University of Reading

  • Christmas in Mining Towns 1984: Turkey for a Striking Christmas, by Amy Longmuir

    After two years of COVID uncertainty, family Christmas dinners are firmly back in festive plans as some form of normality returns for most people in the UK. Avian flu has, however, decimated a number of Christmas turkey and goose farms… Continue reading

  • Halloween: Our Childhood Traditions

    It’s the spookiest day of the year! We asked some students and staff to share their favourite Halloween traditions. But first, some Halloween history… ‘The name Halloween itself is simply a contraction of All Hallows Eve.  This derives from the… Continue reading

  • Top Tips for New Undergraduate Historians

    Welcome to the University of Reading History department! If you are reading this, you are most likely a new student about to embark on their journey for an undergraduate History degree. Starting university can be overwhelming. In all the uncertainty… Continue reading

  • Pirate Legends IV: Hoist the Colours, by Luke Walters

    A Historical Blog Exploring the Myths and Legends of the Golden Age of Piracy ‘I ran to the colour lines, handed down their cursed black flag, and chucked it overboard…’ -Jim Hawkins, Treasure Island (1883) Despite the countless piratical tropes… Continue reading

    Pirate Legends IV: Hoist the Colours, by Luke Walters
  • Draw a pirate flag!

    A fun children’s challenge with a pirate treasure prize… Are you looking for a summer holiday activity for the kids? Do you know any young pirate enthusiasts? Do you want the chance to win a bundle of pirate-themed goodies? Then… Continue reading