Category Archives: History and related subjects

Items that relate to history or places that are of historical interest that I visit…

Detecting the Devil’s spohistry…..Bishop Gardiner (1546)
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A Detection of the Devils Sophistry…… ……..wherewith he robbeth the unlearned people of the true belief in the most blessed Sacrament of the altar.  …….By 1546 few were older; fewer still wiser; and none more unsettled than the king-made-pope, Henry … Continue reading

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James Shirley’s last Word on the State occasions….
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       The Glories of our Blood and State The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings. Sceptre and crown Must tumble … Continue reading

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Wily Winchester – the original thinking of Bishop Stephen Gardiner
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Defining terms: Gardiner’s Theology of the Supremacy De Vere Obedentia is much more than a clever piece of rhetoric – although there is plenty of rhetorical argument contained therein.  It was written between 1534 and 1535 and was published in … Continue reading

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Epitaphs: the last word said of the Great & the Good….
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  Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em – Malvolio – Twelfth Night   Margaret Thatcher’s death can hardly be regarded as a surprise. What has come to me as a surprise is … Continue reading

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Top Hats for Top Chaps or if the cap fits…..
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Easter had come and gone in flurries of snow. In my teenage days often on TV at this time of year they played that classic film musical Easter Parade – full of wonderful Irving Berlin songs; with Judy Garland and … Continue reading

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Traditionalists & Conservatives, today and yesterday

A Real Presence – The Traditionalists & the Eucharistic debate in the English Reformation The abdication of Benedict XVI is a perfect moment to examine the meaning we attach to the notions of traditionalist and conservative in the history of religion. For … Continue reading

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Why the Christmas spirit isn’t just for Christmas….

A less than seasonal greeting to our political masters….   If it is as blessed to give as to receive then taking benefits from the poorest means much more than saving the odd billion. It means it is a Christian … Continue reading

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Eminently sensible…..

Pope Benedict XVI surprised Rome by announcing an impromptu consistory on the Feast of Jesus Christ Universal King. He will create 6 new cardinal electors. There will still be no English cardinal-elector. The new cardinals are:James Michael Harvey, born in the United … Continue reading

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The Great War 1914-1918 – lest we forget

My Great-Uncle James in his uniform in 1914. He is buried in a grave by The Rock of Cashel Co Tipperay It’s a honourable place to bury a man who was in his life called a hero for his action in rescuing men … Continue reading

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Straight down the middle – the via media up close and personal

Electing the Archbishop of Canterbury   A society’s rituals – so history teaches- reflects profound truths about what we are or what we believe ourselves to be. This year the queen’s Diamond Jubilee offered us the reassurance of a link … Continue reading

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