By Tim Lambert For thousands of years, until the end of the 19th century, bread was ‘the staff of life’ in the Middle East and most of Europe. Indeed, the word bread was sometimes a synonym for food. In Prehistoric Times, people ate flatbread. It’s believed that the Egyptians discovered leavened bread. The staple food… Continue reading A History of Bread
Category: Articles
A History of the Post Office
By Tim Lambert In the Ancient World, it was important for kings and emperors to be able to send and receive messages over long distances. Not surprisingly, many Ancient Civilisations had systems for delivering messages. In the Roman Empire, a service called the Cursus Publicus carried official messages using relays of horses. In the Middle… Continue reading A History of the Post Office
Life For Viking Women
By Tim Lambert Viking women had considerable freedom. They could own land and inherit property. They could also divorce their husbands. If their husband was away on an expedition, they were responsible for running the farm. However, the Vikings captured women and children on their raids and made them slaves. They were sold in markets,… Continue reading Life For Viking Women
A History of Sitka Alaska
By Tim Lambert Early Sitka The indigenous people of Southeast Alaska were the Tlingit. They were hunter-gatherers. They mostly depended on fishing for their livelihood, although they also hunted mammals like seals. The Russians first arrived in Alaska in 1741. They built their first settlement at Unalaska in 1772. In 1790, Aleksander Baranov (1746-1819) was… Continue reading A History of Sitka Alaska
A Brief History of Iran
By Tim Lambert Ancient Persia The Persian Empire The Persian Empire was created by Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great (559-529 BC). Cyrus first defeated another Iranian people called the Medes. In 547, he defeated the kingdom of Lydia (in what is now Turkey) at the battle of Pterya and became the ruler of… Continue reading A Brief History of Iran
A Brief History of El Salvador
By Tim Lambert Early El Salvador Before the Spanish conquest, people called the Pipil lived in El Salvador. The Pipil were civilized and built cities and temples. However, in 1524, the Spanish invaded. They were led by Pedro de Alvarado (c- 1485 – 1541). The native people resisted fiercely, but the Spanish had superior weapons.… Continue reading A Brief History of El Salvador
The Bloody Benders of Kansas
By Tim Lambert The Benders were a family of murderers in Kansas in the 1870s. Little is known about them; unfortunately, there are different versions of what happened. No doubt myths and legends have grown up. It’s known for sure that the Benders were four people. They were German immigrants. Pa Bender was described as… Continue reading The Bloody Benders of Kansas
A History of Menstruation
By Tim Lambert Some archaeologists think the Ancient Egyptians made tampons from the papyrus plant, but that is debated. In the Old Testament, a menstruating woman was regarded as ‘unclean’ for 7 days. (Leviticus 15:19-30). The Bible also mentions a menstrual cloth (Isaiah 30:22). In the Ancient World, menstrual cloths were the usual way of… Continue reading A History of Menstruation
Pictures of Southampton
By Tim Lambert These are some pictures I took of the historic city of Southampton in Hampshire. The city has a long and interesting history. It has been a major port for centuries. Ogle House in Ogle Street The Juniper Berry pub Lord Palmerston In the Middle Ages, Simnel was a kind of fine flour… Continue reading Pictures of Southampton
Pictures of Portsmouth
By Tim Lambert The Round Tower, Old Portsmouth A view from the Round Tower 17th century houses in Portsmouth The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth The Garrison Church Portsmouth Cathedral Gunwharf Shopping Centre The Spinnaker Tower An old street name in Portsea HMS Warrior 1860 Isambard Kingdom Brunel Monument The Dockyard Wall St George’s Church Portsea… Continue reading Pictures of Portsmouth