One from the archives, as we brace ourselves for the annual winter onslaught on the NHS.
The Great Georgian Snuff Debate
One of the most quintessential emblems of the eighteenth century dandy or fop is the snuffbox. By the mid eighteenth century the practice was ubiquitous…and not to everyone’s taste.
One of the most quintessential emblems of the eighteenth century dandy or fop is the snuffbox. By the mid eighteenth century the practice was ubiquitous…and not to everyone’s taste.
Thomas Ribright: The Electrifying Optician of 18th-Century London
Our tale is a cautionary one, involving a very modern form of antisocial behaviour, malice and nuisance, but also retribution. Depending on how you look at it, this is a Georgian story of instant karma…of what might be categorised on a Youtube clip as ‘instant justice’.
Our tale is a cautionary one, involving a very modern form of antisocial behaviour, malice and nuisance, but also retribution. Depending on how you look at it, this is a Georgian story of instant karma…of what might be categorised on a Youtube clip as ‘instant justice’.
What About Whiskers?
Dr. Alun looks at the forgotten facial hair fashion of 19th-century Britain.
Dr. Alun looks at the forgotten facial hair fashion of 19th-century Britain.
How Welsh Medicine Helped to Create America!
Dr. Alun Withey explains how boy from the tiny parish of Ysceifiog rose to prominence in the nascent American colonies and helped spread Welsh medicine.
Dr. Alun Withey explains how boy from the tiny parish of Ysceifiog rose to prominence in the nascent American colonies and helped spread Welsh medicine.
The Case of the Severed Finger: Callow vs Heane, 1634
A tale of a 1600s alehouse brawl.
A tale of a 1600s alehouse brawl.
18th-Century Barbers at the Old Bailey
While a barbershop might not immediately spring to mind as a tempting target, lots of barbering goods were actually desirable, and easy to put out through the fence.
While a barbershop might not immediately spring to mind as a tempting target, lots of barbering goods were actually desirable, and easy to put out through the fence.
Barbers and Shaving in Early Modern Britain
For customers, barbering was a profession that relied on trust. Submitting yourself to lie still while a stranger hovered a lethally sharp blade over your jugular required some estimation of their ability!
For customers, barbering was a profession that relied on trust. Submitting yourself to lie still while a stranger hovered a lethally sharp blade over your jugular required some estimation of their ability!
How Georgian England Got its Shop On
In many ways, the eighteenth century was a golden age for shopping. Dr. Alun Withey discusses.
In many ways, the eighteenth century was a golden age for shopping. Dr. Alun Withey discusses.
Sick Servants In Early Modern Britain
What happened when servants fell sick? How far did employers pay for their care or treatment? In some ways the question might seem redundant.
What happened when servants fell sick? How far did employers pay for their care or treatment? In some ways the question might seem redundant.
Movember Special: Hiding Behind the Beard
It's the month of the mustache, and Dr. Alun Withey is here to give a little history on the prosthetic nature of facial hair.
It’s the month of the mustache, and Dr. Alun Withey is here to give a little history on the prosthetic nature of facial hair.
Announcing the Age of the Beard
The Welcome Trust Project exhibiting in London focuses on hirsute history.
The Welcome Trust Project exhibiting in London focuses on hirsute history.
Concocting Recipes: The Early Modern Medical Home
Medicine was part of the wider role of ‘housewife’, and ‘huswifery’ meant looking after the inhabitants, as well as maintaining the living space.
Medicine was part of the wider role of ‘housewife’, and ‘huswifery’ meant looking after the inhabitants, as well as maintaining the living space.
‘Gymnasticks’ And Dumbells
What was exercise like in early modern Britain?
What was exercise like in early modern Britain?
What is a Remedy Collection? Recording Medical Information in the 17th Century
Take a look at the ways medicine was once recorded.
Take a look at the ways medicine was once recorded.
10 Seventeenth-Century Remedies You’d Probably Want to Avoid
While I strongly advocate not poking fun at the medical beliefs and practices of our ancestors...
While I strongly advocate not poking fun at the medical beliefs and practices of our ancestors…