TAXONOMY
On the biological classification of the herring and the taxonomic can of worms it opens up at species level and below
Rigby’s Encyclopaedia of the Herring
A work in progress with no end in sight
Browse entries…
Recently Added
LOCKMAN’S VAST IMPORTANCE
John Lockman's 1750 pamphlet: the herring's importance to the National Wealth, our Naval Strength and, of course, dealing with the Highlanders
HERRING BUSS (TUNE)
A jig from 1750, The Herring Buss, is found and played for you by the excellent English concertina player Rob Harbron
A-Z Entries
BUSS
On the large vessels developed by the Dutch for voyages to the fishing grounds off Scotland and England and for on board gutting and salting
CADGER
The derivation of the word 'cadger', a derogatory epithet for someone who tries to get things for free, and its origins in the fish trade
CALLER HERRIN’ (FILM)
Picking up on the song and fisherwomen's marketing of their wares, a film deploying documentary to encourage herring consumption
CALLER HERRIN’ (SONG)
Drawing on street cries, composed for harpsichord, given lyrics by Jacobite-sympathising aristocrat Mrs Bogan of Bogan, a Scottish song
CANNING
A history of canning, the derivation of 'can', sardines, pilchards, herrings and sprats, the great nations and the Great Sardine Litigation
DIVINE PROVIDENCE
On interpreting the herring's grand migration as a gift from God, the ensuing arguments between nations and the eventual progress of science.
DRIED HERRING
An early method of preservation, continued in Native American cultures of the North West and South Korea
DRIFT OR GILL NETTING
On the nets used by drifters in a largely abandoned, but sustainable method of catching herring now developed unsustainably elsewhere
DRIFTERS (DOCUMENTARY FILM)
The first documentary, famously directed by Grierson; funded by herring historian & Financial Secretary to the Treasury, AM Samuel
DUMAS ON HERRING
Dumas and his Grand Dictionary of Cuisine, a flawed translation corrected and all its herring jokes and recipes restored
DUTCH GRAND FISHERY
The rise and fall of the 'Groote Visserye', its role in the Dutch War of Independence and in various wars with England and Scotland
ENGLAND’S PATH TO WEALTH AND HONOUR
James Puckle's 1700 version of his patriotic, herring fishery promotional pamphlet, crying out for English superiority over the Dutch