Dispelling the myth that flying the Union Flag upside down is a distress signal.

An introduction to the history of assassins and assassination.

Dispelling some myths that Medieval people did not bathe.

Dispelling myths that towns and villages in the Medieval period were dirty, smelly places in which to live.

Dispelling some myths surrounding the legendary King Arthur.

Challenging some of the common misconceptions about witches.

Is colour-blind casting on TV and film, particularly documentaries, creating misleading and horrible history?

Dispelling the TV and film myth that gladiators in the Roman arena hailed the emperor with the word "Those who are about to die salute you!"

Orgies…your first thought is so wrong. Now find out why.

Despite the best efforts of historians, the internet is still awash with misconceptions about the Middle Ages. Many of these ideas were the product of Victorian writers and historians reflecting Mediæval life through the lens of their own society, as was done by antiquarians before them and by historians since. However, after more than a century in popular culture, and being taught in schools, these sometimes broad, sweeping assertions remain deeply rooted in everyday conscio

Debunking the idea that people in the Middle Ages were ignorant and uneducated.

Dispelling the myth of the two-finger salute or V-sign originated in the Medieval period.

Found on the website Twinkl, “ Ten short facts about the Romans ” was posted on December 8th, 2020 by unknown author possibly based in Ireland. Regardless, but bearing in mind that the “facts” are intended to educate children, number seven elicited a raised eyebrow. The whole text reads as follows, with our highlighted emphasis: “ 7. Rich Romans had slaves who served them some exotic foods. There was a variety of wealth in Roman times. The richest of the Romans would have sla

Despite the best efforts of historians, the internet is still awash with misconceptions about the Middle Ages. Many of these ideas were the product of Victorian writers and historians reflecting Medieval life through the lens of their own society, as was done by antiquarians before and by historians since. However, after more than a century in popular culture, and taught in schools, these sometimes broad, sweeping assertions remain deeply rooted in everyday consciousness, esp

Wrecking Wrecking is the practice of taking valuables from a shipwreck which has foundered or run aground close to shore. Wrecks were frequent in Devon and Cornwall where the rocky coastline, and strong prevailing onshore winds helped scupper many merchant ships and warships. A tradition still exists that, during the 17th- and 18th-centuries, wreckers deliberately decoyed ships on to coasts using tricks, especially false lights, so that they ran aground for easy plundering. W

Upside down Union Flags

Crucifixion?...Good. Out of the door. Line on the left. One cross each. Next... Crucifixion is a method of capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a tree, stake, beam or large wooden cross, and left to hang until eventual death. It was used as a punishment by, among others. the ancient Greeks, Persians, Carthaginians and the Romans. Supposedly one of the keenest practitioners of crucifixion historically, to the Romans crucifixion was a punishment reserved

While working in one of our favourite schools, the book “ Roman Adventure ” (pictured right ) was discovered and was instantly intriguing given that Tastes O f History was founded on a passion for Roman history. Written by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta, it is a slim volume aimed at developing the reading and comprehension skills of primary school children [1] . What drew our attention was the “ Caesar-like ” character on the front cover who is apparently eating a pizza s

Over the years we have periodically encountered claims that prostitutes in the Roman Iron Age and then later in the Mediæval period wore yellow garments or other yellow markings of some sort as signs of their profession. It seems this stems from the idea that people in the past wished to distinguish sex workers from respectable citizens. It is not entirely clear, however, whether a single colour or symbol was ever used to differentiate social class or social roles throughout

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 since about 1937. In essence a series of connections are made to establish that the huge solid rocket boosters used by NASA had to be transported by rail whose rails were set a certain distance apart, a standard width first determined by the ancient Romans. The historical connections espoused are tenuous at best and do not really stand up to cr