So, I saw this quiz over at Nea‘s–Which wife of Henry VIII would you be? Well, never let it be said I don’t do odd quizzes to pass the time! I just read the questions and reversed the gender roles. 🙂 Congratulations! You are Catarina of Aragon. Catarina was Henry’s first wife and was probablyContinue reading “On the Six Wives of Henry VIII”
Category Archives: History
On Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day, the day where we stop to remember the soldiers who gave their lives in the service of our nation. The best way to remember their ultimate sacrifice is to keep others from being added to their number. On this Memorial Day, the fifth since we invaded Iraq, we should be askingContinue reading “On Memorial Day”
Once More, on the Bayeux Tapestry
This is a little something for all the history geeks and English geeks who read this site. I saw link to this on Diane Duane’s blog, filed it away, and then took a look this morning. What is it? Someone took the Bayeux Tapestry and made an animated film out of it. The Bayeux Tapestry,Continue reading “Once More, on the Bayeux Tapestry”
On Blogs From the Past
For fans of the BBC’s new Robin Hood series the Sheriff of Nottingham keeps a blog. The Sheriff certainly has some interesting insights in how to best remove tongues and deal with a striking peasantry. He’s clearly a smart guy, the Sheriff, but he should really tone down his moustache-twirling on his blog lest hisContinue reading “On Blogs From the Past”
On Foreign Military Blunders
A headline at the New York Times today: “Swiss Accidentally Invade Liechtenstein.” How did this happen? A Swiss Army regiment, on night training maneuvers, got lost in the dark and crossed the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein. After marching about two miles into Liechtenstein they realized their mistake, and turned around and marched back toContinue reading “On Foreign Military Blunders”
On Veteran's Day
In 1983 CBS aired a Peanuts special, What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown. In the film Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don’t Come Back) Charlie Brown, Linus, Pepperment Pattie, Marcie, and Snoopy went to France. What Have We Learned picks up shortly thereafter, with the kids visiting Flanders and the beaches of Normandy where theyContinue reading “On Veteran's Day”
On the Vinland Map
An e-mail about the PBS program NOVA landed in my inbox yesterday. This coming Tuesday they’re showing a documentary on the Vinland Map, a map that may date from the early 15th-century and depicts the eastern coast of North America: Tuesday, October 10 at 8PM ET/PT on PBS Check your local listings as dates andContinue reading “On the Vinland Map”
More on the Bayeux Tapestry
I wrote, about six weeks ago, about the Bayeux Tapestry, specifically about a necktie I bought that reproduces some of the Tapestry’s images from the story of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England and his defeat of King Harold II in 1066. I picked up recently a history of the Tapestry and the Conquest, AndrewContinue reading “More on the Bayeux Tapestry”
On a New Necktie
Yesterday I bought a new necktie, one with images taken from the Bayeux Tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in October 1066 and his overthrow of King Harold II. William began the line of Norman kings of England, from whom the present royal family descends. The images on the tieContinue reading “On a New Necktie”
On former President Carter and Wiretaps
Did President Bush violate the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act when he authorized wiretaps without court authority? Former President Jimmy Carter has a unique perspective on the issue–he was the President that signed FISA into law when it was passed in 1978. Said Carter, “If my voice is important to point of the intent of theContinue reading “On former President Carter and Wiretaps”