Ruth Elizabeth Stiff
Bio
I love all things Earthy and Self-Help
History is one of my favourite subjects and I love to write short fiction
Research is so interesting for me too
Stories (911)
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Madame Clapham
Emily was born in Cheltenham in 1856. As was the norm then, she left school at an early age for an apprenticeship in dressmaking, at Scarborough, at the company at Marshall and Snelgrove (you may have heard of the names). From an early age, Emily learnt her trade in dressmaking, starting with picking up pins off the floor.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
Thank You
Dear Mum, How are you? Is the weather warm where you are? Have you and dad been happy? I do miss you. We’ve always been more like sisters than mother and daughter. Do you remember the time we wore the same dresses? Blue for you, purple for me, at that conference. We were like twins, only you were prettier and taller (without the heels!). We did turn heads ha ha ha. You had the red bike and I had the blue one, and you were always a more confident rider than me. We spent so much time together when dad ‘left’. We were always there for each other.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Families
"At long last I am able to say a few words of my own"
He put his love for a woman before his duty to the throne, being the only King of England to abdicate willingly. He was much loved by the people, a real ‘playboy’, yet he had a serious side that few saw. His father was demanding and short tempered and harshly criticized his eldest son. This eldest son was also a style icon. He was Edward VIII.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
The Theory of Everything
He had an IQ of 160 and was one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history. Although he became physically disabled with a disease that could not be cured, his brain, his mind, was left ‘untouched’. His lifes’ work revolutionized ‘the field’ and his books have been bought by people who know nothing about his area of expertise. His knowledge, research and work has made an imprint over several generations. He was Stephen Hawking.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
EDWARD VI
King Henry VIII waited for more than twenty years for this healthy son and heir. Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife, was his mother. Sadly, he reigned for only six years and died at the young age of sixteen and he was a ‘pawn’ in the hands of unscrupulous men. He had the real makings of a good Kingof England. He was Edward VI.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
"Where's The Midwife?"
Many of us have watched, and are still watching, the television series “Call The Midwife”, which was originally based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. She worked with the community of St. John the Divine at their convent in the East End of London. The order was founded as a nursing order in 1849. The series extended beyond the memoirs to include new, historically sourced material and information. The series has also tackled subjects such as adoption, miscarriage, abortion as well as prostitution, incest and birth defects. It is so interesting to see how these things were looked at and dealt with in the 1950’s and 1960’s, compared to how we view them (and deal with them) today.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Viva
"Comfort Women"
The definition of “Comfort” is: “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint”.(Oxford Languages). However, for these women there was no comfort, either physically, emotionally or mentally. Many things happened during the Second World War which we may never know about (which may be just as well). “Comfort Women” were ‘almost’ one of those things.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Criminal
Never Leave, Raven, Never Leave
“If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it”. Seven ravens are kept at the Tower of London all times — six of whom make up the number of ravens that (it is said) need to remain in order to protect the Crown (and one is a back-up, just in case!).
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
"Bloody Mary"
She was the first daughter of Henry VIII and ruled as Queen of England for five years. However, in those five short years Mary made her mark within the pages of English history. There was a reason why she was called “Bloody Mary!” She was Mary 1.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Viva
We'll Never Forget Them
If you are an animal lover, like myself, you have probably been thinking about the animals who have (and still do) served with our brave soldiers during the Two World Wars (and the wars that are being fought today). The red poppy is for the human soldiers. The purple poppy is for the animal soldiers. We are proud to wear both!
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Serve
And The Bride Wore
Every little girl dreams of being a princess and when she is older, she dreams of being a bride. In both dreams she wears beautiful dresses. For some of these little girls, their dreams actually come true. I’m talking, of course, about Royal Brides. True, some are born into Royalty and have the title Princess from birth. For others, though, they become a Princess when they marry their Prince. Either way, their dresses were and are beautiful! Royal Brides throughout history have always had interesting lives and beautiful, even exquisite, dresses, and many have been ‘followed’ as fashion icons. They seem to know just how to dress for every occasion.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Viva
Baby Farming
She has been called the female version of Jack the Ripper and lived at the same time that he struck. Adopting unwanted infants in exchange for money, she escaped arrest for years by moving around and using different names. It was her case that led to stricter laws for adoption and child protection, and which also raised the profile for the newly established NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). She was Amelia Dyer! (Before you read any further, please be aware that this article is about a baby killer and may be upsetting to some).
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Criminal
