Blog Archives - Meandering Through Time

Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon and Northhampton.

31/5/2016

Following the Harrowing of the North, William the Conqueror set his sights on East Anglia, where men like Waltheof and Hereward the Wake were resisting Norman forces, eventually though, Waltheof accepted Norman authority and was rewarded for this with an advantageous marriage to the Conqueror's niece, Judith of Lens.

In the bottom left of my photograph taken at Crowland Abbey in Lincolnshire, you can see a representation of Waltheof.

Five years later, Waltheof was suspected of being involved in what has come to be known as the Revolt of the Earls.

Historians differ over what exactly his involvement was, the Anglo Saxon Chronicle state that he one of its ringleaders, while Orderic Vitalis and William of Malmesbury suggest that he knew of the revolt but had sworn an oath to keep quiet. It was inevitable though, that news of Waltheof's actions would come to the Conquerors attentions, and when it did Waltheof confessed his guilt to the conqueror in person.

Ignoring the Earl's words, William the Conqueror ordered that he be tried, he was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Following a year in prison Waltheof was executed on the 31st May 1076 at St. Giles's Hill, near Winchester. His decapitated body was thrown in a ditch, however it was later recovered and buried in the chapter house of Crowland Abbey where it lay, untouched, for sixteen years until in 1092.

That year a fire in the chapter house forced Ingulph, Abbot of Crowland, to have Waltheof’s body moved elsewhere. On
opening the coffin it was said that the Earl's corpse was found to be intact, his severed head re-joined to the trunk.

Helston Fair and Oliver Cromwell's Skull

25/5/2016

I read a funny little story recently regarding Helston Fair in the County of Cornwall and the skull of Oliver Cromwell.

In a book entitled Around Helston in the Old Days, the author, A S Oates tells of one travelling showman named Maxwell.
Maxwell carried with him a box in which he said was the skull of the Lord Protector, and for a penny you would be able to view it. Oates writes that after his penny was paid and the skull viewed, puzzled, he remarked to Maxwell.

"Here's a funny thing Maxwell, I've a photograph of Oliver Cromwell at home in a book, he's pictured as having a very large head. The skull you have in your box is a very small one. How do you account for that?"

The peddler replied promptly

"Oh, this was his skull when he was a boy!"

Greek Mythology: Phineus

16/5/2016

In Greek mythology, Phineus was a prophet and the ruler of a region known as Thrace, ancient lands thought to have been bordered by the Balkan and Rhodope mountains and the Aegean and Black Sea.

Phineus was gifted with remarkable foresight, but eventually he suffers the scorn of Zeus, the king of the gods on Mount Olympus. His father is thought to have been Agenor, King of Tyre, or one of Agenor's sons, Phoenix or Poseidon, who we know to be the Greek god of the sea. Phineus was said to have been married three times, he is tricked by his second wife into blinding his two sons by his first wife.

This is one reason why Phineus is punished with blindness himself, but the popular version is the one we see in the 1963 film Jason and the Arognauts, which is prophesying too accurately and revealing divine truths to mortals.
As further punishment, Zeus leaves him on an island were there is ample food and drink, but none of which Phineus can eat, for Zeus has sent Harpies to steal away from him every last crumb.

Phineus' punishment continues until Jason and the Argonauts come ashore on his island and hear his story. In return for freeing him from his tormentors Phineus tells Jason how to reach Colchis, the island that holds the Golden Fleece.

In the 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts, Phineus is played by Dr Who actor Patrick Troughton.
In the first of the two images you can see a drawing of the Harpies by Ray Harryhausen and in the second how close to his drawings the figures in the film are.

Alfred the Great

16/5/2016

I wonder how many people remember the story of Alfred burning the cakes from school? It was Rudyard Kipling who said “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten” and how right was he.

The retelling of the tale of Alfred's stint in a Somerset kitchen has kept him alive in our collective memories for over one thousand and nine hundred years. Alfred was, as Edward Freeman, English historian calls him "the most perfect character in history’ Alfred is an English hero, who in my opinion, is a match for Henry V and outshines Richard I by miles.

England had been over run by the dreaded Vikings, they had taken Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia, only Alfred's
Wessex was left. Alfred's battle at Edington in 879, fought on the side of a double ditched iron age hill fort, against an uncoordinated band of Vikings under its leader Guthrum, is not often remembered. Forgotten too is that he persuaded
Guthrum to convert to Christianity. Alfred's control of these marauding Vikings paved the way for the future unity of England.

As time as passed, Alfred's popularity has waxed and waned. Over the centuries he has had to do battle with the cult of
King Arthur, whose was much loved by the Tudor King Henry VII and the Victorians. Alfred was popular during the French Wars, the opera Alfred, by Thomas Arne is about him. The opera famously ended in Rule Britannia, which isexactly what Alfred did.

Alfred the Great is not remembered for anything specific, he is remembered for his fairness and his military achievements, great achievements that lead to a kingdom being able to develop it own national identity.

King Alfred the Great died on the 26th October 899, at the age of about 50.

Laurence Olivier/Richard III

12/5/2016

Laurence Olivier was born on the 22nd May 1907, for me he is best remembered for his portrayal of King Richard III and the haunted and incredibly handsome Maxim de Winter in Daphne de Maurier's Rebecca.

Olivier was brilliant in the role of Shakespeare's Richard, the "Winter of discontent" scene is a fine example of this man's talents. Olivier doesn't ignore the camera but uses it as a tool to talk to us directly, making us believe that we are actually in the same room as the fifteenth century king.

The close ups are particularly unnerving, resulting in the audiences intimidation being turned to hate.

I have never been able to work out whether Olivier took the film seriously. He is known for his dry humour and his big personality, I cannot make out if he is being funny. The scene at the window for instance he uses his eyebrows to great effect is a prime example or is he just playing Richard as a ludicrous villain as Shakespeare intended?

A review of this film when it was first released stated:

"this is a superb and bold achievement, most honourable to Shakespeare and to the actor-producer-director, something of a cinematographic miracle."

This is true, the only one who loses here is Richard himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDxnXgYPnKg

Laurence Olivier is one of my favourite actors (Peter O'Toole in the Lion in Winter ranks highly too.) His stage performances are legendary, he was superb as Heathcliffe in Withering Heights and not a little bit naughty in his private life if his letters to Vivian Leigh are anything to go by.

The Indictment of Queen Anne Boleyn

12/5/2016

Anne Boleyn was accused of adultery with five men, including her brother George whose wife, Lady Rochford, testified that her husband had been 'intimate' with Anne. On the 10th May 1536 a jury decided that Anne and George Boleyn along with Sir Henry Norris, Sir William Brereton, Mark Smeaton and Sir Francis Weston should be indicted and stand trial.

George's marriage had been a arranged, and was thought not to be a happy one. Jane is said to have hated both her husband and her sister in law and her words although untruths, carried a lot of weight.

Extract from the indictment listing the charges against Anne Boleyn (catalogue reference: KB 8/9, f. 9v)

Detail of alleged incest between Anne and George Boleyn (catalogue reference: KB 8/9, f. 10r)

It has never been proved it was Jane who set the wheels in motion regarding Anne's downfall, but someone did. However, Jane didn't learn anything from the whole affair, and went on to encourage the liaison between Catherine Howard and Thomas Culpepper. Jane must have known what would happen if Henry found out that she was involved but it didn't stop her meddling.

The Indictment

Indictment found at Westminster on Wednesday next after three weeks of Easter, 28 Hen. VIII. before Sir John Baldwin, &c., by the oaths of Giles Heron, Roger More, Ric. Awnsham, Thos. Byllyngton, Gregory Lovell, Jo. Worsop, Will. Goddard, Will. Blakwall, Jo. Wylford, Will. Berd, Hen. Hubbylthorn, Will. Hunyng, Rob. Walys, John England, Hen. Lodysman, and John Averey; who present that whereas queen Anne has been the wife of Henry VIII. for three years and more, she, despising her marriage, and entertaining malice against the King, and following daily her frail and carnal lust, did falsely and traitorously procure by base conversations and kisses, touchings, gifts, and other infamous incitations, divers of the King's daily and familiar servants to be her adulterers and concubines, so that several of the King's servants yielded to her vile provocations; viz., on 6th Oct. 25 Hen. VIII., at Westminster, and divers days before and after, she procured, by sweet words, kisses, touches, and otherwise, Hen. Noreys, of Westminster, gentle man of the privy chamber, to violate her, by reason whereof he did so at Westminster on the 12th Oct. 25 Hen. VIII.; and they had illicit intercourse at various other times, both before and after, sometimes by his procurement, and sometimes by that of the Queen. Also the Queen, 2 Nov. 27 Hen. VIII. and several times before and after, at Westminster, procured and incited her own natural brother, George Boleyn lord Rocheford, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, alluring him with her tongue in the said George's mouth, and the said George's tongue in hers, and also with kisses, presents, and jewels; whereby he, despising the commands of God, and all human laws, 5 Nov. 27 Hen. VIII., violated and carnally knew the said Queen, his own sister, at Westminster; which he also did on divers other days before and after at the same place, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 3 Dec. 25 Hen. VIII., and divers days before and after, at Westminster, procured one Will. Bryerton, late of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so on 8 Dec. 25 Hen. VIII., at Hampton Court, in the parish of Lytel Hampton, and on several other days before and after, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 8 May 26 Hen. VIII., and at other times before and since, procured Sir Fras. Weston, of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, &c., whereby he did so on the 20 May, &c. Also the Queen, 12 April 26 Hen. VIII., and divers days before and since, at Westminster, procured Mark Smeton, groom of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so at Westminster, 26 April 27 Hen. VIII.

You can read more on on The National Archives website here
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/six-wives-archives-trial-anne-boleyn/

The Coronation of King John

11/5/2016

On the 27th May 1199, John the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was crowned King of England.

John can often be found at the top of the leader board when there is a vote for England's worst king, and this always
irritates me. John was disadvantaged from the start: Squabbling parents, youngest son, a spoilt and show off older brother, grumpy barons and a bankrupt country. Richard I, England's blue eyed boy, was a hard act to follow and I quote from W L Warren who, like me, has some sympathy for John.

In regard to Richard he writes:

"If Richard had lived another five years, there would have been one notable difference in the course of the campaign. The
king himself would have been on the heights above Les Andelys and even when all else had gone, Richard would have been
urging the citizens of Rouen to arms, parrying the first assault with blows of his great sword..."

This then is how history views Richard, Warren then goes on to write:

"By comparison with Richard, then, John has been seen as a weedy little tick"

England's problems, created by Richard, were blamed on John and when he had difficulty dealing with them he is
labeled a bad king.

Coronets of the Princes of Wales

11/5/2016

When Edward, the future Edward VIII, was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle on the 13th July 1911, a single arched, silver gilt coronet, was used. It was intended that this coronet be used at the investiture of future Princes of Wales, but following Edward's abdication the coronet did not form part of the crown jewels.

Edward, Prince of Wales wearing the gold coronet used in the investiture.

The Duke of Windsor was in self imposed exile in France after his abdication on the 10th December 1936. He left for Europe the following day, not only did he take his private belongings, he took what was not his, the coronet used at his investiture, which stayed in his possession until his death in 1972.

A previous coronet, known as the Coronet of George, was made in 1901 for George, future George V as Prince of Wales to wear at the coronation of his father, Edward VII, in 1902. Apart from the Coronet of George, there was one other coronet owned by a Prince of Wales, this was the Coronet of Fredrick made for Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1728.

The Coronet of Fredrick

When Prince Charles, the present Prince of Wales, was invested at Caernarfon Castle on July 1969, a new coronet had to
be made. Fredrick's coronet was too fragile to be used and the coronet used in 1911 was 'unavailable.' To ask for its return
from the Duke of Windsor would have proved embarrassing and no doubt, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, would not have entertained the idea. She had disliked both Edward and Wallis Simpson, she blamed them for the problems they caused the country but also for the distress they had inflicted on her husband. I imagine it was simpler to have a new coronet made
rather than have had any contact with the disgraced duke.

The Coronet of Charles followed rules set in place by King Charles II. The Stuart king specified that it must have just two
half arches, rather than the traditional four and has at its centre a globe, over which a cross should stand.

The Coronet of Charles

Robert and Elizabeth Carey: My last Real Link with Nobility.

9/5/2016

Everyone has their favourite era within history and mine, of course, is the medieval period.

This is due in part to the fact that I have a keen interest in Richard III and the Wars of the Roses, but I think
its also due to the fact, that whilst researching my family history, I have found that I have family connections that
place me in the 17th century, right in the middle of a time of change within the monarchy and society itself.

Being able to look at an important event from a personal point of view, of how it affected a particular family member, makes these events much easier to understand, and consequently makes the wider time frame so much more interesting.

By the time of the early eighteenth century my family had moved from being members of the royal family, through the nobility into the time of the ordinary man. My last real association with monarchy is with Elizabeth Trevanion, wife of Robert Carey
who was grandson of Mary Boleyn. Elizabeth, seen here with her three children, was responsible for the care of
King Charles I as a small boy. After this, my family are classed as gentry/very minor land owners and later agricultural labourers, merchant seamen and miners.

Don't get me wrong, these people are very important too, they have their own story to tell.

One of the men I admire most is my great great grandfather, whose hard life brings a tear to my eye every time I
think of him, but it turns out that he is not to be my blood ancestor at all.

With the above in mind, I think one of the reasons my least favourite group of monarchs are the Hanoverian's,
I have no point of reference, no one to link to the main events in the lives these monarchs.

My great great grandfathers story can be read here:

http://meanderingthroughtime.weebly.com/the-taylors-story.html

The Last Farewell of Wotan and Brunhilde

9/5/2016

In Norse mythology the Valkyries are 'choosers of the slain,' and in Wagner's Die Walkure they are the daughters of
Wotan or Odin.

Among the Valkyries it is Brunhilde who is Wotan's favourite, all but Brunhilde are gathered together at a top of a mountain collecting dead heroes to take to Valhalla. Eventually she does turns up, but instead of a fallen hero she is carrying a live woman which the other Valkyries realise is in defiance of her father’s orders. Brunhilde tells her sisters that she has been trying to protect Wotan’s illegitimate son Siegmund and that the women she holds in her arms is the pregnant Sieglinde,
lover and also the twin of Siegmund.

An angry Wotan soon arrives and orders the rest of the Valkyries away, in his fury he orders that Brunhilde should become
a mortal woman and left on the mountain at the mercy of any man who passes that way. She pleads with her father and reminds him of Siegmund's courage begging him try to understand. Seeing him less angry she takes the opportunity to ask
for a last request she asks "if I am to be left on the mountain may I be surrounded by a fire that would keep away all but
the bravest of heroes" Wotan agrees.

We can see in the image the final act of Wagner's opera depicted in Ferdinand Leeke's work entitled
The Last Farewell of Wotan and Brunhilde, the love Wotan has for his favourite daughter can be see so clearly here.

Nevertheless Wotan kisses Brunhilde's eyes closed and calls for the Norse god of fire to ignite the circle of flame.