I went into a hiking and outdoors shop a couple of weeks ago to buy a head torch for my daughter. And as I was paying, a rectangular, flat packet in blue and white plastic next to the till caught my eye. “Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake” was emblazoned in white on dark blue across the … Continue reading George Romney and the Kendal Mint Cake
Monstrous Humanity
London in the 18th century was a city of spectacle and display. Any interest or inclination, albeit scientific, prurient or thrill seeking, could be satisfied for money. And perhaps one of the most grotesque of these popular distractions was the exhibition of unnatural humans: "monsters" or "freaks".
Respectable Women Don’t Wear Pants
Nowadays, not wearing underpants is a statement. It’s an act of seduction or daring or extreme forgetfulness. Going commando is whispered and giggled about. It’s funny and possibly sexy and definitely out of the ordinary. However, in the 18th century, respectable women didn’t wear pants, only whores did. When I first started looking into clothing, … Continue reading Respectable Women Don’t Wear Pants
Bracelet of woven hair
It took me by surprise, her bracelet of woven hair. I was meandering through the brilliant — and, sadly, finished — exhibition, Emma Hamilton, Seduction and Celebrity, at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Slowly moving between the many cabinets of silver trinkets and china souvenirs from Germany and the love letters. The oil paintings … Continue reading Bracelet of woven hair
Power to the weaker sex
Last week on holiday I read The Power - Naomi Alderman's award winning science fiction novel - and I still feel it tingling in my fingertips. It's a shocking book. The central premise is that women suddenly develop the physical advantage over men and our world order is turned on its head. And I keep wondering: is it that simple?
Lucy Roeber 
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