Tastes Of History
Dispelling Some Myths: the “two finger salute”
Dispelling the myth of the two-finger salute or V-sign originated in the Medieval period.
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Tastes Of History
Oct 9
Horrible History: did Roman slaves hand-feed their masters?
Found on the website Twinkl, “ Ten short facts about the Romans ” was posted on December 8th, 2020 by unknown author possibly based in...
Tastes Of History
Oct 2
Dispelling Some Myths: Rotten teeth
Despite the best efforts of historians, the internet is still awash with misconceptions about the Middle Ages. Many of these ideas were...
Tastes Of History
Jul 29
On This Day: The Spanish Armada is sighted
July 29th, 1588: On this day in 1588, the fearsome Spanish Armada is sighted off England’s southern coast.
Tastes Of History
Jul 24
About History: Press-ganging
Impressment, colloquially known as ‘the press’ or the ‘press gang’, was a means by which European navies could forcibly compel men into...
Tastes Of History
May 29
Dispelling Some Myths: Wreckers and smugglers
Wrecking Wrecking is the practice of taking valuables from a shipwreck which has foundered or run aground close to shore. Wrecks were...
Tastes Of History
Apr 23
Dispelling Some Myths: Upside down Union Flags
The Union Flag pictured hangs in an upper hall of a London school recently visited by Tastes Of History to deliver a “Knight and Castles”...
Tastes Of History
Mar 31
Dispelling Some Myths: Crucifixion
Crucifixion?...Good. Out of the door. Line on the left. One cross each. Next... Crucifixion is a method of capital punishment in which...
Tastes Of History
Feb 7
A Brief History of Food: Pizza
While working in one of our favourite schools, the book ‘Roman Adventure’ (pictured right) was discovered and was instantly intriguing...
Tastes Of History
Dec 17, 2023
On This Day: Io Saturnalia!
On This Day, December 17th, the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia began. Held in honour of the deity Saturnus, as its name implies,...
Tastes Of History
Nov 22, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Was yellow the colour of prostitution?
Over the years we have periodically encountered claims that prostitutes in the Roman Iron Age and then later in the Mediæval period wore...
Tastes Of History
Oct 14, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Romans, Railways and NASA rockets
Yet another urban myth re-appeared on social media the other day, one which regularly does the rounds and has done so for many years...
Tastes Of History
Oct 5, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Robin Hood
The legend Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw [1] originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featuring in popular...
Tastes Of History
Aug 30, 2023
Horrible History: Social Status
What follows was inspired by the tweet on May 25th, 2022 by @HistoryFilmClub shown right. Like many who responded naming just one...
Tastes Of History
Aug 9, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: About the Kukri
The Nepalese Kukri is instantly recognisable to anyone who has served alongside the men of the Brigade of Gurkhas or has a passing...
Tastes Of History
Aug 2, 2023
Boudica: Rebel, Freedom Fighter, Feminist Icon
The Known Knowns Since at least the 16th century, Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, has retained a compelling hold on the British imagination...
Tastes Of History
Jul 26, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Tintagel and King Arthur
A recent tweet described Tintagel Castle on the North coast of Cornwall as a ‘medieval fortification’, built in the 13th century, and...
Tastes Of History
Jul 19, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Divorce by combat
It is highly unlikely that Mediæval divorce was ever settled by combat. Yet a handful of sources do mention judicial duels fought between...
Tastes Of History
Jul 12, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: Vomitorium
Dispelling the myths about ancient Roman 'vomitoria'.
Tastes Of History
Jul 5, 2023
Dispelling Some Myths: ‘Duelling’ pistols
A beginner's guide to the history of duels and duelling.
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