By Tim Lambert Bess of Hardwick was a very rich woman in 16th century England. She was born Elizabeth Hardwick in the autumn of 1527 (the exact date is not known) in the village of Hardwick in Derbyshire. Her father was John Hardwick, a moderately prosperous landowner, and her mother was also called Elizabeth. She… Continue reading A Biography of Bess of Hardwick
A Biography of Caroline Herschel
By Tim Lambert Caroline Herschel was a famous woman astronomer of the 18th century. Caroline was born on 16 March 1750 in Hanover, Germany. She was one of 8 children. Her father, Isaac Herschel, was a musician. Her mother was called Anna. Caroline’s mother did not want her daughters to be educated, but fortunately, her… Continue reading A Biography of Caroline Herschel
A Biography of Hildegard of Bingen
By Tim Lambert Her Early Life Hildegard of Bingen was a writer in the 12th century. She was born about 1098 in Germany. Hildegard came from an upper-class family. She was one of ten children. When she was 15, Hildegard became a Benedictine nun. In 1136, when she was about 38, Hildegard became the abbess.… Continue reading A Biography of Hildegard of Bingen
A Biography of Joan of Arc
By Tim Lambert Her early Life Joan of Arc was a woman who inspired the French army to win victories in the 15th century. Joan was born about 1412 in the village of Domremy. Her parents were fairly well-off peasants and as a girl, Joan helped her mother around the house. She would have learned… Continue reading A Biography of Joan of Arc
A Biography of Margery Kempe
By Tim Lambert Margery Kempe was an English mystic of the Middle Ages. She is famous for her autobiography. Margery was born in n in 1373. Her father was a wealthy merchant. At that time Kings Lynn was a large and important town and port. When she grew up Margery married a merchant named John… Continue reading A Biography of Margery Kempe
A Biography of Queen Mary I
By Tim Lambert Mary Tudor was Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s daughter. Mary was born on 18 February 1516. As a child, she was well-educated. However, her mother lost favor with her father. In 1525 Mary was sent to Ludlow to preside over the Council of Wales. She was recalled from Wales in 1528.… Continue reading A Biography of Queen Mary I
A Biography of Florence Nightingale
By Tim Lambert Her Early Life Florence Nightingale was born in the city of Florence, Italy on 12 May 1820. She was the second daughter of wealthy parents (her elder sister was called Parthenope). When she was young Florence was very interested in mathematics. She was also a devout Christian and when she was 17… Continue reading A Biography of Florence Nightingale
A Biography of Julian of Norwich
By Tim Lambert Her Early Life Julian of Norwich 1342-1416 was a great Christian mystic and writer of the Middle Ages, but little is known about her. It is a myth that women were unimportant in the Middle Ages. Some women like Julian certainly did have influence. However, we know very little about her life.… Continue reading A Biography of Julian of Norwich
A Brief History of Public Health
By Tim Lambert Ancient Public Health In the ancient world, public health was often surprisingly advanced. Stone Age farmers lived in a village at Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands about 3,000 BC. Some of their stone huts had drains built under them and some houses had cubicles over the drains. It’s believed they were… Continue reading A Brief History of Public Health
A History of Toilets
By Tim Lambert Toilets in the Ancient World In the ancient world, people were capable of designing quite sophisticated toilets. Stone Age farmers lived in a village at Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands. Some of their stone huts had drains built under them, and some houses had cubicles over the drains. They may have… Continue reading A History of Toilets