by Helen Kain | Jun 29, 2025 | Carousel, Fascinating People, Stuarts (1603–1714)
Let’s start with the backdrop: the English Civil War (1642–1651), a brutal and bewildering conflict that split families and the kingdom alike. On one side were the Royalists, or Cavaliers — the aristocratic, flamboyant defenders of King Charles I. Think of them as...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Carousel, Fascinating People, Medieval (1066–1485)
To challenge a king, he needed a vision. To rule like one, he needed ambition. Let’s talk about Simon de Montfort—because he’s one of those historical characters who refuses to fit neatly into the box marked “hero” or “villain.” He was a French noble who married into...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Carousel, Fascinating People, Medieval (1066–1485)
He built a kingdom on law and loyalty—then watched both fail him. If you’re looking for a medieval king with flair, look elsewhere. Henry II wasn’t flamboyant, he wasn’t pious, and he certainly wasn’t warm. What he was? Smart. Restless. Ruthlessly capable. The kind of...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Carousel, Fascinating People
He wore the mitre like a crown—and took his martyrdom like a coronation. Let’s talk about Thomas à Becket, one of medieval England’s most controversial saints—and arguably one of its least humble. On paper, he’s a martyr: murdered in a cathedral for standing up to a...
by Helen Kain | Jun 9, 2025 | Fascinating People, Georgians (1714–1837), Stuarts (1603–1714)
John Vanbrugh (1664–1726) and Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661–1736) formed one of the most dynamic partnerships in English architectural history. Together, they crafted some of the most ambitious and theatrical buildings of the English Baroque period, blending drama, power,...
by Helen Kain | Jun 8, 2025 | Fascinating People
You may not know his name, but you’ve seen his work—echoed in country houses, government buildings, and countless stately facades across Europe and America. If you’ve ever stood in front of a Georgian manor or admired the U.S. Capitol, you’ve been in conversation with...
