Author: Kelsey Fritz

Museums & Historic Sites, Thoughts on History

Exhibiting Difficult History at the Imperial War Museum

After completing yet another rewatch of Derry Girls – which, by the way, is one of my favorite shows – last night, I found myself reflecting on an exhibition I visited at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) during my trip to London in December. Technically speaking, there are a number of exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum that exhibit difficult history, as the museum focuses … Continue reading Exhibiting Difficult History at the Imperial War Museum

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Europe, Museums & Historic Sites, Travel

Exploring a New Side of London

If you’ve read this blog before, you’ve probably guessed that London has a special place in my heart, given how frequently I write about it. London is indeed one of my favorite cities, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to go there several times in the last few years, most recently right before Christmas. If you haven’t been to London in December, definitely … Continue reading Exploring a New Side of London

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Museums & Historic Sites, Travel, United States

The History of the Secret City

On my way home from my recent trip to Knoxville, I stopped in Oak Ridge. As an East Tennessean and a historian, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit that, despite knowing the history of Oak Ridge, this was my first visit to the town itself. In honor of finally visiting the Secret City, let’s dive into the history of the Secret City. If you haven’t … Continue reading The History of the Secret City

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Museums & Historic Sites, Travel, United States

Digging Deeper into Knoxville’s History

Having gone to college in Knoxville (go Vols!), I know the basic outline of Knoxville’s history, especially regarding the Civil War. After all, much of the Battle of Fort Sanders in November 1863 took place on what is now the University of Tennessee’s campus and the nearby Fort Sanders neighborhood, named after the Union fort that the Confederates tried (unsuccessfully) to capture. Reflecting the proximity … Continue reading Digging Deeper into Knoxville’s History

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Europe, Thoughts on History

Step Into Tea History At Twinings

When you think of Britain, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is tea. In fact, tea is so intertwined with British culture today that it’s hard to think of what Britain would be like without its unofficial national beverage. Would you be surprised to learn, then, that tea only arrived in Britain in the seventeenth century? It’s true! While the first … Continue reading Step Into Tea History At Twinings

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Europe, Museums & Historic Sites, Travel

Discovering London’s (Not-So-Hidden) Churches

When “church” and “London” are mentioned in the same sentence, Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral are most often the first sites that come to mind. Understandably so, as they are London’s most famous churches, as well as the most prominent churches in the London cityscape. But Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral are not the only churches in London: far from it, in fact. … Continue reading Discovering London’s (Not-So-Hidden) Churches

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Europe, Royal History, Thoughts on History

The Woman Behind the Tudor Dynasty

Today, the Tudor monarchs are well-known in Britain and around the world. Thanks to the plethora of books, movies, TV shows, and even musicals about the Tudor era, Henry VIII and his six wives, Mary I (“Bloody Mary”), and Elizabeth I are commonly recognizable figures. Edward VI and Henry VII may be somewhat less familiar to audiences today, but, on the whole, the Tudors are … Continue reading The Woman Behind the Tudor Dynasty

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Europe, Royal History, Thoughts on History

Royal Marriages: The Not-So-Fairy-Tale Edition

After seeing several posts on my Twitter feed today relating to the wedding anniversary of Prince William and Kate Middleton (married twelve years ago today), I found myself thinking about royal weddings. Today, the media often portrays a royal wedding (and the marriage that follows) as a modern-day fairy tale: the beautiful dress, the lavish ceremony, the aristocratic guests, and so on. While the reality … Continue reading Royal Marriages: The Not-So-Fairy-Tale Edition

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Europe, Royal History, Thoughts on History

Coronations in History

With the coronation of King Charles III coming up in just over two weeks, I thought it was only fitting to look back at some notable coronations throughout the history of the British monarchy. So, without further ado, here are eight memorable coronations in history. Coronation #1: William the Conqueror. After his victory over Harold Godwinson and the Anglo-Saxon army at the Battle of Hastings … Continue reading Coronations in History

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Europe, Museums & Historic Sites, Travel

On the Trail of the Romans in Britain

The Romans ruled large parts of the island of Great Britain for nearly four hundred years, from 43 CE to around 410 CE. As Roman control expanded across what is now England and Wales, the Romans left their mark on the British landscape. Perhaps the most famous Roman site in Britain is Hadrian’s Wall, begun in 122 CE on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian, … Continue reading On the Trail of the Romans in Britain

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