A tribute to Mary Seacole - Angel of the Crimean War.

Now many outside Britain may ask, who was Mary Seacole?

Mary Jane Seacole (née Grant;[3][4] 1805 – 14 May 1881)[5] was a British-Jamaican business woman and nurse[6] who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War. She described this as "a mess-table and comfortable quarters for sick and convalescent officers", and provided succour for wounded servicemen on the battlefield.[4] Coming from a tradition of Jamaican and West African "doctresses", Seacole used herbal remedies to nurse soldiers back to health. She was posthumously awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1991. In 2004 she was voted the greatest black Briton.[7]

en.wikipedia.org...

Despite a post-war (Crimean War) fundraising event which included military bands, and 80-100 000 attendees over three days, she largely fell into obscurity.

Apparently one of the main reasons is that Florence Nightingale considered her a rival, and her mainly female supporters over the decades would not allow a black female rival (and possible "pagan healer") into the fold.

Here a documentary: Mary Seacole - Angel of the Crimea:

When they speak about "cinnamon" - note that this is not the same stuff as on the spice racks nowadays.

Medicinally that is quite useless, and not what Seacole would have used.

a reply to: halfoldman

Is it the same stuff, just not in the same form? Stronger and more pure or is it something completely different?

a reply to: LookingAtMars

A short intro to different kinds of cinnamon.

a reply to: halfoldman

Thanks, I didn't know that. I find clove very beneficial and use it regularly for different things.

Mary Jane Seacole seems like a great woman, will have to read more about her.

Not to say men can't hold grudges - but jeepers ladies ...

The Crimean War ended in 1856.

Can't we just let bygones be bygones?

No, we most certainly can not!

a reply to: halfoldman

Fascinating piece of history. Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
I also liked the useful info on different kinds of cinnamon.