Tag: History

British History – The Gunpowder Plot

October 12, 2025

In early November, when Britain’s cold, dark evenings really draw in, families and friends leave their warm, cosy homes and head out into the gloomy night to commemorate ‘Guy Fawkes Night’ or ‘Bonfire Night’. They make their way to parks and other communal spaces, where they huddle around huge bonfires to mark an infamous event that took place more than 400 years ago—the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot. I enjoyed re-evaluating its significance recently for All About History magazine. … More British History – The Gunpowder Plot

Adventurous Artists of Antiquity

December 28, 2024

One of the themes that connects a lot of my writing is that of the challenging but rewarding journey. I often think about the topic in the context of the present day, but I am also interested in historical stories of adventure involving travel to distant or exotic places. Nineteenth-century artists David Roberts and Frederick Catherwood were two travellers who played crucial roles in educating the public about the history, culture and architecture of the ancient Egyptians and Maya. … More Adventurous Artists of Antiquity

The Sands of Time

December 24, 2024

As the number of years I spend in Japan increases, I sometimes find myself thinking about the effect that living in other countries has on those who emigrate. . . . What cultural beliefs and customs do they bring with them or leave behind when they settle in a new place? How do they adapt and utilise the ideas of their new home to forge fresh identities for themselves? I also wonder how those who migrate influence their surrogate societies in the long term. Humans have been crossing borders and settling in foreign lands for thousands of years. … More The Sands of Time

Humanity’s Legacy

September 30, 2021

The individual journeys we make during our time on Earth are short when compared to the path our species has been on, which extends over millennia. The outstanding monumental remains of various ancient civilisations that are spread across the globe attest to its length. Perennial targets of past and present explorers, they emit an alluring call to people from all over the world—beckoning with the promise of adventure and possibilities yet unrealised. Having withstood the ravages of time, they also hint at the knowledge and skills of our ancestors. … More Humanity’s Legacy

Sources of Inspiration – Natural & Built Heritage

March 28, 2021

Heritage can be described as anything that has been left to us, whether intentionally or not, by our predecessors or by the past. It can be quite local and might only seem relevant to particular groups, cultures or communities. However, as it all represents some aspect of humanity or the planet we share, we are all the receivers of this legacy. We may even think of it as a global inheritance that encompasses a broad range of items and concepts—archaeological remains, works of art, landscapes, habitats and more. … More Sources of Inspiration – Natural & Built Heritage

Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories

February 28, 2021

The need for escapism has been a constant throughout all ages of recorded human history. Adventure stories cater to this by serving as vehicles that allow us to make enjoyable mental forays into the mysterious and exciting unknown. Some of the oldest myths and folk tales we are aware of have been passed down over centuries or, in some cases, millennia. One can imagine the children of ancient Egypt gazing at the stars while they listened to elders recount the myth of Osiris. … More Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories