quotation: A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser. William Shakespeare

A peace is of the nature of a conquest;  for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Discuss

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today’s birthday: Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533)

Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533)

Queen Elizabeth, England‘s last Tudor monarch, came to the throne during a turbulent period in the nation’s history. Although she has been described as vain, miserly, and fickle, she was remarkably successful as queen. During her reign, England pursued a policy of expansionism in commerce and geographical exploration, defeating the Spanish Armada and becoming a major world power. Literature and the arts flourished during the period as well. To whom was the Queen married? More… Discuss

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this day in the yesteryear: Mary Queen of Scots Is Deposed (1567)

Mary Queen of Scots Is Deposed (1567)

Mary Stuart was Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567. She was forced to abdicate the throne after her husband, Lord Darnley, was murdered and she was implicated in the plot. Mary then fled to England, where she faced a murder inquiry and became a prisoner of the English government. After conspiracies to put her on the throne of England were uncovered, she was tried for treason and ultimately beheaded. Some say her executioners asked for her forgiveness. What is she said to have replied? More… Discuss

Big Ben history and chimes!

Big Ben

Big Ben is the nickname of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster in London. Famous for its accuracy, the clock rings in the new year in England.
[youtube.com/watch?v=E9wWBjnaEck]
Originally, only the Great Bell—the largest bell in the tower—was called “Big Ben,” but eventually, the moniker was applied to the clock itself and then to the entire tower. In 2012, the iconic British landmark was officially renamed Elizabeth Tower, in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Who is generally accepted as the real-life “Ben”? More… Discuss

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news: Poison Toad Invades Madagascar

Poison Toad Invades Madagascar

The Asian common toad, a relative of the cane toad that has devastated wildlife in Australia, has been spotted in Madagascar, raising concerns of an impending ecological disaster similar to that seen in Australia. The cane toad was intentionally introduced to Australia in the 1930s in an effort to control the population of an agricultural pest, but it produces a toxin that is deadly to the birds, mammals, and reptiles that prey on it too. It is thought that the poisonous Asian common toad may have reached Madagascar by stowing away on a cargo ship, as the first sightings took place in Toamasina, the island nation‘s main port. More… Discuss

[youtube.com/watch?v=SjWcLEos8ZQ]
As a commemoration of The 60th. anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation of Tuesday 2nd. June 1953 at Westminster Abbey I thought it appropriate to post the full version in one video of the much celebrated colour film chronicle of this most sacred & ancient event. (I’d hoped to have had this uploaded pre 2nd. June. Technical issues needed to be overcome before it could be posted. Although The Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend In NSW is still a fitting day for this posting.)

This Day in the Yesteryear: SIR WALTER RALEIGH IS EXECUTED FOR TREASON (1618)

Sir Walter Raleigh Is Executed for Treason (1618)

Raleigh was an English explorer, courtier, and favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, whom he famously—according to the story—protected from a puddle by laying down his cloak. After King James I took the throne, however, Raleigh was accused of plotting against the king, was arrested, and lost many of his offices and monopolies. He was also found guilty, on somewhat insufficient evidence, of conspiring with Spain against England. Raleigh was not actually executed, though, until 1618, after what happened? More… Discuss

 

THE BABINGTON PLOT

Mary Queen of Scots was the Catholic monarch during the Scottish Reformation. Forced to abdicate, she fled to England and was welcomed but then imprisoned by Elizabeth I, who considered Mary a threat due to her Catholicism and her strong claim to the throne through her grandmother, Margaret Tudor. During her 18-year imprisonment, Mary endlessly schemed to gain her freedom but was beheaded when the Babington Plot—to murder Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne—was discovered. Who was Babington? More… Discuss