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#Yorkshire Family History Society
robbielewis · 6 months
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Recognise this York building? How it looked in 1910s
It is Heslington Hall in York in 1910s.
We found this photo in the City of York Council's Explore Archives (which you will find online at images.exploreyork.org.uk).
Heslington Hall in around 1910s - from Explore Archives York
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The caption with the photo tells us that Heslington Hall was renovated and much of it rebuilt between 1852 and 1855 for the owner Yarburgh Graeme, who assumed the surname and arms of Yarburgh. (Grade II Listed)
When he died he was succeeded by his nephew, whose daughter, Mary Elizabeth of Heslington, married George William Bateson de Yarburgh. He became the 2nd Baron Deramore.
Heslington Hall today
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The yew trees were trimmed in the shape of chess pieces
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In Victorian times the yew trees were trimmed to the shape of chess pieces. This image is from a glass plate negative.
Heslington Hall viewed across lake, mid 19th century.
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Early 20th century
Before the Second World War, Heslington was a quiet rural retreat with a local aristocracy, and a working village with around 12 farms.Groceries were bought in the very modest village shop, and a bus stopped twice-weekly for trips into the city. Before the arrival of piped water in the 1930s, the whole village relied on pump water from the well. There was no electricity and the Charles XII pub was lit by gas.
Heslington Hall was occupied by Nicholas de Yarburgh-Bateson, the 4th Baron Deramore, whose family had owned the property since 1708.
The picturesque village, just outside York, was a popular focus for city-dwelling families' Sunday walks.
Heslington Village
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Heslington Hall by W. Monkhouse (1860).
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Heslington Hall lake, 20th century.
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War Years
With the outbreak of World War II, the Deramore family evacuated the Hall and the RAF took over, establishing the headquarters of 4 Group Bomber Command in the house and grounds.
Every night, the two village pubs were filled with servicemen and women. "Outside the Charles XII pub ... two young WRAF girls sat on a stuffed rhinoceros that had been left when everything had been sold off from the Hall. I was later told it had been shot by one of the Lord Deramores and had been left in the stables. The last I saw of it was ... when it was giving rides between the two pubs," wrote Donald Ward, retired Vanbrugh porter, in his Heslington Memories.
Bomber Command at Heslington Hall.
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We are grateful to Edward Royle, Professor Emeritus in history at the University of York, for allowing his article on the Transformation of the Hall and Heslington in the 1850s, to be made available for readers to download HERE.  The article was written for the 2004 Annual Report of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.
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Heslington Hussar Frederick William Ostick & Wife + Children in School Lane. Picture Jim Murphy Collection
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Heslington Hall, the seat of Henry Yarborough. 1804. Drawing by John Harper, 1800
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Prospect of Heslington Hall from the slopes of Heslington Hill by Jan Baptiste Bouttats. 1720s. Private Collection. The Hall is seen from the north and the line of overgrown trees are probably the boundary to the topiary garden. You can see the gazebo with its reflecting pool and another pool. To the left is the Hesketh Hospital Almshouses.
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Courtesy: University of York/York Press/ffthYork
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notyour-valentine · 6 months
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what is the public’s general opinion of Charlotte (especially in relation to her sister) in and outside of Yorkshire. It’s interesting to think about when we know her reputation plays a big part in the story
Thank you so much for asking, and for creating the gorgeous artwork that inspired all this! This was written as part of my crossover series Welcome to Downton, Mr. Shelby
Charlotte's reputation
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I suppose there are layers to this question. The Crawleys are a reasonably old but well situated aristocratic family. It is known that their mother is American and brought wealth to the marriage. So that gives her a general degree of “suitability” in aristocratic and royal circles (although some super conservatives might not like her American mother, but the Marlboroughs and others had the same so…). 
It’s a good idea to seperate Yorkshire society from the rest. 
The problem with Charlotte is that unlike her other sisters, she did not come out before the war and back then that meant properly introducing them to society. Before the war no one would have paid much attention to the fourth sister unless they were either close friends, related or had children in a similar age group. 
Of course, Mary is a dazzling socialite, but Edith shared those Pamuk rumours, which while never having been confirmed would add to the intrigue of Mary since they were neither confirmed, nor denied and simply left to the pages of history. Edith is always in Mary’s shadow and while Sybil was “a success” in London, she had little time to shine before the war. Her marriage and disappearance would have probably caused rumours to swirl but since the Crawley’s modus operandi is “never explain” (a lot of complaining though), it would have left more questions than answers.  I messed with the years of the first introduction to court ceremony, but in this story, Charlotte is in the first wave of new debutants, which would have carried a wave of excitement with it. She is well mannered, comes from a good family and of course, Mary is engaged to one of the most influential people in London (Sir Richard) at the time of her coming out. He would definitely have pushed Charlotte in the society pages. 
I don’t think she really has had time to develop her own reputation beyond her family and Mary, since she is at least on a surface level less remarkable than her sisters in the eye of a wider public. She has yet to run away with a revolutionary chauffeur or have a Turkish diplomat die in her bed. But unlike Edith, she is part of that younger, more interesting generation. 
I hope that answers your question- it was certainly an interesting one to think about
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greaseonmymouth · 6 months
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It is not 7 am anymore but top 5 books read this year? 😄
I have read 44 books so far this year and most of them were very good so I don't know how I'm supposed to pick just 5 :'''D
in reverse chronological order
THE DEATH I GAVE HIM - EM X. LIU
this is an utterly unhinged locked room sci-fi murder mystery retelling of Hamlet in which Horatio is an AI and he and Hamlet have a deeply co-dependent and sexual relationship. This book is exactly the kind of thing tumblr would eat up with a spoon, so tumblr pls get on this. The basic plot is: a deeply depressed and suicidal Hamlet (Hayden) is working on a formula that can make one immortal. He is obsessed with beating death. Then his dad is murdered and the labs go on lockdown and more people die because *gestures* Hamlet is Hamlet even when his name is Hayden, and Horatio the AI does his best to keep Hamlet alive and also be a voice of reason except he's too biased. By happenstance I had read this Hamlet/Faust crossover fic (Hemlock & Wine) before reading this book, and in this fic Hamlet is obsessed with necromancy and Horatio is trying to save him. it set the mood nicely. 
You know how in Hamlet everyone dies and at the end Horatio is the only one alive with Hamlet dead in his arms? What if I told you in this book it's reversed?
WILD AND WICKED THINGS - FRANCESCA MAY
Dark, witchy, historical fantasy - set after WW1 on a fictional island off the Yorkshire coast, very 20s glam with a dark undercurrent. Witchcraft is banned, but Annie is a witch. when her father dies she inherits his house on Crow Island and goes over there to sort that out and rents a house next to what turns out to be a Den of Iniquity, not just because of the lavish parties with illegal (magical) substances but because it's queer. Then follows a dark plot involving a blood debt and necromancy and power hungry men (well, one power hungry man) and fragile old and new relationships and dark secrets and also Annie and Emmeline get accidentally magically bonded to each other (but also are in love/lust with each other) and look, I could not stop reading. 
DRAGONFALL - L.R. LAM
listen I LOVE dragon books and I've read and loved everything L.R. Lam has written so when I heard an epic dragon fantasy was coming? I WAS STOKED. this is the first in I think a trilogy and it ticks all my boxes:
sentient dragons with their own history, language, society, etc
sexy dragons?? i didn't realise i needed sexy dragons until I read Aliette de Bodard's Dominion of the Fallen trilogy or the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman, but hey. SEXY DRAGONS
queernorm world! our second protag Arcady is nonbinary and uses any pronouns, thank u for your service L.R. Lam
very cool world building and magic system 
BETRAYAAAALLL 
I can't wait for book 2
PORTRAIT OF A THIEF - GRACE D. LI
look this post will explain everything. suffice to say: pretentious college students steal priceless art.
THE BEAUTIFUL ONES - SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
This is a kind of historical romance but it's fantasy and it doesn't follow conventional romance novel structure (I was SO nervous it wouldn't end happily because I didn't know what to expect from the narrative I was being given, but THANK GOD IT DID). it's very fantasy of manners. it makes a lot of pointed commentary about colonialism and colourism. it's absolutely lush. I love this book a lot, it was so engaging and gripping. the characters are allowed to be flawed and assholes and complex and weak and kind - it's very similar to sprawling historical/saga books with a large cast of people with conflicting wants and needs and scheming and tragedy and love and all that, but distilled into a neat compact package focusing on three people. It's not a long book, it's quite a slim volume for what it is, but it's perfectly paced so you don't notice that you're not actually reading a 900 page family saga.
other standalones I read this year that I think are WELL worth reading:
CAMP DAMASCUS - CHUCK TINGLE
YOU MADE A FOOL OF DEATH WITH YOUR BEAUTY - AKWAEKE EMEZI
YELLOWFACE - R.F. KUANG
HONOURABLE MENTIONS GO TO:
two series I read this year that I also absolutely loved
THE SEVEN DEVILS DUOLOGY - ELIZABETH MAY & L.R. LAM
you know this post right?
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[image id: post by worflesbian on july 4 saying 'sci fi is when women in tank tops are covered in grease and sweat and are shouting at people and racing against time to save lives' reblogged by leafcrunch on july 13 with a screenshot addition of the tag #half a jumpsuit!!! you forgot half a jumpsuit!!!!']
this is that series. it is rebels in space overthrowing an evil space empire. it's all the worst bits of imperialism and colonialism and patriarchy distilled into one evil empire and all the best bits of firefly and star wars distilled into the rebellion. there are cool scifi science bits. this would be amazing as a two season series by competent tv makers, it's very cinematic in scope, but the characters are what give this life.
THE WINTERNIGHT TRILOGY - KATHERINE ARDEN
this is a family saga of a kind, set in medieval Russia during a time when Russia was being Christianised. I don't know how to explain this series because it's so complex and so rich. There is a main character - Vasya - but other characters also get POV sections. the first book takes quite a while before we even get to Vasya in 'the present' so to speak, this is a trilogy that isn't afraid of taking its time to tell a story. Vasya is a witch who can see/communicate with Russian 'folklore' spirits, these spirits are fading with the coming of Christianity. There is an unhinged priest, the winter king Morozko whom Vasya has an intense relationship with, Vasya's brother (a monk, based on a real person), Vasya's sister (married to the Tsar, a real person), and just...god, I don't know. I loved everything about this trilogy, the way it humanised historical figures, the way it didn't demonise either the folklore spirits (who are allowed to be non-human beings devoid of human morality! so refreshing) or the Christians, but rather conveyed how a time of upheaval like this had to have been very scary and tumultous. an absolute treat.
I did also read the entire Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles including the spinoffs, which I really enjoyed.
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whimsicaldragonette · 2 months
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Blog Tour and Arc Review: The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews
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Publication Date: January 16, 2024
Welcome to The Lily of Ludgate Hill book tour with Berkley Publishing Group. (This blog tour post is also posted on my Wordpress book blog Whimsical Dragonette.)
Synopsis:
Lady Anne Deveril doesn’t spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, she’s the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her mother’s devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, she’s tempted to run…right into his arms. No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruse—on the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfather’s country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare. Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions—and a tender heart.
Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.
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Author Photo Credit: Vicki Hahn
Rating: ★★★★
*My Review, Favorite Quotes, and Non-Exclusive Extract below the cut.
My Review:
I loved this. It was exactly the sort of banter-filled stubborn hero and heroine who are gone for each other but refuse to admit it story that I love. It's easily the best of the Belles of London series. Anne and Hartford are perfect for each other but it takes them a while to admit it. The only problem I had with it was that it was *extremely* predictable. I knew exactly how it was going to go from the beginning and there was no deviating from that. I actually stopped about 75% of the way through and checked goodreads to make sure I hadn't already read it before. I hadn't. And yet I had predicted every. single. thing that happened. It was like deja vu but more so. The last quarter unfolded exactly as I expected it to. I don't know if the foreshadowing was just really intense or what but that did lessen my enjoyment of the story. Aside from that, however, everything else was exactly as I like in a historical romance. I am curious about the next one, as well, after meeting who will obviously be the new wheelchair-bound, artist hero. I have high hopes because neither of those is something we typically get in a romance hero. *Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.
Favorite Quotes:
"I wish I were more eccentric," Anne declared, rousing her spirits to the cause. "I might have traveled to Yorkshire weeks ago and saved Julia from her fate."
Non-Exclusive Excerpt:
The twin fragrances of pipe smoke and parchment met her nose. Lemon polish, too, though there was no sign that the maids had done any recent tidying up. The library was a place of spectacular clutter. Bookcases lined three of the walls; leather-bound volumes on botany, agriculture, and natural history were pulled out at all angles as if an absent-minded researcher had wandered from shelf to shelf withdrawing tomes at random only to change his mind midway through extracting them. The fourth wall was entirely covered in framed sketches of flowers and greenery. Some images were produced in pencil and others in delicately rendered watercolor. They were-along with the teetering stacks of botanical journals and drooping maps that spilled over the sides of the earl's carved mahogany desk-evidence of his prevailing passion. Lord March's love of exotic plants was legendary. He'd spent much of his life traveling the globe, from the wilds of America to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, bringing back rare seeds to nurture into bloom. A distracted fellow at the best of times, but a kind one, too, as far as Anne recalled. It had been a long time since she'd darkened his doorstep. A lifetime, it felt like. She tugged restlessly at her black kid-leather gloves as she paced the worn carpet in front of the library's cavernous marble fireplace. She'd never excelled at waiting for unpleasantness to arrive. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long. "Hello, old thing." A familiar deep voice sounded from the library door. Anne spun around, her traitorous heart giving an involuntary leap in her breast. Mr. Felix Hartford stood in the entryway, one shoulder propped against the doorframe. Lord only knew how long he'd been observing her. She stiffened. After all these years, he still had the power to discompose her. Drat him. But she wouldn't permit her emotions to be thrown into chaos by his attractive face and figure. What cared she for his commanding height? His square-chiseled jaw? For the devilish glint in his sky-blue eyes? And devil he was. The very one she'd come here to see. "Hartford," she said. Her chin ticked up a notch in challenge. It was a reflex. There was no occasion on which they'd met during the course of the past several years that they hadn't engaged in verbal battle. This time, however, he made no attempt to engage her. He was dressed in plaid trousers and a loose-fitting black sack coat worn open to reveal the dark waistcoat beneath. A casual ensemble, made more so by the state of him. His clothes were vaguely rumpled, and so was his seal-brown hair. It fell over his brow, desperately in need of an application of pomade. There was an air of arrested preoccupation about him, as if he'd just returned from somewhere or was on his way to somewhere. As if he hadn't realized she was in the library and had come upon her quite by chance. An unnatural silence stretched between them, void of their typical barb-filled banter. Greetings dispensed with, Anne found herself at an unaccountable loss. More surprising still, so did Hartford. He remained frozen on the threshold, his usually humorous expression turned to stone on his handsome face. At length, he managed a smile. "I knew one day you'd walk through my door again. It only took you"-withdrawing his pocket watch from his waistcoat, he cast it a brief glance, brows lifting as if in astonishment at the time-"seven years to do it." She huffed. "It hasn't been seven years." "Six and half, then." Six years and five months, more like. It had been early December of 1855, during the Earl of March's holiday party. She'd been just shy of seventeen; young and naive and not formally out yet. Hartford had kissed her under a sprig of mistletoe in the gaslit servants' hallway outside the kitchens. And he'd proposed to her.
But Anne refused to think of the past. Never mind that, living in London, reminders of it were daily shoved under her nose. "You're not going to be difficult, are you?" she asked. "That depends." He strolled into the room. "To what do I owe your visit?" "Presumptuous, as always," she said. "For all you know, I'm here to see your grandfather." Hartford was the only child of the Earl of March's second son-the late (and much lamented) moralist Everett Hartford. Anne well remembered the man. He'd been as straitlaced and starchy as a vicar. Rather ironic, really, given his son's reputation for recklessness and irreverence. "My grandfather is in his greenhouse," Hartford said, "elbow deep in chicken manure. If it's him you've come to speak with, you're in for a long wait." She suppressed a grimace. There was no need for him to be crass. "Really, Hartford." "Really, my lady." He advanced into the room slowly, his genial expression doing little to mask the fact that he was a great towering male bearing down on her. "Why have you come?" Anne held her ground. She wasn't afraid of him. "I've come to ask a favor of you." His mouth curled up at one corner. "Better and better." He gestured to a stuffed settee upholstered in Gobelins tapestry. "Pray sit down."
Excerpted from The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews Copyright © 2024 by Mimi Matthews. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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acidgems · 2 years
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◜     *     :     charlie     rowe     .     cis     male     &     he/him     .     trojan     horse     by     sebastian     paul     .     ━━     the     legend     surrounding     london’s     l’academiae     furorum     would     not     be     complete     without     JASPER     WILDER     .     the     academy's     TWENTY     FOUR     year     old     TECH     SUPPORT     has     been     with     furore     for     two     years     ,     oft     described     as     RAMBUNCTIOUS     ,     JADED     ,     CHAOTIC     ,     CHEEKY     &     has     proved     utterly     indispensable     to     the     company.     in     passing     ,     they’ve     come     to     be     associated     with     THE     SCENT     OF     SIPHON     GASOLINE     DRIPPING     FROM     A     SPLIT     LIPPED     SMILE     &     driving     splinters     out     of     mud-splattered     palms,     fresh     bolognese     sauce     stains     on     fraying     denim     cuffs     ,     icing     bruising     skin     against     the     condensation     on     bus     windows,     chalk     graffiti     imitating     the     once     grandeur     of     banksy     ,     numb     teeth     from     super     sonic     headphone     use     .     whether     this     will     be     their     final     curtain     call     is     anyone's     guess     &     the     company’s     worst     nightmare     .
HELO SEXY CITIZENS! it is i pand (28) emerged from my self imposed exile a fresh n happy new gal 🤪🤪 i’ve not done groups or shite in like years so... teefy grins cowabunga boys let’s do this ! i lov an unnecessary elipsis and exclamation marks is like me family... thts all u rly need to know abt me i’m quite easy going :B
history
back from my salmon :) (if u keep reading thisll all mke sense hoo hoo hee) ok where were we ah yes his Histoire ok cracks knucky knucks. 
grew up in yorkshire then moved to south london *top boy theme song* when their no good papa deserted them bcs he’s also a big fuckup who has no sense of commitment or attachment to his family. so jasper, ignoring all facts that his dad will not return bcs he’s an idiot, “temporarily” helps his single overworked mum out by working as a techie whilst secretly moonlighting as a low level car thief in the grimey underworld of london. gone in sixty seconds ws his fave movie as a kid n will probs be the death of him bt my god... can he do a good nicholas cage impression.
jasper is one half of jasper and scout his eVIL TWIN! just kidding she’s nai’s blessed creation so i cnt rly go off bat here but their family puts the fun in dysFUNctional. luca is the oldest sibling who’s currently in jail for gbh but jasper will go to his grave defending him n the entire situation if u bring it up after a few pints... his big brother is his Mona Lisa of ppl like he’s just bow down n hero worship the badassery bt rly he’s just idolising a selfish scumbag who offers nothing to society n so remains locked away causing a ruckus behind bars. obv jasper does NT see this... a common theme with my Boy is... he sees what he wants... n wears horse blinders for the rest. then bethan is the next in line n she has a bunch of kids with a deadbeat who jasper always threatens to throw off a motorway bt he never does. loves a good word... bt does he back it up? nah, not his style Baby! He’s a violent poet! a romantic maniac! but not a realist dnt come at him with tht shite or he’ll get bored n go steal a car to entertain himself. THEN WE HAVE SCOUT -- a dandelion w legs and arms, all angry spirit and dungarees and they have a love/hate relationship ie jasper loves her bt she hates a lot of wt he does n thinks he’s just a stinky boy w no hope or manners n tbh? Tea.
so thts the siblings his mum is a single mum n they get along great she doesn’t see the shitty side of jasper n there is a mile of it so idk how bt they love making homemade spaghetti bolognese frm his gran’s tattered recipe together n singing in the kitchen and jasper probs does lil jazz numbers for her bcs frankly he adores her n thinks she’s a strong brilliant woman which she is... n he adores all his family actually jasper is a fiercely loyal bloke n will throw fists to reinforce tht... n also to feel like a powerful Alpha male bcs he’s a lil problematical that way :/. 
relationship n romance wise........ bites fist.........here we go. ok so he had a longterm girlfriend. (longterm to jasper is measured in weeks). bt he cheated on her many times n one noteable time ws a threesome including her best friend n her sister. it’s number one on his long list of sins that will lead him to hell. u might ask... my god... why would they do that... well... jasper defies logic my friends. he actually defines tht whole palav as an iconic memory bt scout once heard him gloating abt it n smacked him so hard on the back of the head he felt concussed
so yah jasper has been working as a tech support for a couple years but doesn’t rly take his job seriously he likes the close proximity to all the dancers bcs he’s a whore w an appetite fr debauchery n also perhaps likes his job bcs he has hidden tap dancing talents n hopes to dip his toe in the world of dance perhaps. or does he. tune in next time fr the big reveal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
personality
frankly owning the dance floor viciously squat dancing when requested throat goat kim petras blasts frm the club speakers probs wearing a pair of vintage glasses shaped like glittery stars which he raises up n down to wink at ppl he thinks r impressed.... bt why wouldn’t u be... THE BOY IS TALENTED AND HAS FANTASTIC LEGS !
loving his mum the absolute light of his life (as well as his cynic of a twin scout bt like... he’s considerably less vocal abt tht bcs she’s mostly horrified by him and his selfish playboy lifestyle 98.76% the time). this ofc doesn’t deter frm the fact tht he’s only but a few please and thankyou’s away from pure hooliganism... and should carry a warning sign like a tag around his neck. shaun of the dead mum: He’s a bit... bitey   
on one hand rite.........jasper is a cesspit of toxic masculinity bt tbh he also doesn’t rly care abt all that noise.... depends on his mood u see he’s ever fluctuating. loves a mimosa with silly straws n cocktail umbrellas bt also counts the notches on his bedpost w a sense of pride only known to a rowdy adolescent male. locker room talk? bang on. a real Out with The bOys kinda bloke... but maybe less insufferable who knows u decide
i have to go cook some salmon so thts it tbh... thanks fr reading
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theartofquirk · 4 months
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The Old Ways
Do you ever wonder about your ancestors? I've recently been on an investigative trip around my family tree with some quite interesting results.
I have a (very) distant cousin who was convicted of sheep stealing in the 1800's, deported to Tasmania and subsequently became a timber magnate & world renown apple cider brewer. The liquor is still available today but will set you back over £100 a bottle.
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I have a cousin who was dubbed Yorkshire's very own Florence Nightingale for assisting a famous doctor in a malaria hospital in Guatemala. She earned herself the highest honour in that country, the Order of The Quetzal.
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I discovered servants, potters, miners and even one committed to the West Yorkshire lunatic asylum. Which may explain a few things...
I initially thought the task to be a fun one but was surprised to find that it was also therapeutic.
My Father had told me about my ancestors on his side when I was a child. My hyperactive, naive brain didn't appreciate that sometime in the future I may wish to remember these stories and not have the chance for them to be retold.
On my Mothers side, there was less knowledge. In fact, we don't even know who my Grandfather was. A fact, unfortunately, taken to the grave.
As I piece together my lineage I find myself feeling more rooted to the Earth. Something I've struggled with for decades with this overactive, dissociation-prone mind.
I also have been spending a good deal of time thinking about local history, the differences in society and about the state of the world at large. This led me to consider whether information, otherwise passed down through generations by word-of-mouth, was lost when dual-income families and internet generation kids (like myself) became the norm.
I remembered my Mother always had a book of Mrs Beaton's Household Management on the kitchen shelf. I looked through it occasionally as a child, put off by recipes that required offal, and condemning the book as 'remnants of a distant past', a past made obsolete through modern convenience.
Looking back I cringe. I'm constantly apologising for my house when visitors come, though I am reassured that most laugh and say it's fine - I should have seen where they just came from! I'm never organised, often forgetful and suffer regular bouts of overwhelm. Perhaps, if I'd have shown Mrs Beaton greater respect, or domestic economy was taught in my family as a necessary skill, I wouldn't have been doomed to confusion and frustration. Or maybe I really am just lazy, as my brain likes to tell me in moments of weakness. Life was comfortable growing up but it didn't orient me very well in the world.
So I've resolved to make up for lost time. I've decided to learn from the real experts, the petticoat-wearing women of old. Starting from the oldest book in the Internet Archive, I'll be working my way though each book to the present in the hope to reveal the mysteries of a well-managed home.
The first book is from the 1800's and is the concisely named:
“The Family Hand-Book; Or Practical Information in Domestic Economy; Including Cookery, Household Management, and All Other Subjects Connected With the Health, Comfort and Expenditure of a Family: With a Collection of Choice Receipts and Valuable Hints”
I'll be pulling out small passages that jump out to me, either as something I wish I'd known or something that I feel is worthy of conversation. I won't be sticking to a set schedule as I'm clearly not that kind of organised but I will post as soon as I find each little nugget of gold.
Pass me my pinafore Mrs B!
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gracedenton · 6 months
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A Handsome Testimonial
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 A handsome testimonial by Gill Crawshaw - This zine takes the life of James Scott as its starting point, to show how disabled people contributed to the textile industry of Yorkshire, and to their communities.
James was one of the pupils of the Yorkshire Institution for the Deaf and Dumb (YIDD), who lived in Horbury, near Wakefield, for the rest of his life once he left the school. He worked for Richard Poppleton at Albert Mill, Horbury Bridge, as a hanker of worsted fabric. His employer provided a glowing report of James for the survey that YIDD carried out about their former pupils. I was able to trace James's life through all the censuses. This shows that he carried on living with - and supporting - his mother till she died. Importantly for this project,he continued to work in a worsted mill (perhaps the same one throughout his working life), listed sometimes a a worsted packer or warehouseman. When he got older he became a lamplighter.
James's story gave Gill an opportunity to think about how disabled people were viewed at that time, and how this influences views of disabled people today. 
With support of the Empath History Research Group in Wakefield, I found out about James's family members too, although they didn't all make it into the zine. James's sister Agnes does feature though. Her experience was a sharp contrast to James's.
Primarily, I aimed to show how disabled people are part of society, part of the local economy, and part of life! Stereotypes might suggest that disabled people are dependent on others, but this is definitely not the whole story.
Read the zine here: https://issuu.com/gillcrawshaw/docs/a_handsome_testimonial_lo_res_zine
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chatsworthbyrubes · 7 months
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~Georgiana Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire~
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Duchess Georgina is one of the most widely recognised and complex characters in Chatsworths storyline. Georginas life was far richer and more rewarding than many, she was described to be a writer of poetry, a political agitator, amateur diplomat, a tastemaker, keen musician, traveller, mineralogist and a forward-thinking parent. Born in to the Spencer family, Georgiana was the eldest of three children born to John and his wife Margaret Georgiana. She gre up within a happy household and Georgiana and her siblings were raised within the expectation of making good marriages to partners from similar high end families and were equipped with the skills and accomplishments it was felt would enhance their futures. The family were well travelled, whilst the family were visiting Spa in the Netherlands, Georgina met William, The 5th Duke of Devonshire. Two years later in 1774, Georgiana married the Duke and became mistress of Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall, Chiswick House and Lismore Castle, as well as the estates at Londesborough and Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire at the young age of 17.
Georgina faced a huge responsibility, ensuring all of the houses were well looked after,maintaining the staffing and upkeep, and the well-being of the servants and of those living in the estate villages. Georgiana was described as having a warm personality, while her husband was regarded as being more reserved making them opposites. The new Duchess enthusiastically established herself at the heart of the London society being loved and respected by everyone, welcoming fellow aristocrats, royalty, actors, playwrights and musicians to her home. She also entertained prominent members of the Whig political party. The Whig party advocated independence from the Crown but didn’t suggest that anyone outside the landed classes should have a bearing on politics.
Harvard referencing:
Anne Mee (1770-1851) - georgiana, duchess of devonshire (1757-1806) (no date) Royal Collection Trust. Available at: https://www.rct.uk/collection/420819/georgiana-duchess-of-devonshire-1757-1806 (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Georgiana Cavendish (no date) Brooklyn Museum. Available at: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/heritage_floor/georgiana_cavendish (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), duchess of devonshire - national portrait gallery (no date) Person - National Portrait Gallery. Available at: https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp01280/georgiana-cavendish-nee-spencer-duchess-of-devonshire (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Georgiana Cavendish, duchess of devonshire (1757-1806) (no date) Chatsworth House. Available at: https://www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/chatsworth-estate/history-of-chatsworth/georgiana-cavendish-duchess-of-devonshire/ (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Joannou, J. (2022) ‘Dear charming lady georgiana’: The phenomenon of the duchess of devonshire, Chiswick House & Gardens. Available at: https://chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/2022/09/05/dear-charming-lady-georgiana-the-phenomenon-of-the-duchess-of-devonshire/ (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Knowles, R. (2012) Georgiana Cavendish, duchess of devonshire (1757-1806), Regency History. Available at: https://www.regencyhistory.net/2012/10/georgiana-cavendish-duchess-of.html (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
LGBTQ history: Romantic female friendship (no date) English Heritage. Available at: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/lgbtq-history/romantic-female-friendship/ (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
Spranklen, A. (2021) Who was princess Diana’s ancestor, Georgiana Spencer? the vivacious society figure who inspired ‘the duchess’ film, Tatler. Available at: https://www.tatler.com/article/who-was-georgiana-spencer-duchess-of-devonshire (Accessed: 04 September 2023).
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gathersroses · 2 years
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AMBROSIA PARTRIDGE.
GENERAL.
NAME.   ambrosia partridge
ALIASES.   none
AGE.   appears twenty-two
BIRTHDATE.   november 13, 1850
GENDER.   female 
SEXUALITY.   on the ace spectrum
STATUS.   verse dependent
ETHNICITY.   white
NATIONALITY.   english
BIRTHPLACE.   near yorkshire
RESIDENCE.   wanders
OCCUPATION.   none
PHYSICAL.
HEIGHT.   5’7”
WEIGHT.   100 lbs
BODY TYPE.   slim
SKIN TONE.   pale
HAIRSTYLE.   wavy
HAIR COLOR.   blonde
EYE COLOR.   blue
SCARS.   none
FACECLAIM.   tazmin merchant
PERSONALITY.
TRAITS.   not afraid to stand up for herself, kind, strong-minded, loyal, supportive, reliable, enthusiastic, overcommitted, reluctant to change
HABITS.   tba.
HOBBIES.   tba.
FEARS   getting taken advantage of
FAMILY.
FATHER.   johnathan partridge (alive)
MOTHER.   helen patridge (deceased)
SISTER.   amelia partridge (alive)
BROTHER.   none 
SIGNIFICANT OTHER.   judge bradford (intended)
SON.   none
DAUGHTER.   none
EXTRA.
MBTI.   isfj - t
ENNEAGRAM.   tba.
ALIGNMENT.   tba.
HISTORY.
BORN UNDER PALE MOONLIGHT, ambrosia made her screeching arrival to this world, a cold november night. her parents, johnathan & helen were surprised to learn they were expecting another child in the first place. while they tried for another child after ambrosia's older sister was born, their attempts were unsuccessful. but ambrosia came along. her sister was twelve at the time thus, they were not as close as they could have been.
her family was fairly well off. her father worked as a laywer, often alongside judge bradshaw; an influential man from their area. they were good friends, which greatly benefitted their family. judge bradshaw found a suitor for amelia. he provided expenses for medical bills as they piled up for a condition of ambrosia's mother. for whatever reason, judge bradshaw began visiting them more often, wanting to help her mother as she slowly recovered from her sickness. but ambrosia soon realized that judge bradshaw had other motifs to his visits. he was in love with her mother. in her concern, ambrosia brought this up to her mother, but her mother was already aware. although she did not love him back, they needed the money.
twilight struck, taking her mother along with it. her father found her dead. it didn't make sense! she was getting better, yet it was not enough. judge bradshaw began projecting his pain onto the people standing before his stand. most received lifelong sentences or sent to the gallows. the people of their town became more fridid.
her debut into society occurred when she was twenty years old, the year after the death of her mother. being a kind soul, ambrosia received several suitors. but what surprised her was the gaze of judge bradford that seemed to always be following her. ambrosia avoided the man after the death of her mother. the truth behind his intentions prevented her from interacting with him. though, he offended asked for her hand for a dance & requested to be sat next to her during dinner events. ambrosia treated him well enough, but avoided him when she could.
eventually, judge bradford grew frustrated. lashing out once again on the poor souls brought before him. ambrosia faked ignorance. he could not be pining after her, after all. not after learning his feelings for her mother. one night, judge bradford became too desperate for her love. he confronted her about his feelings during a party. ambrosia rejected him as soon as the words left his lips. he was in love with a married woman & he was close to acting on those feelings. she refused to support a man like that.
her father confronted her later that night. while he was aware of judge bradford's love for his wife, he saved them several times before. this would be a way to repay him. ambrosia argued back. she did not want to marry him. she did not love him. they struck a deal. if she could find herself a husband within a year, she would not have to accept the offer. but if she did not, she would marry the judge. all of the eligible young men were chased off from ambrosia. as desperately searching as she was, she could not secure herself a husband. when she got close enough to one young man who was willing to help her, he disappeared the next day.
two weeks before the year is up, judge bradford proposed to her. ambrosia refused his offer, once again. the year was not up. while he reacted calmly, amrbrosia was forcefully removed from her home, thrust into an insane asylum. she was imprisoned in the madhouse for a full year. before judge bradford returned to offer his hand again. ambrosia refuses once again. the next time he came, he informed amrbsia that her father was on death's row. if she accepted judge bradford's new proposal, that would save him. with no other choice, ambrosia accepted.
knowing the thoughts judge bradford had on his mind for her, ambrosia purchased a bottle of poison. she would rather die than be his wife. what she did not know was judge bradford had a plan in mind for such a situation. he found her with the bottle of poison the night before their wedding.
"if you die, you are cursed," he told her. cursed to never die. unless she could secure a kiss of true love. judge bradford said he was willing to secure such a kiss. but ambrosia replied that such a kiss would not be of love. she drank the entire bottle, staring judge bradford in the eye the entire time.
he tried to save her, he did. physicians were called, but nothing prevented the poison from burning her heart. ambrosia took her final breath.
and awoke underground. weeks had gone by, but she was not dead. she did not breath, her heart did not beat. not alive, but not yet dead. she remembered the curse. now, she wanders between spirit realm & the living, the only way to escape from this miserable existence is to secure a kiss. but who could ever love the unliving?
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Timeline of LGBT history in the United Kingdom
The Roman conquest of Britain begins, creating Roman Britain. Roman society was to shape Britain for the next four centuries. In the three main cities of London, Colchester and Saint Albans as in all Roman settlements was patriarchal, and the freeborn male citizen possessed political liberty (libertas) and the right to rule both himself and his household (familia). "Virtue" (virtus) was seen as an active quality through which a man (vir) defined himself. The conquest mentality and "cult of virility" shaped same-sex relations. Roman men were free to enjoy sex with other males without a perceived loss of masculinity or social status, as long as they took the dominant or penetrative role.
4th century
312 – Roman Empire began to accept Christianity with the first emperor to convert to Christianity, Emperor Constantine. Along with his bishops, monks and missionaries an endless loop of alternating permissiveness and homosexual censure in the Roman world began.
14th century
1315–1317 – King Edward II had Piers Gaveston's embalmed body buried, two and a half years after his death. Edward moved on with a growing infatuation with Roger d'Amory which can be tracked from the extensive list of gifts, grants, wardship and land. By 1317 Damory was the most important man at court and the King's 'favourite'. It is unknown whether Roger Damory was Edward II's lover.
1320 – King Edward II formed a close relationship with another good looking favorite and aide, Hugh Despenser, who manoeuvred into the affections of King Edward, displacing Roger d'Amory. This came much to the dismay of the baronage as they saw him both taking their rightful places at court at best, and at worst being the new, worse Gaveston. By 1320 Despenser's greed was running free. He also supposedly vowed revenge on Roger Mortimer, because Mortimer's grandfather had killed his own grandfather.
1321 – Despenser had earned many enemies in every stratum of society, from King Edward's wife Queen Isabella in France, to the barons, to the common people. There was even a plot to kill Despenser by sticking his wax likeness with pins.
16th century
1580 – King James VI of Scotland, King James I England had romantic relationships with three men: Esmé Stewart, Robert Carr and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. In 1580 at 14 years old, King James I of England began a relationship with Franco-Scottish Lord Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox. Lennox was a relative and 24 years senior to James, married and the father of 5 children. The influence Lennox his "favourite" had on politics, and the resentment at the wealth they acquired, became major political issues during his reign.[24] Scottish nobles ousted Lennox by luring the young king to Ruthven Castle as a guest but then imprisoned him for ten months. The Presbyterian nobles forced King James to banish Lennox to France. Lennox and James remained in secret contact. Lennox remained in France. He died in Paris in 1583. William Schaw took Lennox's heart back to James in Scotland, since in life its true place had been with the King.
19th century
1800 – William Blake paints "Lot and His Daughters". The Book of Genesis in chapters 11–14 and 18–19 describes Lot and his family, living through the fire and brimstone sent against Sodom and Gomorrah apparently for either rape, transgression of the laws of hospitality, or homosexuality. "Lot and His Daughters" however portrays the part of the story that involves incest, not homosexuality: the story in Genesis describes how the daughters of Lot, along the road as they fled from Sodom and Gomorrah, got their father drunk so that after he fell asleep they could have sex with him and in this way get children from him.
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1806 – Yorkshire gentlewoman Anne Lister starts writing love letters to and from Eliza Raine. Lister actively participated in and wrote about her lesbian relationships. Although she did not use the word lesbian, at age thirty, she wrote, "I love and only love the fairer sex and thus, beloved by them in turn my heart revolts from any other love but theirs."
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meetpeopleonline101 · 2 years
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Meet People in Bradford and Make Friends forever
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Bradford in West Yorkshire is an energetic city with a rich legacy and flourishing present day culture. It is one of the 10th greatest urban areas of Britain, but it is reduced enough that you ought to before long begin to select natural countenances as you get out and meet individuals. Many individuals move to Bradford to work or to learn at the college in the city, and assuming you have done that, you might be battling to meet individuals to possibly warm up to them and foster a full public activity in the city.
Unwind! Bradford is a cordial spot of many societies generally living respectively genially. As a college town, its understudies inhabit the core of the local area and well established occupants invite novices. You may simply require a couple of ideas of how to get out and meet individuals in Bradford so you can get everything rolling on building fellowships.
Here we provide you with a thoughts of activities in and around Bradford so you can get out and meet individuals very much like you.
Go for a stroll
There is something else to Bradford besides the actual city. Assuming that you are feeling a little wrecked by the hurrying around of city life, how about you recommend to coworkers or colleagues that a gathering of you could take an end of the week walk? In and around the city of Bradford you will find the wild and rough fields made renowned underway of the Bronte family's nineteenth century compositions. It is probably the most dynamite landscape you will at any point find in Britain, so it is a decent chance to meet individuals you might not have conversed with previously. You should simply ask a couple of individuals and welcome them to bring others along. You will have a good time, get some outside air and meet individuals. You might frame a normal strolling club or go along with one that as of now exists in Bradford. Click over here Meet People
Sort out a film trip
Chances to meet individuals in Bradford need not be complicated. Assuming you appreciate film, you will presumably find something you need to see at one of the city's films, including the sixteen screen multiplex that most urban communities can't brag! Bradford is additionally home to the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, which has the 52ft-profound and all inclusive IMAX screen. This is currently the most visited exhibition hall outside London, make a few inquiries for others keen on seeing the film with you, organize a chance to meet individuals to get tickets and take it from that point.
Visit a relaxation place
Bradford downtown area is home to £40 million recreation complex, which incorporates the multiplex as well as wellness clubs and bars. Visiting a relaxation place or pursuing a games class is one more great chance to meet individuals.
Be a culture vulture
If history, culture or even photography interest you, Bradford bears the cost of you incredible chances to enjoy your inclinations and meet individuals simultaneously. The historical backdrop of Bradford's flourishing can be followed through the fleece and material exchanges. It was once the fleece capital of the world. That has influenced Bradford's design from the fabulous Italianate City Hall and Wool Exchange to the city's notable trader quarter. You could coordinate a directed visit through area of the city or a photography trip. Promote it on the workplace or school notice-block and see who signs. On the off chance that you meet individuals you like through such an outing, you can organize further parties. They could sort out an excursion to one more area of the city and at last you can foster kinships along these lines, however, for example, meeting at the bar or over espresso to share photographs.
In the event that craftsmanship is your thing, you have great chances to sort out a tomfoolery trip in Bradford and meet individuals who love workmanship. Near Bradford, the 1853 Gallery in Salts Mill in Saltire houses Europe's biggest assortment of David Hockney craftsmanships and is definitely worth getting sorted out an excursion to.
These are only four distinct ways of being supportive of dynamic and meet individuals in Bradford by sorting out an excursion to a portion of the city's social and social high spots. Whenever you have begun and coordinated an excursion, you will begin making companions and find it more straightforward to broaden your public activity. Bradford and the encompassing region offer many spots where you can do that.
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clivethings-to-say · 3 years
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Friends of Hull General Cemetery
Friends of Hull General Cemetery
Philip Larkin on his walk with John Betjeman through the disused Hull General Cemetery, (1964) declared it to be a natural cathedral. Over the years, it declined into an overgrown fly-tipping and drug abuse centre. Enter a group of local residents in 2015. In the beginning they litter picked and disposed of the used syringes, but upon request, and with the support of local councillors, Hull City…
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nellygwyn · 4 years
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I thought I would share some portraits/info about notable black men and women who worked and lived in Georgian Britain. This is not an extensive list by any means, and for some figures, portraits are unavailable:
1. Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797) was a writer, abolitionist and former slave. Born into what would become southern Nigeria, he was initially sold into slavery and taken to the Caribbean as a child, but would be sold at least twice more before he bought his freedom in 1766. He decided to settle in London and became involved in the British abolitionist movement in the 1780s. His first-hand account of the horrors of slavery 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano' was published in 1789 and it really drove home the horrors of slavery to the general British public. He also worked tirelessly to support freed slaves like himself who experienced racism and inequality living in Britain's cities. He was a leading member of the Sons of Africa, an abolitionist group, whose members were primarily freed black men (the Sons of Africa has been called the first black political organisation in British history). He married an English woman, Susannah, and when he died in 1797, he left his fortune of roughly £73,000 to his daughter, Joanna. Equiano's World is a great online resource for those interested in his life, his work, and his writings.
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2. Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) was a bit of a jack-of-all-trades (he's described as an actor, composer, writer, abolitionist, man-of-letters, and socialite - truly the perfect 18th century gentleman). He was born in the Middle Passage on a slave ship. His mother died not long after they arrived in Venezuela and his father apparently took his own life rather than become a slave. Sancho's owner gave the boy to three sisters living in London c. 1730s (presumably as a sort of pet/servant) but whilst living with them, his wit and intellect impressed the 2nd Duke of Montagu who decided to finance his education. This was the start of Sancho's literary and intellectual career and his association with the elite of London society saw him ascend. He struck up a correspondence with the writer, Laurence Sterne, in the 1760s: Sancho wrote to press Sterne to throw his intellecrual weight behind the cause of abolition. He became active in the early British abolitionist movement and be counted many well-known Georgians amongst his acquaintance. He was also the first black man known to have voted in a British election. He married a West Indian woman and in 1774, opened a grocer's shop in London, that attempted to sell goods that were not produced by slave labour. Despite his popularity in Georgian society, he still recounts many instances of racist abuse he faced on the streets of London in his diaries. He reflected that, although Britain was undoubtedly his home and he had done a lot for the country, he was 'only a lodger and hardly that' in London. His letters, which include discussions of domestic subjects as well as political issues, can be read here.
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3. Francis 'Frank' Barber (1742-1801) was born a slave on a sugar plantation in Jamaica. His owner, Richard Bathurst, brought Frank to England when Frank turned 15 and decided to send him to school. The Bathursts knew the writer, Samuel Johnson, and this is how Barber and the famous writer first met (Barber briefly worked as Johnson's valet and found him an outspoken opponent of the slave trade). Richard Bathurst gave Frank his freedom when he died and Frank immediately signed up for the navy (where he apparently developed a taste for smoking pipes). In 1760, he returned permanently to England and decided to work as Samuel Johnson's servant. Johnson paid for Frank to have an expensive education and this meant Frank was able to help Johnson revise his most famous work, 'Dictionary of the English Language.' When Johnson died in 1784, he made Frank his residual heir, bequeathing him around £9000 a year (for which Johnson was criticised in the press - it was thought to be far too much), an expensive gold watch, and most of Johnson's books and papers. Johnson also encouraged Frank to move to Lichfield (where Johnson had been born) after he died: Frank duly did this and opened a draper's shop and a school with his new wife. There, he spent his time 'in fishing, cultivating a few potatoes, and a little reading' until his death in 1801. His descendants still live at a farm in Litchfield today. A biography of Frank can be purchased here. Moreover, here is a plaque erected on the railings outside of Samuel Johnson's house in Gough Square, London, to commemorate Johnson and Barber's friendship.
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4. Dido Elizabeth Belle (1764-1801) was born to Maria Belle, a slave living in the West Indies. Her father was Sir John Lindsay, a British naval officer. After Dido's mother's death, Sir John took Dido to England and left her in the care of his uncle, Lord Mansfield. Dido was raised by Lord Mansfield and his wife alongside her cousin, Elizabeth Murray (the two became as close as sisters) and was, more or less, a member of the family. Mansfield was unfortunately criticised for the care and love he evidently felt for his niece - she was educated in most of the accomplishments expected of a young lady at the time, and in later life, she would use this education to act as Lord Mansfield's literary assistant. Mansfield was Lord Chief Justice of England during this period and, in 1772, it was he who ruled that slavery had no precedent in common law in England and had never been authorised. This was a significant win for the abolitionists, and was brought about no doubt in part because of Mansfield's closeness with his great-niece. Before Mansfield died in 1793, he reiterated Dido's freedom (and her right to be free) in his will and made her an heiress by leaving her an annuity. Here is a link to purchase Paula Byrne's biography of Dido, as well as a link to the film about her life (starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Dido).
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5. Ottobah Cugoano (1757-sometime after 1791) was born in present-day Ghana and sold into slavery at the age of thirteen. He worked on a plantation in Grenada until 1772, when he was purchased by a British merchant who took him to England, freed him, and paid for his education. Ottobah was employed as a servant by the artists Maria and Richard Cosway in 1784, and his intellect and charisma appealed to their high-society friends. Along with Olaudah Equiano, Ottobah was one of the leading members of the Sons of Africa and a staunch abolitionist. In 1786, he was able to rescue Henry Devane, a free black man living in London who had been kidnapped with the intention of being returned to slavery in the West Indies. In 1787, Ottobah wrote 'Thoughts And Sentiments On The Evil & Wicked Traffic Of The Slavery & Commerce Of The Human Species,' attacking slavery from a moral and Christian stand-point. It became a key text in the British abolition movement, and Ottobah sent a copy to many of England's most influential people. You can read the text here.
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6. Ann Duck (1717-1744) was a sex worker, thief and highwaywoman. Her father, John Duck, was black and a teacher of swordmanship in Cheam, Surrey. He married a white woman, Ann Brough, in London c. 1717. One of Ann's brothers, John, was a crew-member of the ill-fated HMS Wager and was apparently sold into slavery after the ship wrecked off the coast of Chile on account of his race. Ann, meanwhile, would be arrested and brought to trial at least nineteen times over the course of her lifetime for various crimes, including petty theft and highway robbery. She was an established member of the Black Boy Alley Gang in Clerkenwell by 1742, and also quite frequently engaged in sex work. In 1744, she was given a guilty verdict at the Old Bailey after being arrested for a robbery: her trial probably wasn't fair as a man named John Forfar was paid off for assisting in her arrest and punishment. She was hanged at Tyburn in 1744. Some have argued that her race appears to have been irrelevant and she experienced no prejudice, but I am inclined to disagree. You can read the transcript of one of Ann Duck's trials (one that resulted in a Not Guilty verdict) here. Also worth noting that Ann Duck is the inspiration behind the character Violet Cross in the TV show 'Harlots.'
7. Bill Richmond (1763-1829) was a prize winning bare-knuckle boxer of the late 18th and early 19th century. He was born a slave in New York (then part of British America) but moved permanently to England in 1777 where he was most likely freed and received an education. His career as a boxer really took of in the early 19th century, and he took on all the prize fighters of the time, including Tom Cribb and the African American fighter, Tom Molineaux. Richmond was a sporting hero, as well as fashionable in his style and incredibly intelligent, making him something of a celebrity and a pseudo-gentleman in his time. He also opened a boxing academy and gave boxing lessons to gentlemen and aristocrats. He would ultimately settle in York to apprentice as a cabinet-maker. Unfortunately, in Yorkshire, he was subject to a lot of racism and insults based on the fact he had married a white woman. You can watch a Channel 4 documentary on Richmond here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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8. William Davidson (1781-1820) was the illegitimate son of the Attorney General of Jamaica and a slave woman. He was sent to Glasgow in Scotland to study law at the age of 14 and from this period until 1819, he moved around Britain and had a number of careers. Following the Peterloo Massacre in 1819, Davidson began to take a serious interest in radical politics, joining several societies in order to read radical and republican texts. He also became a Spencean (radical political group) through his friendship with Arthur Thistlewood and would quickly rise to become a leading member of the group. In 1820, a government provocateur tricked Davidson and other Spenceans, into being drawn into a plot to kill the Earl of Harrowby and other government cabinet officers as they dined at Harrowby's house on the 23rd February. This plot would become known as the Cato Street Conspiracy (named thus because Davidson and the other Spenceans hid in a hayloft in Cato Street whilst they waited to launch their plan). Unfortunately, this was a government set up and eleven men, including Davidson, were arrested and charged with treason. Davidson was one of five of the conspirators to not have his sentence commuted to transportation and was instead sentenced to death. He was hanged and beheaded outside of Newgate Prison in 1820. There is a book about the Cato Street Conspiracy here.
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9. Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (1705-1775) was born in the Kingdom of Bornu, now in modern day Nigeria. As the favourite grandson of the king of Zaara, he was a prince. Unfortunately, at the age of 15, he was sold into slavery, passing first to a Dutch captain, then to an American, and then finally to a Calvinist minister named Theodorus Frelinghuysen living in New Jersey. Frelinghuysen educated Gronniosaw and would eventually free him on his deathbed but Gronniosaw later recounted that when he had pleaded with Frelinghuysen to let him return to his family in Bornu, Frelinghuysen refused. Gronniosaw also remembered that he had attempted suicide in his depression. After being freed, Gronniosaw set his sights on travelling to Britain, mainly to meet others who shared his new-found Christian faith. He enlisted in the British army in the West Indies to raise money for his trip, and once he had obtained his discharge, he travelled to England, specifically Portsmouth. For most of his time in England, his financial situation was up and down and he would move from city to city depending on circumstances. He married an English weaver named Betty, and the pair were often helped out financially by Quakers. He began to write his life-story in early 1772 and it would be published later that year (under his adopted anglicised name, James Albert), the first ever work written by an African man to be published in Britain. It was an instant bestseller, no doubt contributing to a rising anti-slavery mood. He is buried in St Oswald's Church, Chester: his grave can still be visited today. His autobiography, A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, as Related by Himself, can be read here.
10. Mary Prince (1788-sometime after 1833) was born into slavery in Bermuda. She was passed between several owners, all of whom very severely mistreated her. Her final owner, John Adams Wood, took Mary to England in 1828, after she requested to be able to travel as the family's servant. Mary knew that it was illegal to transport slaves out of England and thus refused to accompany Adams Wood and his family back to the West Indies. Her main issue, however, was that her husband was still in Antigua: if she returned, she would be back in enslavement, but if she did not, she might never see her husband again. She contacted the Anti-Slavery Society who attempted to help her in any way they could. They found her work (so she could support herself), tried tirelessly to convince Adams Wood to free her, and petitioned parliament to bring her husband to England. Mary successfully remained in England but it is not known whether she was ever reunited with her husband. In 1831, Mary published The History of Mary Prince, an autobiographical account of her experiences as a slave and the first work written by a black woman to be published in England. Unlike other slave narratives, that had been popular and successful in stoking some anti-slavery sentiment, it is believed that Mary's narrative ultimately clinched the goal of convincing the general British population of the necessity of abolishing slavery. Liverpool's Museum of Slavery credits Mary as playing a crucial role in abolition. You can read her narrative here. It is an incredibly powerful read. Mary writes that hearing slavers talk about her and other men and women at a slave market in Bermuda 'felt like cayenne pepper into the fresh wounds of our hearts.'
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Every Mr. Weston, Ranked and Rated
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“Mr. Weston was a native of Highbury, and born of a respectable family, which for the last two or three generations had been rising into gentility and property. He had received a good education, but on succeeding early in life to a small independence, had become indisposed for any of the more homely pursuits in which his brothers were engaged; and had satisfied an active cheerful mind and social temper by entering into the militia of his country, then embodied.
“Captain Weston was a general favourite; and when the chances of his military life had introduced him to Miss Churchill, of a great Yorkshire family, and Miss Churchill fell in love with him, nobody was surprised except her brother and his wife, who had never seen him, and who were full of pride and importance, which the connection would offend….
“It was an unsuitable connection, and did not produce much happiness. Mrs. Weston ought to have found more in it, for she had a husband whose warm heart and sweet temper made him think everything due to her in return for the great goodness of being in love with him; but though she had one sort of spirit, she had not the best…They lived beyond their income… she did not cease to love her husband, but she wanted at once to be the wife of Captain Weston, and Miss Churchill of Enscombe.
“Captain Weston, who had been considered, especially by the Churchills, as making such an amazing match, was proved to have much the worst for the bargain; for when his wife died after a three years’ marriage, he was rather a poorer man than at first, and with a child to maintain…
“A complete change of life became desirable. He quitted the militia and engaged in trade. Having brothers already established in a good way in London, which afforded him a favourable opening. It was a concern which brought him just employment enough. He had still a small house in Highbury, where most of his leisure days were spent; and between useful occupation and the pleasures of society, the next eighteen or twenty years of his life passed cheerfully away. He had, by that time, realized and easy competence—enough to secure the purchase of a little estate adjoining Highbury, which he had always longed for—enough to marry a woman as portionless even as Miss Taylor, and to live according to the wishes of his own family and social disposition.” –Emma, Chapter 2
I’ve included such a large portion of quotation on Mr. Weston because there are details here that no adaptation has ever managed squeeze in, particularly his history in the military. It’s a shame because the entirety of Chapter 2 is devoted to exploring Mr. Weston’s history and relationship to the denizens of Highbury; that the purchase of Randalls and his marriage to Miss Taylor are long cherished aspirations that he’s only recently been able to realize.
Number 5: 1972
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Portrayed by: Raymond Adamson
Age at time of filming: 52
There are cases in these lists where it’s hard to rank because all of the interpretations are great, and there are cases where it’s just too easy to slap someone in the bottom spot. This is the latter.
I suppose all-in-all, this is an acceptable version of Mr. Weston, but it’s definitely the worst. My only real problem with it is the writing and direction. I’m a little baffled as to why they decided to write Mr. Weston quite so… rustic. Quite apart from the way he talks, there’s his general behavior on Box Hill (sleeping splayed out on the grass, laughing outright when Emma makes fun of Miss Bates), it’s all sort of verges on uncouth.
Rating: 2/5 Spare umbrellas
Number 4: 1996/97 (ITV)
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Portrayed by: James Hazeldine
Age at time of filming: 49
In this ranking list, number four is the “meh” spot and I’m afraid 1997 finds itself in this place on this particular round because that’s exactly how I feel about this interpretation of Mr. Weston. James Hazeldine does a fine job. He plays a perfectly acceptable Mr. Weston, who’s written in a perfectly acceptable manner.
And I’m afraid that’s this version’s greatest failing. I struggle to remember him at all. He’s just sort of there. My heart never pangs for him when Frank disappoints him. I never really consider what his life might have been like before the events of Emma, or that he even had a life before. He’s just Samantha Bond’s husband; not so much a character as he is a presence.
Rating: 3/5 Spare umbrellas
Number 3: 1996 (Miramax)
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Portrayed by: James Cosmo
Age at time of filming: 49
On the flipside of 1996, no one can accuse James Cosmo of not being memorable. As with Mrs. Weston, the top 3 Mr. Westons find themselves jockeying for the lead positions and this interpretation finds itself in the number three spot only because Robert Bathurst and Rupert Graves also exist in this role.
Mr. Weston, also like his wife, is a tough character to mess up (although the 1972 version proved that it was indeed possible). He’s been through some shit, but he’s got a happy disposition and he’s always moving forward through life, seldom looking back at anything (the one exception is his son.) Perhaps it’s because this interpretation embodies that so well, that my not thinking about Mr. Weston’s backstory doesn’t bother me so much with this version.
Mr. Weston is the soul of cheer and indiscriminate generosity and you don’t get much cheerier than 1996’s Mr. Weston.
Rating: 4/5 Spare umbrellas
Number 2: 2009
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Portrayed by: Robert Bathurst
Age at time of filming: 52
OMG, OMG GUYS ARE YOU SURPRISED? 2009 isn’t in the number 1 spot! WOW! You know I’m surprised myself, but we’ll talk more about that in the next section. Even though Robert Bathurst didn’t land the number one spot after all, it was a very close run thing, and the difference between number one and number two here is within a hair’s breadth.
This is a Mr. Weston who I can easily imagine as a young, well-liked, affable Captain in the local militia, (even though it’s never mentioned in this adaptation, which otherwise does a very good job of setting up all of the character’s stories by flashing back a bit to before the events of the main plot.) Here, at least, you get to see a bit of the real, hard life choices Mr. Weston had to make; the undercurrent of regret that sending Frank away meant he could hardly have a relationship with his son, and how the necessity of that separation pains him in his later life. His purchase of Randalls is the first step of his plan to have a happy and complete life after twenty-odd years of hard work (marrying Miss Taylor is the second).
My heart does pang for 2009’s Mr. Weston (as it’s clearly supposed to.) Where 1997 didn’t bother to stir me, and 1996 didn’t let me be stirred because it glossed over the ramifications of Mr. Weston’s choices as it glossed over everything else. 2009’s Mr. Weston is just as cheery and full as generous, but he’s also a bit worried about his son. He’s hurt when said son disappoints him, and it’s a deeply human treatment of what is really a very complex character.
Rating: 5/5 Spare umbrellas
Number 1: 2020
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Portrayed by: Rupert Graves
Age at time of filming: 56
With as glowing and full of praise as I am for Emma2009’s sensitivity, its emotion, its space and willingness to explore the depth of its characters, you very well might wonder why I didn’t put its interpretation of Mr. Weston in the top spot. Well I did, actually. But then I gave it a good, long think and realized that Robert Bathurst was no longer the Mr. Weston I imagined in my head when I read the book.
That’s right it is, now, in fact, Rupert Graves. Congratulations 2020! You did it! With one character, at least, you displaced 2009 in my mental cast of Emma. Rupert Graves does just as spiffing a job as Mr. Weston as Robert Bathurst does and with a lot less room to move around.
But in spite of the lack of time, I still feel that the subtext of concern is almost, if not equally well explored in the little screentime Mr. Weston is granted by the format. Rupert Graves is also easy to imagine as the Captain-turned-Tradesman and he’s delightful too. He’s so full of generosity, shouting over the din about how he’s sure they can house everyone at Randalls for the night during the Christmas Snow incident (I’m sure you could, too, Mr. Weston, your house is HUGE—but that’s for a different ranking list.) For once I’m giving a top spot, not primarily on the script’s treatment of the character but on the strength of the actor’s performance, because for me, walking away from my initial viewing, 2020’s Mr. Weston was just that impactful.
Rating: 5/5 Spare umbrellas
~~~~~
If you liked this, check out my rankings of Emma Woodhouse and Mrs. Weston
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burntlikethesun · 3 years
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Happy Pride Month!
if you're from the UK and your LGBT education begins and ends with Stonewall, and you want to know about British history, here's a little starter pack of visual media that will entertain and educate about our past:
Maurice (1987) - After his lover rejects him, a young man trapped by the oppressiveness of Edwardian society tries to come to terms with and accept his sexuality. First gay film that has an unambiguously happy ending for a romantic couple.
It's a Sin (2021) - Ritchie, Colin and Roscoe leave home at 18 to begin new lives in 1981 London, but they find themselves challenged by a virus that most of the world ignores.
Gentleman Jack (2019) - It's 1832 in West Yorkshire, England -- the cradle of the evolving Industrial Revolution -- where landowner Anne Lister is determined to save her faded ancestral home, Shibden Hall, even if it means bucking society's expectations. Based on the diaries of Anne Lister.
Pride (2014) - Realising that they share common foes in Margaret Thatcher, the police and the conservative press, London-based gay and lesbian activists lend their support to striking miners in 1984 Wales. Based on a true story.
Against the Law (2017) - When Peter Wildeblood fell in love with Edward McNally in 1952, homosexuality was a crime in Britain. Their love affair would have devastating consequences for each of them. Events leading up to the Wolfenden Report and the first openly gay man to challenge discrimination in court in England.
Queer as Folk (1999) British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. One of the first instances of gay life being centred in a British drama rather than a sub plot.
Man in an Orange Shirt (2017) - Two entwined yet separate stories illustrate the very different challenges to happiness for two gay couples in England - Michael and Thomas in the aftermath of World War II and Adam and Steve in the present day. Although they are set decades apart, the two stories are linked by family and a painting that holds a secret that is carried down from one generation to the next.
A Very English Scandal (2018) - It is the late 1960s, homosexuality has only just been decriminalised, and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret he is desperate to hide. Based on a true story.
Bob and Rose (2001) - A gay school teacher, Bob, is fed up with the shallowness of the gay club scene in Manchester. A romantic at heart, Bob yearns to meet the right person and settle down. After yet another unsuccessful date, he meets a woman who catches his eye, Rose. Features protests against Section 28.
Hating Peter Tatchell (2021) - Documentary. The profound life story of the controversial human rights campaigner whose provocative acts of civil disobedience rocked the establishment, revolutionised attitudes to homosexuality and exposed tyrants in the fight for equality.
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cobert-ramblings · 3 years
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can you make a list of your favorite cobert fanfics?? I need some good ones to read!! Thank you!!!
I am so sorry that I took so long to answer! These are a few of my favourite stories (chaptered), but there are still some amazing ones that I haven’t mentioned. So here is the link to the filtered FF.n Cobert link ->(x) 
Heartlines by ladycobert Cora and Robert travel to Venice, leading to a surprise when they return home.
Spectrum by ladycobert  How will Cora's pregnancy affect the family? Their marriage? Sequel to Heartlines.
(Tbh, all of ladycobert’s fics. They form a series and are all really great.)
An English Summer by ohtobealady Cora Levinson has been given every luxury money can afford, but lacks the name to break through the upper realms of her American Society. Robert Crawley, the heir to the Earl of Grantham, has the name and family history, but is disappointed to learn that his countryseat is in danger of being lost. This is the story of a great opportunity and the way in which it presented itself.
The Broken Places by sinceyoufellinlovewithme Young Cora Crawley is happily settling in to her marriage to Lord Downton. All that's left are for her to have a baby and for Robert to fall in love with her, and she doesn't think either will take very much longer. Until there's a terrible accident... Precanon AU.
Far More by sinceyoufellinlovewithme Sequel to my precanon AU, The Broken Places, set in the season 1 era and starring Robert and Cora, and a grown-up Charlotte and Eleanor.
The Mistress He Loves by Kat-of-the-Streets Robert marries Lady Phillipa, only child of the Earl of Withersom and heiress to a fortune large enough to save Downton. But he cannot forget about Miss Levinson, now the Dowager Duchess of Suffolk. One fateful day they meet again and their lives are thrown into turmoil. Will Robert and Cora ever find true happiness? (Rewrite of 'The Affair' with *major* changes to the story line)
The Secrets of the White Lady by Countess of Cobert Modern AU. Robert and Cora take their three daughters on a cruise, but is all as it seems or are the girls keeping secrets from them? And then there's the man Cora keeps seeing, does she recognise him or not, and if she does what does it mean? The past is full of memories, but are there some that have been buried and now threaten?
Two in-progress works worth mentioning:
From Paris to Yorkshire by Countess of Cobert A pre-canon Cobert story with a twist. Robert and Cora meet in Paris before the London season, what happens in the famous city of love and how does their relationship evolve as they arrive in England? Will love conquer all, or will money and status get in the way? High T rating for the first chapter.
To Get To You by zaibi12 Robert Crawley is the CEO of his family hotel; 'Hotel Grantham'. To increase his hotel's popularity, he hires Cora Levinson Bricker, a woman in her mid 40's following her passion in life. What will happen when two married individuals have their lives turned upside down in their midlife? Modern AU Has almost the entire cast! Enjoy!
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