Horus the Protector

The Big Bang 15th Century Style

The Real Henry VIII

Unlike the recent HBO Tudors series where Henry was a trim good looking man until his last years, this is the real man. By his early forties his heavy eating was having the usual effect upon his body.

Fire in the Sky

Fireworks are almost as old as the invention of gunpowder. From the earliest days when gunpowder was first created, its use to entertain as well as destroy has been a fact of life. Countless billions have been thrilled by the explosion of color that has lightened the night sky in celebration. From the birth of a monarch to the birth of a nation, victories, milestones and great achievements have all been given the fireworks treatment. These celebrations bring enjoyment to all when man has used fireworks to ignite the night sky.

Lighting the city 1840's style

In the day's before electric light the cities of the world were often illuminated by gaslight. Here are two shots of the working gaslight street lights. If you look close at the close up photo you will see that the lamp lighter has forgotten to extinguish the gas when the new day began. These lights are in Old Town Alexandria, VA

English Pubs, the Real Thing

Cheers, last post we saw how Disney and Hollywood see the traditional public house. Here are a few shots of real English Pubs. Athmosphere has to be earned not imagined-the oldest of these pubs was founded in the 1300's.

Pubs, Disney-Hollywood Style

The Disney-Hollywood version of a UK pub or public house. Sparkling looking, new paint, and your drink is served in a plastic cup.

Weapons of War 13th Century Style

A selection of common weapons of the well armed knight of the 13th century. From left ot right we have a quiver of crossbow bolts, a dagger, long sword, quiver of longbow arrows, handaxe, warhammer and a small shield called a buckler.

The Lord of the Manor will See you Now

The Lord of the Manor, "Sir Richard," stands ready to handle the problems of the people of his fief. His rich clothing is far finer than those of the common serfs of his lands.

This is the costume I wore for the Renaissance night the 7th grade students held at school in the Spring.

Art Nouveau

The Art Nouveau style was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here are some samples of this beautiful style.

Warrior Incense Burners

This pair of Aztec warrior effigy incense burners were found at the entrance of a tomb. They are from CE 1200–1500, made of ceramic and belong to the Jay I. Kislak Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Both have warrior images on the front, each with a different color kilt, one blue and one red. The warriors are armed with Atl-atl spear throwers and circular shields. The Atl-atl was a feared weapon in the hands of a skilled warrior.

Now That's a Helmet!

Two views of a Renaissance era helmet built as both a work of art and a device of intimidation. The frightening design of some fantastic mytical creature was designed to have had a shocking effect upon first time observers.

The Story of Rome

This famous bronze statue in the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art relates the story of the twins Romulus and Remus. The twins were raised by a she wolf and then went on to found the city of Rome. The name of Rome was chosen literally over the dead body of Remus as Romulus won the final argument.

General Victorious

Pre-Emperor Napoleon in all his glory as the victorious general in the late 1790's campaigns in Italy, as depicted in "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" by Jacques-Louis David, 1801.

Light Cavalry of the Emperor

The light cavarly were a key part of every army o the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. Their main role as scouts, flank protectors, raiders and to run down broken enemies were fullfilled by a huge amount of colorful regiments. These are the French 11th Hussars and 6th Chevau-Legers-Lanciers. In the background you see artillery support from a Wurttemberg horse artillery battery and a light infantry regiment, the 2nd Wurttemberg Jagers.

The Greatest Recruiting Poster Design

Most Americans instantly recognize the poster of Uncle Sam wanting you for the US Army. Few Americans realize that this poster idea was copied from the British one shown here where Field Marshal Lord Kitchener wants you to join the British Army.
Lord Kitchener was the War Secretary of Great Britain from the start of the Great War until he died when HMS Hampshire was sunk in 1916.

Imperial German High Seas Fleet

On a hazy morning, the Battle Squadrons of the German Imperial High Seas Fleet sets sail to challenge the might of the Royal Navy. Sooner or later both fleets felt the war would be decided in the greatest naval engagement in world history. Till then, German naval officers would toast "Der Tag" for the day German seapower would replace the Royal Navy as the true power of the seas. The sea battle would come in 1916 at Jutland, a tactical German victory but a stratigic British victory. The High Seas fleet would never again meet the Royal Navy in line of battle. Rather it would slowly waste a way in harbour, its finest men siphoned off to the underseas fleet. In the end the surface navy would lead the way to the revolt that forced Kaiser Wilhelm II to abdicate. After beening forced into internment at Scapa Flow in Scotland the High Seas Fleet ploted its own self destruction. In a single afternoon, under the eyes of its British guards, the majority of the fleet was scuttled by its German crews. Through its death the honor of the HighSeas Fleet was restored.

And the Great War Began

German Jagers (Light Infantry) pass through hasty wire entanglements in the early days of the war. While French troops in the famous pantalon rouge desperatly try to hold back the German advance (and yes the officers did go into the first battles with white gloves and bright red hats). French casualties, due to a variety of factors including weapons, training and a faulty War Plan XVII, were immense. They suffered more than one million casualties in just the first three months of the war!

The Lights were Ready to go Out all over Europe

To fully understand both the causes of the Great War and what was lost, I strongly recommend that you read two works by historian Barbara Tuchman. "The Proud Tower" paints a vivid picture of the Victorian-Edwardian World of the early 20th Century. A world of hope and promise, that also held the seeds of its own destruction. "The Guns of August" is a frightening story of how plans upon plans failed and lead the world into the horrors of the Great War. If I could, I would make this book manditory reading for every world leader. Its warning is clear: beware over estimating your own power and brilliance and at your peril underestimate those of your opponents.

The Change of Powers in Europe 1871

An interesting political cartoon showing the eclipse of France (Napoleon siting dejected in the shadow of Bismark)and the Rise of Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

Home of the Rich

Just a few photos of how the rich and powerful have lived over the last centuries in the UK. The size of Kensington Palace, the Queens Buckingham Palace, fancy chimneys and stain glass windows at Hampton Court Palace, the "Circle" in Bath,a bed fit for a king-William III, Tudor Coat of Arms, and private gardens at Powis Castle.