Category Archives: History

The art of Kulning: Night-scented stock are called in for the long summer evening

Kulning is an ancient, sweet and sorrowful form of Scandinavian music used to herd cows and goats back down from their high mountain pastures in parts of Norway and in certain provinces of Sweden, Jämtland and Härjedalen. In practical use since medieval times, the mysterious tones were also thought to be a deterrent to potential predators like wolvesContinue reading “The art of Kulning: Night-scented stock are called in for the long summer evening”

A Compendium of New Zealand Woo, Cults and New Age Claptrap

New Zealand is no stranger to woo, religious cults and strange pseudoscientific ‘cures’ for various ailments. Have a look closely at this vintage 1932 poster from the New Zealand Railways, advertising Rotorua as a ‘health spa destination’ and peddling all sorts of odd ‘miraculous’ treatments! Then learn more about the unusual cults that are tuckedContinue reading “A Compendium of New Zealand Woo, Cults and New Age Claptrap”

Fritz Khan’s painting Der Menschen als Industriepalast in dreamy animation

Fritz Kahn’s Der Menschen als Industriepalast by Henning Lederer.   Fritz Kahn combined industrial and mechanical functionality with the working wonders of the human body. He was a creative genius whose work remained undiscovered for many years. Until a curious curator Uta Von Debschnitz unearthed them. Kahn was a Berliner who did well for himselfContinue reading “Fritz Khan’s painting Der Menschen als Industriepalast in dreamy animation”

Medieval bangers and tavern stompers circa 2020

Treat thine ears and eyes to a new genre of music – bardcore! Perhaps you’re looking for that tavern banger that you enjoyed back in 1365. Or perhaps you want to reminisce on the summer solstice when you gathered with jolly folk at Stonehenge, got wasted on mead and were visited by a strange celestialContinue reading “Medieval bangers and tavern stompers circa 2020”

The symbolism of The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle

Detail of ‘Smell’ c1500, from The lady and the unicorn series. wool and silk, 368 x 322 cm. Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge, Paris Photo © RMN-GP / M Urtado Mark De Vitis, University of Sydney The arrival of The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle at the Art Gallery ofContinue reading “The symbolism of The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle”

Delightful and cosy book nook dioramas

Here are some inspiring book dioramas and book nooks that I found on Reddit. You can actually buy book nooks already made in ETSY, as premade kits. You can also have a go at building them from scratch. I have a deep admiration for people who attempt these kinds of projects, it involves a lotContinue reading “Delightful and cosy book nook dioramas”

Cooking 4,000 year old Babylonian recipes, how do they taste?

This is one for all the history nerds out and anybody who likes cooking and eating, which probably means you. When you try to recreate an ancient recipe, you may end up with a stinking cesspool of inedible muck or a culinary wonder. Two very famous US universities Harvard and Yale collaborated together to cookContinue reading “Cooking 4,000 year old Babylonian recipes, how do they taste?”

Unusual augurs of thunder in medieval England

In times of yore ( yore occurring around 1389) the appearance of thunder was a mixed bag. Thunder during January augured bumper crops, along with war when it crackled over the sky. However, thunder in December heralded abundant fruit trees, provisions and harmony among people. Harry the Hayward’s Thunder Prognostication Chart (1389) Sources: The BodlieanContinue reading “Unusual augurs of thunder in medieval England”