On 17 January 1681, Elizabeth Wigenton, a coat-maker of Ratcliff Parish, was tried at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of her thirteen-year-old apprentice. After binding and beating the girl so violently that she died, Wigenton was found guilty of murder. This case reveals the brutal realities of apprenticeship and justice in seventeenth-century London.
Author Archives: The Sage Page
Quote of the Day: The Comfort of Collective Suffering
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on football and patience: “Football teaches patience: ninety minutes to discover what shouting never changed.” A humorous, thoughtful look at passion, futility, and the strange joy of caring deeply about something we cannot control — together, and very loudly.
Advice of the Day: Emergency Storage
The Sage reveals the true purpose of headwear: a hat is just a bowl that follows you around. A hilarious “Advice of the Day” about preparedness, pockets, and poor storage decisions.
Quote of the Day: The long haul
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on end-of-month resilience: “Surviving the month is less about money, and more about patience lasting longer than optimism.” A thoughtful, gently humorous reminder that endurance often matters more than enthusiasm when resources are low and waiting is unavoidable.
Advice of the Day: Emergency Cooking
The Sage offers wildly impractical kitchen wisdom: if your oven breaks, tape a chicken to the radiator. A hilarious “Advice of the Day” about cooking, confidence, and ignoring common sense.
This Day in History: 18 December 1865 — George Wheeler and the Long Sentence
On 18 December 1865, London clerk George Wheeler pleaded guilty to embezzlement at the Old Bailey. Sentenced to penal servitude, he passed through Newgate, Pentonville and Portland prisons before his release in 1869. His story reveals the realities of Victorian imprisonment beyond the courtroom.
Quote of the Day: Holiday Eve
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on the quiet relief of finishing work for the holidays: “The best part of finishing for the holidays is discovering your shoulders were carrying the year.” A thoughtful reminder of how much we hold without noticing — and how important it is to finally let it go.
Advice of the Day: Emotional Awareness
The Sage offers dangerously honest advice: when someone is crying, ask if it’s because of their haircut. A hilariously awkward “Advice of the Day” about empathy, timing, and bad trims.
This Day in History: 11 December 1765 — Catherine Wilks and the Printed Cotton
On 11 December 1765, Catherine Wilks was tried at the Old Bailey for stealing printed cotton from a London shop. Found guilty of grand larceny, she faced transportation, the common punishment for such thefts. Her case reveals the risks and realities of women navigating 18th-century London’s commercial world.
Quote of the Day: Poetry Stitched in Silk
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage explores the secret purpose of lingerie: “The wise know this: lingerie is never really bought for the drawer it sleeps in.” A warm, gently humorous reflection on confidence, affection, and the emotional meaning behind the small, beautiful things we choose for ourselves and others.
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