Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · People
In Shakespeare's lines Henry V appears as the warlike Harry; historians describe him as given to aggression, cunning and duplicity. Where the new king did manage to lower the level of his father's ferocity was in the matter of the Welsh rebels, who had risen against
Cinema · London · Monarchies
Contrary to the plot, the real Prince of Wales was not stripped of his status as heir, nor did he renounce the crown in favour of his younger brother, Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence; indeed, he never stepped back from the affairs of the kingdom at all. Nor did
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · Observations
Shakespeare's Henry is the ideal national hero, and by showing his imperfection the freewheeling interpreter only brings the ruler closer to the people, so that the reckless drunkard and ne'er-do-well becomes all the more beloved and all the more patrioti. Among the first words
Art · London · Museums · Science
The Science Museum in London delighted visitors barely a week ago by opening a new gallery devoted to medicine. The exhibition is enlivened by a remarkable work of art, a bridge between historical eras and the present day: the bronze sculpture "Saint Medicine" by the English artist Eleanor
NB! · London · Museums · Science · Mores
Architecture · Faith · London · Observations · Heritage
In the 1960s the English decided to build a new cathedral beside St Michael's in Coventry, bombed in 1940, right next to the ruins, so that neither the tragedy nor the grandeur of the former building should be forgotten. The old Coventry cathedral was once the largest and
Books · London · Observations · Mores
There is a classic cocktail made from gin, orange liqueur and lemon juice: the White Lady. Its name is usually linked to Ella Fitzgerald, who sang about a white lady. But the cocktail itself was devised in London when Ella was still an infant. And in England the image of
Coming Up · Aristocracy · Archaeology · Art · London
From 1 to 7 October the royal jewellers Wartski, at 60 St James's in London, will be showing a 2,000-year-old sky-blue ring of solid sapphire, which could go for over £500,000. One of the most famous intaglios in the world is believed to
London · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
Victorian twin dolls take a ride on the London Underground. This is precisely the moment when one wants not only to cross oneself like an old crone with the words "Thank God it's not Moscow", but simply to scream: they are dreadful, frankly ghastly. Then again,
Cinema · London · Pop Culture
Russell Crowe has denied that he wore in "Gladiator" the armour of General Maximus now on show at the British Film Institute and soon to be sold at auction. And although the armour the actor supposedly wore in the opening scenes of "Gladiator" is valued at
Books · London · Science · Mores · Society
From the middle of the eighteenth century, men were increasingly called upon to assist at childbirth in England: physicians with surgical training and specialised instruments were far more effective than midwives versed in folk medicine. But the fashion provoked a public controversy, fuelled all the more by the fact that
NB! · London · Museums · Observations · Palaeontology · Humour
Good heavens, I am in love! Just look at this tiny mammoth from the Natural History Museum in London 😍😍