Rupert Matthews's Blog, page 20
February 19, 2015
Video - The Grimsby Fisher Lads
Video - The Grimsby Fisher Lads
February 18, 2015
The Apaches of Paris
The Apaches of Paris
During the final quarter of the 19th century Paris was plagued by gangs of tough young criminals who mugged passersby, stole whatever they could grab and fought murderous feuds with each other and the police. The gangs adopted a distinctive style of dress that included flared trousers, loose fitting shirts, neck scarfs, peaked caps and pointed, brightly coloured shoes. The press dubbed the gangs "Apache" as their violence was meant to be on a par with that of the Apache tribe from the USA. In time the Apache style of dress became fashionable among French youth seeking a rebellious style and all sorts of objects were termed "Apache" in an effort to give them a flavour of youthful rebellion. The gunsmiths of Liege produced this murderous looking weapon that combines knuckleduster, pistol and dagger and called it an "Apache pistol", though its link to the Parisian street gangs is dubious.
from "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Small Arms" by Rupert Matthews.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-E...
During the final quarter of the 19th century Paris was plagued by gangs of tough young criminals who mugged passersby, stole whatever they could grab and fought murderous feuds with each other and the police. The gangs adopted a distinctive style of dress that included flared trousers, loose fitting shirts, neck scarfs, peaked caps and pointed, brightly coloured shoes. The press dubbed the gangs "Apache" as their violence was meant to be on a par with that of the Apache tribe from the USA. In time the Apache style of dress became fashionable among French youth seeking a rebellious style and all sorts of objects were termed "Apache" in an effort to give them a flavour of youthful rebellion. The gunsmiths of Liege produced this murderous looking weapon that combines knuckleduster, pistol and dagger and called it an "Apache pistol", though its link to the Parisian street gangs is dubious.
from "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Small Arms" by Rupert Matthews.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-E...
February 16, 2015
February 15, 2015
The Battle for Rochester & Strood: The True Story of the 2014 Parliamentary By-Election
The Battle for Rochester & Strood: The True Story of the 2014 Parliamentary By-Election
The Rochester & Strood by election of 2014 was perhaps the most important in a generation. For decades the seat had been a key Conservative-Labour marginal. Whoever won here won the country. But then in 2014 Mark Reckless the Conservative MP suddenly defected to UKIP and resigned to force a by-election. Now nobody knew what would happen.
Consdervative leader and Prime Minister David Cameron declared that he “would throw the kitchen sink” at Rochester & Strood. Soon the Conservative Party was pouring money, people and resources into this corner of Kent. Taking many people by surprise, Labour quickly pulled back and ran a very quiet campaign. It was UKIP that was turning out to be the main rival to the Conservatives.
Very soon the by-election developed into a fascinating example of how national politics and interplay with local issues. . And the final result came as a surprise to even the most seasoned commentators.
The full story of the campaign is told here, for the first and only time.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 - The Defection of Mark Reckless
Chapter 2 - The Battleground of Rochester & Strood
Chapter 3 - The Candidates in Rochester & Strood
Chapter 4 - The Campaign for Rochester & Strood
Chapter 5 - The Results and Comment
Credits
About the author
Rupert Matthews followed the by election from start to finish. He was at UKIP Conference when Mark Reckless announced his defection, and he was at the Count when Reckless wone. He is an experienced writer and politician. He has stood for Parliament and for the European Parliament as well as for local council.
Additional reporting by David Stepney
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Roches...
The Rochester & Strood by election of 2014 was perhaps the most important in a generation. For decades the seat had been a key Conservative-Labour marginal. Whoever won here won the country. But then in 2014 Mark Reckless the Conservative MP suddenly defected to UKIP and resigned to force a by-election. Now nobody knew what would happen.
Consdervative leader and Prime Minister David Cameron declared that he “would throw the kitchen sink” at Rochester & Strood. Soon the Conservative Party was pouring money, people and resources into this corner of Kent. Taking many people by surprise, Labour quickly pulled back and ran a very quiet campaign. It was UKIP that was turning out to be the main rival to the Conservatives.
Very soon the by-election developed into a fascinating example of how national politics and interplay with local issues. . And the final result came as a surprise to even the most seasoned commentators.
The full story of the campaign is told here, for the first and only time.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 - The Defection of Mark Reckless
Chapter 2 - The Battleground of Rochester & Strood
Chapter 3 - The Candidates in Rochester & Strood
Chapter 4 - The Campaign for Rochester & Strood
Chapter 5 - The Results and Comment
Credits
About the author
Rupert Matthews followed the by election from start to finish. He was at UKIP Conference when Mark Reckless announced his defection, and he was at the Count when Reckless wone. He is an experienced writer and politician. He has stood for Parliament and for the European Parliament as well as for local council.
Additional reporting by David Stepney
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Roches...
New Ebook - The Grimsby Fisher Lads: The story of the Humber fishing apprenctices
New Ebook - The Grimsby Fisher Lads: The story of the Humber fishing apprenctices
The true life account of the a little known aspect of Grimsby history.
The Workhouse Fisher Lads are an integral part of the history of Grimsby and other Humber ports. Orphans and foundlings had the chance to escape the miseries of the workhouse by going to sea as apprentices on board the fishing boats. This is their story.
The earliest known Fisher Lad went to sea in the early 19th century and the system continued up to the First World War. For more than a century young boys - some only 8 years old - went to sea in the traditional sailing boats that braved the North Sea to bring back the fish that kept Grimsby prosperous. It was a brutal life.
In this book, Grimsby-born Marc Jones traces the harsh life of the Fisher Lads at sea and on shore. He details individual stories of some oustanding lads who found fortune, disaster, happiness, tragedy and even murder as they worked the boats to escape the Workhouse.
About the Author
Marc Jones was born in Grimsby and has lived in Lincolnshire all his life. He lives locally with his wife and daughter and is very active in the local community. He is a school governor, active fundraiser for local causes and a county councillor as well as standing for the Great Grimsby seat in the 2015 General Election.
Marc says “outsiders can have an unjustly negative view of Grimsby. We need those in positions of influence within the town to have and portray a much more positive view of Grimsby. It has got some cracking potential and its main asset remains the people who live here. They deserve support, investment and new ideas instead of just more of the same.
This book shows the hard-working history of Grimsby people and their willingness to overcome whatever nature or the EU has thrown at them. This centuries old town can and will have many more exciting stories to tell about the lives of those who live, love and work here. The next chapters need to be tales of success, innovation, transformation and prosperity. I truly believe this can be the case if we all pull together to make Great Grimsby a town that respects and remembers its past but works for a better future.
Get your ebook copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grimsby-Fishe...
The true life account of the a little known aspect of Grimsby history.
The Workhouse Fisher Lads are an integral part of the history of Grimsby and other Humber ports. Orphans and foundlings had the chance to escape the miseries of the workhouse by going to sea as apprentices on board the fishing boats. This is their story.
The earliest known Fisher Lad went to sea in the early 19th century and the system continued up to the First World War. For more than a century young boys - some only 8 years old - went to sea in the traditional sailing boats that braved the North Sea to bring back the fish that kept Grimsby prosperous. It was a brutal life.
In this book, Grimsby-born Marc Jones traces the harsh life of the Fisher Lads at sea and on shore. He details individual stories of some oustanding lads who found fortune, disaster, happiness, tragedy and even murder as they worked the boats to escape the Workhouse.
About the Author
Marc Jones was born in Grimsby and has lived in Lincolnshire all his life. He lives locally with his wife and daughter and is very active in the local community. He is a school governor, active fundraiser for local causes and a county councillor as well as standing for the Great Grimsby seat in the 2015 General Election.
Marc says “outsiders can have an unjustly negative view of Grimsby. We need those in positions of influence within the town to have and portray a much more positive view of Grimsby. It has got some cracking potential and its main asset remains the people who live here. They deserve support, investment and new ideas instead of just more of the same.
This book shows the hard-working history of Grimsby people and their willingness to overcome whatever nature or the EU has thrown at them. This centuries old town can and will have many more exciting stories to tell about the lives of those who live, love and work here. The next chapters need to be tales of success, innovation, transformation and prosperity. I truly believe this can be the case if we all pull together to make Great Grimsby a town that respects and remembers its past but works for a better future.
Get your ebook copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grimsby-Fishe...
February 11, 2015
NEW EBOOK - The Siege of Canon Frome 1645
NEW EBOOK - The Siege of Canon Frome 1645
The village of Canon Frome nestles among the rolling hills of Herefordshire. Today it is a quiet, rural place, but in 1645 bloody war came here as Roundhead faced Cavalier in a brutal struggle that left the land strewn with the dead and maimed.
The siege of the manor housewas one of the final clashes of the English Civil War, taking place soon after King Charles lost the key Battle of Naseby. The defending Royalists had been occupying the manor house for over two years by the time the army of David Leslie, Earl of Leven, arrived to take it from then. What followed was one of the most savage sieges fought during the English Civil War.
This book brings an exciting new look to the English Civil War. The course of the campaign is given, but the emphasis is on the Battle itself and the men who fought there. There are analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies, and a study of the commanders. The course of the battle is followed with explanation of how it relates to the ground today. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described.
The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as printed books and as ebooks for five years.
Contents
Chapter 1 - Canon Frome
Chapter 2 - The English Civil War
Chapter 3 - The Commanders at Canon Frome
Chapter 4 - The Siege of Canon Frome
Chapter 5 - Aftermath
Chapter 6 - The Battlefield Today
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Leonard James is an author of military books. He comes from a military family that has fought in every major war since at least the Crimean War, and probably before that. His forebears were mostly cavalrymen, though his father served in the RAF. Leonard has made a particular study of battlefields in Britain, walking over dozens of them to get an eye for ground. He has also handled genuine and replica weapons to better understand the use of pre-modern weapons and the men who wielded them.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Siege-Canon-F...
The village of Canon Frome nestles among the rolling hills of Herefordshire. Today it is a quiet, rural place, but in 1645 bloody war came here as Roundhead faced Cavalier in a brutal struggle that left the land strewn with the dead and maimed.
The siege of the manor housewas one of the final clashes of the English Civil War, taking place soon after King Charles lost the key Battle of Naseby. The defending Royalists had been occupying the manor house for over two years by the time the army of David Leslie, Earl of Leven, arrived to take it from then. What followed was one of the most savage sieges fought during the English Civil War.
This book brings an exciting new look to the English Civil War. The course of the campaign is given, but the emphasis is on the Battle itself and the men who fought there. There are analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies, and a study of the commanders. The course of the battle is followed with explanation of how it relates to the ground today. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described.
The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as printed books and as ebooks for five years.
Contents
Chapter 1 - Canon Frome
Chapter 2 - The English Civil War
Chapter 3 - The Commanders at Canon Frome
Chapter 4 - The Siege of Canon Frome
Chapter 5 - Aftermath
Chapter 6 - The Battlefield Today
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Leonard James is an author of military books. He comes from a military family that has fought in every major war since at least the Crimean War, and probably before that. His forebears were mostly cavalrymen, though his father served in the RAF. Leonard has made a particular study of battlefields in Britain, walking over dozens of them to get an eye for ground. He has also handled genuine and replica weapons to better understand the use of pre-modern weapons and the men who wielded them.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Siege-Canon-F...
February 8, 2015
Lord Grey of Ruthin at the Battle of Northampton
Lord Grey of Ruthin at the Battle of Northampton
Serving under Buckingham was Lord Edmund Grey of Ruthin. By his family links Grey was firmly linked to the Lancastrian cause. By his mother he was a great grandson of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and therefore a cousin to Henry VI. He married Lady Katherine Percy, daughter of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. The Percys had a long running feud with the Nevilles, the family of the Earl of Warwick. However, Grey had got involved in a bitter dispute with Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter and a key supporter of Queen Margaret. Exeter was bad tempered and particularly rapacious when it came to exploiting contacts at court for his own benefit. Exeter had made a bid to seize control of the wealthy manor of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, from Grey on rather dubious grounds and was busily using bribery and pressure to get his way. Nevertheless, Grey had remained a staunch supporter of Buckingham in his efforts to find a compromise peace and to be loyal to the anointed King, Henry VI, come what may.
Grey, like Buckingham, had seen extensive service in the French wars. He had fought in the Aquitaine campaigns of 1438-40 and been knighted as a consequence. He sat on the Council of Regency from 1456 to 1458 and was notable for his refusal to get dragged into supporting either York or Queen Margaret. At the time of the Battle of Northampton he was 44 years old.
from "The Battle of Northampton" by Rupert Matthews
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Northa...
Serving under Buckingham was Lord Edmund Grey of Ruthin. By his family links Grey was firmly linked to the Lancastrian cause. By his mother he was a great grandson of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and therefore a cousin to Henry VI. He married Lady Katherine Percy, daughter of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. The Percys had a long running feud with the Nevilles, the family of the Earl of Warwick. However, Grey had got involved in a bitter dispute with Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter and a key supporter of Queen Margaret. Exeter was bad tempered and particularly rapacious when it came to exploiting contacts at court for his own benefit. Exeter had made a bid to seize control of the wealthy manor of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, from Grey on rather dubious grounds and was busily using bribery and pressure to get his way. Nevertheless, Grey had remained a staunch supporter of Buckingham in his efforts to find a compromise peace and to be loyal to the anointed King, Henry VI, come what may.
Grey, like Buckingham, had seen extensive service in the French wars. He had fought in the Aquitaine campaigns of 1438-40 and been knighted as a consequence. He sat on the Council of Regency from 1456 to 1458 and was notable for his refusal to get dragged into supporting either York or Queen Margaret. At the time of the Battle of Northampton he was 44 years old.
from "The Battle of Northampton" by Rupert Matthews
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Northa...
September 5, 2014
Samnite Gladiators enter the arena
Samnite Gladiators enter the arena
East of the Appenine Mountains from Rome lived a people known as the Samnites. These people had fought several wars against Rome between 343BC and 290BC, after which their country became a tributary state. In 90BC the Samnites rebelled but were defeated fairly quickly by an army led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla. By chance Sulla was a descendant of Publius Cornelius Rufinus who had defeated the Samnites in 290BC. Eager to be elected Consul, Sulla naturally decided to stage a munus - including gladiatorial games for the mob.
To add novelty and excitement to his games, Sulla brought a number of Samnite prisoners to fight in the arena. To add even more reality to the bloody spectacle these men were equipped with the same arms and armour they had used in the recent war. The Samnites had long been famous for the quality of their armaments, so the mob were eager to see Samnites fight with their native weapons.
The Samnites in the arena appeared equipped with a large rectangular shield, not too different from that used by the Romans, and with metal greaves to protect the shins below the shield. The weapon carried by them was a medium-length straight sword with a single cutting edge. It was the helmet which made the Samnite such an outstanding sight. The rounded metal crown was topped by an extravagant upright ridge which itself sprouted a stiff crest of dyed horse hair. Around the edge of the helmet was a wide metal brim. Rising from the junction between brim and helmet was a pair of flamboyant feathers, usually from pheasants or even peacocks.
The Samnites were a huge success with the crowd. Sulla was elected Consul and given command of the army sent to defeat King Mithradates of Pontus. He came back to be elected Dictator, an unusual and temporary post created only in times of crisis, and to rule Rome until he retired to his country estate in 79BC.
from "The Age of Gladiators" by Rupert Matthews.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Gladiator...
East of the Appenine Mountains from Rome lived a people known as the Samnites. These people had fought several wars against Rome between 343BC and 290BC, after which their country became a tributary state. In 90BC the Samnites rebelled but were defeated fairly quickly by an army led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla. By chance Sulla was a descendant of Publius Cornelius Rufinus who had defeated the Samnites in 290BC. Eager to be elected Consul, Sulla naturally decided to stage a munus - including gladiatorial games for the mob.
To add novelty and excitement to his games, Sulla brought a number of Samnite prisoners to fight in the arena. To add even more reality to the bloody spectacle these men were equipped with the same arms and armour they had used in the recent war. The Samnites had long been famous for the quality of their armaments, so the mob were eager to see Samnites fight with their native weapons.
The Samnites in the arena appeared equipped with a large rectangular shield, not too different from that used by the Romans, and with metal greaves to protect the shins below the shield. The weapon carried by them was a medium-length straight sword with a single cutting edge. It was the helmet which made the Samnite such an outstanding sight. The rounded metal crown was topped by an extravagant upright ridge which itself sprouted a stiff crest of dyed horse hair. Around the edge of the helmet was a wide metal brim. Rising from the junction between brim and helmet was a pair of flamboyant feathers, usually from pheasants or even peacocks.
The Samnites were a huge success with the crowd. Sulla was elected Consul and given command of the army sent to defeat King Mithradates of Pontus. He came back to be elected Dictator, an unusual and temporary post created only in times of crisis, and to rule Rome until he retired to his country estate in 79BC.
from "The Age of Gladiators" by Rupert Matthews.
Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Gladiator...
September 3, 2014
The Hoplomachus Gladiator
The Hoplomachus Gladiator
The key feature of the Hoplomachus is that he was armed with a thrusting spear and a small shield. Some of the leg armour was decorated with pictures of gods or heroes.
from "Action Files - Gladiator" by Rupert Matthews
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Action-Files-...
The key feature of the Hoplomachus is that he was armed with a thrusting spear and a small shield. Some of the leg armour was decorated with pictures of gods or heroes.
from "Action Files - Gladiator" by Rupert Matthews
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Action-Files-...
