The traditional hot toddy formula is simple: Start with a hot cup of tea, add lemon and honey, then a bit of whiskey. This is certain to make even the worst cold feel just a little better. The toddy is believed to have been invented in Scotland sometime in the eighteenth century. It was a …
Category Archives: Ideas
The Scourge of Slavery (#7) — Lord Dunmore Weaponizes Slavery
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, enslaved Africans and African Americans in British North America and the United States staged hundreds of revolts. Slave uprisings were daring, desperate, and inevitably doomed. The first known slave rebellion in one of England’s American colonies took place in Gloucester County, Virginia in 1663. The Servants Plot, as it was known, …
Continue reading “The Scourge of Slavery (#7) — Lord Dunmore Weaponizes Slavery”
Switchel
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “How the British Perceived the American Revolution”
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 …
I have Begun Planning for 2024
Hire the Regimental Brewmeister It’s reached that time of the year where I start planning for 2024 and I am hoping to include you in the mix of organizations I support next year. I am emailing you today in the hopes that you will consider inviting either the Regimental Brewmeister or the Colonial Surveyor to …
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 …
Join the Regimental Brewmeister
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 …
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 …
The Scourge of Slavery (#6) — Charles V Makes Slavery an International Industry
In 1518, King Charles authorized Spanish ships (especially privateers) to engage in the trade of African slaves. Direct slave traffic from Africa was not initially permitted because the Spanish Crown worried that captives from sub-Saharan Africa might introduce non-Christian religious practices to the native American Indian populations. But in 1518, Emperor Charles V, abolished the …
Continue reading “The Scourge of Slavery (#6) — Charles V Makes Slavery an International Industry”
