Without, I hope, detracting from this wonderful award with a prosaic introduction, I was uploading the latest iTunes on Sunday when it wiped out my wireless internet connection, so it was with an old-fashioned cable in the back of the machine that I learnt the news that Herr Mozart has generously awarded me
The Amadeus Award for Taste & Excellence.
It certainly helped me get through the next few hours of struggling with wep keys and other such dull matters... but I digress. Herr Mozart is currently celebrating ten glorious years on the web (no small feat for a busy court composer) and I am honoured to receive this rather beautiful award. As the Maestro explains: 'The Amadeus Award for Taste and Excellence is to be given to five blogs that meet the qualifications which I have previously stated [sites that are dedicated to the 18th century and which demonstrate through their content and appearance the style and grace of that period in history]. Please give it in the spirit of community, love of history, and artful presentation.'
With these things in mind, I have chosen:
1.
Tempus Fugit - The Doctor is already a winner of this award, but his design skills, video/photographs and reflections on the period really are outstanding.
2.
Tale-pieces - a charming and well-informed blog on the activities of The Bewick Society.
3.
American Duchess: Feathers, Finery & Frippery of the 18th Century - I'm in awe of Lauren Reeser's creativity and can't wait to see how her 18th-century gown project turns out.
4.
Clerk of the Fur Trade - another beautifully presented site that gives a fascinating insight into the life of an 18th-century trader.
5.
Slightly Obsessed - she may be slightly obsessed, but Widow Black is one clever, clever lady. Check out her beautiful period clothing, always so well researched.
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Smelling salts at the ready, ladies, because Metro reports that a police efit of Dick Turpin (created using a combination of contemporary descriptions and modern technology) is being displayed on a 'wanted' poster at York Castle. His crimes included poaching, burglary, cattle rustling, horse theft, highway robbery and murder, and he was executed at York in 1739 (he was only actually convicted for cattle rustling, which was itself punishable by hanging). 
