This is the blog of Martin Johnes, Professor of Modern History at Swansea University.
Recent blogs
Why fans still matter: quick thoughts on the European Super League
Some of the reactions to the planned European Super League give the impression that money and profit are something new in football. Yet money, and arguments over money, are central to football’s history. There were loud and emotional complaints that football was all about cash as early as the 1880s. The Victorian elite complained that … Continue reading “Why fans still matter: quick thoughts on the European Super League”
A very brief history of boredom
Historians often puzzle about whether people in the past experienced the same emotions as we do. The consensus is that they probably did but that the meanings of those emotions could be quite different. Long and strenuous working hours made the absence of something to do probably more a relief than anything and it never … Continue reading “A very brief history of boredom”
A brief history of Advent calendars in the UK
Advent calendars, like so many British Christmas traditions, have their roots outside the UK. They are an evolution of a practice found in Germany of counting down through the Christian festival of Advent towards Christmas. This was often done through the lighting of candles on each of Advent’s four Sundays. In the nineteenth century, a … Continue reading “A brief history of Advent calendars in the UK”
