Penelope J. Corfield is a historian, lecturer and education consultant. She recently served as the President of the International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ISECS).
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MONTHLY BLOG 186, A YEAR OF POEMS: ‘I SIT THIS MORNING AT MY DESK’
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. CorfieldSo it was back to the writing-desk. That destination would not be such fun, if that was all that we had to do, year-in, year-out. But, after a period of travel, it was positively soothing to be back at one’s personal grindstone. . .
MONTHLY BLOG 185, RETURNING FROM TRAVELS OVERSEAS
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. CorfieldIt’s fun returning to BLOG again after a pause for travel overseas. So the logical theme for this month’s commentary is the fun of travel overseas – and the equally great fun of returning home. . .
MONTHLY BLOG 184, THE MOON – FAMILIAR FRIEND OR LONELY STRANGER?
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. CorfieldOne cold, crisp, cloudless night recently revealed a massive silver Moon, looking down impartially upon the sprawling metropolis of London. Everything looked superbly wonderful in its gleaming light. . .
MONTHLY BLOG 183, HICKORY DICKORY DOCK! IN MEMORY OF MY LATE BROTHER JULIAN, OUR HAPPY CHILDHOOD TOGETHER, AND HIS LIFELONG SENSE OF DROLL HUMOUR
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Family Memories, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. CorfieldHickory Dickory Dock! My late brother, Julian Corfield, who died on 1 January 2026 at the age of 77, loved clocks. So this is the rhyme that I choose to introduce my memories of him…
MONTHLY BLOG 182, TO LAUGH OR CRY? RESPONDING TO ACADEMIC CRITICISMS
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. CorfieldA few days ago, I had the strange experience of hearing my life’s work dissected by a panel of critical experts, in front of a large and knowledgeable audience, and in my presence. I was part thrilled, part gobsmacked. The speakers were …
MONTHLY BLOG 181, A YEAR OF POEMS
/in 2026 - Year of Poetry, Monthly Blog/by Penelope J. Corfield1st January 2026: I’m now recovering from a spectacular black-eye, caused by falling down stairs at home, when hurrying and carrying a tray – so being unable to put my hands out to break fall. As I plummeted downwards, I felt a surge of….
MONTHLY BLOG 180, TIME & INSPIRATION
/in Monthly Blog, Time/by Penelope J. CorfieldThe relentless passage of Time is at once a threat and an inspiration. Of course, in one way, it’s menacing: Time flies! Time, once lost, cannot be retrieved! Time travels onwards and does not come back! Yet that very fact can also provide an inspiration…
MONTHLY BLOG 179, IDENTIFYING DIFFERENT ERAS OF TIME: POTENTIAL & PITFALLS …
/in Monthly Blog, Time/by Penelope J. CorfieldThere is a perennial conflict between, on the one hand, looking at history in terms of specific periods (for example: ‘ancient’, ‘medieval’, ‘modern’) and, on the other, trying to interpret past events without using any of these pre-set concepts. To lump or to split? …
MONTHLY BLOG 178, THINKING THROUGH TIME AT ARTHUR’S STONE IN HEREFORDSHIRE
/in Monthly Blog, Time/by Penelope J. CorfieldGreat rings of giant standing stones, dating from primeval times – such as England’s Stonehenge and Brittany’s Carnac Stones – are wonderful prompts to sweeping thoughts about the length of Time and History. Yet small ancient monuments can be just as striking in their own way…
MONTHLY BLOG 177, SONGS ABOUT TIME
/in Monthly Blog, Time/by Penelope J. CorfieldWhile there are very few good jokes about Great Time, there are songs a-plenty. Songs unfold in Time. They mark Time. They muse over its characteristics. My favourite is ‘Time, Time, Time is on my side/ Yes it is!’ as sung by Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. It’s very cheering and reassuring, especially when the hours and minutes seem to be rushing by with headlong speed…