Articles and Me
Yeah, Articles was an ancient Greek, quite probably a bore.
Assortment of materials for your pleasure.
The tale of four brothers
Once upon a time, in 1854 a Dorset girl by the name of Anne Harvey married. Her new husband, ten years her senior, was called William Druitt.
Giving voice to the voiceless
It might sound weird, but, much like Hallie Rubenhold, I hate true crime. I admire criminology, I am in awe of what human mind can do when applied correctly. I've studied criminal psychology for a time, and I still read criminology books, as much I do historical ones. I have a couple of shelves on everything from post mortem examination to detecting psy…
The land that lies in ruins
Saalau Castle was founded in December 1352 due to the increasing frequency of Lithuanian invasions. By 1355 the castle was already being used as a defensive structure. On the opposite bank of the Pregel, the castle of Norkitten was founded. The coexistence of two castles made it possible to more effectively resist sieges and exercise control over the te…
Brandenburg: There's nothing here
To begin the story, let's say, that before the war, Brandenburg was a beautiful place. It was captured and retaken, it was then under siege and mercilessly bombed with phosphorus bombs. Undoubtedly, it was then when the beauty died, leaving but a trace of memory behind.
I'll follow you: The story of McKechnie crew
When you think about the Lancaster boys, the Bomber boys, you get the notion of a tight-knit team, almost inseparable, thinking and acting in total synchronicity. In most cases, it was indeed so - but one particular crew was an exception.
I'll follow you: The McKechnie crew
Now, there were six men in that crew besides McKechnie, as you well remember. Five of them flew together before, the sixth, most probably, got transferred from the crew of the brilliant Keith Piercy. Let’s start with him, as he was the second new member of the team.
I'll follow you: Finale
That is the final official document their names are stated on. I’ve found it in Henry Carter’s service record, and it made my stomach turn. There’s nothing worse for a grieving relative that seeing this line - having no known grave. That means, no saying goodbye. That means no visiting. That means no closure. And that was everything the families got lef…
The Lost boys: Les Boivin and his crew
In my mind, I call them boys. My lost boys. My silverwinged, lost boys. If you think it's too much, you're probably right, but I will tell you this: I call them boys because I feel for each and every one of them. I cannot call them otherwise, they are my boys - because here, where I am, nobody gives a damn about them.
Blood and gold: ecclesiastical power code
Blood red and gold. An awe inspiring, magnificent, rich, noble - and deeply symbolic combination, that is rooted both in life and death. No wonder, it is also so appealing to royals and vampires - two categories so dependent on blood and divine right.
Burning love, or How I met Saint Lawrence
I'd love to paint you a picture perfect story, where there's exactly that: a handsome, darkhaired, byronic stranger appearing out of the blue to inform me I was a long lost descendant of an ancient dynasty. But I'm not going to. Why? Well, we're not in a young adult story, and the stranger in question isn't exactly byronic. I'm not even sure he's darkh…
Vamps with benefits
When I feel even slightly at odds with myself, I start knitting. Teddies, rabbits, kittens are usually my go-to, but at times it's frogs. Yesterday turned out to be a frognesday, and I can tell you, it's more demanding to make a cutie-pie frog than your average teddy, so the inner conflict must have been a bad one.
Remember, remember the 9th of November
Did the man known as Jack the Ripper ever think he'd be that famous? I sincerely doubt that. Whatever his core motivation was, he did what he did - slashed, ripped and tore, until the 9th of November, when his last victim was found.
What the Devil...indeed, what the Devil...
With the devil, it's the seduction that matters, it's desire that's at play. No matter whether it's money, fame, glory, success,
SUNdra as...SUNdra
Now. I'm a Moon person. I was born under its influence, and my first tarot card is the Moon. Even now I'm wearing a silver bracelet with mother of pearl crescents, a crescent choker and an amethyst crescent. Yep, that's how mooned I am.
Medievalist doing cards
When you spend enough time in medieval studies, you grow accustomed to seeing everything through a peculiar lens. You start thinking in parallels, names and historic events, rather than normal categories. Sometimes it sort of transfers into your other favourite things, like the tarot.
London, Monty and me
I was obsessed with London since I was a child. For twenty five years I've dreamed of going, and finally, after a horrendous but highly paid job was over, I had enough money to go.
The British, the bombs and the bloody lies
This is the article, written in Russian - and translated by us. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride - especially if you’re aware of the topic. Note: we didn’t change a thing about this. The logic and wording remained the same.
My boy in the river
One cold winter morning they’ve found you, floating in the Thames. Too far, too young, too good - to be dead. One cold winter morning they took you to the place nobody ever came out of and examined you. One cold winter morning, they’ve found four large stones in your coat, and your papers and money still intact. Even your silver pocket watch, with a gol…
What's in there, I wonder
Initially, I was going to make a forecast, but it stopped feeling right a moment ago, so I'll tell you a story instead.
There you go. Top stuff.
Enjoy.