Victorian slang: A to C
In 1909, J. Redding Ware sought to record the ‘passing English’ of the Victorian era, as he acknowledged that the language had... Read More
Did beer make you strong? Rowing and the emergence of early sport science
Over the centuries athletes have used a variety of different substances to try to gain a competitive edge, from classical wrestlers who... Read More
References for Hobbs of Henley (the book)
(Please note that the full list is still being compiled and some references are still to be confirmed) INTRODUCTION Page 4, poem:... Read More
Index for Hobbs of Henley
INDEX (A PDF of the index can also be downloaded here) Accident 5, 19, 24, 52, 61, 62, 85, 86, 87, 88... Read More
The cockneys are coming! ‘Arry and the arrival of Londoners on the Thames in the late Victorian period
You are moneyed, sometimes, and well-tailored; but come you from Oxford or Bow, You’re a flaring offence when you lounge, and a... Read More
Victimhood and the Victorians: Samuel Smiles and Self-Help
Samuel Smiles’ remarkable and unexpected best-seller Self-Help (1859) was not only a hugely successful book, but it is seen as epitomising some... Read More
Life in the floodplain
During lockdown, historian Dr Joanna Innes produced a new website/blog examining different aspects of Oxford’s waterways. Among the topics she covers are... Read More
10 interesting facts about Henley
Facts about the town taken from Hobbs of Henley: a History by Simon Wenham (published by Amberley Press). 1. Inappropriate bathing In... Read More
The history of camping in Britain
Modern camping is usually thought of as a land-based activity that occurs in campsites or is associated with certain clubs, like the... Read More
Castle canines: Queen Victoria’s dogs
Queen Victoria’s love of animals is well documented. Her teenage isolation was certainly helped by the likes of her beloved Dash, a... Read More