by David West | Dec 5, 2025 | News
On the 5th of December, 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued the Summis desiderantes affectibus, a papal bull appointing Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger as inquisitors to root out alleged witchcraft in Germany. I have chosen witchcraft today as, together with...
by David West | Dec 4, 2025 | News
On the 4th of December, 1872, the American brigantine Mary Celeste was found drifting in the Atlantic. She had departed New York Harbour on the 7th of November, bound for Genoa, Italy. She was carrying a cargo of 1,701 barrels of industrial alcohol. Her captain was...
by David West | Dec 3, 2025 | News
The anniversaries which catch my eye today, the 3rd of December, are the the hoisting of the Continental Union Flag (the precursor of the Stars and Stripes) on the USS Alfred by John Paul Jones in 1775, and the debut of the musical Camelot at the Majestic Theatre on...
by David West | Dec 2, 2025 | News
On the 2nd of December, 1697, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt to Sir Christopher Wren’s design after the Great Fire of London, was consecrated. Sir Christopher Wren (1632–1723) was one of the most influential architects in British history, renowned for his role in...
by David West | Dec 1, 2025 | News
On the 1st of December, 1577, Christopher Hatton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Christopher Hatton (1540–1591) was an influential courtier, statesman, and Lord Chancellor in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His life provides a fascinating glimpse into the...
by David West | Nov 30, 2025 | News
The 30th of November Is celebrated as “Cities for Life Day”. It began in 1786 on the day that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, under Pietro Leopoldo, became the first civil state in the world to do away with torture and capital punishment. I confess that I had not known...
