Tudor soup, Victorian sewers, a 900-year old shipwreck and drawing with pens...
Yup! The first of the month is here. So here I am, popping into your inbox with an update on what’s been happening this month…
Writing
It’s been a while since I posted a new historically-inspired recipe and this month was a good one: Tudor Bacon Potage. It’s a simmering pan of veggies and smoky chunks of bacon that’ll transport you back to 1525. You can add a sprinkling of oats for a more filling bowl. Potage is sometimes listed in cookbooks as a first course or starter at banquets. Have a look at my other historical recipes here - I have more photographed and ready to post soon…
Pic above: Tudor Bacon Potage
I also looked into the local legend that Sir Francis Walsingham once had a town house in Reading, on the site of Patisserie Valerie today, which was demolished in the early 1900s - and wondered what Tudor Reading would have looked (and sounded) like. I took a break and sat in the courtyard of The George - the sixteenth (and maybe even fifteenth) century hotel I seem to be obsessed with at the moment - and sipped on a coffee while taking in all the historic vibes there, too.
Instagram Takeovers this month included Rosie - founder of The Historians Magazine and blogger at History With Rosie, where she talked about Runnymede and Magna Carta, Tudor House in Southampton and the history of Chepstow. This week historic photographer Matt Emmett from Forgotten Heritage is taking over - we’ve had stunning photos of Joseph Bazalgette’s Victorian sewer in London and Stack Rock Fort - a nineteenth century fort built near Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire. Matt’s an award-winning photographer with a love of history so do go and have a look at what he’s sharing with us this week.
If you’re interested in taking part in your own takeover on the Love British History Instagram then please do email me.
Reading
I finished Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s Daughters of Night, a murder mystery set in and around Georgian London. I’d definitely recommend it, there were plot twists right up until the end. I’m currently reading The White Ship by Charles Spencer, all about the fateful sinking of the ship carrying Henry I’s heir in 1120. I’m also following the news that the 900-year old shipwreck itself might have now been discovered deep under the ocean, which is really exciting. Follow Charles Spencer’s Twitter for all the news.
Not strictly reading, but I’ve also been enjoying Stephen Fry’s podcast series on Audible, Victorian Secrets. It combines Stephen Fry’s narration with actors and interviews with historians in 30-45 minute episodes, covering everything from Victorian attitudes to sex to accusations of kidnap and serial killers.
Sketching
I’ve just added up that I’ve created over 70 sketches of historic buildings in and around my local area. That’s a lot of fine liner pen! I’ve been busy this month too, working on a special project which I’ll be able to share with you soon!
In June I met up with my fellow Reading Urban Sketchers and sketched the rehearsals of The Last Abbot of Reading, a play performed by Rabble Theatre about Hugh Faringdon, who was executed for treason by Henry VIII at the gatehouse of Reading Abbey in 1539. The play itself was performed in open air, inside the abbey ruins, which made it even more atmospheric. I sketched for a couple of hours on a beautiful warm day and was very happy. Sketching, in the abbey ruins, a play about Tudors? You betcha.
I also decided to sketch all six of Henry VIII’s queens one weekend (I seem to have been a bit Tudor focused this month!) in Promarkers. Got some Promarkers, or want to start using them? I posted some tips on using them here.
Now that the weather is improving (again) I have some outside locations I’ll be sketching in over the next few weeks - keep in touch on my Instagram and check out my stories there to find out where I’m sketching next.
Pic above: Wilder’s Folly, near Sulham, Berkshire.
I’m still taking commissions - if you’d like me to sketch your house, a favourite pub, a view from a favourite window - then please get in touch.
Sketch With Me!
I’m running a series of workshops and talks at Made by Tamalia in Caversham and I’d love you to join me. I’ll be hosting a beginner’s workshop on sketching for adults, and another for teens in October half term. And in November I’ll be talking about my historic sketching and showing some of my work in context with the history of the area.
Got some feedback, a burning question you’d like me to answer or just want to say hello? Email me!
See you in August!