That beauteous, intelligent, sensitive woman, Mary Stuart, who later became Queen Mary II of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was born on this day 30th of April, 1662. Her mother was Anne Hyde, a commoner who had become the Duchess of York upon marrying James, Duke of York, younger brother to Charles II. The birth took place at… Read on
William Shakespeare, arguably the greatest writer of all time, was born on this day, the 23rd of April, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Whether people consciously like Shakespeare or not, the plots he wrote are seen often in films and stage plays. “Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.” – The Merry Wives of Windsor There has… Read on
Taunton Castle now houses the Museum of Somerset, which is a fabulous place for both human history and natural history, with fossils and other fascinating things from the prehistoric past. It’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in the West Country! I came to Taunton Castle to research more about the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, and this building played… Read on
Henry Vaughan was a seventeenth century poet from Wales, and he was born on the 17th of April, 1621. In honour of his birth, here is one of his poems, which I hope you will enjoy: I Walk’d the Other Day I walk’d the other day, to spend my hour, Into a field, Where I sometimes had… Read on
I have just finished watching an episode of “Fit to Rule”. I shall comment on this one in particular, as I haven’t been able to see the previous episodes. I was working in the other room when my family called me down because Lucy Worsley was on the telly. As I sat down I heard her begin to… Read on
Blake Museum is nestled in a little street near the heart of Bridgwater, only a few minutes walk from St. Mary’s Church at 5 Blake Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3NB. This was the home of Admiral Robert Blake (1598-1657) who was one of the most important men from this town. His bust is on display in St. Mary’s Church.… Read on
A church has stood in this spot since before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The painting in the middle, above the altar, is a seventeenth century piece called The Deposition, and there is controversy as to who the artist was who painted it. Some say it is Italian, others, Spanish. It could be Murillo or Guido. We may… Read on
I’m just adding the review for this that I gave them on TripAdvisor: I was in this area researching for my novel about the Duke of Monmouth and the Battle of Sedgemoor. Doing this, I worked up quite an appetite, and I looked around for somewhere to eat. This inn has excellent location, right next to the historic… Read on