Little England 2: The Tudor-ing – A review of Peter Ackroyd’s The Tudors

Portrait of the Tudor Family
(L to R: Mary I, Edward VII, Henry VIII, Jane Symore
(Henry's third and most favourite of the six wives), Elizabeth I

           The Tudors… nothing to lose your head about, though you might find yourself burning with questions.  It was a time when England witnessed dramatic changes with the advent of the Reformation, the fall of Spain as a world power, the colonisation of the new world, and innovations like the flushing toilet (though that didn’t catch on) and the wrist watch.  The sixteenth century is affectionately referred to as the Tudor Period after that dynamic dynasty that arose from the victory of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) at the end of the War of the Roses (check out Foundation by Peter Ackroyd for more on that).  It was a time where we meet Henry VIII, father of the Church of England and his six wives (God bless his lovely fat face); the sickly Edward VI, whose reforms to religion by his Protestant advisers made the Anglican Church the institution we know today; Mary I, remembered as “Bloody Mary” the execution of many Protestant Christians in her campaign to restore Catholicism to England (man, no wonder hubby ran out on her); and of course the virgin Queen Elizabeth I, famous for being the time of Shakespeare and whose reign is considered the golden age of England (just don’t mention Mary Stuart, Liz tends to get a bit touchy about that).  In his second volume on the history of England, entitled The Tudors, Peter Ackroyd provides a detailed and encompassing narrative of this period.  Much like his first volume Foundation, Ackroyd continues his witty and informative writing style to make The Tudors a great follow up.

Peter Ackroyd glares from
from his comfy chair...

            Tudors: The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I by Peter Ackroyd tells (Surprise) the history of the Tudor dynasty from the accession of Henry VIII as the king of England to the death of Elizabeth I, ushering the arrival of the Stuart line with James I (James VI of Scotland).  The major theme (something I will be discussing more about after this section) that Ackroyd touches upon is religion and how it acted as “a political and dynastic matter, it had no roots or principles of humanist reform.”[1] It was a change for want of power and influence rather than religious change like in continental Europe.

Thomas Cromwell
(That name... sounds familiar)

Thomas Cramner
Father of Modern Anglicanism

            One of the best points in Tudors is Ackroyd’s ability to connect everything to his central theme of religion as a political tool.  From the moment Henry VIII wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, we see the development of the Anglican Church as a as the new order for Christianity in England.  Well, a reformed catholic church.  Under Henry VIII’s English church, signs of popery were removed, monasteries and abbeys were removed, Thomas Cranmer penned reforms while debating the true approach to the Eucharist (did the wine and bread really turn into the blood and body of Christ or was it all symbolism), and people like Thomas Cromwell (remember that name!) lined his pockets with the confiscated items from decommissioned churches and friaries (though in Cromwell’s case he ended up accused of participating in popery).  This plays into Ackroyd’s theme in how the pope’s refusal to agree to this request creates a rift between the secular and spiritual powers.  A king has power by God’s grace and therefore has the right rule as they see fit, the pope’s refusal to agree to this request for a divorce throws the king’s prerogative  into question.  If God is refusing to grant the king’s wish, what does this mean for the legitimacy of the Tudors?  Was Henry VII’s victory in the War of the Roses the Devil’s trickery?  Did this mean Henry VIII was merely Satan’s puppet? or worse, the Antichrist?  We could run the gambit with these questions but the ultimate answer it Henry expected the pope to take his side after the king fiercely defended the Roman Catholic faith against reformers like Martin Luther (especially Martin Luther).

Engraving of Mary Queen of Scot's execution

            Another thing that works in Tudor’s favour is Ackroyd’s ability as a writer.  The best example of this can be found in the chapter “The Dead Cannot Bite”, there Ackroyd describes the final moments of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and bitter rival of Elizabeth I.  Here, Ackroyd paints a detailed picture of Mary as the regal martyr she wanted to be.

At eight o’clock, on the morning of 8 February, the provost marshal of Fortheringhay Castle knocked of the door of [Mary’s] apartments; there was no response at first, prompting fears that the queen of Scots had taken her own life.  Suicide was a mortal sin, however, and Mary did not wish to stain her personal glory. …She stood on the threshold, wearing a robe and jacket of black satin trimmed with velvet.  Her hair was arranged in a coif; over her head, and falling over back was a white silk veil.  A crucifix of gold hung from her neck.  In her hand she held another crucifix of ivory of ivory.  […] Quite calm and giving no sign of fear, she sat down in the chair made ready for her in front of the block, and listened to the reading of the warrant against her.  [The executioners] began to arrange her dress for the final scene… Her silk veil was then removed, together with the black rode and black jacket.  Beneath them she was wearing crimson velvet and crimson satin.  She was now blood red, the colour of the martyr.[2]

In this excerpt, Ackroyd shows how Mary Stuart made herself to appear like a martyr, from the colour choice of her clothes to the crucifixes she carried.  It is clear Mary wanted to maintain her image as the pious queen of Scotland, loyal to the Pope and the cause of returning England to the Roman Catholic fold.  It can be seen that Mary was only trying to preserve what dignity she had left (as little as there was considering Mary threatened to behead her son for accepting the throne of Scotland) while also acting as a symbol for the Roman Catholics of England.  This understanding is made clear to the reader thanks to the writing ability of Ackroyd.

            In closing, Peter Ackroyd once again presents another successful read.  Much like Foundation, the book Tudors show cases the Ackroyd’s work as a writer and historian with his elegant prose and ability of using the over arching theme of religion.  Tudors is a great read for anyone who is looking to continue where Foundation left off or wanting to learn more about the Tudor dynasty.

Bibliography

Ackroyd, Peter. Tudors: The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. 2012.

---

[1] Peter Ackroyd, Tudors: The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, (New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2012), 467.

[2] Ibid., 424-425.

Into the Fairylands: Chapter 12

Into the Fairylands

By J. R. Bennett
<Chapter XI~*~Chapter XIII>

Chapter XII

Making things Undone

~*~

            It took a few minutes for everyone to climb up but once they were up, Ed, Zach, Travis, Alice, Bug-a-boo, Little Dill, and Jolly Roger could easily see what was before them.  The new area looked vast with rows of torches burning for miles illuminating a white marble floor.  In the middle was a massive stone block serving as an alter with runes inscribed all over it and dried blood on the top while a foul smell of incense hung in the air.

            Everyone approached the stone; it smelt of decay and seemed to be the only smell that could overpower the incense.  Bug-a-boo surveyed the runes on the alter.

            “What does it say?” Travis asked Travis.

            “‘Here are the damned.’” read Bug-a-boo.  “‘Given up in the name of Father Horcus for the forgiveness of the Lone Titan.’”

            “Must be where Manoo’s minions take their victims,” commented Ed.  “The whole place reeks of death.”

            “There’sssss more life than death here little man,” hissed a voice from the black shadows.

            “Whose there!” cried Alice.

            “I am everywhere and nowhere.” the voice taunted.  “I am duel.  I am multiple.  I am one.  Sssssome call me the Lone Titan, others the Basssstard of Horcussss.”

            Everything seemed to happen at once.  Out of the shadows came a snake like creature, head of a snake, torso of a man, and the lower half the body of a snake.  The torso was dressed in ancient armour and was wielding a large battle-axe in both its hands.  The creature charged at Ed, axe poised ready to strike. Ed tried to jump to the right to avoid the attack but was stuck by the edge of axe and collided into Zach, hitting the hard marble floor and crashing into one of the torches.

            The creature recoiled ready for another strike.  Zach, still in pain from the collision, hurled a hunk of burning wood at the monster.  With luck, the burning wood hit the creature but it was still attracted by the others.  It was about to pounce again when a large hand from the dark appeared and grabbed the creature.

            “That isss enough.” the same voice hissed and the hand gripped the creature.

            “Who is this!?” called Bug-a-boo.

            Alice and Travis ran over to Ed and Zach.  Both were badly hurt from the attack.  Zach’s shoulder was scratched and bruised and gashed across the back of his head.  Ed’s face was badly cut, his left eye not even being spared from the assault.  Alice and Travis wasted no time bandaging Ed and Zach.

            Out of a heavily shadowed end of the room appeared a big head with handsome face and a nattered mess of long black hair.

            “It issss I, Manoo.” the face hissed. “Damned to live my daysss on thisss rock they call Sssspyrussss.”

            Bug-a-boo produced from his coat a sapphire orb and proceeded to shake it.  The orb began to glow and, as Bug-a-boo let go of it, floated up high above everyone.  The orb let out such a radiant glow that it illuminated the entire room more than the torches.  It was then that everyone could behold Manoo, the titanic child of Horcus and the titan Ironbone.

            Manoo was a massive titan, over one hundred feet in height while dressed in rages with chains and fetters latched around his arms, legs, and neck.  His body was riddled with patches of snake scales while the right side of his torso was fused to the wall.

            “Who daresss disssssturb me in my sssslumber?” the titan boomed.

            Bug-a-boo gave a curt bow and introduced himself and the others.  The titan hurled the snake creature across the room and leaned as best he could to take a closer look at the others.  In the meantime, Ed and Zach were able to gather enough strength to stand.

            “I apologissse for the reaction of Temor.”  Manoo hissed.  “He issss my guard and ssssent to prevent anyone from breaking my soul.”

            Manoo pointed to the rune and blood covered alter.

            “So that is how Horcus has kept you trapped.” Ed commented.

            “The story of my sssssealing has been wrapped in a lie of rebellion on myssself and my worssssshipersssss.”  Manoo explained and told his long tale, seeming not to hiss as he spoke this time.

            “Long ago, before time eternal, the first gods Void and Naught fashioned the universe by taming dragons and locking them in spheres.  Unsure of what to do with these creations the two fought and Void slayed Naught.  Horrified by his sin, Void went into a long sleep that will only end when time is over.  He will destroy all creation to revive Naught.

            “From Naught’s blood came the oceans; his flesh became sand and soil, Naught’s hair became all flora; his teeth the twenty-four gods of the Zeltic lore; and his bones all the creatures of creation.  Among the bones came the first masters of the world, the titans.  The titans believed the world was their birthright and enslaved all creation for their bidding.  For 40,000 years, titans ruled like gods and worshiped the twenty-four gods as thanks for this right, holding Horcus as the highest of them all.

            “Eventually humanity and the Fae became tired of their gigantic overlords and rebelled.  Among this rebellious group was a cult who sacrificed all that were slayed as tribute so that they may defeat the titans.  Horcus became enraged and wanted to destroy this cult, he intended to wake Void and bring about the destruction of the universe so that he would win, even if it meant becoming a tooth.  I objected and helped the cult, now called Manookoo, and attacked Horcus.

            “In the long fight, Horcus cursed me and my followers to this rock.  Now I must spend my days feeding on the flesh of innocent who are made to appear as sinners of unknown crimes.  What I would give for this fate to be over!  Alas, I am forced to stay and rot in this tomb.”

            “There may be away.” Bug-a-boo replied and explained about the sealing of Manoo’s soul to the rock.

            “The only thing I know that has the seal of my father would be on the alter,” said the titan and proceeded to reach with a mighty fist to destroy it.  As the fist became close, a flash of white light and the fist flew back.

            “Of course.” Ed mumbled weakly.  “The seal can’t be broken that easily.  Horcus probably knew that would happen eventually.”

            Everyone examined the alter.  In raised letters and covered in blood on top of the alter was a large rune in the middle of an icositetragon made up of a series of intricate runes.

            “‘Only my breath can break this curse.’” Ed read from the runes.

            “I doubt Horcus would want us to shout ‘be gone’ or something like that.” Zach added.

            Little Dill jumped on top of the alter and began to blow on it, taking deep heaving breaths and blowing as hard as he could.

            “It’s no use.” Bug-a-boo said as he picked up the small toy and placed him on the floor.  “This is far more complicated.”

            Little Dill was having none of it. He jumped up and down trying to get everyone’s attention for another idea but was ordered by Bug-a-boo to stand a side and wait.  Annoyed, Little Dill ran up to Jolly Roger and began to whisper something into the seagull’s ear.  Roger nodded, Little Dill jumped on Roger’s back, and the two flew off to where some of the broken torches were burning.  The seagull gripped the piece of wood that was burning on one end and carried it the best he could to the alter.

            “Tries this!” Little Dill cried.

            “It’s worth a try.” Jolly Roger argued.  “At worse nothing happens.”

            Bug-a-boo let out a hard sigh and reluctantly agreed.

            Jolly Roger dropped the burning wood on the alter.  The flame burned for a short while until the flames died out and wood became only red embers and black ash.  In seconds the blood converted surface began to burn; smouldering at first and soon yellow and blue flames began to lick the air and spread across the alter until the flames burst into a mighty combustion that put out the rest of the torches.

            When the smoke and drama had died, the only light that was in the space was the glowing orb.  The orb slowly floated down to Bug-a-boo.  The alter was only rubble and the torches now just poles of wood with chard tips.  Manoo crawled forward, everyone could see that his skin was free of scales and the walls of the rock.

            “Thank you.”  the titan said.  “It has been a long time since I could breathe air freely and feel the sun upon me.  I shall not take this gift you have given me for granted.”

            “You’ll have a very different world to see once you leave here,” called Bug-a-boo from below.

            “That is something I look forward to.” Manoo replied.

            Suddenly, from the far end of the cavern there came a sudden gust of fresh air and light from outside as two large stones slid away.  Beyond everyone could see blue sky and ocean with not a speck of purple fog to be seen across the horizon.

            “It’s beautiful.” Manoo muttered as a tear rolled from his great eyes.

            Everyone agreed.

            Manoo crawled toward the opening.  He didn't flinch away from the light; the great titan only closed his eyes and let the warm sunlight wax across his pale skin and the cool sea air blow through this mane of hair.

            There came a rumbling; the ceiling began to quake and slide down.  Manoo quickly braced himself against the ceiling and pushed against it with all his might.

            “I should have expected my father wouldn’t want me to leave here.” Manoo commented.

            Everyone looked up at the titan.

            “Go!” Manoo ordered.  “My time was over eons ago!”

            Ed, Zach, Travis, Alice, Bug-a-boo, Little Dill, and Jolly Roger ran for the opening.  Pulling up to the opening was the eagles and the boat-sled – now more boat than sled!  Everyone ran, water from the opening slowly flooding the room and reaching their knees as they reached the boat.

            There came a cry of pain from inside Spyrus, followed by a force of air escaping from the opening.  The eagles tried to move fast but the ropes snapped, sending the boat one-way and the eagles another. 

            Everyone was able to steady the boat.  The boat drifted for a fair distance before seeming to stop.  The party watched as the great rock Spyrus sank into the ocean, leaving white capped waves in its wake.

            “So falls a once great mighty god.” Ed said in awe.

            “There are no gods, Ed.” Bug-a-boo added.  “Just powerful beings who buy into their powers.  Horcus thought he was able to keep humanity under the thumb of the titans and in the end, he and his kind are now but myths of the past while Manoo remains trapped in Spyrus.”

            “No.” Zach said calmly. “I think he’s finally free.”

            No more was said as just then there came the sound of a faint whistle.  Everyone looked back to see the Pedigree charging along the sapphire waters with black smoke billowing from her funnels and white foam slashing away from the bow.

Into the Fairylands: Chapter 11

Into the Fairylands

By J. R. Bennett
<Chapter X~*~Chapter XII>

Chapter XI

The Trial of Horcus

~*~

            Jolly Roger flew up to the eagles that were pulling the sled and informed them of what was to be done next.  The eagles then began to adjust their course as so they could transfer onto the rock.

            Getting on to the monolith wasn’t hard.  It was moving slowly enough that the eagles could pull the sled up to the side and everyone get off quickly.  Despite Spyrus’ moment, walking was quite easy.

            “Right,” whispered Bug-a-boo.  “Now that we’re here, we need to be on our guard while we find the seal.”

            “Do we even know what it looks like?” Zach put in.  “I feel like this was never really specified.”

            “Zach’s go a point.” Ed said.

            “That’s because we don’t know what it looks like.” Bug-a-boo replied.  “It was hard enough finding it out, much less what it looks like.”

            “Maybe we should split up,” suggested Travis.  “It’s too big for us to all go it together and it won’t make a difference if we don’t know what it looks like.”

            “Even Travis has one.” Ed commented. “Normally he gets one of those a week.”

            Travis gave Ed a look.

            “I don’t want to risk it.” Bug-a-boo went on, pausing for a second.  “No.  It isn’t right.  There’s a good chance we’ll find the seal with Manoo.”

            With the old wizard getting the final word on the matter, everyone began the trek along Spyrus.  The eagles stayed behind to keep watch and provide an easy escape when the time came.

            The surface of Spyrus was quite smooth and the steeper areas were noticeably harder to climb.  The fog didn’t make it any easier with some craters being hidden by random, thick gobs.  At one point, Travis nearly fell into one of those craters.

            “Careful!” Zach cried as he caught Travis.  “Last thing we need is a casualty.”

            Not long after that, everyone decided to set up camp for the night.

            “There’s not much of a point going any further.” Ed argued.  “It’s hard enough to walk in this fog without someone breaking their neck; the dark’ll just make it worse.”

            They were too exposed on the surface for a proper fire and had to rely on a small mound of coals for warmth.  For extra protection, everyone took turns keeping watch through the night.  It wasn’t worst thing as they had Little Dill to keep them company since the small toy didn’t need to sleep.

            In the morning, they started out again.  This time Jolly Roger flew a bit ahead to see if there was anything important.  Every once in a while the seagull would return to warn them of some craters and then fly back.  The day ended with another fireless campout with no results.

            The morning began with more hiking before stopping for a brief luncheon.  Bug-a-boo kept lamenting about the situation as he fingered through a small book of notes.

            “Wha’s up, Ed?” Zach inquired, noticing a queer facial expression on his friends face.

            “Do you hear something?” Ed asked.  “Like heavy breathing.”

            “I don’t hear anything,” said Travis.

            “I’m hearin’ something.”  Ed insisted.

            In one of the craters, that was a few miles away, fire shot out into the air.

            “I think we found our titan.” Ed mused and jumped to his feet.

            Jolly Roger flew ahead to scout for any danger and was quick to return with an “all clear” answer.

            When everyone arrived at the cave, they were met with the smell of decay and burning.  Alice poked her head over the opening when she heard the sound of something big and hot coming up the cavern.

            “Swo---osh!” went a geyser of flames into the air.  It lasted for a few minutes and then dissipated.

            “Something’s down there, that’s for sure.” agreed Bug-a-boo.

            “Could it lead to Manoo?” asked Alice.

            “Possibly.” Ed answered.  “The only problem is that fire.”

            Zach looked at his watch, his lips moving like he was counting. “Fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven…” he counted. “Two minutes. One, two, three…”

            Finally, another flaming geyser shot up.

            “Ten minutes!” Zach announced.

            “What about ten minutes?” asked Ed.

            “That’s how much time we’ve got before the next flame shoots up.”

            “You don’t honestly think there’s a way down there?” doubted Bug-a-boo.

            “Have you any other ideas?” Zach shot.

            “Yes.  We keep going.  There’s no guarantee that this cavern goes anywhere.”

            “Well, the longer we wonder, the more likely it is that this rock has made land fall.”

            The tense silence that followed was soon broken by another blast of fire.

            “There goes another ten minutes.” Travis muttered to Ed and Alice.

            Jolly Roger and Little Dill were losing patience.  As soon as the fire stopped, the bird and toy set out down the cavern.  They made it back just before the flames shot up.

            “There’s a cave down there.” Jolly Roger explained.  “Could easily get to it if we’re fast enough.”

            “So, there’s a cave.” Ed pondered.  “Could lead to Manoo, could not.”

            “I’m starting to wonder if the fire is even real.” Alice put in.

            “What do you mean?”

            “Haven’t you noticed that there hasn’t been any heat from the fire when it shoots out?”

            “Now that you mention it,” added Bug-a-boo, “it’s not hot at all.”

            “So, it has to be an illusion,” concluded Travis.

            “Bingo.” said Ed.  “We just need to make sure that it’s true and not a real trap.”

            “I’ll doos it!” piped Little Dill and started puttering to the edge of the crater.  “If you guys are goings to arg’oo ‘bouts it, I mights as wells.”

            Before anyone could do anything, a rush of flame erupted into the air.  Everyone watched in horror as Little Dill leaned over the edge and the flames rushed past him.

            Nothing happened.

            “Obviously a trick.” observed Zach.

            “Could have been Horus’ way of keeping intruders out.” Ed added.  “I remember George telling me once that Horcus was always a paranoid god.  There’s a good chance that this won’t be the last trick.”

            “Great,” fumed Zach, “a god with a paranoia complex.  What next? One with a Napoleon complex or Freudian issues?”

            “Now is not the time for quips.” Bug-a-boo interrupted.  Now that we know that it is safe to go in, we’d may as well prepare ourselves for what’s to come.”

            When the flames died down, Ed and Travis peered down into the pit.  It seemed to go downward and then curve into a horizontal position.  There was no sign of any flame to light the way below, further confirming that the flaming geyser was just an illusion.

            Using some pegs and rope, everyone made their way down to the bottom of the cavern, still feeling uneasy whenever the flames would shoot up.  Little Dill however rode on Jolly Roger and met everyone at the bottom quite quickly.

            “Tooks yous long enough!” the little doll mocked as everyone finally reached the bottom.

            They left the rope behind as the group began to make their way through the tunnel with lamps.  The long cavern curved in every direction, making it hard to determine whether they were going the right way at times.  It was eerily quiet; the only sound heard was their feet, tapping along the solid stone.

            “We should be getting close.” said Bug-a-boo, trying not to be too loud.

            “What makes you so sure?” Zach quizzed.

            “A tunnel can’t go on for ever young man.  Eventually, we should find the end.”

            “Oi!” Ed called.  “I think there’s an opening ahead.”

            “How can you tell?” asked Travis.  “It’s so dark here; I can barely my hand in front of my face, even if there are lamps.”

            “I can hear the wind.” Ed replied. “I know it sounds weird but if you listen closely, you can hear the wind whizzing across the opening.”

            Alice approached the opening cautiously.  She could hear a slight sound of the wind – Ed was quite right about that – but it was hard to tell what was above due to it being so dark.

            Jolly Roger fluttered up to the opening with a lamp clutched to his talons.  The little light seemed to float for a few seconds as the gull went up and then disappeared.

            Everyone waited in anticipation.  In the few moments they waited, time stretched into what felt like an eternity. 

            At last, Jolly Roger returned.

            “There’s something up there alright.”  He replied.  “No sure what… There was a queer sound.”

            “What sort of sound?” Ed asked.

            “Like something large was breathing.”

Little England: A Review of Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors by Peter Ackroyd

"None Shall Pass"

England.  England.  England.  It has roads, waters, grass, and people…

            You know what?  That’s all I got.  Seriously, I didn’t think I would get this far.   You can go home now.  There’s nothing to see here.  We already have a grail.

            Seriously, go, or I’ll need to unleash the killer rabbit on you.  

I warned you...

            I’ve been informed that the above opening is too silly to use in this blog post. Personally, I believe that with the topic at hand, silliness is called for.

            The Medieval period is a time of knights, lords, serfs, and kings.  It often calls on images only reserved for Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  Peter Ackroyd’s Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors tells this story (without any reference to Monty Python I mean).  Through the history of Medieval England, Peter Ackroyd is able to present the facts on this era by blending the art of storytelling and historical presentation.  Peter Ackroyd’s Foundation is a book that will both educate and entertain the reader.

Peter Ackroyd

 Summary

            Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors tells the story of England, covering a period from the time of early man and hunter-gatherer culture, the influence of Roman and Saxon cultures and the arrival of the Normans to the War of the Roses and the advent of Henry Tudor (Henry VII).  Ackroyd covers the social and political development in this period with the argument that the history of England is “one of continual movement and of constant variation,”[1]  that England was always changing and developing, not in a Whiggish way but that is a starting point and still echoes in contemporary times.

            (I know it sounds Whiggish but it’s hard to avoid it when explaining the flow of history.  It was also this or stopping to talk about Magna Carta, which has the same result.  *sigh* Right, back to the summary.)

            The book opens with the early history of England and the hunter-gatherer culture of regions like Cheddar Gorge and Devon and the Romanization of Britannia through both invasion and cultural exchange.  Ackroyd then goes on to discuss the Saxon invasion, something created through migration and destruction of the indigenous population by bubonic plague, precursor to the 1300s.  Once the Saxons are settled, the reader is given an overview of the new Anglo-Saxon society, such as the use of the Germanic word walh (Saxon for Celtic or Latin speaker) and its use in place names like Wales, Cornwall, Walsall, and Walthamstow.[2]  Ackroyd even mentions certain cultural influences such as the cremation cemetery, where smaller villages like Sancton, Yorkshire, where such forms of burial lasted well into the nineteenth century.[3]  Chapter 7 introduces the reader to William the Conqueror or William the Bastard (not William the Butcher, the Baker, or Candlestick Maker) and it is here we see the medieval world we know.  Readers are introduced to the Feudal System, struggles for power between the king and his lords, pretenders for the throne, the King of France, and (in some cases) the Pope.  At this point, Ackroyd takes the reader through events like the Peasants Revolt, the signing of Magna Carta, ultimately culminating at the War of the Roses and the intervention of Henry Tudor, marking the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.

Saxon Tapestry of a King and his Court
with a man being hanged to the right.

The Writing

            Foundation’s greatest strength is in the writing ability of its author, Peter Ackroyd.  Throughout the book, Ackroyd has an ability to strike that balance between narrative and analysis.  This is never an easy task for any historian.  Even I find it hard to create a post that is both informative and entertaining (goodness knows you guys were probably bored to tears by my essay on the history of one-room school houses in Ontatio!).  One of my favourite parts in Foundation is Ackroyd’s description of William I’s funeral:

The Bayeux Tapestry with
William I in the Centre

When [William I’s] body was taken to the monetary of St. Stephen at Caen for burial body burst, exuding a foul stench that sent the mourners running from the building.  It was, perhaps, a fitting end for one who was already swollen with greed and cruelty.[4]

This morbidly dark yet entertaining excerpt demonstrates Ackroyd’s ability as a writer.  From the previous chapter, the reader is given a picture of the cruelty and averous nature of William I.  (He was a greedy bastard.)  Throughout his rule, William treated England as his cash cow.  He confiscated land from English opponents and raised with heavy and sudden taxation, documenting all taxable items in what is known as the The Domesday Book.  Ackroyd draws a poetic parallel between William I’s swelling wealth in life and his swollen carcass in death.

The Layout

            In addition, the layout of Foundation allows for the reader to smoothly transition throughout each section of the book.  Ackroyd arranges his thoughts intricately, each one leading into the next with a flawless stroke.  One moment the you’ll be reading about the landing of William the Concquror, his Norman army and their victory against King Harold’s Saxon forces, the net you’ll be reading about King John “Lackland” signing Magna Carta at Runnymede.  The secret to Ackroyd’s brilliance is in how he alternates between the political and social developments in a neat and clear fashion.  This alteration between these two historiographical topics allows for the reader to understand the context before Ackroyd begins on the next major topic.

Artist impression of King John signing Magna Carta
at Runnymede.

Conclusion

            In conclusion, Peter Ackroyd’s Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors is worth checking out.  Ackroyd’s wit cuts through the shadows of the “Dark Ages” to provide an illustrated narrative that both entertains and informs readers.  Therefore, I highly recommend readying Foundation by Peter Ackroyd to anyone who is interested in reading about Medieval England.

Sources:

Ackroyd, Peter. Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. 2011.

Gilliam, Terry, and Terry Jones, dirs. 1975. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Film. EMI/Python Pictures/Michael White.

---

[1] Peter Ackroyd, Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors, (New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2011), 443.

[2] Ibid., 51.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid., 106.

Loot Crate - October 2017

Welcome!  Today I am going to be looking at the Loot Crate.  For those who don't know.  Loot Crate is a monthly subcription where you can get some neat collectables and cloths.  This months theme is Mythical.  Let's see what October's SPOOOKY crate has to offer.

Ghostbusters Tee

When the 80's haunt your everyday life

Who you gonna call?

When the synth pop

cut your ears like a knife

Who you gonna call? 

This is an awesome shirt. I love how it combines the early nineties pastels and Ghostbusters tp make something quite entertaining.

Strangers Things Vinyl Figure

A great vinyl set.  We have Eleven and the Demogorgon facing off line from the end of the the first season.  It's perfect for decorating your desk or just having on display.  Waffle not included (Don't tell Eleven).

Thor vs. Loki Vinyl Figure

This is my favourite find in this month's crate.  I'm a fan of the Thor comics (namely Loki) and this little addition is now on my book shelf in the office.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Wooden Bookmark

A neat, little, wooden bookmark.  I never really was a fan of the show.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I was too young to be its target audience. It's a bookmark.  It marks books.

Goblin Pin

It's a pin.  I like the look of the goblin and I have it pinned on my house coat.  'Bout it.

Final Thoughts?

Overall I'm happy with what was in the crate.  The Thor and Loki set is definitely my favourite.  I would for sure do this again.  I would give this 8 1/2 stars out of 10.

Into the Fairylands: Chapter 10

Into the Fairylands
By J. R. Bennett
<Chapter IX~*~Chapter XI>

Chapter X

The March on Spyrus

~*~

High in the skies, Little Dill looked out for the rock Spyrus on the back of Captain Jolly Roger.  From a pair of oversize binoculars, the little toy searched with no sign of the rock in sight.  Behind the pair were an army of one hundred eagles, each armed in the event of an attack.

            “Any sign of the rock?” asked Jolly Roger.

            “Nots yet!” Little Dill called back.

            The flock steered to the left.  Nothing.  To the right.  Still nothing.  All they could still see was purple mist flowing everywhere.

            Jolly Roger dived down, the eagles following suit.  Soon their bellies were an inch from the ice as they glided over the surface.  Just as fast as they were below, they rose back up again and veered west.  The sudden turn took caused Little Dill’s hat to be flung from his head and fall in to the violet abyss.

            “We’re losing light, sir,” called one from the eagles from behind.

            Little Dill wasn’t listening though; he was too absorbed in looking for the Spyrus.

            “He’s quite right!” Jolly Roger called back.  “We’ll have no way of getting back if we don’t leave now while the sun is still out.”

            Little Dill heard the seagull this time and reluctantly agreed to travel back to the Pedigree.  The flock was about to turn around when from their right came a crowd of flying, deformed, snake-like creatures.  Jolly Roger dived down to avoid them while the eagles charged head on into the oncoming mass.

            Jolly Roger surged left and right as eagles and monsters fell from the sky, landing on the hard ice below.  Both toy and bird knew that there was little chance of going back as long as the conflict above them was in the process, but sitting and waiting would not be a wise choice either.  The best option Jolly Roger could come up with was for Little Dill and him to keep moving as much as possible and avoid being noticed by the Manookoo.

            Left and right.  Up and down.  Over and under.

            Little Dill gripped tightly to the seagull with all his might, hoping not to be knocked off.  There was little hope that that they would make it out alive now.

            Jolly Roger was losing strength; he needed a chance to rest before they could even try to make it back to the ship.  In the distance looked like a blackish mass that was large and round.  The pair didn’t notice that it was from the mass that the Manookoo were streaming from, nor would they have cared if they had.

            Jolly Roger just made it to the shore (if that is even the right word for it).  From there Little Dill and Jolly Roger both could see the fighting.  The eagles had a slight advantage but the Manookoo creatures were over starting to gain the upper hand.

            Little Dill and Jolly Roger made their way up the rocky shore toward the start of what appeared to be a smooth slope made of solid stone.  Little Dill looked at Jolly Roger.  Jolly Roger looked back at Little Dill.

            “By Jove!” the gull cried.  “I think this has to be that Spyrus rock the old wizard was croaking about.”

            “It is! It is!” the little toy cried back, jumping with glee.

            “We have to get back to the ship.” Jolly Roger realized.  “We need to tell Ed an’ them our find.”

            “But hows?  Those snakey t’ings ares all overs the places.”

            “Right,” said the bird.  “I guess we’ll just have to charge through and hope for the best.  Get back on my back.  Hang on tight.  I wasn’t named captain for nothing.”

            With a run, a jump, and the flap of a wing, Jolly Roger was soon gliding close to the ice field.  Whenever there seemed to be an enemy or an ally falling from the battle in the sky, the seagull would veer to avoid collision.  Little Dill tried to signal as many of the eagles as he could of the sudden retreat, trying his hardest not to lose his grip on his flying friend.  Behind them, some of the eagles stayed behind to hold of the snake-creatures while those who were growing tired could retreat with Little Dill and Jolly Roger.

Ed and Travis were on the poop deck with Captain Mulligan looking over a map of the Periculosus Sea, marking where the cloud was moving currently and estimating the time before it would reach the island.

            “They’ve got a day, at most.” Mulligan said solemnly.  “It’ll reach the coast by morning and then make its way across.  Any ground forces there are going to need to be ready.”  The captain then scribbled on a sheet of paper and handed it to one of the crewmembers.

            “What I’m interested in knowing,” added Ed, “is where on earth Spyrus is.”

            “Unless your little friend and tha’ bird get back ‘ere in one piece,” Mulligan answered, “we’re up t’e creek wit’ou’ a pa’le.”

             There came a moment of silence.  Suddenly, from the distance came a faint call.  The three looked to see Little Dill and Jolly Roger flying back to the ship.  With a crash into the table, toy and bird made it back in one piece with the remaining eagles following suit.  Many were tired and somewhat battered from the conflict.  Mulligan ordered for the infirmary to be opened up for the eagles while an emergency meeting was held on the poop deck.

            Little Dill told everyone what he and Jolly Roger saw on their expedition.

            “Our bow is pointed west so that means our rock is headin’ from the stern eastward to the Forestlands.” Mulligan observed from the map.  “We’re gonna need to act fast.”

            “That’s gonna be easier said than done.”  Zach observed pointing at the direction Mulligan had been referring too.  “If we’re going that way, there’s a good chance those snake creatures are going to attack.  We know they’re defending Spyrus since they went after Little Dill and Roger.  I’m not saying we can’t do it, I’m saying we’re going to need cover when we go.”

            “We still have the brownies.” Ed answered.

            “But how long will they hold?”

            “I don’t know?”

            “Then forget them.  We’re going to need something to keep those things at bay.”

            “Then what do you suggest?” Ed asked hotly.  “Seems like you want to criticize but not give a solution.”

            “Easy.” Alice interrupted.  “We can still use the Brownies, but we’ll just need something to back ‘em up.”

            “I will provide some more of my guard to support your venture.” Stormwing called.

            “Well, that’s settled.” said Bug-a-boo as he pulled from his pipe.  “Now, I suppose I ought to list out what we know.  First, the Zeltic demi-god Manoo is locked up with his cult in a floating rock; second, said rock is shrouded in a thick purple fog that is bent on destroying the Deltic Empire; third, the only known weakness of Manoo is to break the seal that is keeping this said rock in existence.”

            “Well,” answered Travis, “we at least know what we need to do.”

            “I hope you all know,” Bug-a-boo went on solemnly, “this is going to be very dangerous.  Manoo will be relentless.  As a titan, he has the power to and will do whatever he can to squash his enemies.”

            “Yes,” Ed answered.

            “Good.  It helps to know what you’re getting into before doing something stupid.”

The next morning, everyone was ready for battle.  One of the Pedigree’s life boats were modified to act as a sled to get Bug-a-boo, Ed, Travis, Zach and Alice across the frozen ocean to Spyrus with harnesses made of rope that would be worn by some of Stormwing’s eagles.

            It was midday once everyone was ready.  Through the purple haze, was a vague abyss that showed nothing of their destination.  The sled was pointed roughly in the direction Little Dill and the search party had traveled from the day before.  After a few goodbyes and well wishes, the eagle-driven sled containing a few brownies, four adolescents and a wizard set out.  A head of the group was a small group of eagles – who would act as protection should they run into trouble – and Little Dill and Jolly Roger acting as guides (though it was advised for the pair to flee to the sled should they run into any of those flying snake-creatures again).  Captain Mulligan insisted they wait until morning to set out but Ed disagreed.  To Ed, they needed to head out as soon as possible before they lost track of the floating rock.

            As the sled bolded into the purple haze, Alice looked back on the Pedigree, and watched as the old, ironclad ship became smaller, and encased in the mist.  Soon the ship was lost from sight and the sled was surrounded in the purple fog.  It was hard to see Little Dill through the haze; everyone could only make out part of Jolly Roger for a few moments but just as fast, he was lost in the mist.

            The journey was an uncomfortable one.  The frozen salt water had been captured in mid-wave at some points, causing the boat to jump every so often as it sped along.  Despite the sky being hard to see, a heavy rain fell hard on the small band.  The only protection they could find was an old canvas tarp that was left in the boat.

            Eventually Jolly Roger and Little Dill flew back down to the sled; the two were soaked from the rain but didn’t seem much bothered by the ordeal.

            “We’re almosts there!” Little Dill cried.

            “Some of the eagles saw some of those Manoo creatures a head.” Jolly Roger explained.  “They’re going to stage a distraction for us so we can get on through.  We should be at Spyrus shortly.”

            At that moment, there came the squeal of a beast in great pain and the sound of metal clanging.

            “There they go,” said Ed.

            “No time for that,” interrupted Bug-a-boo.  “Look!”

            There before them was the rock Spyrus, moving at a slow pace.  Even in the purple fog, everyone could see it.

The Last DJ: A Tom Petty Tribute

To-day, I heard about the passing of musician and actor Tom Petty.  Many of us can remember the number of great hits by him whether it be from his long running band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ("Refugee", "Into the Great Wide Open", "Don't Come Around Here No More"), hi solo career ("Won't Back Down", "Yer So Bad", "You Don't Know How it Feels"), or his  role in the 80s supergroup The Travelling Wilburys ("Handel with Care", "End of the Line", Tweeter and the Monkey Man").

With a career lasting 40 years, Petty was able to adapt to the trends in the music industry.  From the rock and roll twang of the 70s, the synthetic pop of the 80s, to the grungy heavy beats of modern rock.  We have truly lost a legend of rock and roll.

His music has had an influence on artists and fans alike.  Songs like "I won't back down" are heard everywhere and are still hits.  I always have a few of his songs on my playlists for writing.  So, all I can really say is thank you Tom Petty.  You stuck around long enough to bless the world with your music, it's sad you couldn't stay longer.