On 18 May 1803, the day of Horatia’s baptism, Great Britain declared war on France.Nelson had to leave five days later. Emma, who was pregnant again, was convinced he would be back within a short time, but unfortunately she didn’t see him for the next two years and three months. Britain was going through a… Read More Lady Hamilton & Horatio Nelson: At Sea Again (part 34)
Nelson had instigated the hanging of Admiral Caracciolo and had not interceded on behalf of 120 other patriots who were executed, while thousands were imprisoned or exiled. His actions were merciless and many in London believed that Emma had encouraged his cruelty , also acting as a conduit for the revenge of the king and… Read More Lady Hamilton, Nelson and Neapolitan Patriots: Domenico Cirillo (part 14)
In 1562, Elizabeth I contracted smallpox which left her face pockmarked (see here). Since the queen had always been proud of her beauty, she feared this would spoil her image, showing a flawlessly fair skin, the typical look of the upper class, nobility and earthly perfection.Since she was aware that as the queen, she couldn’t… Read More Queen Elizabeth I & Venetian Ceruse (part 2)
During the Elizabethan era, white skin was highly desired by women as it symbolized youthfulness and an elevated social class. When Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) one of the greatest English monarchs in history, was 29, in 1562, she was struck by what was initially believed to be a violent fever. Therefore she was ordered by… Read More Queen Elizabeth I & Venetian Ceruse (part 1)
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who was born on 26 May 1689 and died in 1762, was an English aristocrat and a brilliant and versatile writer, famous for her letters. Aside from her writing, Lady Mary was responsible for the introduction of the smallpox inoculation to Britain and Western Europe after her return from Turkey. 🔶… Read More Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
9 Dec, 1979– The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified, making smallpox the first and to date only human disease driven to extinction. Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, transmitted from person to person through tiny drops of an infected person’s saliva when the person coughs, talks, or sneezes… Read More 9 Dec 1979: Eradication of the Smallpox Virus
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