The United States is made 46 states and 4 commonwealths — Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky. While in modern politics, this is an academic distinction, the term “commonwealth” defined as a political entity founded for the good of the people; whereas a “state” existing for the benefit of its citizens. The term UnitedStates, was deliberately …
Category Archives: General history
THE RATTLESKULL
If you read this blog enough, you are familiar with 18th Century taverns being the social and business hubs of many communities. Early taverns weren’t just bars, they were used for business meetings, post offices, news agents, militia headquarters, judicial meetings, polls, and as places for lively political debates. To overcome social anxiety and help …
And Now for Something Completely Different: The State Sport of Maryland is Jousting!?
Typically associated with either its military or aristocratic origins, jousting is a martial art we associate with 13th century medieval tournaments. Mention jousting and images of knights galloping headlong toward armored opponents, aiming wooden lances, and smashing against each other in an explosion of splinters comes to mind. Aside from the sometimes with deadly results, …
Historical Tidbits — Blackbeard Captured
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. November 22, 1718 – William Teach (AKA Blackbeard) was captured and executed by the Royal Navy off the coast of North Carolina. His mythical buried treasure has not been …
The Regent’s Punch
George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales, was born on August 12, 1762 at St James’ Palace, the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. When his father became incapacitated due to mental instability and ill health, he ruled for nine years as Regent (1811 – 1820) before becoming King upon his father’s death in …
History of Curry Powder
I truly love Indian food and I am not alone. I once asked an Englishman what the national dish of Great Britian was and his unreserved rely was “Curry.” While it’s not quite as ubiquitous in the USA, Indian food is common throughout the former British empire and the lasting reminder of the absolute power …
Turkey? Why Turkey?
For many a Thanksgiving meal is centered on turkey. Turkeys are indigenous only to parts of North America and Europeans only first came into contact with turkeys roughly 500 years ago. So how did turkeys (the bird) end up being named so similarly to Turkey (the country)? As far as we can tell, the first European …
Dutch Courage — Gin
Gin comes to us from the Netherlands and took its current form in the sixteenth century. The predecessor to gin is Dutch ‘genever.’ There are two basic categories of genever, traditional ‘Oude Genever,’ (old style genever) with a high malt content for its base (15%-50%) and ‘Jonge Genever’, the newer style with only 15% malt …
Bombay Presidency Punch
Because trading was hazardous and had uncertain returns, investors formed commercial syndicates to spread the risk. The two most famous were the East India Company, a British organization chartered in 1600, and the Dutch East India Company, chartered in 1602. The latter issued stocks and bonds to the public, so it could be considered the …
Beer Recipe: The Kings Shilling Stout
The King’s Shilling Oh my love has left me wi’ bairnies twaAnd that’s the last o’ him I ever sawHe’s joined the army and he marched awa’He took the shillin’He took the shillin’ and he marched awa’CHORUSCome laddies come, hear the cannons roarTake the King’s shilling an’ we’re off tae warCome laddies come, hear the …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 