22 May 2025
Daily Rural Life in Anglo-Saxon England
In the shadow of mighty kings and storied conquests, it was not the thrones or the battles that kept the heart of Anglo-Saxon England beating, but rather the enduring industry…
29 April 2025
May Traditions: From Fires to Fairies
As the landscape shifts from the pale green mist of April into the frothy bloom of May, nature enters a crescendo. This is the season of Beltane — a time…
19 March 2025
Old New Year: Lady Day
Did you know that New Year’s Day wasn’t always celebrated on 1 January in England? For nearly six centuries, the year began on 25 March, a day known as Lady…
25 February 2025
Fasting until Easter: Shrovetide & Lent
What does your preparation for Easter look like? Gathering the chocolate eggs; planning the roasts or the walks; figuring out which church service you’ll attend on Easter Sunday; plotting the…
11 February 2025
There’s No Place Like Home: Homes through History
From the thatched dwellings of the Saxons to the grandiose Edwardian townhouses, the story of homes in England is as varied as it is fascinating. Our homes are more than…
15 January 2025
Drinking with the Trees: The Tradition of Wassailing
At the heart of English tradition lies wassailing, an ancient and joyful custom that marks the New Year with blessings, music, and communal cheer. Rooted in folklore and evolving through…
30 December 2024
Celebrating New Year’s: Games, Gifts, and Royal Favour
What are your plans for New Year’s? Watching the fireworks? Counting down the year with a glass of champagne in hand? New Year’s celebrations have changed dramatically over the centuries,…
20 December 2024
Feasts, Parties and Celebrations: The Twelve Days of Christmas
How do you celebrate Christmas? Most, if not all, families will have their Christmas traditions; the food they eat, the family members they see, the church services they attend, the…
9 December 2024
Winter Warming: Ritual Year Traditions in the First Season
In the Ritual Year, the year is divided into the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. This roughly maps onto the monthly divisions too. Winter is December, January, February; Spring…
