For All the Bored's Historians

[EugeneF]

How would you like to rule over an impoverished, fractious land with the added perk of a violent death? Just send your resume to 15th or 16th century Scotland.

On this day in 1437, James I resolved an argument with some cousins by being stabbed to death. He also set a precedent for names and sudden deaths. His son was James II who, while besieging an English castle in 1460, belatedly discovered a need for caution when standing next to a cannon. He was succeeded by James III whose son just couldn't wait to be James IV; among royalty, civil wars generally are family reunions. Having killed dear old dad, James IV became king in 1488. In 1513, he had a fatal family reunion, fighting his brother-in-law Henry VIII; and that created a job opening for James V. Unfortunately, in 1542, he died in flight from Uncle Henry. James V forgot to have any legitimate sons and he could not bring himself to naming his heir Jamesette. No, she was known as Mary, Queen of Scots. Her autopsy report is fairly well known. Mary's heir was...wild guess...James VI; however, he heard of a job opening in London where the pay and longevity were better. He was the first reigning Stuart in nearly 200 years to die in his bed.

Charles I must have been a traditionalist, chipped off the old block. But his descendants were content to die of the pox (both syphilitic or small) and alcoholism.

Eugene

[earendel]

And another historic event occurring on this day - John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth.

[Bob Juch]

How would you like to rule over an impoverished, fractious land with the added perk of a violent death? Just send your resume to 15th or 16th century Scotland.

On this day in 1437, James I resolved an argument with some cousins by being stabbed to death. He also set a precedent for names and sudden deaths. His son was James II who, while besieging an English castle in 1460, belatedly discovered a need for caution when standing next to a cannon. He was succeeded by James III whose son just couldn't wait to be James IV; among royalty, civil wars generally are family reunions. Having killed dear old dad, James IV became king in 1488. In 1513, he had a fatal family reunion, fighting his brother-in-law Henry VIII; and that created a job opening for James V. Unfortunately, in 1542, he died in flight from Uncle Henry. James V forgot to have any legitimate sons and he could not bring himself to naming his heir Jamesette. No, she was known as Mary, Queen of Scots. Her autopsy report is fairly well known. Mary's heir was...wild guess...James VI; however, he heard of a job opening in London where the pay and longevity were better. He was the first reigning Stuart in nearly 200 years to die in his bed.

Charles I must have been a traditionalist, chipped off the old block. But his descendants were content to die of the pox (both syphilitic or small) and alcoholism.

Eugene

Thanks for the condensed family history.

[Rafferbee]

Thanks for keeping us up to date, Eugene!

[TheConfessor]

On this day in 1437, James I resolved an argument with some cousins by being stabbed to death. He also set a precedent for names and sudden deaths.

What does "this day" mean? Gregorian or Julian calendar?

[EugeneF]

On this day in 1437, James I resolved an argument with some cousins by being stabbed to death. He also set a precedent for names and sudden deaths.

What does "this day" mean? Gregorian or Julian calendar?

Of course, there was no Gregorian Calendar at the time, although I imagine that James I would have gladly postponed his murder until there was one.

No, it would be February 20th according to the Julian Calendar. Historians rarely interpolate Gregorian dates for events occurring before the advent of the updated calendar. When the Church introduced the new and improved calendar in 1582, it did not demand any backdating. The Church simply announced that October 5, 1582 would be followed by October 14, 1582. Yes, people thought that their lives had been shortened by ten days; but in Catholic countries there was a general acquiescence. The Inquisition did have a way with customer service.

Of course, the Protestant countries initially refused to acknowledge the Gregorians' improvements, as if there were a Jesuit lurking behind every page of the calendar. But naming the calendar for Pope Gregory was not exactly ecumenical either. Rather than give a Catholic credit for anything, England adhered to the old Julian calendar. (Apparently, an inaccurate pagan was preferable to an accurate Catholic.)

Finally, in 1752 Britain begrudgingly adopted the Gregorian Calendar. At least, the American Colonies did not revolt over that; but it was a confusing transistion. For example, George Washington had to adjust the celebration of his birthday. The twenty-year-old thought he had been born on February 11th. According to the new calendar, however, he should have been celebrating on February 22nd.

Eugene

[elwoodblues]

"How would you like to rule over an impoverished, fractious land with the added perk of a violent death? Just send your resume to 15th or 16th century Scotland."

Do they have dental?

[EugeneF]

"How would you like to rule over an impoverished, fractious land with the added perk of a violent death? Just send your resume to 15th or 16th century Scotland."

Do they have dental?

British dental care is unique and determined by your social class. For the upper and middle classes, you will be treated for an overbite--specifically to give you one. For the lower and working classes, your teeth will be color-coordinated to match your favorite tea or coal.

Eugene

[BigDrawMan]

the Orthodox Church is sticking with the Julian calender
we dont think the gregorian will catch on