When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 7, 1780 – BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN: Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson of the 71st Foot. Coming after a series of …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
Historical Tidbits
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 7, 1763 — Royal Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George III, forbade all settlement west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains, which was delineated as …
A Tavern for the Frost Faire at Pottsgrove Manor on December 12, 2020
Public houses and taverns played an integral role in the commercial life of the American Colonies. They weren’t simply places to drink. They were a place to meet like-minded individuals, meeting places at which to conduct business, and clearinghouses for news about both local and global events. The local tavern quite likely was the test …
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The most insignificant office that ever the Invention of man contrived or his Imagination conceived
John Adams described the vice presidency as “the most insignificant office that ever the Invention of man contrived or his Imagination conceived.” Its a thankless job. The Constitution gives the vice president the role of presiding over the Senate , and voting in the Senate if there is a tie. The vice president’s only other …
Make an 18th Century Toast
“To drink at a table without drinking to the health of someone special, should be considered drinking on the sly, and as an act of incivility.” Throughout history, toasting began after a meal and could last for hours. Toasts would solidify the bonds of groups, not only through the competitive element of drinking, but by …
Beer Recipe — Privateer Abby Triple Ale
In the summer of 1775, George Washington and the fledgling Continental Army was unable to effectively lay siege to British-occupied Boston because the Royal Navy had a firm command of the sea-lanes and the harbor. All George Washington could do was observe the flow of enemy supplies into Boston harbor and wondered if intercepting a …
Historical Tidbits
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 4, 1777 – BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN: General Sir William Howe having outmaneuvered Washington, and seizing Philadelphia moved the bulk of his force to Germantown, an outlying community to …
Proof your Whiskey, Sir
When it comes to arcane historical terms for spirits and other alcohol, proof is one of the frustrating ones. In our modern vernacular, with the blessing of modern analytical chemistry as support, we simply think of “proof” as two times the alcohol by volume (ABV). But why is this measure even a thing? After all, …
Did they Bathe?
Okay, I know Donald Trump may have said some significant points the other night but as I watch his contorted orange face, I keep being reminded of a common question poised to those of us who reenact the 18th Century — “Is it true that they never bathed?” spite that persistent “ring around the collar” …
Can we just skip the niceties and settle this with a duel!
Watching last night’s “debate” (it was hardly a debate as debates involve decorum and dignity), I am reminded that in the 18th Century, when a gentleman’s honor or the honor of someone he holds in esteem (like his son) is deliberately and unapologetically besmirched, there was a remedy. You could publicly demand satisfaction, and if …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 