Author Archives: Vasco Phillip de Sousa

About Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Vasco Phillip de Sousa has been making up stories since he learned to speak. He has written for genealogy magazines, achieved an MA in Media Production, moved barrels in an ink factory, been employee of the month for directory enquiries, and started a string of businesses, in addition to other adventures. Vasco is currently writing a book (and a biopic) on one of his more obscure heroes.

The fate of Captain Rowland and his privateer brig Holkar

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Stranded on her tropical island, it’s likely that Susannah Lalliment didn’t know or care what happened to her would be rescuers turned deserters, Captain Rowland and his Holkar privateer. To the British navy and merchant marine, however, the brig Holkar … Continue reading →

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Susannah Lalliment meets the American pirates

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Despite her conviction, Susannah Lalliment was lucky. The far off colonies of the Empire had too few loyal subjects, and the parliament had an idea of how to get more people there. Susannah’s death sentence was commuted to banishment, life … Continue reading →

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Sentenced to death over a ten pound bank note

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Susanna Lalliment didn’t know how to spell her own name.   She was said to be descended from French Huguenot refugees, but she seemed to speak English well enough. The Lalliments were skilled lace makers in Nottingham. The lace business in … Continue reading →

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What’s your favorite book about 1812?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

World Book Night is allowing readings to distribute their favorite books Continue reading →

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When Tecumseh made the Mississippi flow backwards

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Are recent earthquakes in middle America only aftershocks of a much bigger disaster from two hundred years ago? Continue reading →

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Great Snakes! Australia in January 1812.

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

“A snake of the diamond kind has been lately killed at Blackwattle swamp, the length of which was 10 feet 4 inches, and its largest circumference five inches.” the Sydney Gazette reported on January 4th, 1812. A woodcutter was going about … Continue reading →

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Recording History before Time Runs Out

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Time can defeat us in many ways. A contact of mine is raising money for a documentary about Basque children who escaped to England in 1937.   The contact only has a few hours to raise another tens of thousands … Continue reading →

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The Parliament that Shook the World

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

7 January 1812 opened the sixth session of the fourth parliament of the United Kingdom. Significant debates were held concerning constitutional change, including Catholic Emancipation, and changes to Parliament itself.

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1812, When Big Banks Could Go Bankrupt

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

In 1812, London was the world’s financial capital; and “Boldero and Lushington” were one of the biggest and best known financial firms in 19th century London. The firm started in 1738, under the name of Thomas Miners. Then, in 1742 … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh’s New Year Rioting and Robbery

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

John Skelton was apprenticed to a gunsmith. He had a big future ahead of him.
But Mr. Skelton soon found he was a wanted man. Continue reading →

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