Indholdsfortegnelse for No. 137 i All About History

Different versions of Santa Claus around the world have a variety of friends and assistants that accompany them on their journeys to deliver presents, or help them prepare for the Christmas period. Arguably, of all these sidekicks, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is the most famous internationally. But Rudolph was a surprisingly recent addition to the group of reindeer who had become part of Santa Claus’ story. The sleigh-pulling reindeer were first introduced into the legend of Santa in 1821, when a poem from The Children’s Friend: A New Year’s Present To The Little Ones From Five To Twelve described flying reindeer driving Santa over the chimney tops. It is not clear why the anonymous author decided to choose reindeer, but the idea quickly caught on. It wasn’t until over…

In the 19th century, the Underground Railroad was a vital collective effort to aid fugitive slaves in their flight to freedom. In early 1856, William Still, by that point perhaps the organisation’s most important figure, penned an extensive letter to a friend and ally in Canada named Mary Ann Shadd, in which he reflected on his work. “In a few words, let me say that the Underground Railroad cause is increasing,” he wrote, in a letter that would be subsequently published in Shadd’s Provincial Freeman. “The slaves, from the youngest to the oldest, have of late years got a thirst for liberty, and they are bound to have it, come what may.” Much of the work of the Underground Railroad was, out of necessity, secret, but by the late 1850s,…

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT CHRISTMAS JUMPER £49 shop.parliament.uk The ceremonies and practices of the House of Commons and House of Lords that make up the British parliament are known around the world and have inspired the designs of this Christmas jumper. The three nutcrackers on the jumper are each wearing uniforms inspired by the two houses (green and red) and the black uniform representing the Parliamentary clerks. The rest of the design is inspired by the work of architect AWN Pugin. BATTLE FOR THE ISLAND KINGDOM: ENGLAND’S DESTINY 1000–1066 £20 www.ospreypublishing.com Battle For The Island Kingdom reveals the life-and-death struggle for power which changed the course of history. The six decades leading up to 1066 were defined by bloody wars and intrigues, in which three peoples vied for supremacy over the…

Son of another of the Tetrarchy, Maximian, and Eutropia, of Syrian Greek heritage, Maxentius had the backing of the Senate, but not his fellow rulers when he was nominated to rule. The civil conflict that followed divided the Tetrarchy and having been defeated, made Maxentius the last Roman emperor to have his residence in Rome. ARMY: 100,000 (ANONYMOUS PANEGYRIC) INFANTRY: 90,500 (PANEGYRIC), 170,000 (ZOSIMUS) PRAETORIANS, LEGIONARIES, AUXILIARIES, 80,000 LEVIES FROM ITALY AND SICILY AND 40,000 FROM NORTH AFRICA CAVALRY: 18,000 (ZOSIMUS) (PROPORTIONATELY 9,500 OF THE PANEGYRIC’S TOTAL FIGURE) VEXILLATIONES, NUMERI AND GUARD CAVALRY…

800 CE A VIKING EUROPEAN EMPIRE? Viking raids had already established a network of trade and influence across Europe, stretching from Ireland to Russia. With a real threat of Muslim expansion across France, and possibly further, Christendom could have become more fractured and plummet into crisis. While resources were focused on the perceived threat from the Arab Caliphate in the south, the Vikings could have seized the opportunity to make territorial gains from the north, expanding their trade, boosting their hordes of silver, and even setting down roots to establish legitimate political power. 1096 CE ONWARDS CRUSADES CANCELLED Should more of Europe had fallen under Arab influence, then any call to arms by the Christian church to attack the Holy Land may well have fallen on deaf ears. Not only…

United States, 1942 As food and other supplies became scarce, rationing became just another part of everyday life during World War II. In Britain, though petrol was rationed in 1939, it was introduced widespread across a variety of items in 1940. During World War I, although nations such as Germany and Britain experienced food shortages and rationing, the United States was able to rely solely on the implementation of a propaganda scheme designed to cut food waste. But during World War II, the population of the US were not so lucky and it quickly became apparent that certain items, particularly those deemed valuable to the war effort, would need to be rationed. Rationing began in 1942 and was organised by the Federal Office of Price Administration, known as OPA for…

1 THORPE CAMP LINCOLNSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM Housed at the former RAF barracks for RAF Woodhall Spa, Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre is now devoted to preserving the site’s history. During the war, four squadrons flew out of Woodhall Spa, including Squadron 617 – better known as the Dambusters. However, Thorpe Camp has expanded to include other aspects of Lincolnshire’s World War II history, including the home front. Visitors to the camp can see a mockup of the average WWII kitchen, as well as various items available at home. There is also an air cadets exhibit, detailing their history and role in the war. Alongside this, the visitor centre contains numerous displays including a Special Operations Executive Room, a Lancaster Bomber exhibit, plus areas devoted to the Cold War. Visitors to Thorpe…

The subject of many a Christmas cracker fact, it is well known, particularly in the US and the UK, that Santa Claus used to wear green robes, rather than the iconic red robes we now always see him dressed in. Coca-Cola, the famous drink brand, is generally considered to be the reason for this change in the colour of Santa’s clothing. When the company first began to use Santa Claus in advertising from the 1920s, they created an image of him that more closely resembles the bright red-clad Santa we are familiar with today, rather than the interpretations of the previous century. Coca-Cola themselves do not claim credit for Santa’s red robe, but do agree that the depictions of Santa in their advertising is partly responsible for his modern appearance.…

The word “Borgia’’ has come to define a particular kind of Renaissance decadence. Associated with sexual and violent scandals at the heart of the papacy, the Borgia family was dominated by three infamous figures, Pope Alexander VI and his two most prominent children: Cesare and Lucrezia. Celebrated in her time as a beautiful young woman with long, blonde hair and a fair complexion, Lucrezia is often regarded as the original femme fatale. She is largely known today as a notorious figure, surrounded by rumours of incest, murders and even poisonings. However, is her infamy justified or has Lucrezia Borgia been wrongly maligned by history? THE POPE’S DAUGHTER A Spanish noble family, the Borgias rose to prominence in Italy when Cardinal Alfonso de Borgia was elected as Pope Callixtus III in…

The Yeti is not the only mysterious entity that fascinates cryptid fans and cryptozoology enthusiasts. In the wilds of Northern California there is rumoured to live a huge ape-like creature – the Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot. In 1811, David Thompson, a fur-trader and explorer, uncovered a series of large, mysterious footprints that those with him stated positively were not made by a bear. Similarly to the Yeti, it was in the late 1950s and early 1960s that the legend of the Sasquatch truly caught the public imagination. Bluff Creek, California soon became a place associated with the creature; in 1958, a series of huge footprints were discovered there – later confessed to have been a hoax. But the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence was taken in 1967 when…

Years before William Still was born, when his mother fled from slavery in Maryland for a second time, she left the two older children, boys named Levin and Peter, behind. Charity Still calculated that her second flight would be even more dangerous than the first, and the heartbreaking decision to leave behind the boys was her only chance to free herself and the two daughters she took with her. She expected never to see the boys again, but in this, she was wrong. Peter Still’s reconciliation with his family is one of the most remarkable stories of the Underground Railroad. After their mother’s flight, the boys were sold South, first to Kentucky and later to Alabama. Years later, after the death of his older brother, Peter was finally able to purchase…

Having established a strong Islamic foothold in the Iberian Peninsula, aspirations of territory and power north of the Pyrenees was perhaps a logical step to take. But the region between Poitiers and Tours was not just a step, it was a giant leap, and a huge gamble. Standing in the way of the Muslim forces, Charles Martel has historically been depicted as the embodiment of staunch Christian fortitude, faith, and resilience to repel the invader and destroy his ambitions. Victory would preserve both his religion and his people. Failure would unlock the gates of France to dominance by the Arab world and change the face of Europe forever. What next steps would the Umayyad Caliphate need to take to consolidate a victory at Tours? Marching an army as far north…

SEPT 1939 FIRST CHILDREN EVACUATED Due to the fear of air attack and even invasion, British children are evacuated from the cities and into rural areas. The first evacuation was carried out two days before the declaration of war. JAN 1940 FOOD RATIONING INTRODUCED The British government introduces rationing to help combat the national food shortage. Every member of the British public is given a ration book with coupons necessary to purchase the rationed items. These include: bacon, butter, meat, sugar, lard, tea and more. MAY 1940 HOME GUARD CREATED As concern grows surrounding a possible German invasion, the Home Guard is created. Comprising men unfit for conscription, either through age or means, it becomes a highly organised fighting force, designed to defend British shores from German attack. SEPT 1940…

GEORGE ARTHUR ROBERTS TRINIDADIAN, 1 AUG 1891 – 8 JAN 1970 George Arthur Roberts arrived in Britain and joined the army around 1914, fighting in World War I. In the years between the two wars, Roberts became a founding member of the League of Coloured Peoples, an influential civil rights organisation. In 1938 he joined the Auxiliary Fire Service (the first black man to do so) and throughout World War II he bravely tackled the fires of the Blitz. In 1943 George was made the leading fireman and in 1944 received the British Empire Medal. Lieutenant Ernest Gidden British, 15 March 1910 – 20 Dec 1961 Although a member of the armed forces, Ernest Gidden was in London when he carried out the act of bravery that earned him the…

At Christmas time, the practice of gift giving stands as a central element in the celebration of the winter holiday. In many cultures and countries around the world, the act of giving presents is carried out by a jolly, mystical figure known for his white beard, red coat and sleigh. Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as he is also often known, has become such a dominant part of Christmas traditions, but where did he come from and how has he managed to embed himself in so many Christmas-celebrating communities? The Life of St Nicholas The origins of Santa Claus can be traced all the way back to Asia Minor in the 3rd century CE. At this time, a pious and influential man named Nicholas was serving as the Bishop of…

LA BEFANA The Italian legend of La Befana tells the story of an elderly woman who was invited by the Magi to accompany them on their journey to honour the Baby Jesus. La Befana refused, but later changed her mind and ran after the Wise Men with sweet treats to gift to the baby. However, the Magi had already gone and so La Befana dropped sweets at the doors of every child she came across in the hope of finding Jesus. Now, on Epiphany, La Befana continues to leave sweet treats for the children she passes. JULENISSE Like Sweden’s Tomte, Norway’s Julenisse was born from an older folkloric tale of the Nisse who are described as spirits or pixies. The Nisse would look after farms and homes, taking on chores…

A gift is not just for festive seasons and personal landmarks. Over the years gifts have helped to create new bonds between nations, secure marriages, end wars or just strengthen relationships. And in the grand field of power politics, gifts can vary wildly, from small trinkets to entire provinces. Finding the right gift remains the challenge. So, here we review a dozen of the most famous gifts ever given and offer our verdict. Could you find some ideas for your own gift giving this year? Probably not. Hanging Gardens of Babylon To: Queen Amytis From: Nebuchadnezzar II 6th century BCE, Mesopotamia The legendary Hanging Gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built by Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife Amytis. It could be argued that this took buying…

Son of Constantius Chlorus, one of the original Tetrarchy, and Flavia Julia Helena, born in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and was pivotal in the religion’s spread through the empire. He also relocated the seat of the empire in the east to Byzantium, later Constantinople. ARMY: 40,000 (ANONYMOUS PANEGYRIC) INFANTRY: 35,100 (PANEGYRIC), 90,000 (ZOSIMUS) LEGIONARY DETACHMENTS AND AUXILIA CAVALRY: 8,000 (ZOSIMUS) (PROPORTIONATELY 4,900 OF THE PANEGYRIC’S TOTAL FIGURE), VEXILLATIONES AND NUMERI…

711 ISLAM COMES TO IBERIA The trigger for Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula was either an appeal for help by the Christian Chief, Julian, to fight the tyrannical Visigoth King Roderick, or the invasion was simply driven by the desire to expand Islamic territory and influence. Either way, the Muslim governor of North Africa, Musa ibn Nusayr, sent troops and swiftly overcame and defeated the Visigoth army, killing King Roderick. The Visigoth rulers had been deeply unpopular, and by offering generous surrender terms, the Muslim (or Moorish) armies were soon in control of most of Spain and Portugal. 481 – 731 CE INFIGHTING AND DIVISION From the aftermath of the Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes merged into a single Frankish empire under Clovis, and the Merovingian Dynasty was born.…

Book Film TV Podcast Games Other BOUDICA An admirable but flawed stab at honouring a national legend Cert: 15 Director: Jesse V Johnson Cast: Olga Kurylenko, Clive Standen, Lucy Martin Released: Out now The story of Boudica, the Iceni royal who led a failed rebellion against the Romans circa 61 CE, is an enticing one for filmmakers. She was a female leader on the battlefield and it ended in defeat and tragedy. Her wheeling around on a horse and chariot, burning down Roman forts and towns, provides much cinematic spectacle, too. Roman scholars set down accounts of the uprising decades later, but it was in the Victorian era where her legend was revived, as a nationalist symbol, and as a romanticised figure – the warrior queen – inspiring poetry and…