In James I’s England, the witch became a powerful symbol of those hated forces that opposed the king. During the English Civil War, the “Witchfinder General,” Matthew Hopkins, was responsible for the hanging more than 300 women between 1644 and 1646. James I, linked religious subversion with political subversion, usurpation, and the attack on monarchical …
Continue reading “Mathew Hopkins — Witchfinder General under King James”
On January 6, 2021, following the defeat of U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, a mob of his supporters attacked the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The mob sought to keep Trump in power by preventing a joint session of Congress from counting the electoral college votes. While still President …
Continue reading “The New Guy Fawkes — the real legacy of Donald Trump”
People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit. However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the brewer, you should …
Gulliver’s Travels, or Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships is Jonathan Swift’s best known work, and a classic of English literature but the Irish writer and clergyman didn’t write his “traveler’s tale” as a children’s book. Swift …
Continue reading ““Gulliver’s Travels” is first published on October 28th, 1726″
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 27, 1787 – The first of 85 Federalist Papers would be published. These essays, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, presented the argument for abandoning …
The Electoral College is undoubtedly the least appreciated element of the U.S. Constitution. Unlike most modern Americans, the authors of the Constitution did not want the public to directly elect the President or even the US Senators. Previous experiments in direct elections of state officials reinforced their arguments that pure democracy was just too dangerous. …
Continue reading “Justification for Electoral College vs “Mob Rule””
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. Charles Mason buried at Christ Church in PhiladelphiaOctober 26, 1786 On October 26, 1786, English astronomer Charles Mason, who along with Jeremiah Dixon surveyed a line in 1763 which …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Charles Mason Buried in an Unmarked Grave”
At the Richard Wall House last weekend, I was asked how one “joins” the Regimental Brewmeister. Its an interesting question and one I must admit I have not really put any thought toward. People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th C kit, you can be part of …
Continue reading “I was asked: “Can you Join the Regimental Brewmeister?””
Canals played a major part in commerce in the history of the early United States as they opened the western territories to settlement and trade. But our story WILL begin in the years leading up to the Revolution with efforts of George Washington to promote travel to western Virginia. During his lifetime Washington devoted much …
It’s raining — AGAIN. We are entering the winter season and that is generally the time when we most question the wisdom of 18th Century clothing. A couple of years ago, I was smart enough to purchase a great black wool cape. To be honest, this is perhaps the warmest overcoat I own and on …
Continue reading “Outerwear – Capes are the Height of Gentlemanly Fashion”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 