britain Archives - Lovely Old Tree

A history of pickling

And now to turn to something I love and explore the wonderful history of pickling. Pickled onions, pickled cucumbers, pickled eggs – you name it, I love it. And like many British favourites, it derives from the need to preserve…

‘British Reserved, Not Unfriendly’ – Americans in Britain 1942

Posted by Katherine on October 22, 2013 in 20th Century, Books

On 11 December 1941, the USA declared war on Germany and Italy on the same day that Hitler declared war on the USA. The first American servicemen arrived in Britain on 26 January 1942 and to prepare them for the…

Everything stops for tea – Jack Buchanan

Posted by Katherine on June 27, 2013February 22, 2018 in 20th Century, Food

Everything Stops for Tea is a song written by Maurice Sigler with lyrics by Al Goodheart and American Al Hoffman, for the 1935 musical Come Out Of The Pantry. It is about tea being England’s favourite drink, however both the composer and the musical were…

Beau Brummell – London’s first dandy

Posted by Katherine on June 7, 2013 in 18th Century, 19th Century, Television

On this day in 1778, George Bryan Brummell (known as Beau Brummell) was born in Downing Street London. His father was private secretary to the prime minister, Lord North, and his family was very upwardly mobile, living at The Grove, in Donnington,…

Robert May – The Accomplisht Cook

Posted by Katherine on May 5, 2013 in 16th Century, 17th Century, Books

Robert May was born in Wing in Buckinghamshire around 1588. He worked with his father who served as cook for the Dormer family of Ascott Park and was eventually sent to France to learn the secrets of cookery. He served…

Mary Seacole and the Crimean War

Posted by Katherine on August 31, 2012 in 19th Century

Mary Seacole was a nurse who worked on the front line during the Crimean War. She is often overlooked while the more famous Florence Nightingale is celebrated by history. However she arguably did more good, was loved more by the…

London Bridge explained

Posted by Katherine on August 2, 2012 in 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century, Medieval

Yesterday in 1831, London Bridge was opened. This is a misleading statement because the bridge opened on that day was just one of several bridges referred to as London Bridge over the course of the history of London. Not only…

The Black Country Living Museum

Posted by Katherine on July 27, 2012 in 19th Century, 20th Century, Exhibitions

I visited the Black Country Living Museum last month, which is just outside Dudley near Birmingham. It’s an interesting mix of museum and reconstructed town with actors, reconstructed shops, an old mine and a canal with tunnels. It’s huge and…

Warwick Castle versus Kenilworth Castle

Posted by Katherine on July 26, 2011 in 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century, Local, Medieval

If you’re visiting Warwickshire, the two historical attractions that are most eagerly advertised are Warwick Castle and Kenilworth Castle and they are both worth a visit. However do not assume that they are similar as although they both have fascinating…