Spain in Renaissance times was a place of strict rules and class distinctions, with the Roman Catholic Church overseeing most aspects of life. Women in particular had well-circumscribed roles and spheres of activity, particularly among the wealthy. Losing one’s respectability … Continued
An interview with the Historical Novel Society on my series, Across the Great Divide
The Whispering Women by Trish MacEnulty My rating: 4 of 5 stars You are pulled into the world of 1913 NYC, glimpsing through the doors and windows at the less-than-stellar lives of the upper class. MacEnulty gives a compelling vision … Continued
The man smiled, but his eyes did not. Handing Luther a paper, he said, “What you can do is get out of Indiana. We don’t want your kind here. I’m the sheriff and part of the Superintendent Board for the Colored just formed here in Madison. Maybe you can’t read that, but it says that you came into this state illegally, in violation of the Indiana constitution. You’re an escaped slave from Kentucky. War or no war, slavery is still legal in Kentucky, and unless you have freedom papers or permission from the state of Indiana to be here, you need to git! Someone recognized your wagon—you were at the riots in Evansville. The sheriff there sent me a wire. You’re a troublemaker. You fired a gun at white men. You slaves are just a bunch of escaped monkeys, trying to overrun us. You have twenty-four hours to get out of the state, or I’ll be back with chains and ship you to your owner in Kentucky.”
Was Marcus Aurelius addicted to opium? The argument for dependency at least during the winter of the Danube campaign is credible.
Closing the monasteries meant their land and treasure could be confiscated, and the royal financial problems could be solved while also eliminating the troublesome Catholic influence over his subjects.
You’re quiet and peaceful, summering safe at home;
You’d never think there was a bloody war on! …
O yes, you would … why, you can hear the guns.
Hark! Thud, thud, thud, – quite soft … they never cease –
Civil War Tuesdays John Hunt Morgan (June 1, 1825 – September 4, 1864) was a flamboyant Confederate Civil War general, who used unconventional tactics and often made his own orders and rules. In June 1863 Morgan obtained permission from General … Continued
You live out in the country, on land your family has owned for generations. Suppose you were at home on a cold winter’s morning, still tucked in with your children. It’s freezing outside, and you have no appointments today – … Continued
Francis Hopkinson (September 21, 1737 – May 9, 1791) Did you think Betsy Ross? No, the designer of the first official American flag was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson. Francis was born in Philadelphia, to Thomas Hopkinson … Continued