bookmark_borderThe old man and the pillory

As Daniel Isaac Eaton was dragged to the pillory, he knew it would be useless to resist. Eaton saw a crowd gather, some estimates say as many 50,000 onlookers gathered round. There were too many people to determine what kinds of things they’d brought to throw at him.

Eaton knew London well, and he knew what happened to those who were stuck in the pillory. One hour would be a long spell, seemingly much longer than six months in prison. Sweat began to drip from his bald head. Strangers continued to pass by and gather round. Continue reading “The old man and the pillory”

bookmark_borderThe sentence for the pamphlet

Daniel Isaac Eaton waited in Newgate prison to find out what his fate would be.

Before Eaton could be convicted, a Mr. Prince Smith filed an affidavit in Eaton’s defense.

In addition to other words of common sense, Mr. Prince Smith told the court that “It was quite impossible to maintain the fear of God by force; and religion ceased to be the fear of God when it became the fear of man.” Continue reading “The sentence for the pamphlet”

bookmark_borderPolitics imitates art: When slapstick becomes government policy

Should I sue Prime Minister David Cameron for stealing my idea? It was meant to be a dumb idea, one so far-fetched that no “real-life” politician would imitate it.

Back in 1999, when I was a freshman (or fresher) at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, I came up with an epiphany. This time, for Filmmaking 101 (or introduction to filmmaking, or whatever they called it), we’d have something everyone could be involved in. Continue reading “Politics imitates art: When slapstick becomes government policy”

bookmark_border20 December 1812: The Brothers Grimm publish their first book of fairy tales

I think I shall do something different this time, because I have more than one story waiting to be told.  So, from this introduction, I shall link to those stories as they are ready. – The P.t.a.r.a. Cavy

The Brothers Grimm didn’t originally have the idea to publish folktales.  No, they heard an appeal from another writer, who was looking for traditional tales.

Their first attempt was rejected.  The publisher who the brothers sent the story too held on to it, and it wasn’t published until both Grimms were dead.Brothers Grimm monument, Hanau, Germany

Years later, they went from town to town, collecting stories in Germany.  Again, these stories were not their idea, they were meant to be folk tales that had existed for ages.

Other writers had some a similar thing, but embellished their stories, adding something personal.  The Brothers Grimm didn’t believe in this, they were more of academics.

So, when on December 20, 1812, they finally got a group of tales published, those tales were meant to be purely as the Brothers heard them.  No spicing things up to meet the demands of the market.  They treated the tales as non-fiction.

Perhaps they’d be turning in their graves if they saw not only the Disney and other adaptations of the tales they collected, but also the recent fictional movie made about them.

Well, later editions appear to show that the Brothers slowly let go of their purist streak, and eventually gave in to market forces.  No longer remembered as academics, we now see the Brothers are writers.

For another take on how the stories have gained a life of their own, check out this post by Nigel Lewis-Davidson.  And through the work or Christie Birmingham we have us three Grimm tales in one poem.

Watch this space for more stories related to the Brothers Grimm first publication.

(image credits: © Chernov | Dreamstime.com )

bookmark_borderDusseldorf’s Breidenbacher Hof is 200 years old, or is it?

In 1812, a luxurious hotel was opened in Dusseldorf by the name of Breidenbacher Hof.  Once the most expensive hotel in Germany, it is still among the best known hotels in the world. Continue reading “Dusseldorf’s Breidenbacher Hof is 200 years old, or is it?”

bookmark_borderWhen Saint Patrick’s Day was British

a loyalist bull celebrating St. Patrick's DaySt Patrick’s day “a day always precious in the estimation of the Irishman, was celebrated yesterday at the Free Mason’s Tavern.” Reported the Morning Chronicle.

So the famous playright Sheridan, the Mayor of London, and a few other notables celebrated St. Patrick’s, so what? Well, unlike in previous years, British newspapers in 1812 saw trouble brewing in these celebrations.

Continue reading “When Saint Patrick’s Day was British”