Oh dear, the shivers are running down my back because I just found this article which relates some of the watery horrors of East Anglia. I came upon the article while searching for something about John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, who would die at Bosworth alongside the king whose good friend and supporter he… Continue reading When in East Anglia, please avoid deserted country roads near water….
Tag: witchcraft
More about Edward III and Mélusine….
About seven years ago I wrote a piece for this blog about Edward III’s belief that his line was descended from the fairy, Mélusine. In a nutshell, the story of Mélusine as I knew it then was as follows, and I quote from my Murrey & Blue article: “….Edward III told his friends, the founder… Continue reading More about Edward III and Mélusine….
How Edward IV’s bigamy should have been resolved
Canon law, as practiced in most of Europe to the late mediaeval period, is noticeably different to the laws of the United Kingdom today, although it is somewhat looser today in several ways. Consequently, secret marriages were banned eventually, only first cousins now require dispensations and relationships do not beget affinity, although previous manages still… Continue reading How Edward IV’s bigamy should have been resolved
Secrets of the Royal Palaces (series 3)
This enthralling programme has returned, but made a dubious claim in the third epsode. Apparently, Jack Ketch was so hopeless at swinging an axe in a straight line, you would be better off as a commoner if facing execution, because almost anyone could be reasonably competent at short drop hanging, where breaking the subject’s neck… Continue reading Secrets of the Royal Palaces (series 3)
When there’s snow at midsummer….
A short story by Sandra Heath Wilson (viscountessw) Please remember, ladies and gentlemen, that this story is fiction. The great midsummer bonfire crackled and roared, and sparks billowed high into the dark sky. It was encircled by thirteen hooded black-robed figures, and the face of the youngest was pale as he accepted the carved wooden… Continue reading When there’s snow at midsummer….
Where to dig and investigate next….?
It’s always interesting to know where archaeologists hope to thrust their trusty trowels next, and this article lists some sites in England. The heading Category England seems clear enough to me. Um, not so, because Scotland, Ireland and the Welsh Marches are well represented. So, incidentally are Lancashire and Yorkshire, but then they are in… Continue reading Where to dig and investigate next….?
Vlad the Impaler and Richard III….?
There I was on the road to Damascus when there was a great roll of thunder and suddenly I was confronted by Vlad the Impaler. I jest of course, but I did see a TV documentary about Vlad’s curse and did have a flash of inspiration for an article for the blog. Except….right now I… Continue reading Vlad the Impaler and Richard III….?
The story of witchcraft….
We all have different ideas about witches, from the evil crones of Shakespeare to the gorgeous Glinda in The Wizard of Oz. The reality, it seems to me, is that most “witches” were innocent women (and some men) who were victimised for a wide variety of reasons. But that’s just my opinion. But nevertheless we’re… Continue reading The story of witchcraft….
Some minor problems with Thomas More’s account.
King Edward, of that name the fourth, after that he had lived fifty and three years, seven months, and six days, and thereof reigned two and twenty years, one month, and eight days, died at Westminster the ninth day of April. King Edward was born 28 April 1442 and died 9 April 1483. He was… Continue reading Some minor problems with Thomas More’s account.
Where did the poisoning witch the Duchesse d’Orléans take refuge….?
In Paris at the end of the 14th century the unfortunate Duchesse d’Orléans , Valentina Visconti, was accused of using witchcraft upon the mentally ill Charles VI, and of poisoning his Dauphin, Charles. I doubt she was guilty of either. It was all politics and sneaky enemies. Isn’t it always? Louis d’Orléans was himself… Continue reading Where did the poisoning witch the Duchesse d’Orléans take refuge….?
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