For a trained eye, the history of London reads like a journal of riots and rebellions, with the occasional outburst of civil unrest. From the Peasants’ Revolt to the Old Price Riots (sparked, believe it or not, by higher theatre ticket prices), Londoners and their neighbours have never shied away from a good uprising—though, more often than not, such ventures resulted in participants being hanged, drawn, and quartered.
Category: History
Vikings, bones and an archbishop: The tale of St Alfege Church in Greenwich
The year 1011 was supposed to be a triumph for Ælfheah, or Alphege as we know him now—because honestly, who can be bothered to decipher that weird ‘Æ’? Anyway, this Archbishop of Canterbury had been doing quite well for himself. He’d restored churches, worked to spread Christianity in the countryside, and generally managed to keep affairs in order during a turbulent time. A man on the up, one might say.
How Superman captured Hitler and Stalin in 1940
In 1940, Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster crafted a comic strip for Look magazine, portraying the Man of Steel as a World War II hero.
Peter the Great gets a Ukrainian paint job
In Deptford, there’s a monument to Peter the Great crafted by Mihail Chemiakin. Viewing it, much like encountering the artist’s other works, is a challenge that often leaves observers tearful—not from the depth of emotion it might inspire, but rather from its sheer lack of appeal.
Just one more turn: When Boris Yeltsin played Civilization
In 1995, a Russian tabloid ran a story about the video game habits of politicians. The findings were predictable—many professed a fondness for Tetris, one member of parliament was rumoured to play arcades, and most claimed they were far too busy for such frivolities. But the real prize came at the end: an unnamed Kremlin source mentioned that, in his rare spare moments, President Yeltsin liked to play Civilization.
Beyond the stones: Discovering Hadrian’s Wall
I can’t quite pinpoint when Hadrian’s Wall first entered my life. Was it a line in a book, a fleeting image on a TV show, or perhaps a fragment of a history lesson that lodged itself in the corners of my mind? The origin of this fascination remains shrouded in mystery, but the obsession it sparked is apparent.
Ranger’s House: A walk through time at Greenwich Park
In my latest adventure through English Heritage sites, I found myself at Ranger’s House, an elegant Georgian villa in Greenwich Park. This red-brick beauty, though simple in appearance, has housed a remarkable array of famous tenants over the years, from naval officers to members of the royal family.
How Vladimir Putin stole cookies from a Scottish bakery
In April 1991, the future war criminal Vladimir Putin visited the UK as part of a Leningrad delegation led by then-mayor Anatoly Sobchak. They engaged with officials and entrepreneurs in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
Osborne House: A royal retreat amidst time and tranquility
Childhood summers spent in my grandparents’ village home cultivated an appreciation for the sense of belonging that only certain places can evoke. In a way, I was not so different from the British royal family who cherished their retreat at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Eltham Palace: Where art deco splendor marries the past and future
My passion for Art Deco, a style that epitomises the glamour and innovation of the early 20th century, has always been intertwined with a deep respect for historic architecture—the older, the better. I was intrigued by how Art Deco evoked echoes of past historical styles, pushing design into a futuristic realm. This blend of eras drew me to Eltham Palace, where the medieval grandeur meets the sleek lines of Art Deco.