Category Archives: This sceptred isle

Emmerdale has changed from times past. This evening’s episode included a policeman charging a woman with multiple murders, attempted murder, false imprisonment, and assault. Soaps in the past never had such dramatic occurrences. Life was usually altogether more mundane. Crossroads … Continue reading →

The BBC carries news of the demise of another energy supplier.  Perhaps the proper term should be re-seller, for the insolvent firms have been locked into contracts where they had to buy the energy at a price far higher than … Continue reading →

“We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.” The words of James Connolly are at the head of a poster pasted on various street electricity boxes. Revolutionary action? … Continue reading →

Why was it necessary for the media to carry stories of the will of the Duke of Edinburgh being sealed for ninety years? As much as there was no public interest to be served in the details of the will … Continue reading →

Enthusiasts for the writing of C.J. Sansom will be familiar with the tales of  Matthew Shardlake, a barrister in Tudor times pursuing cases against the background of violent conspiracies, royal intrigues and religious extremism. The tales bring encounters between Shardlake … Continue reading →