Category: History

Well, that didn’t last….

No excuses, just too much else going on. And I’m sure I’ll struggle with WP even more now – it used to be dead straightforward, before it got clever and sophisticated, with so many options…

But I’ve been enjoying Blogtober, following a couple of people I admire who have posted on a daily basis all through the month. And then I thought, what about Blogvember? Typically late to the party….but it might be a fun challenge! And easier now I’m just back from France, from the fourth trip this year. Fighting the internet with a severely outdated laptop and no wifi.

Some slightly gloomy pictures of Beaune on the way back on Sunday. We mostly avoided motorways this time – takes forever but so much more interesting.

Next stop, Troyes, where many (many!) years ago I was a research assistant, ploughing through information about the Bibliothèque Bleue – hunting for mediaeval woodcuts reused in early 17th century peasants’ chapbooks printed in the town.

No work this time – just strolling along these extraordinary streets that seem to go on for ever (and eating rather well, still definitely possible in France!)

Well, that is Blogvember Day 1. Chances of keeping this going?

LYON: Centre d’histoire de la résistance et de la déportation

We timed an airport pick-up around this museum collection – and it was well worth it. Some stunning posters for anyone interested in ‘Work, Family, Fatherland’ in Vichy France – or indeed just in the history of propaganda as a weapon of war.

Some sobering, some inspiring:

Angeli was a local administrator condemned at the Liberation for having co-operated too enthusiastically with the Nazi regime. Gerlier was Archbishop of Lyon at this period. He seems to have been fearless in speaking out against Laval’s plans to deport Jews to the death camps – and, in particular, he urged Catholic priests to take the children into hiding.

There is evidence that a number of primary school teachers also took great risks to conceal their pupils. I would like to think I could have done the same – but with 5 children of my own to protect I’m not so sure….

I am certainly grateful not to have been tested in this way.