Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince, died today in 1376, possibly of the plague. A brilliant soldier and a tough nut, his death paved the way for the reign of his son, Richard II. who started well by confronting peasants on the rampage in London when he was fourteen. After that it was downhill all the way until he lost his throne, his horse and his life to Henry Bolingbroke.
In other news ...
Today in 1969 General Franco closed the frontier between Spain and Gibraltar hoping to ruin its economy. He clearly hadn't noticed that Gib. could be supplied by sea indefinitely, so how was that going to work? It got me thinking, though, about who owns what and how it should all be given back. Britain belongs to the Celts (that's the Welsh, Irish and Scots) so the English can go home. Where's that? Well, some of them have to go to Denmark, Norway and Sweden and others to North Germany. And don't get me started on how the Americans are going to cope.
It is time, however, that we returned the Elgin Marbles to Greece. Their return alone would restore the country's economy overnight.
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Friday, 8 June 2012
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
1st February
American heart throb Clark Gable was born today in 1901, the same day, coincidentally, that Queen Victoria died. Conspiracy theorists are sure there is a plot involved somewhere, but as I write, they are not sure what - give them time, they'll come up with something eventually.
It may be that I'm too male and too young to appreciate Gable, but I never quite took to him. Those huge ears, that silly moustache and an essential inability to act, should have precluded him from Hollywood stardom. Apparently, he had bad breath as well, but that was really just an issue between him and his leading lady. Incidentally, did you know that his famous last line of Gone With The Wind (the most over-rated film in history apart from, arguably, The Sound of Music) was originally 'Frankly, my dear, I don't really care.'
Well done to whoever insisted on changing that - although it didn't amount to a hill of beans as regards improving the film.
In other news ...
Seventy years ago today, Vidkun Quisling became Prime Minister of Norway under German occupation. So detested was he, at home and abroad, that his name became synonymous with treachery and traitorous behaviour. So, if you really want to offend someone, all you have to do is say 'You Vidkun,' and watch them react with horror.
It may be that I'm too male and too young to appreciate Gable, but I never quite took to him. Those huge ears, that silly moustache and an essential inability to act, should have precluded him from Hollywood stardom. Apparently, he had bad breath as well, but that was really just an issue between him and his leading lady. Incidentally, did you know that his famous last line of Gone With The Wind (the most over-rated film in history apart from, arguably, The Sound of Music) was originally 'Frankly, my dear, I don't really care.'
Well done to whoever insisted on changing that - although it didn't amount to a hill of beans as regards improving the film.
In other news ...
Seventy years ago today, Vidkun Quisling became Prime Minister of Norway under German occupation. So detested was he, at home and abroad, that his name became synonymous with treachery and traitorous behaviour. So, if you really want to offend someone, all you have to do is say 'You Vidkun,' and watch them react with horror.
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