Switchel or “Haymaker’s Punch” is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar, and often seasoned with spices like ginger. It is usually sweetened with molasses or brown sugar. Switchel originated in New England, and it became a popular summer drink in the American Colonies in the late 17th century. By the 19th century, it …
Category Archives: General history
How the British Perceived the American Revolution
The American revolution was a matter of great interest for the people in Britain. The British press weighed in on economics, military success and failures, the morality of the revolution, and more, through the press and private correspondence. As the British enjoyed one of the freest press systems in the world, not everyone felt obliged …
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Lemonade
The earliest record of the precursor to lemonade hails from the Mediterranean coast of medieval Egypt. Kashkab was made from fermented barley (like beer) combined with mint, rue, black pepper and citron. Thanks to Jewish books like the Cairo Genizah, we know that Egypt traded and exported bottles of the sugary lemon juice concoction throughout …
Peer Review is a great thing. I guess after reviewing this I can now add “pirate” to my CV.
So, I recently reviewed a new historical fiction trilogy by Roger Johnson. You should give it a perusal. Its on Amazon. JOHN FLINT’S BASTARD Welcome to the world of Joshua Smoot—the bastard son of Treasure Island’s John Flint. From the first page of John Flint’s Bastard to the last, you will experience the full spectrum …
Historical Tidbits — Coup of 18 Brumaire
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 9, 1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte become First Consul of France On November 9, 1799 (18 Brumaire in the French Revolutionary calendar) Napoleon Bonaparte executed a coup d’état and …
Historical Tidbits — Edmund Halley
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. Edmund Halley, England’s most significant astronomer, was born November 8, 1656 Edmond Halley was born on November 8, 1656, in Haggerston, England to a well-to-do merchant family. His father was …
How to Cheat at 18th Century Whist
Whist was a very most popular card games in Georgian England, played by the gentry in all the best coffee houses in London. It features prominently in the novels by Jane Austen and is considered fashionable in high society as a challenging strategic card game requiring good memory, sympathetic partnering and psychological acumen. The rules …
The Doan Brothers — Tory Horse Thieves
The word Tory is borrowed from Gaelic: It literally means Horse Thief. So, it should come as no surprise that five brothers from Bucks County in Pennsylvania, all notorious horse thieves, would be loyal to the King during the Revolutionary War. These were the Doan Brothers — Moses, Joseph, Levi, Mahlon, and Aaron; and they …
Playing Court Whist
Whist is a classic English trick-taking card game which was widely played in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the rules are simple, there is scope for scientific play. Derived from the popular 17th Century trick taking game known as “Ruff and Honours,” Whist literally takes its name from the old English word whist meaning …
Historical Tidbits — New York Weekly Journal
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 5, 1733 – The New York Weekly Journal became the first newspaper regularly published in North America. One year later, John Peter Zenger, its printer and publisher was …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 