsQ2mMNQ_7tNWBh-b7ZjTyyasz_tdoCapCfOgHTKZl9OYSNRQ5MVSaL9WQ8uR7JP5IDSNM38B9wce0OcLFdmTYwvplCiUhCWetvXIMUzih5Gc/s1600/richard+tidd+newgate5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39mOPirdEjstojFftF3qgZWg4VKKTXLdsQ2mMNQ_7tNWBh-b7ZjTyyasz_tdoCapCfOgHTKZl9OYSNRQ5MVSaL9WQ8uR7JP5IDSNM38B9wce0OcLFdmTYwvplCiUhCWetvXIMUzih5Gc/s320/richard+tidd+newgate5.PNG" width="245" /></a>Richard Tidd, born in Grantham, was a Radical shoemaker alleged to have been involved in the <a href="https://suewilkes.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-arrest-of-colonel-despard.html">Despard conspiracy</a>. Tidd was married, with a daughter, and lived in great poverty in Hole-in-the-Wall Passage, Baldwin's Gardens. It's said that Tidd fired a gun at a peace officer during the conspirators' arrest on 23 February.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPzu_3Kl1fQ0IAZI_KVnb3fnNAQi6_I-HSFMRwsxhRNoTKRteQFAHd3DjEHnPlf0mxrFF80Hjtt-B4JVPJLi0vQUsQd_TQpmWKo-PnSKhONP4jIpFhhUa9Ct4rKS9R5wvUSxqLZ4hxLc/s1600/william+davidson+newgate5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPzu_3Kl1fQ0IAZI_KVnb3fnNAQi6_I-HSFMRwsxhRNoTKRteQFAHd3DjEHnPlf0mxrFF80Hjtt-B4JVPJLi0vQUsQd_TQpmWKo-PnSKhONP4jIpFhhUa9Ct4rKS9R5wvUSxqLZ4hxLc/s320/william+davidson+newgate5.PNG" width="234" /></a></div>
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William Davidson, 'a man of colour', was highly intelligent. Born in Kingston, Jamaica (where his father was Attorney-General), he came to England while still very young for a good education. He studied mathematics, and the law (for a time) before learning the trade of a cabinet-maker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHs5iJsdOD4OI-QeUaNCEdgPSqptCKACIDo9_oe4Y0fLVNEePkHUY4IgxVyum1P7h5ogVNNVeHbBXCqNxP_G3x2j-0rB_ApuCMnw5bAB02ETdzbTiOmPlCbBaZTufl7gaTSd5wkIfvMk/s1600/cato+st+monument+authentic.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="457" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHs5iJsdOD4OI-QeUaNCEdgPSqptCKACIDo9_oe4Y0fLVNEePkHUY4IgxVyum1P7h5ogVNNVeHbBXCqNxP_G3x2j-0rB_ApuCMnw5bAB02ETdzbTiOmPlCbBaZTufl7gaTSd5wkIfvMk/s320/cato+st+monument+authentic.PNG" width="173" /></a><br />
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The <i>Authentic History of the Cato Street Conspiracy</i> gives Davidson a very bad character, accusing him not only of an 'indelicate attack' on a Sunday School teacher, but also the young ladies who attended the school. He too was extremely poor following the failure of his business.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNOy-SdugdQ9llNxfZRpWTJJrZhw7A3qN3H0sb5OjJWVMxctJto4-Z8Z0T15H0YLM92GKBEOV5VnJKpSJEpejykEAn4TQBggikLZ0vIwXZIiaUzBgN3u3uxj6Wt2t7nmUWvxzs6597U/s1600/hiden+adams+newgate5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNOy-SdugdQ9llNxfZRpWTJJrZhw7A3qN3H0sb5OjJWVMxctJto4-Z8Z0T15H0YLM92GKBEOV5VnJKpSJEpejykEAn4TQBggikLZ0vIwXZIiaUzBgN3u3uxj6Wt2t7nmUWvxzs6597U/s320/hiden+adams+newgate5.PNG" width="176" /></a><br />
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Several of the conspirators who were arrested were lucky to escape the gallows. Five others were transported to Australia.<br />
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Two more, John Monument and Thomas Adams turned King's evidence to save their skins.<br />
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Thomas Hiden, who had a last-minute change of heart and alerted the authorities to the plot (which they already knew about), was later rewarded with a job by the government.<br />
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However, Thistlewood also had links with other revolutionary groups in the UK, and the full extent of the conspiracy may never be fully known. <br />
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<br />Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-16507511178348869292020-01-07T11:23:00.001+00:002020-01-07T11:23:50.068+00:00Cato Street Conspiracy Bicentenary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7cBczzjhWhTCLVwNKPWswW4B_n6i7Du91p87XZ84RGaz_WoHtLDxfpo-_0KuEueFXQyeR_jE893AFuXXuS6sEroLv5o9WIY0q7wxWUbvqObBZTWzjlUH22Zuc774JJC3PINByKbpDeg/s1600/jarw-103-cover-digital-w800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7cBczzjhWhTCLVwNKPWswW4B_n6i7Du91p87XZ84RGaz_WoHtLDxfpo-_0KuEueFXQyeR_jE893AFuXXuS6sEroLv5o9WIY0q7wxWUbvqObBZTWzjlUH22Zuc774JJC3PINByKbpDeg/s320/jarw-103-cover-digital-w800.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
This year marks the bicentenary of the <a href="https://janeausteninvermont.blog/2016/03/13/guest-post-into-the-shadowy-world-of-regency-spies-sue-wilkes-on-the-cato-street-controversy/">Cato Street Conspiracy</a>. My latest feature for <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/issues.php">Jane Austen's Regency World magazine</a> looks at the story behind the capture of some of Britain's most desperate revolutionaries on 23 February 1820. <br />
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You can see a contemporary 'Narrative' of the Conspiracy <a href="https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/narrative-of-the-cato-street-conspiracy">here on the British Library website</a>, and some original documents relating to the conspirators <a href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/rights/cato.htm">here on the National Archives website.</a> The <a href="https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4895272">Treasury Solicitor papers </a>at the National Archives also include <a href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/humanrights/1815-1848/doc-catostreet-image.htm">a weapon that was used in evidence</a> at the trial of Arthur Thistlewood and his crew.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIJKcAdidYFH65sZb91xKZpk5JL8A3GS29u4gyUpLJM2I2thLiYKd2trwq02pz9NDYawrrTU1ZhACWVrMvQKH4tYahH1P3xmaxtiaavVweMr1DYt0_rE4ne7gHH01nXVB6_t5SCfXAT0/s1600/Thistlewood+authentichistory+archiveorg.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="343" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIJKcAdidYFH65sZb91xKZpk5JL8A3GS29u4gyUpLJM2I2thLiYKd2trwq02pz9NDYawrrTU1ZhACWVrMvQKH4tYahH1P3xmaxtiaavVweMr1DYt0_rE4ne7gHH01nXVB6_t5SCfXAT0/s320/Thistlewood+authentichistory+archiveorg.PNG" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Thistlewood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An exhibition on George IV's reign, '<a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/exhibitions/georgiandelights.aspx">Georgian Delights'</a>, is currently on show at the Weston Gallery, <a href="https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/special-collections/event/4164/georgian-delights-life-during-the-reign-of-george-iv-1820-1830.html">Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham</a>. Dr Richard Gaunt, the exhibition curator, will give <a href="https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/special-collections/event/4177/georgian-delights-talk-the-diabolical-cato-street-plot.html">a talk on Cato Street</a> on 24 February at the Djanogly Theatre.<br />
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You can also find out more about the background and build-up to the Cato Street Conspiracy in my book <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Regency-Spies-Hardback/p/11177">Regency Spies</a>.Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-48468000737865852882020-01-04T10:39:00.000+00:002020-01-05T11:03:49.011+00:00Paperback Release!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-dt_n0a5obGIz8kwX7l5MiY_YKbIGbFCEobHRV5ifRxcqu5xZ0fp-ueFarUZYCcH7NSIfu7AtCm_UWVfAUtAJVoDVF5QaNtwTBgFqBY9xFmlO3SgQh8c75rHvsnoWxveH9JLlt69npk/s1600/baiser+cover+snip.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-dt_n0a5obGIz8kwX7l5MiY_YKbIGbFCEobHRV5ifRxcqu5xZ0fp-ueFarUZYCcH7NSIfu7AtCm_UWVfAUtAJVoDVF5QaNtwTBgFqBY9xFmlO3SgQh8c75rHvsnoWxveH9JLlt69npk/s320/baiser+cover+snip.PNG" width="215" /></a></div>
I'm very pleased to announce that Vignettes is now available in paperback with a gorgeous new cover! It's available exclusively from Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1670731669/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=sue+wilkes+vignettes&qid=1578134196&s=books&sr=1-2">here in the UK</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1670731669">here in the USA</a>. I do hope you enjoy reading it!Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-2461259731607714882019-12-18T16:59:00.002+00:002019-12-18T16:59:59.201+00:00Merry Christmas Everyone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXRwpVhJz-x91yqZoOm6JFdpmMyOri1pHiKeTL9LSlAmb_sc28-2jWR6apqsBcTXhbXaVykHzHQ3cl8Z4Z6n5C_Jq-h-rX9unuefR55pp76FK4wc5RkQoq1dvUVllqQExxTPJOjyLYIM/s1600/horses+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXRwpVhJz-x91yqZoOm6JFdpmMyOri1pHiKeTL9LSlAmb_sc28-2jWR6apqsBcTXhbXaVykHzHQ3cl8Z4Z6n5C_Jq-h-rX9unuefR55pp76FK4wc5RkQoq1dvUVllqQExxTPJOjyLYIM/s320/horses+1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
Life has rather got in the way of updating my blogs this year, but I hope to do better in 2020. In the meantime, here is a festive tale of two clever horses from <i>The Children's Picture-Book of the Sagacity of Animals</i>, George Routledge & Sons., 1872 (illustration by Harrison Weir).<br />
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Happy Christmas everyone! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and peaceful New Year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTAQZq3B6p-Vc5T76sZjjkCC8C9bkxDdpduc2mf7uD2mAWg6CSxas-FNotGkFuB3LLJzgQCciKWLbsIiPwPZK_kRFTOpZjGRolbVVAkBziGtN2e2Y4uVCNd9eVS4xsV_wRAkzsCvvU2U/s1600/horses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1211" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTAQZq3B6p-Vc5T76sZjjkCC8C9bkxDdpduc2mf7uD2mAWg6CSxas-FNotGkFuB3LLJzgQCciKWLbsIiPwPZK_kRFTOpZjGRolbVVAkBziGtN2e2Y4uVCNd9eVS4xsV_wRAkzsCvvU2U/s320/horses+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-74989047067214023622019-12-16T17:00:00.001+00:002019-12-16T17:00:42.734+00:00Blaise Castle<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg276oDQ-CbDvbdaKGR1R2u52vk7gP9z3dKJzL6MP28atpmReH2dXUQiYcZLmaJDfQ6FHDGzKNDPkilUmwp2UaL6aFTkc4EDoNs92ZykNtfYDSGi-cEMRg2tdR2IXBZdrmGPgg693v0Jk/s1600/Blaise+Castle+House+Museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg276oDQ-CbDvbdaKGR1R2u52vk7gP9z3dKJzL6MP28atpmReH2dXUQiYcZLmaJDfQ6FHDGzKNDPkilUmwp2UaL6aFTkc4EDoNs92ZykNtfYDSGi-cEMRg2tdR2IXBZdrmGPgg693v0Jk/s320/Blaise+Castle+House+Museum.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaise Castle House Museum. </td></tr>
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Take a ride in John Thorpe's carriage to Blaise Castle in my <a href="https://visitjaneaustensengland.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-visit-to-blaise-castle.html">latest post</a> on my Jane Austen blog!Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108027738917026637.post-26324067673855968202019-08-21T13:40:00.000+01:002019-08-21T13:40:18.295+01:00Review of Vignettes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdQc7L2nA4AKRFzLBB38T26-ny0XPLitVfZcUQGh1ets2Gw6PzTCGIHW2_zqCzU4eGTvZRneZPA-YEw3OhfyQCEugVb0CL8KttTGsBYj2abIvSCmN_-sVn4RndnNKibpFYRL7o8SgVDQ/s1600/JARW+review+Vignettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdQc7L2nA4AKRFzLBB38T26-ny0XPLitVfZcUQGh1ets2Gw6PzTCGIHW2_zqCzU4eGTvZRneZPA-YEw3OhfyQCEugVb0CL8KttTGsBYj2abIvSCmN_-sVn4RndnNKibpFYRL7o8SgVDQ/s320/JARW+review+Vignettes.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
I'm absolutely thrilled with this lovely review of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RTZG15M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i8">Vignettes</a> in the <a href="https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/">September/October edition of Jane Austen's Regency World!</a> A big "Thank You" to reviewer Jocelyn Bury! This edition of the magazine also includes my article on marriage and divorce in Austen's day, plus an exclusive look behind the scenes of the new TV adaptation of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/sanditon/">Sanditon</a>, Jane Austen's last unfinished <a href="https://janeausten.ac.uk/edition/ms/SanditonHeadNote.html">novel</a>.Sue Wilkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240904720083861noreply@blogger.com0