Happy February, seamen! Hope most of you are doing well with your New Year resolutions and not giving up already, and for those who are like us and need more time… January is hard but February is your month! ;) Now let’s move to another ephemeris! As you may already know, we’re going to dedicate a special date every month of this year to a particular event or anniversary across History with our boys as first-hand witnesses.

Have you heard about the Thames Frost Fairs? Happened between the 17^th and 19^th centuries starting when during the winter of 1608, the Thames River froze for the first time due to a phenomenon name ‘the little ice age’ which lasted until 1870. The medieval London Bridge was also another responsible since pieces of ice would get lodged between the piers and slow down the course of the river, making it easier to freeze. So the Londoners didn’t doubt to celebrate those events by setting up markets, football pitches, bowling matches, ice skating… even pubs! Some of these shops also sold special ‘Frost Fair’ souvenirs.

The last ever was celebrated between the 1^st and the 5^th of February 1814, after that, the River Thames never freezes that much again, winters weren’t that severe anymore and the demolishing of the medieval London Bridge in 1831 was decisive as well. But, even if didn’t last until 1850 when our Victorian boys are settled, we took the liberty to let them enjoy one of these famous Frost Fairs since we’d have loved to be there too. What about you? Have you ever been or would like to be at a similar fair or market? Let us know!

P.S: When the illustration was ended we think… ‘Hmm, something is missing’ so then we added the snow falling and looks way better. This is one of our favourite illustrations from the calendar, specially for Chris.