Category: History

John Bellew, Part II

The army also participated in peacetime Imperial domestic affairs. From the early to mid-1780s, Bellew was in various camps in northern Hungary, the usual station for cavalry units, because of the inexpensive provisions. In 1785-87, he was with the troops in the Trans-Danubian county of Gyor who assisted in conducting Imperial land surveys and kept… Continue reading John Bellew, Part II

The Wild Geese in Austria

While “The Wild Geese” usually refers to Irish Catholics serving in the French service in the 18th century some served in the Austrian service. Captain John Bellew was one and Karen Harvey writes interestingly, I think, about him and other Irishmen serving the Habsburgs in The Journal of The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland… Continue reading The Wild Geese in Austria

John Bellew, Part I

John Bellew was a captain in the Imperial cavalry and served with several cuirassier regiments. His letters to his relatives in Ireland, written from 1778 to 1792, span the reigns of three Austrian monarchs, Maria Theresa, Joseph II, and Leopold II, and his billetings and activities reflect Imperial foreign and domestic policy in this time… Continue reading John Bellew, Part I

Sailing

The original ferry to the Isle of Wight is Red Funnel which has been in business since 1861. I can attest that there is nothing more gratifying than alighting in Cowes and stepping aboard the Royal Yacht Squadron tender to cross the short distance to Cowes Castle, the clubhouse of The Squadron.

Sissi

I bought this because I hold Richard Bassett in high esteem as an historian and travel writer; a biography of Wilhelm Canaris, and a memoir, Last Days in Old Europe. And for another reason; I thought it was a biography of the 19th century Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi).

Kiss Me Hardy

The Needles are almost in sight after my long voyage with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. I am on the 20th and final (complete) book: Blue at the Mizzen.

Hanging On

“The Princess Royal this morning visited the Metropolitan Police Crime Museum at New Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, London SW1, and was received by Colonel Jane Davis (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London).”(The Times, 22nd October, 2025)

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Categorised as History

The Beasts of Holm

It’s an expensive hobby owning boats as some of my friends will attest. HMY Iolanthe, a 189 foot steam yacht, was built for Thomas Waller in 1881.

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Categorised as History

Pictures at an Exhibition

This is a self-portrait in pastel of my great grandmother, Ada Gilbey. She died while giving birth to my great-aunt, aged thirty. Like many Victorian ladies she was a competent artist.

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Categorised as Art, History

Restoration of Independence

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence in Estonia following four years of non-violent demonstrations in the Baltic States, known as The Singing Revolution.

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Categorised as History