The Spinning Jenny - Weaving machine

Surrey: Visiting Farnham Museum! (27.5.2026)

These former workers adopted the mannerisms, culture, and dress of their social betters (the “aristocracy”) and were even able to “purchase” an education for their children. This new bourgeoisie (the “Merchants”) were even able to stand for election in Parliament. After purchasing weapons and raising armies – the bourgeoisie eventually seized control of the means of production (following the English Civil Wars). They now comprise one of the most conservative strands in UK society – and certainly maintain this air of elitism in Farnham. A local book-dealer even tried to sell me Das Kapital Vols I, II, & III (printed in the USSR in hardback) for £100 – claiming they were “rare”. In fact, a full set is usually four volumes and I often find them on the bottom shelves of old book-shops – usually attracting dust – as no one cares for their content. I do collect them and usually spend around £5 per copy. Imagine that – a bookseller in Farnham attempted to reduce Marx’s critique of capitalism to yet another vehicle of that capitalism! But that is the way capitalism works and is exactly how Farnham has attracted its wealth and conservativism. Florence Nightingale gets a mention – Gee trained as a Midwife at St Thomas Hospital (London) – which maintains a Museum recording the life of Florence Nightingale. Indeed, Gee is designated as a “Florence Nightingale Midwife”.

Perkin Warbeck

UK: Was Perkin Warbeck the True King Richard IV? (24.3.2026)

I mention this as large swathes of the UK retain a very strong Celtic identity. This includes Cornwall – one of the places that Perkin Warbeck landed with a small army that was immediately joined by the uprising Cornish people. The Cornish had risen-up earlier in 1497 against Henry VVII’s plans to go to war with Scotland – why should Celts fight Celts? Although the Tudors were from Wales (a Celtic country) – I believe they may be the descendants of the Roman officials that used to govern the area. Despite this, the Tudors tended to side with the English (Germanic) power-base. Whatever the case, I think the man we are told is “Perkin Warbeck” was in fact “Richard Plantagenet” or “King Richard IV” of England – the rightful King. The above documentary dramatizes the recorded interviews held between the English Authorities and “Perkin Warbeck”. He was crowned “King Richard IV” on Bodmin Moor and he then led an army that took Exeter – and then moved on to Taunton – where he was defeated and arrested. Following intense torture – this man was forced to deny his royal birth. He was then hanged like a common criminal at Tyburn.

How Midwives Survived Religious Persecution

The UK ‘officially’ executed around 1000 victims for witchcraft – but many more were killed by sadistic mobs who took the law into their own hands (encouraged by local priests). What many may not realise is that one of the crimes listed as witchcraft was ‘vile midwifery’ – a crime that demanded the death penalty. Any woman who was found to possess knowledge of pregnancy, labour, childbirth and post-natal recovery were deemed in league with the devil and sentenced to be burnt at the stake.