All articles in Trivia & Gift
27th November, 2018 in History, Society & Culture, Trivia & Gift
Season’s Greetings: 180 years of the Christmas card
In a bid to get more ‘ordinary’ people to use the newly-formed Post Office, the Penny Post was introduced by Sir Henry Cole, a senior civil servant, in 1840. Just three years later, Sir Henry also had the bright idea of creating a Christmas card which people could post to their f…
24th July, 2017 in Sport, Trivia & Gift
Quiz: The title triumphs of Arsenal F.C.
If you’re an Arsenal fan with knowledge that spans the club’s 130-year history, then this quiz is for you! The Gunners have won England’s top tier League title thirteen times, but how closely were you watching those title-winning campaigns? Q1. Apart from the 2003/04 ‘Invinc…
8th June, 2017 in Transport & Industry, Trivia & Gift
Animals on bicycles
Looking for a distraction? Try these images of animals on bicycles. You’re welcome! A young girl takes her pet dog for a ride Marquis the chimpanzee carrying 2-year-old Baron on his shoulders in the West End of London, 1948 (not even a chimp could do this with today’s volume of t…
21st April, 2017 in History, Trivia & Gift
From Boxgrove Man to Stonehenge: England’s prehistory explored
Contrary to what your schoolbooks and National Trust tea towels might have told you, English history didn’t begin with William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy. English history began, not with a Norman, but with a Roger. Roger was a pretty average individual: he sto…
31st March, 2017 in History, Society & Culture, Trivia & Gift
Six things you might not know about April Fools’ Day
April 1st – an annual festival of practical jokery, hoaxes and pranks under the guise of ‘April Fools’ Day’ or ‘All Fools’ Day’. Still popular today, it has been celebrated for centuries across different cultures although its exact origins remain a mystery. Here are six…
7th February, 2017 in History, Local & Family History, Trivia & Gift
Quiz: London’s royal history
Do you know where the Crown Jewels are kept? Or which palace is the London home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? Test your knowledge of London’s royal history with this exciting quiz written by a professional Blue Badge Guide. Q1. After financing its reconstruction, in…
20th December, 2016 in History, Trivia & Gift
William the Conqueror: Crowned at Christmas
At least four times in the past thousand years three monarchs have ruled during a single year: Edward the Confessor, Harold and William I (Duke of Normandy) in 1066; Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III in 1483; Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey and Mary I in 1553; and of course George V,…
15th December, 2016 in Society & Culture, Trivia & Gift
Mrs Austen’s Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding as we know it first appeared in the reign of King George III. It was said to have been invented especially for him by his chef, because of his inordinate love of English puddings. Before this, the pudding was more of a pottage or porridge, with all the right ing…
13th December, 2016 in Trivia & Gift
The Little Lost Apostrophe at Christmas
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the land, it was easy to tell that Christmas again was at hand. And out in the cold and the snow wandered a Little Lost Apostrophe, trying to find the right place to be. He needed to prove himself to the Abolitionists who jus…
12th October, 2016 in Trivia & Gift
Famous bears in literature
October 2016 marked the 90th anniversary of the publication of the original A. A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh stories. As this most famous of fictional bears celebrates his milestone birthday, we take a look at Pooh bear and eight other bears from literature. 1. Winnie-the-Pooh Tw…
3rd October, 2016 in History, Trivia & Gift
Ask the author: Emma White on dogs throughout British history
We asked Emma White, author of A History of Britain in 100 Dogs, a few questions about our beloved canine companions and the significant roles they have played in our nation’s history. How did you first become interested in writing a book about British dogs throughout h…
16th December, 2015 in History, Trivia & Gift
Narrow escapes from history
Back in 1993 British newsreader Martyn Lewis caused a measure of controversy when he called for television reporting to feature more ‘good news’ stories. With so much death and destruction around some thought his dream naive. Yet when it comes to studying history it’s actually we…