Birkhall's Miscellany

Over the last year or so I've been interested in the etymology of the words Jew, Druid and David. I ended up down this track due to my i...

I recently came across this portrait when I was looking through paintings of European monarchs. I just assumed it was a painting of a...

Finally got some music on iTunes, Amazon, etc. I uploaded a best of (the arrogance of it). [Dead links now - the album was only available ...

I've recently finished reading Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme by the 17th century antiquary John Aubrey. I say recently, I actuall...

This is probably my favourite Shakespeare play. I read it before quite a long while back and enjoyed it then as I have now. The first th...

This was much more nuanced than 'The Jew of Malta'. Quite brilliant actually. Some of the language and observation contained within ...

Really enjoyed it - whizzed through it. This one seemed a lot less Shakespearean. In fact, I've just made a start on 'The Merchant o...