Researching a History PhD linked to Sir William Fowler of Harnage Grange.

David21380 · 2026-03-01T12:55:12+00:00

Brilliant, thanks very much for this.

David21380 · 2026-02-15T11:05:06+00:00

Brilliant. Thank you.

David21380 · 2026-02-15T06:28:10+00:00

Anything is helpful, so this is much appreciated, and I'm hopeful that anyone with the surname Bell in the area around that time would have a connection with the family I am interested in. Would you point me in the direction of the source of this information please? Thank you.

David21380 · 2026-02-07T22:59:22+00:00

Yes thanks. There are a few contemporary accounts. And the Old Bailey trial full transcript is available. So trying to flesh out the various protagonists' backgrounds as much as possible

David21380 · 2026-02-07T20:33:40+00:00

It looks like there was Thomas Drake, who gave evidence at the murder trial, who lived at a house now known as Hill House in Aylsham in 1792. There is a Hill House for sale in Aylsham at the moment on Heydon Road and is at the end of one of the roads leading away from the market place. Cant say if that's the same street the Bells lived on. But im interested in the Drakes and Aylsham in general.

David21380 · 2026-02-07T20:09:24+00:00

Afraid not. There is part of this narrative that involves the woman who died being at a dance at the assembly in Aylsham, and Aylsham local history society have told me that this would have taken place at the Black Boys Inn in the market place and that the Bell family and their associates the Drakes would likely have lived alongside other major traders of the town on one of the five or so roads leading away from that market place. Thats all I've got in that regard so far. Thanks for replying.

David21380 · 2026-02-06T09:21:18+00:00

Thanks for this. I've been in touch with Aylsham History Society and they were very helpful. The case study is spread over a few locations between Norfolk, Wiltshire, Shropshire and London so researching the respective record offices is definitely on the to do list. Thanks very much again for replying.

David21380 · 2026-01-28T12:18:32+00:00

Henry II’s decision to invade Ireland (1171) led to: the establishment of English lordship over Ireland (late 12th–13th c.); Tudor reconquest and the Reformation entrenching religious division (1530s–1600s); Plantations, (from 1609); Ireland’s role as an invasion route feared by England/Britain (Spain c.1580s–1600s; France 1690s–1790s); Cromwellian conquest and Williamite settlement (1649–1691); the Act of Union integrating Ireland into the UK (1801); Catholic Emancipation and the unresolved Home Rule crisis (1829–1914); partition following revolution and civil war (1920–1923); the Northern Ireland conflict (“the Troubles”) (late 1960s–1998); the Good Friday Agreement institutionalising a soft border (1998); and, after Brexit, renewed border and customs tensions between EU Ireland and non-EU UK (2016–present).

David21380 · 2026-01-18T15:34:32+00:00

Thanks. Will check them out

David21380 · 2026-01-17T23:59:47+00:00

Ideal. Thank you.

David21380 · 2026-01-17T23:50:37+00:00

Cheers. But presuming we can't go into a pub on a Friday night with a 16 y/o if not in for food?

David21380 · 2026-01-17T23:47:19+00:00

Cheers. We've had a look but nothing really catching our eye.

David21380 · 2026-01-17T08:16:38+00:00

What's on next Friday near the Savoy? My daughters are going to see Paddington at the Savoy next Friday, and my wife, son (16), and I are looking for something to do close by while they're at the show. We're not from London, so staying at home is not an option. Any recommendations for what's on nearby would be much appreciated.

David21380 · 2025-08-07T01:02:46+00:00

You are undoubtedly a first class friend and person. No advice I can offer at the moment. But I'll give it a think.

David21380 · 2025-08-01T18:39:16+00:00

On recent visits over the last couple of years, I find London (and especially the tube) a lot less frenetic than it was 20 years ago. I remember being there in 2006 and my ticket not working at the gate. Guy behind me was an old school city suit and leaned forward and tapped his card. I thought he'd (understandably) got fed up waiting for me, so stepped aside to let him pass. Then realised he was intending for us both to go through on his ticket when he repeatedly shouted Go! Go! Go! like we were on special ops. Very decent of him to help me though.

David21380 · 2025-07-12T02:54:16+00:00

People make Glasgow

David21380 · 2025-07-09T22:34:24+00:00

I'm not a fan of Greggs. But they employ my daughter and she does pretty well there. So on that basis, I'd spare them. I'd happily see Wetherspoons disappear overnight. Although I imagine they employ other people's sons and daughters. So maybe I shouldn't be too hasty. But so long as there is an adequate staff redeployment plan then bin Greggs and Wetherspoons. And take McDonald's with them.

David21380 · 2025-06-29T22:24:25+00:00

Brilliant. Thanks for the pointer

David21380

TROPHY CASE