Jane Austen and the Tudors (plus one Stuart)

Aged 15 or 16, Jane Austen wrote a very amusing History of England in the style of a mock textbook. The short text, illustrated by Austen’s sister Cassandra, is most definitely worth a read. The title page sets the tone: Austen describes herself as “a partial, prejudiced & ignorant historian” and promises that “there will be very few Dates in this [...]

Jane Austen’s Portrait by her Sister Cassandra

I recently had the chance to go to London for a few days. The city was my home for several years quite a few moons ago, so it always feels like an old friend. It is one of the great cities of the world, a buzzing, energetic urban centre where there is a wealth of [...]