Aidan of Lindisfarne
One of St Columba's monks from the monastery of Iona, Aidan was sent as a missionary to Northumbria at the request of King Oswald, who was later to become his friend and interpreter. Consecrated Bishop of Lindisfarne in 635, Aidan worked closely with Oswald and became involved with the training of priests. From the island of Lindisfarne he was able to combine a monastic lifestyle with missionary journeys to the mainland where, through his concern for the poor and enthusiasm for preaching, he won popular support. This enabled him to strengthen the Church beyond the boundaries of Northumbria.
He died on this day in the year 651.John Cameron's
Missa Celtica includes the call of Aidan to Lindisfarne
Margaret of Beverley and Thomas her brother
Margaret's life was recorded by her brother
Thomas and shows the extent to which ordinary medieval women might take responsibility for their own lives and for other members of their families. Thomas was eleven years younger than his sister, and, when they were both orphaned, Margaret brought him up. When Thomas had finished school and entered the service of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Margaret returned to Jerusalem, where she had been born while her parents were on pilgrimage. She was in Jerusalem when it was beseiged by Saladin in 1187 and took part in its defence, carrying water to the soldiers and throwing missiles from the walls of the city.
Captured, and released, she made her way towards Antioch:
'I drew apart', she said, 'avoiding the towns and public places. In the fear of being captured, I walked always in hiding. I was garbed only in a sack that I had worn when captive: it was short and light, without colour or warmth; it scarcely covered my nudity; it was a burden at that time not having other clothing. All I had left was a Psalter; it was my one companion in the midst of this wilderness; it was all that I possessed. A loaf of bread sustained me for five days. Hunger then forced me to have recourse to roots of plants. For five days I ate nothing that humans would use to satisfy their hunger; I lived however I could. Alone, troubled, lost, I saw nothing except solitude. I had twelve streams to cross. What to do? Would the fear of dying make me risk the danger of dying? I saw no bridge anywhere. The fords that I tried filled me with terror. I could not turn back. I feared staying there and becoming a meal to the wild beasts. Fear eventually made me bold. I crossed the first river, then I crossed them all'.
2000-odd years of progress
60 AD"let us, I say, do our duty while we still remember what freedom is, that we may leave to our children not only its appellation but also its reality. For, if we utterly forget the happy state in which we were born and bred, what, pray, will they do, reared in bondage?"
680 AD"[Abbess Hilda's] prudence was so great, that not only indifferent persons, but even kings and princes, as occasion offered, asked and received her advice; she obliged those who were under her direction to attend so much to reading of the Holy Scriptures, and to exercise themselves so much in works of justice, that many might be there found fit for ecclesiastical duties, and to serve at the altar."
1820 ADWho is this approaching so slowly and majestically, this square bundle of petticoat and cloak, this road-waggon of a woman? It is, it must be Mrs. Sally Mearing, the completest specimen within my knowledge of farmeresses (may I be allowed that innovation in language?) as they were. It can be nobody else.
2005 ADShe explains how a Western aid agency recently offered her election training in Germany.
"I asked them who will come as my legal guardian and they said 'you don't need a legal guardian in Germany'.
"I said in that case I didn't want to go. They were very surprised."
Boudicca had more convenient clothing in 60 AD, as well.
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
The establishment of the
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village Trust by the then Borough Council of Bury St. Edmunds enabled the study of the Anglo-Saxons to be developed in an exciting and unique way by the reconstruction of a number of buildings on their original sites. Much of the work is experimental and achieved by translating the interpretation of what was found into practical reconstructions, using the tools and methods believed to have been available to the Anglo-Saxons. Although the site is primarily concerned with experimental archaeology, at this stage it does already possess an evocative sense of the past in a way that cannot be captured by text-books.
SUMMER 505 AD: AT HOME WITH THE SAXONSA chance to meet a typical family of Anglo-Saxons, when the Ynglingas come to live in the reconstructed houses at West Stow with their own unique brand of costume re-enactment. (Mon 15 - Sun 21 Aug)
Angelcynn come to the reconstructed Village, bringing costume & crafts and showing us how
clothing related to status in Anglo-Saxon society. (Sat 27 - Tues 30 Aug).
The Ynglingas arrive to bring the reconstructed Village to life with demonstrations of
Anglo-Saxon crafts throughout half term week: woodwork, textiles, metalwork, cooking and much more! (Sat 22 - Fri 28 Oct).
The reconstructed hut at the
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, near Bury St Edmunds, was built in the early 1990s. But after it burnt down in February, researchers seized the chance to learn from it.
All the huts on the site are reconstructions based on little more than charcoal marks in the sand - all that was left of the original huts burnt down 1500 years ago. That discovery in the 1960s completely changed views about what Anglo-Saxon homes were like. And the hope is that more can be learnt by studying the remains left after the reconstruction burnt down.
Our Island Story
Due to be republished in
September, but also available
online
A defence of free speech by Sir James Mackintosh
... and evidently the remarkable invention of spin by Elizabeth I.
"When the First Consul, during the peace of Amiens, demanded that liberty of the press in England should be placed under restraints not recognised by the constitution, he was thus answered by the British government: 'His Majesty neither can nor will, in consequence of any representation or menace from a foreign power, make any concession which may be in the smallest degree dangerous to the liberty of the press, as secured by the constitution of this country. This liberty is justly dear to every British subject: the constitution admits of no previous restraints upon publications of any description: but there exist judicatures wholly independent of the executive, capable of taking cognisance of such publications as the law deems to be criminal; and which are bound to inflict the punishment the delinquents may deserve. These judicatures may investigate and punish not only libels against the government and magistracy of this kingdom, but, as has been repeatedly experienced, of publications defamatory of those in [333] whose hands the administration of foreign governments is placed. Our government neither has, nor wants, any other protection than what the laws of the country afford; and though they are willing and ready to give to every foreign government all the protection against offences of this nature, which the principle of their laws and constitution will admit, they never can consent to new-model their laws, or to change their constitution, to gratify the
wishes of any foreign power.'"
Napoleon promptly took this advice and sued a certain M. Peltier for libel, with somewhat mixed success as Mackintosh's defence speech is far more memorable than the original publication he was complaining about:
"[The French] Revolution has spared many monarchies, but it has spared no republic within the sphere of its destructive energy. One republic only now exists in the world—a republic of English blood, which was originally composed of republican societies, under the protection of a monarchy, which had, therefore, no great and perilous change in their internal constitution to effect; and of which, I speak it with pleasure and pride, the inhabitants, even in the convulsions of a most deplorable separation, displayed the humanity as well as valor which, I trust I may say, they inherited from their forefathers."
[...]
"It is a curious fact that in the year of the Armada, Queen Elizabeth caused to be printed the first gazettes that ever appeared in England; and I own, when I consider that this mode of rousing a national spirit was then absolutely unexampled, that she could have no assurance of its efficacy from the precedents of former times, I am disposed to regard her having recourse to it as one of the most sagacious experiments, one of the greatest discoveries of political genius, one of the most striking anticipations of future experience that we find in history. I mention it to you to justify the opinion that I have ventured to state of the close connection of our national spirit with our Press—even our periodical Press."
Delivered before the Court of King’s Bench in February, 1803, at the
trial of Jean Peltier, accused of libeling Napoleon Bonaparte. Peltier, in a paper called “L’Ambigu,” had suggested that Bonaparte, then first consul, be assassinated. The jury decided that incitement to murder
was illegal in Britain.
However, Napoleon was not out of the woods:
"The genius of his advocate did not [334] save Peltier from a verdict of guilty: but as hostilities with France were soon renewed, he was not called up for judgment. Meanwhile the First Consul had continued to express his irritation at the English newspapers, between which and the newspapers of France a warm controversy was raging; and finding that they could not be repressed by law, he desired that the government should at least restrain those newspapers which were supposed to be under its influence. But here again he was met by explanations concerning the independence of English editors, which he found it difficult to comprehend; and no sooner was war declared, than all the newspapers joined in a chorus of vituperation against Napoleon Bonaparte, without any fears of the attorney-general."
Tony Blair must wish he had the same protection against
incitement to assassinate as Napoleon, though.
Boggle!
"With his first column for this paper, my new colleague, Osama bin Laden, reminds us how rarely today's commentators attempt to take the long view. Leaving aside our regular references to the emperor who made his horse a consul, and the occasional, hazy deployment of Walter Bagehot, most journalists clearly feel that too much dwelling on the past will sound either schoolmasterish, or show-offy, or both at the same time.
No such scruples beset Mr Bin Laden, who this week compared Arab rulers who cooperate with the Americans with "our forefathers, the Ghassanids". Perhaps sensing that parts of his audience may not be au fait with these forefathers - whom I now understand to have been an ancient, pre-Islamic tribe living in what are today's Jordan and southern Syria - he supplied the following gloss: "Their leaders' concern was to be appointed kings and officers for the Romans in order to safeguard the interests of the Romans by killing their brothers, the peninsula's Arabs. Such is the case of the new Ghassanids, the Arab rulers. Muslims, if you do not punish them for their sins in Jerusalem and Iraq, they will defeat you. They will also rob you of the land of the two holy places.""
(Catherine Bennett, "
My fellow columnist, Osama ",
The Guardian, Thursday January 8, 2004)
Not sure she's entirely right about this -
these guys are still pretty peeved about 1066, and what about
this? - New York, mark I in New England, ditto, just NE of Constantinople. Given by a grateful Byzantine empire to the English Varangian guard (refugees from
1066 and all that).
Would be quite awkward if we asked for it back. The Varangians are actually rather fun - the Byzantines were quite chuffed to make contact with a bit of the old Roman empire in the west - think Star Ship Enterprise finds long-lost colony of Earth - and don't seem to have quite realised that it was under new management.
You can hear what Byzantine music sounded like
here, including a lament for the fall of Constantinople.
Half a mile in 9,000 years!
Adrian Targett's family have taken 9,000 years to move half a mile down the road from their original home. The website gets the story slightly wrong as Cheddar man is actually the Targett family's many-times great uncle, rather than their grandfather as mitochondrial DNA is inherited in the
female line.
Celtica Festival 20th August
Saturday 20th August 2005
Celtica Craft Fair and Celtic Festival
Druids
Musicians
Craftsmen
Storytellers
and much more
"Just some of the people you’ll meet at this year’s Craft Fair and Festival at Celtica. From midday onwards the Plas will be buzzing with all kinds of activities for all the family, both young and young at heart.
In the Craft Fair, we’ll have craftsmen showing you their techniques and ready to sell you their wares. In the Festival we’ll be staging battles between Romans and Britons (and you can take part too); there’ll be the Druid telling you gripping stories about gods, heroes and beasts that are thousands of years old; and we’ll bring you musicians from Wales and Brittany who’ll play you toe-tapping dance music that’s come down over the centuries.
Admission: £1.00!
We’re not keeping it a secret - just come along and have some fun!
To receive further information about the Celtica Craft Fair & Celtic Festival, please contact
Celtica Festival or telephone Celtica on 01654 702702."
Treason and plot
Not sure about the
moves to re-introduce trials for
treasonI wouldn't mind if the clauses in
Magna Carta that discourage taxes for
silly purposes kicked in, though.
August 8th 1588
"We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honor and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or
Spain or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field."
Music from the time of the Spanish Armada:
York Waits
August 7th 1205
King John granted the town of Huntingdon its
Royal Charter confirming it as a borough with the right to hold weekly markets.
If you're interested in hearing what some authentic music from the 13th Century sounded like,
Estampie have recorded a CD of songs and music associated with that other famous Huntingdon-related character,
Robin Hood, Earl of Huntingdon. Amazon allow free downloading of samples of some tracks, including
Ja nuls homs pris by Richard Cœur de Lion, John's elder brother.
The New Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
A clever resource for learning Old English.
Anno MMII Æfterra Liða - iii d: Her æt Husayba on Iraqes ond Syriae mearce on Euphrates-ea Iraqisce weargas fuhton wið utlandiscum Al-Qaediscum, for þær Al-Qaeda þryccedon þa ceasterware mid heardre Islamiscre æwe. Ond in Riyadh Saudisce æweardas ascuton Yûnis Muhammad Ibrâhîm al-Hayyârî ond he wæs Al-Qaedan heretoga for Saudiscre Arabiae.
- iv d: Her in Eadwinebyrig(1) in Scotlande ongann great scawung folca wið þæm capitalismus for þæm þe on .v. dæge ond æfterra wæs great gemot þeoda neah æt Gleneagles.
- vi d: Her man ceos þæt in geare .mmxii. þa Olympiscan Plegan beo in Lundene in Englalande.
- vii d: Her æfter middandæge sume macodon utberstunga in folcberendum in Lundene, ond acwelledon folca, ond mæg beon þæt þis is dæd Al-Qaedan.
(1) Edinburgh.
Not sure what the original chroniclers would have made of
George Galloway's mini-
danelaw in Bethnal Green, though.
Festival-day of Oswald of Northumbria, 5th August
Born around the year 605, the son of King Ælfrith of Northumbria, Oswald was forced to leave home after his father's death and move to Iona where, influenced by the monks of St Columba, he was baptised. Returning to Northumbria in 634, Oswald defeated the British king, setting up a cross as his standard and gathering his men around it to pray the night before the battle. A man of humility and generosity, Oswald worked closely with his friend
St Aidan, travelling with him on his missionary journeys and acting as his interpreter. He died in battle on this day in 642 defending his kingdom from the Mercians.
First one to quote from the Battle of Maldon loses?
Taking the evidence of Powell and Pressburger's wartime films, it is not too much to claim that they saw death on the right, romantic and losing side as better than victory on the side of greed, modernisation and injustice. Colonel Blimp, his wife (Deborah Kerr) dead and the house of his childhood bombed into ruins, finds that the morale-raising broadcast he is due to make, on the need for fair play in war even at the cost of defeat, is cancelled by the government advocates of total warfare.
The enemy is within the gates.
Timelines
Interesting
timeline of the Navajo people in the Americas. We tend to think of indigenous native peoples as having lived in their current areas "for ever" and of ourselves as relative newcomers. This is certainly not true of the Welsh, who not only predate the Navajo, but also the legendary Anasazi (ancient old ones) before them. Even the Scots, English, Vikings and Normans come in at fairly respectable second, third, fourth and fifth positions.
Reincarnated as the Indy?
For it has always been a custom with our nation, as it is at present, to be impotent in repelling foreign foes, but bold and invincible in raising civil war, and bearing the burdens of their offences: they are impotent, I say, in following the standard of peace and truth, but bold in wickedness and falsehood.
...
But besides this vice, there arose also every other, to which human nature is liable and in particular that hatred of truth, together with her supporters, which still at present destroys every thing good in the island; the love of falsehood, together with its inventors, the reception of crime in the place of virtue, the respect shown to wickedness rather than goodness
(On the Ruin of Britain, by Gildas the Wise, written in about 550 AD) Obviously everything has been All Our Fault for a very long time....
