Author: Alan King

‘Syra British Cemetery’ and its links to Amorgos, the Bents and the Great War

The rise of Syros After the Greek War of Independence started in 1821, the then-sparsely-populated island of Syros grew rapidly to become the administrative centre of the Greek Aegean world, earning it the sobriquet of ‘The Capital of the Cyclades’. By the time the English adventurers Theodore and Mabel Bent arrived in the 1880s, it … Continue reading ‘Syra British Cemetery’ and its links to Amorgos, the Bents and the Great War

Theodore and the Sabouna

During the winters of 1883 to 1885, Theodore and Mabel Bent journeyed throughout the Greek islands of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese in the Aegean Sea. Theodore recounted their travels in his book and in many journal articles. Mabel penned her chronicles day by day. Theodore’s accounts and Mabel’s chronicles together form a unique record … Continue reading Theodore and the Sabouna

Ekaterina’s Costume from Ios

On January 25th 1884, Theodore and Mabel Bent arrived in Ios armed with a letter of introduction to the demarch, Michalis Lorentziadis. The Bents wrote warmly of the Lorentziadis family and the hospitality afforded them. . . . never in all our wanderings did we meet with a family so genial and gay as the … Continue reading Ekaterina’s Costume from Ios

Finding the Lorentziadis family

In 1884, Theodore and Mabel Bent enjoyed the hospitality of Ios’ First Family, the Lorenziades (sic) and wrote warmly of them and the hospitality they afforded him. In 1927, V.C. Scott O’Connor visited Ios and met with Stefanos Lorentziadis who told him ‘there are none of us now in the island’. I thought I’d do … Continue reading Finding the Lorentziadis family

The Lorentziadis family

Theodore and Mabel Bent meet the Lorentziadis V. C. Scott O’Connor meets Stefanos Lorentziadis What happened to the Lorentziadis family? The return to Ios A touching tribute? Theodore and Mabel Bent meet the Lorentziadis On January 24th 1884, Theodore and Mabel Bent arrived in Ios, armed with a letter of introduction to the demarch, Michalis … Continue reading The Lorentziadis family

The Tower of Agia Marina and its spirit of filoxenia

In 1884, the British adventurers Theodore and Mabel Bent visited Kea. On March 29th 1884, the day before they left the island, Theodore and Mabel visited the ancient tower of Agia Marina. They were treated with such hospitality by the guardian of the former monastery. Theodore writes: The people at the convent, the old man … Continue reading The Tower of Agia Marina and its spirit of filoxenia