Adelaide Hall

Autobiographical lace made by Adelaide Hall, a patient in a mental asylum in Washington around 1916.

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Rufford Abbey monastic scourge identified by archaeologists

An ancient whip uncovered at a medieval monastery is believed to be one of only four metal scourges in the country.

Archaeologists uncovered the copper artefact at Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire, and believe it to have been used by monks to whip themselves.

It is thought it dates from the second half of the 14th Century.

The practice of self-flagellation is a Christian act of penance and may have been used by monks to ward off the Black Death.

The remains of the metal scourge,
alongside a recreation of what it probably
looked like in the 14th Century

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The odd world of Victorian Easter cards

The Victorians had unconventional ideas of where babies come from
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Cameo of Shapur I vanquishing Emperor Valerian 260AD

A fine cameo showing an equestrian combat of Shapur I and Valerian in which the Roman emperor is seized, according to historical references in Persia, inscriptions and a relief depicting Shapur's triumph over Valerian in Nagsh-e Rostam carvings, Fars Province, Iran.

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