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Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Harvard defeats tyranny. (At least, it did 250 years ago.)
Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up The current Advertisement Like Lexington and Concord, Cambridge was a front of its own in 1775. To be sure, Harvard alumni included both Tories and patriots, and to this day, the university's architectural legacy reflects this mixed heritage. Near the campus, a stretch of Brattle Street is still called 'Tory Row' because of its association with wealthy Loyalists. One of the prettiest buildings on the campus is Holden Chapel, a Georgian gem, completed in 1744. Its financing was arranged by a prominent son of Harvard, Thomas Hutchinson, later reviled by most of Massachusetts for his pro-English policies as governor. When things got too hot for him, he emigrated to England, where he received an honorary degree from Oxford, conferred on July 4, 1776. Advertisement But overwhelmingly, Harvard was on the patriot side during the struggle to establish the United States of America. It was perhaps natural for Harvard to join the cause of resistance to a distant monarch, for many of the university's founders had fled England precisely to escape the oppressive policies of King Charles I a century and a half earlier. To a striking degree, the founders of Massachusetts and Harvard included alumni of Oxford and Cambridge (130 of whom were living in greater Boston in 1646, 10 years after Harvard's founding). They were eager to maintain their intellectual distance from a monarch who was trying to bend England's universities to his will. Creating a new university, across the ocean from Charles I and his censorious archbishop, William Laud, was an effective way to do that. In the 1760s, political tensions were growing again under a different king, George III, and were keenly felt on campus. Then as now, student protests were a fact of life, and well before the Battle of Lexington, undergraduates were rallying around a 'Liberty Tree,' or 'Rebellion Elm,' in Harvard Yard, denouncing British oppression, and swearing never to drink the 'pernicious herb,' British tea. Advertisement Cambridge grew crowded between 1770 and 1773, when the British ordered the General Court to meet there, to avoid Boston's angry mobs. This is one of the reasons for a line in the Declaration of Independence blaming King George III for moving legislative assemblies to places 'unusual, uncomfortable and distant.' Yes, our country's founding document takes a swipe at Cambridge. To the students, however, the General Court's sessions offered a welcome distraction. When the Revolution came, they were ready. On April 19, 1775, six undergraduates joined the Minutemen who were making their stand at Lexington and Concord. Later that day, the first alumnus to be killed in the war was Major Isaac Gardner, shot by the British in North Cambridge as they were retreating to Boston. Things heated up quickly after that. Campus buildings were converted into barracks for the Continental Army. The students were let out early on May 1, the library was packed up and sent to Andover for safekeeping, and the soldiers were welcomed in. Parents who worry about campus overcrowding today may be astonished to know that little Massachusetts Hall held 640 soldiers. It was in Cambridge that George Washington took command of the army (a local hotel, the Sheraton Commander, still bears tribute). He was also given an honorary degree, the first of 16 presidents to be so honored. Throughout the 1775-1776 academic year, for the only time in its history, Harvard convened at a new location, in Concord. By the time the students returned, in June 1776, the British had evacuated Boston, and the Revolution had moved south. But Harvard alumni played an important role in the work of creating the political and diplomatic architecture needed for a new country. Eight alumni signed the Declaration of Independence. Advertisement That document has assumed new relevance in recent weeks, arguing that Americans should not have to submit to the imperious demands of a ruler exceeding his authority. The catalog of royal sins includes 'cutting off our trade with all parts of the world,' sending 'swarms of Officers to harass our people,' 'depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury,' and 'transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.' An America that trusted knowledge Even as the new country was coming into existence, the Founders were looking at history in creative ways. For John Adams, seeking examples of earlier alliances among the Colonies, it was helpful to read about the New England Confederation, an alliance among Massachusetts, Plymouth, and the various Connecticut Colonies, launched in 1643. Adams and others also scoured Harvard's library for books on military tactics, since the war was coming so close to them. There were many reasons the patriots prevailed in the existential crisis that began in April 1775. It goes without saying that courage was needed, but the American cause also benefited from a solidarity among the states that surprised and confounded the British. In other ways, too, Americans proved more resilient than the British: living off the land, enduring greater hardships, and adapting constantly. In a similar way, America's universities have shown unexpected pluck in recent weeks, Advertisement The Founders never surrendered their vision of a civil society, even as they endured severe privations. To a remarkable extent, they kept building even as they fought for survival. This was true on campus as well. Harvard's medical school stems from the improvised field hospitals that were created around Boston during the early years of the Revolution. A learned institution, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, was founded in Cambridge at nearly the same moment, in 1780. Its first class embraced foreign as well as local intellectuals, including a Swede and five Frenchmen. In all of these ways, the Founders built a United States of America that trusted knowledge and reached out creatively to the rest of the world. Harvard was only one of many universities that contributed to the result. But because of the attacks that have arrived with such frequency in recent weeks, America's oldest university has come to represent something larger than itself. It is unclear how the coming legal standoff will play out. It may simply fade away, as so many other Trump policies have. But the American Revolution suggests that an essential advantage is conferred upon the side that learns from its history.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Event to explore town's role in Civil War
A historical event will allow people in Shropshire to experience 17th Century England and learn about one town's role in the English Civil War. Wem 1643: A Seventeenth Century Weekend will be held at the Butler sports centre in Wem on 17 and 18 May. Organised by national re-enactment group Militias of Anglia, it will demonstrate military drills, crafts and skills from the time and activities for children. The focus, though, is the small town's "crucial" part in the Civil War. The first of the three English Civil Wars began in 1642, and was fought between Charles I and Parliament. At the centre of the conflict were disagreements about religion, and discontent over the king's use of power and his economic policies. According to Wem Town Council, the town became the first in Shropshire to declare for Parliament in 1643 under Colonel Mytton - who organised the town fortifications. It said an attack on Wem by politician Lord Capel was successfully held off by locals, resulting in the verse: "The women of Wem and a few musketeers, beat Lord Capel and all his cavaliers." The Militias of Anglia said the victory was attributed to the bravery of the locals, who "potentially safeguarded important documents, including a copy of Magna Carta, though to have been evacuated from the library of Old Sir Rowland Hill at nearby Soulton Hall." The event's military displays will include pike and musket drills, as well as artillery demonstrations. An authentic 17th Century encampment will show visitors how soldiers and civilians lived at the time. Also included in the calendar of events will be children's games, a period fashion show and historical talks about inspiring women of the war. Militias of Anglia said loud sounds would be anticipated during military demonstrations, and dogs were not permitted. The event will open to the public at 10:00 BST on both days. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Medals with place in battalion history go on sale Medieval festival cancelled over £2,500 shortfall Militias of Anglia
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Huntingdon exhibition tells story of Battle of Naseby
A rare 17th Century map showing details of "the battle that transformed Britain" has gone on show at a new Battle of Naseby, in Northamptonshire, was not only a turning point in the British Civil Wars, but also led to Britain and Ireland being ruled from Westminster for the first time, said curator Stuart forces of Charles I were decisively defeated by Parliament's new uniformed army and the king would be forced to surrender within a year. The map and other objects associated with the battle have gone on display at the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The battle was fought on 14 June 1645. Nearly 25,000 men took part and by midday the king was Orme said: "It was every bit as brutal as modern civil wars, including the massacre of about 100 mostly Welsh civilians belonging to the Royalist side by Parliamentary forces in its aftermath."The fold-out map belonged to a book published in 1647 which charted the victories of Parliament's New Model Army. Most surviving copies were lost, making it "one of the few contemporary images of a Civil War battle", according to Mr Orme."The exhibition includes an animated version of the map, including the real human stories of those who took part," he range from Royalist Bridget Rumney, whose mother and sons were massacred by the Parliamentary forces, and Parliamentarian Maj John Francis, who was killed in the battle. The discovery of the king's private papers, left behind in the rout, revealed he had been in correspondence with European Roman Catholic countries. This compounded the Protestant Parliamentarian leaders' distrust of Charles I and ultimately led to his was also "the battle that transformed Britain", introducing a standing army which was uniformed in red cloth - the original red coats - and still the dress uniform for the British Army, added Mr Orme. "We call it the English Civil War but this is the biggest misnomer of history," he said. "It's something that affected the whole of the country not just England, with Britain and Ireland ruled from Westminster for the first time in the 1650s."Other objects on display include a 17th Century helmet reputed to have been worn by Oliver Cromwell in the battle, but probably used at his 1658 state funeral, and a carving set made by a local farmer from a sword captured at the battle - the hilt for which was carved as far away as Sri Lanka. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Times
02-05-2025
- Times
The Trafalgar St James: A refreshed London stay with great views
You'd be hard pressed to find a better located London hotel than this one, which overlooks Trafalgar Square, the Mall and the statue of Charles I, considered the central point of the capital (and one that often feels like its most hectic). Walk inside the elegant neoclassical 18th-century building, once the offices of the Cunard Steamship Company — and the Trafalgar hotel for more than two decades — and life slows right down. Unless you're bound for the seventh-floor rooftop bar, which offers a blockbuster aspect over the square. The lobby, which flows into an open-plan wine bar and bistro, Rockwell, was refurbished at the end of last year and now houses crushed velvet curved sofas, patterned cushions and bouclé armchairs in jewel colours. It's busy enough for a great vibe but never too packed that you can't find a quiet spot to flop into. At the start of 2025 the basement was turned into a six-suite haven named after Spring Gardens, the street the hotel overlooks. The rest of the rooms are pleasingly large (and affordable), drawing a mainly American clientele: the Trafalgar is part of the Hilton Curio collection. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10Six storeys (plus the basement) house 137 rooms, including nine suites. The six basement-level Spring Gardens suites have a separate lobby area bursting with artificial ferns and Swiss cheese plants, lit using scarily real-looking artificial skylights. These new suites are decorated with embroidered fern or floral wallpaper, fabric headboards in natural colours — sand, green, light red — and natty rattan lampshades. Bathrooms are millennial pink marble with gold fittings and high-tech Japanese toilets. The snag is that there is no natural light in the basement, although the high-tech in-room skylights mimic the daylight outside. The bonus is that it's exceptionally quiet down here — it's hard to believe you're in the centre of London. The rest of the rooms, on the upper floors, take a very different design approach. The moodboard is muted, sensible greys and blacks, with flashes of colour provided from red leather headboards and funky artwork, from fashion icons to peacock feathers. Even the entry-level doubles, the queen rooms, are sizeable at 28 sq m. Children are welcomed with juices, chocolates and activity packs, plus the chance to cuddle a giant teddy bear, Nelson (after the column), which is left in the room. • Read our full guide to London Score 9/10The rooftop bar is the place that grabs the attention and from up here there is a full-frontal view over Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, as well as south towards Westminster and Waterloo. In winter heaters, battery-powered seat warmers and a menu of signature cocktails, such as the chilli-flavoured Arctic Sizzle, keep you warm (cocktails from £17); in summer there's brunch and fizz. Small plates are crowd-pleasers — prawn bao, Korean fried chicken and halloumi fries (three dishes for £43). Downstairs is Rockwell, the free-flow lounge and bistro where the emphasis is on pairing food with drinks, rather than the other way around. There's the requisite Whispering Angel but also Chinese ice wine, Hungarian furmint and a nice focus on British producers such as Chapel Down and the Bolney Estate too. Rockwell's small plates are nicely affordable and tasty to boot — the wagyu strip from the West Sussex producer Trenchmore, ham and cheese croquettes and a monstrous charcuterie are excellent — but the real selling point is the cosy urban vibe, watching buses zip along outside. Rockwell is also the setting for a large breakfast buffet of hot items, pastries and fruits, supplemented with à la carte options such as eggs benedict and granola bowls. A small fitness centre with some cardio machines and Peloton bikes, but you're better off getting your steps in marching around central London. • The best hotels in the UK Score 9/10The closest hotel to London's most central point, just southwest of Trafalgar Square. All of central London is walkable from here — Leicester Square in five minutes, Westminster in ten, the river in fifteen. Charing Cross station is a couple of minutes' walk away. Restaurant small plates from £5Accessible YDog-friendly NFamily-friendly Y Cathy Adams was a guest of the Trafalgar St James, which has room-only doubles from £329 (
Powys County Times
22-04-2025
- Powys County Times
Visit Weobley: Tour historic Herefordshire village
WEOBLEY is known as a quaint village near the Powys border, famous for once being the site of a historic castle, its black and white timbered buildings, and countryside walks. The village was once hailed as one of Britain's most idyllic villages by the Daily Mail, with compliments paid to its well-preserved Tudor buildings. According to BritainExpress, the village's name comes from the Saxon words ' Wibba ' and ' ley '. "Wibba was a proper name, and ley means a clearing or glade in a woods, so Weobley means 'Wibba's woodland clearing'," the listing said. If you're looking to soak up some of the village's history, you can set off on a self-guided trail, which will take you on a "passage through time". The trail, which follows plaques based at points of interest in the area, gives walkers the chance to encounter some historical pit-stops, including where Charles I allegedly stayed after he released Hereford from Oliver Cromwell's troops during the Civil War. If you're interested in a walk that may test your physical abilities a bit more, the Weobley Circular Walk is based over three miles and takes in the surrounding countryside. ALSO READ: If you're looking for some refreshments after the walk, the Ye Olde Salutation Inn comes recommended from the official Weobley village website, described as being a "welcoming and informal atmosphere with a wealth of character and charm". If you're looking for a cafe, The Green Bean Cafe certainly has Tripadvisor reviewers' approval, having gained a 4.4-star rating based on 129 reviews. If you're still looking for something to do, a footpath at the end of Broad Street will lead you to the site of the village's medieval castle, which was built by the De Lacy family in the eleventh century. Sadly, there are no visible remains to the site, with earthworks now "much damaged", according to Herefordshire Council. Explorers will enter the site val inner bailey via an earthen causeway over the wide ditch, which once would have been filled by a nearby brook. The south of the site is home to a series of small mounds. There are no masonry remains and the alleged motte is now "nothing more than a grass-covered crescent with its centre quarried away".
