bookmark_borderHistory ‘is boring’, says bestselling historical novelist

A man yawning on a bench as an old lady tries to interest him in a game of table tennis
A Dismal Outlook by Ehrhart

The Times asked historical novelist Philippa Gregory why British school children stop studying history the moment they have that choice.

Like one third of all British 13-year-olds, Ms. Gregory chose to stop studying history at GCSE level.   It was as if her teachers ‘sat down and said “What’s the most boring thing you can possibly study to put people off studying history forever.”‘ Continue reading “History ‘is boring’, says bestselling historical novelist”

bookmark_borderDying for a cup of tea, the nightmare that became a reality

11 May, 1812.  Scourrier  House (near Redruth) Cornwall.

Mr Williams was in quite a state when he woke up his wife.

Though the Williamses lived over 250 miles from the Houses of Parliament, Mr. Williams had a vivid vision, it was as if he were in the lobby of House of Commons.  In Mr. William’s dream, an angry man sat waiting in the lobby.  Continue reading “Dying for a cup of tea, the nightmare that became a reality”

bookmark_borderPresident James Madison and the National Day of Prayer

For at least 200 years, Americans have had a national day of prayer.  Ironically, this “day of prayer” tradition seems to have been started by a man who is known as a bulwark of the separation of church and state.

Once again, President James Madison seems to be a man of contradiction.

Continue reading “President James Madison and the National Day of Prayer”

bookmark_borderIs Alexander Aan “Daniel Isaac Eaton” all over again?

An Indonesian man is facing prison for publishing a Facebook he doesn’t believe in God. He has been threatened with prison, but he has also found a large degree of support.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you probably know that 200 years ago, A British man named Daniel Isaac Eaton was sentenced to prison and the pillory for publishing a “Deist” track by Thomas Paine.

Daniel Isaac Eaton, portrait from trial
Daniel Isaac Eaton

Continue reading “Is Alexander Aan “Daniel Isaac Eaton” all over again?”

bookmark_borderTwo hundred years and 127,000 American Missionaries later

February 19th, 1812, a man named Adoniram Judson sailed from Salem harbor in Massachusetts to India, and eventually to Burma.  This trip was once called “the most important event of the nineteenth century.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if you never heard of Ann and Adoniram Judson.   I hadn’t either, until I looked at old lists of significant dates and events. Continue reading “Two hundred years and 127,000 American Missionaries later”

bookmark_borderMadison’s act of belevolence: the Venezuela Earthquake and 200 years of American foreign aid.

James Madison is often quoted as having been against hand-outs,

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.”*

Although these probably weren’t James Madison’s exact words, Congressman Madison probably said something similar.

Portrait of James Madison
Portrait of James Madison

Continue reading “Madison’s act of belevolence: the Venezuela Earthquake and 200 years of American foreign aid.”

bookmark_borderCovered (a tale of Caracas in 1812)

Men will tell you that the Republic had no faith in God; but then, why were the churches in the Capital full that day?

Some may have been there to display their gratitude (to their fellow atheists perhaps), or to ask forgiveness (from a God who they apparently did not think existed).

Ernesto Malego was there out of habit. Continue reading “Covered (a tale of Caracas in 1812)”

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_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 )