Monday, February 11, 2013

Getting Medieval On Your Funny Bone

Two men were getting very drunk during a feast held in a high tower.

One of them turned to the other and boasted, "Forsooth and verily, this tower is so high and the winds hereabouts so brisk that you could jump out yon window and yet would you not be killed, for the winds would lift you up and deposit you anon into this very room."

"Fie on you for a foul liar, sir! This is not possible!" the second very inebriated man responded.


"Yet shall I prove what I claim, ere your bery eyes!" the first man insisted. "Do you care to make a wager?"

The second man, quite sure of the bet, put down his coins and watched the first man stand and hand over his own coins to a serving wench.

The first man went to the window, where the second and the wench did follow to watch as he jumped out of the window and fell to his certain death. But nay, 'twas not so! He did fall, but e'en as he neared the ground a great distance below, he slowed and yea, he began to float up, up until he popped in this selfsame window and was standing before the twain.

The second man, amazed, said, "I grant you the winner, sirrah! You have indeed proved your claim! I crave your pardon most humbly for doubting you."

The first man took his winnings from the apron of the serving wench.

The second man looked at the window. "By God that looked like fun, I think I should like to try it mine own self!"

The first man nodded, "'Tis indeed a marvelous thing. Make off with you, honored fellow."

The second man nodded, then launched himself out the window. The man who placed the wager and the wench watched as he fell and fell and hit the rocks at the base of the tall tower and most grievously killed.

The serving wench turned a baleful look on the man at her side. "You sure are a mean drunk, Merllin!"

First posted 11/4/08.

Friday, February 8, 2013

How to Tell When You Have Reached a Mature Age

Sore joints? Failing memory? Sensitive tummy? Graying hair? Everyone else seems so young?

Nope. Whether you are straight woman or a gay man, at least that's not what I discovered this evening while watching the DVD "Sharpe's Mission".

In an opening scene I looked at Sharpe, played by much yummy Sean Bean. One sexy man, and that's a fact.

Then I looked at Major General Ross played by James Laurenson. Older, craggy as all get out, but I thought he was sexy too. Not quite as much as Bean, but...

But, I thought to myself, can I see myself with Sharpe? Regretfully,. no. But I most certainly can see myself with Ross. Indeedy I do. Most assuredly.   Mmmmm.

That's when I realized, I had reached a solidly mature age.

I know, I kn ow, speak for yourself, Kit.

Sorry, I'm already spoken for. It's your bedtime, young man. Leave Uncle Kit and Mr. Laurenson alone for the evening.

Originally posted 1/10/09.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Beloved Toys of the Middle Ages

No medieval childhood was without its nostalgic toys. here are but a few.

Agincourt Barbie

England's sweetheart comes with two full outfits, a full suit of plate armor with sword (pictured) and leather armor with long bow and arrows.  For England, God.. and Barbie!




Suzy Kingmaker (not shown)

For the aspiring "sword behind the throne" able to cook the goose of either Edward Plantagenet or Edward of York.



Tickle Me Henry

Tickle him and he giggles, belches, farts and says "I love you!", "Marry me!" and "Off with their heads!"


Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Templars

Watch the Templars as they break from the Crusades and let each other halve it.  Or is this one of their Satanix ceremonies?

My Little Destrier

Hours of fun training your little destrier Bayard to bite and stomp the enemy during battle.


Nerf Trebuchet

Just like the real thing, only Mom doesn't have to worry about her knickknacks.  Not recommended for real siege situations.



Holy Hoop

Self flagellation and a good work out, too!  Available in many sinful colors.


Made by Charles Martel Toys.  Available at Verily Toys Art Us.

Originally posted on 5/11/10.

Friday, February 1, 2013

The Once and Future Duck, and More Historical Titles in the Same Vein

Meet the Duck. His name is MacDhui, which rhymes with the "gooey" in geoduck, thus his christening as MacDhui Duck, or MacDhui the Duck, a Cat. Those of you who know there is a MacDhui in my first novel, An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England, it's a long story, so if you simply must know, drop me a note.

What is not as well known about The Duck is that he has inspired an incredible number of historical novels and movies. To wit:

The Once and Future Duck, T.H. White

Duck in Winter -- movie

When Christ And His Ducks Slept, Sharon Kay Penman

Here Be Ducks, Sharon Kay Penman

Ducke In Splendour, Sharon Kay Penman

Duckheart,  Sharon Kay Penman

Bravceduck, by Randall Walace

The Boleyn Duck (published as The Tudor Duck in the UK), Brandy/Emily PUrdy

Duck in Frankincense, Dorothy Dunnett

Robin Hood: Prince of Ducks -- movie

Robin Hood: Ducks In Tights - movie

Tristan + Duck -- movie

A Dead Duck in Deppford, Anthony Burgess

An Involuntary Duck, Nan Hawthorne

The Greatest Duck, Elizabeth Chaadwick

A Tale Of Two Ducks, Charles Dickens

Anne Of A Thousand Ducks -- movie

Lord of the Ducks (LOTD),  J.R.R. Tolkien

The Traitor's Duck,  Susan Higginbotham

Shield of Three Ducks, Pamela Kaufman

The Thirteenth Duck -- movie

Duck In The Iron Mask, Alexandre Dumas

MacDuck (The Scottish Play), William Shakespeare

The Return of Martin Canard - movie

Sharpe's Duck, Bernard Cornwell

The Agony And The Duck - movie

Merry Ducks Of Windsor, William Shakespeare

Ducks Of The Narrow Seas, series by M. Kei

What a Duck Wants, Carrie Lofty

A Sanctuary Duck, Ellis Peters

Duck Without End, Ken Follettt

The Sea Duck, series by Helen Hollick


Duck of Ireland, Morgan llywelyn

A Duck For All Seasons - movie

Duck Of Arabia -- movie

The Ducks Of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley

A Connecticut Duck In King Arthur's Court, mark Twain

Monty Python And The Holy Duck - movie

The Taming Of The Duck, William Shakespeare

The Afflicted Ducks, Suzy Witten

The City Of Lovely Ducks, Anel Viz

Check back... I keep thinking of more. Certainly you can remember more than I have?

1 February 1327 Mother May I.. Rule My Kingdom?

The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England: 1327--13301 February 1327 – Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer.

Get all the dirt in Alison Weir 's Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England, as well as The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England: 1327--1330 by Ian Mortimer.

This slightly humorous event is broaught to you by Shield-wall Productioons www.shield-wall.com .