Chelsea Buns, Bedlam and Who Was to Blame for the Wars of the Roses?
How are you doing, history friends? We’re almost half way through the year, and the weeks and months are going by so quickly. Here’s what’s been going on…
History
I’m excited to say that just a few months after sending the manuscript to the publisher for my first history book, I’ve signed a contract for my second! I won’t give away anything just yet, but to give you a clue I’ve been reading quite a bit about a certain red-haired king with a thing about abbeys. I’ll keep you posted!
Over on the blog I delved into the origins of the Chelsea Bun and the famous eighteenth-century bun house in London, and its important and royal fans. I also had a look at the history of Bedlam and the women that found themselves there, all for different reasons. Keeping with the theme of the eighteenth century, I also took part in a Book Tour for a great book on Kitty Fisher, the socialite and companion of some of London’s earls and men of power. To my knowledge there hasn’t been a comprehensive biography written about her, so it was great to see. You can read my full review here.
Going back to the seventeenth century, I also had a look at the story of Elizabeth Dormer, the Countess of Carnarvon, whose family became entangled in the tragic events of the English Civil War.
Speaking of Civil Wars, who was to blame for the fifteenth century Wars of the Roses, a fight between the families of Lancaster and York for the throne? I have a look at the evidence here.
If you’d like a daily dose of British History, I share a photo and a fact daily on my Facebook and Instagram pages, feel free to follow and learn a little history fact every day!
Sketching
The last few weeks have been, unusually for me, a time for trying new art techniques. I did some acrylic pour paintings, an alcohol ink angel and a red kite in coloured pencils! It’s all good! I also helped out at Caversham Arts Trail last month and it was great to meet people who popped into the Creativ.Spaces studio for a look around and a chat. Next week I’ll be taking part in an exhibition at Redlands Church Hall in Reading, which is taking place Saturday 17th (10am-4pm) and Sunday 18th June (12pm-5pm). Pop by if you can and see some work by local artists!
You can visit my online shop here, and I share all my work to my Instagram page as and when it’s done, so feel free to keep updated there.
Thanks for reading! And also, if there’s anything in particular you’d like to see me cover or investigate history-wise, or if you know of any good potential historic sketching sites then let me know! Stay well, see you soon! x