READING HISTORY

christmas

  • Christmas 2016: Sugar and Spice and All Things…

    by Dr Richard Blakemore [1] Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist of the mid-seventeenth century, enjoyed Christmas (as we learned in the third post of our Christmas 2016 series).  In 1661 he recorded spending a merry evening with friends; five years… Continue reading

    Christmas 2016: Sugar and Spice and All Things…

  • Christmas 2016: Indulgent Georgian Drinking (Chocolate Wine)

    by Dr Ruth Salter There are many indulgent foods that are synonymous with Christmas today, but two of the key ones must surely be chocolate and alcohol.  True, the turkey and its trimmings are Christmas classics, but it’s those festive… Continue reading

    Christmas 2016: Indulgent Georgian Drinking (Chocolate Wine)

  • Christmas 2016: The History of the Humble Mince Pie

    by Prof Helen Parish Some 400 million mince pies are consumed in the UK every year. A large number of them are left at the foot of chimneys around the world in anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus, but… Continue reading

    Christmas 2016: The History of the Humble Mince Pie

  • Christmas 2016: Twelfth Cake

    by Prof Anne Lawrence Twelfth Night: or King and Queen’ by the early-modern poet, Robert Herrick begins: Now, now the mirth comes With the cake full of plums, Where bean’s the king of the sport here; Beside we must know,… Continue reading

    Christmas 2016: Twelfth Cake

  • Christmas 2016: Giving at Christmas Time

    by Harriet Mahood The traditions of giving to the less fortunate is alive and well today and many of us will receive leaflets about Christmas charity campaigns through our doors this festive, and witness charity fundraising events whilst out and… Continue reading

    Christmas 2016: Giving at Christmas Time