Though historians have begun to reassess the extent of anti-German feeling in Britain in the years preceding the outbreak of the First World War, it is nevertheless interesting to take note of an incident where a Russian naval blunder became the site of Anglo-German antagonism.[1] Taking place in the thick of the Russo-Japanese War, the […]
Tag Archives | Edwardian
National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Conference on the Anglo-German Naval Arms Race and the War At Sea
Registration is now open for the NMRN’s conference on the Anglo-German Naval Arms Race and the War At Sea up to the eve of the Battle of Jutland. The conference keynote addresses will be given by Professor Nicholas Rodger, Professor Norma Friedman and Rear-Admiral James Goldrick (RAN). Conference speakers will cover: The arms race and […]
“The Sure Shield of Britain and of her Empire in the Hour of Trial”: sailors in the First World War
Given the upcoming centenary of the Great War this year it is understandable that we find ourselves saturated with discussions of the tragedy that befell the European empires in 1914. Yet, despite this wide and encouraging engagement with the topic, the key focus of popular debate is centred on the many millions who died fighting […]
‘Painting for Empire’: sailors and ship-board banalities
It is an interesting question whether or not the men who joined the Royal Navy in the late nineteenth century knew of or imagined the time-consuming and monotonous aspects the job entailed. Consideration of sailor diaries reveals that one of the most common, and indeed, disliked tasks aboard ship, was painting the vessel, inside and […]
Play Up, Play the Game! The Press and Civic Rivalry between Port Town Football Clubs in the Edwardian Era
The role of class, gender and place identity formation through the support of the local football team has been explored by a number of historians.[1] Through local rivalries and the celebration of civic pride football supporters were able to make sense of their urban environment and their place in the world.[2] Portsmouth’s ‘Pompey Chimes’ chant […]