Three Times A Queen

If there was ever a woman who was born to be queen, it was Mary, Queen of Scots.

Mary Stuart was born to King James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise (France) at Linlithgow Palace, Scotland on Dec 8, 1542. Her  father died only 6 days later. As the King's only surviving legitimate heir, Mary was recognized as Queen of Scotland with her mother serving as Regent. (Queen x 1)

At the age of 5, Mary was sent to the court of King Henry II and his wife Queen Catherine de Medici of France for both her safety and to secure a future marriage that would result in an alliance between the Scottish and French nations. Mary's mother's family, the Guises, also supported her. Eventually, Mary did marry Prince Francis making her the Queen Consort of France, until Francis died. (Queen x 2)

Mary also had English Tudor blood which made her a legitimate heir to the English throne. At this time, there was much religious turmoil between Catholicism and Protestantism. Mary, being Catholic, was considered the next logical sovereign of England to the faithful Catholic believers over her protestant cousin Princess Elizabeth I (the future Queen Elizabeth I). (Queen x 3)

Unfortunately, being born with a great destiny doesn't mean your ending is a happy one. Mary's rule was plagued with hardships from the very beginning, but it was her unwise marriages and scandals that caused her downfall.

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On the run again after her latest scandal, Mary decided to evade her pursuers by trusting her life to her cousin Elizabeth in England. Naively, Mary believed the words of kindness in the letters sent to her. Unfortunately, Mary's very presence in England caused Elizabeth problems and so Elizabeth had little choice, but to imprison Mary. She couldn't leave Mary roaming free to encourage a Catholic uprising.

Mary was held prisoner for many years and was eventually implicated in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. It is possible that Queen Elizabeth's chief advisor set Mary up in order to win Elizabeth's approval to sentence Mary to death and be done with her.

History shows that Elizabeth was reluctant to grant Mary a death sentence, but it is not known if the hesitance was because of familial love (even though they never met in person) or because Mary was a Queen in her own right and Elizabeth didn't want to start a precedence of assassinating anointed Queens. It is probably a bit of both.

 

 

The Floating Dungeons of Wallabout Bay, NY

Brooklyn is not a typical city we think of when we think about the Revolutionary War. In reality, though, no colony escaped the perils of history at this time and that included all of NY. 

One thing that I find particularly interesting about the war in and around Brooklyn is that many people forget about the floating dungeons anchored off shore in Wallabout Bay, NY. The fact is that more people died on prison ships than they did in actual combat during the entire Revolution. 

One of the most notorious of these ships was the HMS Jersey, aka Hell. It was a wooden war ship that had been decommissioned and repurposed by the British. Thousands who were held captive on board  never again saw freedom. Wretched conditions such as overcrowding, lack of fresh water, spoiled food, rampant disease, and torture made prisoners wish for death. 

Yet even with so much suffering, it is significant to note that there is no record of any captive renouncing to fight for the revolution to gain his freedom. That was the measure of the American resolve. Unfortunately, the Battle of Brooklyn was a huge loss for the American Revolutionary forces.

Today a monument stands in Fort Green Park, Brooklyn in honor of those who died on board the ships. Remains of roughly 20 prisoners are buried in a crypt under the monument.

Reference

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/the-hms-jersey

The Honjo Masamune

"The finest Japanese sword to ever have existed."

The Honjo Masamune is a traditional Japanese sword forged by the priest and legendary swordsmith Goro Nyudo Masamune. Masamune is believed to have actively made swords during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and is considered by many to have perfected the art. His blades are renowned for their superior quality and beauty in a time when metals were heavily impure.

Swords were often gifted their own name, including the name of their maker who also, in the process of their making, imparted them with a spirit of their own. It is not known for certain how the Honjo acquired its name, but it is thought that it is derived from the name of a General whose helmet was cleaved by the sword. But instead of dying the General rallied and later took the sword for himself.

The Honjo was carried by the Shogunate during battle in the Edo period and was handed down through the generations from one warrior to another. Eventually it found its way to the Tokugawa clan where it stayed until the end of WWII.

Unfortunately, a law was passed requiring Japanese citizens to hand their swords which were then melted down. The Honjo was turned in by its owner, but it's final fate is unclear.

Records show that the sword was handed over to an American soldier, but that is where the tale ends. It is possible that the sword was hidden away to avoid being melted down, but most feel that the a soldier, under a false name, took the sword home as a souvenir.

The Honjo is believed to be Masamune's finest sword and is revered to this day as a Japanese national treasure. I personally hope that the sword avoided destruction and that, even if  only a slight chance, it will be discovered again and returned to Japan.

The Doctor's Pit

Kaluakauka means "The Doctor's Pit"


Nineteenth century botanist Dr. David Douglas, whose name is synonymous with the Douglas Fir tree, traveled to many distant locations while on his search for new plant species. His last exploration in 1834 took him to the Hawaiian islands where, on Mt. Mauna Kea, his life came to a mysterious and tragic end.


It is known that Dr. Douglas stopped at the hut of a man named Edward "Ned" Gurney to ask for directions. It is not known exactly what was said between them, but Ned followed Douglas for a while and supposedly warned him to be careful of animal traps he had set on the mountain.


Later that day, villagers arrived at Gurney's hut to inform him that the Dr. had been killed. He had fallen into a wild bull pit and was trampled to death by a trapped bull. Ned went to the pit, shot the bull, and sewed Douglas's body up in a leather hide. Gurney paid locals to carry Douglas's body seven miles down the mountain to the village of Hilo where it was handed over to missionaries.


So far the whole thing sounds like an accident. The problem is Gurney's past history. His previous life had not been far above street urchin. He stole to survive. He was then convicted for stealing, and was sentenced to seven years in Botany Bay penal colony. On the way, however, he jumped ship and was able to survive on the slopes of Mauna Kea hunting and trapping wild animals.


The fact that there was a huge difference in social status didn't go unnoticed either. It was suggested that Gurney saw Douglas flash some money during their meeting at the hut. It was then that Gurney developed a plan to take it from him.


Even though the evidence supports Douglas's death as an accident rumors still spread that Gurney lead him into a trap and purposely killed him. Though Gurney denied the accusations and was never convicted of the crime, he was ridiculed and tormented about it for the rest of his life.


In 1934, one hundred years after his death, a monument was erected on the spot where Douglas died. The site is known as Kaluakauka, or "the Doctor's Pit."

Best Wishes Shelley

Shelley Duvall is an American actress whose career started when she was found by a scout working for director Robert Altman in 1969. She has played a series of roles ranging from Popeye's love interest Olive Oil in the fun loving movie Popeye opposite Robin Williams to the unfortunate wife in the movie The Shining along side Jack Nicholson. She is also known for her work in Faerie Tale Theater which brought to life twenty-six endearing classic bedtime stories.





The one time Hollywood star has retired from acting and avoids most social engagements for mental health reasons. Recently Shelley was interviewed by the Psychiatrist Dr. Phil on his talk show of the same name on November 18, 2016. The episode clearly shows Ms. Duvall in a severely deteriorated mental state for which Dr. Phil has received numerous letters expressing anger and disgust that he would use her sensitive condition as entertainment fodder. Whether this was his main intent we can only speculate.






During the interview Shelley gave us a glimpse into the degree of her issues. She does not believe that her friend Robin Williams is really dead. Rather, he is a shape shifter. The Sherriff of Nottingham is after her. And she has what she calls a "worry disc."






Co-star Jack Nicholson has said that he remembers clumps of  her hair falling out due to stress. Apparently her symptoms manifested as far back as when they were working on the movie The Shining.






As tragic as her condition is, she made it clear that she at least is aware of her problem and is now seeking help. Acknowledging the situation is the first step to overcoming any complication. I can't say that appearing on the Dr. Phil show would be my first choice for obtaining that help, but she should be credited for her courage in taking the next step...especially when you consider that she has lived the last decade of her life as a recluse due to fear that "entities" are out to get her.




The reveal of the tragic state of this beloved actor compounds for the rest of us the loss we feel for the passing of some of the world's most famous celebrities in 2016. This year we have said goodbye to such greats as John Glenn, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Debbie Reynolds, and Muhammad Ali.






For your remaining years, Ms. Duvall, I want you to know that you are still loved and I wish you the best of luck with the journey ahead of you.

Dr. Physick's Black Cherry Soda

In 1807 the pioneering Dr. Philip Physick of Philadelphia, Pa. introduced to the American people a carbonated beverage for which he believed would  aid in the relief gastric disorders. Later, flavoring was added to make the concoction more palatable and thus "America's First Soda" was born.

Today Dr. Physick's great-great-great grandson, J. Del Conner, share's his ancestor's legacy by bottling the original formula for the enjoyment of the public. Bottles of black cherry flavored soda can be purchased at Dr. Physick's historical home at 321 South 4th St., and other shops around the Independence Mall area.

I got my first sample while taking a carriage tour with my parents. As we were narrated on the history of the buildings surrounding us our driver curiously pulled over in front of the Physick House, wrapped on the door, and out popped a man in period costume with big bushy eyebrows. After a few seconds of whispering shared between the two, our guide continued with stories for our historical enlightenment.

A moment later out comes Mr. Connor, Dr. Physick's descendant, with three bottles of soda. After our thankyou's were exchanged we continued our expedition with a tasteful, old fashioned, and original souvenir that made our experience all the better. We drank happily while taking in the sights and I have to say I can't imagine a better way to experience Philadelphia for the first time!

Richard III Rages On

It's quite fascinating when you can match a skeleton to significant events that happened in history. It is especially true, for some reason, when in life that person had a truly terrible reputation. And the more mysterious the story surrounding the person the better.

The finding of King Richard III's skeleton under a parking lot in 2012 in Leicester, England is absolutely fascinating. This is a guy who participated in the Wars of the Roses, conspired against his nephew's, the tragic "Princes in the Tower," in order to steal the crown, and is the last English king to have died in battle, thus ending the Plantagenet dynasty introducing the Tudor's.

His severe scolioses left his back deformed, and although not entirely true, it is the reason modern cinema exaggerates his character by portraying him as a hunchbacked tyrannical monster.

Though, if you look further into his reign, you find evidence that he did have the welfare of his subjects in mind putting in place specific laws designed to protect them from nobles who would exploit them. Unfortunately, we will never really know if Richard III was as nasty as history tells us or if he was simply an unfortunate product of his time.

Currently, there is fierce dispute between the current members of the Plantagenet family and Leicester University over who has final authority over Richard's remains. His modern relatives exclaim that he should be brought back to his home in York and re-interred properly...with the dignity due a one-time-king of England. They fear that if left to the University Richard would only be used to promote the University's hidden agenda's leaving him unable to rest in peace.

The University, on the other hand, claims they would not use him so shamefully and that he would have all the honor and respect due him. And if it weren't for them, Richard would not have had this last chance for glory, having stayed forever forgotten under the black top of an insignificant car park on campus grounds.

The vote is still out.

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Richard III was born into a world of political turmoil, resulting from the ongoing feud between two branches of the ruling Plantagenet family. They were the York's (Richard III's line) and the Lancastrian's (Henry Tudor's line). Their skirmishes are legendary and are referred to as the "War of the Roses" because both their herald's were of roses, one white, one red... which symbolized their closeness to the English throne.

Richard was eight years old when his father, a brother, and an uncle were killed at the battle of Wakefield in 1460. As a result Richard essentially lived in hiding and was eventually forced to flee the country. The struggles he endured throughout his young life caused him to grow-up much faster than most children and may also explain his callous demeanor.

Richard's fortune changed for the better when his brother Edward seized control of the crown. He was created Duke of Gloucester and supported his brother vehemently. (Not so with another brother who tried Edward's patience once too often; George was executed as a traitor in 1478.) Richard's loyalty and skill with a sword earned him favor with his brother the king and was named Lord Protector of Edward's heir, Edward V. Richard would hold authority over the kingdom until Edward V was crowned.

On his way to London, Edward V and his escort, Earl Rivers, were intercepted by Richard (Gloucester) and the Duke of Buckingham. Edward was taken to the Tower of London where his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, joined him. The princes were initially told it was for their own safety, but this was a farce.

Intoxicated with the taste of absolute power, Richard (Gloucester)  schemed to take the crown for himself. He convinced the royal council to declare the marriage between his late brother King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville invalid...making Edward V illegitimate and unable to assume the throne. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was now King Richard III.

The two princes, now clearly prisoner's in the Tower, mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter. Though their exact fates are unknown, it is speculated that Richard had the boys murdered in order to prevent any future rivalry.

It may have been ruthless, but if you put yourself in his shoes...this kind of treachery Richard had known since since his early childhood; to him the act was logical and necessary.

Richard died in 1485 of a traumatic head injury at the battle of Bosworth Field. The victor, Henry Tudor, had Richard stripped naked,  carried off on the back of a horse, and buried without the customary honors of kingship. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that he was hastily buried in a grave too small to fit the entire measure of his body.

His skull was smashed up against the back wall, his  bones are riddled with wounds intentionally placed there in order to humiliate him,  and his hands rest as if they were still bound together at the time he was interred. It is not known if he was taken to Grey Friars Church to begin with, but that is where he lay undisturbed for centuries. Over time, the church became ruin, and eventually the exact location of the church was lost to history...until it's re-discovery centuries later in 2012, underneath a car park Leicester.