British - Historian | -
The centuries-old habit of privileging the male heir arose because monarchs were supposed to lead their country in battle, and only men were thought strong enough to do so.
Kate Williams
MenHabitStrongThoughtBattle
Queens perhaps perform better in the role of monarch because they never take their position for granted. Many kings have failed because they believed that the public would love them whatever they did. Queens knew better.
LoveBetterKingsNeverWhatever
Indeed, throughout much of history and in many cultures, redheads have been viewed with suspicion and fear - and even killed - because of their hair.
FearHistoryHairCulturesSuspicion
Redheads were particularly persecuted during the European witch trials of the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The colour was associated with the devil, and the pale skin which most redheads have was thought unnatural and deathly.
ThoughtDevilSkinTrialsColour
Eighteenth-century matrons would have never have dreamed of appointing a redhaired wet nurse for their precious offspring - redheads passed on their horrible characters through their milk.
MilkNeverThroughPreciousWet
Usually, historical revelations come from days of legwork, ploughing through piles of letters and papers in archives or even private homes, looking for the telling phrase or letter that someone else has missed.
LookingSomeoneLettersMissedDays
I receive many letters from people hoping to research their own houses.
PeopleResearchLettersOwnHouses
One child is never enough for a monarch.
ChildEnoughNeverMonarch
Throughout history, the only way to secure a throne has been with a phalanx of children - nine for Victoria, 13 for George III.
ChildrenHistoryWayThroneBeen
Are we really so far from the Victorians? Much of what our society holds important was shaped in the 19th century.
SocietyImportantCenturyFarMuch
Britain's passion for Christmas and huge white weddings dates from Victorian times - both were low-key celebrations before Victoria and her PR machine.
PassionWhiteChristmasHerLow-Key
Still often interventionist, convinced of our importance in the world, even those of us born long after 1900 live in a country that is much more Victorian than we think.
LiveWorldThinkLongBornCountry
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