The History Magpies group was formed in 2023, on the basis that the past is full of all sorts of different stories of interest to all sorts of people. After some experimentation, we have arrived at a plan for each meeting where two people each give a short presentation on an historical topic of their own choice.
The styles of presentation vary from a very short introduction of a topic, of perhaps 15 minutes, to more detailed talks of up to 45 minutes. In all cases, the style is very informal and interactive, leading to wider discussions in the group. It is not surprising that an awareness of historical events often reflects into a discussion of the world around us today and its multitude of problems.
The tea/coffee break also provides an interlude for further exchange!
Our topics have often focussed on the lives of individuals e.g. Thomas Cromwell, Karl Marx, Otto von Bismarck, Peter the Great, Hernan Cortez. We also heard about the strong female Egyptian pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, and the queen of Castile, Joanna the Mad, who may not have been as mad as was claimed by her son, Charles I, who dispatched her to a secure convent. In more recent history we reflected on the unfortunate family of Tsar Nicholas II, and also looked at the impact made by Clement Attlee both during World War II and the subsequent development of education, the welfare state, and the birth of the NHS.
Considering other peoples and events from across the globe, we have been introduced to the Aboriginal people of Australia, the Witches of Salem, the Indian mutiny, the rise of Islam, the English Civil War, and the little-known role that Heligoland played in recent conflicts in the North Sea. Our members have collected information from many different sources – personal history and interests, books and magazines, TV and radio podcasts and documentaries, and, of course, the internet!
We feel that ‘History Magpies’ is an appropriate description of our group aiming to collect little gems of interest from wherever they may be hidden.