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Mary Robinson and Frances Villiers were mistresses of which 19th century King? | Top 10 Philandering English Monarchs - Listverse
Top 10 Philandering English Monarchs
Kiri Derrick
April 21, 2011
In celebration of the upcoming royal wedding I have prepared a list to celebrate another British royal tradition – the mistress. Mistresses have been recognized since written history began. Traditionally a mistress was a woman who was kept, as a lover, by a man who could afford to maintain her lifestyle, the better the mistress the more costly the upkeep. Young women, and often their families, would work to attract the richest and most powerful lovers for the money and status that came with him. Usually this was outside of the mans marriage, but often the wife was aware of the mistress and accepted her presence as the social norm. This does not include women who may have spent a night with a king, but any woman who was kept as a mistress for any length of time. This list will look at 10 of the most prolific philandering English Monarchs and the women they kept.
10
William IV
1 Mistress
William IV was king of the United Kingdom for 20 years, but while he was Duke of Clarence he lived with his mistress, an Irish actress named Dorothea Jordan . They never married as they needed permission from the king in order to have a legitimate wedding. They were said to be very much in love and together they had 10 children George FitzClarence 1st Earl of Munster (1794), Henry Edward (1795), Sophia Sidney Baroness De L’Isle and Dudley (1796), Lady Mary Fox (1798), Lieutenant General Lord Frederick FitzClarence (1799), Elizabeth Hay Countess of Erroll (1801), Rear-Admiral Lord Adolphus FitzClarence (1802), Lady Augusta Hallyburton (1803), Lord Augustus FitzClarence (1805) and Amelia Cary Viscountess Falkland (1807). The relationship ended badly in 1811, Dorothea claimed that the split was due to money problems. The surname FitzClarence come from FitzRoy, an Anglo-Norman name meaning “son of the king”. Different versions of this name were used by many royals as a surname for their illegitimate children.
9
George I
2 Mistresses
George I came to Britain from Hanover in 1714, after he inherited the throne, and with him he brought his two long-established mistresses. He had divorced his wife Sophia Dorothea of Celle in 1694, and had her imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden for the rest of her life, after a scandalous affair. Her lover, Philip Christoph von Königsmarck, disappeared one morning never to be seen again, and years later two men confessed that George had paid them to kill him and dump his body in a river. His first mistress was Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, nicknamed “The Maypole” because she was so thin. Together they had three Illegitimate children: Anna Luise Sophie von der Schulenburg Countess of Dölitz (1692), Melusina von der Schulenburg Countess of Walsingham (1693) and Margaret Gertrude von der Schulenburg, Countess of Oeynhausen (1701). After Georges death she kept a pet raven which she believed was George’s re-incarnated soul. George’s second mistress, Sophia von Kielmansegg, was nicknamed “The Elephant” due to her portly size. In European royalty inbreeding was prolific as families struggled to keep their wealth and power, however this was usually a match between cousins. Sophia was actually George’s illegitimate half-sister as they were both children of Ernest Augustus Elector of Hanover. Sophia’s family have denied she slept with George, but it was common knowledge at British court she was his mistress. Both women were George’s mistresses until his death, in 1727.
8
Edward VIII
3 Mistresses
Edward VIII is said to have been quite promiscuous during his youth, and had many affairs with married women, but most of the reports of this are hearsay and very difficult to verify. He had 3 official mistresses, which puts him quite low on this list. Edward met Winifred Dudley Ward, a wealthy socialite, in 1918 at a dinner party, and for the next sixteen years Freda was Edward’s mistress. There is speculation that her son Timothy Ward Seely is actually Edwards illegitimate son, although this remains unproven. When Edward met Viscountess Thelma Furnessin in 1929, he was smitten. Like Freda she was an attractive and wealthy socialite, and along with Freda she was Edwards mistress for the next 5 years. Then, in 1934 both Freda and Thelma found themselves very suddenly replaced by an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward had meet Wallis at a party thrown by Thelma, and by 1934 she was firmly in control. In 1936, Edward was King and Wallis had divorced her second husband, however they couldn’t marry due to constitutional laws governing royal marriages. Edward was determined, though, and less than a year after becoming king he abdicated and left to live in exile so he could marry Wallis. For what its worth, they lived out the rest of their lives happily ever after.
7
Henry II
6 Mistresses
Henry II was notorious for his illicit relations with other men’s wives, and for having several illegitimate children. However, few records containing information about them have survived, and only records about the most infamous mistresses would have been written to start with. Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, the same year Henry’s first recorded illegitimate son, Geoffrey Plantagenet Archbishop of York was born, details of his mother are unclear but her name is believed to have been Ykenai. Henry fell deeply in love in 1163, when he met Rosamund Clifford: there are lots of legends surrounding Rosamund so it is difficult to pick the truth from the folklore. There is some belief that she had at least one child by Henry, what is clear though is that the affair lasted until 1176, shortly before she died. After Rosamund’s death, Henry helped pay for her burial and tomb, which most people take as a proof of his true affection for her. To strengthen their alliance, Louis VII of France sent his 8 year old daughter, Alys Countess of the Vexin (1160), to England to marry Henry’s legitimate son, and heir, Richard I of England. Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191, by this time Alys was already his fathers mistress, she is also thought to have had a child by Henry. In 1175, Matilda Abbess of Barking was born, the name of her mother has unfortunately been lost to time, and less than a year after Matilda’s birth William Longespée 3rd Earl of Salisbury was born. He was Henry’s son by Ida de Toesny, Countess of Norfolk and the wife of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. Henry also had a son by Lady Nesta Bloet, the wife of Sir Ralph Bloet, and Morgan would later become the Bishop of Durham.
6
George IV
8 Mistresses
In 1795, George IV was married to Caroline of Brunswick in a purely politically arranged marriage which was doomed from the outset. In 1796, their only child, Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, was born and shortly after that they were living completely separate lives. George had been keeping mistresses since 1779, when he met Mary Robinson while she was performing in a play. He offered her twenty thousand pounds if she would become his mistress. George had tired of her within a year, and dumped her without paying her. The affair had ruined her reputation and she wasn’t able to find work, so she threatened to sell some of his love letters to a newspaper, and he agreed to pay her a small pension. Two years later, George began an affair with Grace Dalrymple Elliott, again it was a short affair which was kept quiet, but within a year Grace had a daughter, Georgina Seymour. George acknowledged the child and she was baptized as Georgina Frederica Augusta Elliott, Daughter of His Royal Highness George, Prince of Wales. There was speculation that the child was not George’s as she resembled another of her mothers lovers. Grace didn’t last much longer as a mistress, but she did manage to survive the French revolution, despite being jailed and sentenced to death by guillotine.
In 1784, Lady Elizabeth Lamb Viscountess Melbourne had a son, George Lamb. At the time, she was George’s mistress but her husband took responsibility for the child. That same year George meet his longest lasting mistress, Maria Fitzherbert. He fell madly in love with her and they married in 1785. The marriage was not legally valid under the Royal Marriages Act, but George and Maria lived together through his legitimate marriage to Caroline, until 1811. During these years George did acknowledge illegitimate children with other women, and although she officially had no children, in Maria’s will she refers to her two daughters, Mary Ann Stafford-Jerningham and Mary Georgina Emma Dawson-Damer. It is possible they were her illegitimate children with George, hidden and raised by close family and friends to avoid any more scandal. Next to catch George’s eye was Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey, and by 1794 she had managed to lure George away from Maria. For a few years she took control of the household, however her place as favorite mistress didn’t last and he had soon moved on to Lady Hertford. Isabella Anne Ingram Seymour Conway, Marchioness of Hertford, became George’s mistress in 1807, despite her husband trying to keep George away from her. Isabella was the one to first influence George towards the Tory political party, but as with most of George’s mistresses he tired of her and, in 1819, he had a new interest. Marchioness Elizabeth Conyngham was considered very beautiful, but looked down upon by her peers due to the common birth of her mother. Her husband was not very well connected, and she became a courtesan to men of wealth and power in the hope of gaining her family favor. She began her affair with George around 1819, and her plan quickly proved successful: her husband was made a Marquess and a member of the Privy Council. The affair continued right up until Georges sudden death, in 1830, after which Elizabeth moved to Paris and refused all of the jewelry and gifts George had left her in his will.
5
Henry I
9+ Mistresses
Henry I has the distinction of having the most recognized illegitimate children of any English king, with more than 20 to his name. A lot of the documents have been destroyed in the centuries since Henry lived, which, when combined with the low literacy levels during this era, makes it not surprising that details have been lost. The main issue, though, is that women where not considered important enough to be written about, and most of the information on these women comes from what was written about their husbands or children. We do know Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester (1090), is probably Henry’s first illegitimate child, and his mother was most likely one of Rainald Gay’s daughters. Henry next illegitimate son was Gilbert FitzRoy, and we know he died sometime after 1142 and that his mother may have been one of Walter de Gand’s sisters. With a mistress, known only as Edith, Henry had a daughter, Matilda du Perche, in 1086. Matilda married Count Rotrou III of Perche, and died in the shipwreck of the White Ship in 1120. Henrys next son, Henry Fitzroy (1103), was the child of Princess Nest Ferch Rhys (1073). She was later married off to Gerald de Windsor. Nest is said to have been remarkably beautiful, and was even kidnapped by her cousin, Owain, after he fell in love with her. With Ansfride of Seacourt (1070) Henry had three children, Juliane de Fontevrault (1090), Fulk FitzRoy (1092) and Richard of Lincoln (1094). Juliane de Fontevrault once tried to kill her father with a crossbow. Henry kidnapped a rebellious nobles son, so the noble kidnapped Henrys granddaughters (Juliane’s daughters). They tried to negotiate peace and agreed to call it a truce and swap hostages. Henry wanted to humiliate the noble so he blinded his son before returning him, and in retaliation the noble mutilated his young granddaughters by blinding them and cutting their nose’s off.
With Edith FitzForne he fathered two children, Robert FitzEdith Lord Okehampton (1093) and Adeliza FitzEdith. Henry also fathered a son in 1087, William de Tracy, with Gieva de Tracy (1064). Lady Sybilla Corbet of Alcester (1077) was married but, as with many others on this list, that didn’t stop Henry. Together they had at least 2 children, Sybilla de Normandy and Reginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Three of Henrys other children may have also been Sybilla’s, William Constable (1105), Gundred of England (1114) and Rohese of England (1114). Isabel de Beaumont (1102) was the wife of the 1st Earl of Pembroke. With Henry she had two children, Isabel Hedwig of England and Matilda FitzRoy, Abbess of Montvilliers. Henry has other illegitimate children who can’t be definitively connected to any one mistress. Henry was a clever man, and used his illegitimate children to secure his position. He made his sons nobles and gave them land, and he married his daughters off to men he wanted to keep as allies. Some of his illegitimate children include Maud FitzRoy (1901), wife to Conan III Duke of Brittany, Constance FitzRoy (1110) married to Richard Viscount de Beaumont, Mabel FitzRoy was married to William III Gouet, Aline FitzRoy wife of Matthieu I of Montmorency, Elizabeth of England married Fergus of Galloway and Emma married Guy de Laval IV.
4
Edward VII
9+ Mistresses
Edward VII was notorious for his infidelities, he managed to carry out each affair in a discreet manner, and as such no one is entirely sure how many mistresses he had. There is some speculation that it could have been up to 55, though there is no clear evidence of how far each relationship went. His wife, Queen Alexandra, whom he married in 1862, is believed to have been aware of many of his affairs and, for the most part, to have accepted them. It was normal during the Victorian era for married woman of good standing to become mistress to men of higher social standing, with her husband’s knowledge, to advance the couple socially or politically. In 1864, after her husbands death, Lady Susan Pelham-Clinton began a short affair with Edward. Allegedly, Susan had Edwards’s illegitimate child in 1871, and a letter written to Edward by one of Susan’s friends states that “the crisis was due within two or three months” nothing further is known about this child, though. Lillie Langtry was a renowned beauty known as Jersey Lily, and in 1877 Edward arranged to sit next to Lillie at a dinner party. She soon became his mistress and a friend of Queen Alexandra. It was a short affair and cooled off after the arrival of Sarah Bernhardt. Sarah was a stage and film actress who had already had a son by Belgian Prince Charles-Joseph Eugène Henri Georges Lamoral de Ligne. She would often sleep in a coffin, as she claimed this helped her understand tragic roles. From 1879, she was Edwards mistress, and like most of his affairs, this was brief and kept as secret as possible.
The next woman to be kept by Edward was Lady Jeanette Churchill, mother of English Prime Minister Winston Churchill. She was considered to be very beautiful and was married to Lord Randolph Churchill. It was after the birth of her sons that the affair began. Lady Churchill and Queen Alexandra became friends, despite the affair, and enjoyed spending time in each others company. After Lady Churchill was Hortense Schneider, a French soprano and a star of the operetta. It was through the operetta that Hortense met Edward, little is know of this affair as Edward was discreet but Hortense earned herself the nickname “Le Passage des Princes”. Daisy Greville Countess of Warwick, an illegitimate descendant of King Charles II, was a courtesan to Edward. She was also having an affair with Lord Charles Beresford. Her letters from the time show that she genuinely cared for Lord Beresford, and when Edward discovered this affair he was enraged and the dispute had to be resolved by the Prime minister.
In 1869, Sir Charles Mordaunt 10th Baronet, threatened to name Edward as co-respondent in his divorce from Harriet Sarah Moncreiffe. Edward was called as a witness in the case as Edward had visited the Mordaunts house while Sir Charles was away. Edward denied the rumors of adultery, and nothing could be proven, but this was damaging to his reputation. From 1899, up until his death in 1910, Agnes Keyser was Edwards mistress, making her one of Edwards longest mistresses. Together with her sister, Fanny, she converted their home into a hospital for officers returning from the Boer War. Edward was the hospitals first patron and, although it has moved location, it is still running today as King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers. As well as Agnes, Edward also kept Alice Keppel, a society lady married to the son of the 7th Earl of Albemarle. She was a popular mistress to men of power due to her discretion, and took many lovers to help increase her standing in society, all with her husband’s knowledge. In 1898, she began an affair with Edward, despite being nearly 30 years his junior, which lasted right up till the monarch’s death. Alice was the great-grandmother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Edward would also frequent Le Chabanais, one of the most luxurious brothels in Paris. There he had his own room with his coat of arms above the bed, a special bath tub in which he could bathe in champagne with the prostitutes, and even a special chair designed and made for his visits. It was here that he encountered Giulia Barucci, an employee of Le Chabanais, who became another of his mistresses. Edward is also said to have enjoyed the company of Cora Pearl and Caroline “La Belle” Otero during his numerous visits to the brothel.
3
Henry VIII
10 Mistresses
Henry VIII’s libido is legendary, so you might be surprised to find he is only number 3 on my top 10. On 11 June, 1509, he was married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon, the young widow of his older brother King Arthur. Catherine was pregnant at least 5 times, with only Mary I surviving infancy. Henry’s first mistress was Anne Stafford Countess of Huntingdon in 1510, a year after he married Queen Catherine. When discovered, this affair caused a scandal and resulted in Anne being sent to a convent by her husband. Jane Popincourt was his second mistress, in 1514, she was his sister’s tutor, and was rumoured to be so promiscuous that even the French king wouldn’t allow her into his court. Next was Elizabeth Blount: this affair was less discreet and the attention he gave her even upset Catherine, Henry’s wife. Elizabeth gave birth in the spring of 1519: the boy was the first son of the king and named Henry FitzRoy. Elizabeth was married off to the 1st Baron Tailboys of Kyme, who was one of Henry’s courtiers and Member of Parliament. It was around this time Henry had at least 3 other illegitimate children, Thomas Stukley in 1520 by Jane Stukley, Etheldreda Malte in 1527 by Joan Dingley and John Perrot in 1528 by Mary Perrot. The King’s next official mistress Mary Boleyn, was known as a courtesan: King Francis I of France described her as “a great prostitute, infamous above all.” Mary was married to Sir William Carey who was compliant due to the status and favor it afforded him. Both of Mary’s children, Catherine (1524) and Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon (1526), were Henry’s illegitimate offspring. Henry soon tired of his mistress and Mary was sent to live with her husband in the country.
Henry’s next mistress was Mary’s younger sister, Anne. Henry had started proceedings for his divorce from Catherine of Aragon as she was now barren and couldn’t give him a male heir. Henry desperately wanted a legitimate son to provide stability for the country and avoid another civil war. Anne refused to sleep with Henry unless he married her, so, six years later on 25 January, 1533, that’s what Henry did. As the pope wouldn’t grant him a divorce, Henry declared himself the head of the church in England, and split from Catholicism starting hundreds of years of religious wars. Henry and Anne went on to have a daughter who would become Queen Elizabeth. Anne was pregnant at least 4 more times but these resulted in miscarriages or still births. While Anne was pregnant Henry took other mistresses, including Mary Shelton, who was Anne’s cousin, and Jane Seymour. After Anne’s final miscarriage, Henry had her executed on unfounded charges of treason and incest. Henry went on to marry Jane Seymour, who provided him with the son he desired, however she died shortly after childbirth. She was the only one of Henry’s 6 wives to receive a queen’s funeral, and she is buried next to him in St Georges Chapel at Windsor castle. As far as records show, he didn’t have another official mistress after this. However, he did go on to marry Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
2
James II
11 Mistresses
James II was a prolific philanderer, even rivaling his brother Charles II, with most reports putting the number at around eleven official mistresses. James had unusual tastes in women: while other men of his time followed the baroque model of heavy-set, voluptuous women, James was attracted to young slim teens. In 1659, James seduced Anne Hyde who was Maid of Honor to his sister, Princess Mary, while they were living in exile in Europe after the English civil war. Charles II forced James to marry Anne, despite her unattractiveness, after she was found to be pregnant by James. So his first mistress became his wife. Anne and James went on to have 8 children, 6 of whom died in infancy, with only two surviving: Mary, 1662 and Anne, 1665. James’s longest-lasting mistress was Arabella Churchill, an ancestor of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Their affair began in 1665, when she was 17, around the time that Arabella became Queen Anne’s lady-in-waiting. Arabella and James had four illegitimate children together, Henrietta 1667, James 1st Duke of Berwick 1670, Henry 1st Duke of Albemarle 1673 and Arabella FitzJames 1674, and after the birth of their final child Arabella was married off, as well. Queen Anne died in 1671, probably of breast cancer, 7 weeks after the birth of her youngest child, Catherine, who died at 10 months old. Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, was the mistress of King James II before he came to the throne.
Following pressure from the church and catholic officials, after he was crowned James “retired” Catherine. He moved her out of Whitehall but he doubled her allowance as compensation, within the year James had changed his mind and they were meeting again. Their son James Darnley was born in 1684, he sadly died the next year, she also bore James a daughter, Lady Catherine Darnley, her birth was around 1681 and she married the 3rd Earl of Anglesey. In 1686, Catherine was awarded Countess of Dorchester for life, though this caused much anger at court and as a result Catherine went to stay in Ireland while the scandal blew over. Most of James’s other liaisons were short-lived affairs with women he met at court. Lady Anne Carnegie, Countess of Southesk, was the wife of the 3rd Earl of Southesk and the daughter of Daughter of William Duke of Hamilton, and also one of James’s many mistresses. During 1662, Elizabeth Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield, was said to have been caught “in flagrante” with James. This lead to some speculation as to whom the father of her daughter Lady Elizabeth Stanhope, born 1663, was. After Lady Chesterfield was Mary “Moll” Kirke, daughter of George Kirke and later Lady Vernon, wife of the 2nd Baron of Hodnet. She was another of the Queens maids of honor and another of James’s mistresses. Following his first wife’s death, James proposed to his mistress, the 17-year-old widow Lady Susanna Baroness of Belasyse, daughter of the 2nd Baron of Airmine. James was forced to choose a more suitable wife, but Susanna was given a life peerage and made a baroness. James was also known to have had an affair with Goditha Price, daughter of the 1st Baronet of the Priory. James’ next interest was Lady Elizabeth Denham, wife of the poet Sir John Denham. Followed by a very short lived affair with Lady Jane Middleton. James was only king from 1685, when his brother died without a legitimate heir, to 1688 when his daughter Mary and her husband William led a revolution and overthrew him.
1
Charles II
14 Mistresses
Charles II may be the most notorious womanizer of the English Kings, with reason. He often had multiple mistresses, both noble and common. Charles had fourteen acknowledged illegitimate children, but no legitimate heir with his wife Catherine. His first recorded mistress was Lucy Walter, a well known courtesan, their affair began in the mid 1640’s and by 1649 Lucy gave birth to James Scott 1st Duke of Monmouth, the eldest of Charles illegitimate children. After Charles’s death, James would try to succeed him by claiming his parents had married in secret, he had no evidence to support this and his rebellion failed. From 1648 to 1660, Charles was living in exile after the English revolution, and during this time he and Elizabeth Killigrew Viscountess Shannon, a maid-of-honor to his mother, had a very brief affair, and in 1650 she had his daughter, Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria FitzRoy. While exiled, Charles also began an affair with Catherine Pegge and, in 1657, she gave birth to Charles FitzCharles 1st Earl of Plymouth, followed by a daughter Catherine FitzCharles. Catherine’s position did not last long, and in 1667 she was married off to Sir Edward Greene. Next to catch Charles’s eye was Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, a renowned courtesan of her day. They began their affair in 1660, and she quickly gained a reputation for her greed, extravagance and foul temper. Barbara and Charles had 5 children together between 1661 and 1665, Anne Countess of Sussex, Charles 2nd Duke of Cleveland, Henry 1st Duke of Grafton, Charlotte Countess of Lichfield and George 1st Duke of Northumberland. Through her son Henry, Barbara is an ancestor of the late Princess Diana.
Winifred Wells was a Maid of Honor to Queen Catherine and, from 1662, she was also Charles mistress, though she never gained much favor or power. Samuel Pepys wrote in 1662 that Winifred “dropped a child during a court ball held on 31 December” this child was allegedly the kings, but never officially recognised. In 1673, after Charles lost interest, she was married to Thomas Wyndham. Frances Stewart was a maid of honor at Charles and Catherine’s wedding in 1663, and then a lady-in-waiting. Legend has it that Frances refused to sleep with the king unless he married her, however there is strong evidence that Frances and Charles had a daughter, Rebecca Stuart, but she was kept secret to protect Frances’s reputation. Frances realised that the only thing she would ever be to Charles was a mistress, so she eloped with the Duke of Richmond, leaving Charles heart broken. Mary Davis was an actress and courtesan who began her affair with Charles in 1667, in 1669 she gave birth to Charles’ daughter Lady Mary Tudor. Shortly after this, Charles lost interest in Mary, possibly due to his new mistress, and Mary’s main rival for the last year, Nell Gwyn. Born to a poor family, Nell started working as an actress at age 14. After gaining some fame she went on to become a mistress and started her affair with Charles in 1668. Nell and Charles had two sons, Charles in 1670 and James in 1671, they stayed friends until Charles death in 1685. After Nell came Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille Duchess of Portsmouth, she was born into aristocracy and was placed into Henrietta Stuart’s household in the hopes she would attract the attention of royalty. Around 1670, she attracted Charles and in 1672 their child, Charles Lennox 1st Duke of Richmond, was born. Louise influenced Charles in favor of France in matters of state, this earned her the hatred of the English. Sarah, Duchess of York, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Diana are all descendants of Louise and Charles.
Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin, escaped a failed marriage and spent many years in Europe as a courtesan to men of nobility who could afford to keep her. By 1676, she had succeeded in replacing Louise as Charles’s favored mistress. Hortense quickly fell from favor, she was in a lesbian relationship with Anne Fitzroy, Charles daughter with Barbara Palmer. This ended when Anne’s husband sent her to the country after Hortense and Anne had a public fencing match in St James Park wearing only nightgowns. She was also having an affair with Louis I Prince of Monaco, and when Charles found out he cut off her allowance. Although he gave in after a few days, this was the beginning of the end of Hortense’s position. She and Charles remained friends, and Barbara Palmer became favorite once again. Little information is known of his other mistresses: they included Jane Roberts who was the daughter of a clergyman, Mrs Knight a famous singer, Elizabeth Berkeley Dowager Countess of Falmouth and Christabella Wyndham, the royal nurse who had once been Charles’s wet nurse. There are also many other unofficial reports of mistresses including Countess Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the second wife of the 18th earl of Kildare and Lady Mary Sackville of Dorset. Interestingly, it is alleged that Charles fathered James de la Cloche in 1646 by Lady Marguerite de Carteret. Reportedly, Charles II recognized him in secret in 1665, and granted him £500 a year, as long as he would stay in London and as an Anglican, however this remains unproven.
+
Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles misses out on a spot in my list as he is the current Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, and only Monarchs are allowed on the list, but he deserves a special mention for his stupidity. Charles married Diana Spencer in 1981, as far as we can tell Charles was not in love with Diana but he had decided she would make a proper royal bride and was suitable for the job. Diana was extremely popular with the public and earned the nickname “the Queen of Hearts”. Within a few years, the marriage was on the rocks and they divorced in 1996, in no small part due to Camilla. Camilla Parker Bowles was one of Charles’s early girlfriends and a descendant of Edward VII and Alice Keppel. They were romantically involved on and off from the 1970’s, however Charles believed she was not a suitable royal bride. Allegedly, they began an affair in the 1980’s and this was the main cause of strain on his and Diana’s relationship. This created very bad publicity for Charles, and Camilla was resented by the public. Even after the divorce Charles couldn’t marry Camilla because of public opposition. After nearly ten years, they received permission to marry from the Queen, however she didn’t attend her son’s wedding. Why he didn’t just marry Camilla in the first place is a mystery.
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Top 10 Philandering English Monarchs
Kiri Derrick
April 21, 2011
In celebration of the upcoming royal wedding I have prepared a list to celebrate another British royal tradition – the mistress. Mistresses have been recognized since written history began. Traditionally a mistress was a woman who was kept, as a lover, by a man who could afford to maintain her lifestyle, the better the mistress the more costly the upkeep. Young women, and often their families, would work to attract the richest and most powerful lovers for the money and status that came with him. Usually this was outside of the mans marriage, but often the wife was aware of the mistress and accepted her presence as the social norm. This does not include women who may have spent a night with a king, but any woman who was kept as a mistress for any length of time. This list will look at 10 of the most prolific philandering English Monarchs and the women they kept.
10
William IV
1 Mistress
William IV was king of the United Kingdom for 20 years, but while he was Duke of Clarence he lived with his mistress, an Irish actress named Dorothea Jordan . They never married as they needed permission from the king in order to have a legitimate wedding. They were said to be very much in love and together they had 10 children George FitzClarence 1st Earl of Munster (1794), Henry Edward (1795), Sophia Sidney Baroness De L’Isle and Dudley (1796), Lady Mary Fox (1798), Lieutenant General Lord Frederick FitzClarence (1799), Elizabeth Hay Countess of Erroll (1801), Rear-Admiral Lord Adolphus FitzClarence (1802), Lady Augusta Hallyburton (1803), Lord Augustus FitzClarence (1805) and Amelia Cary Viscountess Falkland (1807). The relationship ended badly in 1811, Dorothea claimed that the split was due to money problems. The surname FitzClarence come from FitzRoy, an Anglo-Norman name meaning “son of the king”. Different versions of this name were used by many royals as a surname for their illegitimate children.
9
George I
2 Mistresses
George I came to Britain from Hanover in 1714, after he inherited the throne, and with him he brought his two long-established mistresses. He had divorced his wife Sophia Dorothea of Celle in 1694, and had her imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden for the rest of her life, after a scandalous affair. Her lover, Philip Christoph von Königsmarck, disappeared one morning never to be seen again, and years later two men confessed that George had paid them to kill him and dump his body in a river. His first mistress was Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, nicknamed “The Maypole” because she was so thin. Together they had three Illegitimate children: Anna Luise Sophie von der Schulenburg Countess of Dölitz (1692), Melusina von der Schulenburg Countess of Walsingham (1693) and Margaret Gertrude von der Schulenburg, Countess of Oeynhausen (1701). After Georges death she kept a pet raven which she believed was George’s re-incarnated soul. George’s second mistress, Sophia von Kielmansegg, was nicknamed “The Elephant” due to her portly size. In European royalty inbreeding was prolific as families struggled to keep their wealth and power, however this was usually a match between cousins. Sophia was actually George’s illegitimate half-sister as they were both children of Ernest Augustus Elector of Hanover. Sophia’s family have denied she slept with George, but it was common knowledge at British court she was his mistress. Both women were George’s mistresses until his death, in 1727.
8
Edward VIII
3 Mistresses
Edward VIII is said to have been quite promiscuous during his youth, and had many affairs with married women, but most of the reports of this are hearsay and very difficult to verify. He had 3 official mistresses, which puts him quite low on this list. Edward met Winifred Dudley Ward, a wealthy socialite, in 1918 at a dinner party, and for the next sixteen years Freda was Edward’s mistress. There is speculation that her son Timothy Ward Seely is actually Edwards illegitimate son, although this remains unproven. When Edward met Viscountess Thelma Furnessin in 1929, he was smitten. Like Freda she was an attractive and wealthy socialite, and along with Freda she was Edwards mistress for the next 5 years. Then, in 1934 both Freda and Thelma found themselves very suddenly replaced by an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward had meet Wallis at a party thrown by Thelma, and by 1934 she was firmly in control. In 1936, Edward was King and Wallis had divorced her second husband, however they couldn’t marry due to constitutional laws governing royal marriages. Edward was determined, though, and less than a year after becoming king he abdicated and left to live in exile so he could marry Wallis. For what its worth, they lived out the rest of their lives happily ever after.
7
Henry II
6 Mistresses
Henry II was notorious for his illicit relations with other men’s wives, and for having several illegitimate children. However, few records containing information about them have survived, and only records about the most infamous mistresses would have been written to start with. Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, the same year Henry’s first recorded illegitimate son, Geoffrey Plantagenet Archbishop of York was born, details of his mother are unclear but her name is believed to have been Ykenai. Henry fell deeply in love in 1163, when he met Rosamund Clifford: there are lots of legends surrounding Rosamund so it is difficult to pick the truth from the folklore. There is some belief that she had at least one child by Henry, what is clear though is that the affair lasted until 1176, shortly before she died. After Rosamund’s death, Henry helped pay for her burial and tomb, which most people take as a proof of his true affection for her. To strengthen their alliance, Louis VII of France sent his 8 year old daughter, Alys Countess of the Vexin (1160), to England to marry Henry’s legitimate son, and heir, Richard I of England. Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191, by this time Alys was already his fathers mistress, she is also thought to have had a child by Henry. In 1175, Matilda Abbess of Barking was born, the name of her mother has unfortunately been lost to time, and less than a year after Matilda’s birth William Longespée 3rd Earl of Salisbury was born. He was Henry’s son by Ida de Toesny, Countess of Norfolk and the wife of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. Henry also had a son by Lady Nesta Bloet, the wife of Sir Ralph Bloet, and Morgan would later become the Bishop of Durham.
6
George IV
8 Mistresses
In 1795, George IV was married to Caroline of Brunswick in a purely politically arranged marriage which was doomed from the outset. In 1796, their only child, Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, was born and shortly after that they were living completely separate lives. George had been keeping mistresses since 1779, when he met Mary Robinson while she was performing in a play. He offered her twenty thousand pounds if she would become his mistress. George had tired of her within a year, and dumped her without paying her. The affair had ruined her reputation and she wasn’t able to find work, so she threatened to sell some of his love letters to a newspaper, and he agreed to pay her a small pension. Two years later, George began an affair with Grace Dalrymple Elliott, again it was a short affair which was kept quiet, but within a year Grace had a daughter, Georgina Seymour. George acknowledged the child and she was baptized as Georgina Frederica Augusta Elliott, Daughter of His Royal Highness George, Prince of Wales. There was speculation that the child was not George’s as she resembled another of her mothers lovers. Grace didn’t last much longer as a mistress, but she did manage to survive the French revolution, despite being jailed and sentenced to death by guillotine.
In 1784, Lady Elizabeth Lamb Viscountess Melbourne had a son, George Lamb. At the time, she was George’s mistress but her husband took responsibility for the child. That same year George meet his longest lasting mistress, Maria Fitzherbert. He fell madly in love with her and they married in 1785. The marriage was not legally valid under the Royal Marriages Act, but George and Maria lived together through his legitimate marriage to Caroline, until 1811. During these years George did acknowledge illegitimate children with other women, and although she officially had no children, in Maria’s will she refers to her two daughters, Mary Ann Stafford-Jerningham and Mary Georgina Emma Dawson-Damer. It is possible they were her illegitimate children with George, hidden and raised by close family and friends to avoid any more scandal. Next to catch George’s eye was Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey, and by 1794 she had managed to lure George away from Maria. For a few years she took control of the household, however her place as favorite mistress didn’t last and he had soon moved on to Lady Hertford. Isabella Anne Ingram Seymour Conway, Marchioness of Hertford, became George’s mistress in 1807, despite her husband trying to keep George away from her. Isabella was the one to first influence George towards the Tory political party, but as with most of George’s mistresses he tired of her and, in 1819, he had a new interest. Marchioness Elizabeth Conyngham was considered very beautiful, but looked down upon by her peers due to the common birth of her mother. Her husband was not very well connected, and she became a courtesan to men of wealth and power in the hope of gaining her family favor. She began her affair with George around 1819, and her plan quickly proved successful: her husband was made a Marquess and a member of the Privy Council. The affair continued right up until Georges sudden death, in 1830, after which Elizabeth moved to Paris and refused all of the jewelry and gifts George had left her in his will.
5
Henry I
9+ Mistresses
Henry I has the distinction of having the most recognized illegitimate children of any English king, with more than 20 to his name. A lot of the documents have been destroyed in the centuries since Henry lived, which, when combined with the low literacy levels during this era, makes it not surprising that details have been lost. The main issue, though, is that women where not considered important enough to be written about, and most of the information on these women comes from what was written about their husbands or children. We do know Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester (1090), is probably Henry’s first illegitimate child, and his mother was most likely one of Rainald Gay’s daughters. Henry next illegitimate son was Gilbert FitzRoy, and we know he died sometime after 1142 and that his mother may have been one of Walter de Gand’s sisters. With a mistress, known only as Edith, Henry had a daughter, Matilda du Perche, in 1086. Matilda married Count Rotrou III of Perche, and died in the shipwreck of the White Ship in 1120. Henrys next son, Henry Fitzroy (1103), was the child of Princess Nest Ferch Rhys (1073). She was later married off to Gerald de Windsor. Nest is said to have been remarkably beautiful, and was even kidnapped by her cousin, Owain, after he fell in love with her. With Ansfride of Seacourt (1070) Henry had three children, Juliane de Fontevrault (1090), Fulk FitzRoy (1092) and Richard of Lincoln (1094). Juliane de Fontevrault once tried to kill her father with a crossbow. Henry kidnapped a rebellious nobles son, so the noble kidnapped Henrys granddaughters (Juliane’s daughters). They tried to negotiate peace and agreed to call it a truce and swap hostages. Henry wanted to humiliate the noble so he blinded his son before returning him, and in retaliation the noble mutilated his young granddaughters by blinding them and cutting their nose’s off.
With Edith FitzForne he fathered two children, Robert FitzEdith Lord Okehampton (1093) and Adeliza FitzEdith. Henry also fathered a son in 1087, William de Tracy, with Gieva de Tracy (1064). Lady Sybilla Corbet of Alcester (1077) was married but, as with many others on this list, that didn’t stop Henry. Together they had at least 2 children, Sybilla de Normandy and Reginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Three of Henrys other children may have also been Sybilla’s, William Constable (1105), Gundred of England (1114) and Rohese of England (1114). Isabel de Beaumont (1102) was the wife of the 1st Earl of Pembroke. With Henry she had two children, Isabel Hedwig of England and Matilda FitzRoy, Abbess of Montvilliers. Henry has other illegitimate children who can’t be definitively connected to any one mistress. Henry was a clever man, and used his illegitimate children to secure his position. He made his sons nobles and gave them land, and he married his daughters off to men he wanted to keep as allies. Some of his illegitimate children include Maud FitzRoy (1901), wife to Conan III Duke of Brittany, Constance FitzRoy (1110) married to Richard Viscount de Beaumont, Mabel FitzRoy was married to William III Gouet, Aline FitzRoy wife of Matthieu I of Montmorency, Elizabeth of England married Fergus of Galloway and Emma married Guy de Laval IV.
4
Edward VII
9+ Mistresses
Edward VII was notorious for his infidelities, he managed to carry out each affair in a discreet manner, and as such no one is entirely sure how many mistresses he had. There is some speculation that it could have been up to 55, though there is no clear evidence of how far each relationship went. His wife, Queen Alexandra, whom he married in 1862, is believed to have been aware of many of his affairs and, for the most part, to have accepted them. It was normal during the Victorian era for married woman of good standing to become mistress to men of higher social standing, with her husband’s knowledge, to advance the couple socially or politically. In 1864, after her husbands death, Lady Susan Pelham-Clinton began a short affair with Edward. Allegedly, Susan had Edwards’s illegitimate child in 1871, and a letter written to Edward by one of Susan’s friends states that “the crisis was due within two or three months” nothing further is known about this child, though. Lillie Langtry was a renowned beauty known as Jersey Lily, and in 1877 Edward arranged to sit next to Lillie at a dinner party. She soon became his mistress and a friend of Queen Alexandra. It was a short affair and cooled off after the arrival of Sarah Bernhardt. Sarah was a stage and film actress who had already had a son by Belgian Prince Charles-Joseph Eugène Henri Georges Lamoral de Ligne. She would often sleep in a coffin, as she claimed this helped her understand tragic roles. From 1879, she was Edwards mistress, and like most of his affairs, this was brief and kept as secret as possible.
The next woman to be kept by Edward was Lady Jeanette Churchill, mother of English Prime Minister Winston Churchill. She was considered to be very beautiful and was married to Lord Randolph Churchill. It was after the birth of her sons that the affair began. Lady Churchill and Queen Alexandra became friends, despite the affair, and enjoyed spending time in each others company. After Lady Churchill was Hortense Schneider, a French soprano and a star of the operetta. It was through the operetta that Hortense met Edward, little is know of this affair as Edward was discreet but Hortense earned herself the nickname “Le Passage des Princes”. Daisy Greville Countess of Warwick, an illegitimate descendant of King Charles II, was a courtesan to Edward. She was also having an affair with Lord Charles Beresford. Her letters from the time show that she genuinely cared for Lord Beresford, and when Edward discovered this affair he was enraged and the dispute had to be resolved by the Prime minister.
In 1869, Sir Charles Mordaunt 10th Baronet, threatened to name Edward as co-respondent in his divorce from Harriet Sarah Moncreiffe. Edward was called as a witness in the case as Edward had visited the Mordaunts house while Sir Charles was away. Edward denied the rumors of adultery, and nothing could be proven, but this was damaging to his reputation. From 1899, up until his death in 1910, Agnes Keyser was Edwards mistress, making her one of Edwards longest mistresses. Together with her sister, Fanny, she converted their home into a hospital for officers returning from the Boer War. Edward was the hospitals first patron and, although it has moved location, it is still running today as King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers. As well as Agnes, Edward also kept Alice Keppel, a society lady married to the son of the 7th Earl of Albemarle. She was a popular mistress to men of power due to her discretion, and took many lovers to help increase her standing in society, all with her husband’s knowledge. In 1898, she began an affair with Edward, despite being nearly 30 years his junior, which lasted right up till the monarch’s death. Alice was the great-grandmother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Edward would also frequent Le Chabanais, one of the most luxurious brothels in Paris. There he had his own room with his coat of arms above the bed, a special bath tub in which he could bathe in champagne with the prostitutes, and even a special chair designed and made for his visits. It was here that he encountered Giulia Barucci, an employee of Le Chabanais, who became another of his mistresses. Edward is also said to have enjoyed the company of Cora Pearl and Caroline “La Belle” Otero during his numerous visits to the brothel.
3
Henry VIII
10 Mistresses
Henry VIII’s libido is legendary, so you might be surprised to find he is only number 3 on my top 10. On 11 June, 1509, he was married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon, the young widow of his older brother King Arthur. Catherine was pregnant at least 5 times, with only Mary I surviving infancy. Henry’s first mistress was Anne Stafford Countess of Huntingdon in 1510, a year after he married Queen Catherine. When discovered, this affair caused a scandal and resulted in Anne being sent to a convent by her husband. Jane Popincourt was his second mistress, in 1514, she was his sister’s tutor, and was rumoured to be so promiscuous that even the French king wouldn’t allow her into his court. Next was Elizabeth Blount: this affair was less discreet and the attention he gave her even upset Catherine, Henry’s wife. Elizabeth gave birth in the spring of 1519: the boy was the first son of the king and named Henry FitzRoy. Elizabeth was married off to the 1st Baron Tailboys of Kyme, who was one of Henry’s courtiers and Member of Parliament. It was around this time Henry had at least 3 other illegitimate children, Thomas Stukley in 1520 by Jane Stukley, Etheldreda Malte in 1527 by Joan Dingley and John Perrot in 1528 by Mary Perrot. The King’s next official mistress Mary Boleyn, was known as a courtesan: King Francis I of France described her as “a great prostitute, infamous above all.” Mary was married to Sir William Carey who was compliant due to the status and favor it afforded him. Both of Mary’s children, Catherine (1524) and Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon (1526), were Henry’s illegitimate offspring. Henry soon tired of his mistress and Mary was sent to live with her husband in the country.
Henry’s next mistress was Mary’s younger sister, Anne. Henry had started proceedings for his divorce from Catherine of Aragon as she was now barren and couldn’t give him a male heir. Henry desperately wanted a legitimate son to provide stability for the country and avoid another civil war. Anne refused to sleep with Henry unless he married her, so, six years later on 25 January, 1533, that’s what Henry did. As the pope wouldn’t grant him a divorce, Henry declared himself the head of the church in England, and split from Catholicism starting hundreds of years of religious wars. Henry and Anne went on to have a daughter who would become Queen Elizabeth. Anne was pregnant at least 4 more times but these resulted in miscarriages or still births. While Anne was pregnant Henry took other mistresses, including Mary Shelton, who was Anne’s cousin, and Jane Seymour. After Anne’s final miscarriage, Henry had her executed on unfounded charges of treason and incest. Henry went on to marry Jane Seymour, who provided him with the son he desired, however she died shortly after childbirth. She was the only one of Henry’s 6 wives to receive a queen’s funeral, and she is buried next to him in St Georges Chapel at Windsor castle. As far as records show, he didn’t have another official mistress after this. However, he did go on to marry Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
2
James II
11 Mistresses
James II was a prolific philanderer, even rivaling his brother Charles II, with most reports putting the number at around eleven official mistresses. James had unusual tastes in women: while other men of his time followed the baroque model of heavy-set, voluptuous women, James was attracted to young slim teens. In 1659, James seduced Anne Hyde who was Maid of Honor to his sister, Princess Mary, while they were living in exile in Europe after the English civil war. Charles II forced James to marry Anne, despite her unattractiveness, after she was found to be pregnant by James. So his first mistress became his wife. Anne and James went on to have 8 children, 6 of whom died in infancy, with only two surviving: Mary, 1662 and Anne, 1665. James’s longest-lasting mistress was Arabella Churchill, an ancestor of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Their affair began in 1665, when she was 17, around the time that Arabella became Queen Anne’s lady-in-waiting. Arabella and James had four illegitimate children together, Henrietta 1667, James 1st Duke of Berwick 1670, Henry 1st Duke of Albemarle 1673 and Arabella FitzJames 1674, and after the birth of their final child Arabella was married off, as well. Queen Anne died in 1671, probably of breast cancer, 7 weeks after the birth of her youngest child, Catherine, who died at 10 months old. Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, was the mistress of King James II before he came to the throne.
Following pressure from the church and catholic officials, after he was crowned James “retired” Catherine. He moved her out of Whitehall but he doubled her allowance as compensation, within the year James had changed his mind and they were meeting again. Their son James Darnley was born in 1684, he sadly died the next year, she also bore James a daughter, Lady Catherine Darnley, her birth was around 1681 and she married the 3rd Earl of Anglesey. In 1686, Catherine was awarded Countess of Dorchester for life, though this caused much anger at court and as a result Catherine went to stay in Ireland while the scandal blew over. Most of James’s other liaisons were short-lived affairs with women he met at court. Lady Anne Carnegie, Countess of Southesk, was the wife of the 3rd Earl of Southesk and the daughter of Daughter of William Duke of Hamilton, and also one of James’s many mistresses. During 1662, Elizabeth Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield, was said to have been caught “in flagrante” with James. This lead to some speculation as to whom the father of her daughter Lady Elizabeth Stanhope, born 1663, was. After Lady Chesterfield was Mary “Moll” Kirke, daughter of George Kirke and later Lady Vernon, wife of the 2nd Baron of Hodnet. She was another of the Queens maids of honor and another of James’s mistresses. Following his first wife’s death, James proposed to his mistress, the 17-year-old widow Lady Susanna Baroness of Belasyse, daughter of the 2nd Baron of Airmine. James was forced to choose a more suitable wife, but Susanna was given a life peerage and made a baroness. James was also known to have had an affair with Goditha Price, daughter of the 1st Baronet of the Priory. James’ next interest was Lady Elizabeth Denham, wife of the poet Sir John Denham. Followed by a very short lived affair with Lady Jane Middleton. James was only king from 1685, when his brother died without a legitimate heir, to 1688 when his daughter Mary and her husband William led a revolution and overthrew him.
1
Charles II
14 Mistresses
Charles II may be the most notorious womanizer of the English Kings, with reason. He often had multiple mistresses, both noble and common. Charles had fourteen acknowledged illegitimate children, but no legitimate heir with his wife Catherine. His first recorded mistress was Lucy Walter, a well known courtesan, their affair began in the mid 1640’s and by 1649 Lucy gave birth to James Scott 1st Duke of Monmouth, the eldest of Charles illegitimate children. After Charles’s death, James would try to succeed him by claiming his parents had married in secret, he had no evidence to support this and his rebellion failed. From 1648 to 1660, Charles was living in exile after the English revolution, and during this time he and Elizabeth Killigrew Viscountess Shannon, a maid-of-honor to his mother, had a very brief affair, and in 1650 she had his daughter, Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria FitzRoy. While exiled, Charles also began an affair with Catherine Pegge and, in 1657, she gave birth to Charles FitzCharles 1st Earl of Plymouth, followed by a daughter Catherine FitzCharles. Catherine’s position did not last long, and in 1667 she was married off to Sir Edward Greene. Next to catch Charles’s eye was Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, a renowned courtesan of her day. They began their affair in 1660, and she quickly gained a reputation for her greed, extravagance and foul temper. Barbara and Charles had 5 children together between 1661 and 1665, Anne Countess of Sussex, Charles 2nd Duke of Cleveland, Henry 1st Duke of Grafton, Charlotte Countess of Lichfield and George 1st Duke of Northumberland. Through her son Henry, Barbara is an ancestor of the late Princess Diana.
Winifred Wells was a Maid of Honor to Queen Catherine and, from 1662, she was also Charles mistress, though she never gained much favor or power. Samuel Pepys wrote in 1662 that Winifred “dropped a child during a court ball held on 31 December” this child was allegedly the kings, but never officially recognised. In 1673, after Charles lost interest, she was married to Thomas Wyndham. Frances Stewart was a maid of honor at Charles and Catherine’s wedding in 1663, and then a lady-in-waiting. Legend has it that Frances refused to sleep with the king unless he married her, however there is strong evidence that Frances and Charles had a daughter, Rebecca Stuart, but she was kept secret to protect Frances’s reputation. Frances realised that the only thing she would ever be to Charles was a mistress, so she eloped with the Duke of Richmond, leaving Charles heart broken. Mary Davis was an actress and courtesan who began her affair with Charles in 1667, in 1669 she gave birth to Charles’ daughter Lady Mary Tudor. Shortly after this, Charles lost interest in Mary, possibly due to his new mistress, and Mary’s main rival for the last year, Nell Gwyn. Born to a poor family, Nell started working as an actress at age 14. After gaining some fame she went on to become a mistress and started her affair with Charles in 1668. Nell and Charles had two sons, Charles in 1670 and James in 1671, they stayed friends until Charles death in 1685. After Nell came Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille Duchess of Portsmouth, she was born into aristocracy and was placed into Henrietta Stuart’s household in the hopes she would attract the attention of royalty. Around 1670, she attracted Charles and in 1672 their child, Charles Lennox 1st Duke of Richmond, was born. Louise influenced Charles in favor of France in matters of state, this earned her the hatred of the English. Sarah, Duchess of York, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Diana are all descendants of Louise and Charles.
Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin, escaped a failed marriage and spent many years in Europe as a courtesan to men of nobility who could afford to keep her. By 1676, she had succeeded in replacing Louise as Charles’s favored mistress. Hortense quickly fell from favor, she was in a lesbian relationship with Anne Fitzroy, Charles daughter with Barbara Palmer. This ended when Anne’s husband sent her to the country after Hortense and Anne had a public fencing match in St James Park wearing only nightgowns. She was also having an affair with Louis I Prince of Monaco, and when Charles found out he cut off her allowance. Although he gave in after a few days, this was the beginning of the end of Hortense’s position. She and Charles remained friends, and Barbara Palmer became favorite once again. Little information is known of his other mistresses: they included Jane Roberts who was the daughter of a clergyman, Mrs Knight a famous singer, Elizabeth Berkeley Dowager Countess of Falmouth and Christabella Wyndham, the royal nurse who had once been Charles’s wet nurse. There are also many other unofficial reports of mistresses including Countess Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the second wife of the 18th earl of Kildare and Lady Mary Sackville of Dorset. Interestingly, it is alleged that Charles fathered James de la Cloche in 1646 by Lady Marguerite de Carteret. Reportedly, Charles II recognized him in secret in 1665, and granted him £500 a year, as long as he would stay in London and as an Anglican, however this remains unproven.
+
Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles misses out on a spot in my list as he is the current Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, and only Monarchs are allowed on the list, but he deserves a special mention for his stupidity. Charles married Diana Spencer in 1981, as far as we can tell Charles was not in love with Diana but he had decided she would make a proper royal bride and was suitable for the job. Diana was extremely popular with the public and earned the nickname “the Queen of Hearts”. Within a few years, the marriage was on the rocks and they divorced in 1996, in no small part due to Camilla. Camilla Parker Bowles was one of Charles’s early girlfriends and a descendant of Edward VII and Alice Keppel. They were romantically involved on and off from the 1970’s, however Charles believed she was not a suitable royal bride. Allegedly, they began an affair in the 1980’s and this was the main cause of strain on his and Diana’s relationship. This created very bad publicity for Charles, and Camilla was resented by the public. Even after the divorce Charles couldn’t marry Camilla because of public opposition. After nearly ten years, they received permission to marry from the Queen, however she didn’t attend her son’s wedding. Why he didn’t just marry Camilla in the first place is a mystery.
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Which work by Charles Dickens opens with the line “Now, what I want is facts”? | BBC - Primary History - Famous People - Charles Dickens
Why is Charles Dickens famous?
Who was Charles Dickens?
Charles Dickens is a famous English writer. People all over the world enjoy his stories. One of them is Oliver Twist, the story of a poor boy in Victorian times. Books by Dickens can be funny and sad. His stories are full of interesting 'characters' (people).
When did Dickens live?
Dickens was born in England in 1812. He died in 1870.
His first big success was The Pickwick Papers. This was in 1837, the year Victoria became Britain's Queen.
Dickens lived through the Industrial Revolution . He wrote about how life was changing, especially for poor people.
Why do people read Dickens?
Many of Dickens' stories came out in weekly or monthly parts, as serials. Each month people could read a new chapter in the story. Perhaps this is why Dickens' books make good films and TV serials too.
Readers like a good story, with interesting characters. Dickens was very clever at making up characters. People all over the world know Oliver Twist, Scrooge and David Copperfield, even if they have not read the books in which these characters appear.
Early life
Where was Dickens born?
On 7 February 1812, Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth. His parents named him Charles John Huffam Dickens.
Portsmouth was the home of the Royal Navy . His father, John Dickens, worked as a clerk for the Navy. His mother's name was Elizabeth Barrow. She wanted to be a teacher and run a school.
Happy times
The Dickens family never had much money. Charles had seven brothers and sisters. Mr Dickens dreamed of being rich. Mrs Dickens dreamed of owning a school. Somehow things never went right.
In 1816 the family moved to Chatham, in Kent. Charles was happy there. He went to school. He explored the countryside. He loved the old castle at Rochester.
Hard times
In 1822 the family moved to London. Now times were hard. Mr Dickens was sent to prison for six months for not paying his bills.
Charles (aged 12) had to work in a dirty old factory , beside the River Thames. He could hear rats squeaking and running about. His job was to put labels on pots of 'blacking', used to clean fireplaces.
Dickens never forgot this unhappy time. He wrote about it later.
Growing up
By 1824 Mr Dickens had enough money to send Charles back to school.
At 15, Charles got a job in a lawyer's office. He hated it. In his books he makes most lawyers horrid!
Charles learned shorthand . He got a job writing about Parliament . He travelled around England by stagecoach , writing for newspapers. He wrote stories about the people he met.
Dickens the writer
Dickens is a success
In 1833, he sold his first story. At first Dickens called himself 'Boz'. This was his pen-name .
In 1836, he married Catherine Hogarth.
Suddenly he became famous. His funny stories called The Pickwick Papers were a success.
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist came out in 1837. It was a grim tale about an orphan boy (Oliver), who is sent to the workhouse . Oliver ends up in the London underworld, in a gang of thieves led by Fagin.
The story ends happily for Oliver, but people were shocked. Were poor children really treated so badly?
Life for poor children
Life for poor children in Victorian times was very hard. Small children worked in coal mines and factories .
Little boys were made to climb inside chimneys and clean them. Oliver Twist almost becomes a 'chimney-boy'. Instead he is made to work for an undertaker .
Life in London
London was a big, crowded city. Many poor people lived in slums . Homeless children slept on the streets. Many people died from diseases. Almost half the funerals in London in the 1830s were of children under 10.
London did not have a police force until 1829. Even young children were sent to prison.
Dickens the celebrity
A famous man
Dickens became so famous people knew him as he walked about London. He was a celebrity.
Dickens walked for miles around the city, watching and listening. He made notes for new stories.
Dickens keeps busy
In 1846 Dickens became editor of the Daily News, a newspaper. He did not like being told what to do by the owners, so in 1850 he started his own magazine, Household Words. Now he could write what he liked.
Dickens was a show-off. He loved to give public readings from his books. In 1842, he visited America.
Two famous books
Of his many books, Dickens liked David Copperfield best. In it he wrote about Mr Micawber, who seems very like Dickens' father.
In 1843, Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. It is one of his most famous stories. In it, we meet the miser Scrooge - and three ghosts!
Why did people like long books?
In Victorian times, there was no radio, no television, no internet, no cinema. People read lots of books. Readers liked long stories, to pass the time.
Grown-ups read novels and magazines. Children had their own books too.
Dickens was the most famous novelist in Britain. There were lots of others, such as Sir Walter Scott and Charlotte Brontë.
Family life
Dickens and his wife had 10 children. But their marriage was not happy. In 1858, they split up.
Dickens loved acting. He had his own little theatre at home. While acting in a play in 1857, Dickens fell in love with Ellen Ternan, an actress.
How was Britain changing?
Dickens saw many changes during his life, made by the Industrial Revolution .
In 1820 most people in England worked on farms. When Dickens died in 1870, most people worked in towns. Many poor people worked in factories and lived in slums .
What made Dickens angry?
Dickens was angered by the sad things he saw. In his books, he tried to show what was wrong. In Nicholas Nickleby, he wrote about a terrible school, Dotheboys Hall, where unwanted children were cruelly treated.
He wanted to make life better for people. He wanted new libraries, hospitals and schools.
Pictures in Dickens
Many of Dickens's books had pictures. The pictures helped readers follow the story. Two artists were famous for their Dickens drawings. They were George Cruikshank and Hablot K Browne, known as 'Phiz'.
How did Dickens die?
In 1864 Dickens and Ellen Ternan were in a train crash. Dickens was not badly hurt, but he was never very well after this accident.
In 1868 he went on a tour of the United States. He read to large audiences, on stage. It was very tiring. He came home worn out and sick.
Dickens died in June 1870, at home in Kent. He was working on a new book. It was The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Charles Dickens was buried in Westminster Abbey.
| Hard Times |
Which haemorrhagic fever virus is named after a city in Hessen, Germany? | Charles Dickens - Wikiquote
Charles Dickens
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No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.
Charles John Huffam Dickens , FRSA ( 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870 ) was the foremost English novelist of the Victorian era, as well as a vigorous social campaigner.
See also
Quotes[ edit ]
To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature . I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart .
It was a good thing to have a couple of thousand people all rigid and frozen together, in the palm of one's hand.
Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes , of which all men have some.
The men who learn endurance , are they who call the whole world brother .
Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving — HOW NOT TO DO IT.
I wish I were Commander in Chief of India. The first thing I would do to strike that Oriental race with amazement (not in the least regarding them as if they lived in the Strand, London, or at Camden Town), should be to proclaim to them in their language, that I considered my Holding that appointment by the leave of God, to mean that I should do my utmost to exterminate the Race upon whom the stain of the late cruelties rested; and that I begged them to do me the favor to observe that I was there for that purpose and no other, and was now proceeding, which all convenient dispatch and merciful swiftness of execution, to blot it out of mankind and raze it off the face of the earth.
in a private letter to Baronness Burdett-Coutts on 4 October 1857
Mr. Augustus Minns was a bachelor, of about forty as he said — of about eight-and-forty as his friends said. He was always exceedingly clean, precise, and tidy: perhaps somewhat priggish, and the most retiring man in the world.
First lines of Dicken's first published work, originally titled "A Dinner at Poplar Walk" (1833), later published as "Mr. Minns and his Cousin"
There were two classes of created objects which he held in the deepest and most unmingled horror: they were, dogs and children. He was not unamiable, but he could at any time have viewed the execution of a dog, or the assassination of an infant, with the liveliest satisfaction. Their habits were at variance with his love of order; and his love of order, was as powerful as his love of life.
"A Dinner at Poplar Walk" (1833), later published as "Mr. Minns and his Cousin"
If any one were to ask me what in my opinion was the dullest and most stupid spot on the face of the Earth, I should decidedly say Chelmsford .
Letter to Thomas Beard (11 January 1835), in Madeline House, et al., The Letters of Charles Dickens (1965), p. 53
Love is not a feeling to pass away,
Like the balmy breath of a summer day;
It is not — it cannot be — laid aside;
It is not a thing to forget or hide.
It clings to the heart , ah, woe is me!
As the ivy clings to the old oak tree.
Love is not a passion of earthly mould,
As a thirst for honour , or fame , or gold :
For when all these wishes have died away,
The deep strong love of a brighter day,
Though nourished in secret , consumes the more,
As the slow rust eats to the iron ’s core.
Lucy's Song in The Village Coquettes (1836); later published in The Poems and Verses of Charles Dickens (1903)
To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.
Master Humphrey's Clock , (1840) Vol. 1
The bright old day now dawns again; the cry runs through the land,
In England there shall be dear bread—in Ireland, sword and brand;
And poverty, and ignorance, shall swell the rich and grand,
So, rally round the rulers with the gentle iron hand,
Of the fine old English Tory days;
Hail to the coming time!
The Fine Old English Gentleman (1841)
Wherever religion is resorted to as a strong drink, and as an escape from the dull, monotonous round of home, those of its ministers who pepper the highest will be the surest to please. They who strew the Eternal Path with the greatest amount of brimstone, and who most ruthlessly tread down the flowers and leaves that grow by the wayside, will be voted the most righteous; and they who enlarge with the greatest pertinacity on the difficulty of getting into heaven will be considered, by all true believers, certain of going there: though it would be hard to say by what process of reasoning this conclusion is arrived at.
American Notes (1842), Ch. 3
I am quite serious when I say that I do not believe there are, on the whole earth besides, so many intensified bores as in these United States. No man can form an adequate idea of the real meaning of the word, without coming here.
Comment while on an American tour (March 1842), as quoted in Dickens (1949) by Hesketh Pearson, Ch. 8
O let us love our occupations,
Bless the squire and his relations,
Live upon our daily rations,
And always know our proper stations.
The Chimes , Second Quarter (1844)
La difficulté d'écrire l'anglais m'est extrêmement ennuyeuse. Ah, mon Dieu! si l'on pouvait toujours écrire cette belle langue de France!
The difficulty of writing English is most tiresome to me. My God! If only we could write this beautiful language of France at all times!
Letter to John Foster (7 July 1850)
Frontispeice: Speeches Literary and Social by Charles Dickens (1870)
If the people at large be not already convinced that a sufficient general case has been made out for Administrative Reform, I think they never can be, and they never will be. ...Ages ago a savage mode of keeping accounts on notched sticks was introduced into the Court of Exchequer, and the accounts were kept, much as Robinson Crusoe kept his calendar on the desert island. In the course of considerable revolutions of time, the celebrated Cocker was born, and died; Walkinghame, of the Tutor's Assistant, and well versed in figures, was also born, and died; a multitude of accountants, book-keepers and actuaries, were born, and died. Still official routine inclined to these notched sticks, as if they were pillars of the constitution, and still the Exchequer accounts continued to be kept on certain splints of elm wood called " tallies ." In the reign of George III an inquiry was made by some revolutionary spirit, whether pens, ink, and paper, slates and pencils, being in existence, this obstinate adherence to an obsolete custom ought to be continued, and whether a change ought not to be effected.
All the red tape in the country grew redder at the bare mention of this bold and original conception, and it took till 1826 to get these sticks abolished. In 1834 it was found that there was a considerable accumulation of them; and the question then arose, what was to be done with such worn-out, worm-eaten, rotten old bits of wood? I dare say there was a vast amount of minuting, memoranduming, and despatch-boxing on this mighty subject. The sticks were housed at Westminster, and it would naturally occur to any intelligent person that nothing could be easier than to allow them to be carried away for fire-wood by the miserable people who live in that neighbourhood. However, they never had been useful, and official routine required that they never should be, and so the order went forth that they were to be privately and confidentially burnt. It came to pass that they were burnt in a stove in the House of Lords. The stove, overgorged with these preposterous sticks, set fire to the panelling; the panelling set fire to the House of Lords; the House of Lords set fire to the House of Commons; the two houses were reduced to ashes; architects were called in to build others; we are now in the second million of the cost thereof, the national pig is not nearly over the stile yet; and the little old woman, Britannia, hasn't got home to-night. ...The great, broad, and true cause that our public progress is far behind our private progress, and that we are not more remarkable for our private wisdom and success in matters of business than we are for our public folly and failure, I take to be as clearly established as the sun, moon, and stars.
"Administrative Reform" (June 27, 1855) Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Speeches Literary and Social by Charles Dickens (1870) pp. 133-134
It was a good thing to have a couple of thousand people all rigid and frozen together, in the palm of one's hand.
About having a book
Letter to Mrs. Richard Watson (7 December 1857)
( Carmine Crocco ) In such a crowd, so numerous and composed of such heterogeneous elements, it might have appeared almost absurd to look for discipline; but perfect discipline there was, for, whatever his other qualities might be, Crocco most undoubtedly was a "ruler of men". His word in that band was law, and the punishment of disaffection was death.
All the year round, Vol.15 (1876), p. 281
I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. Don't trust that conventional idea. Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance, any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it.
The Signal-Man [1] (1866)
I put a New Testament among your books, for the very same reasons, and with the very same hopes that made me write an easy account of it for you, when you were a little child; because it is the best book that ever was or will be known in the world, and because it teaches you the best lessons by which any human creature who tries to be truthful and faithful to duty can possibly be guided. As your brothers have gone away, one by one, I have written to each such words as I am now writing to you, and have entreated them all to guide themselves by this book, putting aside the interpretations and inventions of men.
Letter to Edward Dickens (26 September 1868), published in The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens , Edited by Jenny Hartley
The system here, is rigid, strict, and hopeless solitary confinement... I believe that very few men are capable of estimating the immense amount of torture and agony which this dreadful punishment, prolonged for years, inflicts upon the sufferers... I hold this slow and daily tampering with the mysteries of the brain, to be immeasurably worse than any torture of the body: and because its ghastly signs and tokens are not so palpable to the eye and sense of touch as scars upon the flesh; because its wounds are not upon the surface, and it extorts few cries that human ears can hear; therefore I the more denounce it, as a secret punishment which slumbering humanity is not roused up to stay
Sketches by Boz (1836-1837)[ edit ]
The appearance presented by the streets of London an hour before sunrise, on a summer’s morning , is most striking even to the few whose unfortunate pursuits of pleasure , or scarcely less unfortunate pursuits of business , cause them to be well acquainted with the scene.
The dignity of his office is never impaired by the absence of efforts on his part to maintain it.
Our Parish, Ch. 1 : The Beadle. The Parish Engine. The Schoolmaster.
He is not, as he forcibly remarks, ‘one of those fortunate men who, if they were to dive under one side of a barge stark–naked, would come up on the other with a new suit of clothes on, and a ticket for soup in the waistcoat–pocket:’ neither is he one of those, whose spirit has been broken beyond redemption by misfortune and want. He is just one of the careless, good–for–nothing, happy fellows, who float, cork–like, on the surface, for the world to play at hockey with: knocked here, and there, and everywhere: now to the right, then to the left, again up in the air, and anon to the bottom, but always reappearing and bounding with the stream buoyantly and merrily along.
Our Parish, Ch. 5 : The Broker’s Man
I used to sit, think, think, thinking, till I felt as lonesome as a kitten in a wash–house copper with the lid on.
Our Parish, Ch. 5 : The Broker’s Man
The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none.
Our Parish, Ch. 5 : The Broker’s Man
The appearance presented by the streets of London an hour before sunrise, on a summer’s morning, is most striking even to the few whose unfortunate pursuits of pleasure, or scarcely less unfortunate pursuits of business, cause them to be well acquainted with the scene. There is an air of cold, solitary desolation about the noiseless streets which we are accustomed to see thronged at other times by a busy, eager crowd, and over the quiet, closely-shut buildings, which throughout the day are swarming with life and bustle, that is very impressive.
Ch. 1 : The Streets — Morning
Grief never mended no broken bones, and as good people’s wery scarce, what I says is, make the most on ’em.
Scenes, Ch. 22 : Gin-Shops
It is strange with how little notice, good, bad, or indifferent, a man may live and die in London. He awakens no sympathy in the breast of any single person; his existence is a matter of interest to no one save himself; he cannot be said to be forgotten when he dies, for no one remembered him when he was alive. There is a numerous class of people in this great metropolis who seem not to possess a single friend, and whom nobody appears to care for. Urged by imperative necessity in the first instance, they have resorted to London in search of employment, and the means of subsistence. It is hard, we know, to break the ties which bind us to our homes and friends, and harder still to efface the thousand recollections of happy days and old times, which have been slumbering in our bosoms for years, and only rush upon the mind, to bring before it associations connected with the friends we have left, the scenes we have beheld too probably for the last time, and the hopes we once cherished, but may entertain no more. These men, however, happily for themselves, have long forgotten such thoughts. Old country friends have died or emigrated; former correspondents have become lost, like themselves, in the crowd and turmoil of some busy city; and they have gradually settled down into mere passive creatures of habit and endurance.
Characters, Ch. 1 : Thoughts About People
Christmas time! That man must be a misanthrope indeed, in whose breast something like a jovial feeling is not roused — in whose mind some pleasant associations are not awakened — by the recurrence of Christmas. There are people who will tell you that Christmas is not to them what it used to be; that each succeeding Christmas has found some cherished hope, or happy prospect, of the year before, dimmed or passed away; that the present only serves to remind them of reduced circumstances and straitened incomes — of the feasts they once bestowed on hollow friends, and of the cold looks that meet them now, in adversity and misfortune. Never heed such dismal reminiscences. There are few men who have lived long enough in the world, who cannot call up such thoughts any day in the year. Then do not select the merriest of the three hundred and sixty-five for your doleful recollections, but draw your chair nearer the blazing fire — fill the glass and send round the song — and if your room be smaller than it was a dozen years ago, or if your glass be filled with reeking punch, instead of sparkling wine, put a good face on the matter, and empty it off-hand, and fill another, and troll off the old ditty you used to sing, and thank God it’s no worse. Look on the merry faces of your children (if you have any) as they sit round the fire. One little seat may be empty; one slight form that gladdened the father’s heart, and roused the mother’s pride to look upon, may not be there. Dwell not upon the past; think not that one short year ago, the fair child now resolving into dust, sat before you, with the bloom of health upon its cheek, and the gaiety of infancy in its joyous eye. Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart. Our life on it, but your Christmas shall be merry, and your new year a happy one!
Characters, Ch. 2 : A Christmas Dinner
Minerva House … was "a finishing establishment for young ladies," where some twenty girls of the ages from thirteen to nineteen inclusive, acquired a smattering of everything and a knowledge of nothing.
Tales, Ch. 3 : Sentiment
Full text online at Wikisource at Project Gutenberg · at the Internet Archive
What is the odds so long as the fire of soul is kindled at the taper of conwiviality, and the wing of friendship never moults a feather! What is the odds so long as the spirit is expanded by means of rosy wine, and the present moment is the least happiest of our existence!
Ch. 2
She's the ornament of her sex.
Ch. 5
Fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; and pass the rosy wine.
Ch. 7
Send forth the child and childish man together, and blush for the pride that libels our own old happy state, and gives its title to an ugly and distorted image.
Ch. 12
The very dogs were all asleep, and the flies, drunk with moist sugar in the grocer’s shop, forgot their wings and briskness, and baked to death in dusty corners of the window.
Ch. 27
In mind, she was of a strong and vigorous turn, having from her earliest youth devoted herself with uncommon ardour to the study of the law; not wasting her speculations upon its eagle flights, which are rare, but tracing it attentively through all the slippery and eel-like crawlings in which it commonly pursues its way.
Ch. 33
Under an accumulation of staggerers, no man can be considered a free agent. No man knocks himself down; if his destiny knocks him down, his destiny must pick him up again.
Ch. 34
It was a maxim with Mr. Brass that the habit of paying compliments kept a man’s tongue oiled without any expense; and that, as that useful member ought never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case of a practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and easy, he lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance of handsome speeches and eulogistic expressions.
Ch. 35
In love of home, the love of country has its rise.
Ch. 38
That vague kind of penitence which holidays awaken next morning.
Ch. 40
'Who will wonder that Barbara had a headache, or that Barbara's mother was disposed to be cross, or that she slightly underrated Astley's, and thought the clown was older than they had taken him to be last night? Kit was not surprised to hear her say so--not he. He had already had a misgiving that the inconstant actors in that dazzling vision had been doing the same thing the night before last, and would do it again that night, and the next, and for weeks and months to come, though he would not be there. Such is the difference between yesterday and today. We are all going to the play, or coming home from it.'
Ch. 40
If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.
Ch. 56
"Did you ever taste beer?" "I had a sip of it once," said the small servant. "Here's a state of things!" cried Mr Swiveller, raising his eyes to the ceiling. "She never tasted it — it can't be tasted in a sip!"
Ch. 57
You will not have forgotten that it was a maxim with Foxey — our revered father, gentlemen — "Always suspect everybody." That's the maxim to go through life with!
Ch. 66
He’s tough, ma’am,—tough is J. B.; tough and devilish sly.
Ch. 7
"I want to know what it says," he answered, looking steadily in her face. "The sea Floy, what is it that it keeps on saying?"
Ch. 8
"Wal'r, my boy," replied the Captain, "in the Proverbs of Solomon you will find the following words, 'May we never want a friend in need, nor a bottle to give him!' When found, make a note of."
Ch. 15
The bearings of this observation lays in the application on it.
Ch. 23
"Time was," he said, "when it was well to watch even your rising little star, and know in what quarter there were clouds, to shadow you if needful. But a planet has arisen, and you are lost in its light."
Ch. 46
If you could see my legs when I take my boots off, you'd form some idea of what unrequited affection is.
Ch. 48
…vices are sometimes only virtues carried to excess!
Ch. 48
Bleak House (1852-1853)[ edit ]
Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit, has, in course of time, become so complicated that no man alive knows what it means. The parties to it understand it least; but it has been observed that no two Chancery lawyers can talk about it for five minutes, without coming to total disagreement as to all the premises.
Ch. 1
This is the Court of Chancery , which has its decaying houses and its blighted lands in every shire, which has its worn-out lunatic in every madhouse and its dead in every churchyard, which has its ruined suitor with his slipshod heels and threadbare dress borrowing and begging through the round of every man's acquaintance, which gives to monied might the means abundantly of wearying out the right, which so exhausts finances, patience, courage, hope, so overthrows the brain and breaks the heart, that there is not an honourable man among its practitioners who would not give--who does not often give--the warning, "Suffer any wrong that can be done you rather than come here!"
Ch. 1
[T]he evil of it is that it is a world wrapped up in too much jeweller’s cotton and fine wool, and cannot hear the rushing of the larger worlds, and cannot see them as they circle round the sun. It is a deadened world, and its growth is sometimes unhealthy for want of air.
Ch. 2
He is a gentleman of strict conscience, disdainful of all littleness and meanness and ready on the shortest notice to die any death you may please to mention rather than give occasion for the least impeachment of his integrity. He is an honourable, obstinate, truthful, high-spirited, intensely prejudiced, perfectly unreasonable man.
Ch. 2
"Oh, dear no, miss," he said. "This is a London particular." I had never heard of such a thing. "A fog, miss," said the young gentleman. "Oh, indeed!" said I.
Ch. 3
I expect a judgment. Shortly.
Ch. 3
“She means well,” said Mr Jarndyce, hastily. “The wind’s in the east.” “It was in the north, sir, as we came down,” observed Richard. “My dear Rick,” said Mr Jarndyce, poking the fire, “I’ll take an oath it’s either in the east, or going to be. I am always conscious of an uncomfortable sensation now and then when the wind is blowing in the east.”
Ch. 6
It is said that the children of the very poor are not brought up, but dragged up.
Ch. 6
I don’t feel any vulgar gratitude to you. I almost feel as if you ought to be grateful to me, for giving you the opportunity of enjoying the luxury of generosity. I know you like it. For anything I can tell, I may have come into the world expressly for the purpose of increasing your stock of happiness.
Ch. 6
I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies!
Ch. 6
Not to put too fine a point upon it.
Ch. 11, 19, 22
He wos wery good to me, he wos!
Ch. 11
He had a cane, he had an eye-glass, he had a snuff-box, he had rings, he had wristbands, he had everything but any touch of nature; he was not like youth, he was not like age, he was not like anything in the world but a model of deportment.
Ch. 14
Mr. Chadband is a large yellow man, with a fat smile, and a general appearance of having a good deal of train oil in his system.
Ch. 19
What is peace? Is it war? No. Is it strife? No. Is it lovely, and gentle, and beautiful, and pleasant, and serene, and joyful? Oh, yes! Therefore, my friends, I wish for peace, upon you and upon yours.
Ch. 19
You are a human boy, my young friend. A human boy. O glorious to be a human boy!... O running stream of sparkling joy To be a soaring human boy!
Ch. 19
'Don't you be afraid of hurting the boy,' he says.
Ch. 22
It’s my old girl that advises. She has the head. But I never own to it before her. Discipline must be maintained.
Ch. 27
It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations.
Ch. 28
Never have a Mission, my dear child.
Ch. 30
Take care, while you are young, that you can think in those days, 'I never whitened a hair of her dear head, I never marked a sorrowful line in her face!' For of all the many things that you can think when you are a man, you had better have that by you, Woolwich!
Ch. 34
The one great principle of the English law is, to make business for itself.
Ch. 39
My experience teaches me, Lady Dedlock, that most of the people I know would do far better to leave marriage alone. It is at the bottom of three fourths of their troubles.
Dead, your Majesty. Dead, my lords and gentlemen. Dead, Right Reverends and Wrong Reverends of every order. Dead, men and women, born with Heavenly compassion in your hearts. And dying thus around us every day.
Ch. 47
Your sex have such a surprising animosity against one another when you do differ.
Ch. 54, Mr. Bucket to Mademoiselle Hortense
We are not rich in the bank, but we have always prospered and we have quite enough. I never walk out with my husband but I hear the people bless him. I never lie down at night, but I know that in the course of that day he has alleviated pain and soothed some fellow creature in the time of need. Is not this to be rich?
Ch. 67
Hard Times (1854)[ edit ]
Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. Stick to Facts, sir!
Bk. I, Ch. 1
Oh my friends, the down-trodden operatives of Coketown! Oh my friends and fellow-countrymen, the slaves of an ironhanded and a grinding despotism! Oh my friends and fellow-sufferers, and fellow-workmen, and fellow-men! I tell you that the hour is come, when we must rally round one another as One united power, and crumble into dust the oppressors that too long have battened upon the plunder of our families, upon the sweat of our brows, upon the labour of our hands, upon the strength of our sinews, upon the God-created glorious rights of Humanity, and upon the holy and eternal privileges of Brotherhood!
Bk. II, Ch. 4
There is a wisdom of the Head, and … there is a wisdom of the Heart.
Bk. III, Ch. 1
Little Dorrit (1855-1857)[ edit ]
A prison taint was on everything there. The imprisoned air, the imprisoned light, the imprisoned damps, the imprisoned men, were all deteriorated by confinement. As the captive men were faded and haggard, so the iron was rusty, the stone was slimy, the wood was rotten, the air was faint, the light was dim. Like a well, like a vault, like a tomb, the prison had no knowledge of the brightness outside; and would have kept its polluted atmosphere intact, in one of the spice islands of the Indian Ocean.
Bk. I, Ch. 1
I am the only child of parents who weighed, measured, and priced everything; for whom what could not be weighed, measured, and priced, had no existence.
Bk. I, Ch. 2
The Circumlocution Office was (as everybody knows without being told) the most important Department under Government. No public business of any kind could possibly be done at any time without the acquiescence of the Circumlocution Office. Its finger was in the largest public pie, and in the smallest public tart. It was equally impossible to do the plainest right and to undo the plainest wrong without the express authority of the Circumlocution Office.
Bk. I, Ch. 10
Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving — HOW NOT TO DO IT.
Bk. I, Ch. 10
The Barnacles were a very high family, and a very large family. They were dispersed all over the public offices, and held all sorts of public places. Either the nation was under a load of obligation to the Barnacles, or the Barnacles were under a load of obligation to the nation. It was not quite unanimously settled which; the Barnacles having their opinion, the nation theirs.
Bk. I, Ch. 10
A person who can't pay, gets another person who can't pay, to guarantee that he can pay. Like a person with two wooden legs getting another person with two wooden legs, to guarantee that he has got two natural legs. It don't make either of them able to do a walking match.
Bk. I, Ch. 23
I know nothing of philosophical philanthropy. But I know what I have seen, and what I have looked in the face in this world here, where I find myself. And I tell you this, my friend, that there are people (men and women both, unfortunately) who have no good in them—none. That there are people whom it is necessary to detest without compromise. That there are people who must be dealt with as enemies of the human race. That there are people who have no human heart, and who must be crushed like savage beasts and cleared out of the way.
Bk. I, Ch. 11
I revere the memory of Mr. F. as an estimable man and most indulgent husband, only necessary to mention Asparagus and it appeared or to hint at any little delicate thing to drink and it came like magic in a pint bottle; it was not ecstasy but it was comfort.
Bk. I, Ch. 24
"Papa is a preferable mode of address," observed Mrs General. "Father is rather vulgar, my dear. The word Papa, besides, gives a pretty form to the lips. Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes, and prism are all very good words for the lips: especially prunes and prism. You will find it serviceable, in the formation of a demeanour, if you sometimes say to yourself in company — on entering a room, for instance — Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, prunes and prism.
Bk. II, Ch. 5
Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving HOW NOT TO DO IT.
Bk. II, Ch. 10
Once a gentleman, and always a gentleman.
Bk. II, Ch. 28
Great Expectations (1860-1861)[ edit ]
Now, I ain't alone, as you may think I am. There's a young man hid with me, in comparison with which young man I am a angel. That young man hears the words I speak. That young man has a secret way pecooliar to himself of getting at a boy, and at his heart, and at his liver. It is in wain for a boy to attempt to hide himself from that young man. A boy may lock his door, may be warm in bed, may tuck himself up, may draw the clothes over his head, may think himself comfortable and safe, but that young man will softly creep and creep his way to him and tear him open.
Ch. 1
Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies.
Ch. 2
Mrs. Joe was a very clean housekeeper, but had an exquisite art of making her cleanliness more uncomfortable and unacceptable than the dirt itself. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and some people do the same by religion.
Ch. 4
In the little world in which children have their existence whosoever brings them up, there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt, as injustice. It may be only small injustice that the child can be exposed to; but the child is small, and its world is small, and its rocking-horse stands as many hands high, according to scale, as a big-boned Irish hunter.
Ch. 7
That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different it's course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for the moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.
Ch. 9
I had been to see Macbeth at the theatre a night or two before and she reminded me of the faces rising out of the witches' cauldron.
Ch. 17; Pip describes Molly, Mr. Jaggers' housekeeper
My guiding star always is, Get hold of portable property.
Ch. 24
Throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people we most despise.
Ch. 27
Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together...
Ch. 27
All the truth of my position came flashing on me; and its disappointments, dangers, disgraces, consequences of all kinds, rushed in in such a multitude that I was borne down by them and had to struggle for every breath I drew.
Ch. 39
Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule.
Ch. 40
Compeyson's business was the swindling, hand writing forging, stolen bank-note passing, and such-like. All sorts of traps as Compeyson could set with his head, and keep his own legs out of and get the profits from and let another man in for, was Compeyson's business. He'd no more heart than a iron file he was as cold as death, and he had the head of the Devil afore mentioned.
Ch. 42
You are part of my existence, part of myself. You have been in every line I have ever read, since I first came here, the rough common boys whose poor heart you wounded even then. You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since - on the river, on the sails of the ships, on the marshes, in the clouds, in the light, in the darkness, in the wind, in the woods, in the sea, in the streets. You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever become acquainted with. The stones of which the strongest London buildings are made, are not more real, or more impossible to be displaced by your hands, than your presence and influence have been to me, there and everywhere, and will be. Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil. But, in this separation I associate you only with the good, and I will faithfully hold you to that always, for you must have done me far more good than harm, let me feel now what sharp distress I may. Oh, God bless you, God forgive you!
Ch. 44.
'suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.'
Ch. 59
Money and goods are certainly the best of references.
Bk. I, Ch. 4
Professionally he declines and falls, and as a friend he drops into poetry.
Bk. I, Ch. 5
I want to be something so much worthier than the doll in the doll's house.
Bk. I, Ch. 55
I don't care whether I am a Minx or a Sphinx.
Bk. II, Ch. 8
"And if it's proud to have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts," Miss Jenny struck in, flushed, "she is proud."
Bk. III, Ch. 2
That's the state to live and die in!...R-r-rich!
Bk. III, Ch. 5
We must scrunch or be scrunched.
Bk. III, Ch. 5
'No one is useless in this world,' retorted the Secretary, 'who lightens the burden of it for any one else.'
Bk. III, Ch. 9
Misattributed[ edit ]
"Well, every one for himself, and Providence for us all--as the elephant said when he danced among the chickens."
Walter Bagehot , in Charles Dickens in National Review (7 October 1858)
He describes London like a special correspondent for posterity.
Walter Bagehot , in Charles Dickens in National Review (7 October 1858)
Of Dickens, dear friend, I know nothing. About a year ago, from idle curiousity, I picked up The Old Curiousity Shop, & of all the rotten vulgar un-literary writing...! Worse than George Eliot 's. If a novelist can't write, where is the beggar?
Arnold Bennett , Letter to George Sturt, 6 February 1898, in Charles Dickens: The Critical Heritage ed. P. Collins (1995)
Dickens is greatest when most personal and lyrical, and... he is most lyrical when he puts himself in a child's place, and sees with a child's eyes. In the centre of his best stories sits a little human figure, dreaming, watching life as it might watch the faces in the fire.
Robert Buchanan , Master Spirits (1873), essay 'The Good Genie of Fiction'
It does not matter that Dicken's world is not lifelike; it is alive.
Lord David Cecil , Early Victorian Novelists (1934)
Dickens was personal in a more godlike sense; he could multiply persons. He could create all the farce and tragedy of his age over again, with creatures unborn to sin and creatures unborn to suffer. That which had not been achieved by the fierce facts of Cobbett, the burning dreams of Carlyle, the white-hot proofs of Newman, was really or very nearly achieved by a crowd of impossible people. In the centre stood that citadel of atheist industrialism: and if indeed it has ever been taken, it was taken by the rush of that unreal army.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
But already the Utilitarian citadel had been more heavily bombarded on the other side by one lonely and unlettered man of genius. The rise of Dickens is like the rising of a vast mob. This is not only because his tales are indeed as crowded and populous as towns: for truly it was not so much that Dickens appeared as that a hundred Dickens characters appeared.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
He had no learning; he was not misled by the label on the bottle—for that is what learning largely meant in his time. He opened his mouth and shut his eyes and saw what the Age of Reason would give him. And, having tasted it, he spat it out.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
That is the truth in the suggestion that Dickens was sentimental. It means that he probably felt most sociable when he was solitary.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
A mere sympathy for democratic merry-making and mourning will not make a man a writer like Dickens. But without that sympathy Dickens would not be a writer like Dickens; and probably not a writer at all.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
This is the artistic greatness of Dickens, before and after which there is really nothing to be said. He had the power of creating people, both possible and impossible, who were simply precious and priceless people; and anything subtler added to that truth really only weakens it.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
The twin root facts of the revolution called Dickens are these: first, that he attacked the cold Victorian compromise; second, that he attacked it without knowing he was doing it—certainly without knowing that other people were doing it. He was attacking something which we will call Mr. Gradgrind. He was utterly unaware (in any essential sense) that any one else had attacked Mr. Gradgrind. All the other attacks had come from positions of learning or cultured eccentricity of which he was entirely ignorant, and to which, therefore (like a spirited fellow), he felt a furious hostility.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
But we should get the whole Victorian perspective wrong, in my opinion at least, if we did not see that Dickens was primarily the most successful of all the onslaughts on the solid scientific school; because he did not attack from the standpoint of extraordinary faith, like Newman; or the standpoint of extraordinary inspiration, like Carlyle; or the standpoint of extraordinary detachment or serenity, like Arnold; but from the standpoint of quite ordinary and quite hearty dislike.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913)
The art of Dickens was the most exquisite of arts: it was the art of enjoying everybody. Dickens, being a very human writer, had to be a very human being; he had his faults and sensibilities in a strong degree; and I do not for a moment maintain that he enjoyed everybody in his daily life. But he enjoyed everybody in his books: and everybody has enjoyed everybody in his books even till to-day. His books are full of baffled villains stalking out or cowardly bullies kicked downstairs. But the villains and cowards are such delightful people that the reader always hopes the villain will put his head through a side window and make a last remark; or that the bully will say one more thing, even from the bottom of the stairs. The reader really hopes this; and he cannot get rid of the fancy that the author hopes so too.
G. K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913) [University of Notre Dame Press, 1963], Ch. II: The Great Victorian Novelists, p. 60
Dickens did not merely believe in the brotherhood of man in the weak modern way; he was the brotherhood of man, and knew it was a brotherhood in sin as well as in aspiration.
G.K. Chesterton , The Victorian Age in Literature (1913), Ch. II: The Great Victorian Novelists, p. 62
And on that grave where English oak and holly
And laurel wreaths entwine,
Deem it not all a too presumptuous folly,
This spray of Western pine!
Bret Harte , Dickens in Camp (1870), stanza 10
The greatest of superficial novelists... It were, in our opinion, an offense against humanity to place Mr Dickens among the greatest novelists.
Henry James , review of Our Mutual Friend in The Nation (21 December 1865)
There is a heartlessness behind his sentimentally overflowing style.
Franz Kafka , diary entry( 8 October 1917)
One day I realized my whole life has taught me Freudianism is nonsense. My father was a sociopath and an alcoholic, and I had a terrible childhood. I didn't grow up to be a criminal or have any of the problems that I'm supposed to have. Look at Ted Bundy , who had a normal childhood but grew up to be what he was. I made a conscious decision to stop writing Freudian characters because I realized that the best characters I've ever read are in Dickens, and he never heard of Freud. I've gotten some reviews where people say my characters aren't deep enough because we don't know why they are the way they are. One of my editors once said, "We don't know what's in this guy's past that made him what he is now." He wanted me to go back and show how his parents abused him. Trite Freudian stuff. In Dickens, the idea was that character is what you do, and that's what defines you. I think that makes sense. I believe in free will and individual choice and that we make our own lives as we go along.
Dean Koontz , as quoted in Nick Gillespie & Lisa Snell, Contemplating Evil: Novelist Dean Koontz on Freud, fraud, and the Great Society , Reason magazine, 1996
Not much of Dickens will live, because it has no little correspondence to life. He was the incarnation of cockneydom, a caricaturist who aped the moralist; he should have kept to short stories. If his novels are read at all in the future, people will wonder what we saw in them, save some possible element of fun meaningless to them. The world will never let Mr. Pickwick , who to me is full of the lumber of imbecility, share honors with Don Quixote .
A splendid muse of fiction hath Charles Dickens,
But now and then just as the interest thickens
He stilts his pathos, and the reader sickens.
Augustus de Morgan , quoted in Henry Crabb Robinsons 's diary (17 March 1865)
Dickens is one of those writers who are well worth stealing. Even the burial of his body in Westminster Abbey was a species of theft, if you come to think of it.
When Chesterton wrote his introductions to the Everyman Edition of Dickens’s works, it seemed quite natural to him to credit Dickens with his own highly individual brand of medievalism, and more recently a Marxist writer, Mr. T. A. Jackson , has made spirited efforts to turn Dickens into a blood-thirsty revolutionary. The Marxist claims him as ‘almost’ a Marxist, the Catholic claims him as ‘almost’ a Catholic, and both claim him as a champion of the proletariat (or ‘the poor’, as Chesterton would have put it).
George Orwell , in "Charles Dickens" (1939), also in Inside the Whale and Other Essays (1940)
In Oliver Twist , Hard Times , Bleak House , Little Dorrit , Dickens attacked English institutions with a ferocity that has never since been approached. Yet he managed to do it without making himself hated, and, more than this, the very people he attacked have swallowed him so completely that he has become a national institution himself. In its attitude towards Dickens the English public has always been a little like the elephant which feels a blow with a walking-stick as a delightful tickling. Before I was ten years old I was having Dickens ladled down my throat by schoolmasters in whom even at that age I could see a strong resemblance to Mr. Creakle, and one knows without needing to be told that lawyers delight in Sergeant Buzfuz and that Little Dorrit is a favourite in the Home Office. Dickens seems to have succeeded in attacking everybody and antagonizing nobody.
George Orwell , in "Charles Dickens" (1939), also in Inside the Whale and Other Essays (1940)
Dickens was a pure modernist — a leader of the steam-whistle party par excellence — and he had no understanding of any power of antiquity except a sort of jackdaw sentiment for cathedral towers. He knew nothing of the nobler power of superstition — was essentially a stage manager, and used everything for effect on the pit. His Christmas meant mistletoe and pudding — neither resurrection from dead, nor rising of new stars, nor teaching of wise men, nor shepherds. His hero is essentially the ironmaster.
John Ruskin , in a letter to Charles Eliot Norton (17n June 1870)
When people say Dickens exaggerates, it seems to me they can have no eyes and no ears. They probably have only notions of what things and people are: they accept them conventionally at their diplomatic value. Their minds run on in the region of discourse, where there are masks only, and no faces; ideas and no facts; they have little sense for those living grimaces that play from moment to moment on the countenance of the world.
George Santayana , "Dickens," Soliloquies in England and Later Soliloquies (1922)
One of the greatest books ever written in the English language was called Little Dorrit, and as soon as Englishmen realised that Little Dorrit was true there would be a revolution.
George Bernard Shaw , in "Charles Dickens and Little Dorrit (1908), in The DIckensian, Vol. 4, p. 323
Little Dorrit is a more seditious book than Das Kapital . All over Europe men and women are in prison for pamphlets and speeches which are to Little Dorrit as red pepper to dynamite. Fortunately for social evolution Governments never know where to strike. Barnacle and Stiltstalking were far too conceited to recognize their own portraits.
George Bernard Shaw , in an Introduction to a 1947 editions of Great Expectations
The soul of Hogarth has migrated into the body of Dickens.
Sydney Smith , in a letter dated 1837
He had a large loving mind and the strongest sympathy with the poorer classes. He felt sure a better feeling, and much greater union of classes, would take place in time. And I pray earnestly it may.
Queen Victoria , in a diary entry (11 June 1870)
His eye brings in almost too rich a harvest for him to deal with, and gives him an aloofness and a hardness which freeze his sentimentalism and make it seem a concession to the public, a veil thrown over the penetrating glance which left to itself pierced to the bone. With such a power at his command Dickens made his books blaze up, not by tightening the plot or sharpening the wit, but by throwing another handful of people on the fire.
Virginia Woolf , "David Copperfield" (1925), The Moment and Other Essays (1947)
In fact, the real problem with the thesis of A Genealogy of Morals is that the noble and the aristocrat are just as likely to be stupid as the plebeian. I had noted in my teens that major writers are usually those who have had to struggle against the odds -- to "pull their cart out of the mud," as I put it -- while writers who have had an easy start in life are usually second rate -- or at least, not quite first-rate. Dickens, Balzac , Dostoevsky , Shaw , H. G. Wells , are examples of the first kind; in the twentieth century, John Galsworthy , Graham Greene , Evelyn Waugh , and Samuel Beckett are examples of the second kind. They are far from being mediocre writers; yet they tend to be tinged with a certain pessimism that arises from never having achieved a certain resistance against problems.
Colin Wilson in The Books In My Life, p. 188
Of all the Victorian novelists, he was probably the most antagonistic to the Victorian age itself.
Edmund Wilson , The Wound and the Bow (1941)
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Which 2010 Disney movie features the villainous Mother Gothel? | Disney and the DSM-IV: Could New Villain Have BPD? | More Than Borderline - HealthyPlace
Disney and the DSM-IV: Could New Villain Have BPD?
Posted on December 7, 2010 by Becky Oberg
Rapunzel! Rapunzel! What can the woman in your hair teach us about borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
As a villain, Mother Gothel in Disney’s Tangled is unique. She’s not motivated by revenge, greed, or lust for power. Gothel, terrified of growing older, is motivated by fear. As a result, she begins to display symptoms of BPD –to the point where she will literally die without Rapunzel and her magic hair.
What are the Symptoms of BPD?
According to the DSM-IV, there are nine criteria for BPD. In order to merit a BPD diagnosis , the patient must meet five of them. According to HealthyPlace, the criteria are:
frantic efforts to avoid real or perceived abandonment (not including self-harm or suicidal behavior)
a pattern of intense, unstable relationships alternating between idealization and devaluation
persistently unstable self-image
inappropriate, intense anger
stress-related paranoia or dissociation
I believe Gothel would meet criteria 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 were she a real human. So, as an example of one way BPD can manifest, this is a hypothetical case.
Criterion Two: Gothel’s Two Views of Rapunzel
Early in the movie, Gothel attempts to dote on Rapunzel: telling her she loves her, making her favorite hazelnut soup, even leaving on a three-day journey to make a special paint. However, when Rapunzel asks to leave the tower to find out why floating lanterns appear in the sky on her birthday, Gothel refuses. Her “adorable” daughter is now “sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy” and too weak to handle herself. Gothel’s needs determine how she views Rapunzel.
Criterion Three: Gothel’s Identity and Rapunzel’s Views
Gothel repeatedly tries to convince Rapunzel that she has her best interests in heart. She excels at playing the victim card, repeatedly saying “Great, now I’mthe bad guy.” As long as Rapunzel believes Gothel is her mother, Gothel seems to believe she is. Only when Rapunzel finds out the truth does Gothel quit the charade. “You want me to be the bad guy?” she growls. ”Fine. Now I’m the bad guy.”
Criteria Six and Eight: Gothel’s Anger and Happiness
Gothel ‘s emotional state depends entirely on Rapunzel’s. If Rapunzel is happy, so is Gothel. She needs Rapunzel to be happy in order to be happy, and becomes depressed or angry whenever Rapunzel is unhappy. The more curious Rapunzel becomes about life outside the tower, the more angry Gothel becomes, resulting in an argument ended when Gothel screams “You are not leaving this tower–EVER!”
Criterion One: A Manufactured Crisis
After Rapunzel leaves the tower, Gothel pursues. Upon finding that Rapunzel is happy about her choice to leave, Gothel quickly enlists the help of two thugs. As the thugs attempt to kidnap Rapunzel, Gothel double-crosses them and knocks them out with a piece of driftwood. If manufacturing a crisis in order to appear to be the rescuer isn’t a “frantic effort” to avoid abandonment, I don’t know what is.
The Cost of BPD
What would be ironic in real life is justice in an animated movie. Gothel perishes in one of the most creative and memorable death scenes in a Disney movie. In a way, Gothel died because she was unable to accept herself. Gothel had to be young and could not live any other way.
However, we don’t have to share that fate. According to NAMI, BPD is highly treatable. Whether it’s dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or schema therapy or some other therapy, there is hope for recovery. We can learn to accept ourselves and accept the ups and downs of life.
We can get the villain of BPD out of our hair.
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| Tangled |
Who is Jessica’s father in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice? | Mother Gothel | Wickedpedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
[Source]
Mother Gothel is the main villain of the 2010 CGI animated film, Tangled.
Gothel had a magical plant, grown when a drop of sunlight hit the earth. Gothel used this flower as her personal fountain of youth to keep herself young for centuries. The pregnant Queen of a nearby kingdom was near death and had her guards search for this magical plant to heal her. They find it and the Queen heals, soon giving birth to Rapunzel. The flower's magical abilities transferred to Rapunzel's glowing hair. 24 April 2013 - 14 March 2016
Gothel acquired Rapunzel as a child, stealing her from the royal nursery and hiding her in an inaccessible tower deep in the forest. Gothel lies to Rapunzel about the outside world and everyone in it being mean and selfish, making Rapunzel wary of ever leaving her protection. Later, when Rapunzel is 18 years old, she asks her to shows her the stars to find out what they mean. Mother Gothel denies it because she calls the world a cruel place.
Rapunzel asks Mother Gother to buy her some paint so she can get her way from the tower for three days. It works. Then she forces a thief named Flynn to show her the stars, however they end up in a pub of thugs. Mother Gothel returns to the tower and is horrified to find Rapunzel missing. She steals a dagger then she sees Maximus the horse on her way, she finds that Flynn could be the culprit.
She goes to the pub and flirts with the tiny pub thug, then threatens him. She later hires two thugs, the Stabbington brothers to find Flynn and Rapunzel, taking advantage of the fact that they want revenge on Flynn for betraying them. She finds Rapunzel and then decides to teach her a lesson. She takes her to give Flynn the crown. She secretly has the Stabbington brothers kidnap Rapunzel. Mother Gothel fakes the rescue attempt by knocking out the brothers.
Back at the tower, Rapunzel sees the stars and sees her family. She realizes she is the lost princess. She tells Mother Gothel that she will never use her hair again. Mother Gothel tells Rapunzel that Flynn is going to be hanged for his crimes. Flynn gets away easily, goes to the tower then inside, he finds her chained and gagged. Mothel Gothel stabs Flynn in the back, then she tries to take Rapunzel away. But Rapunzel fights back. She breaks the gag and promises if Mother Gothel lets her heal Flynn, she will stay in the tower forever. Mother Gothel lets her do so. But Flynn, believing Rapunzel deserves her freedom, cuts her hair and Mother Gothel ages. Pascal the chameleon, angry with Mother Gothel for her evil intentions, deliberately trips Mother Gothel by pulling Rapunzel's cut hair and she falls from the tower to her death, turning into dust when she hits the ground.
The character is voiced by television actress and singer Donna Murphy.
Like many Disney villains, she has her own song in the movie, called " Mother Knows Best ".
Mother Gothel in German means 'godmother' which she is to Rapunzel. However, Rapunzel believes her to be her real mother.
Mother Gothel is similar to Judge Claude Frollo from The Hunchback Of Notre Dame insofar as she wanted her abducted child to stay in the tower and she lies that the outside world is wicked for her own goals. Frollo wanted his adopted child Quasimodo to stay in the bell tower and he lied about the outside world being wicked by singing " Out There " for his own goals. Their children disobey their masters though. Both villains fall to their death from the high towers.
She is the first villain to age to death, and the second one we see age from young to old with the first one being Queen Grimhilde .
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John James Audubon became famous for painting ….what? | John James Audubon Biography
John James Audubon Biography
Famous Names in Art - A
John James Audubon Biography
John James Audubon (American, b. Haiti, 1785-1851). Robert Havell (American, 1793-1878), Engraver after John James Audubon. American Flamingo, 1838. From The Birds of America (plate CCCCXXX1). Hand-colored etching and aquatint on Whatman paper. Image courtesy of the Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
By Shelley Esaak
The Basics:
The word "Audubon" has long been synonymous with anything related to the creatures of flight. And it's all because of this artist. John James Audubon was a French-American naturalist and painter. He is best known for his study and illustrations of birds in their natural habitats.
Early Life:
Audubon was born Jean Rabine on April 26, 1785 in Les Cayes, Santo Domingo (modern Haiti). He was the illegitimate offspring of French sea captain Lieutenant Jean Audubon and Spanish–Creole chambermaid Jeanne Rabine, the latter of whom was killed in a slave uprising a few months after her son's birth.
Lieutenant Audubon brought three year old Jean back to France in 1788 and, along with his new (and legitimate) wife, formally adopted the boy. Jean Rabine then became Jean-Jacques Fougère Audubon.
On the heels of a childhood spent largely outdoors in the countryside near Nantes, it is believed that Audubon went to Paris sometime before 1802 to train as an artist.
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He later claimed that Jacques-Louis David had been one of his teachers, although there is no surviving record of such.
Whatever training he did (or didn't) receive was short-lived. In 1803 Jean Audubon sent his son to America for two reasons. (1) Ostensibly, he'd purchased an estate near Philadelphia that needed overseeing and, (2) primarily, the youth had turned 18 and was due at any moment to be conscripted into Napoleon's army. It was after his move to American that he became known as "John James Laforest Audubon."
His Art:
At the Mill Grove, Pennsylvania estate, Audubon met the great passions of his life: American birds and his neighbor's daughter, Lucy Bakewell (whom he married in 1808). He began collecting all things ornithological and making pencil and pastel sketches of birds. As his confidence as an artist grew, he ventured into watercolors -- the medium he would most often employ for the rest of his career.
It quickly became evident that Audubon was ill-suited to oversee an estate or, indeed, much of anything that kept him away from the study of birds. He would go on to try his hand at several other business ventures, all of which failed. Audubon largely became a traveling artist, teaching occasional pupils, but always painting local birds and their natural habitats.
After finally declaring bankruptcy in 1819, his only goal in life became to publish a folio of his bird paintings. Interestingly, he had to take his work to London in order to make the book Birds of America a success in America.
Audubon is best known today for his highly dramatic bird and animal watercolors (along with around 70 oil canvases), as well as the National Audubon Society (formed in 1886) named in his honor. Audubon died on January 27, 1851 in New York City.
Important Works:
The Birds of America, 1827-38; the original, "double elephant" folios
The Ornithological Biographies, 1831–38 (text complementing Birds...)
The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, 1845-48
Famous Quote:
"I am at work, and have done much, but I wish I had eight pairs of hands and another body to shoot the specimens." -- from a letter dated October 11, 1829
Sources and Further Reading:
Audubon, John James, and Lucy Audubon (ed.).
The Life of John James Audubon, the Naturalist
New York : G. P. Putnam & Son, 1869.
Reynolds, Gary A. (ed.) John James Audubon and his Sons (exh. cat.).
New York : Grey Art Gallery and Study Center, 1982.
Rodgers, David. "Audubon, John James"
The Oxford Companion to Western Art. Ed. Hugh Brigstocke. Oxford University Press, 2001.
| Bird |
Which Biblical city’s walls fell to the blast of trumpets? | See Audubon’s Famous Birds Like Never Before | WIRED
Time of Publication: 2:20 pm.
2:20 pm
See Audubon’s Famous Birds Like Never Before
The avian visions of John James Audubon, America's finest wildlife artist, are coming to life as never before.
On display now through May 19 at the New York Historical Society is the first of three installations in Audubon's Aviary: The Complete Flock , the society's unprecedented exhibition of 474 paintings.
Most are so-called preparatory watercolors, the drafts Audubon made while working towards The Birds of America, the famed series of hand-colored, life-sized engravings that would make his name synonymous with the winged world.
The watercolors were purchased by the Society in 1863 from Audubon's wife Lucy, and are usually kept in storage, hidden from light that could disturb their delicate pigments. They've never been gathered in one place for public display.
Also on display are some of Audubon's earliest paintings, which were only recently discovered and have never been seen in the United States. As a multimedia bonus, some paintings are accompanied by birdsong recorded -- or, in the case of the extinct Carolina parakeet and ivory-billed woodpecker, reconstructed -- by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
On the following pages, exhibition curator Roberta Olson takes Wired readers on a tour.
Above:
Carolina Parakeet
One little-appreciated aspect of Audubon's work is his technical virtuosity, said Olson. "He'd stain, wet the pastels, put the watercolor on top of it, then outline every vein and barbule of a feather," she said. "For the Carolina parakeets, you get the idea of these birds calling out to you and flying in your face. When you turn the watercolor, they sparkle. They are alive."
Image: Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis), Study for Havell pl. 26, ca. 1825. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, gouache, and black ink with scraping and selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 29 3/4 x 21 1/4 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Northern Mockingbird
Apart from giving viewers a richer sense of the birds, the exhibition's audio is intended to emphasize "just how cinematic Audubon was," said Olson. "His birds are not just posed in pharaonic profile. They're moving."
Image: Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), Study for Havell pl. 21, ca. 1825. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, black chalk, gouache, and black ink with touches of scratching out and selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 29 3/4 x 20 7/8 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Great Egret
Image: Great Egret (Ardea alba), 1821. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, gouache, white lead pigment, black ink, and black chalk with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 37 7/16 x 25 9/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Image: Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens), Study for Havell pl. 137, 1829. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, black chalk, gouache, white lead pigment, and black ink with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 29 5/16 x 21 1/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Great Crested Flycatcher
Audubon's style is so historically influential that it's easy to overlook how conceptually adventurous it was in his day, when stiffly-posed taxonomic illustrations and depictions of dead game were customary. "He wanted to tell stories," Olson said. "He wanted his birds to live."
Image: Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Study for Havell pl. 129, ca. 1824. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, and black chalk with touches of black ink and gouache, and selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 18 5/8 x 11 1/2 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Hoopoe
Audubon painted this hoopoe in 1805, just two years after emigrating from France at the age of eighteen. It was discovered in the 1990s at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle in La Rochelle, France.
In it, Audubon is not yet working with watercolor, but experimenting with graphite and pastels. "He chose pastel at the beginning. They were out of favor at the time, but he liked the fact that it had the texture of feathers," Olson said.
Image: Hoopoe (Huppe fasciée), 1805–06. Pastel and graphite on paper; 11 13/16 x 7 7/8 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Northern Bobwhite
The engravings in Birds of America were not printed all at once, but delivered to subscribers in batches of five -- one large-sized illustration, such as this depiction of northern bobwhites attacked by a red-shouldered hawk, one medium-sized, and three small -- between 1827 and 1838.
That unusual method of distribution, something like a 19th-century Kickstarter arrangement, was a product of Audubon's economic circumstances. Remembered now as a great artist, Audubon when he started the project was a down-on-his-luck former shopkeeper and portrait-painter, an immigrant who loved birds and dreamed of making life-sized paintings of every species in his new homeland, but didn't have the money.
To make this possible, Audubon became as devoted a marketer and self-promoter as he was an artist. "He self-financed this whole enterprise. Had no institutional backing," said Olson. "He went out and did it." For several years he toured England, charming potential investors and playing up his frontier background. Said Olson, "He'd be dressed in buckskin and bear grease, and would be the command performance after dinner parties."
Image: Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), Study for Havell pl. 76, ca. 1825. Watercolor, pastel, graphite, black ink, oil, gouache, black chalk, collage, and outlining with a stylus, with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 25 13/16 x 39 3/8 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Snowy Owl
Like the northern bobwhite, this snowy owl originally came as a large-sized print nearly 40 inches high, using what was known as double-elephant-folio paper. It was the largest format available in the early 19th century, and added considerably to Audubon's costs, but he insisted on using it. His life-sized ambitions couldn't be realized on anything smaller.
Image: nowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), Study for Havell pl. 121, 1829 Watercolor, graphite, pastel, and black ink with touches of glazing on paper, laid on card; 38 x 25 11/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Tufted Titmouse
Image: Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Study for Havell pl. 39, 1822. Watercolor, graphite, gouache, and black ink with touches of black chalk and glazing on paper, laid on card; 18 5/8 x 11 11/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Tree Swallow
Audubon's experimentalism is underappreciated; largely self-taught as a painter, he "always pushed the envelope in his media," Olson said. Images like this now seem classical, but they predated the collage techniques of Picasso and Braques by nearly a century.
Image: Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Study for Havell pl. 98; sketches of an egg and a feather, 1824. Watercolor, graphite, gouache, pastel, black chalk, and black ink with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 18 15/16 x 11 13/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Barn Owl
Another of Audubon's early paintings discovered in La Rochelle, the pose of this barn owl presages his mature work's extremely realistic depictions, at which he arrived through extensive field observations. As much as any naturalist, Audubon came to know the birds. "He was a frontiersman, but he wanted to be considered a scientist, too," Olson said.
Image: Barn Owl, 1803–05. Pastel and graphite on paper; 35 7/8 x 14 3/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Turkey Vulture
Image: Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), 1820. Pastel, watercolor, graphite, black ink, and black chalk with touches of gouache on two sheets of paper, laid on card; 18 11/16 x 18 5/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Southern Cassowary
Like the Carolina parakeet, this cassowary is part of Harvard University's collection of Audubon's early paintings.
Image: Head of a Southern Cassowary, 1812. Pastel and graphite on paper; 21 5/8 x 16 15/16 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
American Goldfinch
Image: American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), Study for Havell pl. 33, 1824. Watercolor, graphite, gouache, and black ink with touches of pastel and selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 18 9/16 x 11 3/4 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
Though it's possible that the ivory-billed woodpecker is still alive, America's largest woodpecker is very likely extinct, as are others of Audubon's subjects, including passenger pigeons and Carolina parakeets.
Living in an age of fast-expanding, fast-developing frontiers, Audubon "began to be concerned with such things," said Olson. "He was conscious of species diminishing because of civilization's encroachment."
These sounds of America's vanished, largest woodpecker were based on its only known recordings, made in 1935 by a Cornell Lab of Ornithology expedition to Louisiana.
Image: Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), Study for Havell pl. 66, ca. 1825–26. Watercolor, pastel, black ink, graphite, gouache, and white lead pigment with selective glazing and outlining with a stylus on paper, laid on card. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Black-Billed Cuckoo
Image: Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus), Study for Havell pl. 32, 1822. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, gouache, and black ink with scratching out and touches of glazing on paper, laid on card; 24 3/16 x 19 7/16 in.
Carolina Wren
Image: Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Study for Havell pl. 78, 1822. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, charcoal, gouache, and black ink with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 18 13/16 x 11 3/4 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Fork-Tailed Flycatcher
Image: Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), Study for Havell pl. 168; sketch of a feather, 1832. Watercolor, graphite, pastel, black ink, and gouache with selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 21 9/16 x 14 1/8 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Carolina Parakeet (Harvard)
Among the paintings provided for the exhibition by Harvard University's Houghton Library, this Carolina parakeet is what Olson calls one of Audubon's "early birds," foreshadowing the style of his mature, fantastically detailed later work.
Image: Carolina Parakeet, 1811. Watercolor, pastel, and graphite on paper; 16 15/16 x 11 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
Red-Tailed Hawk
"One of the characteristics of the species is that when their tails fan out, they're translucent. Audubon is always going for effects characteristic of the bird," Olson said. "He wanted his birds to live."
Image: Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Study for Havell pl. 51, 1821. Watercolor, pastel, black ink, graphite, and black chalk with touches of gouache and selective glazing on paper, laid on card; 37 3/4 x 25 1/2 in. Courtesy of the New York Historical Society.
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Charlotte Beyser Bartholdi was the model for which statue? | Image of CHARLOTTE BEYSSER BARTHOLDI. - Mother Of French Sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, And Model For The Face Of The Statue Of Liberty. Oil On Canvas By Ary Scheffer, 1855. From Granger - Historical Picture Archive
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CHARLOTTE BEYSSER BARTHOLDI. Mother of French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, and model for the face of the Statue of Liberty. Oil on canvas by Ary Scheffer, 1855.
Image No. 0162988
| Statue of Liberty |
Which famous fair held annually for 700 years was first held at Smithfield in 1133? | Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834 - 1904) - Genealogy
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
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French sculptor, best known for designing the Statue of Liberty.
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About Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (2 August 1834, Colmar, Haut-Rhin – 4 October 1904) was a French sculptor who is best known for designing the Statue of Liberty .
Life and career
Born in Colmar, in the Alsace region of France to Jean Charles Bartholdi (1791–1836) and Augusta Charlotte Bartholdi née Beysser (1801–1891), Bartholdi was the youngest of their four children, and one of only two to survive infancy, along with the oldest brother, Jean-Charles, who became a lawyer and editor. When Bartholdi's father died, his mother moved the family to Paris, while maintaining ownership of their house in Colmar, which later became the Bartholdi Museum. He attended the Lycee Louis-le-Grand in Paris, and received a BA in 1852. He then went on to study architecture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts as well as painting under Ary Scheffer in his studio in the Rue Chaptal, now the Musée de la Vie Romantique. Later, Batholdi turned his attention to sculpture, which afterward exclusively occupied him.
Bartholdi served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 as a squadron leader of the National Guard, and as a liaison officer to General Giuseppe Garibaldi, representing the French government and the Army of the Vosges. In 1875, he joined the Freemasons Lodge Alsace-Lorraine in Paris. In 1871, he made his first trip to the United States, to select the site for the Statue of Liberty, the creation of which would occupy him after 1875.
On December 15, 1875, Bartholdi married Jeanne-Emilie Baheux Puysieux in Newport, Rhode Island. They had no children.
Bartholdi was one of the French commissioners in 1876 to the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. There he exhibited bronze statues of "The Young Vine-Grower", "Génie Funèbre", "Peace" and "Genius in the Grasp of Misery", for which he received a bronze medal.
Bartholdi, who received the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1886, died of tuberculosis, in Paris, on 4 October 1904.
The Statue of Liberty
The work for which Bartholdi is most famous is Liberty Enlightening the World, better known as the Statue of Liberty.
Soon after the establishment of the French Third Republic, the project of building some suitable memorial to show the fraternal feeling existing between the republics of the United States and France was suggested, and in 1874 the Union Franco-Americaine (Franco-American Union) was established by Edouard de Laboulaye. Among its members were Laboulaye, Paul de Rémusat, William Waddington, Henri Martin, Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, Oscar Gilbert Lafayette, and Bartholdi.
The plan of Bartholdi having been approved, more than 1,000,000 francs were raised by subscription throughout France for the building of the statue. In 1879, Bartholdi was awarded design patent U.S. Patent D11,023 for the Statue of Liberty. This patent covered the sale of small copies of the statue. Proceeds from the sale of the statues helped raise money to build the full statue. On 4 July 1880, the statue was formally delivered to the American minister in Paris, the event being celebrated by a great banquet.
Before starting his commission, Bartholdi had traveled to the United States and personally selected New York Harbor as the site for the statue. The United States set apart Bedlow's Island as a site for the monument, and funds were collected throughout the United States for the building of the pedestal, about $300,000 being raised. In October 1886, the structure was presented to the nation as the joint gift of the French and American people.
The statue is 151 feet and 1 inch high, and the top of the torch is at an elevation of 305 feet 1 inch from mean low-water mark. It was the largest work of its kind that had ever been completed up to that time. It was rumored in France that the face of the Statue of Liberty was modeled after Bartholdi's mother; and the body after his wife, Jean Emilie. In Paris on the Ile aux Cygnes, there is a replica of Statue of Liberty which faces west supposedly in alignment with the Statue of Liberty in New York. Works in Colmar
Bartholdi's hometown Colmar prides itself with a number of statues and monuments by the sculptor, as well as with a museum, founded in 1922 in the house in which he was born, at 30 Rue des Marchands.
Monument du Général Rapp – 1856 (first shown 1855 in Paris. Bartholdi's earliest major work)
Fontaine Schongauer – 1863 (in front of the Unterlinden Museum)
Fontaine de l'Amiral Bruat – 1864
Fontaine Roeselmann – 1888
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Which king’s four sons together with their mother rebelled against him in France in 1173? | King Henry II | Britroyals
Born: March 5, 1133 at Le Mans, France
Parents: Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, and Empress Matilda
Relation to Elizabeth II: 22nd great-grandfather
House of: Angevin
Ascended to the throne: October 25, 1154 aged 21 years
Crowned: December 19, 1154 at Westminster Abbey
Married: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Daughter of William X, Duke of Aquitaine
Children: Five sons including Richard I and John, three daughters and several illegitimate children
Died: July 6, 1189 at Chinon Castle, Anjou, aged 56 years, 4 months, and 1 day
Buried at: Fontevraud, France
Reigned for: 34 years, 8 months, and 11 days
Succeeded by: his son Richard
King of England 1154�89. The son of Matilda and Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, he succeeded King Stephen (c. 1097�1154). He curbed the power of the barons, but his attempt to bring the church courts under control was abandoned after the murder of Thomas � Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. The English conquest of Ireland began during Henry's reign. On several occasions his sons rebelled, notably 1173�74. Henry was succeeded by his son Richard (I) the Lionheart.
Henry was lord of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and Count of Anjou, Brittany, Poitou, Normandy, Maine, and Gascony. He claimed Aquitaine through marriage to the heiress Eleanor in 1152. Henry's many French possessions caused him to live for more than half his reign outside England. This made it essential for him to establish a judicial and administrative system which would work during his absence. His chancellor and friend, Becket, was persuaded to become archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 in the hope that he would help the king curb the power of the ecclesiastical courts. However, once consecrated, Becket felt bound to defend church privileges, and he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral 1170 by four knights of the king's household.
In 1171 Henry invaded Ireland and received homage from the King of Leinster. In 1174 his three sons Henry, Richard and Geoffrey led an unsuccessful rebellion against their father.
Quotes:
Here I am, not a traitor of the king, but a priest of God. Why do you want me?' - Thomas � Becket addressing his murderers, 29 December 1170
Timeline for King Henry II
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| Henry II |
What was won by Louisa Johnson in December 2015? | William II of England
William I ( Old Norman : Williame I; Old English : Willelm I; c. 1028 – 9 September 1087), usually known as William the Conqueror and sometimes William the Bastard, was the first Norman King of England , reigning from 1066 until his death in 1087. The descendant of Viking raiders, he had been Duke of Normandy since 1035. After a long struggle to establish his power, by 1060 his hold on Normandy was secure, and he launched the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The rest of his life was marked by struggles to consolidate his hold over England and his continental lands and by difficulties with his eldest son.
William was the son of the unmarried Robert I, Duke of Normandy , by Robert's mistress Herleva . His illegitimate status and his youth caused some difficulties for him after he succeeded his father, as did the anarchy that plagued the first years of his rule. During his childhood and adolescence, members of the Norman aristocracy battled each other, both for control of the child duke and for their own ends. In 1047 William was able to quash a rebellion and begin to establish his authority over the duchy, a process that was not complete until about 1060. His marriage in the 1050s to Matilda of Flanders provided him with a powerful ally in the neighbouring county of Flanders . By the time of his marriage, William was able to arrange the appointments of his supporters as bishops and abbots in the Norman church. His consolidation of power allowed him to expand his horizons, and by 1062 William was able to secure control of the neighbouring county of Maine .
In the 1050s and early 1060s William became a contender for the throne of England, then held by the childless Edward the Confessor , his first cousin once removed . There were other potential claimants, including the powerful English earl Harold Godwinson , who was named the next king by Edward on the latter's deathbed in January 1066. William argued that Edward had previously promised the throne to him, and that Harold had sworn to support William's claim. William built a large fleet and invaded England in September 1066, decisively defeating and killing Harold at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066. After further military efforts William was crowned king on Christmas Day 1066, in London. He made arrangements for the governance of England in early 1067 before returning to Normandy. Several unsuccessful rebellions followed, but by 1075 William's hold on England was mostly secure, allowing him to spend the majority of the rest of his reign on the continent.
William's final years were marked by difficulties in his continental domains, troubles with his eldest son, and threatened invasions of England by the Danes . In 1086 William ordered the compilation of the Domesday Book , a survey listing all the landholders in England along with their holdings. William died in September 1087 while leading a campaign in northern France, and was buried in Caen . His reign in England was marked by the construction of castles, the settling of a new Norman nobility on the land, and change in the composition of the English clergy. He did not try to integrate his various domains into one empire, but instead continued to administer each part separately. William's lands were divided after his death: Normandy went to his eldest son, Robert , and his second surviving son, William , received England.
Background
Norsemen first began raiding in what became Normandy in the late 8th century. Permanent Scandinavian settlement occurred before 911, when Rollo , one of the Viking leaders, and King Charles the Simple of France reached an agreement surrendering the county of Rouen to Rollo. The lands around Rouen became the core of the later duchy of Normandy. Normandy may have been used as a base when Scandinavian attacks on England were renewed at the end of the 10th century, which would have worsened relations between England and Normandy. In an effort to improve matters, King Æthelred the Unready took Emma of Normandy , sister of Duke Richard II , as his second wife in 1002.
Danish raids on England continued, and Æthelred sought help from Richard, taking refuge in Normandy in 1013 when King Swein I of Denmark drove Æthelred and his family from England. Swein's death in 1014 allowed Æthelred to return home, but Swein's son Cnut contested Æthelred's return. Æthelred died unexpectedly in 1016, and Cnut became king of England. Æthelred and Emma's two sons, Edward and Alfred , went into exile in Normandy while their mother, Emma, became Cnut's second wife.
After Cnut's death in 1035 the English throne fell to Harold Harefoot , his son by his first wife, while Harthacnut , his son by Emma, became king in Denmark. England remained unstable. Alfred returned to England in 1036 to visit his mother and perhaps to challenge Harold as king. One story implicates Earl Godwin of Wessex in Alfred's subsequent death, but others blame Harold. Emma went into exile in Flanders until Harthacnut became king following Harold's death in 1040, and his half-brother Edward followed Harthacnut to England; Edward was proclaimed king after Harthacnut's death in June 1042.
Early life
William was born in 1027 or 1028 at Falaise , Normandy, most likely towards the end of 1028. [5] [2] He was the only son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy , son of Richard II, Duke of Normandy . His mother, Herleva, was the daughter of Fulbert of Falaise ; Fulbert may have been a tanner or embalmer. She was possibly a member of the ducal household, but did not marry Robert. Instead, she later married Herluin de Conteville , with whom she had two sons – Odo of Bayeux and Robert, Count of Mortain – and a daughter whose name is unknown. One of Herleva's brothers, Walter, became a supporter and protector of William during his minority. [3] Robert also had a daughter, Adelaide of Normandy , by another mistress.
Robert became Duke of Normandy on 6 August 1027, succeeding his elder brother Richard III , who had only succeeded to the title the previous year. Robert and his brother had been at odds over the succession, and Richard's death was sudden. Robert was accused by some writers of killing his brother, a plausible but now unprovable charge. Conditions in Normandy were unsettled, as noble families despoiled the Church and Alan III of Brittany waged war against the duchy, possibly in an attempt to take control. By 1031 Robert had gathered considerable support from noblemen, many of whom would become prominent during William's life. They included Robert's uncle, Robert the archbishop of Rouen , who had originally opposed the duke, Osbern , a nephew of Gunnor the wife of Duke Richard I, and Count Gilbert of Brionne , a grandson of Richard I. After his accession, Robert continued Norman support for the English princes Edward and Alfred, who were still in exile in northern France.
There are indications that Robert may have been briefly betrothed to a daughter of King Cnut, but no marriage took place. It is unclear if William would have been supplanted in the ducal succession if Robert had had a legitimate son. Earlier dukes had been illegitimate , and William's association with his father on ducal charters appears to indicate that William was considered Robert's most likely heir. In 1034 Duke Robert decided to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem . Although some of his supporters tried to dissuade him from undertaking the journey, Robert convened a council in January 1035 and had the assembled Norman magnates swear fealty to William as his heir before leaving for Jerusalem. He died in early July at Nicea , on his way back to Normandy.
Duke of Normandy
Challenges
William faced several challenges on becoming duke, including his illegitimate birth and his youth: the evidence indicates that he was either seven or eight years old at the time. He enjoyed the support of his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert, as well as the king of France, Henry I , enabling him to succeed to his father's duchy. The support given to the exiled English princes in their attempt to return to England in 1036 shows that the new duke's guardians were attempting to continue his father's policies, but Archbishop Robert's death in March 1037 removed one of William's main supporters, and conditions in Normandy quickly descended into chaos.
The anarchy in the duchy lasted until 1047, and control of the young duke was one of the priorities of those contending for power. At first, Alan of Brittany had custody of the duke, but when Alan died in either late 1039 or October 1040, Gilbert of Brionne took charge of William. Gilbert was killed within months, and another guardian, Turchetil, was also killed around the time of Gilbert's death. Yet another guardian, Osbern, was slain in the early 1040s in William's chamber while the duke slept. It was said that Walter, William's maternal uncle, was occasionally forced to hide the young duke in the houses of peasants, although this story may be an embellishment by Orderic Vitalis . The historian Eleanor Searle speculates that William was raised with the three cousins who later became important in his career – William fitzOsbern , Roger de Beaumont , and Roger of Montgomery . Although many of the Norman nobles engaged in their own private wars and feuds during William's minority, the viscounts still acknowledged the ducal government, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy was supportive of William.
King Henry continued to support the young duke, but in late 1046 opponents of William came together in a rebellion centred in lower Normandy, led by Guy of Burgundy with support from Nigel, Viscount of the Cotentin, and Ranulf, Viscount of the Bessin. According to stories that may have legendary elements, an attempt was made to seize William at Valognes, but he escaped under cover of darkness, seeking refuge with King Henry. In early 1047 Henry and William returned to Normandy and were victorious at the Battle of Val-ès-Dunes near Caen , although few details of the actual fighting are recorded. William of Poitiers claimed that the battle was won mainly through William's efforts, but earlier accounts claim that King Henry's men and leadership also played an important part. William assumed power in Normandy, and shortly after the battle promulgated the Truce of God throughout his duchy, in an effort to limit warfare and violence by restricting the days of the year on which fighting was permitted. Although the Battle of Val-ès-Dunes marked a turning point in William's control of the duchy, it was not the end of his struggle to gain the upper hand over the nobility. The period from 1047 to 1054 saw almost continuous warfare, with lesser crises continuing until 1060.
Consolidation of power
William's next efforts were against Guy of Burgundy, who retreated to his castle at Brionne , which William besieged. After a long effort, the duke succeeded in exiling Guy in 1050. To address the growing power of the Count of Anjou , Geoffrey Martel , William joined with King Henry in a campaign against him, the last known cooperation between the two. They succeeded in capturing an Angevin fortress, but accomplished little else. Geoffrey attempted to expand his authority into the county of Maine , especially after the death of Hugh IV of Maine in 1051. Central to the control of Maine were the holdings of the family of Bellême, who held Bellême on the border of Maine and Normandy, as well as the fortresses at Alençon and Domfort. Bellême's overlord was the king of France, but Domfort was under the overlordship of Geoffrey Martel and Duke William was Alençon's overlord. The Bellême family, whose lands were quite strategically placed between their three different overlords, were able to play each of them against the other and secure virtual independence for themselves.
On the death of Hugh of Maine, Geoffrey Martel occupied Maine in a move contested by William and King Henry; eventually they succeeded in driving Geoffrey from the county, and in the process, William was able to secure the Bellême family strongholds at Alençon and Domfort for himself. He was thus able to assert his overlordship over the Bellême family and compel them to act consistently in Norman interests. But in 1052 the king and Geoffrey Martel made common cause against William at the same time as some Norman nobles began to contest William's increasing power. Henry's volte-face was probably motivated by a desire to retain dominance over Normandy, which was now threatened by William's growing mastery of his duchy. William was engaged in military actions against his own nobles throughout 1053, as well as with the new Archbishop of Rouen, Mauger . In February 1054 the king and the Norman rebels launched a double invasion of the duchy. Henry led the main thrust through the county of Évreux , while the other wing, under the French king's brother Odo , invaded eastern Normandy.
William met the invasion by dividing his forces into two groups. The first, which he led, faced Henry. The second, which included some who became William's firm supporters, such as Robert, Count of Eu , Walter Giffard , Roger of Mortemer , and William de Warenne , faced the other invading force. This second force defeated the invaders at the Battle of Mortemer . In addition to ending both invasions, the battle allowed the duke's ecclesiastical supporters to depose Mauger from the archbishopric of Rouen. Mortemer thus marked another turning point in William's growing control of the duchy, although his conflict with the French king and the Count of Anjou continued until 1060. Henry and Geoffrey led another invasion of Normandy in 1057 but were defeated by William at the Battle of Varaville . This was the last invasion of Normandy during William's lifetime, and the deaths of the count and the king in 1060 cemented the shift in the balance of power towards William.
One factor in William's favour was his marriage to Matilda of Flanders , the daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders . The union was arranged in 1049, but Pope Leo IX forbade the marriage at the Council of Rheims in October 1049. The marriage nevertheless went ahead some time in the early 1050s, possibly unsanctioned by the pope. According to a late source not generally considered to be reliable, papal sanction was not secured until 1059, but as papal-Norman relations in the 1050s were generally good, and Norman clergy were able to visit Rome in 1050 without incident, it was probably secured earlier. Papal sanction of the marriage appears to have required the founding of two monasteries in Caen – one by William and one by Matilda. The marriage was important in bolstering William's status, as Flanders was one of the more powerful French territories, with ties to the French royal house and to the German emperors. Contemporary writers considered the marriage, which produced four sons and five or six daughters, to be a success.
Appearance and character
No authentic portrait of William has been found; the contemporary depictions of him on the Bayeux Tapestry and on his seals and coins are conventional representations designed to assert his authority. There are some written descriptions of a burly and robust appearance, with a guttural voice. He enjoyed excellent health until old age, although he became quite fat in later life. He was strong enough to draw bows that others were unable to pull and had great stamina. Geoffrey Martel described him as without equal as a fighter and as a horseman. Examination of William's femur , the only bone to survive when the rest of his remains were destroyed, showed he was approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) in height, quite tall for the time.
There are records of two tutors for the young duke during the late 1030s and early 1040s, but the extent of William's literary education is unclear. He was not known as a patron of authors, and there is little evidence that he sponsored scholarship or other intellectual activities. Orderic Vitalis records that William tried to learn to read Old English late in life, but he was unable to devote sufficient time to the effort and quickly gave up. William's main hobby appears to have been hunting. His marriage to Matilda appears to have been quite affectionate, and there are no signs that he was unfaithful to her – unusual in a medieval monarch. Medieval writers criticised William for his greed and cruelty, but his personal piety was universally praised by contemporaries.
Norman administration
Norman government under William was similar to the government that had existed under earlier dukes. It was a fairly simple administrative system, built around the ducal household, which consisted of a group of officers including stewards , butlers , and marshalls . The duke travelled constantly around the duchy, confirming charters and collecting revenues. Most of the income came from the ducal lands, as well as from tolls and a few taxes. This income was collected by the chamber, one of the household departments.
William cultivated close relations with the church in his duchy. He took part in church councils and made several appointments to the Norman episcopate, including the appointment of Maurilius as Archbishop of Rouen. Another important appointment was that of William's half-brother Odo as Bishop of Bayeux in either 1049 or 1050. He also relied on the clergy for advice, including Lanfranc , a non-Norman who rose to become one of William's prominent ecclesiastical advisors in the late 1040s and remained so throughout the 1050s and 1060s. William gave generously to the church; from 1035 to 1066, the Norman aristocracy founded at least 20 new monastic houses, including William's two monasteries in Caen, a remarkable expansion of religious life in the duchy.
English and continental concerns
In 1051 the childless King Edward of England appears to have chosen William as his successor to the English throne. William was the grandson of Edward's maternal uncle, Richard II, Duke of Normandy . The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , in the "D" version, states that William visited England in the later part of 1051, perhaps to secure confirmation of the succession, or perhaps William was attempting to secure aid for his troubles in Normandy. The trip is unlikely given William's absorption in warfare with Anjou at the time. Whatever Edward's wishes, it was likely that any claim by William would be opposed by Godwin, the Earl of Wessex , a member of the most powerful family in England. Edward had married Edith , Godwin's daughter, in 1043, and Godwin appears to have been one of the main supporters of Edward's claim to the throne. By 1050, however, relations between the king and the earl had soured, culminating in a crisis in 1051 that led to the exile of Godwin and his family from England. It was during this exile that Edward offered the throne to William. Godwin returned from exile in 1052 with armed forces, and a settlement was reached between the king and the earl, restoring the earl and his family to their lands and replacing Robert of Jumièges , a Norman whom Edward had named Archbishop of Canterbury , with Stigand , the Bishop of Winchester . No English source mentions a supposed embassy by Archbishop Robert to William conveying the promise of the succession, and the two Norman sources that mention it, William of Jumièges and William of Poitiers , are not precise in their chronology of when this visit took place.
Count Herbert II of Maine died in 1062, and William, who had betrothed his eldest son Robert to Herbert's sister Margaret, claimed the county through his son. Local nobles resisted the claim, but William invaded and by 1064 had secured control of the area. William appointed a Norman to the bishopric of Le Mans in 1065. He also allowed his son Robert Curthose to do homage to the new Count of Anjou, Geoffrey the Bearded . William's western border was thus secured, but his border with Brittany remained insecure. In 1064 William invaded Brittany in a campaign that remains obscure in its details. Its effect, though, was to destabilise Brittany, forcing the duke, Conan II , to focus on internal problems rather than on expansion. Conan's death in 1066 further secured William's borders in Normandy. William also benefited from his campaign in Brittany by securing the support of some Breton nobles who went on to support the invasion of England in 1066.
In England, Earl Godwin died in 1053 and his sons were increasing in power: Harold succeeded to his father's earldom, and another son, Tostig , became Earl of Northumbria . Other sons were granted earldoms later: Gyrth as Earl of East Anglia in 1057 and Leofwine as Earl of Kent some time between 1055 and 1057. Some sources claim that Harold took part in William's Breton campaign of 1064 and that Harold swore to uphold William's claim to the English throne at the end of the campaign, but no English source reports this trip, and it is unclear if it actually occurred. It may have been Norman propaganda designed to discredit Harold, who had emerged as the main contender to succeed King Edward. Meanwhile, another contender for the throne had emerged – Edward the Exile , son of Edmund Ironside and a grandson of Æthelred II, returned to England in 1057, and although he died shortly after his return, he brought with him his family, which included two daughters, Margaret and Christina , and a son, Edgar the Ætheling .
In 1065 Northumbria revolted against Tostig, and the rebels chose Morcar , the younger brother of Edwin , Earl of Mercia , as earl in place of Tostig. Harold, perhaps to secure the support of Edwin and Morcar in his bid for the throne, supported the rebels and persuaded King Edward to replace Tostig with Morcar. Tostig went into exile in Flanders, along with his wife Judith , who was the daughter of Count Baldwin IV of Flanders . Edward was ailing, and he died on 5 January 1066. It is unclear what exactly happened at Edward's deathbed. One story, deriving from the Vita Edwardi , a biography of Edward, claims that Edward was attended by his wife Edith, Harold, Archbishop Stigand, and Robert FitzWimarc , and that the king named Harold as his successor. The Norman sources do not dispute the fact that Harold was named as the next king, but they declare that Harold's oath and Edward's earlier promise of the throne could not be changed on Edward's deathbed. Later English sources stated that Harold had been elected as king by the clergy and magnates of England.
Invasion of England
Harold's preparations
Harold was crowned on 6 January 1066 in Edward's new Norman-style Westminster Abbey , although some controversy surrounds who performed the ceremony. English sources claim that Ealdred , the Archbishop of York , performed the ceremony, while Norman sources state that the coronation was performed by Stigand, who was considered a non-canonical archbishop by the papacy. Harold's claim to the throne was not entirely secure, however, as there were other claimants, perhaps including his exiled brother Tostig. King Harald Hardrada of Norway also had a claim to the throne as the uncle and heir of King Magnus I , who had made a pact with Harthacnut in about 1040 that if either Magnus or Harthacnut died without heirs, the other would succeed. The last claimant was William of Normandy, against whose anticipated invasion King Harold Godwinson made most of his preparations.
Harold's brother Tostig made probing attacks along the southern coast of England in May 1066, landing at the Isle of Wight using a fleet supplied by Baldwin of Flanders. Tostig appears to have received little local support, and further raids into Lincolnshire and near the River Humber met with no more success, so he retreated to Scotland, where he remained for a time. According to the Norman writer William of Jumièges, William had meanwhile sent an embassy to King Harold Godwinson to remind Harold of his oath to support William's claim, although whether this embassy actually occurred is unclear. Harold assembled an army and a fleet to repel William's anticipated invasion force, deploying troops and ships along the English Channel for most of the summer.
William's preparations
William of Poitiers describes a council called by Duke William, in which the writer gives an account of a great debate that took place between William's nobles and supporters over whether to risk an invasion of England. Although some sort of formal assembly probably was held, it is unlikely that any debate took place, as the duke had by then established control over his nobles, and most of those assembled would have been anxious to secure their share of the rewards from the conquest of England. William of Poitiers also relates that the duke obtained the consent of Pope Alexander II for the invasion, along with a papal banner. The chronicler also claimed that the duke secured the support of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV and King Sweyn II of Denmark . Henry was still a minor, however, and Sweyn was more likely to support Harold, who could then help Sweyn against the Norwegian king, so these claims should be treated with caution. Although Alexander did give papal approval to the conquest after it succeeded, no other source claims papal support prior to the invasion. Events after the invasion, which included the penance William performed and statements by later popes, do lend circumstantial support to the claim of papal approval. To deal with Norman affairs, William put the government of Normandy into the hands of his wife for the duration of the invasion.
Throughout the summer, William assembled an army and an invasion fleet in Normandy. Although William of Jumièges's claim that the ducal fleet numbered 3,000 ships is clearly an exaggeration, it was probably large and mostly built from scratch. Although William of Poitiers and William of Jumièges disagree about where the fleet was built – Poitiers states it was constructed at the mouth of the River Dives , while Jumièges states it was built at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme – both agree that it eventually sailed from Valery-sur-Somme. The fleet carried an invasion force that included, in addition to troops from William's own territories of Normandy and Maine, large numbers of mercenaries, allies, and volunteers from Brittany , northeastern France, and Flanders, together with smaller numbers from other parts of Europe. Although the army and fleet were ready by early August, adverse winds kept the ships in Normandy until late September. There were probably other reasons for William's delay, including intelligence reports from England revealing that Harold's forces were deployed along the coast. William would have preferred to delay the invasion until he could make an unopposed landing. Harold kept his forces on alert throughout the summer, but with the arrival of the harvest season he disbanded his army on 8 September.
Tostig and Hardrada's invasion
Harold's brother Tostig and Harald Hardrada invaded Northumbria in September 1066 and defeated the local forces under Morcar and Edwin at the Battle of Fulford near York . King Harold received word of their invasion and marched north, defeating the invaders and killing Tostig and Hardrada on 25 September at the Battle of Stamford Bridge . The Norman fleet finally set sail two days later, landing in England at Pevensey Bay on 28 September. William then moved to Hastings , a few miles to the east, where he built a castle as a base of operations. From there, he ravaged the interior and waited for Harold's return from the north, refusing to venture far from the sea, his line of communication with Normandy.
Battle of Hastings
After defeating Harald Hardrada and Tostig, Harold left much of his army in the north, including Morcar and Edwin, and marched the rest south to deal with the threatened Norman invasion. He probably learned of William's landing while he was travelling south. Harold stopped in London, and was there for about a week before marching to Hastings, so it is likely that he spent about a week on his march south, averaging about 27 miles (43 kilometres) per day, for the distance of approximately 200 miles (320 kilometres). Although Harold attempted to surprise the Normans, William's scouts reported the English arrival to the duke. The exact events preceding the battle are obscure, with contradictory accounts in the sources, but all agree that William led his army from his castle and advanced towards the enemy. Harold had taken a defensive position at the top of Senlac Hill (present-day Battle, East Sussex ), about 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) from William's castle at Hastings.
The battle began at about 9 am on 14 October and lasted all day, but while a broad outline is known, the exact events are obscured by contradictory accounts in the sources. Although the numbers on each side were about equal, William had both cavalry and infantry, including many archers, while Harold had only foot soldiers and few, if any, archers. The English soldiers formed up as a shield wall along the ridge and were at first so effective that William's army was thrown back with heavy casualties. Some of William's Breton troops panicked and fled, and some of the English troops appear to have pursued the fleeing Bretons until they themselves were attacked and destroyed by Norman cavalry. During the Bretons' flight rumours swept through the Norman forces that the duke had been killed, but William succeeded in rallying his troops. Two further Norman retreats were feigned, to once again draw the English into pursuit and expose them to repeated attacks by the Norman cavalry. The available sources are more confused about events in the afternoon, but it appears that the decisive event was Harold's death, about which differing stories are told. William of Jumièges claimed that Harold was killed by the duke. The Bayeux Tapestry has been claimed to show Harold's death by an arrow to the eye, but that may be a later reworking of the tapestry to conform to 12th-century stories in which Harold was slain by an arrow wound to the head.
Harold's body was identified the day after the battle, either through his armour or marks on his body. The English dead, who included some of Harold's brothers and his housecarls , were left on the battlefield. Gytha, Harold's mother, offered the victorious duke the weight of her son's body in gold for its custody, but her offer was refused. William ordered that Harold's body was to be thrown into the sea, but whether that took place is unclear. Waltham Abbey , which had been founded by Harold, later claimed that his body had been secretly buried there.
March on London
William may have hoped the English would surrender following his victory, but they did not. Instead, some of the English clergy and magnates nominated Edgar the Ætheling as king, though their support for Edgar was only lukewarm. After waiting a short while, William secured Dover , parts of Kent, and Canterbury , while also sending a force to capture Winchester , where the royal treasury was. These captures secured William's rear areas and also his line of retreat to Normandy, if that was needed. William then marched to Southwark , across the Thames from London, which he reached in late November. Next he led his forces around the south and west of London, burning along the way. He finally crossed the Thames at Wallingford in early December. Archbishop Stigand submitted to William there, and when the duke moved on to Berkhamsted soon afterwards, Edgar the Ætheling, Morcar, Edwin, and Archbishop Ealdred also submitted. William then sent forces into London to construct a castle; he was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.
Consolidation
First actions
William remained in England after his coronation and tried to reconcile the native magnates. The remaining earls – Edwin (of Mercia), Morcar (of Northumbria), and Waltheof (of Northampton) – were confirmed in their lands and titles. Waltheof was married to William's niece Judith, daughter of Adelaide, and a marriage between Edwin and one of William's daughters was proposed. Edgar the Ætheling also appears to have been given lands. Ecclesiastical offices continued to be held by the same bishops as before the invasion, including the uncanonical Stigand. But the families of Harold and his brothers did lose their lands, as did some others who had fought against William at Hastings. By March, William was secure enough to return to Normandy, but he took with him Stigand, Morcar, Edwin, Edgar, and Waltheof. He left his half-brother Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux, in charge of England along with another influential supporter, William fitzOsbern , the son of his former guardian. Both men were also named to earldoms – fitzOsbern to Hereford (or Wessex) and Odo to Kent. Although he put two Normans in overall charge, he retained many of the native English sheriffs . Once in Normandy the new English king went to Rouen and the Abbey of Fecamp , and then attended the consecration of new churches at two Norman monasteries.
While William was in Normandy, a former ally, Eustace , the Count of Boulogne , invaded at Dover but was repulsed. English resistance had also begun, with Eadric the Wild attacking Hereford and revolts at Exeter , where Harold's mother Gytha was a focus of resistance. FitzOsbern and Odo found it difficult to control the native population and undertook a programme of castle building to maintain their hold on the kingdom. William returned to England in December 1067 and marched on Exeter, which he besieged. The town held out for 18 days, and after it fell to William he built a castle to secure his control. Harold's sons were meanwhile raiding the southwest of England from a base in Ireland. Their forces landed near Bristol but were defeated by Eadnoth . By Easter, William was at Winchester, where he was soon joined by his wife Matilda, who was crowned in May 1068.
English resistance
In 1068 Edwin and Morcar revolted, supported by Gospatric . The chronicler Orderic Vitalis states that Edwin's reason for revolting was that the proposed marriage between himself and one of William's daughters had not taken place, but other reasons probably included the increasing power of William fitzOsbern in Herefordshire, which affected Edwin's power within his own earldom. The king marched through Edwin's lands and built a castle at Warwick . Edwin and Morcar submitted, but William continued on to York, building castles at York and Nottingham before returning south. On his southbound journey, the king began constructing castles at Lincoln , Huntingdon , and Cambridge . William placed supporters in charge of these new fortifications – among them William Peverel at Nottingham and Henry de Beaumont at Warwick. Then the king returned to Normandy late in 1068.
Early in 1069, Edgar the Ætheling rose in revolt and attacked York. Although William returned to York and built another castle, Edgar remained free, and in the autumn he joined up with King Sweyn of Denmark. The Danish king had brought a large fleet to England and attacked not only York, but Exeter and Shrewsbury . York was captured by the combined forces of Edgar and Sweyn. Edgar was proclaimed king by his supporters, but William responded swiftly, ignoring a continental revolt in Maine. William symbolically wore his crown in the ruins of York on Christmas Day 1069, and then proceeded to buy off the Danes. He marched to the River Tees , ravaging the countryside as he went. Edgar, having lost much of his support, fled to Scotland, where King Malcolm III was married to Edgar's sister Margaret. Waltheof, who had joined the revolt, submitted, along with Gospatric, and both were allowed to retain their lands. But William was not finished; he marched over the Pennines during the winter and defeated the remaining rebels at Shrewsbury before building castles at Chester and Stafford . This campaign, which included the burning and destruction of part of the countryside that the royal forces marched through, is usually known as the " Harrying of the North "; it was over by April 1070, when William wore his crown ceremonially for Easter at Winchester.
Church affairs
While at Winchester in 1070, William met with three papal legates – John Minutus, Peter, and Ermenfrid of Sion – who had been sent by Pope Alexander. The legates ceremonially crowned William during the Easter court. The historian David Bates sees this coronation as the ceremonial papal "seal of approval" for William's conquest. The legates and the king then proceeded to hold a series of ecclesiastical councils dedicated to reforming and reorganising the English church. Stigand and his brother, Æthelmær , the Bishop of Elmham , were deposed from their bishoprics. Some of the native abbots were also deposed, both at the council held near Easter and at a further one near Whitsun . The Whitsun council saw the appointment of Lanfranc as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas of Bayeux as the new Archbishop of York, to replace Ealdred, who had died in September 1069. William's half-brother Odo perhaps expected to be appointed to Canterbury, but William probably did not wish to give that much power to a family member. Another reason for the appointment may have been pressure from the papacy to appoint Lanfranc. Norman clergy were appointed to replace the deposed bishops and abbots, and at the end of the process, only two native English bishops remained in office, along with several continental prelates appointed by Edward the Confessor. In 1070 William also founded Battle Abbey , a new monastery at the site of the Battle of Hastings, partly as a penance for the deaths in the battle and partly as a memorial to those dead.
Troubles in England and the continent
Danish raids and rebellion in the north
Although Sweyn had promised to leave England, he returned in spring 1070, raiding along the Humber and East Anglia toward the Isle of Ely , where he joined up with Hereward the Wake , a local thegn . Hereward's forces attacked Peterborough Abbey , which they captured and looted. William was able to secure the departure of Sweyn and his fleet in 1070, allowing him to return to the continent to deal with troubles in Maine, where the town of Le Mans had revolted in 1069. Another concern was the death of Count Baldwin VI of Flanders in July 1070, which led to a succession crisis as his widow, Richilde , was ruling for their two young sons, Arnulf and Baldwin . Her rule, however, was contested by Robert , Baldwin's brother. Richilde proposed marriage to William fitzOsbern, who was in Normandy, and fitzOsbern accepted. But after he was killed in February 1071 at the Battle of Cassel , Robert became count. He was opposed to King William's power on the continent, thus the Battle of Cassel not only lost the king an important supporter, but also upset the balance of power in northern France .
In 1071 William defeated the last rebellion of the north. Earl Edwin was betrayed by his own men and killed, while William built a causeway to subdue the Isle of Ely, where Hereward the Wake and Morcar were hiding. Hereward escaped, but Morcar was captured, deprived of his earldom, and imprisoned. In 1072 William invaded Scotland , defeating Malcolm, who had recently invaded the north of England. William and Malcolm agreed to peace by signing the Treaty of Abernethy , and Malcolm probably gave up his son Duncan as a hostage for the peace. Perhaps another stipulation of the treaty was the expulsion of Edgar the Ætheling from Malcolm's court. William then turned his attention to the continent, returning to Normandy in early 1073 to deal with the invasion of Maine by Fulk le Rechin , the Count of Anjou . With a swift campaign, William seized Le Mans from Fulk's forces, completing the campaign by 30 March 1073. This made William's power more secure in northern France, but the new count of Flanders accepted Edgar the Ætheling into his court. Robert also married his half-sister Bertha to the king of France, Philip I , who was opposed to Norman power.
William returned to England to release his army from service in 1073 but quickly returned to Normandy, where he spent all of 1074. He left England in the hands of his supporters, including Richard fitzGilbert and William de Warenne, as well as Lanfranc. William's ability to leave England for an entire year was a sign that he felt that his control of the kingdom was secure. While William was in Normandy, Edgar the Ætheling returned to Scotland from Flanders. The French king, seeking a focus for those opposed to William's power, then proposed that Edgar be given the castle of Montreuil-sur-Mer on the Channel, which would have given Edgar a strategic advantage against William. Edgar was forced to submit to William shortly thereafter, however, and he returned to William's court. [2] Philip, although thwarted in this attempt, turned his attentions to Brittany, leading to a revolt in 1075.
Revolt of the Earls
In 1075, during William's absence, Ralph de Gael , the Earl of Norfolk , and Roger de Breteuil , the Earl of Hereford , conspired to overthrow William in the "Revolt of the Earls". Ralph was at least part Breton and had spent most of his life prior to 1066 in Brittany, where he still had lands. Roger was a Norman, son of William fitzOsbern, but had inherited less authority than his father held. Ralph's authority seems also to have been less than his predecessors in the earldom, and this was likely the cause of the revolt.
The exact reason for the rebellion is unclear, but it was launched at the wedding of Ralph to a relative of Roger, held at Exning in Suffolk. Another earl, Waltheof, although one of William's favourites, was also involved, and there were some Breton lords who were ready to rebel in support of Ralph and Roger. Ralph also requested Danish aid. William remained in Normandy while his men in England subdued the revolt. Roger was unable to leave his stronghold in Herefordshire because of efforts by Wulfstan , the Bishop of Worcester , and Æthelwig , the Abbot of Evesham . Ralph was bottled up in Norwich Castle by the combined efforts of Odo of Bayeux, Geoffrey de Montbray , Richard fitzGilbert, and William de Warenne. Ralph eventually left Norwich in the control of his wife and left England, finally ending up in Brittany. Norwich was besieged and surrendered, with the garrison allowed to go to Brittany. Meanwhile, the Danish king's brother, Cnut , had finally arrived in England with a fleet of 200 ships, but he was too late as Norwich had already surrendered. The Danes then raided along the coast before returning home. William returned to England later in 1075 to deal with the Danish threat, leaving his wife Matilda in charge of Normandy. He celebrated Christmas at Winchester and dealt with the aftermath of the rebellion. Roger and Waltheof were kept in prison, where Waltheof was executed in May 1076. Before this, William had returned to the continent, where Ralph had continued the rebellion from Brittany.
Troubles at home and abroad
Earl Ralph had secured control of the castle at Dol , and in September 1076 William advanced into Brittany and laid siege to the castle. King Philip of France later relieved the siege and defeated William at Dol, forcing him to retreat back to Normandy. Although this was William's first defeat in battle, it did little to change things. An Angevin attack on Maine was defeated in late 1076 or 1077, with Count Fulk le Rechin wounded in the unsuccessful attack. More serious was the retirement of Simon de Crépy , the Count of Amiens , to a monastery. Before he became a monk, Simon handed his county of the Vexin over to King Philip. The Vexin was a buffer state between Normandy and the lands of the French king, and Simon had been a supporter of William. William was able to make peace with Philip in 1077 and secured a truce with Count Fulk in late 1077 or early 1078.
In late 1077 or early 1078 trouble began between William and his eldest son, Robert. Although Orderic Vitalis describes it as starting with a quarrel between Robert and his two younger brothers, William and Henry , including a story that the quarrel was started when William and Henry threw water at Robert, it is much more likely that Robert was feeling powerless. Orderic relates that he had previously demanded control of Maine and Normandy and had been rebuffed. The trouble in 1077 or 1078 resulted in Robert leaving Normandy accompanied by a band of young men, many of them the sons of William's supporters. Included among them was Robert of Belleme , William de Breteuil , and Roger, the son of Richard fitzGilbert. This band of young men went to the castle at Remalard , where they proceeded to raid into Normandy. The raiders were supported by many of William's continental enemies. William immediately attacked the rebels and drove them from Remalard, but King Philip gave them the castle at Gerberoi , where they were joined by new supporters. William then laid siege to Gerberoi in January 1079. After three weeks, the besieged forces sallied from the castle and managed to take the besiegers by surprise. William was unhorsed by Robert and was only saved from death by an Englishman. William's forces were forced to lift the siege, and the king returned to Rouen. By 12 April 1080, William and Robert had reached an accommodation, with William once more affirming that Robert would receive Normandy when he died.
Word of William's defeat at Gerberoi stirred up difficulties in northern England. In August and September 1079 King Malcolm of Scots raided south of the River Tweed , devastating the land between the River Tees and the Tweed in a raid that lasted almost a month. The lack of Norman response appears to have caused the Northumbrians to grow restive, and in the spring of 1080 they rebelled against the rule of Walcher , the Bishop of Durham and Earl of Northumbria. The bishop was killed on 14 May 1080, and William dispatched his half-brother Odo to deal with the rebellion. William departed Normandy in July 1080, and in the autumn William's son Robert was sent on a campaign against the Scots. Robert raided into Lothian and forced Malcolm to agree to terms, building a fortification at Newcastle-on-Tyne while returning to England. The king was at Gloucester for Christmas 1080 and at Winchester for Whitsun in 1081, ceremonially wearing his crown on both occasions. A papal embassy arrived in England during this period, asking that William do fealty for England to the papacy, a request that William rejected. William also visited Wales during 1081, although the English and the Welsh sources differ on the exact purpose of the visit. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that it was a military campaign, but Welsh sources record it as a pilgrimage to St Davids in honour of Saint David . William's biographer David Bates argues that the former explanation is more likely, explaining that the balance of power had recently shifted in Wales and that William would have wished to take advantage of the changed circumstances to extend Norman power. By the end of 1081, William was back on the continent, dealing with disturbances in Maine. Although he led an expedition into Maine, the result was instead a negotiated settlement arranged by a papal legate.
Last years
Sources for William's actions between 1082 and 1084 are meagre. According to the historian David Bates, this probably means that little happened of note, and that because William was on the continent, there was nothing for the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to record. In 1082 William ordered the arrest of his half-brother Odo. The exact reasons are unclear, as no contemporary author recorded what caused the quarrel between the half-brothers. Orderic Vitalis later recorded that Odo had aspirations to become pope. Orderic also related that Odo had attempted to persuade some of William's vassals to join Odo on an invasion of southern Italy. This would have been considered tampering with the king's authority over his vassals, which William would not have tolerated. Although Odo remained in confinement for the rest of William's reign, his lands were not confiscated. More difficulties struck in 1083, when William's eldest son Robert rebelled once more with support from the French king. A further blow was the death of Matilda, William's wife, on 2 November 1083. William was always described as close to his wife, and her death would have added to his problems.
Maine continued to be difficult, with a rebellion by Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine , probably in 1084. Hubert was besieged in his castle at Sainte-Suzanne by William's forces for at least two years, but he eventually made his peace with the king and was restored to favour. William's movements during 1084 and 1085 are unclear – he was in Normandy at Easter 1084 but may have been in England before then to collect the danegeld assessed that year for the defence of England against an invasion by King Cnut IV of Denmark . Although English and Norman forces remained on alert throughout 1085 and into 1086, the invasion threat was ended by Cnut's death in July 1086.
William as king
Changes in England – castles, forests, and nobles
As part of his efforts to secure England, William ordered many castles , keeps , and mottes built – among them the central keep of the Tower of London , the White Tower . These fortifications allowed Normans to retreat into safety when threatened with rebellion and allowed garrisons to be protected while they occupied the countryside. The early castles were simple earth and timber constructions, later replaced with stone structures.
At first, most of the newly settled Normans kept household knights and did not settle their retainers with fiefs of their own, but gradually these household knights came to be granted lands of their own, a process known as subinfeudation . William also required his newly created magnates to contribute fixed quotas of knights towards not only military campaigns but also castle garrisons. This method of organising the military forces was a departure from the pre-Conquest English practice of basing military service on territorial units such as the hide .
By William's death, after weathering a series of rebellions, most of the native Anglo-Saxon aristocracy had been replaced by Norman and other continental magnates. Not all of the Normans who accompanied William in the initial conquest acquired large amounts of land in England. Some appear to have been reluctant to take up lands in a kingdom that did not always appear pacified. Although some of the newly rich Normans in England came from William's close family or from the upper Norman nobility, others were from relatively humble backgrounds. William granted some lands to his continental followers from the holdings of one or more specific Englishmen; at other times, he granted a compact grouping of lands previously held by many different Englishmen to one Norman follower, often to allow for the consolidation of lands around a strategically placed castle.
The medieval chronicler William of Malmesbury says that the king also seized and depopulated many miles of land (36 parishes), turning it into the royal New Forest region to support his enthusiastic enjoyment of hunting. Modern historians have come to the conclusion that the New Forest depopulation was greatly exaggerated. Most of the lands of the New Forest are poor agricultural lands, and archaeological and geographic studies have shown that the New Forest was likely sparsely settled when it was turned into a royal forest. William was known for his love of hunting, and he introduced the forest law into areas of the country, regulating who could hunt and what could be hunted.
Administration
After 1066, William did not attempt to integrate his separate domains into one unified realm with one set of laws. His seal from after 1066, of which six impressions still survive, was made for him after he conquered England and stressed his role as king, while separately mentioning his role as Duke. When in Normandy, William acknowledged that he owed fealty to the French king, but in England no such acknowledgement was made – further evidence that the various parts of William's lands were considered separate. The administrative machinery of Normandy, England, and Maine continued to exist separate from the other lands, with each one retaining its own forms. For example, England continued the use of writs , which were not known on the continent. Also, the charters and documents produced for the government in Normandy differed in formulas from those produced in England.
William took over an English government that was more complex than the Norman system. England was divided into shires or counties, which were further divided into either hundreds or wapentakes . Each shire was administered by a royal official called a sheriff, who roughly had the same status as a Norman viscount . A sheriff was responsible for royal justice and collecting royal revenue. To oversee his expanded domain, William was forced to travel even more than he had as duke. He crossed back and forth between the continent and England at least 19 times between 1067 and his death. William spent most of his time in England between the Battle of Hastings and 1072, and after that he spent the majority of his time in Normandy. Government was still centred on William's household ; when he was in one part of his realms, decisions would be made for other parts of his domains and transmitted through a communication system that made use of letters and other documents. William also appointed deputies who could make decisions while he was absent, especially if the absence was expected to be lengthy. Usually this was a member of William's close family – frequently his half-brother Odo or his wife Matilda. Sometimes deputies were appointed to deal with specific issues.
William continued the collection of danegeld, a land tax. This was an advantage for William, as it was the only universal tax collected by western European rulers during this period. It was an annual tax based on the value of landholdings, and it could be collected at differing rates. Most years saw the rate of two shillings per hide, but in crises, it could be increased to as much as six shillings per hide. Coinage between the various parts of his domains continued to be minted in different cycles and styles. English coins were generally of high silver content, with high artistic standards, and were required to be re-minted every three years. Norman coins had a much lower silver content, were often of poor artistic quality, and were rarely re-minted. Also, in England no other coinage was allowed, while on the continent other coinage was considered legal tender . Nor is there evidence that many English pennies were circulating in Normandy, which shows little attempt to integrate the monetary systems of England and Normandy.
Besides taxation, William's large landholdings throughout England strengthened his rule. As King Edward's heir, he controlled all of the former royal lands. He also retained control of much of the lands of Harold and his family, which made the king the largest secular landowner in England by a wide margin.
Domesday Book
At Christmas 1085, William ordered the compilation of a survey of the landholdings held by himself and by his vassals throughout the kingdom, organised by counties. It resulted in a work now known as the Domesday Book. The listing for each county gives the holdings of each landholder, grouped by owners. The listings describe the holding, who owned the land before the Conquest, its value, what the tax assessment was, and usually the number of peasants, ploughs, and any other resources the holding had. Towns were listed separately. All the English counties south of the River Tees and River Ribble are included, and the whole work seems to have been mostly completed by 1 August 1086, when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that William received the results and that all the chief magnates swore the Salisbury Oath , a renewal of their oaths of allegiance. William's exact motivation in ordering the survey is unclear, but it probably had several purposes, such as making a record of feudal obligations and justifying increased taxation.
Death and aftermath
William left England towards the end of 1086. Following his arrival back on the continent he married his daughter Constance to Alan Fergant , the Duke of Brittany , in furtherance of his policy of seeking allies against the French kings. William's son Robert, still allied with the French king Philip I, appears to have been active in stirring up trouble, enough so that William led an expedition against the French Vexin in July 1087. While seizing Mantes, William either fell ill or was injured by the pommel of his saddle. He was taken to the priory of Saint Gervase at Rouen, where he died on 9 September 1087. Knowledge of the events preceding his death is confused because there are two different accounts. Orderic Vitalis preserves a lengthy account, complete with speeches made by many of the principals, but this is likely more of an account of how a king should die than of what actually happened. The other, the De Obitu Willelmi, or On the Death of William, has been shown to be a copy of two 9th-century accounts with names changed.
William left Normandy to Robert, and the custody of England was given to William's second surviving son, also called William, on the assumption that he would become king. The youngest son, Henry, received money. After entrusting England to his second son, the elder William sent the younger William back to England on 7 or 8 September, bearing a letter to Lanfranc ordering the archbishop to aid the new king. Other bequests included gifts to the Church and money to be distributed to the poor. William also ordered that all of his prisoners be released, including his half-brother Odo.
Disorder followed William's death; everyone who had been at his deathbed left the body at Rouen and hurried off to attend to their own affairs. Eventually, the clergy of Rouen arranged to have the body sent to Caen, where William had desired to be buried in his foundation of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes . The funeral, attended by the bishops and abbots of Normandy as well as his son Henry, was disturbed by the assertion of a citizen of Caen who alleged that his family had been illegally despoiled of the land on which the church was built. After hurried consultations the allegation was shown to be true, and the man was compensated. A further indignity occurred when the corpse was lowered into the tomb. The corpse was too large for the space, and when attendants forced the body into the tomb it burst, spreading a disgusting odour throughout the church.
William's grave is currently marked by a marble slab with a Latin inscription dating from the early 19th century. The tomb has been disturbed several times since 1087, the first time in 1522 when the grave was opened on orders from the papacy. The intact body was restored to the tomb at that time, but in 1562, during the French Wars of Religion , the grave was reopened and the bones scattered and lost, with the exception of one thigh bone. This lone relic was reburied in 1642 with a new marker, which was replaced 100 years later with a more elaborate monument. This tomb was again destroyed during the French Revolution , but was eventually replaced with the current marker.
Legacy
The immediate consequence of William's death was a war between his sons Robert and William over control of England and Normandy. Even after the younger William's death in 1100 and the succession of his youngest brother Henry as king, Normandy and England remained contested between the brothers until Robert's capture by Henry at the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106. The difficulties over the succession led to a loss of authority in Normandy, with the aristocracy regaining much of the power they had lost to the elder William. His sons also lost much of their control over Maine, which revolted in 1089 and managed to remain mostly free of Norman influence thereafter.
The impact on England of William's conquest was profound; changes in the Church, aristocracy, culture, and language of the country have persisted into modern times. The Conquest brought the kingdom into closer contact with France and forged ties between France and England that lasted throughout the Middle Ages. Another consequence of William's invasion was the sundering of the formerly close ties between England and Scandinavia. William's government blended elements of the English and Norman systems into a new one that laid the foundations of the later medieval English kingdom. How abrupt and far-reaching were the changes is still a matter of debate among historians, with some such as Richard Southern claiming that the Conquest was the single most radical change in European history between the Fall of Rome and the 20th century. Others, such as H. G. Richardson and G. O. Sayles, see the changes brought about by the Conquest as much less radical than Southern suggests. The historian Eleanor Searle describes William's invasion as "a plan that no ruler but a Scandinavian would have considered".
William's reign has caused historical controversy since before his death. William of Poitiers wrote glowingly of William's reign and its benefits, but the obituary notice for William in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle condemns William in harsh terms. In the years since the Conquest, politicians and other leaders have used William and the events of his reign to illustrate political events throughout English history. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England , Archbishop Matthew Parker saw the Conquest as having corrupted a purer English Church, which Parker attempted to restore. During the 17th and 18th centuries some historians and lawyers saw William's reign as imposing a " Norman yoke " on the native Anglo-Saxons, an argument that continued during the 19th century with further elaborations along nationalistic lines. These various controversies have led to William being seen by some historians either as one of the creators of England's greatness or as inflicting one of the greatest defeats in English history. Others have viewed William as an enemy of the English constitution, or alternatively as its creator.
Family and children
William and his wife Matilda of Flanders had at least nine children. The birth order of the boys is clear, but no source gives the relative order of birth of the daughters.
Robert was born between 1051 and 1054, died 10 February 1134. Duke of Normandy, married Sybil of Conversano , daughter of Geoffrey of Conversano .
Richard was born before 1056, died around 1075.
William was born between 1056 and 1060, died 2 August 1100. King of England, killed in the New Forest.
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Which BBC three-part drama was set in Pepys Rd, South London? | BBC - Capital - Media Centre
Media Centre
Bafta-winning Peter Bowker’s adaptation of John Lanchester’s critically acclaimed and bestselling novel
Capital
Category: BBC One ; Drama
Set on a single street in South London, Capital is a portrait of a road transformed by soaring property prices: what was once the home of modest lower-middle class families, Pepys Road has been continuously gentrified into a street of multimillion pound houses.
Toby Jones (Marvellous, The Girl), Lesley Sharp (Scott And Bailey, The Shadow Line) Wunmi Mosaku (Dancing On The Edge, In The Flesh) and Adeel Akhtar (Utopia, Four Lions) star in Bafta-winning Peter Bowker’s adaptation of John Lanchester’s critically acclaimed and bestselling novel Capital, produced by Kudos for BBC One.
Joined by Rachael Stirling (Detectorists, The Bletchley Circle), Gemma Jones (Marvellous, The Lady Vanishes), Robert Emms (Atlantis, War Horse), Bryan Dick (Wolf Hall, Eric And Ernie) and Radoslaw Kaim (Spies Of Warsaw, Wallander), the line-up also includes multi-award-winning Indian actress Shabana Azmi and, fresh from her Olivier award-winning role in West End musical Once, Zrinka Cvitešić.
The denizens of Pepys Road include investment banker Roger (Toby Jones), rubbing his hands in anticipation of his £1m bonus; his spendthrift wife Arabella (Rachael Stirling); Polish builder Bogdan (Radoslaw Kaim), who has come from Warsaw to indulge the rich in their interior decoration whims; Quentina, the Zimbabwean refugee with a PhD, working as a traffic warden (Wunmi Mosaku); local newsagent Ahmed (Adeel Akhtar); and OAP Petunia (Gemma Jones), who has lived her entire life on Pepys Road and who is now contemplating death in the house in which she was born.
One day, the street’s residents all receive an anonymous postcard through their front doors bearing a simple message: 'We Want What You Have'. Who is behind the anonymous hate campaign? And what do they want?
As the mystery of the postcards deepens, we learn more about this vivid and unforgettable ensemble of characters. Interweaving stories reveal lives filled with love and loss, fear and greed, fortune and envy and most recognisable of all, family and home - stories bursting with piercing and funny observations on modern life and urban existence, of ordinary people who find themselves caught and changed by a city at a time of extraordinary flux.
Directed by Euros Lyn (Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax), Capital is a 3x60 produced by Kudos for BBC One. Executive producers are Derek Wax (The Hour, From There To Here) and Peter Bowker (Marvellous, From There To Here) for Kudos and Lucy Richer (Marvellous, The Casual Vacancy) for the BBC. It is produced by Matt Strevens (Cucumber, An Adventure In Space And Time). Commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama. Filming took place in London.
The full Media Pack, including Q&As with the cast, Peter Bowker and exec producer Derek Wax here
CK
| Capital |
Which Sparkhill Community leader drives a yellow Mercedes? | YIFY TV Series - Download YIFY TV Series
Drama
Set on a single street in South London, Capital is a portrait of a road transformed by soaring property prices: what was once the home of modest lower-middle class families, Pepys Road has been continuously gentrified into a street of multimillion pound houses. On one day, the people of this South London street all receive an anonymous postcard with the simple message 'we want what you have'. Its unsettling ripples affect every corner of the community.
Capital YIFY TV
Score: 8.8/10 from 4 votes
First Air Date: 2015-11-24
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Which part of the eye is the sclera? | Sclera Anatomy, Function & Diagram | Body Maps
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Sclera
The sclera is the part of the eye commonly known as the “white.” It forms the supporting wall of the eyeball, and is continuous with the clear cornea.
The sclera is covered by the conjunctiva, a clear mucus membrane that helps lubricate the eye. It is thickest in the area surrounding the optic nerve. The sclera is made up of three divisions: the episclera, loose connective tissue, immediately beneath the conjunctiva; sclera proper, the dense white tissue that gives the area its color; and the lamina fusca, the innermost zone made up of elastic fibers.
There are a number of abnormalities associated with the sclera. Some are genetic and include:
Melanosis: excess deposits of melanin (pigment) on the surface of the sclera, which can become inflamed and uncomfortable
Scleral Coloboma: missing tissue that results in notching and bulging of the sclera (lesions)
Ectasia: a thinning and bulging of the sclera
There are now state-of-the-art contact lenses that are fitted to treat those with scleral ectasia.
Acquired abnormalities of the sclera include:
Ectasia that can be brought on as a side effect of traumas or inflammations
Episcleritis: a hypersensitivity reaction which can be anterior or posterior, is characterized by engorged blood vessels, and can also affect the cornea
| White |
Which artistic term is used for the balance of light and shade? | The Eyes (Human Anatomy): Diagram, Optic Nerve, Iris, Cornea, Pupil, & More
Cornea: a clear dome over the iris
Pupil: the black circular opening in the iris that lets light in
Sclera: the white of your eye
Conjunctiva: a thin layer of tissue that covers the entire front of your eye, except for the cornea
Just behind the iris and pupil lies the lens, which helps focus light on the back of your eye . Most of the eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous. Light projects through your pupil and lens to the back of the eye. The inside lining of the eye is covered by special light-sensing cells that are collectively called the retina. It converts light into electrical impulses. Behind the eye, your optic nerve carries these impulses to the brain . The macula is a small extra-sensitive area in the retina that gives you central vision.
Eye color is created by the amount and type of pigment in your iris. Multiple genes inherited from each parent determine a person’s eye color.
Eye Conditions
Age-related macular degeneration : Causes loss of central vision as you get older.
Amblyopia : Often called lazy eye, this condition starts in childhood. One eye sees better than the other, so your brain favors that eye. The weaker eye, which may or may not wander, is called the "lazy eye."
Astigmatism : A problem with the curve of your cornea. If you have it, your eye can’t focus light onto the retina the way it should. Glasses, contact lenses , or surgery can correct the blurry vision it causes.
Black eye: Swelling and discoloration ( bruise ) around your eye caused by an injury to the face.
Blepharitis : Inflammation of your eyelids near the eyelashes . It can make your eyes feel itchy or gritty.
Cataract: A clouding of your eye’s internal lens. It can cause blurred vision.
Chalazion : An oil-making gland gets blocked and swells into a bump.
Conjunctivitis : Also known as pinkeye , it’s an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear layer that covers the front of your eye. Allergies , viruses, or a bacterial infection can all cause it.
Corneal abrasion : A scratch on the clear part of the front of your eye. Pain , light sensitivity , or a feeling of grit in the eye are the usual symptoms.
Diabetic retinopathy : High blood sugar damages blood vessels in the eye. Eventually, they start to leak or overgrow in your retina, threatening your vision .
Diplopia (double vision): Seeing double can be caused by many serious conditions. It requires immediate medical attention.
Dry eye : Either your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears are of poor quality. Medical problems like lupus , scleroderma , and Sjogren's syndrome are often to blame.
Glaucoma : This progressive loss of vision comes from increased pressure inside the eye. Your peripheral vision (side vision) will go first, then your central vision will follow. It can go undetected for years.
Hyperopia ( farsightedness ): You can’t see near objects clearly. It can happen when your eye is “too short” for the lens to focus light the way it should. Age can also weaken the muscles you use to focus.
Hyphema : Bleeding into the front of the eye, between the cornea and the iris. Hyphema is usually caused by trauma.
Keratitis: Inflammation or infection of the cornea. It typically occurs after germs get into a scratch on your cornea.
Myopia (nearsightedness): You can’t see clearly at a distance. Your eye is “too long” for the lens, so light won’t focus properly on your retina.
Optic neuritis : The optic nerve becomes inflamed, usually due to an overactive immune system . The result: Pain and vision loss , typically in one eye.
Pterygium: A thickened mass usually on the inner part of your eyeball. It can cover a part of the cornea and lead to vision problems.
Retinal detachment : The retina comes loose from the back of your eye. Trauma and diabetes are the most common causes of this problem, which often requires urgent surgical repair.
Retinitis : An inflammation or infection of the retina. It may be a long-term genetic condition ( retinitis pigmentosa ) or come from an infection.
Scotoma: A blind or dark spot in your visual field.
Strabismus: When the eyes don’t point in the same direction. Your brain may favor one eye. If it happens to a kid, it can decrease vision in the other eye. This condition is called amblyopia.
Stye : A red, painful lump on the edge of your eyelid. Bacteria cause it.
Uveitis ( iritis ): The colored part of your eye gets inflamed or infected. An overactive immune system , bacteria, or viruses can cause it.
Continued
Eye Tests
Tonometry: A test that measures pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure. Your doctor uses it to check for glaucoma .
Slit lamp examination: A physician or optometrist shines a vertical slit of light across your eye while looking through a microscope. It can help find many eye problems .
Fundoscopic exam: The doctor gives you special eye drops to widen your pupil (he'll call this dilation). Then he shines a bright light into the back of the eye so he can see your retina.
Refraction: If you have a vision problem, the doctor will place a series of lenses in front of each eye, one at a time, to figure out your prescription for corrective lenses.
Visual acuity test: You’ll read a series of ever-smaller letters from across the room. This helps the doctor spot distance vision problems. Reading up-close can help him find problems with near vision.
Fluorescein angiography: The doctor injects a fluorescent dye into a vein to take a series of retinal images.
Regular adult eye exam : This collection of tests may include the ones mentioned above plus others, like eye movement.
Eye Treatments
Contact lenses and glasses: They correct common eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis): A doctor creates a thin flap in your cornea. He then uses a laser to reshape it. This procedure improves nearsightedness, excessive farsightedness, and astigmatism .
Radial keratotomy (RK): The doctor makes a series of small incisions in your cornea to reshape it. Once a common treatment for nearsightedness, it’s rarely used today.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): The doctor rubs surface cells off your cornea, then uses a laser to improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The cells grow back and your eye heals the same way it would if you'd scratched it.
LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis): It’s similar to PRK. The doctor peels back the upper layer of cornea cells and uses a later to reshape it. He may replace or remove the flap afterward.
Artificial tears : These eye drops are a lot like your natural tears. They can help treat dry or irritated eyes.
Cyclosporine eye drops ( Restasis ): This anti-inflammatory eye drop can treat dry eye caused by inflammation.
Laser photocoagulation: A doctor uses a laser on parts of the retina with poor circulation or to treat abnormal blood vessels directly. It’s often used for diabetic retinopathy but can also seal a retinal tear.
Cataract surgery: The doctor removes the cloudy cataract and replaces your natural lens with a man-made version.
WebMD Image Collection Reviewed by Alan Kozarsky, MD on December 08, 2016
Sources
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Which sculptor produced the 1934/35 work, Ecce Homo? | Sir Jacob Epstein | British sculptor | Britannica.com
Sir Jacob Epstein
Paul Manship
Sir Jacob Epstein, (born Nov. 10, 1880, New York , N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 21, 1959, London , Eng.), one of the leading portrait sculptors of the 20th century, whose work, though seldom innovative, was widely heralded for its perceptive depiction of the sitter’s character and its modeling technique.
Sir Jacob Epstein.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Epstein’s early ambition was to be a painter, and he spent his adolescence sketching the teeming ghetto life of New York City , showing even then the obsession with human personality that distinguishes much of his mature work. Faulty eyesight forced him to abandon painting for sculpture , and, after studying for two years in Paris, he set up a sculpture studio in London in 1905. He soon began to make his way as a portrait sculptor, despite the public scandals caused by the nudity of his so-called Strand Statues (1907–08; destroyed 1937) and the debauched-looking angel on his memorial (1912) for the Irish writer Oscar Wilde .
In 1913 Epstein became a founding member of the London Group , a loose association of artists and writers promoting modern art in England . Over the next two years, he developed a mildly experimental style that yielded some of his most powerful works, characterized by their extreme simplification of forms and calm surfaces. Most of these pieces were carved from stone, but the strongest work of the period, The Rock Drill (1913), was modeled in plaster, and its robotlike form reflects his short-lived interest in sleek, abstract design.
Jacob Epstein with his work Primeval Gods.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
With the dissolution of the London Group in 1916, Epstein began to work in the two modes for which he is best known. Works of the first mode, mostly religious and allegorical figures such as Genesis (1930) and Ecce Homo (1934–35), consisted of crude, brutal-looking forms carved directly into a megalith, often revealing the shape of the original block. The second mode, a multitude of bronzes cast from modeled clay, forms the bulk of his work. These brilliantly executed studies of the rich and the celebrated are characterized by subtle treatment of planes and richly agitated surfaces. At first used to accentuate the play of light on bronze , the rough surfaces were later exaggerated to such an extent that they bore little relationship to the sculptural mass and became merely decorative. Occasionally, he also made monumental bronzes, such as St. Michael and the Devil (1956–58). In his later years, Epstein became a vehement opponent of abstract sculptors. He was knighted in 1954.
Jacob Epstein, 1949.
| Jacob Epstein |
Which nautical measurement is 240 yards? | Sir Jacob Epstein | British sculptor | Britannica.com
Sir Jacob Epstein
Paul Manship
Sir Jacob Epstein, (born Nov. 10, 1880, New York , N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 21, 1959, London , Eng.), one of the leading portrait sculptors of the 20th century, whose work, though seldom innovative, was widely heralded for its perceptive depiction of the sitter’s character and its modeling technique.
Sir Jacob Epstein.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Epstein’s early ambition was to be a painter, and he spent his adolescence sketching the teeming ghetto life of New York City , showing even then the obsession with human personality that distinguishes much of his mature work. Faulty eyesight forced him to abandon painting for sculpture , and, after studying for two years in Paris, he set up a sculpture studio in London in 1905. He soon began to make his way as a portrait sculptor, despite the public scandals caused by the nudity of his so-called Strand Statues (1907–08; destroyed 1937) and the debauched-looking angel on his memorial (1912) for the Irish writer Oscar Wilde .
In 1913 Epstein became a founding member of the London Group , a loose association of artists and writers promoting modern art in England . Over the next two years, he developed a mildly experimental style that yielded some of his most powerful works, characterized by their extreme simplification of forms and calm surfaces. Most of these pieces were carved from stone, but the strongest work of the period, The Rock Drill (1913), was modeled in plaster, and its robotlike form reflects his short-lived interest in sleek, abstract design.
Jacob Epstein with his work Primeval Gods.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
With the dissolution of the London Group in 1916, Epstein began to work in the two modes for which he is best known. Works of the first mode, mostly religious and allegorical figures such as Genesis (1930) and Ecce Homo (1934–35), consisted of crude, brutal-looking forms carved directly into a megalith, often revealing the shape of the original block. The second mode, a multitude of bronzes cast from modeled clay, forms the bulk of his work. These brilliantly executed studies of the rich and the celebrated are characterized by subtle treatment of planes and richly agitated surfaces. At first used to accentuate the play of light on bronze , the rough surfaces were later exaggerated to such an extent that they bore little relationship to the sculptural mass and became merely decorative. Occasionally, he also made monumental bronzes, such as St. Michael and the Devil (1956–58). In his later years, Epstein became a vehement opponent of abstract sculptors. He was knighted in 1954.
Jacob Epstein, 1949.
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Which weight system is used for precious metals? | Weights
Carat
The carat is used to measure the weight of diamonds and other gemstones.
Since 1st April 1914 a carat has been standardised as 1/5 of a gram. It is sometimes called a metric carat.
There are, or were, 4 grains per carat, although this appears to be an rough approximation used by gem dealers. As there are 5 carats per gram, this would make a gram equal to 20 diamond grains, whereas the correct figure is 15.4323 (-480/31.1035). Perhaps gem dealers were using wheat grains instead of barley grains, although even this is only an approximation.
Because diamonds and other gemstones are expensive, it is necessary to use subdivisions of the carat. It is usually subdivided and recorded to 2 decimal places, a hundredth of a carat is known in rather unmathematical trade jargon as a "point". Half a carat is therefore written .50 carats or 0.50 carats, and would be referred to as 50 points.
In ancient times, there were various values for the carat, which ranged from 0.1885 to 0.2135 grams.
Gram
A gram or gramme is a standard metric unit of weight. There are obviously 1000 grams per kilogram.
In 1960, the ISO confirmed the IS unit system which was based upon the existing MKS (Metres, Kilograms, and Seconds) system.
The kilogram was defined as the weight of the International Prototype made of platinum and iridium which is held at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvres in France.
One kilogram is equivalent to 2.204622 avoirdupois pounds.
Grain
An ancient unit which was originally based on the weight of a grain of wheat. The grain is the smallest unit of weight in the avoirdupois, troy, and apothecaries systems. Surprisingly it is identical in all three systems.
There are, or were, 4 grains per carat, although this appears to be an rough approximation used by gem dealers. As there are 5 carats per gram, this would make a gram equal to 20 diamond grains, whereas the correct figure is 15.4323 (-480/31.1035). Perhaps gem dealers were using wheat grains instead of barley grains, although even this is only an approximation.
24 grains =1 pennyweight
480 grains = 1 troy ounce
5760 grains = 1 troy pound
437.5 grains = 1 ounce avoirdupois
7000 grains = 1 pound avoirdupois
1 grain = 0.0648 grams (0.06479891)
15.432 grains = 1 gram
Grain
Although we have stated above that the grain weighted the same in all three of the above systems, there were at least two different grains. The troy system used the supposed weight of the barley grain, whereas the wheat grain was also used as a standard of weight. There were three barley grains to four wheat grains.
Momme
A unit of weight previously used in Japan to weigh pearls.
75 grains = momme
3.75 grams = 1 momme
Dram or Drachm
An ancient unit of weight, also a Greek coin. It is believed to have originally meant the amount which one could hold in one's hand.
16 drams = 1 ounce avoirdupois
8 drams = 1 ounce apothecaries
1 dram (avoirdupois) = 27.34375 grains
1 dram (avoirdupois)= 1.772 grams
1 dram (apothecaries) = 60 grains
Therefore:-
1 dram apothecaries = 2.194286 drams avoirdupois
Imperial System
A British system developed and refined from the earlier Roman systems used in Britain during the middle ages.
In 1824 the troy pound was defined or confirmed.
In 1863 the Imperial or avoirdupois pound was redefined as 0.45359237 kilograms.
20 stones avoirdupois = 1 ton avoirdupois
14 pounds avoirdupois = 1 stone avoirdupois
16 ounces avoirdupois = 1 pound avoirdupois
1 ounce avoirdupois = 28.349523 grams approx.
1 pound avoirdupois = 453.59237 grams
1 ton avoirdupois = 2240 pounds avoirdupois
Troy
A system historically used for measuring the weight of drugs, precious metals and gemstones. The name comes from the French city of Troyes.
480 grains = 1 ounce troy
31.1035 grams = 1 ounce troy
12 troy ounces = 1 troy pound
20 pennyweights (dwt) = 1 ounce troy
1 pound = 373.242 grams
1 pound = 5760 grains
Pennyweight
The pennyweight was the weight of a silver penny in medieval England. When pennies were introduced in England in the 8th century, their original weight is believed to have been 24 grains. This was gradually reduced, in at least thirteen stages until it reached 7.27 grains by 1816.
According to one knowledgeable source, the pennyweight was introduced by Henry III in 1266 as the weight of 32 grains of wheat. We believe this may simply have been clarifying and codifying an existing standard.
24 grains = 1 pennyweight
20 pennyweights = 1 ounce troy
240 pennyweights = 1 pound troy
It is no coincidence that there were 240 pennies to the English pound , and 240 silver pennies were equivalent to a pound of silver, or that the word sterling applies both to the English pound and to a standard purity of silver.
Tolas
The tola is an old Indian unit of weight. It was the equivalent of the silver rupee issued by the British East India Company, at 180 grains, which equate to 11.6638038 grams, so:-
180 grains = 1 tola
0.375 troy ounces = 1 tola
Tower Pound
The tower pound was also used for weighing coins, and possibly precious metals, until 1527. The tower pound weighed 5400 grains, equal to 225 pennyweights, making 11.25 troy ounces per tower pound. One source we have seen believes that the tower pound was named after Tower Hill, the site of the Royal Mint, but we believe it is from the Tower of London, from which Tower Hill also got its name.
From about the tenth century, English silver pennies weighed 22.5 grains, and there were therefore 240 pennies per Tower pound. The Tower pound appears to have been the same as the previous Saxon pound, and simply underwent a change of name at some stage.
Long and Short Tons
Webster's dictionary informs me that "2000 pound constitutes the common or "short" ton, while the "long" ton contains 2240 pounds". From this I presume that the Americans have a ton which contains only 2000 pound.
Avoirdupoids or Avoirdupois?
All the dictionaries I have checked give the spelling as "avoirdupois", whereas I thought, apparently incorrectly, that the correct spelling was avoirdupoids. the word is from French, literally meaning "to have weight". the French word for weight is poids, both from memory and confirmed by my copy of Harrap's New Shorter French Dictionary. Strangely, the English dictionaries consulted give its origin as from "pois" meaning weight, whereas my French dictionary, and memory, give "pois" as pea, in which case avoirdupois must mean "to have a pea"!
The avoirdupois pound was originally 7200 grains divided into 15 ounces each of 480 grains, but it was changed in Henry VIII's reign to 7000 grains divided into 16 ounces each of 437.5 grains.
Fine Ounces
Following this document's publication on the internet, we received an enquiry from L.L.F. of California:- "on the commodities market they quote metals in "fine ounces" what is that and how does it differ from say a troy ounce?"
The simple answer is that "fine ounce" is a lazy or shorthand way of saying " a troy ounce of fine..."
In this sense "fine" means pure.
One Pound = 240 Coins
According to one well researched source, in mediaeval times, a pound often meant 240 coins, so that in England a pound would be 240 pennies, whereas in Venice it was possible to have a pound (lira di grosso) of large coins (grossi) consisting of 240 grossi, and this was worth 32 times the value of a pound (lira de piccioli) consisting of 240 small coins (one piccolo). The value and weight would have been proportional to each other.
Uncia & Unciae
The word ounce comes from the Latin word uncia (plural unciae), meaning one twelfth, therefore logically speaking there should always be 12 ounces per pound in any system using both weight names. In this respect, the troy system is superior to the avoirdupois system.
Slugs
A slug is a unit of mass equal to 14.5939029372064 kilogrammes, and is the official unit of mass in the Imperial system.
Mass v. Weight
In this page, we have referred to weight and mass as being interchangeable as though they were the same. They are not, mass is a measurement of the amount of matter in an object. Weight is the force exerted by the mass of the object due to gravitational attraction.
Trivia Quiz Questions
There is an old conundrum "which is heavier, a ton of feathers or a ton of lead?". Obviously they both weigh the same, although I know which I would prefer to be hit by!
Now you can use the above information to think up your own "pub quiz" questions, for example:-
Which is heavier, an ounce of gold (or other precious metal) or an ounce of lead (or almost anything else)? The correct answer, of course, is the gold, because it is weighed in troy ounces.
Which is heavier, a pound of gold (or other precious metal) or a pound of lead (or almost anything else)? The correct answer, of course, is the lead, because it is weighed in avoirdupois pounds.
You have 4 weights (or other article), one made of gold weighing 1 pound, one lead weighing 1 pound, 1 gold weighing 1 ounce, 1 lead weighing 1 ounce. Which of the four is the heaviest and which is the lightest? The correct answer is the lead 1 ounce weight is the lightest, and the lead 1 pound weight is the heaviest!
If you win any bets with these, please remember to send our commission, 10% will do nicely!
Confused About Weights?
We hope the information above will have helped you, but if it has left you confused about weights, you may be interested to know that there were also:-
London pound of 7200 grains = 15 troy ounces.
Merchants pound of 6750 grains, in use from about 1270 to 1330.
Another merchants pound of 7200 grains, used for a brief period.
Wool pound of 6992 grains.
Clove which was 7 avoirdupois pounds
Stone which was 14 avoirdupois pounds.
Quarter which was 28 pounds, or a quarter of a hundredweight.
A tod which was equivalent to a quarter,
A hundredweight (abbreviated to cwt) which was 112 pounds.
Butcher's stone of 8 pounds.
Sack which was 364 pounds.
Apothecaries weights in which an ounce was 480 grains as for troy measure, but with 8 drams or drachms per ounce, therefore a drachm was 60 grains. There were 3 scruples per drachm.
Slinches are yet another measurement of weight.
Sthenes too.
A Confusion of Standards
We suspect that each trade may have preferred to develop and use its own peculiar system of weights so as to exclude others, or at least to confuse them. In this case, the trade or profession which could invent the most obscure system would be able to gain the greatest advantage over others, hence the proliferation of obscure and confusing standards. This is similar to various occupations having their own jargon. While this may provide an effective method of concise communication within a particular occupation, it can also be used to add to the mystique surrounding that occupation. Of all the above weight systems, it appears that the apothecaries system is by far the most confusing, perhaps we should conclude that they had the most reason to confuse or mislead their customers. In modern times lawyers probably win the prize for the most obscure jargon. It's perhaps as well that lawyers never developed a system of weights, but interesting that a pair of scales are used as a symbol of justice. What standards, we wonder, are used by judges and juries to weigh evidence?
It is also interesting to note that while apothecaries claim to use scruples, lawyers appear to manage very well without them.
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Which African country is entirely surrounded by Senegal? | Ultrafast Live Scrap Gold Calculator [USD] from Dendritics
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In which country is around 85% of the Thar desert? | Thar Desert - New World Encyclopedia
Thar Desert
Next (The Bahamas)
A NASA satellite image of the Thar Desert, with the India-Pakistan border superimposed. The desert is at the center left of the image; the Indus River and its tributaries are to the left side of the desert, and the dark green line at the bottom center of the image is the Aravalli Range.
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, encompasses 77,000 square miles of rolling sand dunes in eastern Pakistan and the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. Small portions of the desert also extend into the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat, but these states do not exercise extensive control over the region.
The Thar Desert's name derives from the word t'hul, the general term for the region's sand ridges. It is defined by a series of natural borders, including the Aravalli Mountain Range to the southeast and the Punjab plain in the north and northeast. To the west, lies the Indus plain, and to the south, the Rann of Kutch.
The geographic isolation of the Thar Desert by mountain ranges and plains contributes significantly to the weather patterns that shape its distinctive, hot, dry environment. The environment around the Thar effectively absorbs all the rain that is carried in the monsoon clouds before the clouds can reach the desert. The resulting monsoon winds in the desert are hot and dry, and the desert does not share in the wet season experienced in surrounding terrains.
Contents
7 Credits
Contributing to the beauty of the Thar is the desert's perpetual motion. While sand dunes are a common occurrence in deserts across the world, the dunes of the Thar are remarkable for their continual motion. The sandy desert floor is always moving.
Origin of the Thar Desert
Road in Tharparkar District Pakistan
Lopping of Khejri tree for fodder and fuelwood at village Harsawa.
Tecomella undulata tree at the village of Harsawa.
Checking of shifting sand dunes through plantations of Acacia tortillis near Laxmangarh town
Greening desert with plantations of jojoba at Fatehpur, Shekhawati
The desert city of Jaipur, Rajasthan
The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur , India
Desert tribes near Jaisalmer, India
The origin of the Thar Desert is a controversial subject. Some experts consider it to be 4,000 to 10,000 years old, while others maintain that aridity started in this region much earlier.
Another theory states that the area turned to desert relatively recently: Perhaps around 2,000-1,500
B.C.E.
Around this time, the Ghaggar River ceased to be a major river. It now terminates in the desert.
It has been observed through remote sensing techniques that Late Quaternary climatic changes and neotectonics have played a significant role in modifying the drainage courses, and a large number of palaeochannels exist.
Most of the studies share the opinion that the palaeochannels of the Sarasvati coincide with the bed of present day Ghaggar and believe that the Sutlej along with the Yamuna once flowed into the present Ghaggar riverbed. It has been postulated that the Sutlej was the main tributary of the Ghaggar and that subsequently the tectonic movements might have forced the Sutlej westward and the Yamuna eastward, causing the Ghaggar to dry up.
Geography
There are three principal landforms in the desert region:
The predominantly sand covered Thar
Plains with hills including the central dune free country
Hills
The Thar Desert is distinguished by a series of rolling sand dunes that vary in height across the desert . While sand dunes are a common occurrence in deserts across the world, the dunes of the Thar are remarkable for their continual motion. In sharp contrast to the mountain ranges that ring the desert, the sandy desert floor is always in motion. The perpetual movement of the desert, while contributing the the desert's beauty, has had a prohibitive effect for permanent human settlement, as the sands can easily be blown over structures. The sands are particularly mobile due to severe winds in the region, which sweep the sands over areas of fertile soil . The layer of sand over much of the available farming land hinders agricultural development in the region. Some of the sand dunes of the Thar have become semi stabilized over time, and while not completely sedentary, these older dunes move only very small degrees. Older sand dunes can reach a height of 500 feet.
Dotted among the sands of the Thar, several salt water lakes provide a unique and welcome environment for desert dwelling creatures. While the water of the lakes cannot be consumed by humans, they support much needed shelter and viable farmland. The abundance of salt water, however, also serves to highlight the extreme lack of drinkable water in the Thar Desert. Annual rainfall in the region is particularly low, measuring from 4-20 inches, most of which falls during the monsoon season. It is difficult to estimate annual precipitation for the Thar Desert however, as rainfall often varies widely from year to year.
Vegetation
The harsh natural environment and extreme temperature variations found in the Thar Desert have combined to severely inhibit the growth of vegetation. Most of the native plants grow in small clumps, without a system of order regulating where the clumps grow or any standard number of plants in a vegetation grouping. The plants which have been most successful in the difficult environment have adapted to the conditions of the desert. It is important, in particular for plants, to have developed water storage systems to be able to provide much needed water to themselves during the dry season. Significant plants of the desert include gum, Arabic acacia, and euphorbia. However, these plants are only found on the rocky slopes of the hills.
Wildlife
Stretches of sand in the desert are interspersed by hillocks and sandy and gravel plains. Due to the diversity of ecosystems that exist within the Thar, a varied and thriving wildlife population calls the desert their home. Both vegetation and animal life in this arid region are very rich. About 23 species of lizard and 25 species of snakes are found here; several of them are endemic to the region.
The most notable example of a preserved ecosystem is the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, which provides an excellent example of the natural wildlife of the region. In this park, Great Indian Bustards, Blackbucks, Chinkaras, the Indian Gazelle, the Indian Wild Ass, and Desert Foxes are common. These are species which are fast vanishing in other parts of India . Despite the apparent difficulty of life in the desert, the animals in the Desert National Park have found ways to adapt and thrive. The park supports these wild and naturally occurring populations of species that are threatened with existence elsewhere. It is also noted for rich seashell and petrified wood deposits.
The animals which are found in the Desert National Park exhibit many of the adaptations that are necessary for survival in the desert. These animals, along with those animals found outside the reserve, often exhibit a smaller body size, one example of biological adaptation to the region. In addition, many of the desert animals are nocturnal, a trait which allows them to avoid the sweltering heat of the day.
There are certain other factors responsible for the survival of these animals in the desert. Due to the lack of water in this region, transformation of the grasslands into cropland has been very slow. The protection provided to them by a local community, the Bishnois, is also a factor.
Conservation
The Thar Desert faces a distinct environmental threat from the loss of land through wind erosion. The harsh winds of the Thar sweep the sands across the plains and into its awe–inspiring sand dune formations. However, the winds also erode valuable farming land and threaten livestock grazing areas. In an attempt to hinder the wind erosion, plants species and trees have been planted in many areas to help keep the sands attached to the ground. The new windbreaks also provide much needed shelter.
In order to plant the necessary windbreaks, it has become necessary to import exotic plants into the region. The native plants are noted for their slow growth patterns, and windbreaks must mature quickly to be fully effective. The Acacia tortillis has proven most adaptable to the Thar. While the induction of foreign plants is helping the wind erosion issues, the introduction of exotic plants into any environment threatens to overthrow the preexisting environmental balance.
People of the desert
Religiously, the population of the Thar Desert is divided between among Hindus , Muslims , and Sikhs . The variety of religions in the region has resulted in an extremely intricate system of political and economic ties, which often follow religious lines. Tensions have become more marked in the area, as the population of the region has grown exponentially in recent years. With more people in the desert, agricultural development and extensive animal husbandry have also resulted. Grazing and farming, however, are beginning to take a toll on the desert, and the fertility of the soil is declining as a result.
View of children playing on sand dunes in Thar at village Thathawata
Overall, the living standard of the Thar is low, as traditional exports have difficulty finding a place in modern markets. One new development that has emerged on the scene to replace traditional methods is the rise of Agro-forestry. Under this new system, many crops and fruit–bearing trees have been adapted to provide a steady export to global markets. The use of adapted fruit trees also helps to eradicate the propensity of failure in the region. It is estimated that the use of adapted crop bearing trees can provide up to the triple the traditional profit of a farmer. [1] Significant Agro-forestry species include: Prosopis cineraria, used for animal feed, Tecomella undulata, a valuable source of timber, and Tecomella undulata, used to provide shelter and prevent erosion.
Culture
The Thar provides recreational value in terms of desert festivals organized every year. Rajasthan desert festivals, held annually each winter, are celebrated with great zest and zeal. Dressed in brilliantly hued costumes, the people of the desert dance and sing haunting ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. The fair has snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk performers. Camels, of course, play a stellar role in this festival, where the rich and colorful folk culture of Rajasthan can be seen.
A house in the Thar desert
Camels are an integral part of the desert life and the camel events during the Desert Festival confirm this fact. Special efforts go into dressing the animal for entering the spectacular competition of the best-dressed camel. Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the mustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation. Both the turban and the mustache have been centuries old symbols of honor in Rajasthan.
Evenings are meant for the main shows of music and dance. Continuing until late into the night, the number of spectators swells up each night and the grand finale, on the full moon night, takes place by silvery sand dunes.
Notes
↑ Brook Bhagat and Gaurav Bhagat, Arid Agriculture: State-of-the-Art Agro-Forestry vs. Deserts on the March. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
References
Bakliwal, P.C. and A.K. Grover. 1988. Signature and Migration of Sarasvati River in Thar Desert, Western India. Record of the Geological Survey of India. V 116, Pts. 3-8, pp. 77-86.
Burdak, L.R. 1982. Recent Advances in Desert Afforestation—Dissertation submitted to Shri R.N. Kaul, Director, Forestry Research, F.R.I., Dehra dun.
Geological Society of India. 1959. Journal of the Geological Society of India. Bangalore: Geological Society of India. Vol. 21, pp. 461-463.
Govt. of India. 1965. Ministry of Food & Agriculture booklet. Desert Afforestation Research station.
Gupta, Raj Kumar and Ishwar Prakash. 1975. Environmental Analysis of the Thar Desert. Dehra Dun: English Book Depot.
Indian Academy of Sciences. 1934. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Bangalore City: Indian Academy of Sciences. V. 89, No. 3, pp. 317-331.
Kaul, R.N. 1967. Trees or Grass Lands in the Rajasthan—Old Problems and New Approaches. Indian Forester, 93: 434-435.
Kaul, R. N. 1970. Afforestation in Arid Zones. The Hague: Junk.
Lewis, Brenda Ralph. 1999. Great Civilizations. Paragon, Bath. ISBN 0-75256-141-3
Radhakrishna, B.P. and S.S. Merh. 1999. Vedic Sarasvati: Evolutionary History of a Lost River of Northwestern India. Bangalore: Geological Society of India. ISBN 8185867356
Rajesh Kumar, M., A.S. Rajawat, and T.N. Singh. 2005. Applications of Remote Sensing for Educidate the Palaeochannels in an Extended Thar Desert, Western Rajasthan, 8th annual International Conference, Map India 2005, New Delhi.
External links
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Which street is Dublin’s main shopping centre? | The Thar Desert - Deserts and Life - YouTube
The Thar Desert - Deserts and Life
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Published on Apr 3, 2015
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan. It is the world's 17th largest desert, and the world's 9th largest subtropical desert. About 85% of the Thar Desert is in India, and the remaining part in Pakistan. In India, it covers about 320,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi), of which 60% is in Rajasthan and extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. This desert comprises a very dry part, the Marusthali region in the west, and a semidesert region in the east with less sand dunes and slightly more precipitation.
About Documentary: deserts and life: the thar desert
the thar-or great indian-desert is the most densely populated desert in the world and has been
inhabited for thousands of years. huge windblown seas of sand dominate the desert with some dunes
reaching close to 500 feet in height. extreme temperature shifts, from near freezing to more than
120 degrees, make life difficult for all who call the thar home. the thar desert is situated partly
in india and partly in pakistan. in india the thar desert extends from the sutlej river in the north
& northeast, surrounded by the aravalli range on the southeast, on the south by the salt marsh known
as the rann of kutch (parts of which are sometimes included in the thar), and on the west by the
indus river plains.
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Shagreen is leather made from the skin of which creatures? | Shagreen: The Skin of Rays & Sharks — Retrospect | Apartment Therapy
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A closeup of a shagreen tabletop, from an Art Deco-era design by Jean-Michel Frank
Shagreen has been a luxurious decorative material for many centuries, though it is perhaps most closely associated with the Art Deco era. Signifying luxury and exoticism, this often controversial material is once more in vogue.
Shagreen typically refers to the skin of rays, sharks or dogfish, all of which are cartilaginous fish with a smoothly pebbled texture. It has been used for centuries as a mild abrasive, like sandpaper, in smoothing wood and metal.
Supposedly, ray skin has been prized since the time of the pharaohs, and during the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220). It has been better documented and preserved since it began appearing on the sword hilts and armor of Japanese samurai during the Middle Ages, in part because its texture provided a reliable grip.
Europe began importing shagreen-covered objects during the 17th and 18th centuries, and in the mid-1700s, a tanner in Paris became the first European shagreen expert (his name, Galluchat, has been transformed into galuchat, the French word for shagreen.) Louis XV 's most famous mistress, Madame de Pompadour, was the dominant patron of Monsieur Galluchat, and it was said that a week didn't go by when she didn't buy some new object, often in shagreen.
Shagreen was often imitated in more accessible materials. Craftsmen would insert seeds into untanned leather, and then pressing the seeds into the leather before discarding them. They would then typically dye the reverse side green to approximate the authentic skin. The word "shagreen" supposedly comes from the Turkish word "sagri," which refers to the rump or haunches of a mammal, presumably used in approximating the distinctive texture of sting rays.
Shagreen became a popular material again in Europe during the Art Deco era, when designers sought to fuse the French tradition of luxury with exotic and precious materials. Designers like Clément Rousseau and Jean-Michael Frank used shagreen to create their most sumptuous furniture (images 4 & 6).
There is some controversy about whether shagreen is an environmentally correct material. While some sources claim the use of the material may threaten the species, designers who use the material insist that their practice does no harm . At least two prominent companies that use shagreen, Ironies and R&Y Augousti, claim that they use only sustainably-sourced remnants from the fishing industry (images 9 & 10).
Most extant antiques with shagreen are smaller objects, like glasses cases and sword hilts (images 2 & 3), but you can really see how durable the material is, through centuries of both use and neglect. Today, you can find all sorts of objects in both real and faux shagreen, including tables, decorative boxes and picture frames.
Images: 1 Detail of a tableto by Jean-Michel Frank, via Paris Originals ; 2 Qing sword from the Qianlong period, sold at Sotheby's in 2002 for about $74,000; 3 Etui made in China circa 1900, via Ruby Lane Antiques ; 4 and 5 Small 1912 shagreen commode by Iribe and a 1921 chair by Clement Rousseau, both at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, via Michael Hampton's blog ; 6 Shagreen lipstick case by Cartier, circa 1930, sold by Sotheby's in 2006 for about $750; 7 Jean-Michel Frank cabinet from the early 1930s, sold by Christie's in 2000 for about $746,000; 8 Karl Springer table from the 1970s, available from Craig Van Den Brulle on 1st Dibs; 9 Shagreen nesting tables from Ironies ; 10 R&Y Augousti Metal Circle Desk, available from Lille for $5,300.
Sources: There is a beautiful French book on shagreen by Jean Perfettini called Le galuchat , published a few years ago. But I like this online history from The Leather Connection .
R&Y Augousti items are available through Lille and at Barney's . Ironies is available to the trade at Jerry Pair .
| Shark |
What was Glenn Miller’s Pennsylvania hotel telephone number? | Faux shagreen outshines, outperforms real material | Las Vegas Review-Journal
Faux shagreen outshines, outperforms real material
7133111-0-4
7133113-2-4
By STEPHEN LEONFOCUS ON FURNITURE
When the oversized package finally arrived, its size wasn't the only surprise. No, its contents, a custom mirror shipped from the other side of the world, proved to be not only a revelation for its craftsmanship, but for a faux finish I wasn't entirely sure would meet my expectations - even though the original sample had looked really good. All the while it was in production, I kept wondering and hoping that the finish would measure up to the time-honored and highly revered original shagreen that it was meant to simulate.
If you're not yet familiar with shagreen, an incredible surface, you soon will be because it's taking the design world by storm, and in a new and environmentally friendly form - faux shagreen. It seems to be everywhere these days, with its popularity steadily growing with each new table, lamp or box that appears in the marketplace. It may be the total finish on a piece or just a trim or accent - but it's there!
Genuine shagreen, which is still used in high-end applications and is probably most closely associated with the art deco era (when designers like Clement Rousseau and Jean-Michael Frank used shagreen to create their most sumptuous furniture), has remained a prized and luxurious decorative material for many centuries and has always been synonymous with luxury and the exotic. These skins, with their smoothly pebbled texture, have, in fact, been cherished since the ancient pharaohs in Egypt and then later by Japanese samurai in the Middle Ages for use on their sword hilts and armor. So, it's got quite a history.
But, today the real article seems to be taking a backseat in the design world, which is presently so cognizant and in step with the green movement and sustainability. Real shagreen has actually become quite controversial since the use of skins from stingrays or sharks is now frowned upon by so many of us concerned about the environment.
For example, a while back, I wrote a column on real shagreen (which I've loved for a long time) and received the following "fan letter" from a reader:
"I read your article on 'shagreen.' I found it rather disgusting. I would think as a society, there would be progress in design - not regression to barbarism. Skinning animals to wrap their skin around a piece of 'furniture' really has no appeal to me and for those who do find it so 'magnificent' ought to get back into nature and enjoy the harmony therein - which cannot be 'bought' no matter how wealthy one is. I would rather have a chair made of fabric - a table made of recycled wood than look at a dead animal (skin) that was sacrificed to further pump someone's already overblown ego, and become part of their 'collection' of death. Just my thoughts."
Understandably some have very strong feelings on this subject and believe that the use of the real shagreen may actually threaten the species. On the other hand, designers who use the material insist that their practice only uses sustainably sourced remnants from the fishing industry. I suppose the truth lies somewhere in between these two positions. While all sorts of objects in both real and faux shagreen, such as tables, decorative boxes and picture frames, proliferate, faux shagreen grows stronger by the day - and I can see why.
Faux shagreen (if you haven't already guessed) is a vinyl material , though it's also available in leather. It has a repeating pattern that renders it far less costly than the real deal, which remains so expensive because of the small area of fish skin that can actually be used (normally only a rectangle in the center) coupled by the work and skill necessary to prepare and ultimately inlay them. Can you imagine the labor and time it must take to prepare and cure the shagreen? Hence, the great cost factor for this material.
But, in fairness, it needs to be pointed out that designers have always loved real shagreen because every skin has a subtly different tone in the raw process while vinyl is vinyl. Even tanned skins (leather) have a very consistent tone given the chromium treatment that prepares them. Anyone who has seen or touched traditionally made shagreen items will see why it has been cherished in Japan and by the great deco masters and why it's used today throughout Asia and in so many luxury brand accessories.
Still, in my experience, the faux version is considerably more durable than actual shagreen, which can dry out over time and easily break off leaving a deep crevice difficult, if not impossible, to repair. It is very sad when that happens to something so costly and difficult to replace.
With these facts in mind, it's easy to understand why faux shagreen has become popular now that the real skins can be so flawlessly imitated and made in any color or pattern. One manufacturer has even referred to it as "couture shagreen." It's a modern and handsome material based on a long-sought-after finish, that adds just the right amount of warmth and texture to anything from nesting tables to desk accessories, lamps, trays and clocks. It's even widely available as wallpaper - imagine that!
Plan to add a piece or two of shagreen to your home décor now that faux shagreen has reached such brilliant heights. You can recreate the exotic look of this incredible material for a fraction of the cost.
Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to [email protected] .
| i don't know |
What is known as India’s teardrop? | Priya Klara Nadaradjane
04 Aug 2016
At the tip of the teardrop of India, as Sri Lanka is often described, lies the Thalsevana Holiday Resort. From here you could once walk to India over 30 miles of limestone shoals.
Long since washed over by the Palk Strait, its silver shoreline and turquoise waters make this an idyllic spot to contemplate the passage of time. In an area ravaged by nearly three decades of civil war, the first green shoots of tourism and economic regeneration are starting to appear,
While the sprawling luxury Thalsevana resort remains under the control of the Security Forces Headquarters, the military presence here – ordered under the regime of Mahindra Rajapaksa and his brothers – has been gradually rolled back since last year’s surprise election victory for President Maithripala Sirisena.
Peace Prize
The prize from a sustained reconciliation between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils is little short of paradise. Historic temples and a rich architecture complement this stunning landscape. Education is almost universal, with a literacy rate of 92% nationally and over 98% in the main Tamil city of Jaffna. Theft and petty crime is low.
Yet the challenges can’t be underestimated. Up to a third of northerners are unemployed, far more than in the rest of Sri Lanka. The region’s contribution to GDP is the lowest among the nine provinces. Work for the most part is informal and unstable.
Before the start of the civil war in 1983, the cement and chemical industries sustained much of the population, along with fishing. These plants are now rusting or destroyed, and there’s little in the way of modern industry to make up for the gap.
Those who could leave have left – hundreds of thousands now resident in America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. Back home, the net result is a steady flow of remittances from foreign relatives in return for a brain drain and shortage of skills.
Modernity Flickers
But investment is coming. Just near the Thalsevana Holiday Resort, a regeneration project is underway for the Kankesanthurai Harbor and local airport. Hospitals and schools are under repair along with a cultural center and vocational training facility being built in Jaffna. Restoration of the railway and the removal of restrictions that prevented foreigners from visiting the north are also contributing to the sense of economic renewal.
A flagship $300 million investment in the state-owned Paranthan Chemicals Factory will provide clean water for Jaffna – and help to convey a political message that money is flowing north as the project will cost around $300 million. Foreign aid is arriving too, including $55 million from the World Bank in June to boost living standards in Jaffna.
And there are flickers of economic modernity in a city that only recently experienced its first escalator. Businesses have slowly begun integrating into the global credit culture, evolving from a strictly cash society, according to an Asia Foundation survey .
View to the seaside in downtown Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Given the dearth of reliable data, it’s hard to get an accurate reading of the extent to which such momentum is improving lives. What is self-evident to any visitor, however, is the massive boom of the south. Sri Lanka’s economy has been growing by an average 6% a year since 2010 and local purchasing power has increased dramatically.
The country overall has benefited from its location at the geostrategic crossroads between Dubai and Singapore, right in the heart of Southeast Asia. Both the Rajapaksa and Sirisena governments have made the most of this by promoting foreign investment and cutting corporate tax rates.
But it’s the change in leadership that has turbo-charged foreign investor interest amid a new climate of political stability and constructive diplomacy with both the West and East. After stalling China on its plans to invest more than $1.4 billion in the Colombo Port City Project, Sirisena has given the go-ahead to an initiative aimed at transforming Sri Lanka’s capital into a thoroughly modern city.
Elbowed Out
So will this heightened buzz of activity ultimately spread north?
The signs look positive. In the space of less than two years under Sirisena, the army has returned 30% of the land it seized to Tamil owners.
The government is working to a tight deadline. The UN Human Rights Council requires that a special court for accountability be set up to deal with post-war transitional justice by March 2017 . It’s the ultimate step toward full reconciliation with the Tamil population.
Foreign investors, including the vast Tamil diaspora, will be watching closely. When the economy and property prices start to catch up with the booming south, investors could be coming here in droves.
Priya Klara Nadaradjane is a research analyst for Asia Pacific Investment Partners , a real-estate group based in London and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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| Sri Lanka |
Which kind of entertainer often makes his entrance to Julius Fucik’s Opus 68 March? | Priya Klara Nadaradjane
04 Aug 2016
At the tip of the teardrop of India, as Sri Lanka is often described, lies the Thalsevana Holiday Resort. From here you could once walk to India over 30 miles of limestone shoals.
Long since washed over by the Palk Strait, its silver shoreline and turquoise waters make this an idyllic spot to contemplate the passage of time. In an area ravaged by nearly three decades of civil war, the first green shoots of tourism and economic regeneration are starting to appear,
While the sprawling luxury Thalsevana resort remains under the control of the Security Forces Headquarters, the military presence here – ordered under the regime of Mahindra Rajapaksa and his brothers – has been gradually rolled back since last year’s surprise election victory for President Maithripala Sirisena.
Peace Prize
The prize from a sustained reconciliation between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils is little short of paradise. Historic temples and a rich architecture complement this stunning landscape. Education is almost universal, with a literacy rate of 92% nationally and over 98% in the main Tamil city of Jaffna. Theft and petty crime is low.
Yet the challenges can’t be underestimated. Up to a third of northerners are unemployed, far more than in the rest of Sri Lanka. The region’s contribution to GDP is the lowest among the nine provinces. Work for the most part is informal and unstable.
Before the start of the civil war in 1983, the cement and chemical industries sustained much of the population, along with fishing. These plants are now rusting or destroyed, and there’s little in the way of modern industry to make up for the gap.
Those who could leave have left – hundreds of thousands now resident in America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. Back home, the net result is a steady flow of remittances from foreign relatives in return for a brain drain and shortage of skills.
Modernity Flickers
But investment is coming. Just near the Thalsevana Holiday Resort, a regeneration project is underway for the Kankesanthurai Harbor and local airport. Hospitals and schools are under repair along with a cultural center and vocational training facility being built in Jaffna. Restoration of the railway and the removal of restrictions that prevented foreigners from visiting the north are also contributing to the sense of economic renewal.
A flagship $300 million investment in the state-owned Paranthan Chemicals Factory will provide clean water for Jaffna – and help to convey a political message that money is flowing north as the project will cost around $300 million. Foreign aid is arriving too, including $55 million from the World Bank in June to boost living standards in Jaffna.
And there are flickers of economic modernity in a city that only recently experienced its first escalator. Businesses have slowly begun integrating into the global credit culture, evolving from a strictly cash society, according to an Asia Foundation survey .
View to the seaside in downtown Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Given the dearth of reliable data, it’s hard to get an accurate reading of the extent to which such momentum is improving lives. What is self-evident to any visitor, however, is the massive boom of the south. Sri Lanka’s economy has been growing by an average 6% a year since 2010 and local purchasing power has increased dramatically.
The country overall has benefited from its location at the geostrategic crossroads between Dubai and Singapore, right in the heart of Southeast Asia. Both the Rajapaksa and Sirisena governments have made the most of this by promoting foreign investment and cutting corporate tax rates.
But it’s the change in leadership that has turbo-charged foreign investor interest amid a new climate of political stability and constructive diplomacy with both the West and East. After stalling China on its plans to invest more than $1.4 billion in the Colombo Port City Project, Sirisena has given the go-ahead to an initiative aimed at transforming Sri Lanka’s capital into a thoroughly modern city.
Elbowed Out
So will this heightened buzz of activity ultimately spread north?
The signs look positive. In the space of less than two years under Sirisena, the army has returned 30% of the land it seized to Tamil owners.
The government is working to a tight deadline. The UN Human Rights Council requires that a special court for accountability be set up to deal with post-war transitional justice by March 2017 . It’s the ultimate step toward full reconciliation with the Tamil population.
Foreign investors, including the vast Tamil diaspora, will be watching closely. When the economy and property prices start to catch up with the booming south, investors could be coming here in droves.
Priya Klara Nadaradjane is a research analyst for Asia Pacific Investment Partners , a real-estate group based in London and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Related News
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A Gibson cocktail is gin and dry Vermouth garnished with …..what? | Gibson Dry Martini Cocktail Recipe
A classic Dry Martini with cocktail onions in place of an olive or a twist.
About:
Today a Gibson is a Dry Martini served with two onions. Charles Dana Gibson produced hugely popular pen-and-ink drawings between the 1890s and 1930s. His illustrations of girls were as iconic as modern-day supermodels, and it is said this drink was named after the well-endowed Gibson Girls, hence the two onions. Gibson was a member of New York’s The Players Club and a bartender there by the name of Charley Connolly is credited for at least adding the garnish, if not actually creating the drink.
However, recipes for the Gibson without onions appear in both the 1914 Drinks by Jacques Straub and in Tom Bullock's 1917 The Ideal Bartender with the recipe for a Martini-like drink called a L.P.W. specifying "Add a pickled onion and serve." Bullock also includes a cocktail called a "Onion Cocktail" with old tom gin, Italian vermouth "and no bitters" with the instruction "Strain and serve with an onion."
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| The Onion |
Which inert gas is used to fill modern incandescent light bulbs? | Best Martini Recipe - How to Make the Perfect Martini
By David Wondrich
This technique used to be known as the "in and out" martini, or— if you were one of Ed McMahon's fellow USMC fighter pilots in Korea, the "McTini." (Yes, that Ed McMahon.) However you make it, if you garnish your martini with a cocktail onion, it becomes a Gibson (although this was originally made with Plymouth gin; try it, the stuff is still around). If you should happen to have some excess absinthe on hand, a couple of drops will transform that Gibson into a Third Degree (the driest of the traditional martini variants, with a ratio of 7:1). And if you do find that Plymouth gin, mix it 2-to-1 with French vermouth, tip in a couple dashes of orange bitters, and you've got a Hoffman House—with a twist, please. (New York's Hoffman House, on 24th Street across from Madison Square, was famous for the stupendous nakedness of its bar nude and the superlative quality of its drinks; in fact, this is our favorite martini variant, although we make ours about 5-to-1.) If you like to live dangerously, there exists the Italian vermouth alternative; for that, see the Hearst .
Classic Gin Martini
Directions
Fill a metal shaker with cracked ice.
Pour in the dry vermouth (we prefer Noilly Prat), stir briefly, and strain out (this may be discarded).
Add 4 ounces gin (we prefer Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater)—you want it around 94-proof.
Stir briskly for about 10 seconds, strain into chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with an olive.
The Wondrich Take:
More has been written about the martini than about all the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, put together. Whole books about it. It has a mystique. In actuality, though, it is the soul of simplicity: a goodly amount of gin, a splash of vermouth, and a garnish—and that's it (as for all those other substances that claim to be martinis: they're not; we discard them). Stir liquids vigorously with ice, strain into a chilled, conical glass, and drop in garnish. Nothing to it.
That's the problem. Where mystique and simplicity collide, you get religion. Everyone swears their proportion of gin to vermouth, their choice of garnish, is the only true one; all others are in the way of heresy. Originally—before Prohibition, anyway (the drink probably dates to the 1870s, but nobody's really sure; it's a debate we're happy to stay out of)—it went something like this: two parts, or even one part, gin to one part red vermouth (the sweet kind), with an extra dash of sugar syrup and maybe some orange bitters. Garnish: twist of lemon peel. The dry martini—dry, white vermouth and no syrup—was a critter of the Gilded Age, coming in around 1900. Proportions were still seldom more sensible than two-to-one. By the '30s, though, you find the Stork Club pouring 'em at an entirely reasonable five parts gin to one vermouth. At the height of the martini's powers, in the gray-flannel-suit years, the "see-through" went something like eight parts gin to no parts vermouth, with an olive.
Where mystique and simplicity collide, you get religion.
But which of these is the best martini? We've done extensive testing, which has taught us that the first is a pleasant tipple, but hardly a martini; the second shows some improvement, and the third is close to perfection. (The last is merely iced gin—which is how, if that's what you want, you should have the courage to order it.) Still not satisfied, on November 19, 2002, we convened six of New York City's best bartenders—Shinichi Ikeda from Angel's Share, Del Pedro from Grange Hall, Sasha Petraskefrom Milk & Honey, Rhino from Chateau, Albert Trummer from Town, and Jason Woodruff from Joe Allen—and set them to proving who bakes the best gin martini in town. To judge, we had Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff, Gary "Cocktailian" Regan, and Lowell "Dr. Edmunds" Edmunds—all stout men and true, and authorities on the matter at hand. The winner? Albert Trummer. His recipe is at left.
More recipes like this
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From which mineral is radium obtained? | From Which Mineral is Radium Obtained?
From Which Mineral is Radium Obtained?
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Answer: (4) Pitchblende
Radium obtained from Pitchblende Mineral. It was discovered by the Pierre Curie Marie in 1898. It is the heaviest known as alkaline earth metal.
About Radium-
| Uraninite |
What is a baby cod called? | ELEMENT: RADIUM
View Isotopic & Isomeric Data
History
(L. radius, ray) Radium was discovered in 1898 by Mme. Curie in the pitchblende or uraninite of North Bohemia, where it occurs. There is about 1 g of radium in 7 tons of pitchblende. The element was isolated in 1911 by Mme. Curie and Debierne by; the electrolysis of a solution of pure radium chloride, employing a mercury cathode; on distillation in an atmosphere of hydrogen this amalgam yielded the pure metal.
Sources
Originally, radium was obtained from the rich pitchblende ore found in Joachimsthal, Bohemia. The carnotite sands of Colorado furnish some radium, but richer ores are found in the Republic of Zaire and the Great Lake region of Canada. Radium is present in all uranium minerals, and could be extracted, if desired, from the extensive wastes of uranium processing. Large uranium deposits are located in Ontario, New Mexico, Utah, Australia, and elsewhere.
Properties
Radium is obtained commercially as bromide and chloride; it is doubtful if any appreciable stock of the isolated element now exists. The pure metal is brilliant white when freshly prepared, but blackens on exposure to air, probably due to formation of the nitride. It exhibits luminescence, as do its slats; it decomposes in water and is somewhat more volatile than barium. It is a member of the alkaline-earth group of metals. Radium imparts a carmine red color to a flame. Radium emits alpha, beta, and gamma rays and when mixed with beryllium produce neutrons. One gram of 226Ra undergoes 3.7 x 1010 disintegrations per s. The curie is defined as that amount of radioactivity which has the same disintegration rate as 1 g of 226Ra. Twenty five isotopes are now known; radium 226, the common isotope, has a half-life of 1600 years.
Uses
One gram of radium produces about 0.0001 ml (stp) of emanation, or radon gas, per day. This is purged from the radium and sealed in minute tubes, which are used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Radium is used in the producing of self-luminous paints, neutron sources, and in medicine for the treatment of disease. Some of the more recently discovered radioisotopes, such as 60Co, are now being used in place of radium. Some of these sources are much more powerful, and others are safer to use. Radium loses about 1% of its activity in 25 years, being transformed into elements of lower atomic weight. Lead is a final product of disintegration. Stored radium should be ventilated to prevent build-up of radon.
Handling
Inhalation, injection, or body exposure to radium can cause cancer and other body disorders. The maximum permissible border in the total body for 226Ra is 7400 becquerel.
Sources: Los Alamos National Laboratory; CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics; American Chemical Society
Element image from www.element-collection.com used with permission
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What French term is used for a novel based on real people but under disguised names? | Definitions Of Fiction Categories And Genres | Writers Digest UniversityWriters Digest University
Definitions Of Fiction Categories And Genres
The following definitions have been excerpted with permission from Writer’s Encyclopedia, (Writer’s Digest Books)
Adventure Story
A genre of fiction in which action is the key element, overshadowing characters, theme and setting. … The conflict in an adventure story is often man against nature. A secondary plot that reinforces this kind of conflict is sometimes included. In Allistair MacLean’s Night Without End, for example, the hero, while investigating a mysterious Arctic air crash, also finds himself dealing with espionage, sabotage and murder.
Biographical Novel
A life story documented in history and transformed into fiction through the insight and imagination of the writer. This type of novel melds the elements of biographical research and historical truth into the framework of a novel, complete with dialogue, drama and mood. A biographical novel resembles historical fiction, save for one aspect: Characters in a historical novel may be fabricated and then placed into an authentic setting; characters in a biographical novel have actually lived.
Ethnic Fiction
Stories and novels whose central characters are black, Native American, Italian-American, Jewish, Appalachian or members of some other specific cultural group. Ethnic fiction usually deals with a protagonist caught between two conflicting ways of life: mainstream American culture and his ethnic heritage.
Fictional Biography
The biography of a real person that goes beyond the events of a person’s life by being fleshed out with imagined scenes and dialogue. The writer of fictional biographies strives to make it clear that the story is, indeed, fiction and not history.
Gothic
This type of category fiction dates back to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Contemporary gothic novels are characterized by atmospheric, historical settings and feature young, beautiful women who win the favor of handsome, brooding heroes—simultaneously dealing successfully with some life-threatening menace, either natural or supernatural. Gothics rely on mystery, peril, romantic relationships and a sense of foreboding for their strong, emotional effect on the reader. A classic early gothic novel is Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. The gothic writer builds a series of credible, emotional crises for his ultimately triumphant heroine. Sex between the woman and her lover is implied rather than graphically detailed; the writer’s descriptive talents are used instead to paint rich, desolate, gloomy settings in stark mansions and awesome castles. He composes slow-paced, intricate sketches that create a sense of impending evil on every page.
Historical Fiction
A fictional story set in a recognizable period of history. As well as telling the stories of ordinary people’s lives, historical fiction may involve political or social events of the time.
Horror
Howard Phillips (H.P.) Lovecraft, generally acknowledged to be the master of the horror tale in the twentieth century and the most important American writer of this genre since Edgar Allan Poe, maintained that “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. These facts few psychologists will dispute, and their admitted truth must establish for all time the genuineness and dignity of the weirdly horrible tales as a literary form.” Lovecraft distinguishes horror literature from fiction based entirely on physical fear and the merely gruesome. “The true weird tale has something more than secret murder, bloody bones or a sheeted form clanking chains according to rule. A certain atmosphere of breathless and unexplainable dread of outer, unknown forces must be present; there must be a hint, expressed with a seriousness and portentousness becoming its subject, of that most terrible concept of the human brain—a malign and particular suspension or defeat of the fixed laws of Nature which are our only safeguards against the assaults of chaos and the daemons of unplumbed space.” It is that atmosphere—the creation of a particular sensation or emotional level—that, according to Lovecraft, is the most important element in the creation of horror literature. [Lovecraft and Poe produced classics in this genre]; contemporary writers enjoying considerable success in [horror fiction] include Stephen King, Robert Bloch, Peter Straub, and Dean Koontz.
Juveniles, Writing for
This includes works … intended for an audience usually between the ages of two and sixteen. Writing for children is a specialized art that’s harder than it looks. The language must be appropriate for the age of the reader, the subject matter must be of interest to the target age group, the opening of the work must be vivid enough to capture the reader’s attention and the writing throughout must be action-oriented enough to keep it. … Story ideas begin with a strong character and meaningful, directed action. The use of suspense and the interplay of human relationships are two features of effective juvenile fiction. Books and stories are told almost exclusively from a single viewpoint (in first or third person), as this technique helps to establish and sustain a sense of reader identity… . Categories of children’s books are usually divided in this way: (1) picture and storybooks (ages two to nine)… ; (2) easy-to-read books (ages seven to nine)… ; (3) “middle-age” [also called “middle grade”] children’s books (ages eight to twelve)… ; (4) young adult books (ages twelve to sixteen)… .
Literary Fiction vs. Commercial Fiction
To the writer of literary, or serious, fiction, style and technique are often as important as subject matter. … Commercial fiction, however, is written with the intent of reaching as wide an audience as possible. … Commercial fiction is sometimes called genre fiction because books of this type often fall into categories, such as western, gothic, romance, historical, mystery and horror.
Mainstream Fiction
Fiction that transcends popular novel categories—mystery, romance or science fiction, [etc.]—is called mainstream fiction. Using conventional methods, this kind of fiction tells stories about people and their conflicts but with greater depth of characterization, background, etc. than the more narrowly focused genre novels. It is not, however, experimental in style as are more avant-garde works. Some examples of contemporary mainstream fiction would be the work of James Michener, John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates.
Mystery
A form of narration in which one or more elements remain unknown or unexplained until the end of the story. The modern mystery story contains elements of the serious novel: a convincing account of a character’s struggle with various physical and psychological obstacles in an effort to achieve his goal, good characterization and sound motivation.
Nonfiction Novel
A work in which real events and people are written [about] in novel form, but are not camouflaged, as they are in the roman a clef. In the nonfiction novel, reality is presented imaginatively; the writer imposes a novelistic structure on the actual events, keying sections of narrative around moments that are seen (in retrospect) as symbolic. In this way, he creates a coherence that the actual story might not have had. The Executioner’s Song, by Norman Mailer, and In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, are notable examples of the nonfiction novel.
Popular Fiction
Generally, a synonym for category or genre fiction; i.e., fiction intended to appeal to audiences for certain kinds of novels. … Popular, or category, fiction is defined as such primarily for the convenience of publishers, editors, reviewers and booksellers who must identify novels of different areas of interest for potential readers.
Psychological Novel
A narrative that emphasizes the mental and emotional aspects of its characters, focusing on motivations and mental activities rather than on exterior events. The psychological novelist is less concerned about relating what happened than about exploring why it happened. … The term is most often used to describe twentieth-century works that employ techniques such as interior monologue and stream of consciousness. Two [examples of contemporary] psychological novels … are Judith Guest’s Ordinary People and Mary Gordon’s The Company of Women.
Roman a Clef
The French term for “novel with a key.” This type of novel incorporates real people and events into the story under the guise of fiction. Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, in which the character Willie Stark represents Huey Long, is a novel in this genre.
Romance Novel
Also known as the category romance, the romance novel is a type of category fiction in which the love relationship between a man and a woman pervades the plot. The story [is often] told from the viewpoint of the heroine, who meets a man (the hero), falls in love with him, encounters a conflict that hinders their relationship, then resolves the conflict. … Romance is the overriding element in this kind of story: The couple’s relationship determines the plot and tone of the book. The theme of the novel is the woman’s sexual awakening. Although she may not be a virgin, she has never before been so emotionally aroused. Despite all this emotion, however, characters and plot both must be well-developed and realistic: Contrived situations and flat characters are unacceptable. Throughout a romance novel, the reader senses the sexual and emotional attraction between the heroine and hero. Lovemaking scenes, though sometimes detailed, are not generally too graphic, because more emphasis is placed on the sensual element than on physical action.
Romantic Suspense Novel
The romantic suspense novel is a modern emergence of early gothic writing. This genre evolved in the 1950s with writers such as Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. … The genre is recognizable when contrasted with other writing. It is not a detective mystery story because the law (police) rarely gets involved in the action. It also differs from traditional … suspense novels because it moves more slowly and has more character interplay and psychological conflict than the fast-paced violence of [most] suspense thrillers.
Science Fiction [vs. Fantasy]
Science fiction can be defined as literature involving elements of science and technology as a basis for conflict, or as the setting for a story. The science and technology are generally extrapolations of existing scientific fact, and most (though not all) science fiction stories take place in the future. There are other definitions of science fiction, and much disagreement in academic circles as to just what constitutes science fiction and what constitutes fantasy. This is because in some cases the line between science fiction and fantasy is virtually nonexistent. Despite the controversy, it is generally accepted that, to be science fiction, a story must have elements of science. Fantasy, on the other hand, rarely utilizes science, relying instead on magic, mythological and neo-mythological beings and devices, and outright invention for conflict and setting. … Contemporary science fiction, while maintaining its focus on science and technology, is more concerned with the effects of science and technology on people. Since science is such an important factor is writing science fiction, accuracy with reference to science fact is important. Most of the science in science fiction is hypothesized from known facts, so, in addition to being firmly based in fact, the extrapolations must be consistent. Science fiction writers make their own rules for future settings, but the field requires consistency. … Beyond inconsistency and an overabundance of gadgetry in place of a good story, there are few taboos in science fiction.
Techno-Thriller
This genre utilizes many of the same elements as the thriller, with one major difference. In techno-thrillers, technology becomes a major character. In Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October [for example], specific functions of the submarine become crucial to plot development.
Thriller
A novel intended to arouse feelings of excitement or suspense. Works in this genre are highly sensational, usually focusing on illegal activities, international espionage, sex and violence. A thriller is often a detective story in which the forces of good are pitted against the forces of evil in a kill-or-be-killed situation.
Young Adult
A term used … to refer to the books published for young people between the ages of twelve and seventeen.
These tips came from the course Fiction Writing 104: Advanced Novel Writing
Whether you write short fiction, nonfiction, memoir or poetry, chances are there is a novel yearning to get out. The idea of actually writing something as long and complex as a novel can seem overwhelming. You can set your novel free – by developing a plan with someone who has successfully negotiated this literary minefield.
You will learn:
The components of a completely developed novel idea
Character building and the selection of both your viewpoint character(s) and main characters
Functions of setting, and how to use setting to generate plot
To use dramatic and nondramatic scenes
To keep readers holding on until the very end.
| Roman à clef |
What word is used for the final unwinding of a complicated plot? | Fiction Or Nonfiction? Memoir Or Novel? Know What To Call Your Story Or Book - Writer's Relief, Inc.
Fiction Or Nonfiction? Memoir Or Novel? Know What To Call Your Story Or Book
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Occasionally, we at Writer’s Relief find ourselves working with a writer who doesn’t quite know what genre he or she is writing (fiction or nonfiction). Let’s say a book or story is based loosely on the author’s real-life adventures. Perhaps the names have been changed. Or maybe one or two little things have been altered, but the story is largely factual.
Should this story be called fiction or nonfiction? If the story is in book form, should it be pitched as a novel or a memoir ?
Here are some scenarios we’ve run into, along with suggested solutions.
SITUATION ONE. The author has written a book based on his life. The story is faithful to his experiences in the way that all creative nonfiction tries to recreate stories from memories as accurately as possible. The author has changed the characters’ names to protect identities, but otherwise everything is true. (Writer’s Relief tip: Changing a person’s name will not necessarily protect you from a lawsuit if your characters are recognizable as real people. Learn more: Creative Nonfiction: How To Stay Out Of Trouble ).
The problem: The author values his life experience and wants to pitch his book as a memoir. But the names have been changed, so in that way, it’s not entirely truthful.
Solution: In your query letter , explain the situation clearly: My book is an accurate memoir of my life story, though I have changed some names.
SITUATION TWO. An author has written a book based loosely on her life. The story is very familiar to her because she has lived much of it. She has changed characters’ names. She has also taken liberties here and there in order to make the story more compelling, and she amped up her ending to be a little flashier.
The problem: The writer knows that small parts of her tale are fictionalized (perhaps she added a pet dog, a villain, or a love interest), but the larger story is mostly true. Because her real-life experience is so out of the ordinary, she feels it’s important that readers understand that the things she’s writing about actually happened to her (for the most part). Is this a memoir or a novel? Fiction or nonfiction?
Solution: In this case, we feel the author would be best served by calling her story a novel. Memoir promises truth, and so if the book is not as truthful as the author can possibly make it, then it is not a memoir. In her professional writer’s biography, the author might note that her own story is similar to the story of the novel—though not exactly the same.
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Then you’ll love the many other ways Writer’s Relief can help!
From effectively targeting markets, writing dynamic query letters, building authors’ online platforms, and much more—find out how Writer’s Relief can boost your exposure and maximize your acceptance rate.
SITUATION THREE. A writer has a friend who has an unusual life story because she was a professional spy. The writer gets his friend’s permission to write a story about everything that happened to her.
The problem: The writer is responsible for what he writes. And so if the writer’s friend is feeding him inaccuracies—intentionally or not—the writer will be responsible if/when the book is published. Research is key. All sources must be verified.
Solution: If the writer has done his due diligence and all facts are backed up with proof, then this book might be best pitched as a biography. But if the writer can’t perfectly attest to the truthfulness of his friend’s story, then this book might be best pitched as a novel—and it should probably be quite fictionalized to protect the subjects, the writer, and the publisher.
Still not sure what to call your story?
If you’re not sure whether or not your book is a novel or a memoir, you don’t necessarily have to worry too deeply about it while you’re querying literary agents . Your job as a writer is simply to write the best book you can.
You can learn more about short stories, essays, and mixed-genre pieces as well in order to decide what to call your work.
Finally, you can always call your project “a story inspired by real-life events” or “a work loosely based on my life.” If a literary agent or editor is interested in your project because you’ve got a strong story and a unique voice, then it’s likely that he or she will be happy to talk with you about the most appropriate way to publish or pitch it.
Learn more: How To Write Fiction Based On Real Life .
THE MORAL: Always be honest. If parts of your story are fabricated, say so. If you’ve changed nothing but names, say that as well. As long as you’re being honest, you have nothing to worry about!
Remember, our team of submission strategists is here to help. We’ve been working with creative writers since 1994 to help them navigate the publishing industry. And we’re standing by to help you too!
QUESTION: Do you base your characters closely on people you’ve met? Or are your characters born mostly of your imagination?
54 Responses to Fiction Or Nonfiction? Memoir Or Novel? Know What To Call Your Story Or Book
Sophie Benjamin says:
September 1, 2016 at 1:45 pm
A really helpful article, thank you!! I´ve always thought that “fiction” must surely contain some truth, otherwise the person writing it would not be human if it were devoid of any real feelings or experiences. Thank you again, this article helped me with my first novel as I prepare to send it to an agent. Sophie Benjamin
Quang says:
February 3, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I wrote a book about my love life. The story is true. I only changed the name of the main character to protect my friend. But the events, dates, and everything is true. I included real emails and text messages and Facebook conversation. Some events I exaggerated a little to add emphasis or make a dramatic scene. But the story is 99% true. Is this a fiction or a nonfiction? I label it fiction because it is not 100% true. What are your thoughts on what my book genre should be?
I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
I will book mark your website and keep checking for new information about once
a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
Writer's Relief Staff says:
Sally, would that be roman à clef?
Sally says:
Question: I came across a French word for a novel/fiction based on real events. What’s the word? Thank you
Jim "Old School" says:
September 29, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Thanks for the reply. A Memoir it is. It’s 100% a nonfiction category, based on a true story. I’ve taken lots of notes. I’m in the process of completing the book by year-end, or later. I will be checking out the Creative Nonfiction: How To Stay Out Of Trouble; the query letter site, the querying literary agents site; it will definitely be “a story inspired by real-life events” – and, I will definite be calling on and using your team of submission strategists. I also will be looking and learning more about constructing my proposal or query/cover letter. I will be getting more information on the ineligible for publication, and your free publishing tool kit for writing tips! I want to be on the right path, going in the right direction, when I’ve completed and ready to take the necessary steps with my manuscript. In order to do this the right way, I must acquire an Agent. I’m all in for an agent; especially, one who is very helpful and interested in representing my book project. Whoever he or she will be, I trust that they will help me navigate through all of this, and market it properly. I guess working with Literary Agents and Agencies will insure that my manuscript gets to a publisher’s desk. ASAP! I will seriously check out a variety of agents online. I have overwhelmingly found your article and this site to be very helpful in my quest as an Author and getting this categorizing Memoir (book) published!
Writer's Relief Staff says:
Jim, that sounds like a memoir to us!
Jim "Old School" says:
September 29, 2015 at 7:13 am
Hello. I also appreciate your blog, sincerely. I am writing a book based on the many transformations my life as a baby-boomer from the 50s till now. From birth in the South, migration to the north, and the struggles, life experiences, the diversity of cultural fun and experiences I’ve had and the business successes I’ve grown to be. There are numerous inspiring messages for people of all ages and races. The reason I am writing this book is because I’ve learned so many things during my life span. I want to share those things with America and help motivate people in all walks of life. I believe I have arrived in my life enough to share my story by writing a book and getting it published. The Book is total about my life with real events that occurred. Places are names i.e., schools attended; There are names named i.e., my mother, father, aunt, grandparents and great grandparent. Names and addresses of streets I’ve lived and housing communities (projects). It’s a 100% true story; (factual account) nothing is fabricated. The events are accurately portrayed. It is definitely “based on a true story” and “based on my life…” There’s not much dialogue – what little, if any isn’t line-by-line accurate. There are quotes. It has much of a historical tone to it because much of when I lived, where I live and the experiences I encounter were historical events, places and paradigms. The genre I believe will be ??? Thanks for your ear and responses.
Writer's Relief Staff says:
Kay, we certainly believe you can write this book and get it published! If you need help, try some of our writing tips ! As for genre, this seems to have all the makings of a memoir.
Writer's Relief Staff says:
That sounds like a memoir to us, supergirl. Try our free publishing tool kit for writing tips !
kay says:
September 7, 2015 at 10:35 am
Hi. I really appreciate your blog. I am starting to write a book based on my story. The struggle i had and going through right now, based on that but still there are inspiring messages for people. The reason i am writing this book is because i learned so many things during struggle and changed my mentality. I want to share those things to world and help & motivate people especially young who can get some idea about dealing with problems in life so that they wont make the same mistake which i did. Also I want to make little bit money out of it as well. Now I havent suceeded in my life yet so do you think at this point I can still write a book and publish it ? If so, then what genre will be. Thanks.
supergrl says:
September 5, 2015 at 8:15 am
i am planning t o write a complete story of my life with all the details in it.some of them maybe problematic for :p bt i dont want it to be a boring one neither do i want to alter any part of it.that s y i am thinkin to write it in sub stories and then collecting it in one book.and to make it good to read i will write it in a beautiful way by using good pharses for which i will be getting help.but i am still not sure wht wil it be called.(genre) n how should i start wrting it as it is my first piece and i am not writng it for a professional thing but for a less social purpose.
n after completeing dis.i wil write short stories or memoirs based on d same.
if i cn get any suggestion advice or help i wil b grateful
regards
Because you have added some fictional elements, we would recommend categorizing your book as a novel.
Rodney Hill says:
August 2, 2015 at 8:06 pm
I’m writing my first book based on some truth and non truth, the people, places and names are being changed, and the characters true professions have changed, but it also has a message at the end, sort of a self-help/non-fiction theme. My only concern is how do I categorize this book genre. It’s a cross between my real life story,as much as I can remember. It’s a story about one’s journey in life and I have gathered much strength and inspiration from OG MANDINO’S, The Greatest miracle in the world and his second book, The choice. Any assistance in calling this a self-help /non fiction or novel. Thanks, Rodney
Writer's Relief Staff says:
May 24, 2015 at 5:05 pm
When I used to teach university English before moving over to Philosophy, it was generally held that the “fiction-non-fiction” gap was critical. This entered the realms of privacy (for possible instances of tort). From the philosophical stance of idealism, everything is memoir whether you like it or not. (n.b. I’m NOT an idealist.)
Shay says:
May 11, 2015 at 12:28 am
I’m still unsure of what to call my story. It’s about a supernatural experience my mom said to have had. She isn’t really the impulsive liar type, and her story seems true. Though, some people don’t believe in ghosts and may call me a joke. I’m not sure if calling it fiction will insult her or not so… Any ideas?
Writer's Relief Staff says:
December 30, 2014 at 9:28 am
Hi Gale,
You’re welcome to personally call a body of work whatever you want. However, when you’re approaching editors or literary agents, they ask for an identifying genre between fiction, memoir, and other nonfiction. It’s important for how they see your book being marketed.
Sincerely,
December 28, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Why can’t you call it whatever you want? I think A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius broke some barriers here. I have heard of “fictionography” and other such terms; these days, why can’t you call it whatever you think it is?
Antonio Boyd says:
I’m writing a Book on my life of real events that happened if I changed the places and names of the story would it be fiction or non fiction
Patricia Stefan says:
October 7, 2014 at 10:54 am
I’ve written a memoir and now after reading this site I wonder if legally I need to write a novel.
Much of my memoir is based on criminal acts perpetrated by a relative, and how that altered the course of my life. I reported the crimes to authorities. It’s considered a cold case with an ongoing investigation. I wouldn’t be able to mention the person’s name nor details of their criminal acts. I changed the names of people in the memoir. However I don’t believe it’s enough to change the names and details of the criminal acts.
I wonder if it could be written as a true life novel.
Wendy says:
June 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm
I’ve been looking over some of the comments and it’s made me realize there’s a significant area that hasn’t been addressed: Narrative history. When time has made it impossible to verify certain details (like what goes on in a specific conversation, or if you have equally contradictory versions of an event), how much can you guess about before you cross the line into fiction?
August 15, 2013 at 7:53 am
Thank you for going a long way towards clarifying this issue. I have written what I called an “historical novel” as it involves “true” events and characters in history from ancient times down to the mid-twentieth century, but my main characters are the fictional ones. I never once thought that I should call it “fiction based on fact” or something like that. Now I’m writing what I call a “memoir” and struggling with the need to change names (even if people have passed away) and even modify events slightly .. though after all each person’s memory of the same event usually differs. Even with these changes, I’m glad a can still call it a “memoir”.
Writer's Relief Staff says:
May 1, 2013 at 10:48 am
Dear Akim, we’re happy to hear you found our article helpful! Because we help authors seek publication for already-written works, we can’t offer you any specific advice on how to pitch a story line. You might find some helpful information in this article though: Pick Your Pathway: How To Turn Your Book Into A Movie .
Akim Crouch says:
April 26, 2013 at 10:21 am
Thanks for this information. I have always been confused about how I should address my writings, I am now very clear on what my genre is. I like to loosely base my writing on real life experiences with ellaborations to spice up or have a lesson to it all ending. I also have a question. I have many ideas for books or screen plays but don’t necessarily won’t to write about it. Is there any way to sale or pitch a story line?
Writers Relief Staff says:
February 19, 2013 at 8:57 am
Hi Marisa, actually, you wouldn’t send your work directly to publishers, but to literary agents and agencies. Publishers almost never take unsolicited work, so you need to send your work out to agents and hope they become interested in representing your work. The agent, in turn, would be the one to pitch your work to publishers and get you the best publication possible. Check out a wide variety of agents online and be sure to read their guidelines to see who prefers what genres/subgenres!
Marisa says:
February 15, 2013 at 1:45 am
Hi,
Thanks for the clarification! I was unsure whether to do my writings as a memoir or a novel and have chosen to take the novel route. I was curious though as to what steps I would take once finished with my proposal. How do I go about making sure it gets to a publishers desk? I can mail it to different publishers but how can I be sure that it’s going to get read?
Thank you
February 7, 2013 at 4:38 pm
Michelle B., Thanks for your questions. You won’t get in any trouble for presenting your manuscript as truth-based fiction, but you’re probably also safe to call it a memoir. As we state in the first point of the article, a memoir is still a memoir if names are changed or dialogue isn’t line-by-line accurate (as long as you’re clear about that when querying agents). But you won’t be expected to remember every detail perfectly as long as you’ve written an accurate representation of people and events, and you’ve done your best to be as accurate as possible. And, keep in mind, if an agent is interested in representing your book project, he or she will help you navigate how exactly to choose the genre and market it properly.
In regard to your second question, we can’t really respond to that specific a legal issue. We try to cover a general-safety overview of topics for writers, but we can’t respond to your specific case. You’ll need to seek counsel from a legal expert, or just fictionalize some of those people, places, or events that might make those individuals easily recognizable. Hope this helps, and best of luck!
February 7, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Also, I know that in order to protect yourself from libel, you must change the names of the characters and identifying characteristics, i.e. job, school they went to, etc. But since my novel is based on true events and people, the events alone are enough for people who are familiar with some of the events in the book, for example, a main character’s group of real-life friends, to identify him as the character if they know that I wrote the book. Am I reaching too far? Or is this a valid concern?
February 7, 2013 at 3:39 pm
This may be redundant to the comments and article above but I just wanted to clarify to be absolutely certain:
I know you can into legal trouble for labeling something that is actually fiction as non-fiction, but can you also get into trouble for labeling something as fiction that is actually non-fiction?
I ask because the story I am writing is based very closely on my own personal experiences. The majority of it has actually happened, the characters are based on real people, etc., but I have invented some conversations that I didn’t remember specifically, changed names, etc. I would prefer to pitch this as a novel “based on true” events, but wanted to make sure I could still do this when the majority of the story is true.
Thanks for the help and for the article!
Writers Relief Staff says:
January 7, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Hi Elizabeth, I’ll see if I can answer all of your questions! From what I’m reading, you’ll want to label your book as fiction. “Nonfiction” suggestions that the book is nothing but the truth, so you can’t label it as that, and “creative nonfiction” still requires the events to be accurately portrayed, so you can’t quite call it that either. It would be best to truthfully note it as a fictitious piece, but note in the query letter that it is “based on a true story” or “based on my life…”, etc. That way, you’re not restricted by the facts, yet you can still use them for inspiration.
Unfortunately, we do not do content editing at Writer’s Relief, so we cannot take a look at the book and critique it. Before you send it to a professional company, try letting a few close friends/relatives read it and see what they think. Books can go through many, many revisions before they’re truly complete, so it’s best to get as many opinions as possible. Don’t post it on the internet, however; you don’t want it going public and becoming ineligible for publication !
If you’re looking for some tips, check out our FREE Publishing Tool Kit . You’ll find a myriad of useful articles there that can answer some of your questions.
Hope this helped, and keep writing!
Writers Relief Staff says:
January 7, 2013 at 8:54 am
Hi Elizabeth, great question! However, your issue may not be as simple as Dutch vs. English writing, but to whom your writing is targeted! If your writing has primarily foreign themes, they might not go over as well for English readers who are unfamiliar with certain customs or traditions. However, if you work is more mainstream, or deals with foreign affairs in a manner that “teaches,” rather than honoring, certain customs, targeting your work to English readers would probably be the way to go. Look over your writing and see who would benefit more from your work: English readers or those who read Dutch?
Elizabeth says:
January 6, 2013 at 6:59 pm
To add to the above, I am dutch and writing in english as I have lived abroad a long time. But right now I am getting unsure about the language, should I stick with english or go with dutch even though it is not my strongest? Could it be true that there is more interest if I write in dutch?? (as there is more english writers out there…) Or is this a really silly question? God, how insecure can someone be right? ;)
Elizabeth says:
January 6, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Hi all, I am very happy to have found this website and especially this post. I have very recently started to write a book. Well at least I think it is that, or will be one day. The thing is, I have written all my life, poems and songs, which people seem to really enjoy. But this is my first attempt in writing a story. As much as I did not want to really write my own memoirs, it has turned into just that. But it will not be all non fiction, so it should be read as a first person novel, as someone outlined above. I am having difficulty though with how much to tell, and how much to make up as I go along. I am finding that I am already telling an awfull lot about myself, and as it is a story based on a “town” that is so recognisable to the people there, I am getting scared as I get on with the story. I do not want to change things, as I think that my text so far is quite good, and the character has actually moved into a new country now with much more privacy on that hand, I think I can get away with it. But I still wonder, where do I lay down the line between fiction and non fiction and do writers get scared and is that ok? I also would love for someone to read the first few chapters to see what they think, but I am very unsure who to send it to and who to trust and all that. Could someone give me tips? (and yes this whole post is very neurotic – you should see the book) ;)
Writers Relief Staff says:
December 19, 2012 at 10:13 am
Hi Jane, Great question! This book would simply fall under the “Fiction” category, so that’s how your proposal should be labeled. In your proposal or query/cover letter, you can note, as close to the top as possible, that, despite the work being fictitious, it is based on a true story. Even “Creative Nonfiction” is a stretch, since the point of view is from a dog (or any animal in general), and the reactions and perceptions cannot be accurately assumed.
Obviously, there are some exceptions to this rule, but in this case, it’s best to follow the advice of your evaluator. Hope this helped, and keep writing!
December 19, 2012 at 1:05 am
When I’m writing my proposal for a work of fiction based on a true story, should I write a “fiction” proposal? Various ‘problems’ prompted me to write the book, which is written largely as a narrative with other facts and stories woven in. However, I was told by my (non-fiction) proposal evaluator that the fact that the “voice” of the book is a dog requires me to write it as “fiction based on a true story.” I don’t always see the category “fiction based on a true story.” Thanks in advance.
July 26, 2012 at 10:37 am
What a terrific post! I have definitely been dealing with these questions in a lot of my own writing as I utilize people, conversations, and situations from real life all the time in my fiction works.
This actually reminds me of a really cool anthology by Herta B. Feely called, “Confessions: Fact or Fiction?”
This anthology is an experiment with reader response and desire for literary works to be either fact or fiction. It is a compilation of short stories, some memoir and some fiction, from a variety of authors. However, the reader is not made aware of the genre of any of the stories until the end of the book.
Here’s her website if anybody’s interested: confessionsanthology.com
Ken says:
February 13, 2012 at 4:17 pm
I just finished a book called ‘Love Goes To Nam.’ It’s based on my eighteen month tour as part of a Swift Boat, (and other small craft) maintenance crew, in 1967-68. The names of the people have been changed and some of the events have been slightly embellished, as have the conversations and hull numbers. Who could remember all that was said forty
years ago? All the events in the book actually happened.
I was planning to promote it as, based on true events, but after reading this, I’m not so sure. Thanks for enlightening me.
Writers Relief Staff says:
November 14, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Carole, Sounds like a great book! Regarding name changes, that is a discussion that a literary agent would be willing to have with you later on in the process. If you leave your book as is and submit as a novel, you can then talk with an interested agent about the best way to revise and pitch to editors. Good luck!
Carole Ann Borges says:
November 12, 2011 at 10:56 am
My book is a pretty much factual account of my being raised on a schooner on the Mississippi River in 1950s.I did receive a couple of encouraging rejections from agents. They both expressed a liking for the book,but said memoirs are a hard sell in today’s economy, especially if not “written by a celebrity”. I’m thinking of just submitting it as a first person novel. I could say it was based on some aspects of my life living aboard boats.Do I have to change all the names of real people? .
Bob says:
March 24, 2011 at 6:38 pm
My memoir (Whorehouse Diary) has the real working names of all the women who were prostitutes because they used phony names when they were working and most of them are dead anyway. I changed all the names of the men (even the dead ones) because they asked me to. I even used the pictures of the women to prove the accuracy of my memoir.
Liane says:
Thank you for this article. I have written a children’s story about the struggles a child actually faced, and you have helped me understand how to decide what should be true to life and what to fictionalize.
Writers Relief Staff says:
Larry, Good question! And, alas, the answer is “it depends.” While nonfiction usually makes up a greater percentage of overall book sales, novels are still viable and known to go viral!
Writers Relief Staff says:
There are three options.
1. If you’re making stuff up frequently, it’s a novel inspired by real events.
2. If what you are making up is very minor, if the book is 98% nonfiction, and if your narrative has a nonfiction prose style (as opposed to a novel prose style), you can call the book nonfiction. Feel free in your narrative to say things like “we could imagine a conversation between the two men would go something like this.” That way, the reader will know when you’re moving from strict nonfiction to projecting a possible situation that arose from nonfiction elements. The key is to be clear and honest about what’s fictionalized. You might also write in a forward that conversations have been imagined based on real life events.
3. Take the Richard Zacks approach. Zacks is shelved in nonfiction (see THE PIRATE HUNTER), but his books have the page-turner feel of novels. They are intense and fully imagined. Zacks does offer some hypothetical details based on fact (he will presume that Captain Kidd is crunching over oyster shells on his way to the docks, since shells were deposited as landfill in lower Manhattan and it’s entirely likely that Kidd DID crunch shells under his shoes at some point). Zacks manages to paint a vivid picture although his book is nonfiction, without bringing in too many truly fictional elements. It may be worth a look for you to check out his technique.
larry.welke says:
But the real question is: What sells- fact or fiction?
Tannis Laidlaw says:
March 22, 2011 at 3:03 pm
re: Gary Knight’s dilemma with his story that took place 500 years ago: My book took place 150 years ago and is now ‘on a desk’ with a publisher (fingers crossed). In the forward I called it ‘faction’ – a story based on true events and characters but necessarily fictionalised as far as conversations and unreported details went. My Afterword spelled out my own journey of discovery about my protagonist and which important bits were inserted to explain the actual history. That’s how I dealt with the problem.
B. Butterfly says:
March 22, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I agree with this article to the fullest. My stories are most definitely fiction but the first one that I’m halfway finished with has bits of me in it, but real life affections of a secret crush I once had. Thanks for the insight! ^__^
gary knight says:
March 22, 2011 at 11:13 am
A slightly different problem I have is that I’m writing about real people and real events that occurred over 500 years ago. Yes, I’ve made up a few characters and attributed characteristics to real people who lived who happen to not have been famous. But I’m torn on whether to call it historical fiction after people like Jeff Shaara and others write about history and make up conversations that supposedly occurred that no one except the people directly involved could have recounted. So MUST I call my tome “fiction” or how do supposed historicans get around making up conversations?
March 22, 2011 at 9:44 am
Thanks for writing this piece. I have written what I am calling a memoir, and by your definition, believe I still can. There are a few places where casual people I met who have a line or two in the book have names I didn’t remember but other than that all the circumstances of the book happened as told. The book is about an around the world transformational journey I was blessed to take in 1980. Working title “There’s a Lizard On My Ceiling.” if you’d like to read it.
Mary Diane says:
I’ve had to change the names in my memoir to protect the innocent (and not so innocent). This can be a sticky situation when your life story contains details that may hurt the people you love.
Lisa says:
March 21, 2011 at 11:14 am
My characters don’t come from any one place. I don’t think I’d ever write a character that was based closely on a real person. I use elements of real people and combine them into unique characters.
That said, some people read my writing and say, “Oh, this character is based on Uncle So-and-So, isn’t it?”
I just laugh and say “If you say so!”
Arizona Chick says:
| i don't know |
What do we call a mournful poem often lamenting death? | Lament - definition of lament by The Free Dictionary
Lament - definition of lament by The Free Dictionary
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lament
v. la·ment·ed, la·ment·ing, la·ments
v.tr.
1. To express grief for or about; mourn: lament a death.
2. To regret deeply; deplore: He lamented his thoughtless acts.
v.intr.
1. To grieve audibly; wail.
2. To express sorrow or regret. See Synonyms at grieve .
n.
1. A feeling or expression of grief; a lamentation.
2. A song or poem expressing deep grief or mourning.
[Middle English lementen, from Old French lamenter, from Latin lāmentārī, from lāmentum, lament.]
la·ment′er n.
to feel or express sorrow, remorse, or regret (for or over)
n
1. an expression of sorrow
2. (Music, other) a poem or song in which a death is lamented
3. (Poetry) a poem or song in which a death is lamented
[C16: from Latin lāmentum]
(ləˈmɛnt)
v.t.
1. to express often vocal mourning or grief for or over: lamented the death of their leader.
2. to be very sorry for; regret.
v.i.
3. to mourn deeply and often vocally.
n.
4. an often vocal expression of grief or mourning.
5. elegy; dirge.
[1520–30; < Latin lāmentum plaint; (v.) < Latin lāmentārī]
la•ment′ing•ly, adv.
bemoan , lament - Bemoaning is motivated when pity or grief is over an event that is joined to a consequence, whereas lamenting is motivated when the grief is over the event itself.
See also related terms for pity .
lament
I will have been lamenting
you will have been lamenting
he/she/it will have been lamenting
we will have been lamenting
you will have been lamenting
they will have been lamenting
Past Perfect Continuous
Noun
1.
complaint - (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow
2.
lament - a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
coronach , dirge , requiem , threnody
keen - a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
song , vocal - a short musical composition with words; "a successful musical must have at least three good songs"
3.
poem , verse form - a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
Verb
express emotion , express feelings - give verbal or other expression to one's feelings
2.
kvetch , plain , quetch , complain , sound off , kick - express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness; "My mother complains all day"; "She has a lot to kick about"
lament
verb
1. bemoan , grieve , mourn , weep over , complain about , regret , wail about, deplore , bewail Ken began to lament the death of his only son.
noun
2. dirge , requiem , elegy , threnody , monody , coronach (Scot. & Irish) a lament for the late, great Buddy Holly
lament
lament
[ləˈment]
A. N (= poem) → elegía f, endecha f (for por) (= song) → canción f elegíaca , endecha f; (= grief) → lamento m
B. VT [+ absence, lack, loss] → llorar , lamentar
she was lamenting her misfortune → se lamentaba de su infortunio
to lament sb → llorar la muerte de algn, llorar a algn
it is much to be lamented that → es de lamentar que ... + subjun
C. VI to lament over sth [+ passing, loss] → llorar algo, lamentarse de algo
to lament for sb → llorar a algn
lament
vt
(= regret) [+ fact, situation] → déplorer
We all lament the rising crime figures → Nous déplorons tous l'augmentation des chiffres de la criminalité .
(= express regret) to lament the fact that → déplorer le fait que
to lament that ... → déplorer que ...
"Prices have dropped," he lamented
BUT "Les prix ont chuté", se lamenta-t-il.
→ Klagen pl, → (Weh) klage f; in lament → (weh) klagend
(Liter, Mus) → Klagelied nt
vt → beklagen ; misfortune etc also → bejammern ; to lament somebody → jds Tod beklagen , um jdn trauern ; it is much to be lamented that … → es ist sehr zu beklagen , dass …; to lament the fact that … → die Tatsache bedauern , dass …; what will become of me now?, he lamented → was soll nun aus mir werden ?, klagte or jammerte er
vi → (weh) klagen ; to lament for somebody → um jdn trauern ; to lament over something → über etw (acc) → jammern , etw bejammern or beklagen ; to lament over one’s lost youth → über seine verlorene Jugend trauern ; she lamented over his dead body → sie wehklagte über seinem Leichnam
lament
to lament sb → piangere qn
2. vi to lament over sth → lamentarsi di qc
to lament for sb → affliggersi per qn
3. n (poetic) → lamento , elegia
lament
(ləˈment) verb
to feel or express regret for. We all lament his death; He sat lamenting over his past failures. weeklaag يَنوحُ ، يَبْكي على оплаквам lamentar oplakávat; naříkat klagen beklage θρηνώ lamentar kurtma تاسف خوردن surra lamenter sur לְקוֹנֵן शोक या खेद प्रकट करना tužiti se nagyon sajnál meratapi harma, syrgja lamentare , piangere 嘆く 슬퍼하다 apraudoti, sielvartauti vaimanāt; žēloties; apraudāt rasa kesal yang mendalam treuren , weeklagen sørge over , beklage opłakiwać خواخوږۍ څرګندول lamentar a (se) plânge; a se lamenta оплакивать bedákať obžalovati oplakivati beklaga, sörja över โศกเศร้า ağlayıp inlemek, dövünmek 哀悼，悲嘆 стогнати; оплакувати شدید اظہار غم کرنا thương xót 哀悼，悲痛
noun
1. a poem or piece of music which laments something. This song is a lament for those killed in battle. treursang مَرْثِيَّه елегия lamentação žalozpěv die Klage klagesang θρηνητικό τραγούδι ή ποίημα endecha kaebelaul, itk نوحه؛ سوگ valitusvirsi lamentation קינה मर्सिया tužbalica, tužaljka sirám ratapan harmljóð lamento 哀歌 만가(挽歌) rauda elēģija, sēru dziesma lagu atau puisi sedih klaagzang sørge-/klagesang elegia, tren ناورين،ناتار،ناخواله lamentação elegie; lamentaţie элегия ; жалобная песнь žalospev žalostinka naricaljka klagosång เพลงไว้อาลัย ağıt , matem kasidesi/şiiri 輓歌 елегія; тужлива пісня مرثیہ bài ca ai oán 挽歌
2. a show of grief, regret etc. I'm not going to sit listening to her laments all day. jammerklag عَويل، نَحيب жалба lamento nářek die Klage klage μοιρολόι lamento halin گریه و زاری vaikerrus lamentation בכי शोक tužaljka panasz ratapan harmatölur/-kvein lamento 嘆き 한탄 dejonė, skundas vaimanas; žēlabas keluhan weeklacht klaging , jammer lament ژړا او ننواته lamento tânguire, văicăreală рыдания; жалобы nárek tožba jadikovanje beklagan, klagolåt ความเศร้า şikâyet , sızlanma 哀嚎，悲嘆 стогін; лемент نوحہ گری lời rên rỉ 悲恸，悲哀
ˌlamenˈtation (lӕmən-) noun
(an) act of lamenting. the lamentations of the widow. weeklag عَويل، نَحيب، نُواح ридание lamento naříkání die Klage klagesang; jeremiade θρήνος lamentación kaeblemine سوگواری vaikerointi lamentation הספד शोक tužaljka siránkozás ratapan harmatölur, sorgarkvein lamento 嘆き 슬퍼함 raudojimas, sielvartavimas vaimanas; žēlošanās ratapan het weeklagen sorg , sørging , jammer opłakiwanie , rozpaczanie غمجنتيا،ماتم نيول lamento tânguire жалобы ; сетования nariekanie tarnanje naricanje beklagan, jämmer แสดงความเศร้า ağlama, feryat, figan; ağıt 哀嚎，悲嘆 тужна скарга, плач سوگواری sự than khóc 悲伤
lament
n. lamento, queja; lamentarse, quejarse.
| Elegy |
In which film does Iris Henderson search for Miss Froy on a train in fictional Bandrika? | Lament Of The Dead Poem
lament of the dead poem
What does lament mean? definition, meaning and pronunciation (Free
Go straight to James Love's poems about the Falklands War .... Author's Comments on " Lament of the Dead ." When I know what it means. I won't be able to post
Poems reflect lament for the dead - Orlando Sentinel
Edward Powys Mathers's Poem : Ghazal, in Lament for the Dead , of Pir Muhammad [ from 'The Garden of Bright Waters: 120 Asiatic Love
Lament For Ignacio Sanchez Mejias by Federico Garcia Lorca at Old
4 posts - 3 authors - Last post: 21 Jul Lament for Rysia (Landlocked Navigator) / / Where did you come from? / And where are you going? / / Along the Whale's Road, / a course of
Falklands War Poetry
Poem written to lament the dead e.g. Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray. Such a poem would employ a mournful or elegiac tone.
Lament - A poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay - American Poems
Alice Meynell's Poem : To The Beloved Dead --A Lament . Read online.
lament - Oxford Dictionary of English
by E Lench - 1970 - Cited by 8 - Related articlesLench, Elinor. (1970). The Wife's Lament : A Poem of the Living Dead . Comitatus: A Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 1(1).
Elegy - Encyclopedia
7 Oct 2010 Ted Hughes's last letter: Unearthed, poet's lament on Sylvia Plath's suicide .... It's a poem . Not like looking at a dead child.
Lament for a Dead Cow
3 Nov 2010 a mournful, melancholic or plaintive poem , especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead . The Greek term elegeia originally referred to
lament (poetry) - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus
6 Sep 2010 cow poem . francis carey. dead cow. cow francis. carey slater. analysis. lament . cow poem . francis carey. dead cow. cow francis. carey slater
GotPoetry.com > > Poems - A lament for a dead friend
“Seven Laments for the War- Dead ” is composed of seven brief poems , which may be read independently and indeed have been published separately.
Seven Laments for the War- Dead Summary - Yehuda Amichai
lament of the dead poem . cowboy junkies lament lyrics. scottys lament. lament by anne sexton. lament psalms. chords for jack lament
Elegy | Define Elegy at Dictionary.com
Definition of lament in the Online Dictionary. Meaning of lament . Pronunciation of lament . 3. lament - a mournful poem ; a lament for the dead
Caoineadh os cionn coirp: the lament for the dead in Ireland
3. lament - a mournful poem ; a lament for the dead .... 1 a poem or piece of
Lament - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
like all the dead who are forgotten in a heap of lifeless dogs. Lorca also wrote an essay accompanying this poem which, if you can get hold of a good
Ted Hughes's last letter: Unearthed, poet's lament on Sylvia
Jan Kochanowski with dead daughter in painting inspired by the poet's Laments. A lament or lamentation is a song, poem , or piece of music expressing grief,
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Rose Sayer falls for Charlie Allnut in which movie? | Film Notes -The African Queen
The African Queen
(American, 1951, 105 minutes, color, 35mm)
Directed by John Huston
Robert Morley . . . . . . Reverend Samuel Sayer
Peter Bull . . . . . . . . . . Captain of Louisa
The following film notes were prepared for the New York State Writers Institute by Kevin Jack Hagopian, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at Pennsylvania State University:
The story of Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer appealed to John Huston instantly. C. S. Forester’s tale of a mismatched couple, the convict and the missionary lady, centered on one of the best colorfully conflicted duos in Huston films. The leads were first to have been played by Charles Laughton and his wife, Elsa Lanchester, and then by Bette Davis and David Niven. But Katherine Hepburn, then finishing a national tour of As You Like It for the Theatre Guild, loved the book, and saw in Rosie a woman much like herself—a prim-seeming product of a starched society with vast, hidden reserves of unorthodoxy and bravery. She’d never met Humphrey Bogart or director John Huston, but she admired both of them. She agreed to do the film on one condition—that the film would actually be shot in its setting, equatorial Africa. Renegade independent producer Sam Spiegel knew that Hepburn was the only Rosie in the world, and he gulped and agreed. No one could have known the agonies that awaited them, agonies that made everyone feel remarkably close to the world of Rosie and Charlie.
Shipping a whole movie company thousands of miles across the world and into the African bush greatly appealed to director Huston, who, after the experience of THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE’s Mexican locations, was even more eager to use extensive location work in this film. He flew over 25,000 miles of African terrain before choosing a camp near Biondo, on the Ruiki River in what was then the Belgian Congo. Not only did the realism of the African location for this particular story appeal to Huston, but so did the end-of-the world feel:
"I come from a frontier background. My people were that. And I always feel constrained in the presence of too many rules, severe rules; they distress me. I like the sense of freedom. I don't particularly seek that ultimate freedom of the anarchist, but I'm impatient of rules that result from prejudice."
Throughout his life, Huston took any excuse to light out for the territories. The god-forsaken Congo was the perfect place to make a film about how quickly the cheap paint of civilization can wear off the human psyche. For the rest of THE AFRICAN QUEEN cast and crew, it was a green hell. Spiegel had gone deeply in hock to make the film with the cast he wanted, and there was precious little left over for a huge location crew. For a time, Hepburn doubled as the wardrobe mistress. Missing from the African set were the squadrons of grips, gophers, and hangers-on common to a Hollywood shoot. In their place were bemused natives, lumber camp laborers, and the occasional colonial administrator.
"Nature," says Hepburn’s Rose Sayer in the film, "is what we were put on earth to rise above." But THE AFRICAN QUEEN group kept most intimate company with nature for the long weeks on African location, close by the black water of the Riuki in the rainy season. The cast endured blood flukes, crocodiles, huge army ants, wild boars, elephant stampedes, malaria and dysentery. Poisonous snakes in the outhouses and bugs in the food added even more character to the steaming inferno, and Hepburn lost twenty pounds making the film. Sanitation was nonexistent, a particular horror for Hepburn, fastidious to a fault and a urologist’s daughter.
Bogart and Huston took to consuming Homeric amounts of alcohol, as the jungle closed in about them. Bogart’s own self-reliance and confidence initially made him despise the chinless Charlie Allnut. But the weeks in the jungle worked a change on Bogart, as he sampled the destitute life of Charlie. As Huston said, "All at once he got under the skin of that wretched, sleazy, absurd, brave little man."
Hepburn became angry with Huston and Bogart, and berated them for their endless practical jokes at her expense, including obscenities written in soap on her mirror. "She thought we were rascals, scamps, and rogues," said Huston, with a smile, many years later. Of course, she was right. "But eventually she saw through our antics and learned to trust us as friends." Hepburn developed a respect for Huston as a true ‘actor’s director,’ who gave her the key to Rose Sayer when he advised her to play the role like Eleanor Roosevelt. "That is the goddamnedest best piece of direction I have ever heard," wrote Hepburn, and their friendship was sealed.
For Hepburn, the role of Rose, "the skinny, psalm-singing old maid" who discovers a reservoir of strength and very earthly affection for one completely unlike herself, was art imitating life, complete with tsetse fly bites and leech infestations. She came to regard the shoot as one of the great adventures of her life, immortalizing it in a 1987 book with the absolutely accurate title The Making of The African Queen or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind.
The AFRICAN QUEEN shoot, like the search for Scarlet O’Hara, or Darryl F. Zanuck chasing starlets around his desk, is now part of Hollywood lore. Clint Eastwood’s 1990 film WHITE HUNTER, BLACK HEART is loosely based on the Huston of THE AFRICAN QUEEN, from a novel by Peter Viertel, one of THE AFRICAN QUEEN’s screenwriters. THE AFRICAN QUEEN shoot turned out to be a truly Hemingwayesque experience for the Bogarts, Huston, and Katherine Hepburn, perhaps "The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber" mixed with an equal measure of The Green Hills of Africa. But not really, for THE AFRICAN QUEEN affirms the primacy of romance and trust over the worst obstacles of nature and human nature. Hepburn captured the essential joy of THE AFRICAN QUEEN in a mental snapshot from the film: "Dear Bogie. I'll never forget that close-up of him after he kisses Rosie, then goes around in back of the tank and considers what has happened. His expression—the wonder of it all—life."
— Kevin Hagopian, Penn State University
For additional information, contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst.
| The African Queen |
What was called the Hakenkreuz by the Nazis? | The African Queen Plot and Cast | Movies.com
DVD
FULL SYNOPSIS
After years of wooing director John Huston via good reviews, film critic James Agee was given a chance to write the screenplay for a Huston picture. Adapted from a novel by C.S. Forester, The African Queen stars Humphrey Bogart in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Charlie Allnut, the slovenly, gin-swilling captain of a tramp steamer called the African Queen, which ships supplies to small East African villages during World War I. Katharine Hepburn plays Rose Sayer, the maiden-lady sister of a prim British missionary, Rev. Samuel Sayer (Robert Morley). When Germans invade and Samuel dies, Allnut offers to take Rose back to civilization. She can't tolerate his drinking or bad manners; he isn't crazy about her imperious, judgmental attitude. However it does not take long before their passionate dislike turns to love. Together the disparate duo work to ensure their survival on the treacherous waters and devise an ingenious way to destroy a German gunboat. The African Queen may well be the perfect adventure film, its roller-coaster storyline complemented by the chemistry between its stars. The profound difficulties inherent in filming on location in Africa have been superbly documented by several books, including one written by Katharine Hepburn. Screenwriter Peter Viertel (who worked, on an uncredited basis, on the script of this film - assisting with some of the dialogue) incorporated some of the African Queen anecdotes in his roman a clef about a Huston-like director/adventurer, Peter Viertel. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Awards
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Named for its writer, what song was the Nazi anthem? | Nazi marching anthem banned at end of World War II is removed from iTunes | Daily Mail Online
comments
Row erupts as millions of concentration camp victims are remembered
Apple has been left red-faced in Germany after it emerged it was allowing music lovers to download a famous Third Reich anthem.
The German press revealed the online giant was breaking the law by allowing iTunes customers to download the Horst Wessel Song.
Germany forbids anything that is seen as glorifying Hitler’s regime and it is still illegal there to publish the lyrics.
Even more embarrassing for Apple, the row erupted on Holocaust Memorial Day as people around the world remembered the millions butchered by the Nazis.
Liberation: The row came on Holocaust Memorial Day as wreaths were laid at Auschwitz for the millions killed by the Nazis
Poignant: A single red rose lies on the track at Grunewald train station in Berlin which many of Germany's Jews passed through on their way to death camps
Horst Wessel Song is named after a brown-shirted storm trooper who joined the movement in 1926, seven years before Hitler became chancellor of Germany and was raised to martyrdom after his murder.
A university drop out who fell in love with a prostitute, Wessel was a loser headed for a life of obscurity until he died at the age of 22 following a brawl in February 1930. He was shot dead by a Communist, Albrecht Hohler.
Notorious: Horst Wessel who had one of the Nazi Party's marching anthems named after him
Before his death he had written the lyrics for a new song about the Nazis’ struggle for power, and both he and the song became icons of the party thanks to the work of Nazi party propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.
Goebbels airbrushed Wessel’s history - ignoring his sordid love affair and the fact that his killer was said to have been his lover‘s former pimp - and made him Nazism‘s first martyr with his own anthem which everyone from the Hitler Youth to the generals had to learn.
The lyrics included: ‘Soon will fly Hitler-flags over every street; Slavery will last only a short time longer.’
The song became immensely popular and still many Germans know the tune to this day.
While a loophole in the German law exists allowing for the dissemination of songs and literature if it is for 'educational purposes,“ no such checks existed in the iTunes shop.
But many other Nazi-era tunes are still available for download which could mean legal troubles in the future if German prosecutors choose to act.
The Apple spokesman said it had been taken off iTunes along with another album of Nazi numbers called S.S. Protection Squad which was put on a government blacklist as being of particular danger to youth since 2008.
But others remain for sale, sometimes in obscure sections such as ‘world music‘ with titles like ‘The Fuehrer Calls‘ and the triumphalist wartime version of the German national anthem which has the lyrics ‘Germany, Germany above everything!‘
In 2001 there was a big crackdown on the trading of Nazi songs over the internet in Germany with prosecutions against 103 German computer fanatics and Nazi sympathisers.
Symbolic: German President Christian Wulff prepares to lay candles at a memorial ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp
Memorial: German President Christian Wulff, third right, and Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski, second right, pass under the infamous gate at Auschwitz bearing the inscription Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Will Set You Free)
Commemorations: The Hall of Names in the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem
Since then the far right has satisfied its urges for the stirring music of the time it adores from a variety of obscure serves in America and elsewhere.
Puritan Apple, which acted swiftly last year to remove anything with a whiff of sex or sexuality from being downloadable on its products, seems to have been caught unawares with the ultra-nationalist songs available from its German shop.
Experts in Germany say music is one of the main magnets with watch to draw gullible youth into the right-wing scene - still a major problem in the modern-day state.
Apple had no further comment on Thursday about the incident. Amazon took off the Horst Wessel Song from its site on Wednesday.
Another Nazi song that was still available until recently on Apple was ‘Germany Awake!‘ which goes makes a direct attack on Jews.
Adolf Hitler salutes a solder from his car in Nuremberg in 1934 as the Nazi Party rose to power
| horst wessel |
Who was Hitler’s Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda? | Snitching at Shoney’s
Snitching at Shoney’s
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The Bush administration, complete with its Homeland (“Heimland”) Security fixation, Gestapo-like TIPS (Terrorist Information and Prevention System) program, and continuous war preparations and sabre rattling, now has its own hero: Eunice Stone of Cartersville, Georgia. The Nazis glorified a young 22-year old man named Horst Wessel. A Nazi thug and whoremonger, Wessel was supposedly killed in his Berlin rooming house by Communists. In fact, Wessel died in a bar room brawl fight over a prostitute. Nevertheless, Horst Wessel became a hero and his song became the official Nazi anthem.
Now, the Bush administration and its allies in the corporate media are praising Stone for turning in three young Muslim medical students who stopped at a Calhoun, Georgia restaurant on their way to Miami. Stone said she heard the men talking about September 11 and that they were running five hours late. Thinking such conversations by foreigners were suspicious, Stone turned them into the authorities. Stone’s vigilantism prompted the closing down of a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 75 and a massive dragnet in the former constitutional state of Florida. The three men who Stone determined were threats were stopped by police and arrested. Finding the men innocent, police and FBI agents had no other choice but to release them but their were signals that either Georgia or Florida’s Obergruppenführer Jeb Bush would charge the men with perpetrating a hoax. It remains undetermined whether hoaxes are considered by Reichsmarshal John Ashcroft as acts of terror and hoaxsters worthy of the designation “enemy combatant.”
But no one spoke of charging Eunice Stone with perpetrating a hoax. Because Stone is a portly blond nurse in her mid-forties and the three young men were dark skinned West and Central Asian-Americans, the burden of proof fell on the Muslims to defend themselves against the accusations of a “real American.”
Stone is now a hero to the administration and the media. She is being hailed for doing the “right thing” (no pun intended). Just like Horst Wessel, Eunice Stone will become the symbol for a “vigilant America.” No doubt she will be invited to Washington to participate in opening ceremonies for the Department of Homeland Security. Unofficial Minister of Propaganda Karl (with a “K”) Rove can see the benefits of extolling the virtues of Stone. Like Stone, all Americans should report suspicious foreigners while conducting their normal activities: standing in the checkout lanes of Wal-Mart, buying beer at NASCAR races, and eating at Shoney’s after attending Sunday church services.
Eunice Stone may even become glorified in an anthem that could be sung every Patriots’ Day (the September 11 holiday that will soon replace the socialist-sounding Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer). By just changing a few words from the Horst Wessel song, the Eunice Stone Song would be a clarion call for red necks everywhere to turn in their “suspicious-looking” neighbors and co-workers.
Flag high, ranks closed, The TIPsters march with silent solid steps. Friends on alert for foreign killers march in spirit with us in our ranks. The street free for the anti-terror battalions, The street free for the TIPsters. Millions, full of hope, look up at Old Glory; The day breaks for freedom and for bread.
For the last time the call will now be blown; For the struggle now we all stand ready. Soon will fly American flags over every country; Our way of life adopted by every human.
Flag high, ranks closed, The TIPsters march with silent solid steps. Friends on alert for foreign killers march in spirit with us in our ranks.
Wayne Madsen is a Washington, DC-based investigative journalist and columnist. He wrote the introduction to Forbidden Truth .
Madsen can be reached at: [email protected]
| i don't know |
Which sport do the French call ‘ball-trap’? | The Borrowed Gun: Sports Shooting in France – France Revisited - Life in Paris, Travel in France
Sports and Nature
Joe Wilkins shooting at the BTC de Gonesse
Please don’t think that I’m looking to enter the fray of the hot-button topic of gun control in the United States when I tell you that I miss my shotguns now that I’m in Paris. I’ve been out shooting anyway, and doing so has given me a glimpse of what some consider as much a part of French culture as wine and cheese and baguettes.
Firearm regulations tend to be stricter in Europe than in the United States, but France has a long tradition of hunting and target shooting, and individuals who avidly participate in these sports constitute a strong political force.
It might surprise you to learn that the private ownership of shotguns and hunting rifles by individuals with clean criminal records is very common in France. There are numerous shops right here in Paris where you can buy guns and ammunition.
In order to purchase them you have to be in possession of either a hunting license (permit de chasse) or a sport shooting license (license sportif de tir). The hunting license is more difficult to obtain in France than in the United States because it requires you to actually know something about hunting, gun safety, and shooting. You have to pass a fairly rigorous test before you are granted a hunting license in France. The sport shooting license is much easier to obtain. You merely have to have a clean criminal record and be a member of one of the many shooting clubs in around the country. There are special exceptions to these rules for foreigners who are coming into France for a specific hunt or to compete in an international shooting tournament.
Joe Wilkins shooting at the BTC de Gonesse
The last time I spent an extended period in France, I brought my favorite shotgun with me and obtained a sport shooting permit after I arrived. I even bought another gun while I was here and brought it back to the United States. I didn’t bring a gun this time, however, because of a sticky new regulation requiring anyone in possession of firearms of any description in France to have a gun safe in their home. Well, our apartment in the Marais came with a great coffee machine but no gun safe, and I was not interested in buying a 500 euro safe for a stay of only one year, so this time I left my guns at home. That doesn’t prevent me from shooting in France, however, because I either borrow or rent a gun at my club, le Ball-Trap Club de Gonesse.
Ball-trap is the French word for what we call “clay target sports,” which include skeet, trap, and the various forms of sporting clays. The club is located in the middle of vast grain fields in the town of Gonesse, about 14 miles northeast of Paris, not far from Charles de Gaulle airport. The town of Gonesse was prominently mentioned in the news in 2000 because that was where the Concorde supersonic jet crashed. When the planes take off from de Gaulle, they pass directly over the shooting club. Shooting clubs tend to be located in places like that. We have a club in Atlanta that was built directly on top of a former landfill.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the BTC de Gonesse is that I can get there from Paris using public transportation. Granted, I do have to walk about a mile from the last bus stop, but for me, that just adds to the appeal, because I get to mix some exercise in with my shooting. Everybody else who shoots at the BTC de Gonesse is a permanent resident of France, and they all have cars.
On previous stays in Paris I would rent a car, at a daily cost of about 100 euros, every time I wanted to go shooting, but when visiting Paris once on a ten-day trip, without a gun or any ammunition to carry, I figured out by pouring over the metro map and consulting Google Earth that I could take the #7 metro to Fort d’Aubervilliers followed by the #250 bus to its final stop in Gonesse, which brought me within easy walking distance of the club. In addition to saving a huge amount of money on my shooting, this mode of transportation has allowed me to see parts of the working class suburbs of Paris that I would otherwise have missed.
After the metro and the bus, the shortcut through the wheat field to the BTC de Gonesse
The BTC de Gonesse is a shotgun shooter’s paradise. It has three or four combination international skeet and trap ranges as well as five or six sporting clays (parcours de chasse) layouts and a running boar target. It offers very inexpensive gun rentals, and reasonably priced ammunition is available. There are also experienced instructors on hand for beginners or for experienced shooters who want to perfect their skills. The staff and the other members of the club are friendly and helpful. I’ve yet to meet anyone there who speaks English. For someone who doesn’t speak French, or someone who is not very familiar with all of the clay target sports, a trip to Gonesse could prove to be a confusing and frustrating experience. My French is far from perfect, but I made it a point to learn all of the vocabulary involved in shotgun shooting before my first outing to a French shooting club. In addition, I am a very experienced shooter and I serve as a referee for shotgun tournaments and even write a blog for my club back in the United States.
Even so, they simply do things differently at a shooting club in France compared to back home. It takes a while to catch on to all the procedures, but I was able to do that just by watching what everybody else was doing. For example they have a really fun shotgun sport in France that they call match po’. They shoot it when a large number of people want to shoot at the same time. The shooters are divided randomly into teams of perhaps ten shooters each. Each team lines up behind its first shooter at two different spots on a sporting clay layout. A series of targets is thrown from the different traps on the layout, and the two teams alternate shooting the targets from their respective positions on the field. After every shooter from each team has shot twelve targets from the first position, the teams switch places and the target sequence is repeated. Usually an additional target is thrown at the end to make for 25 total. At the end of a round of match po’, there is an individual winner and a winning team. Even though you may not know half of the people you are shooting with, a sort of team spirit is instantly created and you naturally root for the other guys on your squad, and of course, deride the guys on the other squad.
At the end of a day of shooting at the BTC de Gonesse, I asked some other guys in the clubhouse why the sport was called match po’. They consulted with each other in very rapid French that I was not really able to follow and finally came up with a satisfactory answer: “That’s just what it’s called.”
BTC Gonesse: Route de l’Europe, 95500 Gonesse. Tel: 01 39 87 52 03
A list of ball-trap clubs in the Paris regions: http://www.balltrap-idf.fr
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| Clay pigeon shooting |
The adjective lupine refers to which animal? | The Borrowed Gun: Sports Shooting in France – France Revisited - Life in Paris, Travel in France
Sports and Nature
Joe Wilkins shooting at the BTC de Gonesse
Please don’t think that I’m looking to enter the fray of the hot-button topic of gun control in the United States when I tell you that I miss my shotguns now that I’m in Paris. I’ve been out shooting anyway, and doing so has given me a glimpse of what some consider as much a part of French culture as wine and cheese and baguettes.
Firearm regulations tend to be stricter in Europe than in the United States, but France has a long tradition of hunting and target shooting, and individuals who avidly participate in these sports constitute a strong political force.
It might surprise you to learn that the private ownership of shotguns and hunting rifles by individuals with clean criminal records is very common in France. There are numerous shops right here in Paris where you can buy guns and ammunition.
In order to purchase them you have to be in possession of either a hunting license (permit de chasse) or a sport shooting license (license sportif de tir). The hunting license is more difficult to obtain in France than in the United States because it requires you to actually know something about hunting, gun safety, and shooting. You have to pass a fairly rigorous test before you are granted a hunting license in France. The sport shooting license is much easier to obtain. You merely have to have a clean criminal record and be a member of one of the many shooting clubs in around the country. There are special exceptions to these rules for foreigners who are coming into France for a specific hunt or to compete in an international shooting tournament.
Joe Wilkins shooting at the BTC de Gonesse
The last time I spent an extended period in France, I brought my favorite shotgun with me and obtained a sport shooting permit after I arrived. I even bought another gun while I was here and brought it back to the United States. I didn’t bring a gun this time, however, because of a sticky new regulation requiring anyone in possession of firearms of any description in France to have a gun safe in their home. Well, our apartment in the Marais came with a great coffee machine but no gun safe, and I was not interested in buying a 500 euro safe for a stay of only one year, so this time I left my guns at home. That doesn’t prevent me from shooting in France, however, because I either borrow or rent a gun at my club, le Ball-Trap Club de Gonesse.
Ball-trap is the French word for what we call “clay target sports,” which include skeet, trap, and the various forms of sporting clays. The club is located in the middle of vast grain fields in the town of Gonesse, about 14 miles northeast of Paris, not far from Charles de Gaulle airport. The town of Gonesse was prominently mentioned in the news in 2000 because that was where the Concorde supersonic jet crashed. When the planes take off from de Gaulle, they pass directly over the shooting club. Shooting clubs tend to be located in places like that. We have a club in Atlanta that was built directly on top of a former landfill.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the BTC de Gonesse is that I can get there from Paris using public transportation. Granted, I do have to walk about a mile from the last bus stop, but for me, that just adds to the appeal, because I get to mix some exercise in with my shooting. Everybody else who shoots at the BTC de Gonesse is a permanent resident of France, and they all have cars.
On previous stays in Paris I would rent a car, at a daily cost of about 100 euros, every time I wanted to go shooting, but when visiting Paris once on a ten-day trip, without a gun or any ammunition to carry, I figured out by pouring over the metro map and consulting Google Earth that I could take the #7 metro to Fort d’Aubervilliers followed by the #250 bus to its final stop in Gonesse, which brought me within easy walking distance of the club. In addition to saving a huge amount of money on my shooting, this mode of transportation has allowed me to see parts of the working class suburbs of Paris that I would otherwise have missed.
After the metro and the bus, the shortcut through the wheat field to the BTC de Gonesse
The BTC de Gonesse is a shotgun shooter’s paradise. It has three or four combination international skeet and trap ranges as well as five or six sporting clays (parcours de chasse) layouts and a running boar target. It offers very inexpensive gun rentals, and reasonably priced ammunition is available. There are also experienced instructors on hand for beginners or for experienced shooters who want to perfect their skills. The staff and the other members of the club are friendly and helpful. I’ve yet to meet anyone there who speaks English. For someone who doesn’t speak French, or someone who is not very familiar with all of the clay target sports, a trip to Gonesse could prove to be a confusing and frustrating experience. My French is far from perfect, but I made it a point to learn all of the vocabulary involved in shotgun shooting before my first outing to a French shooting club. In addition, I am a very experienced shooter and I serve as a referee for shotgun tournaments and even write a blog for my club back in the United States.
Even so, they simply do things differently at a shooting club in France compared to back home. It takes a while to catch on to all the procedures, but I was able to do that just by watching what everybody else was doing. For example they have a really fun shotgun sport in France that they call match po’. They shoot it when a large number of people want to shoot at the same time. The shooters are divided randomly into teams of perhaps ten shooters each. Each team lines up behind its first shooter at two different spots on a sporting clay layout. A series of targets is thrown from the different traps on the layout, and the two teams alternate shooting the targets from their respective positions on the field. After every shooter from each team has shot twelve targets from the first position, the teams switch places and the target sequence is repeated. Usually an additional target is thrown at the end to make for 25 total. At the end of a round of match po’, there is an individual winner and a winning team. Even though you may not know half of the people you are shooting with, a sort of team spirit is instantly created and you naturally root for the other guys on your squad, and of course, deride the guys on the other squad.
At the end of a day of shooting at the BTC de Gonesse, I asked some other guys in the clubhouse why the sport was called match po’. They consulted with each other in very rapid French that I was not really able to follow and finally came up with a satisfactory answer: “That’s just what it’s called.”
BTC Gonesse: Route de l’Europe, 95500 Gonesse. Tel: 01 39 87 52 03
A list of ball-trap clubs in the Paris regions: http://www.balltrap-idf.fr
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Which novel by Felix Salten was made into a movie by Walt Disney in 1942? | Summary of "Bambi" by Felix Salten | Entertainment Guide
Summary of "Bambi" by Felix Salten
by Daniel Francis
The Nazis banned "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" in 1936.
Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
Book Summary of "Atlantis Found" by Clive Cussler
Felix Salten's 1923 novel was originally titled "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" when published in Austria. An English translation, released in 1928, met with success. Walt Disney optioned the book and made it into a famous 1942 animated film titled simply "Bambi." Critics consider the original novel, darker and more adult in nature than the animated adaptation, one of the first environmental books.
what is a fallback
Young Bambi
Bambi is a deer fawn. He is born in a thicket in a large wood in late spring one year. His mother is a young doe. During his first summer he learns about the other wood creatures and how to live in the wood. His mother eventually introduces him to his cousins, twin fawns named Faline and Gobo, and his Aunt Ena. The young deer become friends and playmates. Bambi's mother shows him his first meadow in the wood. Bambi is entranced by the beauty of the open grove with its sunshine, fields of blooming flowers and lack of trees and thicket.
Hunters
Although Bambi finds the meadow beautiful, his mother warns him that in the open there is no protection for deer. Bambi learns about dangerous two-legged creatures that come into the forest with the sole purpose of killing deer. Older deer teach Bambi that they sometimes use fake doe calls to bring deer within the sights of their guns. During one day of hunting Bambi's mother is killed, and Gobo goes missing, assumed dead. Bambi must slowly learn to live on his own even though he is not mature. He gets his first set of antlers, deals with the teasing of other young deer and meets a deer named Nettla, who helps raise him.
Princes
Before his mother dies he and his cousins Faline and Godo learn about princes while playing one day. They meet two older male deer, or stags, whom they refer to as "princes." When Bambi, Faline and Gobo tell their mothers about the princes, they learn that they are really their fathers. They also learn that deer princes have little to do with their offspring or mates. When Bambi is an adult, a prince shows him the dead body of a human killed by another human. Bambi learns that even "he" will die and that there is a greater force in nature than "him."
Adult Bambi
Gobo returns after having been saved by a human and raised outside the woods. Bambi falls in love with Faline. He meets with his father, now an old prince, who teaches him about animal traps and how to survive being shot by walking in circles until the bleeding stops. Bambi's "prince" actually cares for him while Bambi recovers from his wound. Gobo is eventually killed by another hunter. Bambi ages and spends most of his time alone, even avoiding Faline. His father returns to him to tell him that he loves him once before he dies.
References
| Bambi |
Tory MP Nadine Dorries upset Party bosses by appearing on which TV show in 2012? | Josefine Mutzenbacher: Oder die Geschichte Einer Wienerischen Dirne Von Ihr ... - Felix Salten - Google Books
0 Reviews https://books.google.ca/books/about/Josefine_Mutzenbacher.html?id=OVtopwAACAAJ
Josephine Mutzenbacher - The Life Story of a Viennese Whore, as Told by Herself is an erotic novel first published anonymously in Vienna, Austria in 1906. The novel is famous in the German-speaking world, having been in print in both German and English for over 100 years and sold over 3 million copies, becoming an erotic bestseller.Although no author claimed responsibility for the work, it was originally attributed to either Felix Salten or Arthur Schnitzler by the librarians at the University of Vienna. Today, critics, scholars, academics and the Austrian Government designate Salten, author of the book Bambi, A Life in the Woods (which Walt Disney purchased in 1942 and made into the world famous animated cartoon Bambi) as the sole author of the "pornographic classic", Josephine Mutzenbacher. The novel has been translated into English, French, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch, Japanese and Swedish, and been the subject of numerous films, theater productions, parodies, and university courses, as well as two sequels.
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Purple Granadilla is another name for which fruit? | Passion Fruit - Granadilla, Purple Granadilla, Yellow Passion Fruit
Passion Fruit
Passion Fruit – Granadilla, Purple Granadilla, Yellow Passion Fruit
by admin on May 18, 2016
Passion Fruit, Granadilla, Purple Granadilla
Passion Fruit – Granadilla, Purple Granadilla, Yellow Passion Fruit
Passion fruit comes in a couple of different varieties.
Passion fruit is one of the few antioxidant fruits that not only improves your physical health, but also your mental health. Native to areas ranging form southern Brazil, Paraguay, all the way to Argentina, this fruit can be used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and even sleep disorders like insomnia. Passion fruit comes in two varieties. One is a dark purple color once it has reached maturity and has a less acidic, richer taste. The other turns yellow at maturity and is typically large than the purple kind. Unlike the purple passion fruit, the yellow passion fruit does not have a known origin, although people have speculated that it may be Brazil.
Passion Fruit, Granadilla, Purple Granadilla
Passion fruit goes by many names, its scientific one being Passiflora edulis for the purple fruit and Passiflora edulis flavicarpa for the yellow, while another common name is Granadilla (or Purple Granadilla). Purple passion fruit is a subtropical fruit that will only flower and fruit in altitudes above 3,200 ft. Yellow passion fruit is tropical and can be grown from just above sea level up to the altitude of 2,000 ft. It is interesting that these varieties of passion fruit differ to such a degree. The people of Brazil tend to use the purple fruit to eat raw, while they prefer the yellow fruit for juice extractions and the creation of preserves. Australians absolutely love the purple passion fruit and vastly favor it over the yellow for all preparations.
Passion Fruit to Improve Mental Health
The flowers of the passion fruit vine have been used traditionally in folk medicine as a calming agent, usually for the purpose of helping someone fall asleep. Researchers who published a study in “Phytotherapy Research” were able to find that the flowers had a depressant effect on the nonspecific central nervous system. Another study in “Anesthesia and Analgesia” tested whether the flower could be used to effectively treat anxiety in patients about to undergo surgery. The results were positive – that passion fruit flower can reduce anxiety without necessarily causing sedation.
While passion fruit and its flowers (and even its vine) can have positive effects on your mental health, it is worthwhile to make sure this plant doesn’t have any contraindications with the medicine you’re on. If you’re taking medication regularly, check with your doctor that it’s safe for you to try passion fruit flower before doing it. Better safe than sorry!
Physical Health Benefits
The yellow passion fruit, also known as the maracuya, has traditional medicinal uses as well. Similar to cranberries, its juice can be used to treat urinary tract infections. Passion fruit has also shown potential in treating asthma, thanks in part to its vitamin C and potassium content (although that’s not the only reason). Passion fruit is one of the vitamin, mineral, and fiber rich fruits when it comes down to it. Currently, there is research being done to establish whether passion fruit can fight chronic inflammation. If so, this is just one more benefit to add to the ever-expanding list.
Yellow Passion Fruit, or “maracuyá”
Yellow Passion Fruit, or “maracuyá”
Traditional medicine uses it for urinary tract infections, much like the cranberry . The Vitamin C, potassium and other relaxing agents in this fruit, may help with asthma or spasmodic coughing conditions.
The nutritional benefits of are:
Vitamins
| Passiflora edulis |
In which country is the resort of Marmaris? | Passiflora edulis Passion Flower, Purple granadilla PFAF Plant Database
Physical Characteristics
Passiflora edulis is an evergreen Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Synonyms
South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Uses: Oil .
Fruit - raw or cooked. An agreeable cooling taste[2, 3, 46, 171], somewhat like an orange with a mixture of acid[4]. The ripe aromatic fruit is allowed to wrinkle and develop sweetness, it is then eaten raw, juiced, made into a syrup or used in sauces, cakes etc[183]. The fruit is about 5cm in diameter[200]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[183].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The pulp of the fruit is stimulant and tonic[240].
Other Uses
None known
Cultivation details
Requires a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season, otherwise it is not fussy[1, 3]. Plants are not very frost tolerant and are best grown in a greenhouse[3]. However, the roots are somewhat hardier and can survive the winter outdoors in many areas of Britain if the soil is prevented from freezing[88]. If plants are cut down to the ground by frost they can regenerate from the base[200]. There is also the possibility of growing plants on rootstocks of P. caerulea which might make them hardier[200]. This species is often cultivated in warmer climes than Britain for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[46, 183]. The fruit can be freely produced in Britain in hot summers[166]. Roots of outdoor grown plants should be restricted to encourage fruiting[1]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[219]. If fruit is required it is best to hand pollinate, using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday[88, 200]. The flowers open in sunny weather and do not open on dull cloudy days[219]. The flowers have the scent of heliotropes[245]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils that are produced at the leaf axils. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].
Propagation
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[88]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold. Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring[1]. Leaf bud cuttings in spring. Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage[3].
Other Names
Found In
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Related Plants
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Benidorm is on which of the Spanish Costas? | The Spanish Costas & Islands - Costas Online
Costas Online
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The Spanish Costas & Islands
Welcome to the Costas Online Spanish Costas & Islands, a leading resource that provides useful travel tips and guides to the top coastal areas and islands of Spain.
The Spanish Costas & Islands – Costas Online
The Spanish Costas are formed of many very diverse coastlines, each very different with their own individual qualities. In fact, every one of these coasts are packed full of incredible things to experience and enjoy. The Costa del Sol for example is probably the best known for tapas while the Costa Blanca is known for it’s white beaches. Below we have compiled a list of the main Spanish Costas in terms of tourism and links to some of those areas that provide more information about each.
Costas Españolas
| Costa Blanca |
What was originally called the Pluto Platter? | BENIDORM - Costa Blanca | Holidays in Benidorm
Benidorm
Overview
Benidorm is the biggest choice of the millions of holidaymakers every year located 40 km. on the north of Alicante. The %60 of the tourists coming to the Valencian region and %80 to the Alicante , chooses Benidorm for their Costa Blanca holidays . It is Costa Blanca’s major beach holidays resort and continues to be the ultimate destination.
Attractions, Things to Do & See in Benidorm
The white coasts are excellent that enables Benidorm to be a resort built for holidaymakers’ pleasure. Catering mainly for the British tourists, the beachfront of the resort is lively with variety of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Benidorm is also famous with its skyscrapers that allow everyone to have a great sea view.
There are more than 7 km. of breathtaking beaches with crystal clear waters. The excellent Levante beach and Poniente beach, which is quieter, are the best beach holiday spots for Costa Blanca. The city’s Old Quarter sits on a promontory, which is separating the two famous beaches of Benidorm. There is a wide range of water sports activities to choose from such as waterskiing, diving and parasailing. The beachside promenade is popular with the beachgoers and water sports lovers.
The Aqualandia water park is one of the best attractions to take both for the kids and adults to enjoy a fantastic day out. Mundo Mar is another option to see the marine life.
The nightlife in Benidorm is amazing as well. There are hundreds of bars and discos to choose from.
The Cerro Canfali headland in the company of narrow lanes and alleys, whitewashed and decorated with blue tiles, converges in the light-filled Balc�n del Mediterr�neo belvedere. It is an ornamental motif repeated along the balustrade that graces stretch of the city’s seafront. The main shopping streets where fashion items, handicrafts and souvenirs can be purchased are located in the city’s Old Quarter.
The 18th century San Jaime Parish Church (St. James’) with blue-tiled domed roof is one of the resort’s nice landmarks. In addition, the city’s wide avenues are also popular for strolling around the modern and tall buildings.
A boat visit to the Benidorm Isle that is located in the center of the bay is a nice daytime leisure activity.
Accommodation & Hotels in Benidorm
Benidorm offers great choice of modern hotels, holiday apartments, best beaches, nearby attractions and family and couples facilities for the holidaymakers to chose from on their Benidorm holidays. See Benidorm hotels >>>
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Which board game is set at Tudor Close? | Clue (board game) | Clue Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
Genre
Murder-Mystery
Clue (Cluedo outside the U.S.) is a popular murder-mystery board game. It was originally published in Leeds, England in 1949. It was devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a so
ly move around the game board (a mansion), as of one of the game's six suspects (or, collecting clues from which to deduce which suspect murdered the game's perpetual victim: Mr. Boddy ( Dr. Black , outside of U.S.), and with which weapon and in what room.
Several games, books, and a film have been released as part of the Cluedo franchise. The board game forms a chronology. Overall, several spinoffs have been released, some featuring extra characters, and for some, different game play. More recent editions have restored the name Boddy Mansion to the mansion, and say the mansion is located in Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1954 (located in Hampshire, England outside of the U.S.).
Contents
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In 1944, Anthony E. Pratt, an English solicitor's clerk, filed for a patent of his invention of a murder/mystery-themed game, originally named "Murder!" The game was originally invented as a new game to play during sometimes lengthy air raid drills in underground bunkers. Shortly thereafter, Pratt and his wife presented the game to Waddingtons' executive, Norman Watson, who immediately purchased the game and provided its trademark name of "Cluedo" (a play on "clue" and "Ludo", which is Latin for "I play"). Though the patent was granted in 1947, due to post-war shortages, the game was not officially launched until 1949, at which time the game was simultaneously licensed to Parker Brothers in the United States for publication, where it was re-named "Clue" along with other minor changes.
However, there were several differences between the original game concept and that initially published in 1949, In particular, Pratt's original design calls for ten characters, one of whom was to be designated the victim by random drawing prior to the start of the game. These ten included the eliminated Mr. Brown, Mr. Gold, Miss Grey, and Mrs. Silver, with Nurse White, and Colonel Yellow. The game allowed for play of up to eight remaining characters, providing for nine suspects in total. Originally there were eleven rooms, including the eliminated "gun room" and cellar. In addition there were nine weapons including the unused axe, bomb, syringe, poison, shillelagh (walking stick/cudgel), and fireplace poker. Some of these unused weapons and characters would appear in later spinoff versions of the game.
Some gameplay aspects were different as well. Notably, the remaining playing cards were distributed into the rooms to be retrieved, rather than dealt directly to the players. Players also had to land on another player in order to make suggestions about that player's character through the use of special counter-tokens, and once exhausted, a player could no longer make suggestions. There were other minor differences, all of which would be updated by the game's initial release and remain essentially unchanged in the standard classic editions of the game.
Equipment
Edit
The game's current equipment consists of a board which shows the rooms, corridors and secret passages of an English country house called Boddy Mansion, although previously named variously as Tudor Close or Tudor Hall, and in some editions Tudor Manor or Tudor Mansion). The game box also includes several colored playing pieces to represent characters, miniature murder weapon props, one or two six-sided dice, three sets of cards, each set describing the aforementioned rooms, characters and weapons, Solution Cards envelope to contain one card from each set of cards, and a Detective's Notes pad on which are printed lists of rooms, weapons and characters, so players can keep detailed notes during the game.
Suspects
Edit
Depending on edition, the playing pieces are typically made of colored plastic, shaped like chess pawns, or character figurines. Occasionally they are made from wood or pewter. The standard edition of Cluedo comes with six basic tokens representing the following original characters:
Ms. Vivienne Scarlet , the sultry and beautiful actress of the game.
Col. Michael Mustard , the militant and athletic colonel of the game.
Mrs. Blanche White , the intrusive and kindly maid of the game.
Rev. Jonathan Green , the conniving and religious priest(mobster) of the game.
Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock , the sinister and political senator of the game.
Prof. Peter Plum , the uptight and intelligent professor of the game.
The new suspects are:
Edit
There are nine rooms in the mansion where the murder can take place, laid out in a circular fashion on the game board, separated by pathways overlaid by playing spaces. Each of the four corner rooms contains a secret passage that leads to the room on the opposite diagonal corner of the map. The center room (often referred to as the Cellar, or Stairs) is inaccessible to the players, but contains the solution envelope, and is not otherwise used during game play. Colored "start" spaces encircle the outer perimeter which correspond to each player's suspect token. Miss Scarlet starts at the red space, Colonel Mustard starts at the yellow space, Mrs. White starts at the white space, Mr. Green starts at the green space, Mrs. Peacock starts at the blue space, and Professor Plum starts at the purple space.
Here are the original rooms of Boddy Estate:
Kitchen
† ‡ denotes secret passages to opposite corner
Rules
Edit
At the beginning of play, three cards — one suspect, one weapon, and one room card — are chosen at random and put into a special envelope, so that no one can see them. These cards represent the facts of the case. The remainder of the cards are distributed among the players.
Players are instructed to go and get the token/suspect nearest them. Play begins with Ms. Scarlet and proceeds clockwise. Players roll the dice and move along the board spaces accordingly, and entering rooms in order to make suggestions from that room.
The player's suggestion only gets disproved once. So, though several players may hold cards disproving the suggestion, only the first one will show the suggesting player his or her card. A player may only make a suggestion when his or her piece is in a room and the suggestion can only be for that room.
Once a player has sufficiently narrowed the solution, that player can make an accusation. According to the rules, "When you think you have worked out which three cards are in the envelope, you may, on your turn, make an Accusation and name any three elements you want." Players may name any room (unlike a Suggestion, where a player's character pawn must be in the room the player suggests). The accusing player checks the validity of the accusation by checking the cards, keeping them concealed from other players. If he has made an incorrect accusation, he plays no further part in the game except to reveal cards secretly to one of the remaining players when required to do so in order to disprove suggestions. Also, according to the rules, "If, after making a false Accusation, your character pawn is blocking a door, [you must] move it into that room so that other players may enter." Since a character pawn can only block a door by being outside of a room, this clearly demonstrates that the character pawn need not be in any room to make an Accusation. If the player made a correct accusation, the solution cards are shown to the other players and the game ends.
It is possible for a player to be using the piece representing the murderer. This does not affect the game play; the object of the game is still to be the first to make the correct accusation. If the game is played with two people, the process of elimination diffuses the same information to both players. Such a game tends to pass quickly. All editions of the current version of the game are advertised as a three-six player game only. Traditionally, the UK version was advertised for two-six players.
Strategy
Edit
Though gameplay is relatively straightforward as described above, various strategies allow players to maximize their opportunities to make suggestions and therefore gain the advantage of accumulating information faster. As alluded to above, blocking the entrance to a room is one way to prevent an opponent from entering a desired room and making a suggestion.
Choice of Suspect
Edit
The first opportunity is in choosing the initial playing piece. Mrs. Peacock has an immediate advantage of being one space closer to the first room than any of the other players. However, Ms. Scarlet traditionally moves first. Prof. Plum also has an advantage of moving to the Study, then through the secret passage to the Kitchen, the hardest room to get to.
Navigating the Board
| Cluedo |
The sinking of the armoured cruiser Maine in 1898 led to which conflict? | Cluedo | John Waddington Ltd. | V&A Search the Collections
Download PDF version
Cluedo is a popular murder mystery board game invented in 1943 by Anthony Earnest Pratt. It is believed that his wife helped him to design the playing board. The game was first manufactured by Waddingtons in 1949. Since then, Cluedo has been relaunched and updated several times. In addition to this there have been a number of themed or special edition versions of the game. This set dates from the early 1950's so it is probably very similar to the original.
The game consists of six characters, six weapons, and nine rooms on a playing board. The aim of the game is to deduce the character, location, and weapon with which the murder was carried out.
Place of Origin
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What common name was given to the Arab/Israeli clash of 1973? | Background & Overview - Yom Kippur War | Jewish Virtual Library
Background & Overview
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After the exhilaration of the victory in the Six-Day War in 1967, Israelis became increasingly dispirited. The growing level of terrorism , combined with increasingly ominous threats from Egypt , made peace seem further away than ever. Rather than reconciling themselves to Israel’s existence, the Arab states looked for a way to avenge the humiliation of their defeat. The Soviet Union was doing its share to stoke the flames of war by pouring arms into the region. And the Arab states in the Persian Gulf were beginning to take greater control of their oil resources and use the revenues to flex their political muscle.
- Egypt Saves Face
Sadat Cries Wolf
In 1971, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat raised the possibility of signing an agreement with Israel , provided that all the territories captured by the Israelis were returned. Later, many people would claim Israel missed an opportunity to avoid war, but the truth was that Sadat expected Israel to ignore the threats that led to the 1967 War and to capitulate to Egyptian demands without any guarantee of peace. The suggestion was a nonstarter from Israel's point of view. Moreover, Sadat could not negotiate an agreement until Egypt erased the shame of 1967.
For all the talk of peace, though, it was still violence that grabbed the headlines. During the summer of 1972, Palestinian terrorists infiltrated the Munich Olympics and murdered 11 Israeli athletes.
With no progress toward peace, Sadat began to say that war was inevitable and that he was prepared to sacrifice one million soldiers in the showdown with Israel. Throughout 1972 and for much of 1973, Sadat threatened war unless the United States forced Israel to accept his interpretation of Resolution 242 — total Israeli withdrawal from territories taken in 1967.
Simultaneously, Sadat appealed to the Soviets to bring pressure on the United States and to provide Egypt with more offensive weapons. The Soviet Union was more interested in maintaining the appearance of détente with the United States than a confrontation in the Middle East; therefore, it rejected Sadat’s demands. Sadat’s response was to abruptly expel approximately 20,000 Soviet advisers from Egypt.
In an April 1973 interview, Sadat again warned that he would renew the war with Israel. But it was the same threat he had made in 1971 and 1972, and most observers remained skeptical. In fact, almost up to the start of the shooting, no one expected a war. “The news of the imminent attack on Israel took us completely by surprise,” President Nixon said later. “As recently as the day before, the CIA had reported that war in the Middle East was unlikely.”
Had U.S. intelligence realized at the beginning of October 1973 that the Arabs were about to attack, Nixon might have been able to prevent the war through diplomacy or threats.
Golda’s Fateful Decision
Despite the conventional wisdom that Israel was surprised by the attack that did eventually come, the truth is the Israelis began to prepare for battle on October 5 and were convinced war was imminent the following morning. But, like U.S. intelligence officials, Israeli analysts were skeptical about the threat of war.
According to documents declassified in 2012, the failure to anticipate the Arab attacks was a result of a number of intelligence failures. For example, Israeli soldiers on the southern front were given a secret document that provided 14 signals that would indicate an Egyptian attack was forthcoming. None of those indicators were apparent before the invastion. Similarly, in the north, a warning was passed on to the commander that Syria planned to attack on October 2. That intelligence could not be confirmed and was dismissed.
On October 4, a day before learning that Russian civilians were leaving Egypt and Syria, Military Intelligence reported the chances for war were low. Israel had a spy in Egypt;h however, Ashraf Marwan, ** the son-in-law of ex-president Gamal Abdel Nasser , who passed on a warning to his Mossad handler in London that war was imminent a day-and-a-half before it started. The Mossad director, Zvi Zamir, was informed by his aide and planned to meet with his agent in London the next day. Zamir subsequently learned from Israeli Military Intelligence that Soviet scientists were preparing to leave Syria, which added weight to the report of pending war. Two weeks earlier, Israel learned that Russia was transferring Scud missiles to Egypt; another worrisome sign. According to Zamir's aide, Alfred Eini, Marwan's warning of impending war was not passed on to the Prime Minister immediately because the Mossad thought it would be done by Military Intelligence. Zamir did not reach someone in the prime minister's office until a day later, hours before the attack.
It was not until 5 a.m. on October 6 that General David Elazar , the chief of staff, first recommended a full, immediate mobilization of forces and a preemptive air strike. He was overruled. A few hours later, a partial call-up of reserves was approved, but Prime Minister Golda Meir still refused to authorize Elazar to take military action. She advised the U.S. ambassador of the situation and asked him to pass on the message that the Arabs should be restrained. Henry Kissinger , who now was secretary of state, subsequently appealed to Sadat and Syrian president Hafez Assad not to do anything precipitously. He also cautioned Meir not to shoot first. Meir found herself in a nearly impossible position. The intelligence community had not given her sufficient warning of the impending attack to adequately prepare the nation for war. Still, Israel’s chances for victory and minimizing casualties could be greatly enhanced by a preemptive strike and the rapid mobilization of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). However, she feared that striking first, as Israel had done in 1967, might so anger the United States that Nixon would not support Israel’s prosecution of the war or policies afterward. And, unlike 1967, she did not feel Israel could afford to go it alone.
Unholy War
On October 6, 1973 — Yom Kippur , the holiest day in the Jewish calendar (and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan) — Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel. The equivalent of the total forces of NATO in Europe was mobilized on Israel’s borders. On the Golan Heights , approximately 180 Israeli tanks faced an onslaught of 1,400 Syrian tanks. Along the Suez Canal, fewer than 500 Israeli defenders with only 3 tanks were attacked by 600,000 Egyptian soldiers, backed by 2,000 tanks and 550 aircraft.
At least nine Arab states, including four non–Middle Eastern nations ( Libya , Sudan , Algeria , and Morocco ), actively aided the Egyptian-Syrian war effort. A few months before the attack, Iraq transferred a squadron of Hunter jets to Egypt. During the war, an Iraqi division of some 18,000 men and several hundred tanks was deployed in the central Golan and participated in the October 16 attack against Israeli positions. Iraqi MiGs began operating over the Golan Heights as early as October 8 — the third day of the war.
Besides serving as financial underwriters, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait committed men to battle. A Saudi brigade of approximately 3,000 troops was dispatched to Syria, where it participated in fighting along the approaches to Damascus. Also violating Paris’s ban on the transfer of French-made weapons, Libya sent Mirage fighters to Egypt. Other North African countries responded to Arab and Soviet calls to aid the front-line states. Algeria sent three aircraft squadrons of fighters and bombers, an armored brigade, and 150 tanks. Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 Tunisian soldiers were positioned in the Nile Delta. Sudan stationed 3,500 troops in southern Egypt, and Morocco sent three brigades to the front lines, including 2,500 men to Syria.
Lebanese radar units were used by Syrian air defense forces. Lebanon also allowed Palestinian terrorists to shell Israeli civilian settlements from its territory. Palestinians fought on the Southern Front with the Egyptians and Kuwaitis.
In September 2013 shamed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak claimed that he personally started the Yom Kippur war during a secret mission during his time as an Egyptian air force commander. Mubarak stated that six munites before the large attack on Israel commenced including other Arab armies, he attacked an Israeli communications outpost in his fighter jet in the first attack of the war.
Hussein Doesn’t Repeat His Mistake
Jordan’s King Hussein , who apparently hadn’t been informed of Egyptian and Syrian war plans, chose not to fight this round, correctly calculating that his forces were vastly inferior to the Israelis’. Hussein’s decision was crucial to Israel’s defense because it freed up forces that would otherwise have had to fight on a third front.
Still, Arab brotherhood required that Hussein contribute to the cause, so he sent two of his best units to Syria. Three Jordanian artillery batteries also participated in the assault, carried out by nearly 100 tanks.
Oil Becomes a Weapon
During the October war, the Arab oil-producing states imposed an embargo on oil exports to the United States , Portugal , and Holland because of their support for Israel. The impact was to cause a shortage of petroleum in the United States and a quadrupling of gas prices. Americans soon had to contend with long lines at gas stations.
Several U.S. oil companies that got most of their petroleum supplies from the Middle East, and depended on the goodwill of the Arab states to maintain their business relations in the region collaborated, in the embargo against their own nation. Oil company executives lobbied the Nixon administratio n to offer more support to the Arabs and less to Israel. They, along with state department Arabists, hoped to convince the public that Israel was to blame for the United States’s economic hardships and that it was far more important for the United States to ally itself with the Arab states than with Israel.
The oil embargo was lifted in March 1974, but the United States and other Western nations continued to feel its effects for years to come.
The IDF Stages a Comeback
Thrown onto the defensive during the first two days of fighting, Israel mobilized its reserves and began to counterattack. In the south, Israeli forces were having little success in stopping the Egyptian onslaught. Still, the Sinai Desert offered a large buffer zone between the fighting and the heart of Israel.
The situation was different in the north, where the Syrians had swept across the Golan and could, in short order, threaten Israel’s population centers. Consequently, most reserves meant for the Egyptian front were shifted to the Golan. The replenished Israeli forces stopped the Syrian advance, forced a retreat, and began their own march forward toward Damascus.
Superpower Chess
The Soviets gave their wholehearted political support to the Arab invasion. Starting as early as October 9, they also began a massive airlift of weapons, which ultimately totaled 8,000 tons of materiel. The United States had given Israel some ammunition and spare parts, but it resisted Israeli requests for greater assistance.
As the Soviets continued to pour weapons into the region, Kissinger decided that the United States could not afford to allow the Soviet Union’s allies to win the war. The secretary of state wanted to show the Arabs they could never defeat Israel with the backing of the Soviets. He also couldn’t afford to let U.S. adversaries win a victory over a U.S. ally. By sending arms to Israel, the United States could ensure an Israeli victory, hand the Soviets a defeat, and provide Washington with the leverage to influence a postwar settlement.
On October 12, Nixon ordered an emergency airlift to Israel. Cargo planes carrying spare parts, tanks, bombs, and helicopters flew round-the-clock to Israel. The resupply efforts were hampered by America’s NATO allies who, capitulating to Arab threats, refused to allow American planes to use their air space. The one exception was Portugal, which as a consequence became the base for the operation. Between October 14 and November 14, 1973, 22,000 tons of equipment were transported to Israel by air and sea. The airlift alone involved 566 flights. To pay for this infusion of weapons, Nixon asked Congress for and received $2.2 billion in emergency aid for Israel.
The View from Egypt
In the greatest tank battle since the Germans and Russians fought at Kursk in World War II , roughly 1,000 Israeli and Egyptian tanks massed in the western Sinai from October 12 through 14. On October 14, Israeli forces destroyed 250 Egyptian tanks in the first 2 hours of fighting. By late afternoon, the Israeli forces had routed the enemy.
Meanwhile, Israeli General Ariel Sharon had been chomping at the bit to cross the Suez Canal but had been ordered not to do so until after the main Egyptian force had been defeated in the Sinai. With that mission accomplished, Israeli paratroopers snuck across the canal and established a bridgehead. By October 18, Israeli forces were marching with little opposition toward Cairo. For the Israelis, the crossing was a great psychological boost; for the Egyptians, it was a humiliation.
About the same time, Israeli troops were on the outskirts of Damascus, easily within artillery range of the Syrian capital. Prime Minister Meir did not want to attack Damascus, so the IDF stopped its advance and focused its activities on recapturing Mount Hermon — the highest peak in the region and a key Israeli radar and observation post that had fallen to the Syrians early in the fighting. On October 22, Israel once again controlled the Golan Heights.
Meanwhile, the air battles were one-sided. Israel lost 114 planes during the war — only 20 in aerial combat. Israeli pilots shot down at least 450 Arab aircraft in dogfights.
The Brink of Nuclear War
As Israeli troops began to advance on Damascus, the Soviets started to panic. On October 12, the Soviet ambassador informed Kissinger that his government was placing troops on alert to defend Damascus. The situation grew even more tense over the next two weeks, as Israeli forces reversed the initial Egyptian gains in the Sinai and began to threaten Cairo. The Egyptian Third Army was surrounded, and Israel would not allow the Red Cross to bring in supplies. At this point, Sadat began to seek Soviet help in pressing Israel to accept a cease-fire.
On October 24, the Soviets threatened to intervene in the fighting. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reported that the Soviet airlift to Egypt had stopped and that it was possible the planes were being prepared to change the cargo from weapons to troops. Responding to the Soviet threat, Nixon put the U.S. military on alert, increasing its readiness for the deployment of conventional and nuclear forces.
The United States was in the midst of the political upheaval of the Watergate scandal, and some people believed Nixon was trying to divert attention from his political problems at home, but the danger of a U.S.–Soviet conflict was real. In fact, this was probably the closest the superpowers ever came to a nuclear war other than the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Fortunately, the Soviets backed down and never sent troops to fight.
Saving the Losers
The Soviet Union showed no interest in initiating peacemaking efforts, so long as it looked like the Arabs might win. The same was true for UN secretary-general Kurt Waldheim. After the situation on the battlefield changed in Israel’s favor, however, desperate calls were made for the fighting to end.
On October 22, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 338 calling for “all parties to the present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately.” The resolution also called for the implementation of Resolution 242 . The vote came on the day that Israeli forces cut off and isolated the Egyptian Third Army and were in a position to destroy it.
Israel reluctantly complied with the cease-fire, largely because of U.S. pressure, but also because the next military moves would have been to attack the two Arab capitals, something few believed would be politically wise. By the end of the fighting, 2,688 Israeli soldiers had been killed. Combat deaths for Egypt and Syria totaled 7,700 and 3,500, respectively.
Disengagement Lays Groundwork For Peace
Ironically, the United States had helped save Israel by its resupply effort[md]and then rescued Egypt by forcing Israel to accept the cease-fire. Henry Kissinger had used U.S. power and diplomacy to try to bring about a war result that would allow Egyptians to erase the stain of 1967 without allowing them to win or Israel to humiliate them again.
In January 1974, Israel and Egypt negotiated a disengagement agreement ( Sinai I ) thanks to Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy — so named because he flew back and forth between the two countries with American suggestions, as well as offers and counteroffers from the two governments. The Sinai I accord allowed the Egyptians to retain control of the Suez Canal, freed the Third Army, and drew a cease-fire line on the east side of the canal, with a buffer zone between the two forces.
A second disengagement agreement ( Sinai II ) was signed in September 1975, which called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two strategic passes in the Sinai and some surrounding territory. The Egyptians were not allowed back into this neutral zone. Instead, U.S. peacekeepers were deployed to monitor the area.
Syria Fronts for the Rejectionists
The negotiations with the Syrians were more tortuous. It was not until May 1974 that a separation of forces agreement was signed that created a UN–policed buffer zone, a reduction in troop deployment, and the return of the town of Kuneitra to Syria . And that came only after a renewal of fighting in March. Syria fired artillery at Israeli positions between March and May, during which 37 more Israeli soldiers were killed.
The United States rewarded Syria for the agreement with a modest grant of financial assistance[md]the first in 30 years — in hopes of building a new relationship with the regime of Hafez Assad and encouraging him to negotiate a peace agreement. As Nixon’s successors would also discover, Assad was happy to take whatever the United States was willing to offer, but he gave nothing in return. Rather than join the peace process, Assad became one of the leaders of the Rejectionist Front .
Assad was also determined to impede Israeli-Egyptian negotiations. He feared that an agreement between them would reduce Egypt’s willingness to fight for the Arab cause and that Sadat would accept a separate deal with Israel that would not address Syrian grievances.
Israel’s Political Earthquake
The fact that the Arabs had succeeded in surprising the IDF and inflicting heavy losses in the early part of the war against the supposedly invincible Israeli army was a traumatic experience for Israel. Its government reacted to the public’s calls for an inquiry by establishing a commission chaired by Shimon Agranat, the president of Israel’s Supreme Court.
The Agranat Commission concluded that Israeli intelligence had sufficient warning of the impending attack, but, for a variety of reasons, had failed to interpret the in-formation correctly. Chief of Staff Elazar bore the brunt of the commission’s blame and resigned. The commission did not assess the role of Prime Minister Meir and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan , but the public viewed them as the officials who were actually responsible for the mistakes that were made.
The public was angered by what many viewed as scapegoating career military officials for the mistakes of their political leaders. This outrage ultimately led Meir to resign. Dayan would have been the logical heir, but his reputation was now in tatters. The alternatives of the dominant Labor Party for a successor came down to a choice between two very different men. One, Minister of Information Shimon Peres , was a popular nonmilitary man who had played a key role in building the nation’s military might through his diplomatic skills. The other was Yitzhak Rabin , a native-born Israeli and military leader from the days of the Haganah , who had served as chief of staff during the Six-Day War and later as ambassador to Washington . In a tight election that fueled a 20-year political rivalry, Rabin was chosen to be prime minister .
Egypt Saves Face
Although Egypt lost the war, with Israeli troops prepared to march on Cairo and the Third Army saved by the United States from annihilation, Egyptians saw the battle as a victory for them. They had surprised the arrogant Israelis and nearly defeated them. If not for U.S. support, many believed, they would have driven the Jews into the sea. Sadat did not seem to have that as his objective. It was more important for him to erase the humiliation of 1967. As Egyptian chief of staff Sa’ad Shazli, said on October 8, 1973, “The war has retrieved Arab honor.” This psychological shift was critical to Sadat's ability to enter negotiations later to reach a peace agreement with Israel .
Sources: Mitchell G. Bard, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Middle East Conflict. 4th Edition. NY: Alpha Books, 2008; Roi Mandel, “Declassified documents reveal failures of Yom Kippur War,” Ynetnews.com, (September 25, 2012); Yaakov Lappin, “Declassified Yom Kippur papers reveal failures,” Jerusalem Post, (September 21, 2012)
*In the United States, the October 1973 war is typically referred to as the Yom Kippur War. Because the war was fought during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Arabs and Muslims refer to it as the Ramadan War.
**An intelligence controversy exists over whether Marwan was a double agent. We will never know; Marwan fell to his death under mysterious circumstances in 2007.
***Ironically, Sadat was assassinated during a parade in Cairo in 1981 celebrating Egypt's “victory” in 1973.
| Yom Kippur War |
Bambi, Cash, Sick and Summer Holiday were episodes of which comedy series? | Arab-Israeli Conflict #5 - Yom Kippur War
Arab-Israeli Conflict #5 - Yom Kippur War
Once again, Syria and Egypt attack. And yet again, only a miracle stops them.
by Mitchell Bard
After the exhilaration of the victory in the Six Day War, Israelis became increasingly dispirited in the early '70s. The growing level of terrorism, combined with increasingly ominous threats from Egypt, made peace seem farther away than ever.
Israel's patron was having its own problems. Richard Nixon was consumed with Vietnam, concerns with China and the Soviet Union, and the beginning of the Watergate scandal.
Meanwhile, rather than reconciling themselves to Israel's existence, the Arab states looked for a way to avenge the humiliation of their defeat. The Soviet Union was doing its share to stoke the flames of war by pouring arms into the region. And the Arab states in the Persian Gulf were beginning to take greater control of their oil resources and use the revenues to flex their political muscle.
Sadat Cries Wolf
In 1971, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat raised the possibility of signing an agreement with Israel, provided that all the occupied territories captured by the Israelis were returned. No progress toward peace was made, however, so the following year, Sadat said war was inevitable, and he was prepared to sacrifice 1 million soldiers in a showdown with Israel. His threat did not materialize that year.
Throughout 1972 and for much of 1973, Sadat threatened war unless the United States forced Israel to accept his interpretation of Resolution 242 – total Israeli withdrawal from territories taken in 1967.
Simultaneously, Sadat carried on a diplomatic offensive among European and African states to win support for his cause. He appealed to the Soviets to bring pressure on the United States and to provide Egypt with more offensive weapons. The Soviet Union was more interested in maintaining the appearance of détente with the United States than in a confrontation in the Middle East; therefore, it rejected Sadat's demands. Sadat's response was to abruptly expel approximately 20,000 Soviet advisers from Egypt.
In an April 1973 interview, Sadat again warned that he would renew the war with Israel. But it was the same threat he had made in 1971 and 1972, and most observers remained skeptical. In fact, almost up to the start of the shooting, no one expected a war. Had U.S. intelligence realized at the beginning of October 1973 that the Arabs were about to attack, Nixon might have been able to prevent the war through diplomacy or threats.
Golda's Fateful Decision
Despite the conventional wisdom that Israel was surprised by the attack that did eventually come, the truth is that the Israelis began to prepare for battle on October 5. But like U.S. intelligence officials, Israeli analysts were skeptical about the threat of war.
At 5:00 a.m., General David Elazar, the chief of staff, first recommended a full, immediate mobilization of forces and a preemptive air strike. He was overruled. A few hours later, a partial call-up of reserves was approved, but Prime Minister Golda Meir still refused to authorize Elazar to take military action. She advised the U.S. ambassador of the situation and asked him to pass on the message that the Arabs should be restrained. U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger subsequently appealed to Sadat and Syrian President Hafez Assad not to do anything precipitously. He also cautioned Golda Meir not to shoot first.
Meir found herself in a nearly impossible position. The intelligence community had not given her sufficient warning of the impending attack to adequately prepare the nation for war. Still, Israel's chances for victory and minimizing casualties could be greatly enhanced by a preemptive strike and the rapid mobilization of the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces. She feared, however, that striking first, as Israel had done in 1967, might so anger the United States that Nixon would not support Israel's prosecution of the war or policies afterward and, unlike 1967, she did not feel Israel could afford to go it alone.
Unholy War
On October 6, 1973 – Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar (and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan) – Egypt and Syria opened a coordinated surprise attack against Israel. The equivalent of the total forces of NATO in Europe was mobilized on Israel's borders. On the Golan Heights, approximately 180 Israeli tanks faced an onslaught of 1,400 Syrian tanks. Along the Suez Canal, fewer than 500 Israeli defenders with only three tanks were attacked by 600,000 Egyptian soldiers, backed by 2,000 tanks and 550 aircraft.
500 Israelis with three tanks were attacked by 600,000 Egyptian soldiers, 2,000 tanks and 550 aircraft.
At least nine Arab states, including four non-Middle Eastern nations (Libya, Sudan, Algeria, and Morocco), actively aided the Egyptian-Syrian war effort. A few months before the Yom Kippur War, Iraq transferred a squadron of Hunter jets to Egypt. During the war, an Iraqi division of some 18,000 men and several hundred tanks was deployed in the central Golan and participated in the October 16 attack against Israeli positions. Iraqi MiGs began operating over the Golan Heights as early as October 8, the third day of the war.
Besides serving as financial underwriters, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait committed men to battle. A Saudi brigade of approximately 3,000 troops was dispatched to Syria, where it participated in fighting along the approaches to Damascus. Also, violating Paris' ban on the transfer of French-made weapons, Libya sent Mirage fighters to Egypt. (From 1971 to 1973, Libyan President Muammar Qaddafi gave Cairo more than $1 billion in aid to re-arm Egypt and to pay the Soviets for weapons delivered.)
Other North African countries responded to Arab and Soviet calls to aid the front-line states. Algeria sent three aircraft squadrons of fighters and bombers, an armored brigade, and 150 tanks. Approximately 1,000-2,000 Tunisian soldiers were positioned in the Nile Delta. Sudan stationed 3,500 troops in southern Egypt, and Morocco sent three brigades to the front lines, including 2,500 men to Syria.
Lebanese radar units were used by Syrian air defense forces. Lebanon also allowed Palestinian terrorists to shell Israeli civilian settlements from its territory. Palestinians fought on the Southern Front with the Egyptians and Kuwaitis.
The least enthusiastic Arab participant in the October fighting was Jordan's King Hussein, who apparently hadn't been informed of Egyptian and Syrian war plans. He chose not to fight this round, correctly calculating that his forces were vastly inferior to the Israelis'. Hussein's decision was crucial to Israel's defense because it freed up forces that would otherwise have had to fight on a third front.
Still, Arab brotherhood required that Hussein contribute to the cause, so he sent two of his best units – the 40th and 60th Armored Brigades – to Syria. This force took positions in the southern sector, defending the main Amman-Damascus route and attacking Israeli positions along the Kuneitra-Sassa road on October 16. Three Jordanian artillery batteries also participated in the assault, carried out by nearly 100 tanks.
The Oil Weapon
During the October war, the Arab oil-producing states imposed an embargo on oil exports to the United States, Portugal, and Holland because of their support for Israel. The impact was to cause a shortage of petroleum in the United States and a quadrupling of gas prices. Americans soon became used to long lines at gas stations.
Several U.S. oil companies that got most of their petroleum supplies from the Middle East and depended on the goodwill of the Arab states to maintain their business relations in the region, collaborated in the embargo against their own nation. Oil company executives lobbied the Nixon Administration to offer more support to the Arabs and less to Israel. They, along with State Department Arabists, hoped to convince the public that Israel was to blame for the U.S.'s economic hardships and that it was far more important for the United States to ally itself with the Arab states than with Israel.
Though Nixon consistently denied it, U.S. policy toward the Arab-Israeli conflict before, during, and after the war was clearly related to the oil question. The United States unquestionably had more leverage over Israel than it did over the Arab states. Consequently, officials believed that forcing the Israelis to make concessions would ease the pressure applied by the Arab oil producers.
After the war, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates pledged billions of dollars in economic and military aid to the frontline parties in the conflict with Israel – Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the PLO. The oil producers, particularly Saudi Arabia, went on their own arms-buying binge; the Saudis purchased some of America's most sophisticated weapons, over the objections of the Israeli lobby.
The oil embargo was lifted in March 1974, but the United States and other western nations continued to feel its effects for years to come. OPEC dictated oil prices by turning the petroleum spigot on and off. Divisions within the organization over price and production quotas, conservation measures, and the discovery of new oil supplies (particularly outside the Middle East), however, contributed to the weakening of OPEC. By the early 1980s, its economic and political influence had been blunted.
The IDF Comeback
Thrown onto the defensive during the first two days of fighting, Israel mobilized its reserves and began to counterattack. In the south, Israeli forces were having little success in stopping the Egyptian onslaught. Still, the Sinai Desert offered a large buffer zone between the fighting and the heart of Israel.
The situation was different in the north, where the Syrians had swept across the Golan and could, in short order, threaten Israel's population centers. Consequently, most reserves meant for the Egyptian front were shifted to the Golan. The replenished Israeli forces stopped the Syrian advance, forced a retreat, and began their own march forward toward Damascus.
Superpower Chess
The Soviets gave their wholehearted political support to the Arab invasion. Starting as early as October 9, they also began a massive airlift of weapons, which ultimately totaled 8,000 tons of materiel. The United States had given Israel some ammunition and spare parts, but it resisted Israeli requests for greater assistance.
As the Soviets continued to pour weapons into the region, Kissinger decided that the United States could not afford to allow the Soviet Union's allies to win the war.
The Secretary of State wanted to show the Arabs they could never defeat Israel with the backing of the Soviets. He also couldn't afford to let the U.S.'s adversaries win a victory over a U.S. ally. By sending arms to Israel, the United States could insure an Israeli victory, hand the Soviets a defeat, and provide Washington with the leverage to influence a postwar settlement.
On October 12, Nixon ordered an emergency airlift to Israel. Cargo planes carrying spare parts, tanks, bombs, and helicopters flew round-the-clock to Israel via bases in the Azores. Between October 14 and November 14, 22,000 tons of equipment were transported to Israel by air and sea. The airlift alone involved 566 flights. To pay for this infusion of weapons, Nixon asked Congress for and received $2.2 billion in emergency aid for Israel.
View From Egypt
In the greatest tank battle since the Germans and Russians fought at Kursk in World War Two, roughly 1,000 Israeli and Egyptian tanks massed in the western Sinai, October 12-14. On the 14th, Israeli forces destroyed 250 Egyptian tanks in the first two hours of fighting. By the late afternoon, the Israeli forces had routed the enemy, accomplishing a feat equal to Montgomery's victory over Rommel in World War Two.
Meanwhile, Israeli general Ariel Sharon had been chomping at the bit to cross the Suez Canal but had been ordered not to do so until after the main Egyptian force had been defeated in the Sinai. Once that was done, Israeli paratroopers snuck across the Canal and established a bridgehead. By October 18, Israeli forces were marching with little opposition toward Cairo. For the Israelis, the crossing was a great psychological boost, but it was a humiliation for the Egyptians.
About the same time, Israeli troops were on the outskirts of Damascus, easily within artillery range of the Syrian capital. Prime Minister Golda Meir did not want to attack Damascus, so the IDF stopped its advance and focused its activities on recapturing Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the region and a key Israeli radar and observation post that had fallen to the Syrians early in the fighting. On October 22, Israel once again controlled the Golan Heights.
Brink of Nuclear War
As Israeli troops began to advance on Damascus, the Soviets started to panic. On October 12, the Soviet ambassador informed Kissinger that his government was placing troops on alert to defend Damascus. The situation grew even more tense over the next two weeks, as Israeli forces reversed the initial Egyptian gains in the Sinai and began to threaten Cairo. The Egyptian Third Army was surrounded, and Israel would not allow the Red Cross to bring in supplies. At this point, Sadat began to seek Soviet help in pressing Israel to accept a cease-fire.
On October 24, the Soviets threatened to intervene in the fighting. The American CIA, reported that the Soviet airlift to Egypt had stopped and that it was possible the planes were being prepared to change the cargo from weapons to troops.
The United States was in the midst of the political upheaval of the Watergate scandal, and now this domestic crisis was compounded by an international one. Responding to the Soviet threat, Nixon put the U.S. military on alert, increasing its readiness for deployment of conventional and nuclear forces.
Some people believed Nixon was trying to divert attention from his political problems at home, but the danger of a U.S.-Soviet conflict was real. In fact, this was probably the closest the superpowers ever came to a nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Fortunately for everyone, the Soviets backed down and never sent troops to fight. The United States also pressured Israel to allow the Red Cross to bring supplies to Egypt's Third Army.
Saving The Losers
The Soviet Union showed no interest in initiating peacemaking efforts, so long as it looked like the Arabs might win. The same was true for UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. Once the situation on the battlefield changed in Israel's favor, however, desperate calls were made for the fighting to end.
On October 22, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 338 calling for "all parties to the present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately." The resolution also called for the implementation of Resolution 242. The vote came on the day that Israeli forces cut off and isolated the Egyptian Third Army and were in a position to destroy it.
Israel reluctantly complied with the cease-fire, largely because of U.S. pressure, but also because the next military moves would have been to attack the two Arab capitals, something few believed would be politically wise. Despite the Israel Defense Force's ultimate success on the battlefield, the war was considered a diplomatic and intelligence failure.
By the end of the fighting, 2,688 Israeli soldiers had been killed. Combat deaths for Egypt and Syria totaled 7,700 and 3,500, respectively.
Disengagement Has a Ring to It
Ironically, the United States had helped save Israel by its resupply effort – and then rescued Egypt by forcing Israel to accept the cease-fire. Henry Kissinger had used U.S. power and diplomacy to try to bring about a war result that would allow Egyptians to erase the stain of 1967 without allowing them to win or Israel to humiliate them again.
In January 1974, Israel and Egypt negotiated a disengagement agreement thanks to Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy. The Sinai-1 accord allowed the Egyptians to retain control of the Suez Canal, freed the Third Army, and drew a cease-fire line on the east side of the canal, with a buffer zone between the two forces.
A second disengagement agreement (Sinai-2) was signed in September 1975, which called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two strategic passes in the Sinai and some surrounding territory. The Egyptians were not allowed back into this neutral zone; instead, U.S. peacekeepers were deployed to monitor the area.
Syria Fronts the Rejectionists
The negotiations with the Syrians were more tortuous. It was not until May 1974 that a separation of forces agreement was signed that created a UN-policed buffer zone, a reduction in troop deployment, and the return of the town of Kuneitra to Syria. And that came only after a renewal of fighting in March. Syria fired artillery at Israeli positions between March and May, during which 37 more Israeli soldiers were killed.
When the Syrians returned to Kuneitra, they found it was in ruins and accused Israel of destroying the town. In fact, Kuneitra was severely damaged in both the 1967 and 1973 conflicts. Its strategic position near the Israeli border proved suitable for the location of Syrian army facilities. Military installations, barracks, support centers, fuel, and ammunition dumps were constructed.
In 1973, the town was shelled and captured by Syrian troops, retaken by the Israelis, and then defended against intense Syrian counterattacks. Tanks roamed through the town, between and through buildings. Kuneitra also suffered damage from 81 days of artillery duels that preceded the disengagement.
The United States rewarded Syria for the agreement with a modest grant of financial assistance – the first in 30 years – in hopes of building a new relationship with the regime of Hafez Assad and encouraging him to negotiate a peace agreement. As Nixon's successors would also discover, Assad was happy to take whatever the United States was willing to offer, but he gave nothing in return. Rather than join the peace process, Assad became one of the leaders of the rejectionist front.
Assad was also determined to impede Israel-Egyptian negotiations. He feared that an agreement between them would reduce Egypt's willingness to fight for the Arab cause, and that Sadat would accept a separate deal with Israel that would not address Syrian grievances.
To this day, Syria has shown inconsequential movement toward conciliation with Israel, or the West.
Excerpted with permission from: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Middle East Conflict," by Mitchell Bard, Ph.D. (Alpha Books – Macmillan USA)
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| i don't know |
The Egyptian species of which small mammal is also called the ichneumon? | Ichneumon | Define Ichneumon at Dictionary.com
ichneumon
[ik-noo-muh n, -nyoo-] /ɪkˈnu mən, -ˈnyu-/
Spell
noun
1.
Also called African mongoose, Egyptian mongoose. a slender, long-tailed mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, inhabiting Africa and southern Europe, and believed by the ancient Egyptians to devour crocodile eggs.
2.
1565-75; < Latin < Greek ichneúmōn tracker, equivalent to ichneú(ein) to track (see ichno- ) + -mōn agent suffix
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Examples from the Web for ichneumon
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The King's Own Captain Frederick Marryat
Apparently the ichneumon fly (Ophion obscurum), and not the true sawfly, is meant.
A Thin Ghost and Others M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
After the ichneumon flies had disappeared, a new difficulty arose.
Animal Parasites and Messmates P. J. Van Beneden
British Dictionary definitions for ichneumon
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a mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, of Africa and S Europe, having greyish-brown speckled fur
Word Origin
C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: tracker, hunter, from ikhneuein to track, from ikhnos a footprint; so named from the animal's alleged ability to locate the eggs of crocodiles
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for ichneumon
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n.
1570s, originally a weasel-like animal in Egypt, Latinized from Greek ikhneumon, literally "searcher, tracker," perhaps because it hunts crocodile eggs, from ikhneuein "hunt for, track," from ikhnos "a track, footstep, trace, clue," of unknown origin. Used by Aristotle for a species of wasp that hunts spiders (a sense in English from 1650s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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The guanaco belongs to which animal family? | Ichneumon Wasp Sightings, Locations, Photos and Dates
Ichneumon Wasp Sightings
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Article below from Wikipedia entry: Ichneumonidae
The Ichneumonidae are a family within the order Hymenoptera. Insects in this family are commonly called ichneumon wasps. Less exact terms are ichneumon flies (they are not closely related to true flies), or scorpion wasps due to the extreme lengthening and curving of the abdomen (scorpions are arachnids). Simply but ambiguously, these insects are commonly called "ichneumons", which is also a term for the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon); ichneumonids is often encountered as a less ambiguous alternative. Ichneumon wasps are important parasitoids of other insects. Common hosts are larvae and pupae of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera.
Over 60,000 species occur worldwide, with about 3,000 in North America - more than any other Hymenoptera family. The distribution of Ichneumonidae is one of the most notable exceptions to the common latitudinal gradient in species diversity because it shows greater speciation at high latitudes than at low latitudes.[1]
Charles Darwin discussed the Ichneumonidae with regard to his views on religion; see Darwin and the Ichneumonidae, below.
Contents
3.1 The process of oviposition in Dolichomitus imperator
4 Taxonomy and systematics
7 Darwin and the Ichneumonidae
8 See also
11.4 Other
Description
Ichneumon wasps differ from typical, aculeate wasps, which sting in defense and do not pass their eggs along the stinger (Aculeata: Vespoidea and Apoidea), in that the antennae have more segments; typically 16 or more, whereas the others have 13 or fewer. Female ichneumon wasps sometimes have an ovipositor longer than their body. Ovipositors and stingers are homologous structures; Ichneumons generally inject venom along with the egg, but only larger species, with relatively shorter ovipositors, use the ovipositor as a stinger in defense. Stingers in aculeate Hymenoptera - which like Ichneumonidae belong to the Apocrita - are used exclusively for defense; they cannot be used as egg-laying equipment. Males do not possess stingers or ovipositors in either lineage.
Ichneumonidae wing morphology
Braconidae wing morphology
Distinction from Braconidae
Ichneumonidae are distinguished from their sister group Braconidae by these character combinations. Vein 2m-cu of the forewing is present in 95% of Ichneumonidae - it is absent in Braconidae; vein 1/Rs+M is absent in all Ichneumonidae- it is present in 85% of Braconidae. Vein 1R-M of the hind wing is opposite or apical to the separation of R1 and Rs in Ichneumonidae- it is basal in Braconidae. About 90% of Ichneumonidae have a flexible suture between metasomal terga 2 and 3 -these tergites are fused in Braconidae (though the suture is secondarily flexible in Aphidiinae).[2]
Reproduction and oviposition
Males search for females for mating
Some species of ichneumon wasps lay their eggs in the ground, but most inject them directly into a host's body, typically into a larva or pupa. Host information has been notably summed up by J.F. Aubert, et al.[3]
In some of the largest species, namely from the genera Megarhyssa and Rhyssa, both sexes will wander over the surfaces of logs and tree trunks, tapping with their antennae. Each sex does so for a different reason; females are searching for the scent of wood-boring larvae of the horntail wasps (hymenopteran family Siricidae) upon which to lay eggs; males are searching for emerging females with which to mate.
Upon sensing the vibrations emitted by a wood-boring host, the female wasp will drill her ovipositor into the substrate until it reaches the cavity wherein lies the host. She then injects an egg through the hollow tube into the body cavity. There, the egg will hatch and the resulting larva will devour its host before emergence. How a female is able to drill with her ovipositor into solid wood is still somewhat of a mystery, though metal (ionized manganese or zinc) is found in the extreme tip of some species' ovipositors. The adult insect, following pupation, is faced with the problem of extricating itself from tunnels of its host. Fortunately, the high metal concentrations are not limited to the female's ovipositor, as the mandibles of the adult are also hardened with metals and it uses these to chew itself out of the wood.[4]
The process of oviposition in Dolichomitus imperator
Tapping with her antennae, the wasp detects and localizes scent and vibrations that indicate a host is present.
With the longer ovipositor, the wasp drills a hole through the bark.
The wasp inserts the ovipositor into the cavity which contains the host larva.
Making corrections.
Depositing her eggs.
Taxonomy and systematics
The Ichneumonidae are the subject of ongoing taxonomical difficulty. About as diverse as the true weevils (Curculionidae), there are numerous small, inconspicuous and hard-to-identify ichneumon wasps. The sheer diversity means DNA sequence data are only available for a tiny fraction of the species, and detailed cladistic studies require major-scale computing capacity.
Consequently, the phylogeny and systematics of the ichneumon wasps are not definitely resolved. Several prominent authors - such as H. T. Townes and J. Oehlke - have gone as far as to publish major reviews that defy the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.[5]
Regardless, a number of seminal works exist, including the extensive study and the synonymic catalogue by Townes, but also treatments by other entomologists, namely J. F. Aubert, whose notable collection of ichneumon wasps is in Lausanne.[6]
Subfamilies
The list presented here follows the suggestion of David Wahl of the American Entomological Institute.[7] It will be updated as necessary, as new research refines the interrelationships of the ichneumon wasps.
The subfamilies are not listed in a taxonomic or phylogenetic sequence, as the relationships between the groups are not yet resolved to a degree to render any such arrangement reliable:[7]
Acaenitinae
Brachycyrtinae (sometimes included in Labiinae)
Campopleginae (= Porizontinae)
Cylloceriinae (= Oxytorinae, sometimes included in Microleptinae)
Diacritinae (sometimes included in Pimplinae)
Diplazontinae
Eucerotinae (sometimes included in Tryphoninae)
Ichneumoninae
Lycorininae (sometimes included in Banchinae)
Mesochorinae
Neorhacodinae (sometimes included in Banchinae)
Ophioninae
Orthocentrinae (sometimes included in Microleptinae)
Orthopelmatinae
Paxylommatinae (sometimes not placed in Ichneumonidae at all)
Pedunculinae
Poemeniinae (sometimes included in Pimplinae)
Rhyssinae (sometimes included in Pimplinae)
Stilbopinae (sometimes included in Banchinae)
Tatogastrinae (sometimes included in Microleptinae or Oxytorinae)
Tersilochinae
Constantin Wesmael
Darwin and the Ichneumonidae
The grisliness and apparent cruelty (at least, from a human perspective) of Ichneumonidae larval cannibalism troubled philosophers, naturalists, and theologians in the 19th century, who found the practice inconsistent with the notion of a world created by a loving and benevolent God.[9] Charles Darwin found the example of the Ichneumonidae so troubling, it contributed to his increasing doubts about the nature and existence of a Creator. In an 1860 letter to the American naturalist Asa Gray, Darwin wrote:
I own that I cannot see as plainly as others do, and as I should wish to do, evidence of design and beneficence on all sides of us. There seems to me too much misery in the world. I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidae with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of Caterpillars, or that a cat should play with mice.[10]
See also
Checklist of UK recorded Ichneumonidae
Footnotes
^ Sime & Brower (1998)
^ Sharkey, M.J. (1993), Family Braconidae, pp. 362-394. In: Goulet, H. and J. Huber (eds.). Hymenoptera of the world, an identification guide to families, Agriculture Canada Research Branch Monograph No. 1894E.
^ Aubert (1969, 1978, 2000), Perkins (1959, 1960), Townes et al. (1965)
^ Ross Piper (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press
^ Oehlke (1966, 1967), Townes (1969abc, 1971)
^ Aubert (1969, 1978, 2000), Gauld (1976), Perkins (1959, 1960), Townes (1969abc, 1971), Townes et al. (1965)
^ a b Wahl (1999)
^ "Letter 2814 — Darwin, C. R. to Gray, Asa, 22 May [1860]". Retrieved 2011-04-05.
References
Aubert, J. F. (1969): Les Ichneumonides ouest-palearctiques et leurs hotes 1. Pimplinae, Xoridinae, Acaenitinae ["The Western Palearctic ichneumon wasps and their hosts. 1. Pimplinae, Xoridinae, Acaenitinae"]. Laboratoire d'Evolution des Etres Organises, Paris. [in French]
Aubert, J. F. (1978): Les Ichneumonides ouest-palearctiques et leurs hotes 2. Banchinae et Suppl. aux Pimplinae ["The Western Palearctic ichneumon wasps and their hosts. 2. Banchinae and supplement to the Pimplinae"]. Laboratoire d'Evolution des Etres Organises, Paris & EDIFAT-OPIDA, Echauffour. [in French]
Aubert, J. F. (2000): Les ichneumonides oeust-palearctiques et leurs hotes. 3. Scolobatinae (=Ctenopelmatinae) et suppl. aux volumes precedents [The West Palaearctic ichneumonids and their hosts. 3. Scolobatinae (= Ctenopelmatinae) and supplements to preceding volumes]. Litterae Zoologicae 5: 1-310. [French with English abstract]
Fitton, M. G. & Gauld, I. D. (1976): The family-group names of the Ichneumonidae (excluding Ichneumoninae) (Hymenoptera). Systematic Entomology 1: 247-258.
Fitton, M. G. & Gauld, I. D. (1978): Further notes on family-group names of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera). Systematic Entomology 3: 245-247.
Gauld, I. D. (1976): The classification of the Anomaloninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Entomology) 33: 1-135.
Oehlke J. (1966): Die westpaläarktische Arte der Tribus Poemeniini (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) ["The Western Palearctic species of the tribe Poemeniini"]. Beiträge zur Entomologie 15: 881-892.
Oehlke J. (1967): Westpaläarktische Ichneumonidae 1, Ephialtinae. Hymenopterorum Catalogus (new edition) 2: 1-49.
Perkins, J. F. (1959): Ichneumonidae, key to subfamilies and Ichneumoninae – 1. Handbook for the Identification of British Insects 7(part 2ai): 1–116.
Perkins, J. F. (1960): Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea: Ichneumonidae, subfamilies Ichneumoninae 2, Alomyinae, Agriotypinae and Lycorininae. Handbook for the Identification of British Insects 7(part 2aii): 1–96.
Sime, K., & Brower, A. (1998): Explaining the latitudinal gradient anomaly in ichneumonid species richness: evidence from butterflies. Journal of Animal Ecology 67: 387-399
Tereshkin, A. (2009): Illustrated key to the tribes of subfamilia Ichneumoninae and genera of the tribe Platylabini of world fauna (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). Linzer biol. Beitr. 41/2: 1317-1608. PDF
Townes, H. T. (1969a): Genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 1 (Ephialtinae, Tryphoninae, Labiinae, Adelognathinae, Xoridinae, Agriotypinae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 11: 1-300.
Townes, H. T. (1969b): Genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 2 (Gelinae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 12: 1-537.
Townes, H. T. (1969c): Genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 3 (Lycorininae, Banchinae, Scolobatinae, Porizontinae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 13: 1-307.
Townes, H. T. (1971): Genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 4 (Cremastinae, Phrudinae, Tersilochinae, Ophioninae, Mesochorinae, Metopiinae, Anomalinae, Acaenitinae, Microleptinae, Orthopelmatinae, Collyriinae, Orthocentrinae, Diplazontinae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 17: 1-372.
Townes, H. T. ; Momoi, S. A. & Townes, M. (1965): Catalogue and Reclassification of Eastern Palearctic Ichneumonidae Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 5: 1-661 pages.
Wahl, David (1999): Classification and Systematics of the Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera). Version of 1999-JUL-19. Retrieved 2008-JUN-18.
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The babirusa is a wild variety of which domesticated animal? | 15 The Babirusa
15 The Babirusa
Part IlI : Pig and Piglike Species
In parts of Asia wild and feral pigs are often the most abundant source of meat. These animals are predominantly variants of the domestic pig, Sus scrofa, or of its ancestor, the Eurasian wild boar. Also contributing to the pig population are five Asian species:
· Bearded pig
· Pigmy hog
· Babirusa
In Southeast Asia hybridization between these species and common pigs has resulted in a confusing diversity of forms and interrelationships. Because of their value, these pigs have been spread since prehistoric times by traders and migrating peoples, creating odd and unpredictable distribution patterns.
The species listed represent a gene pool of potential importance for the further development of one of man's most important sources of food.
In many areas of the world, one must start with the native animals adapted to that environment. In many cases, they are the only animals the native human population can afford to begin with. And it is amazing the increased animal production that can result from the use of better production practices with them. TONY J. CUNHA, Dean Emeritus California State Polytechnic University Pomona, California, USA
Fitting the animal to the vegetation might be a better approach than trying to fit the vegetation to the animal, especially on ranges that have been changed or degraded by man. JAMES TEER, Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, Texas, USA
There is now widespread realization that breed importation is not necessarily the quickest route to increased animal production. Indigenous, adapted breeds should be examined more closely and, where necessary, steps should be taken to ensure conservation of at least some of them. HELEN NEWTON TURNER Genetics Research Laboratories, CSIRO, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
Maximizing the animal harvest, essentially of animal protein, assumes in concept that all animals will be fully exploited in efficient and economic production systems. C.DEVENDRA Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Selangor, Malaysia
FIGURE
11 The Bearded Pig
Although it apparently has never been domesticated, the bearded pig (Sus barbatus) has a long history as an important resource in Southeast Asia. Human remains from the Niah Caves in Sarawak are accompanied by large numbers of its bones and teeth, indicating that 40,000 years ago it was the most commonly eaten large animal. Today in Sarawak and some other areas the bearded pig is still probably the most sought after source of wild meat.
Appearance and Size
Bearded pigs are large. Boars measure 1-1.6 m in length (crown to rump), up to 1 m in height, and may weigh as much as 150 kg. Sows are smaller. Adult males have small facial warts (infraocular and preocular) and a bushy tuft of hair on the cheek. Both sexes vary in color from pale red-brown to yellow-brown or black. They have elongated skulls with longer, more flexible snouts than the common pig.
Distribution
Five subspecies are recognized. They range through the Philippines (Balabac, Palawan and offshore islands, Calamianes, Luzon, Mainit, Mindanao, Jolo, Mindoro, and Cebu) to Borneo, Bangka, Sumatra, the Riau Archipelago, and the Malay Peninsula.
Status
The Borneo subspecies (Sus barbatus barbatus) is still abundant in some parts of Sabah, Sarawak (including several wildlife reserves), and
Kalimantan. It remains an important food resource for some hill tribes, although with the spread of Islam, attitudes toward pork are changing in some areas. The Malayan subspecies (Sus barbatus of) is now rare in the Malay Peninsula. It is also becoming rare in Sumatra as the lowland forests are logged and broken up by commercial interests and as the human population expands. The status of the three Philippine subspecies is currently unknown.
Habitat and Environment
The bearded pig is most commonly found in both primary and secondary evergreen forests. However, it seems to have wide adaptability, and in Sarawak bearded pigs are found in virtually all habitats from the beaches to the upland rain forests.
Biology
No biological research has yet been conducted on bearded pigs, but naturalists have made several observations. The pigs eat the seeds of trees (for example, those of species of Dipterocarpaceae and Fageceae), fallen fruits (of Moraceae, Bombacaceae, and other plant families), roots, stems of wild bananas, herbs, and probably earthworms, and along the coast they dig up and eat turtle eggs.
Births occur throughout the year in Sabah, but the peak coincides with the fruiting season of forest trees, usually August-September. The litter size is from 3 to 11 piglets.
FIGURE
Behavior
No behavioral studies have been conducted, but observations suggest that bearded pigs are generally sedentary animals, although in some areas they congregate into large groups that may travel long distances together.
Uses
The species might be used (alone or together with other pig species) as a local source of meat, or even as the foundation of a meat industry. The bearded pig is accustomed to living in groups, which may make it suitable for husbandry or game management.
There is evidence that the bearded pig will interbreed with the common pig, producing young in which both sexes are fertile.* The progeny might have considerable hybrid vigor.
Potential Advantages
The bearded pig may have tolerance (if not actual resistance) to tropical diseases and conditions that affect the common pig. The species survives in areas of Southeast Asia where feral herds of common pigs are not common, apparently owing to their inability to cope with disease or other environmental challenges.
Limitations
No negative qualities have been reported, but the animal's biology, behavior, management, and potential uses are so far virtually unstudied.
Research and Conservation Needs
Aspects of the animal's general biology that should be investigated include:
· Chromosome type and variability, and chromosomal differences between the bearded pig and other wild and domesticated pig species
· Reproductive physiology
· Nutritional physiology
· Social behavior (both in its wild state and under controlled conditions).
To assist in the selective capture of young bearded pigs in the wild, external features that characterize the species at an early age need to be identified.
To assess the bearded pig's potential for contributing hybrid vigor, crossbreeding with other pig species should be attempted under controlled conditions.
12 The Sulawesi Warty Pig
The Sulawesi warty pig (Sus celebensis) is one of the world's few domesticated animals. It is maintained as a village or household animal in a few areas of Southeast Asia, such as on the Indonesian island of Roti. The common pigs of New Guinea and parts of the Moluccas group are hybrids between this species and the common pig.
Appearance and Size
Sulawesi warty pigs are medium sized, averaging about 60 cm high and 40-70 kg. Boars are larger than females and have longer (10 cm) tusks on both jaws. Boars have three pairs of prominent facial warts: on the snout, the cheek, and on the angle of the jaw. In sows these warts are small or absent entirely.
The animals are usually red-brown with sharply marked white and yellow undersides; older animals have a round white spot (about 3 cm in diameter) on each side of the upper cheek. Piglets have horizontal stripes on the body, which disappear as they mature.
The body is covered with scanty coarse hair, but stiff bristles, which become erect when the animal is alarmed, occur along the mid-dorsal line of the body. The longest and stiffest occur on the head and nape.
Distribution
Native to mainland Sulawesi and certain surrounding islands, the Sulawesi warty pig has been introduced to the Lesser Sunda Islands (Flores, Sumba, Roti, Semau, and Timor), the Moluccas (Malmahera and Buru), and Simaleue, a small island west of Sumatra. In some parts of the Philippines (for instance, Naujan and Mindoro Oriental) the animal either occur naturally or has been introduced.
Hybrids between the Sulawesi warty pig and the common domestic pig occur on New Guinea, Ternate, Morotai, Bacan, Amron, Seram, Kei island, Aru island, and Sulawatti.
Status
In many islands of eastern Indonesia, this species is widespread and common. In a few places it is extremely abundant, particularly at higher altitudes; in others, it has been greatly reduced by overhunting, deforestation, and expanding human settlement.
Overall, however, Sulawesi warty pig populations are declining, probably due to increased hunting and to human alterations of the animal's habitats.
Habitat and Environment
This pig inhabits varied environments, including rain forest, mountain forest, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
FIGURE
Biology
Like the common pig, the Sulawesi warty pig has broad dietary preferences. It feeds on roots, fallen fruit, leaves, and young shoots. The bulk of its food consists of vegetable materials, but it also feeds on earthworms, insects, aquatic invertebrates, rats, birds, and even carrion.
The uterus and placenta are anatomically indistinguishable from those of the common pig. The litter size is from 2 to 8 piglets, with an average of 5.
Sows can give birth throughout the year, but usually have their young in April or May. The gestation period is about 4 months.
Behavior
Breeding and farrowing occur in the forest and in open Imperata cylindrica grasslands. The pregnant female makes a nest of grasses, leaves, twigs, and branches, which she collects and places over a hole (approximately 2 m long) that she has previously dug. Here she gives birth.
Foraging is the main activity of the day and usually takes up several hours, mainly in the early morning and evening. In the wild the pigs travel in small groups, the young always traveling with an adult female. On the move, warty pigs feed and rest intermittently.
Uses
As a source of meat the Sulawesi warty pig has been recognized and exploited by local populations since prehistoric times. The presence of feral specimens far outside the pigs' natural range indicates that traders or migrants have long carried it with them on voyages, either as domestic stock or as wild specimens to be released for later capture.
The tusks, which can be carved like ivory, are a resource for local artisans. Wild specimens are suitable for sport hunting.
Potential Advantages
There is a body of unrecorded indigenous experience with this animal as a domesticate, but the information needs to be collected and appraised.
The Sulawesi warty pig may be expected to possess resistance or tolerance to the many diseases prevalent in its native habitat.
There is promising potential for hybridization between this species and domestic pigs, which might lead to the improvement of common pigs in tropical regions.
Limitations
Apart from the unwritten knowledge of the indigenous people who raise the species, very little information is available on the characteristics and management of this animal.
Research and Conservation Needs
The genetic variability within the species, as well as the karyotypic differences with common pigs and other Sus species, should be defined. Further, the hybrid vigor resulting from crossbreeding with other Sus species should be- quantified under controlled conditions. Apart from producing potentially important heat-tolerant livestock, crossbreeding may shed important light on the origins of the common pig in Asia.
The animal's nutritional requirements and reproductive biology also need study.
FIGURE
13 Javan Warty Pig
The Javan warty pig (Sus verrucosus) apparently has never been domesticated, but it has been a resource for hunting peoples for centuries. Now, however, the human population in its native region is predominantly Moslem, and all pigs are widely regarded as agricultural pests. Increasing numbers of them are poisoned each year.
Appearance and Size
The Javan warty pig can be up to 1.35 m long and 0.9 m tall. Mature males usually weigh between 80 and 120 kg; females are only half that weight - an unusually dramatic example of sexual dimorphism. The animal has a markedly elongated face with large warts, particularly the infraorbital wart and the smaller preorbital and mandibular warts. Body hairs can be black, red, or yellow, with black tips.
Distribution
This species is found only on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bawean. It was formerly found on Madura as well, but because of deforestation it is now thought to be extinct there. Two extant subspecies are recognized. The nominate one, Sus verrucosus verrucosus, occurs on mainland Java. The second, Sus verrucosus blouchi, a smaller animal, has recently been described on Bawean.
Status
For years it was thought that the Javan warty pig was extinct in the wild, but in October 1981 a herd was found in a small area on Mount Penanggungan in East Java. This population may prove to be substantial, and there is reason to hope that other populations can be found. Overall, however, it is clear that the Javan warty pig is endangered and declining in numbers. In many areas the animals are subjected to uncontrolled poisoning and hunting.
Five new reserves have recently been proposed to protect the animal in a variety of habitats because it is not found in appreciable numbers in any of Java's nature reserves.
The Bawean subspecies is believed to be relatively secure since the establishment of a large reserve.
A breeding colony of 12 Javan warty pigs at the Surabaya Zoo includes 5 young ones born in captivity.
Habitat and Environment
Habitats of the Javan warty pig appear to be confined to elevations below about 800 m. The animals prefer relatively large expanses of grassland or secondary vegetation, where human population is sparse.
FIGURE
Biology
The piglets can be born throughout the year; in one study of 8 sows the litter size ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean of 5.
The (diploid) chromosome number has been found to be 38, the same as that of the common pig. Hybridization between these species is thought to occur in the wild, but apparently not with enough frequency to contaminate the Javan warty pig gene pool.
Behavior
These are omnivorous, adaptable animals that might make useful domesticates.
Potential Advantages
The small size of the sows could make this species particularly appropriate for households or smallholder farms. The animal's genetic "distance" from the domestic pig may make it a useful generator of hybrid vigor in crossbreeds. It could have particular value because its meat is much leaner than pork from the common pig.
Limitations
The numbers in the wild are now too few to permit any cropping.
Research and Conservation Needs
Efforts should be directed towards locating and breeding up the Javan warty pig populations that still exist. An immediate need is to isolate pure populations in reserves because it is essential to protect the animal from crossbreeding with other species. In addition, current specimens in zoos should be cataloged and a breeding program established. Other captive breeding colonies should also be started.
It is important to determine the genetic differences between the Javan warty pig and the common pig, as well as the levels of existing hybridization between them. It is also necessary to determine what variation in karyotype may exist within the populations.
Basic ecological and behavioral studies are needed, as well as studies of the dietary requirements, growth rates, and nutritional physiology of captive specimens. The reproductive biology of the animal should be studied, and the possibility of crossbreeding it with other Sus species should be examined under controlled conditions.
The Javan warty pig's potential for local meat production should be evaluated. The benefit to rural people of converting an agricultural pest into a profitable source of income should be explored within the local religious context.
FIGURE
14 Pigmy Hog
The pigmy hog (Sus salvanius), a shy and very small pig of northeastern India, is close to extinction because of hunters and the destruction of its habitat.
Appearance and Size
The pigmy hog is only about 60 cm long, with a shoulder height of about 25 cm and a body weight of less than 10 kg. The hair is medium brown on the sides, darkening to blackish brown along the mid-dorsal line. A facial band of short, dark hair extends from the bridge of the nose to below the eye. The tiny tail is only 3 cm long.
Distribution
This animal was once widely found along the southern foothills of the Himalayas; today, it is definitely known to occur in only one area, the Manas National Park in Assam.
Status
Pigmy hogs are seriously endangered; in the wild they are close to extinction. Captive animals are now reduced to a single male in the Assam State Zoo and four male siblings in the Zurich Zoo.
Habitat and Environment
The few remaining pigmy hogs mainly inhabit tall-grass savannas, but it seems likely that they could adapt to other environments.
Pigmy hog. (W.L.R. Oliver)
Biology
The animal is omnivorous and consumes roots, tubers, grass, leaves, insects, earthworms, eggs, and carrion. While foraging, it undoubtedly consumes large quantities of earth as well.
The chromosome number, 38, is the same as that of the common pig. The karyotype is similar to that the common pig, but small, significant differences have been demonstrated using chromosome banding techniques.*
The age at puberty, time of weaning, length of gestation and estrous cycle, and season of breeding are not yet known with certainty. However, the animal is known to have a single well-defined birth peak (April/May) that coincides with the onset of the rainy season when the food supply increases. The uterus and placenta are anatomically similar to those of the common pig. The litter size varies from 2 to 6. It is not known if the animal can be crossbred with the common pig.
Distribution of pigmy hog. (W.L.R. Oliver)
Behavior
The animals are shy, but can be tamed. They tend to forage and run in groups. Nest building is carried out by both males and females and is not restricted to pre-farrowing periods.
Uses
There is no evidence that the pigmy hog has ever been domesticated; it has, however, been extensively hunted and trapped, and recently it was still being sold for human consumption. There would probably be no inherent difficulty in maintaining this species in husbandry.
Potential Advantages
The pigmy hog's small size may make it useful in studies of the physiology of pigs and like mammals. In particular, a study of the uterine capacity may contribute to our understanding of the maternal factors that influence the number and size of mammalian young at birth.
It is unknown if the animal carries genetic resistance to diseases of the domestic pig, but given its habitat, such resistance seems likely.
Limitations
The small numbers of surviving pigmy hogs obviate any consideration of its use in husbandry at the present time. Moreover, its nervous temperament might restrict its potential as a domesticate.
Research and Conservation Needs
It is essential to ensure the survival of this animal. Efforts should be directed towards locating and breeding up the populations that still exist. If its habitat could be protected by preventing the annual dry-season burning of grasses, it is possible that substantial populations could be established. Attempts should also be made to acquire two or more females as mates for the male pigmy hogs at the Assam and Zurich zoos.
There is also an urgent need to ensure that the animals breed successfully in captivity, and the wealth of international expertise in pig reproduction should be applied to that end. For example, the reproductive biology of the animal could be studied by swine experts; the age at puberty, the length of the estrous cycle, the season of breeding (and whether it is influenced by light or temperature), the length of gestation, and time of weaning all need to be determined.
The animal is an omnivore, but the physiology of its digestion has not been studied. Thus, its nutritive requirements are not well enough known to ensure its survival in captivity or reserves.
Experiments should be made to determine if pigmy hog embryos can be brought to term in the uterus of the common pig. If so, such embryo transfers could be used to distribute embryos and set up new herds, lessening the risk of this species" extinction.
Adult male of the common pig (wild boar Sus scrofa) and pigmy hog drawn to the same scale. (W.L.R. Oliver)
15 The Babirusa
The babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) is a piglike animal whose closest relative appears to be an ancestral animal that lived in Europe 35 million years ago. It is easily tamed, and in its native area there is an ancient tradition of raising young babirusa for meat and for the males' unique tusks. The animal appears to reproduce well in captivity, and with good management techniques it might gain wide use in the tropics.
Appearance and Size
Male babirusa can be up to 110 cm long and 80 cm tall and weigh up to 100 kg; females are smaller. The male has large upper canines that grow upwards, piercing right through the flesh of the snout and curving back and downwards towards the forehead without ever entering the mouth. The female may sometimes have small upper canines projecting through the skin of the upper lip.
The animal is more slender than a pig of similar size. It has a gray or brown-grey skin color, although one subspecies, Babyrousa babyrussa babyrussa, has light body hair that is fawn colored or black.
Distribution
The babirusa is unique to a few islands of eastern Indonesia: north, central, and southeast Sulawesi, the Togian Islands, and the Sula (Taliabu and Sulabesi) and Buru Islands. On Sula and Buru it is probably not native but was introduced in prehistoric times.
Status
On Sulawesi the babirusa remains abundant, despite hunting and the widespread clearing of the forest. Nevertheless, disturbances created by wood and rattan collectors, hunters, loggers, and farmers threaten the babirusa's survival. Throughout the rest of its range, it is also vulnerable to extinction.
Biologists are particularly concerned about some of the babirusa subspecies. The one from the north of mainland Sulawesi, Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis, is still relatively abundant in places and is probably in no immediate danger. The Togian Islands' subspecies, Babyrousa babyrussa togeanensis, is abundant in small islands but is threatened by Indonesia's settlement programs and deforestation. The Buru and Sula Islands subspecies, Babyrousa babyrussa babyrussa, may already be extinct; there have been no confirmed sightings in recent years.
In 1981, there were 26 male and 27 female babirusa held in six zoo collections; 22 of these animals are in the Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia, where they breed well. Most, if not all, are believed to belong to the mainland Sulawesi race.
Habitat and Environment
The animals mainly inhabit moist forests at low altitudes.
FIGURE
Biology
Precise details of babirusa biology are unknown, but the stomach has an extra sac, suggesting that the animals may have some ability to break down cellulose. Indeed, they browse leaves, a behavior more often found in a deer than in a pig, and have been referred to as "ruminant pigs." Babirusa also live on roots, berries, and grubs, making them true omnivores. Compared to other pigs, they do little rooting, and in captivity their enclosures remain quite grassy.
Babirusa are said to be sexually mature at 5-10 months, but this depends on nutrition. Gestation length is about 158 days. One or two young are produced although there are some reports of litters of three.
One specimen was kept for 24 years in captivity.
Behavior
The babirusa is a social animal that moves in groups. A retiring native of the dense jungle, it is a fast runner and swims readily. Mating behavior in captivity generally resembles that of domestic pig. Evidence from zoo animals suggests that the male must be removed from the young at birth but that by the time they are a month old the young are safe from paternal attack.
Uses
When captured young or reared in captivity, the babirusa is easily tamed. It has potential as a domesticated species, and with appropriate management may provide a useful source of meat. The meat is tasty and of good quality.
Because of its unique tusks, the skull of the male finds ready markets. This could provide additional income to farmers raising babirusa for meat. The ivory of the tusks could also be a resource for local artisans.
Potential Advantages
As noted, the anatomy of the stomach suggests that the babirusa may be able to make more efficient use of fibrous foodstuffs than other pigs.
Limitations
The babirusa produces only one or two young after a gestation period of just over five months; it may therefore take considerable time to build up herds.
Although the babirusa is easily tamed, it is not known whether it can be husbanded in large groups. Also, present lack of knowledge of the animal's nutrition may restrict its husbandry.
Research and Conservation Needs
The number of animals in the wild is decreasing, and attempts should be made to determine their exact status. Particular attention should be paid to the subspecies Babyrousa babyrussa togeanensis and Babyrousa babyrussa babyrussa. Captive breeding programs for these subspecies should be started.
When seen in longitudinal section, the stomach of babirusa presents striking similarities to that of a relatively simple ruminant such as the domestic sheep. Every part except the omasum, even including a rudimentary reticulum, is represented and occupies the same relative position. The babirusa stomach differs from that of the domestic pig chiefly in the enormous size of the diverticulum ventriculi, the prominence of the constrictions that delimit its three main divisions, and in the size and complexity of the cardia. Regions corresponding to parts of the ruminant stomach are labeled in brackets. (Information from Davis, 1940; diagram courtesy Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.)
Wild populations should be maintained in several regions to ensure that the species" genetic base is retained. Advantage could be taken of the large number of islands in eastern Indonesia to establish reserves for the different babirusa subspecies.
Currently, little is known about the biology of the animal in the wild— its diet, social behavior, or reproductive performance are almost unstudied. In view of the relatively small number of babirusa in zoos and the scarcity of information about the animal's growth rate and general biology, coordinated studies between zoos could provide much basic information. It has been suggested that a studbook be initiated for this species.
It is clear from chromosome analysis that this pig differs markedly in its karyotype from that of other pigs. However, more anatomical and biochemical knowledge is needed.
Basic parameters of the animal's reproductive physiology are not known. Questions to be answered include:
· Can the babirusa be induced to reproduce twice per year?
· Can babirusa embryos be developed to term in the uterus of the domestic pig? If so, can the number of babirusas be rapidly multiplied in this way?
· Does the babirusa genotypic and gestation-length difference with the common pig prevent the two from successfully crossbreeding? And if crossbreeding can be achieved, will the progeny be fertile?
FIGURE
| Pig |
Which European capital stands on the river Aar? | HISTORY OF THE DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS
Enjoy the Famous Daily
Hunting species: 20,000-10,000 years ago
During the most recent ice age, from about 20,000 years ago (see Ice Ages ), large mammals such as bison roam on the sub-arctic tundra of Europe and Asia. They are preyed upon by two groups of hunters , both much smaller and weaker than themselves - but both with a sufficiently developed social system to enable them to hunt and kill in packs.
These hunters are humans and wolves.
The typical pack of wolves and of humans is surprisingly similar. It is family-based, led by a dominant male whose female partner is likely to have an authority second only to his. Members of the group are friendly to each other but deeply suspicious of outsiders. All members (not just the parents) are protective of the newly born and the young. Both species are good at interpreting the moods of others in the group, whether through facial expression or other forms of body language.
Legend acknowledges these shared characteristics in stories of children suckled by wolves. The other side of the same coin, in real life, means that wolf cubs adapt easily to life among humans.
For mutual benefit
Humans and wolves are competing for the same prey, but there are advantages for both in teaming up. For the wolf, human ingenuity and the use of weapons mean a share in a greater number of kills - and perhaps even an occasional taste of larger victims, such as mammoth. For humans, the wolf's speed and ferocity is equivalent to a new weapon.
The partnership is natural. So, undoubtedly, is how it first comes about. People love to nurture any abandoned young animal, and a wolf cub is well adapted to learn the rules of a hierarchical human society (in which its place will be low). From this partnership all dogs derive. Unbelievable though it seems, every single breed of dog is descended from wolves.
For a species to become domesticated, it must be willing to breed in man's company. 'Breed in captivity', the more usual phrase, implies a simple case of exploitation. The reality is more complex. In terms of survival, those species which have developed a relationship with man have far outstripped their wild cousins.
The most numerous large mammals, apart from humans, are cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and dogs. Domestic cats easily outnumber their wild equivalents, as do chickens and turkeys. The domestication of animals is based on an ancient contract, with benefits on both sides, between man and the ancestors of the breeds familiar to us today.
Dogs: from 12,000 years ago
The earliest known evidence of a domesticated dog is a jawbone found in a cave in Iraq and dated to about 12,000 years ago. It differs from a wolf in that it has been bred to have a smaller jaw and teeth. Selective breeding affects a species quite rapidly, and is a natural process for man to initiate - probably at first by accident rather than intention. A particular puppy in a litter is favoured because it has an attractive coat, barks well, is unusually friendly or obedient, noticeably large or small.
This is the dog which is kept and in its turn has puppies. Its desirable characteristics become perpetuated.
Images in Egyptian paintings, Assyrian sculptures and Roman mosaics reveal that by the time of these civilizations there are many different shapes and sizes of dog. To use the word 'breed' may be anachronistic, though there is evidence that a dog very like the present-day Pekingese (almost as far as one can get from a wolf) exists in China by the 1st century AD.
By that time Roman ladies also have lap dogs; their warmth is believed to be a cure for stomach ache. A Roman writer of the period gives similarly practical reasons for selecting the colour of a dog: shepherds' dogs should be white (to distinguish them from wolves in the dark) but a farmyard dog should have a black coat (to frighten thieves).
Sheep and goats, cattle and pigs: 9000-7000 BC
The first animals known to have been domesticated as a source of food are sheep in the Middle East. The proof is the high proportion of bones of one-year-old sheep discarded in a settlement at Shanidar, in what is now northern Iraq. Goats follow soon after, and these two become the standard animals of the nomadic pastoralists - tribes which move all year long with their flocks, guided by the availability of fresh grass.
Cattle and pigs, associated more with settled communities, are domesticated slightly later - but probably not long after 7000 BC. The ox may first have been bred by humans in western Asia. The pig is probably first domesticated in China.
The first reason for herding sheep and goats, or keeping cattle and pigs in the village, is to secure a regular supply of fresh meat. The hunter is dependent on the luck of the chase; if more animals are killed than can be immediately consumed, meals from the surplus will be increasingly unpleasant as the days go by. The herdsman, by contrast, has a living larder always to hand and a supply of dairy products as well.
These animals also provide for almost every other need of neolithic man. While they are alive, they produce dung to manure the crops. When they are dead, leather and wool for garments; horn and bone for sharp points, of needles or arrows; fat for tallow candles; hooves for glue.
Draught animals: from 4000 BC
Of the four basic farm animals, cattle represent the most significant development in village life. Not only does the cow provide much more milk than its own offspring require, but the brute strength of the ox is an unprecedented addition to man's muscle power.
From about 4000 BC oxen are harnessed and put to work. They drag sledges and, somewhat later, ploughs and wheeled wagons (an almost simultaneous innovation in the Middle East and in Europe). The plough immeasurably increases the crop of wheat or rice. The wagon enables it to be brought home from more distant fields.
India and southeast Asia use another version of the domesticated ox, well adapted to hot wet conditions - the water buffalo. Whether dragging a plough-like tool through a flooded field or hauling a cart on a dry track, the buffalo is ideally suited to the role of a farm animal in rice-growing areas. Like other members of the ox family, it also provides a good supply of milk.
The buffalo is first domesticated somewhere in the near-tropical regions of Asia. Precisely where or when is not known, but buffaloes feature as domestic animals on the seals of the Indus civilization .
Cats: from before 3000 BC
Apart from dogs , cats are the only domesticated animals to dwell indoors with humans. It is also the only one which is solitary in the wild, as opposed to living in packs, herds or flocks. As a result the cat has been able to take what it wants from man (food, shelter, play) and to pay its dues in return (pest control) without losing contact with its original identity.
Cats have remained closer than other domesticated animals to their wild cousins, partly because it is so difficult to control their breeding. And they are more able than any other to fend for themselves, in the country or even in a city, if human support is withdrawn.
It is not known when cats are first domesticated. But by the time of the earliest civilization they have already acquired in the human mind a characteristic which they have never lost - the quality of mystery.
In the temples of Egypt cats are sacred animals, and are mummified in their millions. In folk stories of all nations a cat is the natural companion for people who possess an alarming second sight, such as witches.
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Mexico and which country are separated by the Yucatan Channel? | Cuba to limit Mexico flights amid swine flu fears | Reuters
Mon Apr 27, 2009 | 4:08 PM BST
Cuba to limit Mexico flights amid swine flu fears
(Adds one Havana to Mexico City flight suspended, details)
HAVANA, April 27 The Cuban government said on Monday it would limit flights to and from Mexico as one of its measures to prevent an outbreak of swine flu on the island nation.
Representatives of Cubana Airlines said the state-owned carrier had canceled its Havana-to-Mexico City flight for Tuesday, but not yet for the days beyond that.
One official with the airline said the flight was suspended due to swine flu precautions. But another said it was canceled for other reasons and that it had nothing to do with the illness that has killed 103 people so far in Mexico.
There usually are at least four flights daily between the two countries, which are separated by the 115-mile-wide (185 km) Yucatan Channel.
The government announcement, published on the front page of Granma, the newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, did not mention whether any swine flu cases had been detected in Cuba.
Government sources told Reuters that medical teams would question passengers arriving on flights from Mexico and check them during their visit to Cuba to see if they showed signs of illness.
Medical personnel throughout the island were to be briefed on what to look for and how to deal with any cases of swine flu they found.
Sources also said pigs throughout Cuba were being monitored for symptoms.
The government advised Cubans to wash their hands frequently, and to cover their mouths and nose when they sneeze or cough to help limit the spread of germs.
(Reporting by Jeff Franks; editing by Pascal Fletcher and Will Dunham)
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What is the capital of the islands of Madeira? | Yucatán - definition of Yucatán by The Free Dictionary
Yucatán - definition of Yucatán by The Free Dictionary
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Yucat%c3%a1n
Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia .
Yu·ca·tán
(yo͞o′kə-tăn′, -tän′)
A peninsula mostly in southeast Mexico between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It includes many Mayan and Toltec sites and is separated from Cuba by the Yucatán Channel.
Yucatán
(ˌjuːkəˈtɑːn; Spanish jukaˈtan)
n
1. (Placename) a state of SE Mexico, occupying the N part of the Yucatán peninsula. Capital: Mérida. Pop: 1 655 707 (2000). Area: 39 340 sq km (15 186 sq miles)
2. (Placename) a peninsula of Central America between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, including the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, and part of Belize: a centre of Mayan civilization from about 100 bc to the 18th century. Area: about 181 300 sq km (70 000 sq miles)
Yu•ca•tán
(ˌyu kəˈtæn, -ˈtɑn)
n.
1. a peninsula in SE Mexico and N Central America comprising parts of SE Mexico, N Guatemala, and Belize.
2. a state in SE Mexico, in N Yucatán Peninsula. 1,556,622; 14,868 sq. mi. (38,510 sq. km). Cap.: Mérida.
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Which infamous club was founded in San Bernardino, California in 1948? | Bikers Of America, Know Your Rights!: Ten Most Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs...............
Ten Most Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs...............
Source: factoidz.com
USA - The outlaw biker gang can trace its origins to the period after World War II where returning veterans and other roadies began to organize themselves in clubs, pining for the freedom, action and nonconformity that the motorcycle offered. One of the seminal events in outlaw biker history was "The Hollister Riot," which took place over the July Fourth 1947 holiday weekend in Hollister, California, where some 4,000 motorcycle enthusiasts invaded the small town. The ensuing ruckus was later sensationalized in the July 21, 1947, issue of Life magazine, marking a famous milestone in biker history.
The Hollister Gypsy Tour, as the event was billed, included the Boozefighters, a South Central Los Angeles motorcycle club founded in 1946 by World War II vet William "Wino Willie" Forkner (1921-1997). Forkner reveled in his reputation as a biker hellraiser, and reportedly served as the inspiration for Lee Marvin's Chino character in Columbia Pictures' The Wild One (1953), which also starred Marlon Brando as bad boy Johnny Strabler, leader of the fictional Black Rebels.
Here are ten notorious outlaw biker gangs that rule the road in biker history. These are the so-called "1%ers," the bikers who operate out of the mainstream as compared to the other 99% of motorcyclists who abide by the law and norms of society. Kick start your engines and show your colors…
Hells Angels (1948-present)
Unarguably the best-known outlaw biker gang in history, Hells Angels owes its name to World War II and possibly the 1930 Howard Hughes movie of the same name. During Big Two, there did exist the United States Army Air Forces 303rd Heavy Bombardment Group (H) of the U.S. 8th Air Force which billed itself as Hell's Angels, flying B-17 combat missions out of Molesworth, England, from 1942-45.
Hells Angels was formed in the Fontana/San Bernardino, California, area on March 17, 1948 as an offshoot of the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington, a California motorcycle club founded in 1945 by American veterans of the air war. Other independent chapters of Hells Angels later sprouted up in Oakland, Gardena and San Francisco.
Hells Angels eventually spread its wings, with the club now sporting charters in 29 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, Greece, Denmark, France, Turkey and the Dominican Republic.The Hells Angels insignia is the infamous "death's head," designed by Frank Sadilek, a former president of the San Francisco chapter.
Both American and Canadian law enforcement have labeled the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) a crime syndicate, asserting that its members routinely engage in drug trafficking, extortion and violence. Hells Angels garnered notoriety at the Altamont Free Concert on December 6, 1969, when they were hired by the Rolling Stones to act as stage security. Mayhem ensued at the drug/alcohol fueled event that boasted of a crowd of 300,000, with four people losing their lives.
Mongols (1969-present)
The Mongols was founded on December 5, 1969 in Montebello, California, by Hispanic veterans of the Vietnam War. Reportedly denied membership in Hells Angels because of their race, the Mongols eventually branched out, currently boasting of chapters in 14 states and four foreign countries.
Law enforcement has classified the Mongols as a criminal enterprise, engaging in loan sharking, drug trafficking, racketeering, theft and murder for hire. ATF agent William Queen, using the alias Billy St. John, successfully infiltrated the Mongols in 1998, resulting in 53 Mongol convictions.
The Mongols and their hated rivals Hells Angels engaged in an infamous brawl and gunfight at Harrah's Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, in 2002. When the smoke had cleared, one Mongol and two Hells Angels lay dead on the casino floor.
Pagans (1959-present)
Lou Dobkins, a biochemist at the National Institute of Health, founded the Pagans in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1959. By the late 1960s, the Pagans were the dominant biker club on the East Coast, riding British Triumph motorcycles (later traded in for Harley Davidsons) and sporting their distinctive patch depicting the Norse fire god Sutr wielding a flaming sword.
The Pagans currently operate in eleven states, with Delaware County, Pennsylvania, serving as their Mother chapter. American law enforcement has classified the Pagans as a criminal enterprise, engaging in a host of illegal activities, including gun running, drug trafficking, arson, methamphetamine production and distribution, prostitution, racketeering and murder for hire.
In 2002, the Pagans and Hells Angels clashed at the Hellraiser Ball in Long Island, New York, where ten people were wounded and one Pagan was allegedly shot and killed by a Hells Angels member. Three years later, the Vice President of the Hells Angels Philadelphia chapter was killed by gunfire while driving his truck on the Schuylkill Expressway, with the Pagans allegedly carrying out the hit.
Outlaws (1935-present)
The Outlaws can trace their history back to 1935 when the McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club was formed out of Matilda's Bar on old Route 66 in McCook, Illinois. In the ensuing years, the club morphed into the McCook Outlaws, the Chicago Outlaws and the American Outlaws Association (A.O.A.). Their first out of state chapter came in Florida in 1967. In 1977, the Canadian biker gang Satan's Choice joined the Outlaws franchise, making it the first chapter outside of the United States. Today, the Outlaws are active in some 14 states, with international chapters in the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Thailand, Norway, Poland, the Philippines, et al.
The Outlaws sport a distinctive patch comprised of a skull and crossed pistons. Their official motto, adopted in 1969, is "God forgives, Outlaws don't."
Law enforcement has categorized the Outlaws as an organized crime syndicate, engaging in drug trafficking, murder, extortion and prostitution. The Outlaws have had their run-ins with police and other biker gangs. In 2007, Outlaws member Frank Rego Vital was shot and killed outside the Crazy Horse Saloon in Forest Park, Georgia, by two Renegades motorcycle club members who had reportedly acted in self-defense.
Bandidos (1966-present)
The Bandidos was founded by Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran Don Chambers in San Leon, Texas, in 1966. The club's official motto is "We are the people our parents warned us about," with a big Mexican in sombrero brandishing a machete and pistol adorning the club's distinctive patch. The Bandidos currently boast of 104 chapters in the United States, along with international chapters in Germany, Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Costa Rica, Belgium and the Channel Islands.
Law enforcement has classified the Bandidos as an organized crime syndicate, engaging in murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, gun running and witness tampering. From 1994 to 1997 the so-called "Great Nordic Biker War" was waged in Scandinavia pitting Bandidos versus Hells Angels in a bloody turf war that resulted in eleven murders. Vagos (1965-present)
Originally called the Psychos, Vagos was formed in Temescal Valley, California, in 1965. The club's distinctive green/red patch pictures the Norse god Loki straddling a motorcycle. Vagos currently operates mainly in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Both the FBI and the ATF consider Vagos an outlaw biker gang, engaging in drug trafficking, gun running, auto theft, money laundering and murder. In 2002, however, Vagos members turned in the estranged wife of a Pomona, California, police detective who had attempted to hire a Vagos hit man to murder her husband.
Law enforcement has successfully conducted several undercover investigations of Vagos and their illegal activities. In 2004, authorities arrested 26 Vagos members/associates and seized $125,000 in cash, drugs and weapons.
Pennsylvania Warlocks (1967-present)/Florida Warlocks (1967-present)
The Pennsylvania Warlocks was founded in Philadelphia in February 1967. The club's distinctive patch features the Harpy, the legendary winged beast from Greek mythology. The Pennsylvania Warlocks boast of chapters in New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Minnesota and Massachusetts. The Pennsylvania Warlocks have been linked to organized crime and methamphetamine production and distribution.
The Florida Warlocks was founded by U.S. Navy veteran Tom "Grub" Freeland in Orlando, Florida, in 1967. The club's logo is a blazing eagle while their official motto is "To find us you must be good. To catch us…you must be fast. To beat us…you must be kidding!" The Florida Warlocks have chapters in South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, the United Kingdom and Germany. The Florida Warlocks were successfully infiltrated by the ATF in 1991 and again in 2003, with convictions for drug and weapon charges resulting from the latter.
Sons of Silence (1966-present)
The Sons of Silence was founded in Niwot, Colorado, in 1966. The club sports a distinctive patch featuring the American Eagle superimposed over a large "A" – highly reminiscent of the Anheuser-Busch logo. The gang's official motto is "Donec mors non separat" – Latin for "Until death separates us."
The Sons of Silence boast of chapters in Illinois, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, North Dakota, Mississippi and Germany. The Sons of Silence have been implicated in drug trafficking and weapons violations.
Highwaymen (1954-present)
The Highwaymen was established in Detroit, Michigan, in 1954. The club's distinctive patch features a winged skeleton sporting a leather jacket, motorcycle cap and the black and silver colors. "Highwaymen forever, forever Highwaymen" serves as the gang's official motto.
The Highwaymen currently have chapters in Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Norway. The Highwaymen Motorcycle Club has been the subject of intense law enforcement scrutiny through the years. In 2007, the FBI arrested 40 Detroit Highwaymen members/associates on a variety of charges, including drug trafficking, theft, racketeering, insurance fraud, police corruption and murder for hire.
Gypsy Joker (1956-present)
The Gypsy Joker was founded in San Francisco, California, on April 1, 1956. The club's official patch features a grinning skull. Forced out of San Francisco by Hells Angels, the Gypsy Joker headed north to Oregon and Washington state in the late 1960s.
The Gypsy Joker has some 35 chapters worldwide, including active clubs in Australia, Germany, South Africa and Norway. The club is especially high profile in Australia, where in 2009 five Gypsy Jokers engaged in a drug-related shootout with a rival "bikie" gang (as they are called Down Under) in Perth.
Ten More Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs
Here are ten more infamous biker gangs, along with where established and years active.
•Free Souls (Eugene, Oregon, 1968-present) •The Breed (Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1965-present) •Rebels (Brisbane, Australia, 1969-present) •Grim Reapers (Calgary, Canada, 1967-1997) •Iron Horsemen (Cincinnati, Ohio, mid-1960s-present) •The Finks (Adelaide, Australia, 1969-present) •Brother Speed (Boise, Idaho, 1969-present) •Devils Diciples (Fontana, California, 1967-present) •Solo Angeles (Tijuana, Mexico, 1959-present) •Diablos (San Bernardino, California, 1964-present) About William J. Felchner William J. Felchner's many feature articles have appeared in such periodicals as True West, Hot Rod, Movie Collector's World, Sports Collectors Digest, Persimmon Hill, Big Reel, Corvette Quarterly, Old West, Antiques & Auction News, Storyboard, Goldmine, Autograph Collector, Warman's Today's Collector, The Paper & Advertising Collectors'
Frontier Times, Television History, Illinois and Military Trader.
| Hells Angels |
Which major British newspaper closed down for nearly a year in 1978? | History - Hells Angels Quebec
History
The founding of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club
On March 17th 1948 the first Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was founded in the Fontana/San Bernardino (BERDOO) area in the United States of America. About the same time, other clubs were formed in various places in the state of California, but none of these clubs were associated with Hells Angels nor with each other. Most of them do not exist today, but the BERDOO charter in (San Bernardino) still does.
During the fifties more Hells Angels Charters came into existence. In the beginning the different charters had nothing to do with each other, but after some years they united and a regular criteria of admission was laid down. From having been exclusively a Californian phenomenon, the club developed internationally in 1961. It happened when the first charter outside California was adopted – strangely enough – as far away as Auckland, New Zealand. During the sixties Hells Angels spread out to the East Coast of the USA and later to the Midwest.
On July the 30th 1969 the first European Hells Angels charter was accepted in London, England. Today there are more than 250 charters in Europe alone. At the end of the Seventies, Australian clubs were admitted and in 1984, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil became the first South American charter. In 1993, Hells Angels came to the African continent with a charter in Johannesburg, South Africa. Eastern Europe got its own Hells Angels charter in the new millennium and since then many more countries have been granted the now famous winged Death Head.
Today the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has spread its wings all over the World. From Alaska and Norway in the high North, to South Africa and Argentina in the southern hemisphere. All around the globe from the Caribbean Islands to Turkey, who became the first Muslim country to join the club in 2009.
The admission of clubs from all over the globe caused changes in the structure of the Hells Angels. The small motorcycle club from Berdoo was now Mother Charter to the world´s biggest motorcycle brotherhood, the HELLS ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB WORLD. Today Hells Angels MC World has charters in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia.
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Distaff is the female side or branch of a family – what is the male? | Distaff side - definition of distaff side by The Free Dictionary
Distaff side - definition of distaff side by The Free Dictionary
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/distaff+side
Also found in: Thesaurus , Medical , Encyclopedia .
distaff side
the female side or branch of a family. Compare spear side
dis′taff side`
the female side of a family.
[1885–90]
distaff side
, spear side - The female side of a family is the distaff side—the distaff being a stick used for holding yarn when spinning; the male side is the spear side.
See also related terms for spinning .
Translations
distaff side
[ˈdɪstɑːfˌsaɪd] n on the distaff side → per parte di madre
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Orchestra music to our ears at 16-1; DAVE MITCHELL on Epsom's 4.00 VALUE SCOPE
In the distaff side, WWE Divas champion Paige will defend her crown against Tamina Snuka.
BIRDS READY TO FLY; But the hunt is on for more drivers
On the distaff side are Alice Coltrane, who melded organ and harp, Eastern religion and Western music, for Universal Consciousness (1972)/Lord Of Lords (1973), and the Shirley Scott Trio, from the Queen of the Organ, with For Members Only (1963)/Great Scott
Abdulkarim races to victory
It seemed almost stupid as to why the passport was being made such a big issue, since someone like Prakash Amritraj had played for India for years and on the distaff side, Shikha Uberoi and Sunitha Rao were no longer eligible to play for India.
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The band Carl and the Passions changed its name to what? | Distaff Counterpart - TV Tropes
Distaff Counterpart
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YMMV
One common method used in creating a Spin-Off is taking the main character of the show, creating an equivalent that's mostly the same except for being the opposite sex, and then packing the new character off to her own series. This allows the station or network to fill up extra space on the schedule with a known quantity, while (in theory) stretching its demographic to female viewers. This method is very popular among action-adventure series, which mostly appeal to young males. However, sometimes it can lead to a Counterpart Comparison .
While heroes are usually the ones to get this kind of treatment, it's been happening more and more to villains too.
They're also the third kind of Spin-Off , with a long-lost sister showing up or a new girlfriend brought in, only to repeat whatever circumstances gave the main character his powers/duties/what-have-you.
Just like how many female characters are defined by their relationship to the default or already established male character, many distaff counterparts are defined primarily by their relationship to the male counterpart . This can be shown through their visual properties, narrative connection, and occasionally promotional materials. They are often a wife or girlfriend, but can be a sister or friend to the male counterpart. Often, and especially if the characters in question are animals, the female character will have a bow on her head or other Tertiary Sexual Characteristics defining her as female and to set her apart from the "default" male characters. In other words, the male character or characters may have little or no stereotypical masculinizing gender specifiers, but his or their distaff counterpart or counterparts will have stereotypical feminizing gender specifiers to mark them as female. If the distaff counterpart is a girlfriend, she is usually the Love Interest to the male character.
A male character who goes through the Gender Bender will find himself turned into his own Distaff Counterpart. The implications for the character, writers, and audience are left as an exercise for the reader.
NOTE: "Distaff" means "female". Therefore, the inverse of this (a male counterpart to an existing female character or Always Female trope) is technically and traditionally a Spear Counterpart (which was named for the spearhead-shaped end of the symbol of Mars that represents males. You may also be thinking the "spear" meant something else).
SECOND NOTE: A "distaff" is a spinning device, used with a spinning wheel and, even before that, with a spindle. More here.
Textile Work Is Feminine ; that's why it's used to symbolize femininity.
Usually tends to wear a Gendered Outfit .
Compare Gender Flip , which reverses roles based on gender, rather than cloning them. If a normally gender- specific trope is played on its opposite gender anyway, that's a Gender-Inverted Trope (otherwise known as a rare male/female example). If they're fan-created, it's Rule 63 . If this appeals to a fan fetish, it's a form of Fanservice . When you take this trope to its literal conclusion, you get an Opposite-Sex Clone . See also Contrasting Sequel Main Character . Contrast with I Just Want to Be Badass .
The laws of probability and large numbers will in all likelihood turn this into Truth in Television eventually for most of us.
Tropes that have Male - Female Counterparts
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Advertising
Japanese Pepsi mascot Pepsiman has Diet Pepsiwoman, whose only commercial is advertising Diet Pepsi Twist where she was wearing a lemon-themed balaclava, just like Pepsiman was in his commercial for non-diet Pepsi Twist.
Anime & Manga
In chapter 98 of Ai Kora , Maeda runs into a girl named Chizuru who turns out to be a "parts lover" like him... and happens to think he has really sexy hands.
Aoi House = Uri House .
Black Jack = Ray, from the manga and anime series of the same name.
Captain Harlock has two within the works of creator Leiji Matsumoto . Fellow space pirate Queen Emeraldas has the same scar across her face while Captain Bainas (from Ozuma ) has the messy red hair. Both also happen to be badass captains who have a penchant for badass capes .
Cutey Honey was originally created as a distaff counterpart to Warrior of Love Rainbowman .
Daily Lives of High School Boys has an interesting In-Universe use. A series of stinger skits called High School Girls are Funky features Habara, Yanagi and Ikushima, three girls who look, act and talk remarkably like their male counterparts Tadakuni, Hidenori and Yoshitake, respectively.
Devilman Lady was spawned from Devilman , although it evolved into its own strange series. Since that name kind of doesn't make much sense, the official English version of the anime is called The Devil Lady.
This was at least partially the inspiration for Kinnikuman Lady - though in that case, it's an alternate universe where everyone is gender-flipped except Meat. Instead of being about the world's beefiest buffoon, it's about the world's ditziest bimbo. Joining the "stupid, inherently contradictory name" race is Kinnikuman Lady's bestest pal Terryman Girl.
Wizardmon — Witchmon
Beelzebumon — BelleStarrmon
Eyeshield 21 has The Hero Sena and Action Girl Karin. Both were recruited initially against their will to join a football team. Both are considered the best in their specialty (running back and quarterback respectively) and both Apologises a Lot with low self-esteem and being the Nice Guy / Nice Girl . The only thing really different about them is their gender and appearance.
Getter-1 — Getter Q
As well, Getter-2 — Getter Shou/Neo Getter-2
In Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's , while Nanoha and Fate get their own rivals in form of Vita and Signum, Yuuno and Arf get Distaff/Spear Counterparts in form of Shamal and Zafira. Both Yuuno and Shamal are passive Barrier Warriors , have similar abilites and similar roles and they have green magic colors.
Great Mazinger — Venus A
Similarly, in the Mazinger Angels manga (a spoof of Charlie's Angels ) the main characters are Sayaka, Jun, Hikaru and Maria, piloting Aphrodite A, Venus A, Diana A and Minerva X, respectively. It's like your usual Crossover blending Mazinger Z , Great Mazinger and UFO Robo Grendizer , but Gender Flipped : the male pilots and their robots are nowhere to be seen, and the main characters are the female leads and robots.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack has Dark Action Girl Rezun Schneider as the Distaff Counterpart to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam 's Yazan Gable. Both are thuggish badass normals who joined the military in order to legally kill as many people as possible and have no regard for The Laws and Customs of War .
In Please Tell Me! Galko-chan , Charao and Otao are spear counterparts of Galko and Otako, being the stereotypical party-goer and the local nerd respectively.
While both are genderless, the Mewtwo in the 16th Pokémon movie is more feminine than the more masculine one seen in the first one . It is also more of a pure hero, while the one in the Kanto movies was more of an Anti-Hero .
Flamenco Girl from Samurai Flamenco . In a rare subversion, she's actually far more competent and effective than her male counterpart .
Soul Eater (Manga) : The whole Spartoi group.— When the group goes into the Book of Eibon after Noah and Kido-kun, the first chapter, "Lust" turns the males female and vice versa. They then make comments on how odd they look, until a team of Female Succubus come and try to defeat them.
Comic Books
Immensely common in comic books. The first one was probably Mary Marvel, spun off from DC's Captain Marvel in the 1940s, and it continues to the present day, with characters like Supergirl , Batgirl , She-Hulk , Spider-Woman and Stargirl (both a female Star-Spangled Kid and a female Starman). Some of these are also Legacy Characters . They can also exist in Alternate Universe Fics that are written by fans or Elseworlds published by the companies themselves, where different female characters receive the Call to Adventure in lieu of their male counterparts in the mainstream universes.
In comics, this is necessary for the purposes of trademark and copyright protection, since if the comic companies don't publish the obvious derivative characters then others would be legally able to do so. One well-known example of a company losing a counterpart trademark is how one of DC Comics 's most famous characters is Wonder Woman , but Marvel Comics was able to secure the trademark to Wonder Man . Stan Lee specifically mentions the Wonder Woman and Wonder Man trademarks as a reason why Marvel created Spider-Woman to secure rights to the Spider-Woman trademark.
Dc
Supergirl is the Trope Codifier . Although not the first female copy of an established hero (Mary Marvel and Bulletgirl preceded her), she has had the most longevity and the most incarnations, including her own movie and Live-Action show .
Power Girl , being originally Supergirl's alternate universe counterpart before Crisis on Infinite Earths brought her to the main DCU, is also a distaff counterpart of Superman.
In the New 52, a significant addition to Supergirl's Rogues Gallery has the distinction of being the Distaff Counterpart to two major Superman foes- Reign has a very Doomsday-like originnote a Super Soldier created on Krypton from an alien infant, Gone Horribly Right , and a very Zod-like personalitynote Smug Super conquerer with a personal vendetta against the protagonist's family, deeply driven to make said protagonist submit to them. Incidentally, she basically presents herself as Kara's Evil Counterpart as well.
Hawkgirl is a Distaff Counterpart of Hawkman . Hawkman has had five series, the longest of which ran for 49 issues. Hawkgirl then took over the series for the final 17 issues.
Hawk and Dove started out with the protagonists (two brothers) as a Sensitive Guy and Manly Man . They were replaced by a Tomboy and Girly Girl (though the Girly Girl had been teaming up with the Manly Man since Post-Crisis - and, as of Brightest Day , they're back to that situation ).
Element Girl, the female Metamorpho . She is mostly known for being saved by Death from a sad and lonely existence in The Sandman . Since then she has made another appearance outside of DC continuity in Wednesday Comics . [1]
The concept has since been recycled in the form of Element Woman, a new Korean American successor to Element Girl.
Aquagirl, the female equivalent of Aquaman 's sidekick Aqualad.
The Joker has Harley Quinn , while the Riddler had a short-lived female counterpart named Quelle.
Before Quelle, Riddler had a pair of female associates named Query and Echo.
The DCU now has a whole Alternate Universe (Earth-11) made up of Distaff Counterparts . All the superheroes there are Gender-Flipped , including a berserk-with-testosterone "Wonder Man" who's a dead ringer for King Leonidas of 300 .
It gets a bit confusing when you consider that Earth 11 features Gender Flip versions of characters that already HAVE Distaff Counterparts, or who already ARE distaff Counterparts. For example; Superlad.
The Ame-Comi Girls universe features most of the primary hero roles in the hands of the usual female distaff counterparts. So Jesse Chambers is The Flash , Carrie Kelly is Robin , Natasha Irons is Steel , etc.
Metal Men Issue 32 features a story called "The Metal Women Blues", where the team gets jealous of Tin and Nameless and get their creator, Will Magnus, to create opposite sex counterparts for them. During the subsequent mission, a rift grows between the males (Gold, Iron, Lead, Tin, Mercury, and Platinum Man) and females (Gold Girl, Iron Girl, Lead Girl, Nameless, Mercury Girl, and Platinum).
Zatanna , the daughter of Zatara. Rare case where the distaff counterpart completely overshadowed the original in terms of popularity.
Carrie Kelly, the Robin from The Dark Knight Returns . Stephanie "Spoiler" Brown's brief run as Robin may also count.
Tallulah Black from Jonah Hex . Like Hex, she's a physically and mentally scarred individual with absolutely nothing to lose.
Miss Martian to Martian Manhunter . Notable in being one of the few superheroine distaff counterparts whose costume covers more than the male version; Miss Martian wears a Sailor Moon style outfit, which covers quite a bit more than "two leather straps and a speedo." In personality she started as pretty much an Expy of the animated Teen Titans Starfire.
On the subject of distaff counterparts with a more concealing costume: Bombshell to Captain Atom . Bombshell wears a t-shirt and trousers, while Captain Atom is effectively naked.
Natasha Irons started off as the replacement Steel when her uncle John took a break from his Powered Armor . She ended up changing her Code Name to Vaporlock after gaining her own powers.
Batwoman was introduced as a distaff for Batman back in 1956 (as well as to quell some vicious rumors circulating about Batman and his young ward ), serving as a feminine counterpart to his crime-fighting adventures (using "feminine intuition" and having cosmetic-themed gadgetry, for example). When she was re-introduced in 2007's 52 and given the lead role in Detective Comics her personality and history were updated. The Cutter arc of Detective Comics goes into an explicit examination of the parallels between the two characters, with alternating pages (And sometimes even alternating panels) following both characters as they each tracked a separate criminal (eventually revealed to be the same criminal, but the Batman scenes were about five years earlier), each one going through the same motions, victories and setbacks as the other.
Spygirl is this to Spy Boy .
Strontium Dog -> Durham Red (whose first solo story was called "Strontium Bitch").
The Terminator comic "End Game" has Jane Connor, which is apparently what you get if Sarah Connor gives birth in a hospital. The birth of Jane Connor apparently cuts the war against Skynet's timeline in half, with the humans winning earlier.
In the '90s , the producers of the Zorro comics introduced spin-off character Lady Rawhide, who, although sharing his quest for justice, was otherwise decidedly not a distaff counterpart. In the interest of being accurate to the Wild West setting, she was rather plain and wore a demure, tasteful costume . Or not.
Comic Strips
From The Beano , Dennis The Menace -> Minnie The Minx.
Mandrake the Magician has Master of Disguise The Clay Camel. His modus operandi (perfect disguises and a namesake Calling Card ) was later co-opted by The Brass Monkey... who turned out to be his daughter.
'' Dykes to Watch Out For : The Indelible Alison Bechdel included a strip called "Guys to Watch Out For" which showed each character's Spear Counterpart. In particular, Mo is being inaugurated as president of the United States.
Fan Works
After repeatedly feeding on his emotions and gaining his powers, Aria Blaze starts mentally and physically turning into a female version of Kaizer Ghidorah.
The Mirror Universe 's version of Princess Cadance is basically its version of King Sombra.
The main character of Bugged Run , Chrys, is a Gender Flip of the classic Always Male Bug Catcher NPC trainers.
Films — Animation
Balto II, a direct-to-video sequel, has Balto's daughter fulfilling this role.
Jessie is Woody's distaff counterpart in Toy Story 2 . Justified in that "Woody's Round-Up" , which was the show that their toy line was based on, was a show from around The '50s , just before it became common to have a distaff counterpart.
Brother Bear 2 has Anda and Kata, two "moosettes" that are distaff counterparts / love interests for Rutt and Tuke. This works especially well since their voice actors were on SCTV (respectively, Rutt and Tuke were voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, while Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara voiced Anda and Kata).
The Lion King 's Scar has one in Zira from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride . She is presumed to have been his mate at one point and has a similar personality to him, but is more hands-on and violent.
Space Jam introduced a Distaff Counterpart for Bugs Bunny , Lola Bunny.
Films — Live-Action
Hal Roach created the Double Act of Cloud Cuckoo Lander ZaSu Pitts and Only Sane Man Thelma Todd to be this to Laurel and Hardy . They made a bunch of short films together for MGM, then Pitts demanded a pay rise and Roach replaced her with Deadpan Snarker Patsy Kelly for another run of films which was ended by Todd's tragically early death. Kelly was then paired up with, in turn, Pert Kelton and Lydia Roberti, before finally making a feature film with Pitts. The Pitts and Todd
Reservoir Cats
(Not to be confused with the The Itchy & Scratchy Show parody of the same name) is a remake of Reservoir Dogs with all the male characters replaced with female ones.
Superman II used Superman's mother Lara as a Suspiciously Similar Substitute to his father Jor-El in Superman: The Movie because the producers didn't want to pay Marlon Brando the amount of money he was asking for to use footage that had already been filmed since Superman I and Superman II were originally filmed back-to-back.
Lady Deathstrike to Wolverine in X2: X-Men United , having an adamantium skeleton like he does and showing what he could have been if he hadn't escaped from Stryker.
A handful of James Bond movies have presented the Bond Girl as this, with some very significant characteristics in common— Anya Amasova is introduced snuggling in bed with her lover, much like Bond frequently is, Pam Bouvier and Wai Lin are Action Girls who can kick ass just as well as him, if not better, and Jinx pulls a Not Staying for Breakfast on him.
Rey turns out to be this for Luke in The Force Awakens ; they both grew up on a desert planet without their biological parents (Tatooine with Luke, Jakku with Rey), both are mechanically savvy pilots, and they're both destined to be Jedi.
Literature
The Hunger Games : President Alma Coin to President Snow.
Greyfriars — Cliff House. The adventures of Billy Bunter's sister Bessie and her friends at Cliff House School for Girls were written by Hilda Richards, supposedly Frank Richards's sister (but actually, both Richardses were pseudonyms used by Charles Hamilton and others) and appeared in The Schoolgirl magazine.
In The Maze Runner series, most of Group B (introduced in The Scorch Trials) are the Distaff Counterparts to most of Group A. Specific examples include:
Harriet to Minho as of the point where the two groups meet up in the Scorch. It is not known if Group B had any leaders prior to Harriet, but Group A have been through two leaders by the time Minho assumes the role.
Rachel to Thomas. However, since the former is a Posthumous Character , she doesn't appear directly until The Fever Code (the fifth book in the series in order of publication, but the second in order of chronology) apart from in one of Thomas's memory dreams.
Beth to Gally. Both go missing in their groups' respective Mazes days before each group launches their escape attempt, only to turn up in the final chamber, at which point they are manipulated into killing one of the survivors.
Live-Action TV
The Bachelor — The Bachelorette .
The Big Bang Theory has Sheldon — Amy Farrah Fowler. And before Amy's indroduction there was Sheldon — Mrs. Hofstadter. While the latter acted almost exactly like Sheldon in every way, the former started off as such but the character grew to have her own personality and quirks to differentiate herself from Sheldon.
Hannibal : Hannibal Lecter and Bedelia Du Maurier.
Ted and the Mother in How I Met Your Mother share a similar appearance, being the Nice Guy / Team Dad and Nice Gal / Team Mom of the group and having several quirks such as loving road side detours to unusual landmarks and wearing driving gloves.
NCIS : Recurring character CGIS Agent Abigail Borin is a Hero of Another Story Distaff Counterpart of Agent Gibbs. They have many of the same mannerisms. It's Lampshaded several times.
Person of Interest has Sameen Shaw as this to John Reese.
Bosom Buddies subverted the trope. Kip and Henry appeared as their "female" alter-egos, Buffy and Hildegarde, but their neighbours also knew them as Kip and Henry, Buffy and Hildy's brothers.
House had Amber, a smug know-it-all who has no problem lying, cheating, and manipulating people to get what she wants. Of course Wilson, House's only friend, is in love with her.
In 2003, ESPN 's Cold Pizza was an attempt to create a more female-friendly version of SportsCenter , to compete with network morning shows like Good Morning America . The original format lasted little more than a year before a revamp removed most of the non-sports content and added more Pardon The Interruption "hot take" debates. The show was cancelled in 2007 and immediately replaced with First Take , which was basically the "1st and 10" debate segments spun off to show length.
Music
The Primettes were conceived by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. as the distaff counterpart to The Primes. The bands were later renamed The Supremes and The Temptations.
"The Boy is Mine" (1998, Monica ft. Brandy) and "Same Girl" (2007, R. Kelly ft. Usher) are R&B songs about Love Triangles .
Or Misstallica .
The Bangles have said in many interviews that their original goal was to be this to The Beatles . Of course they didn't make nearly the same impact.
The Three Tenors had distaff counterparts, The Three Sopranos.
Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert are both incredibly talented (and incredibly campy) singers who make heavy use of synthesizers and (at least partly) go for shock value with performances. Not surprisingly both are known to be bisexual.
The female alternative quartet Drain STH was very much this to Alice In Chains when they first debuted in 1993.
K-pop has a few. Typically they will be from the same company as their counterpart and said company or fans of the company will hype them up by using this trope. Examples include:
2NE1 to Big Bang - both have edgy music perceived to have the most Western influence.
Girls' Generation to Super Junior , due to the many members and similar pop sound. The former were even originally going to be called the Super Girls.
Fx to SHINee for their focus on impressive and flashy choreographies.
AOA Black, the band part of AOA , to well-known Korean bands FT Island or CN Blue , depending on which fan you ask. Their company FNC seem to agree to either.
Examples from the '70�'80s funk scene:
Parliament/Funkadelic begat the Brides of Funkenstein.
Rick James begat the Mary Jane Girls.
Prince 's music factory cranked out a whole series of distaff Prince bands: Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, Wendy and Lisa, Sheila E...
Fifth Harmony - One Direction , since they both have 5 members and they both started out on The X Factor (the former in the US version, the latter in the UK version). That's not all, they both consisted of five solo artists who were put into a group after getting rejected, they both finished third, became the most successful act from their respective country's show, and they have similar shorthand names (5H and 1D).
Little Mix to One Direction : Both are British pop groups formed on The X Factor as solo before turning into a group, both have 4 members (although 1D started out with 5), and Perrie Edwards was engaged to former member Zayn Malik. The difference is in their musical styles as Little Mix prefer R&B-tinged pop, and Little Mix won their season, while 1D finished in third; on the other hand, One Direction have been far more popular and successful ( especially in the US ) than Little Mix.
Quite surprisingly, Chris Boltendahl of Grave Digger has one in Federica de Boni of White Skull, despite his voice being about as gruff as you can get without edging into death growl territory. Chris has even done guest vocals on a couple of White Skull songs, seemingly just to demonstrate how uncannily similar
their vocal styles are.
Critic Robert Christgau referred to R.E.M. and 10,000 Maniacs as musical "kissing cousins". Michael Stipe performed some guest vocals on the latter's In My Tribe album, making this one more or less official.
German song and cellphone company Jamster/JAMBA created a female counterpart to Schnuffel (Snuggle) named Schnufflienchen (Snuggelina) in 2011 who is also Snuggle's girlfriend due to the popularity of Snuggle in Germany. Both have there own songs, but most of Snuggelina's songs are her referring to her boyfriend except for the song "Butterfly".
In the early '00s, Linkin Park — Evanescence . Both Nu Metal bands that took on pop sensibilities and saw massive success in doing so. They even have similar sounding Signature Songs with "In the End" and "Bring Me to Life" respectively, though the latter is more of Black Sheep Hit in their case. They are also the two most likely bands you'll hear an anime Fan Vid on Youtube.
Five Finger Death Punch has one with the female-fronted In This Moment . Both are groovy alt-metal bands with hard-hitting yet radio friendly sounds, frequently subject to Narm Charm with how over-the-top their music is, and have received a very divisive reception by metalheads. Fittingly. they've toured together and frontwoman Maria Brink appeared in their song "Anywhere But Here".
In Metalcore , Issues has one with Conquer Divide . Both are eclectic takes on the genre, with Soprano and Gravel dynamics between a harsh vocalist and one that sounds like a Top 40 pop star. The comparison has been drawn quite a few times by listeners.
Pinball
The Magic Flute : Birdman Papageno gets his birdwoman Papagena.
Myths and Legends
The Egyptian goddess Anput is largely a female aspect of her husband Anubis.
The incubus (a male demon which lies upon sleepers, in order to have sexual intercourse with them) has the succubus as a female counterpart.
Freyr and Freyja in Norse Mythology . Their names are even the masculine and feminine form of the norse word for "lord".
New Media
For April Fools' Day 2009, everyone at OAFEnet was replaced
by their distaff counterpart — except Artemis, whose male equivalent was "Apollo". The entire site was turned from blue to pink, and even one of their running jokes got gender-flipped for this cartoon.
ItsJustSomeRandomGuy, creator of the I'm a Marvel... and I'm a DC series, has one in the form of his girlfriend, ItsJustSomeRandomGal.
Rule 63 is an internet phenomenon in the vein of Rule 34 that any sufficiently popular male will be drawn as a hot female.
Including some characters, mostly Superheroes, who don't need to be drawn as such because, as mentioned earlier in comics, they already have a Distaff or Spear (yes, it's done to female characters as well) Counterpart.
Pinball
Gottlieb 's Raven was intended to be a Distaff Counterpart to Rambo .
Professional Wrestling
In the 1980s Rock n Wrestling Connection, Wendi Richter was the female version of Hulk Hogan .
GLOW could be argued to have many distaff counterparts to male wrestlers (Big Bad Mamma to Papa Shango perhaps) but the standout example was Justice, who was a distaff counterpart to Shaft !
The New World Order was so popular that copycat organizations couldn't pop up fast enough, including distaff counterparts such as the fWo in the NWA and the pWo in Women's Extreme Wrestling.
Lita was this to the Hardy Boyz (bonus points for being like this before they were teamed together, though they had offered to train her back when she was with Christopher Daniels ).
Sara Del Rey in her initial face persona was this to Bryan Danielson (she was trained by him). She used his LeBell Lock finisher, used "The Final Countdown" as her entrance music and called herself "The American Angel" (he was "The American Dragon").
Tiger Mask, specifically Satoru Sayama , gave his blessing to a Joshi who became Tiger Dream Candy Okutsu. World Wonder Ring STARDOM had a parody in Yuzupon Mask Yuzuki Aikawa, which wasn't even a spoiler to most Japanese fans.
AAA gave one to La Parka , La Novia De La Parka Sahori. Lucha Libre USA gave him one to in Rosetta Par-K. Tracy Taylor, in case you're wondering
Delirious unveiled one to aid him in his " feud " with CM Punk ...Shelirious...who was his long term nemesis turned translator , Daizee Haze .
Chikara shot for its own distaff counterpart in Kiryoku Pro, which also failed to catch on. The work of one Mercedes Martinez caught the eye of Dave Prazak though, leading to a SHIMMER invite.
IWA Mid-South owner Ian Rotten helped train one for his promotion, Mickie Knuckles.
The 2005 LLF rookie of the year Tsunami was called "La Chica" Kane because it was obvious she was a big fan of USA style pro wrestling, seemingly appeared out of nowhere to destroy people and used a choke slam.
On a promotional level, Pro Wrestling SUN was one to Pro Wrestling Zero 1 . Sadly, it did not last but lived on in some of its wrestlers continuing to compete for Zero 1 as Team SUN.
While Aja Kong had long been called a distaff counterpart to Big Van Vader , WSU gave him an official one in Big Van Missy. Mask, squash match , Vader Bomb and all.(and in Aja Kong's case, an equal case could be made for EMLL luchador Kung Fu during the later stages of his career)
Irregular WCW wrestler Shark Boy was so unexpectedly popular he managed to get two distaff counterparts. Shark Girl and Shark Solo .
Starting in 2009, Michelle McCool became this to AJ Styles when she started using the Styles Clash, which she renamed the Faith Breaker, as her finishing move. Later became more apparent when she and Layla started wearing hooded robes as part of their LayCool entrance. Oddly extends to Real Life as well, since both are devout Christians from the Deep South .
The Original Baka Gaijin of Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Mad Man Pondo, got one in REINA in the form of Crazy Mary Dobson, Miss Baka Gaijin.
The Chick Busters ( AJ Lee and Kaitlyn ) were this to the Dudebusters (Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft, occasionally joined by Curt Hawkins).
AJ Lee eventually became one to CM Punk , especially after AJ delivered a blistering Worked Shoot promo against the rest of the WWE Diva roster, with worked shoots in WWE's "Reality Era" being the wheelhouse of CM Punk. It's no surprise that the two end up together in real life, and are now married.
In 1984, South African wrestler Steve Simpson came to the USA and formed the S&S Express with Joe Savoldi. In 2012 Nevaeh formed an alliance with Sassy Stephie and later Jessie Bell Smothers, which came to be known as the SNS Express.
After the SNS Express forced the breakup of the American Sweethearts on the WWN, Amber O'Neal claimed to have joined Bullet Club and set out to be one to Doc Gallows.
Emma is not the distaff counterpart to Santino Marella , but she did debut one to his cobra finishing move, Ven-Emma .
In the early nineteen nineties, the Montreal based International Championship Wrestling promotion had Sexy Team #1 and Sexy Team #2, who teamed up as the imaginatively named "Sexy Team". In 2014, Canadian Dark Angel formed "El Sexy Team" in CMLL with Estrellita and Goya Kong.
Trent Baretta and Chuck Taylor formed a tag team called "Best Friends" in Pro Wrestling Guerilla during 2013. In 2015, Arisa Nakajima and Tsukasa Fujimoto formed team of the same name in Ice Ribbon during 2015.
In WWE, Charlotte is one to Ric Flair minus the party lifestyle. She's called the Nature Girl, her entrance theme includes the famous intro of his, and she has adopted several of his moves and mannerisms (Figure 4, knee drop, strut, WOOOO, etc). This is not lost on people; in fact the sheer number of borrowed aspects from her father has been openly criticized both in-universe by her rivals and by a growing list of detractors amongst the fans.
Sports
The Women's National Basketball Association, which even started with a copycat logo (now updated to change ) and has several teams with names inspired by the city's NBA one - helped by them usually sharing the same owner:
Current team pairs: Washington Wizards/Mystics, Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx, Phoenix Suns/Mercury, San Antonio Spurs/Stars (Silver Stars before 2014). Plus a coincidental: Dallas Mavericks/Wings; the Wings relocated from Tulsa after the 2015 season, and are owned separately from the Mavericks.note The Wings also play in Arlington, unlike the Mavericks, who play just outside downtown Dallas.
Current NBA team, moved WNBA team: Utah Jazz/Utah Starzz; the Starzz relocated to San Antonio (see above). Orlando Magic/Miracle; the Miracle are now known as the Connecticut Sun. Detroit Pistons/Shock (both named after car parts). When the Shock moved to Tulsa after the 2009 season, it created a coincidental example; as the Oklahoma City Thunder had moved from Seattle to OKC a year earlier. As noted above, the Shock moved yet again after the 2015 season to become the Dallas Wings.
Current NBA team, defunct WNBA team: Houston Rockets/Comets, Miami Heat/Solnote Spanish for "sun", Portland Trail Blazers/Fire, Sacramento Kings/Monarchs.
Continuity Snarl : Charlotte Hornets/Sting. The snarl involves the Hornets�that was the original version of the Hornets, which moved to New Orleans and eventually became the Pelicans. The expansion team that Charlotte later got, originally known as the Bobcats, eventually got the Hornets name back. The Sting folded in 2007.
Also relevant to basketball, netball was originally derived as a variant of early basketballnote which, it might be noted, didn't originally have things like backboards or dribbling, as netball still doesn't deemed suitable or women to play (according to the accepted standards of the time)- though actual women's basketball in the modern sense evolved in parallel, itself having little variation in the men's game other than the size of the regulation ball.
In football/soccer , countless top-level men's clubs have counterpart women's clubs, usually wearing very similar kit. Sometimes, both clubs are merely sections within a much larger multi-sport club.note One example is FC Barcelona. In other cases, the women's club is underneath the umbrella of the men's club.note Three teams in the National Women's Soccer League in the States are run by Major League Soccer teams � the Portland Thorns FC (Portland Timbers), Houston Dash (Houston Dynamo), and Orlando Pride (Orlando City SC; new for 2016). In still others, the women's club is technically independent, but has agreements to use the facilities and (often) trademarks of the men's club.note Examples include Arsenal in England and FC Kansas City (linked with MLS team Sporting Kansas City) in the States.
Golf has a few of its own (men's competitions listed first).
When it comes to major championships, all four of the men's majors have a direct women's counterpart:
Masters/ANA Inspirationnote Founded by entertainer Dinah Shore and originally bearing her name; most recently known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship � The tournaments are not run by the same body, but they are de facto counterparts. Both are the first majors of their respective seasons, and are held at the same course every year.note (The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs, California.) Most notably, both have a unique tradition surrounding the winner. The Masters winner is fitted with a special green jacket that identifies members of Augusta National, the club that runs the tournament. The winner of the Inspiration traditionally jumps into a pond behind the 18th green.
U.S. Open/U.S. Women's Open � Both are operated by the United States Golf Association, the governing body for golf in the U.S.
The Open Championship/Women's British Open � Both are held in the UK, although they are not run by the same body.note The Open Championship is run by The R&A, which along with the USGA sets the rules of golf. The Women's British Open is run by the Ladies' Golf Union, the governing body for women's golf in Great Britain and Ireland.
PGA Championship/Women's PGA Championship � Both are run by the PGA of America, the trade association for U.S. club professionals (which has been separate from the PGA Tour since 1968). Before the 2015 season, the Women's PGA Championship was known as the LPGA Championship and run by the (U.S.) LPGA, a trade association for women golf professionals (both club and touring).
The Tour Championship/CME Group Tour Championship (season-ending events, both with limited fields, on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour)
Ryder Cup/Solheim Cup (USA vs. Europe professional team competitions held every two years)
Walker Cup/Curtis Cup (USA vs. Great Britain & Ireland amateur team competitions held every two years)
In ice hockey, the Canadian Women's Hockey League have the Calgary Inferno, a counterpart of the NHL's Calgary Flames.
In tennis :
The WTA Tour to the ATP World Tour. There are several sub-examples within these tours:
The WTA Premier Mandatory and Premier Five events, collectively, to the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 � the top events on the tour, apart from the four Grand Slam events.
The WTA Tour Championships to the ATP World Tour Finals � season-ending events for the very top players.
The Fed Cupnote originally Federation Cup to the Davis Cup � annual events for national teams.
Toys
Fire Emblem Awakening :
Lucina is deliberately this to the original game 's Marth, including going by his name early on in the game.
Morgan from the same game also counts. Morgan can be male or female, but they serve the same purpose: in this case, female Morgan is a perfect mirror of her father, the male Avatar. Both wear the same robe, have the same backstory (they were stricken with amnesia and discovered and recruited by Chrom's Shepherds), and in-game they share the Tactician and Grandmaster classes, which are exclusive to the Avatar and his/her children (and Streetpass/Einherjar characters, but they're non-canon), and have the unique capacity to reclass into any other class in the game (except the female-exclusive Pegasus Rider line for males and the male-exclusive Barbarian line for females).
For the 3DS edition of Hyrule Warriors , Link receives one in the form of Linkle. It has been joked about for the longest time that Link was fairly androgynous, so it's a marvel that Nintendo waited this long to acknowledge it.
Web Animation
The eponymous character from Homestar Runner was going to have one of these, but the creators decided against it. She can be seen in the background of at least one cartoon, though.
Girlchan in Paradise!! does this with maytag, a complete duplicate of Kenstar in appearance except obviously female (while still humorously poorly voiced by a man). Despite this, nobody except the viewer can make the appearance connection.
Kenstar: Wow she's so pretty
Yusuke: You're just saying that because she looks like (brief pause) a pretty girl!
Kenstar: That would be why i said that.
In RWBY , villain Roman Torchwick eventually gains a sidekick named Neo, who wears a feminized version of his outfit with softer colors and wields a Parasol of Pain compared to his Gun Cane . According to Monty Oum , Neo's design was based on a female friend of his cosplaying as Roman.
Webcomics
Several non-canon MegaTokyo omake feature Piroko and m0h, gender-swapped versions of Piro and Miho based on their in-canon Cross Player game avatars.
Problem Sleuth features Distaff Counterparts / Opposite Sex Clones of the three protagonists, Problem Sleuth, Pickle Inspector, and Ace Dick, who live in the imaginary universe and which each briefly becomes during a "spiritual journey". Problem Sleuth gets Hysterical Dame, Pickle Inspector matches up to Nervous Broad, and Ace Dick gets... Ace Dick in a wig, because Ace's imagination isn't good enough to have an actual female alter-ego.
Nerf NOW!! has female counterparts to every playable character in Team Fortress 2 .
In Scandinavia and the World , most of the characters have sisters who (except the Swedens and the Americas) are basically the same as their brothers. The only notable exception is France, where the default representative is female, and Brother France is officially her spear.
In El Goonish Shive , due to the existence of alternate universes, Elliot's counterpart in the Beta Universe is a female version of himself named Ellen (who is not Main Universe Ellen's counterpart), and Grace has a counterpart in the Alpha Universe named General Shade Tail. In the non-canon universes of the side strips, Tedd has a counterpart in Tess.
Web Original
SheZow has DudePow, his gender-flipped alternate dimension counterpart who dons a male costume instead.
In the Rick and Morty Mobile Phone Game Pocket Mortys, one of the Alternate Universe version of Morty is a female version named Morticia. According to the in-game description, she is the result of her mother�s womb being 32.54 degrees Fahrenheit degrees warmer during the early stages of gastrulation. The moon was also 384,900km away.
Real Life
Yes, there once was a YWCA (as well as an Alternate Religion Equivalent , the YMHAnote Hebrew, and its Distaff Counterpart the YWHA). Eventually, as the meaning behind the acronym was forgotten , the other versions were folded into the YMCA, which then dropped the obsolete parts of their name and became the Y.
Not entirely true for the YMHA and YWHA�they merged with one another, but not with the YMCA/YWCA. Most locations of those groups now call themselves Jewish Community Centers
. However, some locations under the JCC umbrella still call themselves the Y (or formally, "YM-YWHA"), with perhaps the most notable example being the famous 92nd Street Y in Manhattan.
According to The Other Wiki , the YWCA organization is now called "World YWCA", it is independent from the YMCA and focuses more of its time now on social-services and mission-type work.
The merging occurred at the local level: many local YWCAs are now affiliated with both YWCA USA (the American wing of World YWCA) and YMCA at the same time.
The above does not apply to Canada where YMCA and YWCA remain separate organizations and while they both offer programming for men and women, Canadian YWC As continue to offer a large amount of female-centric programming related to health as well as social issues.
The Statue of Liberty was based on what the Colossus of Rhodes might have looked like as a woman, albeit much more modestly dressed. She is approximately the same height and wears a very similar crown to popular depictions of the Colossus.
The Girl Guides/Girl Scouts was set up as this for the Boy Scouts, after many girls expressed interest in joining the movement. Though (at least in the UK) the Scouts now accept girl members as well as boys, the Guides still remain as a distinct entity aimed at girls.
Spear Counterparts
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (majority female cast) — Angel (majority male cast)
Sex and the City — Big Shots, rare case where a show with a female cast gets a male version.
Entourage has also been referred to as the male counterpart, with the martinis switched out for joints.
As indicated above, Doctor Who has established that Time Lords can change gender when they regenerate, making it possible for them to have their own distaff and spear counterparts. At least one "spear counterpart" is known as a result: the Time Lord General first seen as male in "The Day of the Doctor" who later regenerates into a female in "Hell Bent". Dialogue after the change establishes that the character is actually female, but was saddled with a male body for the first time in her previous incarnation, therefore retroactively making the male General seen previously her own spear counterpart.
Myths and Legends
Madonna — Mandonna
Pro Wrestling
As Josie Wahlford was the first known "World Champion" recognized by any significant part of the pro wrestling industry, the wrestler to be recognized as a World Champion among male wrestlers, George Hackenschmidt , was her spear counterpart.
While in TNA , James Storm has basically been a spear counterpart to Jacqueline , specifically when she was Miss Tennessee but also her own role during her TNA runs to a lesser extent. On the flip side. Jacqueline and ODB together are almost a distaff counterpart to James Storm's team, America's Most Wanted.
Los Spice Boys of AAA weren't spear counterparts to any lucha libre\pro wrestling group but were instead male knockoffs of a UK female music group known as The Spice Girls.
After Cody Rhodes was "disfigured" by Rey Mysterio (it was Cody's own fault and he looked exactly the same afterwards), he began forcing all the ugly people (anyone he could get his hands on) to wear paper bag masks, making him a one man spear counterpart to TNA 's The Beautiful People .
No Bella Twins have worked for the NWA as far as we know, however, Vendetta Pro and Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero have had matches featuring the Fella Twins. Though mostly subverted in that Tommy Puur and Chip are generally baby faces and thus don't switch. After their breakup "Boy Diva" Rick Cataldo and Eddy McQueen were quick to appropriate the gimmick in NWCY and WSU.
Toys
The Mighty Max toyline was created in 1992 as a Spear Counterpart of the Polly Pocket toyline, which was introduced in 1989.
The G.I. Joe toyline (which started in 1964) is often considered as an Spear Counterpart for the Barbie toyline which was available since 1959).
The Easy Bake Oven is usually aimed at girls , though in the 2010s they revamped it for an unisex audience. Another company has the "Creepy Crawlers" oven aimed at boys. It creates candy versions of "gross" or "scary" animals like spiders or scorpions.
Video Games
In-Universe for Lunar : Nall is Team Pet in Lunar: The Silver Star . Ruby fills the same role in the sequel Lunar: Eternal Blue , but now with femininity, pinkness, and a big yellow bow on her her head.
and anorexia nervosa
in an attempt to lose weight because they think they are too fat . Less commonly known is that the opposite generally holds true for guys, who try to get bigger instead. In the belief that they are too skinny or scrawny some will almost obsessively work out and eat a lot of food in order to put on more weight (in the form of muscle mass). This tends to happen more often to those who are already perceived as being very physically fit or muscular, and is known as muscle dysmorphia
or, appropriately, reverse anorexia. Both are essentially nasty side-effects of the way our modern media portrays the ideal body figure for both women and men.
Since so many of Disney's holdings, such as Disney Fairies and Princesses , appeal so much more easily to girls, Disney found that their market share in young children's entertainment was lopsided, so Disney XD was specifically created in order to cater to boys.
Spike TV can be seen as the Spear Counterpart to Lifetime , having been conceived as a television network geared toward men.
Alternative Title(s): Spear Counterpart
| i don't know |
Which game starts with a squidge off? | Rules of Tiddlywinks
THE RULES OF TIDDLYWINKS (2001 VERSION)
These rules are Copyright, The English Tiddlywinks Association . You may not reproduce them without permission.
A more recent version of the Rules of Tiddlywinks can be found on www.etwa.org
NOTES
1. This version of the rules incorporates the modifications sanctioned by the 2001 Rules Meeting and supersedes earlier versions.
2. "He" and "his" have been used throughout these rules for the sake of simplicity. No disrespect to lady players is intended.
3. It has been suggested that to aid memory the winner of the squidge-off should always play yellow. Players are invited to try this.
4. Players are invited to agree before a game starts that they will endeavour to point out in advance that a player is about to play out of sequence.
English Tiddlywinks Association
(a) The following terms are explained in the course of the rules:
(i) Winks: the discs with which the game is played (Rule 2).
(ii) Squidger: a disc used to propel the winks. The act of playing the winks is called squidging (Rule 2).
(iii) The mat: the surface on which the game is played (Rule 3).
(iv) The pot: the container into which the winks may be squidged (Rule 4).
(v) To squop: to play a wink so that some part of it is vertically above some part of another wink (Rule 6).
(vi) A pile: a number of winks, connected directly or indirectly by squops.
(b) In tiddlywinks, four colours of winks are always used, blue, green, red and yellow. Blue and red are always partners against green and yellow, and partners are at diagonally opposite corners of the mat. The colours are arranged clockwise in alphabetical sequence. In pairs games each player has one partnership colour, and in singles games both. These rules apply in all respects to pairs and singles alike.
2. THE WINKS AND THE SQUIDGER
There are six plastic discs, called winks, of each colour, two being 22 mm in diameter, and four being 16 mm in diameter. All winks should be approximately 1.5 mm thick. A disc called a squidger is used to play the winks. This must be between 25 mm and 51 mm in diameter, and no thicker than 5 mm at its edge. Squidgers must not damage the winks when used. In a game, though not for a single shot, a player may use more than one squidger.
3. THE MAT
Games should be played on rectangular mats measuring 6 feet by 3 feet. Whenever possible mats approved by National Associations and made of a felt-like non-pile material should be used. The mat should be placed on a hard smooth horizontal surface so that the whole of the mat's surface is itself horizontal. If there is no such surface available, the players may agree to play on a less satisfactory surface. At each corner of the mat are straight lines drawn at right angles to the mat's diagonals at a point 3 feet from the centre of the mat. These are called baselines, and they and the edges of the playable surface (that is, that part of the mat vertically above the underlying surface) constitute the boundaries of the field of play. Nothing but winks and the pot may be placed on the field of play. This does not preclude a player from resting on the mat in order to play a shot.
If the surface is unsatisfactory owing to bumps, ridges, cracks etc., the players must agree before the game commences what action is to be taken to avoid the surface's irregularities. In these circumstances, it is permissible temporarily to move the mat so that a wink is no longer resting on a flaw in the underlying surface, the mat being replaced in its former position after the shot has been played. Alternatively the wink itself may be moved, remaining always the same distance from the pot, but whatever action is taken the pot should remain at the centre of the mat.
4. THE POT
The pot is placed in the centre of the mat. It is a concave-sided cup 38 mm high with an external diameter of 48 mm at the top and 38 mm at the base. Pots approved by National Associations should be used whenever possible. Nothing is allowed inside the pot except potted winks.
5. THE PLAY
(a) The winks are arranged as described in Rule 1 and behind the baselines, and then the game begins with the squidge-off. One wink of each colour is squidged towards the pot. The wink nearest the pot at the end of the squidge-off wins the squidge-off. For the purposes of this rule, all potted winks are equally near the pot and nearer than any unpotted wink; nearness is measured from the nearest edge of the wink. Any winks that go off the mat are deemed to be equally far from the pot, and further from it than any other wink. If two or more winks are equally near to the pot, and nearer than any other wink, the players concerned each resquidge one wink from the baseline until the winner of the squidge-off is determined. The winks are then replaced behind the baselines and play begins, proceeding clockwise and starting from the colour that won the squidge-off. Winks played from behind the baselines must be brought in one at a time, and from a position where they rest only on the mat. If an attempt to squidge a wink from behind a baseline does not propel it completely over the baseline, the shot does not count and the same wink must be replaced behind the baseline and played again.
(b) When playing a shot, a player must hold the squidger not more than 5 cm above the highest point of the first wink squidged. A shot consists of downward pressure of squidger on wink that is an attempt to move a wink or that causes a wink to move irreversibly. For the purposes of this rule, a movement is irreversible if, when the squidger ceases contact with the wink, all winks do not return to the position they occupied before contact with the squidger began. The squidger must first touch the upper surface (that part of the wink that is visible from directly above) of an unsquopped wink (see Rule 6) of the correct colour in sequence. If the wink is squopping all or part of a pile, the squidger may subsequently touch only winks vertically below some part of the wink first played. It must not touch other winks in the same pile. From the moment when a wink starts to move irreversibly, the movement of the squidger must be quick and continuous. A shot may consist of tapping a wink so that another moves from beneath it, but it is a foul shot to squeeze a wink from beneath the top wink and then play the top wink if the movements are distinct. The shot ends when contact between the squidger and playable winks ceases, and all winks have come to rest. Any shot that does not comply with these criteria is a foul shot (see Rule 12).
If, during a shot, the player's squidger, body or clothing disturbs a wink or winks not in the same pile as the first wink played, the disturbed winks are immediately restored to their original position. If any wink or winks are accidentally impeded while in motion, they are placed in a position agreed by all the players or the umpire, or left where they come to rest, at the discretion of the offended side. If any wink is accidentally interfered with while not in motion, it is immediately replaced where it was immediately before it was interfered with, squopping or squopped if necessary to comply with this Rule. Players are at all times bound to make every endeavour not to touch winks they are not playing, other than those inevitably hit by the follow-through of the squidger.
(c) In each turn a player squidges once in sequence, with an additional squidge for each wink of the correct colour potted in that turn. Winks coming to rest inside the pot are called "potted winks". Potted winks may not subsequently be played. Any wink coming to rest on the top rim of the pot is treated as a potted wink and is immediately moved to a position inside the pot. If a potted wink is knocked out of the pot by another wink it is immediately replaced inside the pot; any winks disturbed by it are restored to their original positions. Moving potted winks back into the pot to comply with this rule does not constitute a shot.
(d) A player may pass at any turn. If this is done, the opponents must be informed.
6. SQUOPPING
(a) A wink any part of which is vertically below any part of any other wink on the field of play is described as squopped, even if the upper wink is not touching the lower. A squopped wink cannot be the first wink played in any shot (see Rule 5).
(b) If all the unpotted winks are squopped the game ceases and the score is calculated in accordance with Rule 10 (b).
7. THE BOUNDARIES
(a) External.
If in any turn a player plays a shot which causes one or more winks of his correct colour wholly or partially to leave the field of play, the next shot due to be played with that colour is forfeited. Any wink wholly or partially leaving the field of play is immediately replaced on the field of play 22 mm from the boundary. The wink should be placed as near as possible to the point at which it crossed the boundary, but should not be placed closer than 10 cm to any other wink (nor closer than 10 cm to any baseline with unplayed winks behind it).
(b) The pot.
The pot may be held if it is likely to be moved accidentally by a player or a squidger, or moved by winks in motion. If the pot is moved it must be replaced immediately at the centre of the mat. Any wink disturbed by the movement of the pot is replaced in its former position. Any wink coming to rest wholly or partly under the base of the pot, or where the pot is to be replaced in accordance with this Rule, is moved the minimum distance necessary for it to be touching the base of the pot but not beneath the base of the pot when the pot is correctly placed.
If a wink comes to rest in a position where it is neither squopping nor squopped but supported by the pot (except as provided by rule 5(c)) so that part of the wink is higher than the rest, it is moved to lie touching the pot but no longer supported by it. It squops any wink within the range of its required movement. If any wink comes to rest in a position where it is both supported by the pot and either squopping or squopped, it is left as it lies. If it subsequently becomes neither squopping nor squopped but remains supported by the pot, it is moved as above. To move a wink under this rule does not constitute a shot.
8. POTTING OUT
When all the winks of one colour have been potted, whether by the player controlling them or not, they are said to have been potted out. As soon as one colour has been potted out, all squopped winks are desquopped by moving the winks squopping them. This movement does not constitute a shot, and must be done in such a way that the distance of each wink from the pot is not altered. If possible, there should be a gap of 2 mm between winks separated after a pot-out. The position of any wink moved under this rule must be agreed between the players. During the remainder of the game winks landing on or less than 2 mm from each other must be moved so as to leave a 2 mm gap between them and any other winks affected by this movement. Rule 9 ceases to apply in any game in which a colour is potted out, at whatever stage the pot-out occurs. At the end of the game following a pot-out, the score is then calculated according to Rule 10(a).
9. THE TIME LIMIT
(a) The time limit of a game is calculated from the first shot played after the squidge-off and shall be 25 minutes for pairs games and 20 minutes for singles games. The time limit may be modified by the tournament organiser or by any agreement between the players before the start of the game. The time limit may be extended if the umpire considers time has been deliberately wasted. If for any reason more than 30 seconds elapse between one shot and the next, the opponents of the player due to play the next shot may require that any additional time taken before it is played be not counted as part of the game. At any time after 30 seconds have elapsed, until the delaying player announces that the shot has been completed, the opponents are at liberty to practise on any available nearby mat. Time elapsing while a wink or winks are lost, or when a player due to play (or his partner if consultation is required) is called away from the game, is not counted as part of the game. Similarly, time taken to correct the outcome of a foul shot is not counted as part of the game (see Rule 12). For the procedure when an umpire is called, see Rule 14.
(b) When the time limit has expired, play continues up to and including the colour that won the squidge-off, after which five further rounds are played, each ending with the turn of the colour that won the squidge-off. The only exceptions to this are the special cases detailed in rule 8, at the end of Rule 11(d), in Rule 11(e) and in Rule 12(b)(ii); if the order of play is disrupted due to an out-of-turn shot (Rule 12(b)(ii)), the counting of rounds should be adjusted so that each colour has at most one turn (excluding out-of-turn shots) in any round. For the purposes of the time limit, a turn is deemed to begin at the moment when its first shot is played. If the time limit expires between two shots of the same turn, it is deemed to have expired at the end of that turn. Once the game is ended, the score is then calculated according to Rule 10(b).
(c) The tournament director may impose an additional restriction of 2 minutes for each shot played in the five rounds following the expiry of regulation time. The penalty for failing to play within the 2 minutes is forfeiture of the shot.
10. THE SCORE
(a) In a game in which Rule 8 has come into operation, the first colour to be potted out scores 4 points, the second to do so scores 2 points, the third one point and the remaining colour does not score. Should more than one colour be potted out in a single shot, the points are aggregated and shared equally between these colours. Partners' points are added together and one point is transferred from the losing partnership to the winning partnership.
(b) In a game in which Rule 8 has not come into operation (i.e. which has ended in accordance with Rule 9 or the last sentence of Rule 6) points are calculated as follows: each colour has three tiddlies for each potted wink and one tiddly for each unsquopped wink. Unplayed winks behind baselines do not count. The colour with the greatest number of tiddlies scores 4 points, that with the second greatest number 2 points, the third one point and the remaining colour does not score. Partners' points are added together and if two or more colours have an equal number of tiddlies, the appropriate points are aggregated and shared equally between these colours.
11. FREE TURNS
(a) When all the unpotted winks of one partnership are squopped, the opposing partnership is entitled to a number of "free turns". The number of free turns is one more than the number of unpotted winks on the field of play which are neither squopping nor squopped at the point when this rule is invoked. Free turns are shared between the two colours in normal rotation, even if one of these colours cannot play at a particular turn (due to having no unsquopped winks or the forfeiture of a shot according to Rule 7(a)). At or before the end of the last free turn, a freeing shot must be played.
(b) A "freeing shot" is a shot which leaves an opponent's wink unsquopped, one which pots the sixth wink of any colour (after which Rule 8 applies) or a shot which terminates the game according to Rule 6(b). A freeing shot must be played during free turns, except when the number of free turns is one. In this case, the first member of the squopping partnership able to play must play a freeing shot during his turn.
(c) Free turns cease whenever a freeing shot is played. Thereafter, until their opponents have a turn with an unsquopped wink, the squopping pair must leave an opponent's wink free after each shot played. This wink must be of the same colour as the wink free prior to the shot, unless the other colour is given an opportunity to play first. If both squopped colours become free, the first to play must be left free after each shot.
(d) If a freeing shot is not played as required by section (b), or a wink is squopped contrary to section (c), the turn in which the offence occurs is terminated, and the offended partnership is awarded a "nominated wink". For the first shot of the turn immediately following the failure to free, the player due to play the next colour shall nominate an unsquopped wink of any colour and play it as if it were his own. If after the playing of a nominated wink no wink of the squopped partnership is free, free turns are recounted and start immediately. If in the playing of the nominated wink any of the nominated colour is potted, it will ultimately count for the normal player of that colour, but the player may continue the turn, playing any wink of his own colour freed by the previous shot. If a wink of the nominated colour leaves the field of play, the player forfeits the next shot due to be played with his own colour.
If the failure to free occurs on the final turn of the fifth round after expiry of the time limit, the next colour in sequence shall be entitled to one extra turn, commencing with a nominated wink.
(e) If the time limit expires during free turns, it is deemed to have expired at the moment before the first playable shot (including a nominated wink) of the squopped pair, and Rule 9(b) applies from then.
12. FOUL SHOTS AND FOUL PLAY
(a) If a player squidges a wink contrary to Rule 5(b), it is a foul shot, and the opponents have two options:
(i) They may require that all winks disturbed by the foul shot be replaced and a further shot be played as part of the same turn. The same shot need not be attempted again.
(ii) They may accept the shot in its entirety, and the turn comes to an end (even if a wink has been potted). They cannot accept part and have part replayed.
(b) If a player deliberately plays a shot with the wrong colour, or plays when it is another player's turn, then this is also a foul shot. The opponents have two options:
(i) They may have the shot, and any shot subsequent to it in the same turn that was played before the foul shot was noticed, retracted.
(ii) They may accept the shot or shots, and the turn comes to an end. If the opponents accept such a turn, play continues with either of their own colours of their choice.
(c) If an opponent plays a shot subsequent to a foul shot, this is equivalent to accepting it; the shot must stand (unless it is a foul shot in which case Rule 12(a) applies), and the sequence of colours must be continued from that turn.
(d) If a player deliberately disrupts the course of a game, whether by interfering with winks, pot, mat or another player, the penalty is that the game is declared ended, and all seven points are awarded to the player's opponents. During his own turn, however, a player may turn or clean any of his own winks which is neither squopping nor squopped nor potted, and replace it in its correct position.
(e) In the event that a foul shot is played and winks have to be replaced, then the time taken to replace the winks is not counted as part of the game.
13. OUTSIDE HELP
(a) No advice on the play of the game may be sought from or given by third parties. (This does not preclude discussion with other team members on points required.)
(b) During the course of a game no player may play any wink other than in his rightful turns in the game, except in the specific circumstances sanctioned in Rule 9(a). For instance, it is not permissible to set up a shot on another table and practise it (except as permitted by Rule 9(a)).
14. UMPIRE
If the players are unable to agree on any matter concerned with the play of the game, or are in doubt as to the meaning or interpretation of any rule, they must if possible call a competent person to act as an umpire. The time taken for an umpire to arrive at the table is not counted as part of the game. Similarly, time taken over the interpretation of any rule, over a judgement determining the status of winks (e.g. squopped or non-squopped), or for other discussions with the umpire, should not be counted as part of the game.
If a player is doubtful whether a proposed shot will be played legally, an umpire must be called before the shot is played. The umpire must decide whether the proposed shot is likely to be legal, and if it is played, whether it has been legally executed. Any time taken to correct the outcome of a foul shot is not counted as part of the game.
On all matters on which an umpire is consulted, the decision of the umpire is final.
Copyright, The English Tiddlywinks Association.
| Tiddlywinks |
The Slag Brothers were contestants in what? | How to Play Tiddlywinks: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Getting the Right Pieces
1
Make sure you have all of the pieces you need to play Tiddlywinks. These should be in the game itself upon purchase, and you will need all of them to play it right. [1]
Winks are small plastic discs that you try to get into the pot. The squidger is a larger piece of round, thicker plastic that you use to propel smaller discs into the pot. Winks come in yellow, red, green, and blue. There are 6 winks of each color.
The pot is the container that you try to put the winks into. The mat is basically the playing field. It’s usually 6 feet by 3 feet. Place the mat on a flat surface in order to play. The mat has lines etched on both ends. This indicates the field’s boundaries and baselines. The mat is usually made of felt. [2]
2
Understand the game’s object. The goal of Tiddlywinks is to propel as many winks into the pot as you can.
You can either play Tiddlywinks in two-person teams or against another player. It’s also possible to play the game with three people. Only 2 to 4 people can play Tiddlywinks.
The verb “to squidge” means you propel or flick the smaller plastic discs toward (and hopefully into) the pot using the squidger.
The way you squidge a wink is by putting your squidger on a wink. Apply pressure to it, and it should pop the wink forward. It can be difficult to squidge a wink when someone else’s wink is on it. The wink below another wink is said to be “squopped.” You must only touch the top wink in your color sequence. If all the winks are squopped, the game is over.
3
Use the right squidger. Some people sandpaper their squidger down. This will make it so they have less sharp edges.
Some people use different size squidgers for different shots. Squidgers must be round and between 25 mm and 51 mm across and no thicker than 5 mm.
They cannot damage the winks. You may only use one per play. However, you can use different squidgers throughout the course of a game.
Part 2
Starting the Game
1
Choose a partner if you want. Partners use blue and red winks or they use green and yellow winks. Once you have a partner, you should stand diagonally across from your partner on the mat’s opposite corners. Blue winks are put in the corner diagonally positioned across from red; the same is true of green and yellow. [3]
If you’re playing in a team, each player should take one of the two colors of the pairs above. Team play in Tiddlywinks is called “pairs.”
If you just playing against another person, one player will use blue and red winks and the other green and yellow winks. This is called “singles.” [4] It’s possible to play with three people. In that instance, one of the people controls both colors and the other two each control one other color.
2
Start with a squidge-off. This means that you see whose winks get closest to the pot or into it. If yours makes it into the pot or is closest, you get to start.
Place the pot in the middle of the mat. Place the winks behind the baselines. Each corner of the mat should contain winks of only one color. Arrange the colors clockwise in alphabetical order from the English language (blue first, and then green, etc.) Tiddlywinks turns then move in clockwise rotation after the squidge-off.
Play a wink of each color from behind the baseline in the direction of the pot. You always want to make sure you stay behind the baseline when you play a wink. The wink in or closest to the pot is the winner. Then, put the winks back behind the baseline.
3
Time the game. Generally, games of Tiddlywinks last 20 minutes for single matches and 24 minutes for pairs. Start the clock after the squidge-off.
The game can end before the time runs out, though, if someone squidges all the winks of their color into the pot. Games with three players usually run 22.5 minutes.
You can also choose to play until all winks are potted. There is usually a round limit period after the ending of the time period if all the winks are not potted. That means you continue playing until the turn of the color that won the squidge off. Five further rounds of the color are played, with each ending after the turn of the color that won the squidge-off.
Part 3
Playing the Game
1
Begin play. Start with the color that won the squidge-off. The colors take turns in alphabetical order of the English language. Use the squidger to propel the winks toward the pot when it is your turn.
If you get the wink inside the pot, that is called a potted wink. If the wink stops on all or part of another wink, the top wink is the squopping wink and the lower wink is the squopped wink.
Winks that are not potted or squopped are called free winks. When it is your turn in the clockwise rotation, see how close you can flip one of your color’s Tiddlywinks toward the pot. Be careful. If you send it off the mat, you lose your turn. If you get your color in the pot, you get another shot.
If a person’s shot causes a wink of the same color to go off the mat, the next shot with that color is forfeited.
2
Pot out. Potting out means you empty out the pot to see how many winks are inside of it. You “pot out” if all of your winks are in the pot.
If all six winks of a single color are potted, that color is “potted out.” The person controlling that color then wins the game. If you pot out, you also get an extra point and your opponents score one less point.
If all of the colors are not potted when the time runs out, add up the score for each color. Every potted wink is three points. Every uncovered wink is one point. Squopped and unplayed winks don’t count. So, for example, if blue has 3 potted winks and 2 free, the score is 11. If yellow has 4 winks in a pot and 1 free, the total is 13.
The top scorer gets 4 points, the second scorer gets 2 and the third gets 1 point.
3
Be strategic. Tiddlywinks is not just blind luck when it’s played well. Some people will squop another person’s Tiddlywinks in order to stop another person who has potted colors.
For example, if a player has five of his color in the pot but the sixth is squopped, he or she can’t do anything until his or her partner frees it up.
There are many possible game plans, but a standard strategy is to try to build an area of friendly winks close to the pot, and to squop as many enemy winks as possible. Trying to put winks in the pot too early may end in disaster as your remaining playable winks become captured.
Hold the squidger with a firm but relaxed grip. Hold it high up so your fingers don’t get in the way of the flick. Place the edge of the squidger on the middle of the wink, about 45 degrees to it. [5]
4
Handle squopped winks right. You cannot play a squopped wink. This means that a wink is covered even a tiny bit by another wink. You can, however, play the top wink of any pile if it is yours and follow through to any wink directly under it. [6] [7]
If someone pots out, the time limit no longer matters. The game continues until all winks of a partnership are in the pot. All squops must be squidged. Covering winks are moved to 2mm away from all other winks. Play continues in the regular order. First color to pot out wins.
To play a squopped wink, you first play the upper surface of the unsquopped wink. Winks vertically below the wink you first touch can be hit by the squidger. The shot has to be short and continuous from start to finish. You could play a pile shot in which you send the enemy wink far away. This is called a boondock.
Community Q&A
If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.
Video
Tips
You may have to press the squidger harder if the wink is very close to the pot.
A full copy of the rules can be downloaded for free from Tiddlywinks Associations.
If you're in a close game, figure out which of your colors has the best chance for first place and try to make sure of that.
In tournaments, game scores are usually aggregated, so individual wins and losses are not as important as the actual scorelines. So if you are losing, try to lose 3-4 rather than 1-6.
The squidger is used to direct the wink. The mat has springiness to it that will help propel the wink.
Practice potting from 3-4" and squopping from 1-2". Playing these shots solidly will win many games.
There are many Tiddlywinks terms, and some shots have colorful names like the Bristol, the Carnovsky, and even the John Lennon memorial shot.
Don’t use much pressure on the wink with the squidger. [8]
Warnings
Tiddlywinks can be a choking hazard. Make sure to account for all your winks if you are playing in a household with small children.
Things You'll Need
A table or other hard surface suitable for playing on (rectangular and at least 6' x 3').
A set. This consists of 24 counters or "winks": 6 each of blue, green, red and yellow. Each color has 4 small winks and 2 large winks.
A pot. Usually red, it's a couple of inches high, round, and smaller at the base than at the rim.
A mat. The most expensive item you'll need, a tournament quality 6' x 3' mat is made of industrial superfelt, but in a pinch you can use any non-pile material that has a reasonable amount of springiness.
Squidgers. These are the discs used to play the winks (do not mistake large winks for squidgers). You can make your own from any thin plastic disc between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, and you can use different squidgers for different shots.
A timer. Any standard (preferably digital) countdown timer or watch with appropriate functionality will work.
| i don't know |
Another Suitcase In Another Hall is a song from which musical? | Madonna-Another suitcase in another hall - YouTube
Madonna-Another suitcase in another hall
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Uploaded on Dec 7, 2008
"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" is a song from the musical Evita with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song was first a hit for in the UK for Barbara Dickson in 1977. The B-side was the "Requiem for Evita", which had a slightly strange ending as it did not have "Oh What a Circus" to segue into.
"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" was rerecorded by Madonna for the 1996 soundtrack Evita. The song was released as the soundtrack's third and final commercial single in March 1997.
One notable part of Madonna's version is that the arrangement was altered quite a bit. The instrumental break was taken from the original Julie Covington Buenos Aires recording, played slower and varied slightly to fit in with the tune. This was done by proper orchestration and not sampling. The original Barbara Dickson version had no instrumental break at all.
The lyrics describe the singer's familiarity with the unhappiness of having to move on after a failed romance. In the musical, the song is sung by Juan Perón's mistress after she is pushed out of Perón's life by his future wife, Eva. In the film adaptation of Evita, the song is adapted for Eva to sing after the end of her relationship with Agustín Magaldi, adding a more vulnerable dimension to the character and another potential Madonna hit to aid the film's promotion.
The single, which was only released in the United Kingdom, Australia and a few European countries, was not a big hit on the charts, entering at UK number seven (selling 75,233 copies) but free-falling thereafter. The single was withdrawn from sale in Australia almost as soon as it was released, and as such became the only Madonna single to not chart on the ARIA Australian Top 100.
Category
| Evita |
What was the signature tune of Duke Ellington’s band? | Madonna - Evita - 06. Another Suitcase in Another Hall (1996) - YouTube
Madonna - Evita - 06. Another Suitcase in Another Hall (1996)
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Uploaded on Feb 8, 2010
Another Suitcase In Another Hall Lyrics:
[Eva:]
I don't expect my love affairs to last for long
Never fool myself that my dreams will come true
Being used to trouble I anticipate it
But all the same I hate it, wouldn't you?
[Chorus:]
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Another suitcase in another hall
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Take your picture off another wall
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
[Che:] You'll get by, you always have before
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
Time and time again I've said that I don't care
That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through
But every time it matters all my words desert me
So anyone can hurt me, and they do
[chorus]
Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know
Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow
I won't recall the names and places of each sad occasion
But that's no consolation here and now.
[chorus, with Che's lines being sung by the starlets]
[Huevo:]
| i don't know |
What is the army equivalent of the Royal Navy’s Commodore? | Commodore (Royal Navy) | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
Edit
The appointment of Commodore dates to the mid-17th century: it was first used in the time of William III . There was a need for officers to command squadrons , but it was not deemed desirable to create new admirals (as Post-Captains were promoted to Rear-Admiral in order of seniority). Captains assigned squadron command were given the title of Commodore, but it was not an actual rank. The officer so designated kept his place on the list of Captains. In 1748 it was established that Captains serving as Commodores were equal to Brigadier-Generals in the Army.
Commodores could revert to the rank of Captain at the end of their posting (and Captains could be promoted directly to Rear-Admiral without ever having served as a Commodore).
The Royal Navy Commodore was eventually split into two classes. Those of the first class had a Captain under them to command their ship and were allocated one-eighth of all prize money earned by ships under their command. Those of the second class commanded their own ship as well as the squadron. In 1783, Commodores of the first class were allowed to wear the uniform of a Rear-Admiral, a distinction which continued with some variation until the two classes of Commodore were consolidated in 1958.
By the 20th century, Commodores did not just command seagoing units (the naval barracks in the three main naval bases of Devonport , Portsmouth and Chatham were all commanded by Commodores, for instance) and the appointment of Commodore could also be held by specialist officers in certain positions as well as by line officers.
The Royal Air Force rank of air commodore was derived from the Royal Navy rank of commodore in 1919.
In 1996, Commodore was made a substantive rank in the Royal Navy. It had previously been an appointment, with the holder a Captain, reverting to the status of Captain at the end of the appointment.
Insignia
Edit
Commodores First Class, while wearing the sleeve stripes of a Rear-Admiral, had gold lace-covered epaulettes with a crown, two stars and an anchor (also worn by other Commodores but only with formal uniforms). They flew a swallow-tailed pennant with the St George's cross , but without the disc that appeared on the pennant of a Second Class Commodore.
Commodores Second Class wore a single 1.75 inch-wide row of lace below a ring (known in naval regulations as a curl) measuring 1.75 inches in diameter on both sleeve and shoulder-board. Their uniforms were otherwise the same as for Captains.
Modern Commodores wear the insignia previously worn by Commodores Second Class.
Equivalent naval ranks
Edit
Some Commonwealth countries have replaced Commodore with an equivalent flag rank. The correct sleeve insignia for such a rank is a single 1.75 inch-wide row of gold lace below a gold lace curl with a diameter of 2 inches. The correct shoulder-board insignia comprises a crown (or national emblem for republics) with a crossed sword and baton on a gold lace-covered shoulder-board, however, there is some variation due to misconceptions about the status of stars in Commonwealth-style rank insignia. The rest of the uniform is identical to that of a Rear-Admiral.
| Brigadier |
What are the legislative assemblies of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney called? | Commodore (rank) | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
Midshipman
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain , but below a rear admiral . Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent, although the latter may also correspond to rear admiral.
Traditionally, "commodore" is the title for any officer assigned to command more than one ship at a time, even temporarily, much as "captain" is the traditional title for the commanding officer of a single ship even if the officer's official title in the service is a lower rank. As an official rank, a commodore typically commands a flotilla or squadron of ships as part of a larger task force or naval fleet commanded by an admiral .
It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6 (which is known in the U.S. as " rear admiral (lower half)"), but whether it is regarded as a flag rank varies between countries. [1]
It is sometimes abbreviated as Cdre, CDRE or COMO. [2]
Contents
Edit
The rank of commodore derives from the French commandeur, which was one of the highest ranks in orders of knighthood , and in military orders the title of the knight in charge of a commenda (a local part of the order's territorial possessions).
History
Edit
The Dutch Navy also used the rank of commandeur from the end of the 16th century for a variety of temporary positions, until it became a conventional permanent rank in 1955. The Royal Netherlands Air Force has adopted the English spelling of commodore for an equivalent rank.
The rank of commodore was at first a position created as a temporary title to be bestowed upon captains who commanded squadrons of more than one vessel. In many navies, the rank of commodore was merely viewed as a senior captain position, whereas other naval services bestowed upon the rank of commodore the prestige of flag officer status; commodore is the highest rank in the Irish Naval Service , for example, and is held by only one person. In the Royal Navy , the position was introduced to combat the cost of appointing more admirals—a costly business with a fleet as large as the Royal Navy's at that time.
United States
Main article: Commodore (United States)
In 1899 the substantive rank of commodore was discontinued in the United States Navy , but revived during World War II. It was discontinued as a rank in these services during the postwar period, but as an appointment, the title "commodore" was then used to identify senior U.S. Navy captains who commanded squadrons of more than one vessel or functional air wings or air groups that were not part of a carrier air wing or air group. Concurrently, until the early 1980s, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard captains selected for promotion to the rank of rear admiral (lower half), would wear the same insignia as rear admiral (upper half), i.e., two silver stars for collar insignia or sleeve braid of one wide and one narrow gold stripe, even though they were actually only equivalent to one-star officers and paid at the one-star rate.
To correct this inequity, the rank of commodore as a single star flag officer was reinstated by both services in the early 1980s. This immediately caused confusion with those senior U.S. Navy captains commanding destroyer squadrons, submarine squadrons, functional air wings and air groups, and so on, who held the temporary "title" of commodore while in their major command billet. As a result of this confusion, the services soon renamed the new one-star rank as commodore admiral (CADM) within the first six months following the rank's reintroduction. However, this was considered an awkward title and the one-star flag rank was renamed a few months later to its current title of rear admiral (lower half), later abbreviated by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard as RDML.
The "title" of commodore continues to be used in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for those senior captains in command of organizations consisting of groups of ships or submarines organized into squadrons ; air wings or air groups of multiple aviation squadrons other than carrier air wings (the latter whose commanders still use the title "CAG"); explosive ordnance disposal ( EOD ), mine warfare and special warfare ( SEAL ) groups; and construction battalion ( SeaBee ) regiments. Although not flag officers, modern day commodores in the U.S. Navy rate a blue and white command pennant that is normally flown at their headquarters facilities ashore or from ships that they are embarked aboard when they are the senior officer afloat.
Argentina
Edit
In the Argentine Navy, the rank of commodore was created in the late 1990s, and is usually, but not always, issued to senior captains holding rear-admirals' positions. Its equivalent in the army is colonel-major, and has no equivalent in the air force. It is usually—but incorrectly—referred to as "navy commodore", to avoid confusion with the "air force commodore", which is equivalent to the navy's captain and army's colonel. The sleeve lace is identical to that of the Royal Navy, and wears one star on the shoulder strap.
Naval rank
The following articles deal with the rank of commodore (or its equivalent) as it is employed in various countries.
Komodor
Edit
Commodore, in Spanish comodoro, is a rank in the Argentine Air Force . This rank is the equivalent of a colonel in the Argentine Army , and a colonel or group captain in other air forces of the world. The Argentine rank below commodore is the rank of vice-commodore (Spanish vicecomodoro) equivalent to a lieutenant-colonel in the Argentine Army, and a lieutenant-colonel or wing commander in other air forces.
Commodore is a rank in the Royal Netherlands Air Force . It is a one-star rank and has essentially the same rank insignia as the British air commodore .
Many air forces, use the rank of air commodore . This rank was first used by the Royal Air Force and is now used in many countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand and Zimbabwe. It is the equivalent rank to the navy rank of "commodore", and the army ranks of brigadier and brigadier general .
The German air force used the concept of a unit commodore, although this was a unit command appointment rather than a rank.
Merchant and boating rank
Commodore is also a title held by the senior captain within a shipping company and by the senior officer of many yacht clubs and boating associations.
Convoy commodore
Edit
During wartime, a shipping convoy will have a ranking officer—sometimes an active-duty naval officer , at other times a civilian master or retired naval officer—designated as the convoy commodore. This title is not related to the individual's military rank (if any), but instead is the title of the senior individual responsible for the overall operation of the merchant ships and naval auxiliary ships that make up the convoy. The convoy commodore does not command the convoy' escort forces (if any), which are commanded by a naval officer who serves as escort commander.
Other uses
Edit
In the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary , the senior elected officer of the organization is the National Commodore, also there are commodores elected for the individual district commands of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They hold the title of District Commodore. There are also appointed commodores who are the senior office holder for the areas within the organizational directorate.
In the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary —PCGA—each of the directors in command of the ten Coast Guard Auxiliary districts are commodores, as well as most of the Deputy National Directors (some may be rear admirals). Commodore is appreviated to COMMO in the PCGA.
Vanderbilt University's intercollegiate athletics teams are nicknamed the " Commodores ", a reference to Cornelius Vanderbilt 's self-appointed title (he was the master of a large shipping fleet).
In the U.S. Sea Scouting program (which is part of the Boy Scouts of America), all National, Regional, Area, and Council committee chairs are titled as commodore, while senior committee members are addressed as vice commodore. Ship committee chairs do not hold this recognition.
See also
| i don't know |
Whose partners include Crazylegs Crane and the Aardvark? | Ant and the Aardvark, The Inspector, and Crazylegs Crane Coming To Blu-Ray
Ant and the Aardvark, The Inspector, and Crazylegs Crane Coming To Blu-Ray
12
Animation director Friz Freleng may have died 21 years ago, but he’s having more success in Hollywood this month than many living directors. Yesterday we announced that Warner Bros. was developing an animated feature starring Speedy Gonzales, a character that was popularized by Freleng in the 1950s.
Later this month, film distributor Kino Lorber will release complete collections of shorts featuring The Ant and the Aardvark
, and Crazylegs Crane
, three characters that came out of Freleng’s animation studio, DePatie-Freleng, which he co-owned between 1963 and 1981.
Kino Lorber’s Studio Classics division is releasing new HD transfers of the shorts in both Blu-ray and DVD editions. Later this year, the company plans to release additional collections of DePatie-Freleng series including Roland and Rattfink, Tijuana Toads, Blue Racer, Sheriff Hoot Kloot, Dogfather, and Misterjaw.
PARTNER MESSAGE
Made during the last throes of Hollywood theatrical shorts production, The Inspector and Ant and the Aardvark series have much to recommend, including smartly made animation on a budget that often exceeds current American TV standards, minimalist yet striking production design, and some surprising elements, like jazz scores on the Ant and the Aardvark series performed by top West coast jazz musicians. (Unfortunately, Crazylegs Crane, a post-theatrical TV series, has much less to offer in terms of quality.)
DePatie-Freleng, most famous for its Pink Panther series, never achieved true greatness in any of its productions, but these Kino-Lorber sets offer a welcome opportunity for contemporary viewers to reassess their output. Lots of talented people worked on these cartoons and there’s creative inspiration waiting to be discovered in certain aspects of the studio’s output.
The best news is that the sets are quite affordable, and all of them will include the following documentaries by Greg Ford: Goodbye Warner Bros., Hello DePatie-Freleng and Of Aardvarks, Ants, Inspectors, and Cranes, featuring Jerry Beck, Barbara Donatelli, Will Friedwald, Doug Goodwin, Art Leonardi, Joe Siracusa, and archival audio of Friz Freleng.
The Inspector collection includes all 34 theatrical shorts created between 1965-1969, the Ant and the Aardvark collection contains all seventeen theatrical shorts created between 1969-1971, and the Crazylegs Crane disc includes all 16 made-for-TV shorts that appeared in 1978 on the The All New Pink Panther Show.
Here’s the cover art for both Tijuana Toads and Roland and Rattfink (courtesy of Amazon):
ea
I had no idea those three dogs from the 1993 Pink Panther show were from another cartoon series (The Dogfather).
Mesterius
Can we PLEASE get a comment from someone in the know about when DePatie-Freleng’s original Pink Panther shorts will be released on Blu-ray? I know they’re a different copyright… but it’s still a bit absurd to see all these lesser-known series from D-F get the HD treatment before their biggest star.
Mister Twister
As long as it’s the original 4:3 aspect ratio is kept, and the transfer is done PROPERLY, not what Disney does to its old movies, I am sold.
Metlow Rovenstein
I saw screenshots from the Blu-ray release, and the transfer is both in 4:3 and was done properly.
Mister Twister
Funny, cartoony, appealing and well-designed characters? What a concept!
jhalpernkitcat
I love that they’re finally getting released in a single, inexpensive format. I’m especially excited for the Roland and Rattfink one–very underrated series in my opinion.
Abdullah Zubair
Other than Pink Panther and these 3, I haven’t watched any of his other work..Are they just as good..??
Also, I felt that was a terrible way to start an article(Humor about death and money)
jhalpernkitcat
I’d avoid Hoot Kloot, that’s the one about a clueless Western sheriff. I’ve seen a few of the shorts, and the character is absolutely unlikable, and not very kind to his horse.
The Blue Racer is hit or miss–I’ll admit, I loved the shorts with the very politically incorrect Japanese Beetle as his prey–but eventually the beetle had to be cut out due to complaints.
Tiajuana Toads are fun–if you’ve ever seen the Speedy Gonzales short “Mexicali Shmoes” with the two cats Manuel and Jose or the two Looney Tunes shorts “Two Crows from Tacos” and “Crows’ Feat” with the two crows of the same names, then you know exactly what these shorts are going to be like as Toro –the big toad and Pancho, the little toad are exactly like these characters. These guys sadly had to be re-dubbed when they aired on television as the Texas Toads–their voices, names and even music were completely changed to more Western ones. Luckily, I think we will get all the shorts in their proper, politically incorrect glory. Also, these shorts introduced us to Crazy Legs Crane and the Blue Racer respectively.
I’ve only seen one short of Misterjaw and I’ve never seen the Dogfather.
However, as I’ve mentioned before, Roland and Rattfink is a very underrated series in my opinion. It’s basically good vs. evil with the twist that good does not necessarily always win. “Hurts and Flowers” “A Pair of Sneakers” and “Hawks and Doves” are probably the best of their shorts, although many of the other ones are quite fun as well.
hernandez2014
I remember seeing the Japanese beetle in The Blue Racer shorts on Boomerang.
jhalpernkitcat
The Japanese beetle originally appeared in a Tiajuna Toads short called “Hop and Chop.” Oh, the lack of political correctness in that short was wonderful–and it was funny as hell too.
| The Pink Panther |
The environmental phobia ‘ombrophobia’ is an unnatural fear of what? | Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Tijuana Toads
continued below
very much of a stink — provided you showed them months apart and made people go to movie theatres to see them, instead of getting "in your face" with the viewers on their own TV screens, several times a day.
Tijuana Toads, an Hispanic, amphibian comedy pair named Toro and Pancho, debuted on August 6, 1969, in a cartoon titled, of all things, Tijuana Toads. It was directed by Hawley Pratt, who had assisted Friz Freleng back in the Looney Tunes days, when they worked on such classics as Tweety & Sylvester and Yosemite Sam.
Toro, the fat one, was the dominant partner. He was voiced by Don Diamond, whose most prominent other voice role was the fat sergeant (here, named Gonzales) in the Zorro segment of Filmation's The Tarzan /Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour. Pancho was the skinny one who got ordered around a lot. His voice was done by Tom Holland, whose only prior role in animation was also a spoof of Mexicans — Slowpoke Rodriguez, a supporting character to Speedy Gonzales.
The Tijuana Toads came along in the waning days of theatrical animation, and got swept away with the tide along with all the rest. Their series, consisting of 17 cartoons, ended with Flight to the Finish, released April 30, 1972. Along the way, it introduced two characters that would be spun off into series of their own, The Blue Racer and Crazylegs Crane.
But they found new life on NBC's 1976-77 season, when The Pink Panther headed up a show that ran 90 minutes, and featured The Ant & the Aardvark, Misterjaw and whatever else could be fitted in from the DePatie-Freleng inventory. But with an object lesson provided by the now-defunct Frito Bandito, they were renamed. Toro became Fatso and Pancho became Banjo ( no relation ), and together they were The Texas Toads. They were re-dubbed without accents, and some scenes were re-shot. A few new episodes were made.
As such, they lasted only a year. But they were back to their old selves three decades later, when Boomerang, the cable station that specializes in old animation, started airing most of their old theatrical cartoons. Confusingly, however, a few Texas Toads episodes got into the mix, so viewers aren't quite sure who the stars are.
— DDM
| i don't know |
Which star constellation is ‘the herdsman’? | Bootes Constellation, The Herdsman or Plowman
TelescopeKing.com / Advice and Guides / Bootes Constellation, The Herdsman or Plowman
Bootes Constellation, The Herdsman or Plowman
May 17, 2012
Bootes Constellation
Bootes Constellation Outline
The constellation Bootes is easily visible. Simply look down from the tail of the Big Dipper. Bootes looks like a giant kite with a bright red star at the narrow end. Bootes is also known as the Bear Driver because it leads the Great Bear as it revolves around the North Star. Bootes is usually visualized as a herdsman holding a staff and two dogs on a leash, chasing Ursa Major around the pole.
The Bootes constellation has been called many names over time. Some of these names include the Barking Dog, the Loud Weeper, the Pastor and Nimrod. The origin of the word “Bootes” itself is unclear. So suggest it is synonym to “plowman” and others think it represent the shouts of an ox driver.
Bootes Mythology
The constellation Bootes is associated with several myths. In one, Bootes is a ploughman who drove the oxen which were tied to the polar axis in the Ursa Major constellation, with his two dogs. Bootes’ purpose was to keep the skies turning.
A different myth sees Bootes linked with Atlas because of the position of the constellation’s arms near the pole star. Bootes is also said to have invented the plough, which earned him a place in the heavens.
Another Greek myth tells the tale of Bootes as Icarius, a grape grower whom the god Dionysus had taught to make wine. When they tasted the wine, Icarius’ friends became so intoxicated that they believed they had been poisoned and so they killed him. When Icarius’ dog Maera brought his daughter Erigone to his body, she hanged herself in despair and the dog died of grief. Zeus then transformed them to constellations: Icarius became Bootes, Erigone was turned into the Virgo constellattion, and the dog became either Canis Major or Canis Minor. Various sources are inconsistent on that point.
Bootes Stars and Deep Space Objects
The brightest star of Bootes is Arcturus (alpha Bootis) with an apparent magnitude of –1.0. It is the third brightest star in the sky. Arcturus is a red giant 36.7 light-years distant and about 110 times more luminous than the Sun. It has some unusual features besides its distinctive orange color. Arcturus is the fastest moving star in the sky, not in terms of its speed through space, but its speed across the backdrop of the other stars. In about 800 years, Arcturus will be very close to a Moon’s diameter from its current position in respect to the other stars which will have barely moved.
Bootes contains several binary stars visible to the naked eye, including Iota, delta and mu. Mu Bootis is a triple star system with a yellow-white F-type subgiant for a primary component.
| Boötes |
Which metallic element is extracted from the ore calamine? | h2g2 - Constellations: Bootes 'the Herdsman' - Edited Entry
Constellations: Bootes 'the Herdsman' Content from the guide to life, the universe and everything
Constellations: Bootes 'the Herdsman'
Right Ascension 15h, Declination +30°
Origin:
Ancient
Boötes (pronounced boh-oh-teez) the Herdsman 3 is one of Ptolemy's 48 original constellations , so it is classified 'ancient'. Following the 'arc' of the handle of the Big Dipper (going away from the bowl) you will land right on Arcturus (alpha Boötis). Therefore, 'arc to Arcturus' the saying goes - followed by 'spike to Spica', because straight 'down' from Arcturus you will land on Spica in Virgo .
Boötes is kite-shaped and shares borders with (clockwise from the north) Draco , Ursa Major, Canes Venatici , Coma Berenices , Virgo, Serpens Caput, Corona Borealis and Hercules . Surprisingly for such a large area (it is the 13th-largest constellation) there are no Messier objects. Interestingly, there is a rather huge mysterious 'nothing' (absence of galaxies ) called the Boötes Void.
This 'supervoid' was discovered in 1981. It is more than a billion light years 4 from us and measures almost 350 million light years in diameter. There are many theories about the Boötes Void; it remains an enigmatic mystery and popular science fiction topic.
Mythology
According to the Greek myth, the great god Zeus had a dalliance with Callisto, the daughter of King Lycaon of Arcadia ; and she bore a son who she named Arcas. King Lycaon did not believe his daughter when she claimed the child's father was Zeus, so invited Zeus to join them for a meal. The meat offered to Zeus was unusual - it was in fact the sliced and diced flesh of the infant Arcas, who had been killed earlier on the instructions of the goddess Hera, Zeus' jealous wife.
Zeus did not relish having his son served up on a silver platter and took his revenge on King Lycaon by killing his sons. He then gathered up the body parts of Arcas and put him back together, before handing the child over to Atlas' daughter Maia 5 to raise.
To keep Callisto safe from Hera, Zeus turned Callisto into a bear. When Arcas grew up he was out hunting one day when the bear rushed to embrace him. Thinking he was being attacked, Arcas determined to kill the bear, not knowing it was really his mother. Callisto raced to the Temple of Zeus to appeal on their behalf and Zeus placed them both in the heavens: Callisto as Ursa Major and Arcas as the constellation Boötes the Herdsman.
Another version of the tale has a slightly different ending: the mother and son are transformed into Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. In this version, Boötes honours the herdsman who invented the plough. This so delighted Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, that she arranged his reward with Zeus: his own constellation, rotating the heavens for eternity.
Stars
The scientific star names are simple to understand (if you know your Greek alphabet ). For example, 'alpha Boötis' means it is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes. The next brightest is designated 'beta' etc. This is known as the ' Bayer designation '. Some stars have proper names as well, for example, alpha Boötis is Arcturus. Others are known by their catalogue number.
Arcturus is a first magnitude orange giant at just 36 light years distant. It is one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere of the celestial globe and the fourth-brightest star in the sky overall. Arcturus means 'bear guardian' in Greek; it was known by Homer, Hesiod and Ptolemy. In this fabulous Astronomy Picture of the Day image , Arcturus is in the centre of the picture between Jupiter and 'The Plough' asterism (part of the constellation Ursa Major).
Star Table
Orange giant
New General Catalogue (NGC)
The NGC was compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer (director of the Armagh Observatory from 1882 - 1916). NGC 5548 is a Seyfert galaxy . These types of galaxy, identified in 1943 and named after their discoverer Carl Keenan Seyfert, have an intensely bright, compact and highly active nucleus, caused by a supermassive black hole at their core.
NGC 5466 is the only globular cluster in Boötes. It was discovered by William Herschel in May 1784, who catalogued it H VI.9.
Many galaxies are viewable in the direction of Boötes 6 , including the stunning edge-on spirals NGC 5529 and NGC 5689 .
NGC Table
78m
Meteor Showers
Meteor showers are particles of dust hitting the Earth's atmosphere. All the meteors in a shower are travelling in the same direction in space, so they appear to spread out from a single point in the sky known as the radiant. The meteor shower is normally named after the constellation which contains the radiant. If there's more than one meteor shower per constellation, then each shower is named after the closest star. The January Quadrantid meteor shower is an exception; although its radiant is in Boötes, it is named after the now defunct constellation, the Quadrant. It hails from a piece of a comet which disintegrated over half a millennium ago, in 1490 8 . The remainder of the comet is now a near-Earth asteroid called 2003 EH1.
The Earth passes through the debris field at such an angle that the shower is extremely short (just a few hours). But it is a good show if you catch one; the ZHR (Zenithal Hourly Rate) is over 100 per hour.
In the early hours of 4 January, 2008, the Quadrantid meteor shower was viewed from the air and the image also captured a gorgeous green aurora .
Extrasolar Planets in Boötes
Several extrasolar planetary systems have been found in the constellation Boötes; the first was discovered in 1997. One star system has two planets.
The nomenclature that has been decided upon for planets is to use a lower-case letter after the parent star catalogue number (or name) eg, 'Tau Boötis A b'. This stays with the planet regardless of whether further discoveries are subsequently made within the same solar system, and despite the position of the new planet relative to the star. Therefore, the first-discovered planet of HD 128311 is HD 128311 b, and HD 128311 c was detected later.
The planet HD 128311 b is in the system's 'Goldilocks zone' (habitable zone), but as a gas giant is not a candidate in the search for extra-terrestrial life. However, should the planet have a rocky moon with enough gravity to retain an atmosphere , that would make it a distinct possibility .
The figures given in the table below are the length of the planet's orbital period around its parent star, which we know of as a year. The mass of the extrasolar planet is compared with that of Jupiter , our solar system's largest planet, known to astronomers as the 'Jovian scale'.
Extrasolar Planets Table
| i don't know |
Which star constellation is ‘the charioteer’? | Auriga Constellation: Facts, Myth, Star Map, Major Stars, Deep Sky Objects | Constellation Guide
Constellation Guide
Constellations: A Guide to the Night Sky
Auriga Constellation
Auriga constellation lies in the northern hemisphere. Its name means “the charioteer” in Latin.
The constellation got this name because its major stars form a shape similar to that of the pointed helmet of a charioteer.
Auriga was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. It contains Capella , the sixth brightest star in the sky.
The constellation is also the site of the galactic anti-centre, the point in the sky opposite to the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is located in the constellation Sagittarius , near the border with Scorpius . The nearest bright star to the galactic anti-centre is Alnath, Beta Tauri.
Auriga contains a number of interesting deep sky objects, including the open star clusters Messier 36 , Messier 37 , and Messier 38 and the emission/reflection nebula IC 405 (the Flaming Star Nebula ).
FACTS, LOCATION & MAP
Auriga is the 21st biggest constellation in the night sky, occupying 657 square degrees. It is located in the first quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ1) and can be seen at latitudes between +90° and -40°. The neighboring constellations are Camelopardalis , Gemini , Lynx , Perseus , and Taurus .
Auriga contains three Messier objects – M36 (NGC 1960), M37 (NGC 2099), and M38 (NGC 1912) – and has eight stars with known planets. The brightest star in the constellation is Capella , Alpha Aurigae, which is also the sixth brightest star in the sky. There are two meteor showers associated with Auriga: the Alpha Aurigids and the Delta Aurigids.
Auriga belongs to the Perseus family of constellations, together with Andromeda , Cassiopeia , Cepheus , Cetus , Lacerta , Pegasus , Perseus , and Triangulum .
Auriga Constellation Map, by IAU and Sky&Telescope magazine
MYTH
Auriga is usually depicted as a charioteer, holding the reins of a chariot with his right hand and carrying a goat and its two young on his left arm. Even though the image of the charioteer appears in Johann Bode’s Uranographia (1801), none of the stories Auriga is usually associated with have a goat in them.
In mythology, Auriga is most frequently identified with Erichthonius, king of Athens and son of the fire god Hephaestus. Erichthonius was raised by the goddess Athena, who taught him many skills he wouldn’t have ordinarily learned. He was the first man to tame and harness four horses to a chariot, imitating the chariot of the Sun god. Zeus was impressed and later placed Erichthonius among the stars. Erichthonius is usually credited for the invention of the four-horse chariot, the quadriga.
In another myth, Auriga represents Hephaestus himself, the lame god, who built the chariot so that he could travel anywhere he wanted, whenever he wanted, without difficulty.
In another popular myth, the charioteer is Myrtilus, son of Hermes, who served King Oenomaus of Pisa. Oenomaus had a beautiful daughter, Hippodamia, and was determined not to give her hand away to any of her suitors. He would challenge each of them to a chariot race. If he caught up with them before they arrived to Corinth, he would kill them.
With Myrtilus driving the king’s chariot, none of Hippodamia’s suitors survived the race until Pelops, son of Tantalus, came to ask the king for his daughter’s hand. Hippodamia fell in love with Pelops at first sight and asked Myrtilus to let him win. The charioteer, who was himself in love with the king’s daughter, obeyed and tampered with the chariot’s wheels. During the race, the wheels fell off and King Oenomaus was thrown off the chariot and killed. Once Pelops had won the race, he cast his rival Myrtilus into the sea. Betrayed, Myrtilus cursed the house of Pelops before he drowned. It was Myrtilus’ father Hermes who placed his son’s image among the stars.
The star Capella , Alpha Aurigae, is associated with Amalthea, the goat who was foster-mother to Zeus. The name Capella is Roman and means “she-goat.” The star is located on the Charioteer’s left shoulder.
MAJOR STARS IN AURIGA
Capella – α Aurigae (Alpha Aurigae)
Capella , Alpha Aurigae, is the brightest star in Auriga and the sixth brightest star in the sky. It is only 42.2 light years distant. The only two stars in the northern hemisphere that are brighter than Capella are Vega (Alpha Lyrae) in Lyra constellation and Arcturus (Alpha Boötis) in Boötes . Capella is a known source of X-rays. It is the closest first magnitude star to the north celestial pole.
Capella consists of two binary pairs of stars; a pair of large, bright G-type giants in close orbit (about 100 million km) and a pair of small, cool red dwarfs, located about 10,000 AU from the first pair.
The Capella system belongs to the Hyades moving group, a large group of stars that share a similar trajectory with the Hyades cluster , an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus .
Capella marks the Charioteer’s left shoulder or the goat he is carrying. It represents Amalthea, the goat that suckled Zeus.
Menkalinan – β Aurigae (Beta Aurigae)
Menkalinan, Beta Aurigae, is a triple star system, 85 light years distant. The brightest two components are white A-type subgiant stars and the third star is a red dwarf. The two brighter stars in the system constitute an eclipsing spectroscopic binary with a magnitude varying between 1.85 and 1.93.
Beta Aurigae is a stream member of the Ursa Major Moving Group (Collinder 285), a group of stars (that includes most of the bright stars in Ursa Major constellation ) believed to have a common origin that share common velocities in space.
The star’s traditional name, Menkalinan, comes from the Arabic phrase mankib ðī-l-‘inān which means “shoulder of the rein-holder.”
Mahasim – θ Aurigae (Theta Aurigae)
Theta Aurigae is a double star about 173 light years from Earth. The primary component is an Alpha-2 Canum Venaticorum type variable, a chemically peculiar star with a strong magnetic field and strong strontium, silicon, or chromium spectral lines. Theta Aurigae has a mean apparent magnitude of 2.65.
The star’s traditional name, Mahasim, comes from the Arabic word for “wrist.” It is also sometimes called Bogardus.
The brighter component in the system is a white A-type main sequence dwarf and the companion star is a yellow G-type main sequence dwarf. Theta Aurigae A has the apparent magnitude of 2.7 and Theta Aurigae B, 7.2. The binary star has an 11th magnitude optical companion 49 arcseconds away.
Kabdhilinan (Hassaleh) – ι Aurigae (Iota Aurigae)
Iota Aurigae is known by several traditional names. Kabdhilinan (or Al Kab for short) comes from the Arabic phrase for “the ankle of the rein holder.” The star is also commonly referred to as Hassaleh.
Hassaleh is an orange K-type bright giant approximately 512 light years distant. It has an apparent magnitude of 2.69.
Almaaz – ε Aurigae (Epsilon Aurigae)
Almaaz, Epsilon Aurigae, is another eclipsing binary star, composed of an F0 class supergiant, with a diameter 135 times that of the Sun, and an unusual companion, believed to be a large dark disk orbiting a binary star. More recent studies and observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope actually suggest that the main star is a post-asymptotic giant branch star, while the companion is a single B-class star inside a disk.
The apparent magnitude of the system drops from 2.92 to 3.93 for about 66 days every 27 years. Epsilon Aurigae is approximately 2,000 light years distant. The name Almaaz means “(billy) goat” in Arabic.
Haedus II – η Aurigae (Eta Aurigae)
Eta Aurigae is a blue-white B-type main sequence dwarf located about 219 light years away. It has an apparent magnitude of 3.18.
In the constellation, the star represents one of the ‘kids’ of the goat ( Capella ) held by the Charioteer. Its traditional name is Haedus II (or Hoedus II) and it comes from the Latin word haedus, which means ‘kid.’ It is occasionally called Mahasim (“wrist”), a name it shares with Theta Aurigae.
Sadatoni (Haedus) – ζ Aurigae (Zeta Aurigae)
Zeta Aurigae is the other Haedus, or ‘kid’ held by the Charioteer. The star is also commonly called Sadatoni. The name comes from the Arabic phrase for “the second arm (of the Charioteer).”
Sadatoni is an eclipsing binary star 790 light years distant. It consists of a red supergiant and a B8 type companion. The system’s magnitude varies between 3.61 and 3.99 with a period of 972 days.
Prijipati – δ Aurigae (Delta Aurigae)
Prijipati, Delta Aurigae, is a binary star about 140 light years from Earth. It consists of an orange K-type giant and a companion star 115.4 arcseconds away. The primary star has an apparent magnitude of 3.72 and the companion, 9.7. In Indian astronomy, the star is called Prajapati, which means “the Lord of Creation” in Sanskrit.
AE Aurigae
The Flaming Star Nebula, photo: Hewholooks
AE Aurigae is a runaway star (one moving through space at an extremely high velocity when compared to the neighboring stars), approximately 1,460 light years distant. It is a blue O-type main sequence dwarf and an Orion type variable (a star with eruptive, irregular variations in luminosity, usually associated with a nebula). Its luminosity varies between 5.78 and 6.08.
Along with Mu Columbae and 53 Arietis, AE Aurigae is suspected to have been ejected when two binary star groups collided. The collision presumably occurred in the Trapezium Cluster , located in the Orion Nebula ( Messier 42 ), about two million years ago.
AE Aurigae lights the Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405, Caldwell 31, SH 2-229), an emission/reflection nebula with a magnitude of 6.0. The Flaming Star Nebula is located near Iota Aurigae.
Other notable stars:
Al Hurr or λ Aurigae (Lambda Aurigae) is a double star, approximately 41.2 light years distant. It consists of a G-type subgiant and a companion star with a magnitude of 13.4, that lies 29 arcseconds away. The system also has two optical companions 42 and 146 arcseconds away from the primary star. The star’s name comes from the Arabic word for “the fawn.”
Messier 36 (NGC 1960), Atlas Image mosaic courtesy of 2MASS/UMass/IPAC-Caltech/NASA/NSF.
γ Aurigae (Gamma Aurigae) is now known as Beta Tauri and belongs to the constellation Taurus . The star’s traditional name is El Nath or Elnath. It is the nearest bright star to the galactic anti-centre.
DEEP SKY OBJECTS IN AURIGA
Messier 36 (M36, NGC 1960)
Messier 36 is a bright open cluster located in the southern region of Auriga. It was first discovered by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna in the 17th century, then rediscovered by Le Gentil about a century later, and finally included by Charles Messier in his catalogue in 1764.
M36 contains at least 60 stars and has an apparent magnitude of 6.3. The brightest members of the cluster are B2 type stars with an apparent magnitude of 9.
M36 is approximately 4,100 light years distant and about 14 light years in diameter. It resembles Messier 45 ( the Pleiades ) in Taurus , but is too distant to appear as conspicuous in the night sky.
The estimated age of M36 is 25 million years. The cluster does not contain any evolved red giant stars.
Messier 37 (NGC 2099), Atlas Image mosaic courtesy of 2MASS/UMass/IPAC-Caltech/NASA/NSF.
Messier 37 (M37, NGC 2099)
Messier 37 is another bright open star cluster in Auriga. It was discovered along with M36 and M38 by Giovanni Hodierna.
The cluster is between 3,600 and 4,700 light years from Earth and contains some 500 stars, about 150 of which are brighter than magnitude 12.5.
M37 contains about a dozen red giants and its estimated age is 300 million years. The hottest main sequence star in the cluster is of spectral type B9V.
The cluster has an apparent magnitude of 5.6 and is 24 light years in diameter. It is the brightest of the three clusters discovered by Hodierna.
Messier 38 (M38, NGC 1912)
Messier 38 lies only 2.5 degrees northwest of M36. It is an open cluster, approximately 4,200 light years distant.
Like M36 and M37, it was originally discovered by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna in the 17th century and then independently discovered again by the French astronomer Le Gentil in 1749. Charles Messier later included the cluster, along with M36 and M37, in his catalogue in 1764.
Messier 38 (NGC 1912), Atlas Image mosaic courtesy of 2MASS/UMass/IPAC-Caltech/NASA/NSF.
The brightest stars in M38 form an oblique cross, or the letter Pi. The brightest member is a G0 class yellow giant with an apparent magnitude of 7.9, which at that distance translates into a luminosity 900 times that of the Sun.
The cluster is about 25 light years (20′) in diameter. Its estimated age is 220 million years.
The Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)
The Flaming Star Nebula, also known by the designations IC 405, SH 2-229, and Caldwell 31, can be seen near the open cluster M38, the star Iota Aurigae, or the emission nebula IC 410.
IC 405 and IC 410, photo: Oliver Stein
The Flaming Star Nebula is an emission/reflection nebula that surrounds the star AE Aurigae.
It lies 1,500 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 6.0.
IC 410
IC 410 is an emission nebula, one that slightly resembles the Rosette Nebula in the constellation Monoceros .
The nebula surrounds the open cluster NGC 1893. It is approximately 2,200 light years distant and has an apparent visual magnitude of 13.
Astronomy
| Auriga |
On which river does Middlesbrough stand? | Capella is 2 golden stars | Brightest Stars | EarthSky
Double star system Capella. Image via Atlas of the Universe
Science of star Capella. Like so many stars that appear single to the eye, Capella actually consists of two stars. Capella A and Capella B, as they’re called, are similar to each other, both roughly 10 times the sun’s diameter. They emit about 80 and 50 times more overall light than the sun, respectively. Another component to this system, a binary of small red stars, orbits about a light-year away.
Capella A and B are both yellow giant stars at the end of their normal lifetimes. Each being more than two and a half times more massive than the sun, the two components of Capella likely are also younger. This is because more massive stars have higher internal pressures, which causes them to burn their nuclear fuel faster and to have shorter lifespans. The stars of Capella are in a transitional period from the smaller, hotter stars they once were, to the cooler and larger red giants they must ultimately become in their final phase. However, for now, their surface temperatures are similar to that of the sun, and so they share its spectral type of G.
The two stars we see as Capella mark the 6th brightest star in our sky. Astronomers measure the combined magnitude of this system as 0.08.
Capella’s constellation Auriga, via EarthSky Facebook friend Dennis Chabot.
Look for Capella in the Northern Hemisphere winter.
How to find Capella in the night sky. From mid-latitudes of the U.S. and Europe, Capella is far enough to the north to be seen at some time of the night all year round. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s best in winter, when you’ll find golden Capella high overhead before bedtime.
Capella is the brightest star in a five-sided star pattern, which we know as the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. Capella is the Latin word for ‘nanny goat,’ and this lovely star is often called the Goat Star.
Here is the key to knowing you’ve found Capella. Near it, you’ll find a tiny asterism – a noticeable pattern on the sky’s dome – consisting of three fainter stars. This little triangle of stars is approriately called the Kids, and it makes Capella instantly recognizable.
The star El Nath originally was part of the constellation Auriga, too. Now El Nath marks the tip of one of horns of the constellation Taurus the Bull. Still, including El Nath, you can see a large misshapen pentagon of stars in Capella’s part of the sky. The shape is difficult to reconcile with the idea of a man driving a chariot, but it is a noticeable pattern and easy to find.
Some people use the Big Dipper to locate Capella. The two bowl stars – Megrez and Dubhe – more or less point toward Capella. It’s a long hop, though, in the direction opposite of the Big Dipper handle.
Constellation Auriga as depicted in a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825. Image via Wikimedia Commons
Capella in history and mythology. For such a large constellation with such a bright star, the mythology of Auriga and Capella is sparse. The constellation has been associated with the Greek sea god Posideon (the Roman god Neptune). Other stories say Auriga represents Erichthonius, the ancient lame king of Athens who invented the horse-drawn chariot.
Auriga seems to have been associated with shepherds and flocks, so the title of nanny goat — or ‘she goat’ — for Capella is reasonable. However, neither Capella nor its constellation Auriga figures prominently in any major mythological stories from Greek or Roman culture.
Richard Hinkley Allen, in his famed Star Names, says that the ancient Arabs called the star Capella by a name that meant ‘The Driver’ and implies that this star was seen as a shepherd driving a flock across the sky. The flock might have been the nearby star cluster Pleiades, although – instead of sheep or goats – early Arabian stargazers saw this pattern composed of camels. Capella was also apparently important in ancient Egypt. It appears on the Denderah Zodiac as a mummified cat.
Interestingly, in China, Capella and four other stars of Auriga were known as the Five Chariots. The other four stars are Beta, Theta, Kappa and Gamma (El Nath, which is now Beta Tauri).
Bottom line: We see Capella as the brightest star in the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. How to find Capella, a word about the science of this star, and its role in history and mythology.
Capella’s position is RA: 5h 16m 41.4s, Dec: +45° 59′ 53″.
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Pygmalion was the legendary king of which island? | PYGMALION - Cyprian King & Sculptor of Greek Mythology
Pygmalion
Translation
--
PYGMALION was a king of the island of Kypros (Cyprus) who fell in love with an ivory statue of the goddess Aphrodite . In answer to his prayers the statue was brought to life and afterwards became his wife.
PARENTS
[1.1] POSEIDON (Hyginus Fabulae 56)
OFFSPRING
[1.2] PAPHOS (by the Statue) (Ovid Metamorphoses 10.243)
[2.1] THRASIOS (Hyginus Fabulae 56)
ENCYCLOPEDIA
PYGMALION (Pugmaliôn), a king of Cyprus and father of Metharme. (Apollod. iii. 14. § 3.) He is said to have fallen in love with the ivory image of a maiden which he himself had made, and therefore to have prayed to Aphrodite to breathe life into it. When the request was granted, Pygmalion married his beloved, and became by her the father of Paphus. (Ov. Met. x. 243, &c.)
Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 14. 3 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Kephalos (Cephalus), Eos (the Dawn) loved and carried off, and consorting with him in Syria bore a son Tithonos (Tithonus), who had a son Phaethon, who had a son Astynoos (Astynous), who had a son Sandokos (Sandocus), who passed from Syria to Kilikia (Cilicia) and founded a city Kelenderis (Celenderis), and having married Pharnake (Pharnace), daughter of Megassares, king of Hyria, begat Kinyras (Cinyras).
This Kinyras in Kypros (Cyprus), whither he had come with some people, founded Paphos; and having there married Metharme, daughter of Pygmalion, king of Kypros, he begat Oxyporos and Adonis, and besides them daughters, Orsedike (Orsedice), Laogore, and Braesia. These by reason of the wrath of Aphrodite cohabited with foreigners, and ended their life in Aigyptos (Egypt)."
Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 4 (trans. Butterworth) (Greek Christian rhetoric C2nd A.D.) :
"We must, then, approach the statues [of the gods] closely as we possibly can in order to prove from their very appearance that they are inseparably associated with error. For their forms are unmistakably stamped with the characteristic marks of the daimones (spirits). At least, if one were to go round inspecting the paintings and statues, he would immediately recognize your gods from their undignified figures . . . The pyre indicates Herakles, and if one sees a woman represented naked, he understands it is ‘golden’ Aphrodite.
So the well-known Pygmalion of Kypros (Cpyrus) fell in love with an ivory statue; it was of Aphrodite and was naked. The man of Kypros is captivated by its shapeliness and embraces the statue. This is related by Philostephanos [Greek poet from Kyrene C3rd B.C.]. There was also an Aphrodite in Knidos (Cnidus), made of marble and beautiful. Another man fell in love with this and has intercourse with the marble, as Poseidippos relates. The account of the first author is in his book On Kypros; that of the second in his book On Knidos.
Such strength had art to beguile that it became for amorous men a guide to the pit of destruction. Now craftsmanship is powerful, but it cannot beguile a rational being, nor yet those who have lived according to reason . . . They say that a maiden once fell in love with an image, and a beautiful youth with a Knidian statue; but it was their sight that was beguiled by the art. For no man in his senses would have embraced the statue of a goddess, or have been buried with a lifeless paramour, or have fallen in love with a daimon and a stone."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 56 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"In Egypt in the land of Busiris, son of Neptunus [Poseidon], when there was a famine, and Egypt had been parched for nine years, the king summoned augurs from Greece. Thrasius, his brother Pygmalion's son, announced that rains would come if a foreigner were sacrificed, and proved his words when he himself was sacrificed."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 243 ff (trans. Brookes More) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Pygmalion saw these women [the Propoitides who had become prostitutes,] waste their lives in wretched shame, and critical of faults which nature had so deeply planted through their female hearts, he lived in preference, for many years unmarried.--But while he was single, with consummate skill, he carved a statue out of snow-white ivory, and gave to it exquisite beauty, which no woman of the world has ever equalled: she was so beautiful, he fell in love with his creation. It appeared in truth a perfect virgin with the grace of life, but in the expression of such modesty all motion was restrained--and so his art concealed his art. Pygmalion gazed, inflamed with love and admiration for the form, in semblance of a woman, he had carved. He lifts up both his hands to feel the work, and wonders if it can be ivory, because it seems to him more truly flesh.--his mind refusing to conceive of it as ivory, he kisses it and feels his kisses are returned. And speaking love, caresses it with loving hands that seem to make an impress, on the parts they touch, so real that he fears he then may bruise her by his eager pressing. Softest tones are used each time he speaks to her. He brings to her such presents as are surely prized by sweet girls; such as smooth round pebbles, shells, and birds, and fragrant flowers of thousand tints, lilies, and painted balls, and amber tears of Heliades, which distill from far off trees.--he drapes her in rich clothing and in gems: rings on her fingers, a rich necklace round her neck, pearl pendants on her graceful ears; and golden ornaments adorn her breast. All these are beautiful--and she appears most lovable, if carefully attired,--or perfect as a statue, unadorned. He lays her on a bed luxurious, spread with coverlets of Tyrian purple dye, and naming her the consort of his couch, lays her reclining head on the most soft and downy pillows, trusting she could feel.
The festal day of Venus, known throughout all Cyprus, now had come, and throngs were there to celebrate. Heifers with spreading horns, all gold-tipped, fell when given the stroke of death upon their snow-white necks; and frankincense was smoking on the altars. There, intent, Pygmalion stood before an altar, when his offering had been made; and although he feared the result, he prayed : ‘If it is true, O Gods, that you can give all things, I pray to have as my wife--’ but, he did not dare to add ‘my ivory statue-maid,’ and said, ‘One like my ivory--.’ Golden Venus [Aphrodite] heard, for she was present at her festival, and she knew clearly what the prayer had meant. She gave a sign that her divinity favored his plea : three times the flame leaped high and brightly in the air. When he returned, he went directly to his image-maid, bent over her, and kissed her many times, while she was on her couch; and as he kissed, she seemed to gather some warmth from his lips. Again he kissed her; and he felt her breast; the ivory seemed to soften at the touch, and its firm texture yielded to his hand, as honey-wax of Mount Hymettus turns to many shapes when handled in the sun, and surely softens from each gentle touch. He is amazed; but stands rejoicing in his doubt; while fearful there is some mistake, again and yet again, gives trial to his hopes by touching with his hand. It must be flesh! The veins pulsate beneath the careful test of his directed finger. Then, indeed, the astonished hero poured out lavish thanks to Venus; pressing with his raptured lips his statue's lips.
Now real, true to life--the maiden felt the kisses given to her, and blushing, lifted up her timid eyes, so that she saw the light and sky above, as well as her rapt lover while he leaned gazing beside her--and all this at once--the goddess graced the marriage she had willed, and when nine times a crescent moon had changed, increasing to the full, the statue-bride gave birth to her dear daughter Paphos. From which famed event the island takes its name."
SOURCES
| Cyprus |
What was the first name of John Lennon’s first wife, who died last April? | Pygmalion Summary
Pygmalion Summary
How It (Supposedly) Went Down
The Short Story
Pygmalion, a sculptor, is our main squeeze in this story. He's totally disgusted by a group of prostitutes, and he swears off all women. Natch. Next step? He goes to his studio and decides to sculpt his ideal woman out of ivory. Pygmalion makes the statue so beautiful that he falls in love with it. Then, at a festival for Aphrodite, he prays that the goddess will give him a wife just like his statue. She decides to do him one better and actually bring his statue to life. The statue becomes a real woman, and she and Pygmalion get married and have two children. The end.
The Less Short Story
On the island of Cyprus, there is a group of women called the Propoetides. These ladies are rather uppity, and they refuse to acknowledge that Aphrodite is a goddess.
This, predictably, doesn't fly with Aphrodite. As punishment, she robs the women of their sense of shame, and… they begin to prostitute themselves. Great.
The sculptor Pygmalion sees these women doing their thing and is totally grossed out by their behavior. (Oh, a few authors say that Pygmalion was also the King of Cyprus, but most limit him to being a sculptor.)
Anyway, he's so disgusted by the Propoetides that he vows to ignore all women forever. That seems kind of rash, but hey—to each his own.
Without a girlfriend, Pygmalion has a lot of time on his hands. To stave off boredom, he decides to make an ivory statue of his ideal woman.
The brilliant sculptor that he is, Pygmalion produces a statue that is extremely lifelike and super-hot.
So hot, actually, that he begins to fall in love with it.
Pygmalion knows that the statue is made of ivory (he was the one who made it, after all), but he can't help smothering it with kisses.
Gross.
He continues to fantasize that she's a real woman, and at one point, he gropes the statute so hard that he's afraid he's damaged her limbs.
Don't worry, she's fine. (Ivory is really strong).
Perhaps in an attempt to be even creepier, the sculptor starts to give gifts to his creation. His presents include clothes, pearls, shells, earrings, rings, pretty stones, singing birds, flowers, and talking parrots. Jackpot for the statue!
Then, to top it off, Pygmalion lays his naked statue on a luxurious bed covered in purple blankets. He even provides a squishy pillow for her head.
Once she's on the bed, Pygmalion calls the statue his "bride." The relationship has clearly progressed to the next level, at least in his mind.
Wanting to honor Aphrodite (and perhaps get some fresh air), Pygmalion leaves his studio to attend a festival in her honor.
Once he's there, he prays to Aphrodite to provide him with a woman who "has the likeness" of his statue. He would have just prayed for his statue to come to life, but shame prevents him from saying these words out loud.
Aphrodite is pretty clever, though. She knows that, in his heart of hearts, Pygmalion just wants his statue to be alive.
According to some versions of the myth, Aphrodite visits Pygmalion's studio to inspect the statue before bringing it to life. She discovers that the statue looks just like her, and she's so flattered that she decides to make Pygmalion's wish come true.
At the festival, the fire leaps three times, which is a good sign. Obvi.
Seeing these flames, Pygmalion gets a burst of hope and runs home to his statue.
He dashes to his luxury bed and kisses the statue. And get this: instead of being cold and hard, her lips are soft and red!
Could it be? He touches her skin… it seems alive and firm.
Finally, he checks a vein and discovers a pulse. She's alive! Overjoyed, Pygmalion gives thanks to Aphrodite.
When he kisses the statue again, she wakes up. Now the statue is a real woman. She even gets a name: Galatea (18th-century authors made that up).
Galatea and Pygmalion get married and have two children: a son, Paphos, and daughter, Metharme. According to legend, Paphos went on to found the city of Paphos in southwestern Cyprus and Metharme later became the mother of Adonis, one of the most handsome mortals in Greek mythology. Not a bad family tree.
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On which children's television show did Ant and Dec first meet? | Ant and Dec on 25 years in showbiz: Our early shows were awful - Mirror Online
TV
Ant and Dec on 25 years in showbiz: Our early shows were awful
In the latest of a series of interviews to celebrate 25 years in the business, Ant and Dec reflect on their time working with Cat Deeley
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Ant McPartlin (left) and Dec Donnelly meet Cat Deeley (Photo: ITV)
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They are two of the best-loved and most decorated presenters on TV.
But Ant and Dec have confessed that their early television shows were 'awful'.
The pair said that they were lucky to survive the axe following dwindling ratings for ITV programmes such as SMTV and CD:UK, which they presented alongside Cat Deeley in the 1990s.
Recalling the Saturday morning children's shows, Ant explained:
“Normally on those shows you have a summer show and autumn winter show.
“With SMTV it was a very brave decision by ITV to commission it for a year. It was so awful to start with and the ratings were so low to start with we might never have made it past the first six months."
The duo, both 38, first rose to fame as actors on the children's television show Byker Grove, before going on to launch a pop career as PJ & Duncan.
Ant and Dec with new presenter Cat Deeley July 1998 on television programme SMTVLIVE
They began their television careers in 1994, when they co-presented a Saturday morning children's show entitled Gimme 5 on CITV.
The show only lasted two series before being dropped from the airwaves.
However, they have since gone on to present some of Britain's most successful shows including The X Factor, and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and winning a string of BAFTA and National Television Awards.
"It was really, really where we cut our teeth TV-wise. That was where we served our apprenticeship, doing three hours of live TV 48 weeks of the year,” said Dec.
"We got better, we had more fun. We were enjoying it more. We were pushing the boundaries a bit of Saturday morning telly and trying new things. For the first time we did a game show, Challenge Ant, where if
kids gambled and lost they walked away with absolutely nothing. Ant would get up and shout at them `you're thick'. That was the first time that had been done on kids telly.
"When we used to watch some BBC kids' shows it felt like some of the presenters were parental figures, we wanted to be their cheeky uncles really, their fun uncles, and speak to them on their level."
Co-presenting the shows with Ant and Dec was Cat Deeley. "Cat helped," said Ant. "She was great. We instantly got on with Cat as soon as we met her. We were going to meet a number of female TV presenters, Cat was the first and we had such a laugh with her and she embarrassed the pair of us, we gave her the job there and then. We didn't bother seeing anyone else."
"The thing about CD:UK was, because the show started quite small with small viewing figures and it built and built, the bigger the figures got, the better and bigger the pop star you got. Also you were more credible as you had been on air a few years," says Ant.
“By the time we'd left, we'd interviewed everybody from teenage pop sensations to Paul McCartney and U2. They were the last two interviews we did. It was brilliant to go from kiddie bands to goliaths of the rock and music industry. It was where we wanted to be. I was very star struck with Paul McCartney, very stuttery."
The pair have also revealed that it was the Pop Idol final in 2002, featuring Will Young and Gareth Gates, that helped spark their later success on primetime TV.
They have also credited the show with spawning the idea for their quirky side-of-stage interviews with the contestants that have proved so popular on the X Factor.
"That final was just amazing," said Dec. "And for us, for it to be our first big prime time series which we had taken charge off, that first final was electric. I think it is the most amazing TV studio atmosphere we have had."
Ant added: "The whole week leading up to that final as well. We had two buses that would travel around London and the country, and doing interviews. You were either Will or Gareth, it was a simple as that.
"It was brilliant. That electric moment when we announced the winner, that it was Will, and it was a shock as well, as everyone thought Gareth would get it, as teenage girls would vote and that's what would swing it.
"When it wasn't and the news coming through out ears was telling us the winner is Will, well, we looked at each other and it was like `don't look surprised in case Will or Gareth looks over', so we had to
keep it very straight faced. That helped us to deal with that situation in the later years, but nothing comes close to that one."
Dec said: "To be in the middle of it, in the eye of that storm, was incredible, amazing - people stopping you in the middle of the street asking who we wanted to win. It was all everybody was talking about at the time."
“We had tried a little bit of doing prime time, we always wanted to move into that.
"We did Friends Like These on BBC and Slap Bang on ITV which didn't work as well. We had a meeting with ITV and they said they had this format. It was just after Popstars had put Hear'Say together.
"We have this idea for a show, called Pop Idol, this time the public decides and we are looking for hosts for it. You don't have to tell us right now, go away and think about it. We looked at each other in the meeting and said we don't have to, we will do it, we love it, we were huge fans of Popstars. So we accepted it there and then.
"We started working on the show and going to few of the auditions. We quickly realised it was going to be big and it was going to be our route into prime time TV and the amount of work we were putting into it, it was going to be pretty impossible to do Saturday mornings. So with heavy hearts we had to say goodbye to Saturday mornings.
Ant and Dec present a new series of Pop Idol on ITV1 (Photo: Thames Production / ITV)
"We were never supposed to be a part of the audition shows. They said why not come down to some of the auditions, see how it is going to work."
Ant added: “So we stood in the audition rooms and watched some of the awful ones and giggled away.
“We started talking to the auditionees, the kids, as they recognised us from Saturday mornings, and they could talk to us as they thought we were approachable.
“We would put our arms around them, listen at the door to some of the auditions, and it just happened really organically - they would come out and cry on our shoulder or give us a hug or explain what was going on."
"There were all these young producers running around with cameras and they would start filming that, us watching at the doors,” said Dec.
“Once they do a day's filming, the go away, cut it together and see what it looks like.
"We got a call to the office saying the stuff you are doing outside with the kids is brilliant, can you come and do more auditions.
"We guess we can. We went to Glasgow and Manchester and the next thing we knew we were listening at the door to all the auditions. It became part of the audition process. Now you always have the host at the side, but it was never in the plan initially."
For tickets for Ant and Dec's Takeaway on Tour, log on to www.itv.com/takeawayontour
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| Byker Grove |
With which brand name do you associate the synthetic substance polytetrafluoroethylene? | Ant & Dec 25 Years: Moving to children's TV presenting, the Geordie duo cause some controversy - Chronicle Live
Ant & Dec 25 Years: Moving to children's TV presenting, the Geordie duo cause some controversy
Geordie duo Ant and Dec talk about their first presenting show and leaving PJ and Duncan behind
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An episode of the Ant & Dec show filmed at the BBC in 1995 (Photo: Mirrorpix)
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Acting on children’s TV is one thing – presenting your own show is another.
Just as `PJ and Duncan’ were enjoying a string of hits in the pop charts, Ant and Dec were approached by the BBC and asked if they would do a children’s TV show.
“We honestly felt a bit more at home in the TV studio than we did in the recording studio. We had one big album and we started working on the Ant and Dec Show and we had a really good time,” Dec tells me.
“We started to make the second album about the same time. As with many pop acts, your shelf life isn’t that great, we peaked with our first album.
“The second album wasn’t as good and the TV stuff we were enjoying a lot more. That is where we saw our future genuinely. “We were in Japan and Germany and they were asking what does PJ and Duncan mean and we were going `there’s this kids show in Newcastle called Byker Grove’. It was very hard to explain, as they would say your names are Ant and Dec.
“Plus we wanted a career in television so we needed to become ourselves. We weren’t in the show anymore and we needed to shake off that PJ and Duncan tag. So we became simply Ant and Dec.”
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The Ant and Dec show was a ratings winner. “We had a lot of input in the show. We worked with the writers on the show and they came up with most of the ideas but all our influences and stuff we wanted to do were in there. We sat down and talked about who we liked comedy-wise, TV-wise, what made us laugh and what we enjoyed doing. So a lot of our tastes went into The Ant and Dec show.”
Ant adds: “It was what we knew as well. We weren’t songwriters but we grew up on television. We had been on Byker Grove since the age of 13 so we felt it was in our blood.”
Dec reveals that was when they first met David Walliams, whom they would later work with on Britain’s Got Talent. “He was a writer on the show. He was a bit crazy and we always liked him as he was a bit rude and edgy and out there. We worked with him on the series and all his ideas were a bit mad.”
Ant chips in: “They would always end up with him being in the sketch as well. A security guard comes on and drags them off, so who would play the security guard, and he would say `well I think I will do that, I don’t mind dressing up’. He played a vicar, a security guard. He was dying to be and destined to be on camera.”
Ant & Dec 25 Years: Read more from the Geordie duo:
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What is the married surname of Lady Sarah, daughter of Princess Margaret? | The Queen's niece Lady Sarah Chatto mourns the death of agent to the stars - Telegraph
The Royal Family
The Queen's niece Lady Sarah Chatto mourns the death of agent to the stars
Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter, is supporting her husband, Daniel Chatto, after the death of his mother, the distinguished theatrical agent Ros Chatto.
Lady Sarah Chatto has been married to Daniel Chatto since 1994 Photo: ROD BODMAN
Tim Walker. Edited by Richard Eden
7:30AM BST 15 Jun 2012
After joining in the joyful celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Lady Sarah Chatto is mourning the death of her much-loved mother-in-law.
Lady Sarah, the daughter of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, is supporting her husband, the actor-turned artist Daniel Chatto, after his mother, Rosalind Chatto, the distinguished theatrical agent, died in Chelsea the day after the couple attended the Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace.
“It is a difficult time for the whole family,” says a friend of the Queen’s niece.
Known as Ros Chatto, the agent enjoyed an illustrious career representing clients including Alan Bennett, the playwright, Ronnie Barker, the comedian, and Alan Bates, the celebrated actor. Daniel is one of her two sons by her late husband, the actor Tom Chatto.
Angela Fox, the mother of the actors Edward and James Fox, claimed that her husband, Robin Fox, had a 10-year affair with Mrs Chatto, who was then his secretary. Mrs Fox said it was an “open secret” that Ros’s husband was not Daniel’s father.
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| Chatto |
What name is given to Toyota’s luxury vehicle division? | Lady Sarah Chatto: All you need to know about the Queen's niece - Photo 1
Lady Sarah Chatto: All you need to know about the Queen's niece
1/6
Back to story
May 06, 2016
by Chloe Best Lady Sarah Chatto is one of the lesser-known members of the royal family, but she has quickly gained popularity after her appearance in the BBC documentary Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute
More on:
Lady Sarah Chatto is the daughter of Princess Margaret.
Photo: © Rex
Sarah is said to have a close relationship with her aunt The Queen.
Photo: © Getty Images
The 21st in line to the throne married her husband Daniel Chatto in 1994.
Photo: © Getty Images
The couple have been married for almost 22 years and have two sons together.
Photo: © Rex
Sarah prefers to remain out of the spotlight.
Photo: © Rex
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What does scotopic vision help one to do? | Fact or Fiction?: Carrots Improve Your Vision - Scientific American
Scientific American
Fact or Fiction?: Carrots Improve Your Vision
Can scarfing carrots really help you see better in the dark?
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In the dead of night, just how did the British Air Force manage to gun down German aircraft during World War II? Eating carrots was the key to the pilots’ success, according to the U.K. Ministry of Food. The now-defunct agency rolled out a propaganda campaign detailing the pilots’ superb carrot-enriched night vision and encouraging civilians to devour more of the locally grown vegetable to help them function during blackouts. The root vegetable is rich in beta-carotene, a naturally occurring pigment that nourishes the eye.
Decades later rumors swirled that the British Royal Air Force pushed that message as a cover-up for the recently adopted radar technology they were secretly relying on for their nighttime skirmishes. Information from the de Havilland Aircraft Museum suggests that subterfuge was indeed the British Ministry of Information’s plan. But Bryan Legate, assistant curator at the Royal Air Force Museum in London has a different view. “I would say that whilst the [British] Air Ministry were happy to go along with the story [of carrot-improved vision], they never set out to use it to fool the Germans,” Legate says. “The German intelligence service were well aware of our ground-based radar installation and would not be surprised by the existence of radar in aircraft. In fact, the RAF were able to confirm the existence of German airborne radar simply by fitting commercial radios into a bomber and flying over France listening to the various radio frequencies!” he adds.
Yet the question remains: Are carrots truly able to improve eyesight or is that the stuff of fiction?
The answer is yes, under certain conditions, eating carrots will help improve eyesight.
The body uses beta-carotene to make vitamin A, and “vitamin A is really important, there’s no question about that,” says Emily Chew, deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute. Vitamin A helps the eye convert light into a signal that can be transmitted to the brain, allowing people to see under conditions of low light. In addition, the cornea (the clear front of the eye) can literally disappear if the body does not get enough vitamin A. Every year an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind as a result of vitamin A deficiency. In settings where undernourished people suffer from extreme vitamin A deficiencies, such as Nepal or India, supplements of the vitamin or beta-carotene have been shown to improve night vision.
But exactly how many carrots would be needed to optimize night vision remains less clear. Most studies have so far looked at the benefits of beta-carotene or vitamin A supplements, not carrots specifically. One randomized control study in 2005 examined how consumption of roughly 4.5 ounces of cooked carrots six days a week stacked up against other vitamin A–rich options such as fortified rice, amaranth leaf and goat liver for helping address night blindness in pregnant women. The result: all the foods performed roughly the same, although the vitamin A supplement did best of all. The study found that a regular diet of the cooked carrots for six weeks helped to bring women’s response to darkness to normal levels. (In Western nations about 30 percent of dietary vitamin A comes from beta-carotene but in some developing countries it is the sole source of vitamin A.)
Still, other research has shown that beta-carotene does not convert into vitamin A very efficiently—estimates suggest it requires anywhere from 12 to 21 molecules of beta-carotene in the diet to make just one molecule of vitamin A. Beta-carotene, unlike straight vitamin A, would need to be converted in the intestinal wall into vitamin A, meaning most individuals would be better off taking vitamin A supplements, if possible, instead of downing carrots.
Binging on carrots would also not improve most Americans’ eyesight. Once you have enough beta-carotene in your body it often will no longer convert to vitamin A, Chew says. The body naturally regulates against excess amounts of vitamin A to prevent accumulation of toxic levels of the substance. So how many carrots are ideal? “I don’t have any numbers to give you about how many carrots you should eat per day, but everything should be balanced in moderation,” she says. Indeed, if a person eats too many carrots his or her skin may turn a bit orange—a harmless symptom that is not a health concern. Most eye problems stem from vision-impairment caused by issues such as genetics, aging or diabetes that cannot be aided with an infusion of beta-carotene.
The issue of night blindness is far from new. It was detailed in ancient Egyptian texts. The treatment at the time was simple: The juices of a grilled lamb’s liver were squeezed into the eyes of afflicted patients to provide a topical treatment (although the famed ophthalmologist and vitamin A expert Alfred Sommer later wondered if the restoration actually came from perhaps feeding the patients the remaining liver—rich in vitamin A—following such treatments).
When it comes to eating nutrient-rich foods to improve eyesight, more generally, Chew suggests stocking up on green, leafy vegetables. Spinach, kale or collard greens—all chock-full of lutein and zeaxanthin (which are other food-derived nutrients)—could help protect your eyes by filtering high-energy wavelengths of visible light that can damage the retina. Such foods may also help to protect against age-related macular degeneration, the major cause of blindness in the elderly.
| see better in dark |
Which country’s largest cities (by population) include Klagenfurt (no.6) and Villach (no.7)? | Fact or Fiction?: Carrots Improve Your Vision - Scientific American
Scientific American
Fact or Fiction?: Carrots Improve Your Vision
Can scarfing carrots really help you see better in the dark?
Advertisement |
Report Ad
In the dead of night, just how did the British Air Force manage to gun down German aircraft during World War II? Eating carrots was the key to the pilots’ success, according to the U.K. Ministry of Food. The now-defunct agency rolled out a propaganda campaign detailing the pilots’ superb carrot-enriched night vision and encouraging civilians to devour more of the locally grown vegetable to help them function during blackouts. The root vegetable is rich in beta-carotene, a naturally occurring pigment that nourishes the eye.
Decades later rumors swirled that the British Royal Air Force pushed that message as a cover-up for the recently adopted radar technology they were secretly relying on for their nighttime skirmishes. Information from the de Havilland Aircraft Museum suggests that subterfuge was indeed the British Ministry of Information’s plan. But Bryan Legate, assistant curator at the Royal Air Force Museum in London has a different view. “I would say that whilst the [British] Air Ministry were happy to go along with the story [of carrot-improved vision], they never set out to use it to fool the Germans,” Legate says. “The German intelligence service were well aware of our ground-based radar installation and would not be surprised by the existence of radar in aircraft. In fact, the RAF were able to confirm the existence of German airborne radar simply by fitting commercial radios into a bomber and flying over France listening to the various radio frequencies!” he adds.
Yet the question remains: Are carrots truly able to improve eyesight or is that the stuff of fiction?
The answer is yes, under certain conditions, eating carrots will help improve eyesight.
The body uses beta-carotene to make vitamin A, and “vitamin A is really important, there’s no question about that,” says Emily Chew, deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute. Vitamin A helps the eye convert light into a signal that can be transmitted to the brain, allowing people to see under conditions of low light. In addition, the cornea (the clear front of the eye) can literally disappear if the body does not get enough vitamin A. Every year an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind as a result of vitamin A deficiency. In settings where undernourished people suffer from extreme vitamin A deficiencies, such as Nepal or India, supplements of the vitamin or beta-carotene have been shown to improve night vision.
But exactly how many carrots would be needed to optimize night vision remains less clear. Most studies have so far looked at the benefits of beta-carotene or vitamin A supplements, not carrots specifically. One randomized control study in 2005 examined how consumption of roughly 4.5 ounces of cooked carrots six days a week stacked up against other vitamin A–rich options such as fortified rice, amaranth leaf and goat liver for helping address night blindness in pregnant women. The result: all the foods performed roughly the same, although the vitamin A supplement did best of all. The study found that a regular diet of the cooked carrots for six weeks helped to bring women’s response to darkness to normal levels. (In Western nations about 30 percent of dietary vitamin A comes from beta-carotene but in some developing countries it is the sole source of vitamin A.)
Still, other research has shown that beta-carotene does not convert into vitamin A very efficiently—estimates suggest it requires anywhere from 12 to 21 molecules of beta-carotene in the diet to make just one molecule of vitamin A. Beta-carotene, unlike straight vitamin A, would need to be converted in the intestinal wall into vitamin A, meaning most individuals would be better off taking vitamin A supplements, if possible, instead of downing carrots.
Binging on carrots would also not improve most Americans’ eyesight. Once you have enough beta-carotene in your body it often will no longer convert to vitamin A, Chew says. The body naturally regulates against excess amounts of vitamin A to prevent accumulation of toxic levels of the substance. So how many carrots are ideal? “I don’t have any numbers to give you about how many carrots you should eat per day, but everything should be balanced in moderation,” she says. Indeed, if a person eats too many carrots his or her skin may turn a bit orange—a harmless symptom that is not a health concern. Most eye problems stem from vision-impairment caused by issues such as genetics, aging or diabetes that cannot be aided with an infusion of beta-carotene.
The issue of night blindness is far from new. It was detailed in ancient Egyptian texts. The treatment at the time was simple: The juices of a grilled lamb’s liver were squeezed into the eyes of afflicted patients to provide a topical treatment (although the famed ophthalmologist and vitamin A expert Alfred Sommer later wondered if the restoration actually came from perhaps feeding the patients the remaining liver—rich in vitamin A—following such treatments).
When it comes to eating nutrient-rich foods to improve eyesight, more generally, Chew suggests stocking up on green, leafy vegetables. Spinach, kale or collard greens—all chock-full of lutein and zeaxanthin (which are other food-derived nutrients)—could help protect your eyes by filtering high-energy wavelengths of visible light that can damage the retina. Such foods may also help to protect against age-related macular degeneration, the major cause of blindness in the elderly.
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Which German city in the western part of the Ruhr Area has the world’s biggest inland harbour? | Duisburg, Germany | Greenwich Mean Time
City of Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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City of Duisburg, Germany
Duisburg is a German city in the western part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located in the Lowland Rhine area at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers and near the outskirts of the Bergisches Land. The city spreads along both sides of these rivers. With the world's biggest inland harbour and its proximity to Düsseldorf International Airport, Duisburg has become an important venue for commerce and steel production. It is officially regarded as a "seaport" because sea-going river vessels go to ports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Numerous docks are mostly located at the mouth of Ruhr river where it joins the Rhine.
Duisburg hosts a comprehensive range of cultural facilities and events. A highlight is the annual "Duisburger Akzente", a festival focusing on modern social, political and cultural topics. The city also offers a variety of architectural places of interest, ranging from old churches such as "St Johann Baptist", built in 900, to modern age buildings like Micro-Electronic-Centrum, built in 1995. Another subject of interest is the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, an abandoned industrial complex open to the public and an Anchor Point of The European Route of Industrial Heritage. The city also contains two botanical gardens, the Botanischer Garten Duisburg-Hamborn and the Botanischer Garten Kaiserberg.
City of Duisburg, Germany official website: www.duisburg.de
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Who won the 1995 Best Actress Oscar for her part in ‘Dead Man Walking’? | A few skyline pics I took yesterday. - SkyscraperCity
A few skyline pics I took yesterday.
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A few skyline pics I took yesterday.
I shot the from a new watch tower here in my hometown.
Skyline of Duesseldorf
Should be a few smaller towns. (Maybe Krefeld, Meerbusch and Neuss)
Probably the skyline of Ratingen
The HKM steelplant in Duisburg
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Marcin, looks like Duisburg is quite an idustrial city. Just curious, what's the population like? What percentage of the population is German, what are the (approximate) percentages of other ethnic groups?
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Of course it is an industrial city, Duisburg has the biggest inland harbour in Europe and is the biggest steel production site in the world. The population is a little more than a half million.But Duisburg belongs to the Ruhrgebiet which is an industrial manufactoring belt, the whole population in the area is 5.3 million. I can�t find an overview of the ethnics living in duisburg, but I know we have about 8% muslims. And about 14% of the people haven�t a german passport.
Here you have some more information-> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duisburg
and here you have my fotothread about Duisburg on SSC-> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=217565
There is also a link in my signature about projects in Duisburg.
Duesseldorf strikes me as a very gloomy city.
Bayer Works at the river Rhine
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too much industry. wouldn't want to live there. skyline is bad btw but the pics are good. even stevan can't make this city look good. lol. sorry man.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lakerdar123
too much industry. wouldn't want to live there. skyline is bad btw but the pics are good. even stevan can't make this city look good. lol. sorry man.
Sure, but that are only pics of industry. The industry is very concentrated in a few locations and in compare to other countries the industrie isn�t that bad, because we have though environmental regulations, you can even eat fish from the Rhine without unworried. There is also a lot of woods all around. Check out my Duisburg thread for more pics, not just industry!
Originally Posted by Vasya Pupkin
Duesseldorf strikes me as a very gloomy city.
Oh and Duesseldorf isn�t gloomy at all!
BTW a very nice summary about the whole area from another user from another thread!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalitos
North Rhine-Westphalia (German: Nordrhein-Westfalen, short: NRW) is the largest in population (though only fourth in area) among Germany's 16 federal states. It has about 18 million inhabitants and comprises 34,080 km� (13,158 square miles) in western-northwestern Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia contributes about 22 percent of Germany's gross domestic product; its capital is D�sseldorf.
The state is centred on the sprawling Rhine-Ruhr urbanised region, which contains the cities of Cologne, D�sseldorf, and Bonn, as well as the Ruhr industrial complex. The Ruhr area consists, among others, of the cities of Essen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Bochum and Gelsenkirchen.
For many people North Rhine-Westphalia is synonymous with industrial areas and agglomerating cities. But the largest part of the state is covered with forests and fields. The southern parts of the Teutoburg Forest are located in the northeast. In the southwest, North Rhine-Westphalia shares in a small part of the Eifel, located on the borders with Belgium and Rhineland-Palatinate. The southeast is occupied by the sparsely populated regions of Sauerland and Siegerland. The northwestern areas of the state are part of the Northern European Lowlands.
The most important rivers that run at least partially through North Rhine-Westphalia include: Rhine, Ruhr, Ems, Lippe and Weser. The Pader, which runs through the city of Paderborn, is the shortest river in Germany.
See also List of places in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The state consists of 5 administrative regions (Regierungsbezirke), divided into 31 districts (Kreise) and 23 urban districts (kreisfreie St�dte). In total, North Rhine-Westphalia has 396 municipalities (1997), including the urban districts, which are municipalities by themselves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NRW
The Ruhr Area (German Ruhrgebiet or, colloquially, Ruhrpott) is an urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, consisting of a number of large industrial cities bordered by the rivers Ruhr to the south, Rhine to the west, and Lippe to the north. Southwest it borders the Bergisches Land. The area, with some 5.3 million people, is considered part of the larger Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area of more than 12 million people.
Going from west to east, the area includes the city boroughs of Duisburg, Oberhausen, Bottrop, M�lheim an der Ruhr, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum, Herne, Hamm, Hagen, and Dortmund as well as parts of the more "rural" districts Wesel, Recklinghausen, Unna and Ennepe-Ruhr. These districts have grown into a large complex forming an industrial landscape of unique size, inhabited by some 5.3 million people, the fourth largest urban area in Europe after Moscow, Greater London, and Paris . The Ruhr area is often mistakenly perceived as a single city because many maps do not show the boundaries between the individual cities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhrgebiet
Essen
Essen [ˈɛsn̩] is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr river, it ranks as the second largest city of the Ruhr area and as the 8th largest city in Germany. Population: 586,205 (as of 30.06.2004).
Despite its size, Essen has less prominence than other cities of comparable size. Essen remained an insignificant agricultural town until the 19th century, although founded as early as about 845. The mining of coal and ore led to the growth of the city and of the entire Ruhr area. The Krupp family comes from Essen; their works established steel production in Essen in 1811. After having undergone major economic changes after World War II, Essen now hosts a high-class college of art, many industrial sights (Zeche Zollverein) and a major collection of art (Folkwang Museum).
http://www.essen.de/english/Tourismu...sp?highlight=3
Dortmund
Dortmund is a city in Germany, located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Population: 587,830 (20 June 2005).
The Ruhr river flows south of the city, the small Emscher river flows through the municipal area. Linking Dortmund to the North Sea, the Dortmund-Ems Canal terminates at Dortmund Harbour, the largest German canal port.
Dortmund is the home of the famous football club Borussia Dortmund (BVB 09), whose home ground is the Westfalenstadion. Opened in 1974, it is Germany's largest football stadium with a capacity of 82,932 spectators. Having already hosted some World Cup matches in 1974, Dortmund will be hosting several matches in the 2006 World Cup, including a semi-final.
Dortmund is known as Westphalia's "green metropolis". Nearly half the municipal territory consists of waterways, woodland, agriculture and green spaces with spacious parks such as Westfalenpark and the Romberg park. This after nearly a hundred years of extensive coal mining, coking, and steel milling within the city limits.
The Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of the largest in Germany, and is host to the largest "christmas tree" in the world, formed by stacking hundreds of trees into the shape of a pyramid.
Westfalenstadion
Duisburg
Duisburg is a German city in the western part of the Ruhr Area (Ruhrgebiet) in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is an independent metropolitan borough within Regierungsbezirk D�sseldorf. The harbour of Duisburg is the largest inland port in Europe. There is a university in the city which merged with the University of Essen in 2003 to form the University of Duisburg-Essen.
Today's city is, as is the case with all big cities in Germany, a result of numerous incorporations of surrounding towns and smaller cities. At the beginning of the 20th century the city surpassed the 100,000 limit. Today it is the 12th-largest city in Germany and the fifth city in North Rhine-Westphalia with 506,496 residents (as of 31 December 2003). The city is renowned for its steel industry. There is still one coal mine in operation, but Duisburg has never been a coal-mining location to the same extent as the other places in the Ruhr. All blast furnaces in the Ruhr are now located in Duisburg. 49% of all hot metal and 34.4% of all crude steel in Germany is produced here (status 2000).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duisburg
Duesseldorf
D�sseldorf is the capital city of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Located on the Rhine near Cologne, it is one of the main centres of the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr area.
D�sseldorf is not only widely known as a stronghold of the German advertising and fashion industry. In the last few years the city on the Rhine has become a top telecommunications center in Germany. Today, there are 18 internet providers located in the capital of North-Rhine Westphalia. With two of the four big German providers of mobile frequencies, D2 Vodafone and E-Plus, D�sseldorf is leading the German mobile phone market. This pioneer position is being demonstrated by the presence of the many foreign trading centers in D�sseldorf such as NTT, Ericsson, Nokia or GTS.
Along with the abundant advertising industry, these companies serve as an important motor for the new economy. There are 400 advertising agencies in D�sseldorf, among them three of the big ones in Germany: BBDO Group, Publicis Group and Grey Group. A number of affiliates of foreign agencies have to be mentioned as well, such as Ogilvy & Mather, Dentsu, Hakuhodu, Digital District and DDB. Against this background so many internet agencies in D�sseldorf have their roots in the classical world of advertising.
The city of D�sseldorf plays an important role in the financial world: some 170 national and international financial institutions and about 130 insurance agencies are based here. Furthermore, one of the biggest German stock exchanges is located here. The print media, represented in D�sseldorf by around 200 publishing houses, have adjusted to the requirements of various fields of the economy - online and offline. Important newspapers and journals such as Handelsblatt, Wirtschaftswoche, Deutsches Wirtschaftsblatt, VDI nachrichten or DM are being published in the city on the Rhine. Almost all of these papers are available online on the Internet. Further, Genios, the daughter of publishing group Handelsblatt runs Germany's biggest online economic database from here. Renowned film making companies, such as Germany's biggest cinema enterprise the Riech-Group and TV-channels such as CNN, NBC Giga and QVC have made D�sseldorf a city of moving images.
The "K�", which stands short for K�nigsallee (King's Avenue) is the street to go shopping in D�sseldorf. Some of the most reputated jewelry shops, designer labels and galleries have their stores here, such as Cartier, Aigner, Lacoste, Eickhoff, Jil Sander, Benneton, Gucci, Esprit, Laurel, Armani, Chanel, Escada, Hugo Boss, Joop, Kooka�, Prada and many more.
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In December, which politician apologised for racist remarks he made in the 80s? | Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes | Politics | The Guardian
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes
News that the PM’s chief policy adviser made offensive remarks back in the 1980s will come as no surpise to those who have followed his career to date
Letwin apologised for his racist remarks about rioting Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes
News that the PM’s chief policy adviser made offensive remarks back in the 1980s will come as no surpise to those who have followed his career to date
Wednesday 30 December 2015 09.12 EST
Last modified on Tuesday 19 July 2016 08.46 EDT
Close
This article is 1 year old
Oliver Letwin , the prime minister’s chief policy adviser, has once again found himself on the back foot, this time following publication by the National Archive of remarks he made in the 1980s.
Oliver Letwin blocked help for black youth after 1985 riots
Read more
The senior Tory apologised “unreservedly” after files revealed that as a young adviser in Margaret Thatcher’s Downing Street policy unit he helped deter plans to assist young unemployed black youths following the 1985 Tottenham and Handsworth riots with the claim that a mooted £10m to tackle inner-city problems would only end up in the “disco and drug trade” .
As David Cameron’s personal policy wonk, Letwin wields considerable influence. But the old Etonian has earned a reputation as a bumbling intellectual due to some of his more questionable actions and opinions, which perhaps explain why his political career has largely played out in the back rooms of Westminster. As the former Labour home secretary Charles Clarke once observed of the No 10 insider : “Being academically clever does not guarantee a high level of political savvy.”
Letwin as a young adviser to Margaret Thatcher. Photograph: The Independent/REX/Shutterstock
Wanted over cuts
Back in 2001, Letwin, then shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, came close to derailing the Tory general election campaign after suggesting that the Conservatives planned to cut taxes by £20bn, more than double the amount pledged by the then party leader, William Hague. He told the Financial Times he was “190%” confident the Tories could make the cuts within five years, forcing a furious Hague and Michael Portillo, then shadow chancellor, to publicly dismiss his figures as “not right” .
Letwin went into hiding for the rest of the campaign but the damage had been done, with Labour producing “wanted” posters for him . Gordon Brown, then the chancellor, taunted the Tories over his low profile, quipping: “Let Letwin speak. We should free the Dorset One!” There was no apology from Letwin, who issued a denial of the FT’s story, insisting his comments had been misconstrued.
A farrago of nonsense
Three years later when he was shadow chancellor, he made a similar blunder when he was secretly recorded telling the Institute of Economic Affairs that he would like to slash public spending by billions but that it would be electorally disastrous to do so. Again, there was no apology, with Letwin claiming he was the victim of “a farrago of nonsense”.
Margaret Beckett jests about Letwin’s claim of £20bn tax cuts. Photograph: Matthew Fearn/PA
State school slur
In 2003, Letwin risked the Tories’ attempts to rebrand themselves as the party for ordinary working families when he claimed he would rather beg on the street than send his children to the local state school in south London.
The Eton and Cambridge-educated politician conceded that he “wouldn’t mind” using a state school in his West Dorset constituency, but added that he aimed to get his 10-year-old daughter into “a particular public school in London”.
The NHS will not exist
The following year Letwin told a private meeting that the “NHS will not exist” within five years of a Conservative election victory . Paul Boateng, then chief secretary of the Treasury, seized on the gaffe, claiming it revealed the Tories’ true intentions “to abolish the NHS as we know it”.
A Conservative party spokesman contested the report by the Independent, saying Letwin meant that “within five years a Conservative government would have broken down the monolithic bureaucracy of the health service, putting decision-making in the hands of the hospitals rather than the Whitehall pen-pushers”.
National crisis
Letwin ran into trouble again in 2011 after he warned that Britain was facing an “immediate national crisis” over poor levels of economic growth and job losses. Labour said his comments, made to a select committee, had “let the cat out of the bag” by highlighting failings of the government’s own making.
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Letwin at the 2004 Conservative party conference. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian
The accusation came after Boris Johnson told a meeting that he was “absolutely scandalised” to hear the remarks from a then unnamed minister, which the London mayor described as “a kind of bourgeois repression of people’s ability to take holidays”.
Both Cameron and Clegg appeared to confirm Letwin was the source of the comments, and the millionaire MP failed to deny them, telling Sky News: “I do not ever comment on things that are alleged to have been said in private conversations, but I would never knowingly ever say anything offensive to anybody.”
No ideas
Letwin told a group of coalition MPs in April 2011 that the government would run out of ideas by 2012. A parliamentary private secretary told Sky News: “It was the most depressing meeting ever. Oliver told us, ’By the end of 2012 we’ve run out of ideas. We don’t know what we’re doing – so we’re trying to work it out.’” No doubt some of his peers wished the policy guru was true to his word.
Binning documents
By far Letwin’s most notorious escapade came in 2011 after he was photographed dumping official papers in litter bins in St James’s Park . The Daily Mirror reported that Letwin was seen on five separate days binning sensitive correspondence in the park. The Information Commissioner’s Office later found that he did not dispose of any government documents; the papers were his constituents’ personal and confidential letters to him.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Clearly, it’s not a sensible way to dispose of documents.” A statement was issued by one of Letwin’s aides added: “Mr Letwin sincerely apologises to any concerned constituents and would like to make assurances that he will no longer dispose of copies of documents and constituency correspondence in this way.”
| Oliver Letwin |
In ‘Bleak House’, what is the surname of both parties in the never-ending legal case? | Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes | Politics | The Guardian
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes
News that the PM’s chief policy adviser made offensive remarks back in the 1980s will come as no surpise to those who have followed his career to date
Letwin apologised for his racist remarks about rioting Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin: a career in gaffes
News that the PM’s chief policy adviser made offensive remarks back in the 1980s will come as no surpise to those who have followed his career to date
Wednesday 30 December 2015 09.12 EST
Last modified on Tuesday 19 July 2016 08.46 EDT
Close
This article is 1 year old
Oliver Letwin , the prime minister’s chief policy adviser, has once again found himself on the back foot, this time following publication by the National Archive of remarks he made in the 1980s.
Oliver Letwin blocked help for black youth after 1985 riots
Read more
The senior Tory apologised “unreservedly” after files revealed that as a young adviser in Margaret Thatcher’s Downing Street policy unit he helped deter plans to assist young unemployed black youths following the 1985 Tottenham and Handsworth riots with the claim that a mooted £10m to tackle inner-city problems would only end up in the “disco and drug trade” .
As David Cameron’s personal policy wonk, Letwin wields considerable influence. But the old Etonian has earned a reputation as a bumbling intellectual due to some of his more questionable actions and opinions, which perhaps explain why his political career has largely played out in the back rooms of Westminster. As the former Labour home secretary Charles Clarke once observed of the No 10 insider : “Being academically clever does not guarantee a high level of political savvy.”
Letwin as a young adviser to Margaret Thatcher. Photograph: The Independent/REX/Shutterstock
Wanted over cuts
Back in 2001, Letwin, then shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, came close to derailing the Tory general election campaign after suggesting that the Conservatives planned to cut taxes by £20bn, more than double the amount pledged by the then party leader, William Hague. He told the Financial Times he was “190%” confident the Tories could make the cuts within five years, forcing a furious Hague and Michael Portillo, then shadow chancellor, to publicly dismiss his figures as “not right” .
Letwin went into hiding for the rest of the campaign but the damage had been done, with Labour producing “wanted” posters for him . Gordon Brown, then the chancellor, taunted the Tories over his low profile, quipping: “Let Letwin speak. We should free the Dorset One!” There was no apology from Letwin, who issued a denial of the FT’s story, insisting his comments had been misconstrued.
A farrago of nonsense
Three years later when he was shadow chancellor, he made a similar blunder when he was secretly recorded telling the Institute of Economic Affairs that he would like to slash public spending by billions but that it would be electorally disastrous to do so. Again, there was no apology, with Letwin claiming he was the victim of “a farrago of nonsense”.
Margaret Beckett jests about Letwin’s claim of £20bn tax cuts. Photograph: Matthew Fearn/PA
State school slur
In 2003, Letwin risked the Tories’ attempts to rebrand themselves as the party for ordinary working families when he claimed he would rather beg on the street than send his children to the local state school in south London.
The Eton and Cambridge-educated politician conceded that he “wouldn’t mind” using a state school in his West Dorset constituency, but added that he aimed to get his 10-year-old daughter into “a particular public school in London”.
The NHS will not exist
The following year Letwin told a private meeting that the “NHS will not exist” within five years of a Conservative election victory . Paul Boateng, then chief secretary of the Treasury, seized on the gaffe, claiming it revealed the Tories’ true intentions “to abolish the NHS as we know it”.
A Conservative party spokesman contested the report by the Independent, saying Letwin meant that “within five years a Conservative government would have broken down the monolithic bureaucracy of the health service, putting decision-making in the hands of the hospitals rather than the Whitehall pen-pushers”.
National crisis
Letwin ran into trouble again in 2011 after he warned that Britain was facing an “immediate national crisis” over poor levels of economic growth and job losses. Labour said his comments, made to a select committee, had “let the cat out of the bag” by highlighting failings of the government’s own making.
Cheap holidays
Pinterest
Letwin at the 2004 Conservative party conference. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian
The accusation came after Boris Johnson told a meeting that he was “absolutely scandalised” to hear the remarks from a then unnamed minister, which the London mayor described as “a kind of bourgeois repression of people’s ability to take holidays”.
Both Cameron and Clegg appeared to confirm Letwin was the source of the comments, and the millionaire MP failed to deny them, telling Sky News: “I do not ever comment on things that are alleged to have been said in private conversations, but I would never knowingly ever say anything offensive to anybody.”
No ideas
Letwin told a group of coalition MPs in April 2011 that the government would run out of ideas by 2012. A parliamentary private secretary told Sky News: “It was the most depressing meeting ever. Oliver told us, ’By the end of 2012 we’ve run out of ideas. We don’t know what we’re doing – so we’re trying to work it out.’” No doubt some of his peers wished the policy guru was true to his word.
Binning documents
By far Letwin’s most notorious escapade came in 2011 after he was photographed dumping official papers in litter bins in St James’s Park . The Daily Mirror reported that Letwin was seen on five separate days binning sensitive correspondence in the park. The Information Commissioner’s Office later found that he did not dispose of any government documents; the papers were his constituents’ personal and confidential letters to him.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Clearly, it’s not a sensible way to dispose of documents.” A statement was issued by one of Letwin’s aides added: “Mr Letwin sincerely apologises to any concerned constituents and would like to make assurances that he will no longer dispose of copies of documents and constituency correspondence in this way.”
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Pearl Harbour is in which present-day US state? | Pearl Harbor - World War II - HISTORY.com
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Pearl Harbor and the Road to War
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise, but Japan and the United States had been edging toward war for decades. The United States was particularly unhappy with Japan’s increasingly belligerent attitude toward China. The Japanese government believed that the only way to solve its economic and demographic problems was to expand into its neighbor’s territory and take over its import market; to this end, Japan had declared war on China in 1937. American officials responded to this aggression with a battery of economic sanctions and trade embargoes. They reasoned that without access to money and goods, and especially essential supplies like oil, Japan would have to rein in its expansionism. Instead, the sanctions made the Japanese more determined to stand their ground. During months of negotiations between Tokyo and Washington , D.C., neither side would budge. It seemed that war was inevitable.
Did You Know?
The single vote against Congress's declaration of war against Japan came from Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana. Rankin was a pacifist who had also voted against the American entrance into World War I. "As a woman," she said, "I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else."
But no one believed that the Japanese would start that war with an attack on American territory. For one thing, it would be terribly inconvenient: Hawaii and Japan were about 4,000 miles apart. For another, American intelligence officials were confident that any Japanese attack would take place in one of the (relatively) nearby European colonies in the South Pacific: the Dutch East Indies, for instance, or Singapore or Indochina. Because American military leaders were not expecting an attack so close to home, the naval facilities at Pearl Harbor were relatively undefended. Almost the entire Pacific Fleet was moored around Ford Island in the harbor, and hundreds of airplanes were squeezed onto adjacent airfields. To the Japanese, Pearl Harbor was an irresistible target.
“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”
The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific. On December 7, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack.
At about 8 a.m., Japanese planes filled the sky over Pearl Harbor. Bombs and bullets rained onto the vessels moored below. At 8:10, a 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the deck of the battleship USS Arizona and landed in her forward ammunition magazine. The ship exploded and sank with more than 1,000 men trapped inside. Next, torpedoes pierced the shell of the battleship USS Oklahoma . With 400 sailors aboard, the Oklahoma lost her balance, rolled onto her side and slipped underwater. By the time the attack was over, every battleship in Pearl Harbor–USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California , USS West Virginia , USS Utah , USS Maryland , USS Pennsylvania , USS Tennessee and USS Nevada–had sustained significant damage. (All but USS Arizona and USS Utah were eventually salvaged and repaired.)
In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields were likewise destroyed. Most important, almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were wounded.
But the Japanese had failed to cripple the Pacific Fleet. By the 1940s, battleships were no longer the most important naval vessel: Aircraft carriers were, and as it happened, all of the Pacific Fleet’s carriers were away from the base on December 7. (Some had returned to the mainland and others were delivering planes to troops on Midway and Wake Islands.) Moreover, the Pearl Harbor assault had left the base’s most vital onshore facilities–oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards and submarine docks–intact. As a result, the U.S. Navy was able to rebound relatively quickly from the attack.
Pearl Harbor Awakens the “Sleeping Giant”
“Yesterday,” President Roosevelt said on December 8, “the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.” He went on to say, “No matter now long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.” After the Pearl Harbor attack, and for the first time after years of discussion and debate, the American people were united in their determination to go to war. The Japanese had wanted to goad the United States into an agreement to lift the economic sanctions against them; instead, they had pushed their adversary into a global conflict that ultimately resulted in Japan’s first occupation by a foreign power.
On December 8, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy declared war against the United States. For the second time, Congress reciprocated. More than two years after the start of the conflict, the United States had entered World War II .
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| Hawaii |
In what country were the terracotta warriors discovered in 1974? | Pearl Harbor [ushistory.org]
50e. Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona was pounded by Japanese bombers as it rested at anchor at Pearl Harbor. The ship ultimately sank, taking the lives of 1,177 crew members.
While the international picture in Europe was growing increasingly dimmer for the United States, relations with Japan were souring as well. Japan's aggression was literally being fueled by the United States. The Japanese military machine relied heavily on imports of American steel and oil to prosecute its assault on China and French Indochina.
Placing a strict embargo on Japan would have seemed obvious, but Roosevelt feared that Japan would strike at the resource-laden Dutch East Indies to make up the difference. Beginning in late-1940, the United States grew less patient with Japanese atrocities and began to restrict trade with the Empire.
Just prior to Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union, Japan signed a nonaggression pact with Stalin. This removed the threat of a Russian attack on Japan's new holdings. With Europe busy fighting Hitler, the United States remained the only obstacle to the establishment of a huge Japanese empire spanning East Asia.
By the end of 1940, the United States had ended shipments of scrap metal, steel, and iron ore to Japan. Simultaneously, the United States began to send military hardware to Chiang Kai-shek, the nominal leader of the Chinese forces resisting Japanese takeover.
By the beginning of World War II, Japan had established a powerful navy aviation division. It was this superior air power that carried out the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Negotiations between Japan and the U.S. began in early 1941, but there was little movement. By midsummer, FDR made the fateful step of freezing all Japanese assets in the United States and ending shipments of oil to the island nation. Negotiations went nowhere. The United States was as unwilling to accept Japanese expansion and Japan was unwilling to end its conquests.
American diplomats did, however, have a hidden advantage. With the help of "Magic," a decoding device, the United States was able to decipher Japan's radio transmissions. Leaders in Washington knew that the deadline for diplomacy set by Japan's high command was November 25. When that date came and passed, American officials were poised for a strike. The prevailing view was that the attack would focus on British Malaya or the Dutch East Indies to replenish dwindling fuel supplies.
Unbeknown to the United States, a Japanese fleet of aircraft carriers stealthily steamed toward Hawaii.
The goals for the Japanese attack were simple. Japan did not hope to conquer the United States or even to force the abandonment of Hawaii with the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States was too much of a threat to their newly acquired territories. With holdings in the Philippines, Guam, American Samoa, and other small islands, Japan was vulnerable to an American naval attack. A swift first strike against the bulk of the United States Pacific Fleet would seriously cripple the American ability to respond. The hopes were that Japan could capture the Philippines and American island holdings before the American navy could recuperate and retaliate. An impenetrable fortress would then stretch across the entire Pacific Rim. The United States, distracted by European events, would be forced to recognize the new order in East Asia.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, approximately 100 U.S. Navy battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and support ships, were present at Pearl Harbor.
All these assumptions were wrong. As the bombs rained on Pearl Harbor on the infamous morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, almost 3,000 Americans were killed. Six battleships were destroyed or rendered unseaworthy, and most of the ground planes were ravaged as well. Americans reacted with surprise and anger.
Most American newspaper headlines had been focusing on European events, so the Japanese attack was a true blindside. When President Roosevelt addressed the Congress the next day and asked for a declaration of war, there was only one dissenting vote in either house of Congress. Despite two decades of regret over World War I and ostrichlike isolationism, the American people plunged headfirst into a destructive conflict.
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Who was born Amy Lyon near Neston in Cheshire, in May 1765? | Emma Lady Hamilton • Biography & Facts
Emma Lady Hamilton
Emma Lady Hamilton
Emma, Lady Hamilton (26 April 1765; baptised 12 May 1765 – 15 January 1815) is best remembered as the mistress of Lord Nelson and as the muse of George Romney . She was born Amy Lyon in Ness near Neston, Cheshire, England, the daughter of Henry Lyon, a blacksmith who died when she was two months old. She was raised by her mother, the former Mary Kidd, at Hawarden, and received no formal education. She later changed her name to Emma Hart.
| Emma, Lady Hamilton |
Who played the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)? | Emma, Lady Hamilton: George Romney Painter , Mistress Lover , Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, Blackfriars, William Hamilton Diplomat: Amazon.it: Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome, John McBrewster: Libri in altre lingue
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Emma, Lady Hamilton: George Romney (Painter), Mistress (Lover), Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, Blackfriars, William Hamilton (Diplomat) (Inglese) Copertina flessibile – 1 ott 2010
Copertina flessibile, 1 ott 2010
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Editore: Alphascript Publishing (1 ottobre 2010)
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The bossa nova is a type of what more generic dance? | Introduction to Bossa Nova Dancing
Bossa Nova
Introduction
Bossa Nova is a Brazilian dance that followed the creation of Bossa Nova music in the late 1950s. It is roughly translated as meaning 'new wave', 'new way' or 'new beat'.
A very popular and well-known Bossa Nova tune is the Girl from Ipanema or in Portuguese: Garota de Ipanema.
As popular as the music may be, the dance is not widely taught in dance schools. As a result, dancers are puzzled by what dance styles they should use when they hear Bossa Nova music, and sometimes use Rumba, Samba, Merengue and even Night Club Two Step patterns. This can work except that the distinct Latin Jazz feel of the music calls for its own style.
The advantage of knowing basic Bossa Nova steps is that once dancers know how to dance the basic steps to the mood of the music, they can then incorporate moves from other dances that fit Bossa Nova's mood and rhythm. Alternatively, dancers can use the concepts behind the very useful Bossa Nova basic steps in other dances.
There is a Bossa Nova line dance as there is a Samba line dance. Samba and Bossa Nova are both Brazilian dances.
Bossa Nova Moves and Steps
In one version of Bossa Nova dancing, the feel and count is similar to social Rumba - with the Cuban hip action replaced with a smooth hip sway or roll and with the addition of frequent taps with the foot extended.
The chasse basic is three steps to the leader's left (step-together-step), a tap step, three steps to the right (step-together-step) and a tap step. The follower mirrors the step starting to the right.
The walking basic is similar and is danced as three steps forward (for the leader starting with, say, the left foot), tap, three steps back and tap. The follower mirrors the step starting with back steps.
The forward/back basic is (for the leader) step forward (either foot, say left), together and tap with the other foot and back to the original position, step together, step back, tap and forward. When this forward/back basic is repeated, it becomes the walking basic described above.
A variation of the forward/back basic is (for the leader) left foot step forward, right foot together tap, right foot step back, left foot together tap, left foot step back, right foot together tap, right foot step forward, left foot together tap - and repeat.
Note: At this time there are no videos available that demonstrate the Bossa Nova dance to our satisfaction.
Music
With lyrics by Vin�cius de Moraes, composition by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and singing by Jo�o Gilberto, Chega de Saudade (translated as No More Blues), released in 1958, is credited as being the first Bossa Nova recording. The three are seen together on the left.
Initially, Chega de Saudade was recorded on Elizete Cardoso's album Can��o do Amor Demais. However, it was the later release by Jo�o Gilberto on an album by the same name, that brought Bossa Nova to public attention.
The 1959 motion picture Orfeu Negro or Black Orpheus cemented Bossa Nova's popularity in Brazil. The movie was based on a play by Vin�cius de Moraes and the music was composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The lyrics for one the songs, Manh� de Carnaval was written by Luiz Bonf�.
The record label Verve, US jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd added to Bossa Nova's popularity in North America with their 1963 release of Jazz Samba. The music was recorded at All Souls' Unitarian Church in Washington, DC on February 13, 1962. The album contained two Jobim compositions: Desafinado and Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Samba)
However, it was the 1964 release of the album Getz/Gilberto by Verve that made Bossa Nova a household name
in North America while becoming one of the best selling jazz albums ever. Getz/Gilberto spent 96 weeks in the charts and won four Grammys. Stan Getz played the sax and Jo�o Gilberto played the guitar. Jobim is featured on the piano. Jobim also wrote most of the music.
The first song on the album The Girl from Ipanema, was sung by Jo�o and his wife Astrud Gilberto (seen on the right), making her professional debut. The song won a Grammy, and is today one of the most recognizable Bossa Nova songs anywhere.
The Girl From Ipanema
The story of the transformation of Vin�cius de Moraes' composition Menina que Passa (The Girl Who Passes By) into the song we recognize today as The Girl from Ipanema or Garota de Ipanema is now part of Bossa Nova folklore.
The story goes that Moraes composed the words to the song in Petr�polis, a township near Rio, while Jobim composed the melody at his home in Rua Bar�o da Torre, in the southern Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood of Ipanema. The beach of Ipanema (seen here on the right) is adjacent to Copacabana Beach. However, Ipanema has the reputation of being a more exclusive neighbourhood. Indeed, it is one of the most expensive places to buy a home in Rio.
Moraes and Jobim patronized the Veloso Cafe in Ipanema. Sitting at the cafe, they frequently saw a slender, stunning, fifteen-year-old girl pass by - much to the delight of the cafe's patrons who expressed their admiration of her beauty with sighs and whistles.
Her name was Helo�sa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto (today Hel� Pinheiro). She lived on Ipanema's Montenegro Street. Today, Montenegro Street is called Vinicius de Moraes Street, and the Veloso Bar has been named A Garota de Ipanema.
Helo�sa became the girl from Ipanema in Moraes and Jobin's composition which took its final form in the winter on 1962. The English lyrics were later written by Norman Gimbel, the opening lines of which are:
"Tall and tan and young and lovely, The girl from Ipanema goes walking,
And when she passes each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!
When she walks she's like a samba that, Swings so cool and sways so gentle,
That when she passes each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!"
| Samba (software) |
With what dance do you associate the man born Ernest Evans in South Carolina in 1941? | Bossa nova Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com
Bossa Nova (dance) , sambass
Bossa nova is a type of Brazilian music. Bossa nova means literally "new trend". Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto developed bossa nova as a genre. The first bossa nova single to achieve international popularity was "The Girl From Ipanema".
The bossa nova musical style evolved from samba but is more complex harmonically and less percussive. Joachim Ernst Berendt, the writer of a jazz book, said that bossa nova is a combination of samba and cool jazz. The influence on bossa nova of jazz styles is often debated, but a similar "cool sensibility" is apparent.
Bossa nova is usually performed on classical guitar and piano . It often performed with percussion and strings.
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With what catchphrase would you associate the village of Llanddewi Brefi? | Little Britain characters - The Full Wiki
The Full Wiki
Little Britain characters: Wikis
Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles .
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of characters for the British television and radio sketch show Little Britain (and its American spin-off, Little Britain USA ).
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1, Radio Show
April May and Neville Murdoch are two incompetent volunteers with the St "Tom's" Ambulance brigade whose remedies for life-threatening situations are various types of mint, including Murray Mints , Polos and Trebor Extra Strong. They are often assigned to areas with large crowds of people such as football matches, and all of their attempts at resuscitating their patients fail, According to the St. Tom's Nurse, they tried to cure a man's Chest pains with a Mint Crumbley instead of CPR . In the radio series, Neville's last name was "Johnson" and they were working for St John's Ambulance Brigade . They appeared in one episode of Series 1 of the TV series, several appearances in the radio show and 2 deleted scenes.
Alan
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 3
Alan works for the Donkey Hospice in the town of Achingballs. After contributors give him some money, he blatantly places stickers on embarrassing body parts, such as the genital region or breasts and on someone's rear in a deleted scene. He makes one appearance in Series 3.
Peter Andre
Episodes: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 4 and 5
Catchphrase: I love you Anne and I want you Anne
Peter Andre is a royal BBC correspondent who gets the sack after first making bizarre and inaccurate claims about the Royal Family (such as Prince Charles having magical powers, describing The Queen as "The Main One" and mistaking Princess Eugenie for her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York , and declaring his love for Princess Anne through song. The character's name is a reference to the singer . There are also two deleted scenes in which Peter Andre appears backstage at the Royal Variety Performance and at a drug rehab centre.
Anne
Appearances: Starting in Series 1
Catchphrase: "Eh-eh-ehhh!"
Anne is an inmate at the Steven Spielberg hospital in Little Bentcock, where she is being trained for integration into society. She is a mentally challenged patient, although she is known to answer the telephone perfectly normally. Unfortunately for her psychiatrist, Dr. Lawrence, who is always accompanied by Dr. Beagrie, she displays poor progress and often ends up doing bizarre things, such as licking the faces of other people or destroying the things around her. Anne has worked at a library, bowling alley and as a pianist in a restaurant; she takes a keen interest in amateur dramatics and decoration.
Anne has appeared in all the series and had a Stars In Their Eyes sketch for Little Britain Live. In Little Britain Abroad, Anne met the Pope and went to the Louvre in Paris where she stole the Mona Lisa . She did not, however, appear in Little Britain USA. She is 39 years old.
B
Appearances: Starting in Series 2
Catchphrase: "Computer says no... (coughs)" as well as offering surreal substitutes to requests.
Carol Beer worked at a bank in Series Two and had a very close relationship with her computer. When asked by customers if they can take a loan or open up an account, she will type into her computer and usually answer "computer says no" in an unemotional tone, or for a change (upon being invited to a dinner with colleagues), "Computer says 'Will Melanie be there?'" She is incredibly unhelpful and completely unwilling to use any human initiative to help customers and will cough in their faces to make them leave. She has a crush on one of her co-workers who enters her office in one sketch. By Series 3, she has changed jobs and now works as a travel agent in the fictional town of SpongeBob SquarePants , still working very closely with her computer and answering to very reasonable requests with her catchphrase, and she takes many opportunities to cough (such as coughing into their envelope before giving) or to increase her unhelpfulness (for instance, cancelling a customer's flight plan when he requests a vegetarian meal, or telling a child wanting to go to Disney World that the "Mickey Mouse" will just be a man in a suit). Carol often offers strange or surreal replacements the customer is unlikely to agree to, such as (when the client asked for a flight to Orlando) "I've got a flight to Guildford" or (when asked for a boat ride for two people) "There is one place left. Would one of you be okay swimming alongside?" Another of her trademarks is that, whenever a customer reveals an aspect of their personal lives (such as when a man comments that it's been a while since he saw his daughter), she will shrug her shoulders to him. Occasionally she would simply respond "Computer says no" without typing anything. When her clients point this out, she will stick up one finger (the middle one in Little Britain Live) and tap one key on the keyboard before repeating herself. Her character in Series 2 and 3 contrasts very strongly in Little Britain Live and Little Britain Abroad - Series 2 and 3 portray her as generally unhelpful, while Little Britain Live and Little Britain Abroad portrayed her as a cruel, unreasonable character.
In the final episode of Series 3, she is dismayed to find that "computer says yes" to a more difficult request, a very inexpensive (£700) round-the-world first-class cruise lasting six months, before her customer coughs in her face instead.
Carol has shown no emotion throughout the series, except during her appearance on Little Britain Abroad, where she cried uncontrollably; however, we quickly find out that she was being insincere and was merely trying to manipulate her clients.
Carol Beer appears in Little Britain USA , in which she is the receptionist at a hospital. Her most recent escapades involved offering a child named Danielle Lloyd for double-hip replacement (saying that there is "only one Danielle Lloyd " using the hospital), verbally abuse and annoy a pregnant woman and her husband and denying an injured patient an x-ray. Unlike the series, she is portrayed as rude and unreasonable. Although it was obvious before now that she made up most of what the computer apparently said, she is more blatant in this case, as she types almost nothing into her computer. She also makes no allowances in regard to age - she reacts with annoyance when a child gives very simple details. In her final sketch, she tells an elderly patient that he's listed as deceased, as well as getting frustrated by his slow walking. The patient then gives Carol the middle finger after being ordered to move faster.
In the 2009 Comic Relief for Red nose day, comedienne Catherine Tate stars as Carol's counterpart who is evaluating Carol to see if she makes standards to keep her job during the credit crunch .
Letty Bell
Appearances: Series 3 episode 3
Catchphrase: I love me froggies and KILL IT
Letty appears in only one sketch in Series 3, in which she appears to have an obsession for frogs (froggies) as her house is full of frog-related novelties, plus she loudly admits it. The sketch shows her birthday. When her friends present her with a real frog, she strangely reacts with fear and bludgeons it to death with a rolling pin. Originally intended as a recurring character, she also appears in several deleted scenes from Series 3. Letty also appears in the Little Britain video game. In a deleted scene, she lives in a small village called "Slut".
Boris the Babysitter
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1,episode 8
Played by: David Walliams
Catchphrase:"Your baby is fine"
Appearing in Episode 8 of Series one, Boris is a Russian man who works as a babysitter. In his appearance, he babysits the son of a couple who are about to go out for a work function. Due to his strange appearance and sinister behaviour, the couple is uncomfortable about leaving their baby with him. They decide to take their chances and leave. Despite their worries, Boris turns out to be a pleasant babysitter. The couple return to find the baby sound asleep with Boris playing a Balalaika to it, and Boris leaves, still acting strangely. The baby then says to the couple "Comrade Stalin salutes you!" Throughout the sketch, Boris mentions having a deceased mother called Pietà and a brother called Josef. At one point, he is seen showing the baby the silent film The Battleship Potemkin , specifically the Odessa Steps scene and playing with puppets, including one that resembles Stalin and another one that looks quite like Trotsky .
PCs Bryce and Rawlinson
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 2 episode 3
Catchphrase: We must have the wrong house!
PCs Bryce and Rawlinson appear in Series 2 episode 3, in which they are trying to give some sad news to a Mrs. Harris, whose husband has died in a car accident. In the first sketch, they give the news to the wrong Mrs. Harris, and laugh raucously when they learn that they've made a mistake. However, when they give the news to the real Mrs. Harris, they laugh at the memory of their faux-pas. They then decide it's appropriate to share this with the bereaved Mrs. Harris.
Maggie Blackamoor and Judy Pike
Appearances: Starting in Series 2
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Catchphrase: Judy: "Maggie, no!"
Maggie and Judy are two ladies from the Women's Institute who judge certain foods at different voluntary or charitable events in the village of Pox. They keenly partake in refreshments provided by their hosts, but when informed that anyone involved in its preparation is either from a non-white ethnic background or is married to someone of this description, has no home or is not entirely heterosexual, Maggie proceeds to vomit copiously, often on someone else, as Judy looks on, horrified. Because of this habit, Maggie is quite cautious when eating some things. These bouts of racism/homophobia, however, are contradicted in Little Britain Abroad when Maggie and Judy holiday together in Italy and Maggie suggests they kiss (however, she vomits the moment she learns this is Lesbian behaviour). The National Federation of Women's Institutes objected to this depiction and the BBC agreed to replace the Women's Institute logo and change the dialogue in subsequent showings of the programme. Series 3 showed them in a variety of different locations instead of the usual village fairs or church events, such as Maggie visiting Judy at home and Maggie recovering in hospital after a kidney transplant (and vomiting after learning that the donor was called "Mrs. Banerjee"). Maggie is also shown in Little Britain Abroad to idolise Benito Mussolini . The characters did not make an appearance in Little Britain USA.
C
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 3, 5 and 7
Catchphrases: "Yes I heard it, Kitty!"
Sir Bernard Chumley is a faded actor living in ' Sandy Toksvig House' who looks after his sister, Kitty (evidently against his own will), who is disabled after an accident. Bernard is adamant that he isn't responsible for her disability, often telling guests of his innocence even if he hasn't been asked, implying that he had been responsible for her disability.
In the first sketch that he appears in, Bernard invites a young actor ( Christian Coulson ) over to his flat, who has written to him. He then attempts to seduce him, implying that he is a homosexual. This is supported by the fact that he has many photographs of young male actors stuck to his wall. Throughout this sketch, he offers the young man various finger foods. He also says that he found the incident in which his sister lost the use of her legs amusing, and insists that he didn't cause the accident.
In his second sketch, he is visited by his local Meals on Wheels, who are bringing Kitty her daily meal. When talking about how nice the food was, he talks in the first person before hastily adding: "Kitty said" or "she added". As the lady is leaving, he tells her that the food is "a bit dry" and she catches him in the act of eating the food.
In his final sketch, undertakers come to his door to take Kitty, who has apparently died, away. However, they then discover she is not really dead and he begs them to "take her anyway". They refuse and he unhappily continues to take care of her.
The character of Chumley is probably the oldest Little Britain character, having appeared in a live-stage show in the early 90s, his own six-part television series in the late 90s, and a cameo in Shooting Stars .
Phyllis Church
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 2 and 5
Catchphrase: "If you love me, you'd do it!" and ends every sketch with "You are one crazy bitch!"
Phyllis Church is an American woman who owns a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Mr. Doggy. She often likes to talk to Mr. Doggy, then imitates replies from him using a deep voice (for effect, the camera will zoom onto him when she imitates his replies until later, when it becomes clear that she is providing them herself). Mr Doggy will "order" Phyllis to do naughty or anti-social things such as stripping in public and standing in a trash bin, defecating in the park like her dog or throwing a brick through a shop window. Phyllis and Mr Doggy carry on a dialogue as she resists and he repeats his request, then he finally states "if you love me, you'd do it". At the end of each of her sketches she is caught in the act and often arrested by the police.
Mr. Cleeves
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
Mr. Cleaves is a traditional-looking yet bizarre teacher at Kelsey Grammar School (a reference to actor Kelsey Grammer ). Mr. Cleaves sets the pupils strange tasks such as finding "the square root of Popeye" and "Edward II divided by Edward Henry V = Hydrogen Peroxide ". He also asks for complete silence during a test, which is later revealed to be a test on crisps, but then he does various loud things himself, like playing the saxophone, vacuuming the classroom and setting off fireworks. He also has trouble with reading, has an unfortunate habit of making boys read at random times, even in mid-word, writes his name (Mr. Cleaves) as "Mr. Wells" and his subject (Biology) as "French" and very blatantly throws the exercise books at his pupils. It is implied that he deliberately marks correct answers as wrong. He also introduces strange new pupils into his class such as a dog, a boy from the 17th century and an adult. The school itself is bizarre as it arranges trips to the moon for only 5 pounds entry fee, pilches £36 million during small car park jumble sales, has recreational and lunch periods less than a minute long and has a robot for a careers advisor that claims that there will be no jobs for human beings in the future. A major character in Series 1, Mr Cleeves made his last appearance in the program in episode 8.
The Coach
Played by: Davenia McFadden
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 2, 4, 5 and 6
The Coach works in Wilderness Lodge Boot Camp where Vicky Pollard is sent to after burning down Disneyland. She is interrupted by Vicky during Roll Call and, rather than reacting with annoyance, she patiently waits for her to finish before claiming that she hasn't a clue what Vicky has said. Vicky stays behind to express concern over one of the girls being possibly lesbian. She is told to 'run' by the coach. The next sketch involving the coach, she catches Vicky smoking in the bathroom while ordering the other girls to bed and Vicky mentions a girl stealing an eyeliner pencil, and drawing on the wall of a big fat woman with a penis and writing the coach's name on it. Vicky's hair then caught fire (she had hidden the cigarette in her hair) which made the coach very worried. Next, she caught Vicky trying to escape where she mentions that she takes attempts to escape very seriously. She then increases Vicky's sentence by another 6 months, mentioning that she was due to be released the next day. In the last sketch, Vicky goes to hospital and loses her voice after jumping off ther chapel roof. The coach appears to be very caring for Vicky.
Counsellor
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2
The Counsellor made several appearances in Little Britain Series 2, in which he is always seen in his office, talking to patients. Upon his patients leaving, he disregards the rule of confidentiality and promptly picks up his telephone and calls his friend, to whom he then relates what the patient has just told him and insults the patient. He also makes a few appearances in the Deleted Scenes. The Series 2 Script Book names him as "Dr Lowe."
Kenny Craig
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Appeared in first 2 series
Catchphrase: "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around the eyes, look into my eyes (snaps fingers) you're under." (After dialogue relating to situation), "3, 2, 1... (snaps fingers) you're back in the room"
Kenny Craig is a stage hypnotist who often uses his powers purely for his own ends, such as beating his mother in a game of Scrabble (by playing the non-existent word " cupboardy ", which, according to him, meant "cupboard-like" and hypnotising her into believing it is a real word), getting dates from and seducing women and gaining or avoiding spending money. In most of the early series, Kenny Craig sketches are based on him hypnotising one or more people into doing things or accepting as fact a ridiculous premise, some of whom aren't really hypnotised, but were merely playing along, or he may use his powers to get out of a sticky situation (such as hypnotising everyone present when he accidentally destroys a man's car). His powers appear to improve as the series progresses, however; in later episodes he manages feats such as putting on a hypnosis show - in which he does nothing but hypnotise the audience into believing they have actually witnessed an incredible hypnosis show before sitting back to read a book for an hour ( Andy McNab 's Bravo Two Zero ); finally taking them out of their trance at the timetabled end of the show. In Little Britain Abroad, while holidaying in Portugal, he is hypnotised by Paul McKenna (who does this in Kenny's trademark 'Look into my eyes...' style) into losing his powers of hypnosis, living on the street and digging through dustbins to find a half-eaten box of KFC . He made an appearance in Little Britain live, but not in the USA adaption of the program, though he does appear in a deleted scene on the LBUSA DVD, using his hypnosis to get a woman in a supermarket to go out with him.
D
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Starting in Series 1
Catchphrase: "Oh man I love the cake!", "Dust?", "Oh, man, you is fat!","'ave we got any neeew members?", "Screwwww youuu!", "It's not easy is it?", "Hello Fatties!", "Do it again", "But YOU are sumin' else!", "FAT COW! FAT! COW!", oh mummy you fat
Marjorie Dawes is a woman who runs a branch of a weight loss group called 'Fat Fighters' (a group similar to real-life Weight Watchers ), despite weighing approximately 15 stone 8½ pounds herself. She is notoriously rude and mean, especially towards the members of Fat Fighters, whom she makes no secret of her contempt for. Her sketches featured guest appearances from Vanessa Feltz (who called her a "total cow") and Derek Martin in Series Two and Three respectively. The regular members include Pat, Paul, Tania (the oldest member of the group), several unnamed members and an Indian woman named Meera. In Series 2, Pat and Paul start a relationship and the two get married. It is also implied in a Series 1 episode that Marjorie had had a brief sexual encounter with Paul, after which she berates him for it.
One trademark of the sketches is that Marjorie pretends not to hear or understand what Meera says, needing another member (usually Tania), to interpret, or mishearing it as something else. Other trademark actions of hers are misspelling "chocolate" (spelling it "choclit," "choglud" or "chucklet"), and blatantly overeating despite attempts to hide it, as well as avoiding the subject of her own weight whenever it comes under scrutiny - such as shouting at her superior at Fat Fighters Head Office. She even tried to pretend her trolley (which was full of food that is high in fat) was someone else's when she ran into Paul in her local supermarket, and later when Meera turns out to be the cashier.
In the final episode of series 3, all the Fat Fighters attendees desert the group en masse after finally growing tired of Marjorie's remarks and poor weight loss advice. Marjorie is shocked at this.
Marjorie appeared in Little Britain Abroad, where she went on an exchange to America and attended a meeting in Miami. A new member of the group was the local sheriff, who was less tolerant of Marjorie's rudeness and, after being pushed too far in a matter of minutes, arrested her. Meanwhile, Marjorie's Texan counterpart, Blanche Tuckatuck (portrayed by David Walliams) went to take Marjorie's group in the UK. Although Blanche Tuckatuck was much politer, kinder and gave more helpful weight-loss advice than Marjorie, she had one serious flaw - she was a member of the Ku Klux Klan . It is also noticeable that the narrator, in his voiceovers, expresses contempt towards people who are overweight, much like Marjorie's own contempt.
Marjorie returns to America in Little Britain USA and a new aspect of her personality is shown - she is also homophobic, as seen when Rosie O'Donnell attends a meeting and gets her own taste of Marjorie's medicine. As with Meera in the UK series, she pretends not to understand a Hispanic member of the group, whom she also refers to as an illegal immigrant. She appeared in four of the episodes and a deleted scene in which she convinces Slimmer of the Year Lisa Warren ( Sarah Chalke ) that her donuts are low-calorie, because she insulted her.
Marjorie made several TV appearances in other shows before Little Britain, most notably, appearing as the mother of George Dawes , the overgrown baby who was resident drummer and scorekeeper on Shooting Stars , also played by Lucas. George Dawes is not mentioned in any way in any version of Little Britain.
Ellie-Grace Day
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 4,5 and 6
Catchphrase: "I love you more than (something nice)", repeats twice until "I love you more than (something rude)".
Ellie-Grace is a "sweet" little American school girl who is very influenced by the older students at her school and local Brownies club. When parting with her mother for a short time, such as a trip to a brownie camp or having her tonsils removed, they will share love sentiments. While these will start off with nice things such as sweets , ice cream , teddy bears and Rainbows , Ellie-Grace will then come up with vulgar sentiments that are often sex-related (or anything that she is too naïve to understand), much to the shock and embarrassment of her mother. In their final sketch they go over to a friend's house for sleepover. As they are parting, Ellie-Grace (who has been warned by her mother not to come up with any vulgar love sentiments) pressures her mother into sharing one more round of love sentiments, which she reluctantly complies with. However, just as it looks fine (when Ellie-Grace's sentiments turn out not to be vulgar), her mother accidentally comes up with one herself. This then traumatizes Ellie-Grace and her friends, who are then comforted by her friends' mother.
The two recently appeared, alongside Robbie Williams in the Little Britain Comic Relief sketch for Red Nose Day 2009. Robbie played Ellie's best friend Candy-Marie in a sketch which parodies the hit movie The Exorcist .
Bubbles DeVere
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "Baby" (as opposed to Bubbles' "Dahling" and usually pronounced "bebby", "babby" Or "bubby")
Desiree (pronounced, de zee ray) is the rival of Bubbles and the new wife of Bubbles' ex-husband, Roman. Desiree, like Bubbles, is an obese woman (larger even than Bubbles) who frequently appears naked, wears only a small silver dress and is bald (though, like Bubbles, she wears a wig), but is a lot ruder than Bubbles. Roman enjoys watching the two of them wrestling. He divorced Bubbles because she lost an amount of weight. She is believed to be former Miss Botswana and an ex-Olympic Showjumper .
Roman DeVere
See Desiree DeVere , above
Roman DeVere is the husband of Desiree DeVere, and the ex husband of Bubbles DeVere. He gets annoyed when Bubbles tries to interrupt his and Desiree's honeymoon. He appears to have some sort of a fetish for fat women as he enjoys seeing Bubbles and Desiree wrestle, and in one sketch, got an erection after seeing Bubbles naked (getting a whack from Desiree on it due to a believed sex scandal).
Michael Dinner
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2, Episodes 4 and 5
Michael Dinner (also known as The Posh Diner) is a man who is always seen in a restaurant. In each of his sketches he is approached by a waiter and gruffly orders posh dishes, before ordering something basic or mass-market (such as Um Bongo , Hubba Bubba or Monster Munch ) as the waiter walks away. Michael also appeared on the Comic Relief episode and in the deleted scenes of the second series. His name is a reference to film director Michael Winner and was revealed in the Little Britain top trump cards.
The Divorced Couple
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliam respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA episode 2
Making one appearance in the U.S version of the show, a couple are divorcing because of the wife's homosexuality. As they are packing her belongings into boxes, the husband discovers numerous books, toys and essentials that suggest her homosexuality that she kept hidden from him. At the end of the sketch he accidentally uncovers a book of his entitled " Sir Ian McKellen 's book of men's bottoms," indicating that he is homosexual as well.
Doug
Appearances: Series 2
Catchphrase: Stay were you are, 50 words for cocaine Go!
Doug makes only one appearance in the entire series. He was shown to be giving firm and very tough lectures at a drug rehabilitation centre, while kindly telling them that he will help them overcome their habits. During the entire appearance, a lady in the Rehab tries to leave, insisting she is at the wrong lecture, but he refuses her request each time. He made several more appearances in the Deleted Scenes of Series 2, in which his mother appears at his lecture and indicates that his supposed drug addictions are all made up and he has never actually done hard drugs. A more polite version of Doug appears in a Deleted Peter Andre sketch from Series 1.
E
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "Oh, 'ello dear!" as well as urinating uncontrollably
Mrs Emery is a kind old lady who is never one to back out of a nice long chat. Her sketches typically show her in some public place like a library, supermarket or post office and meeting someone of whom she is familiar or acquainted to there and then starts chatting to them. While conversing, she then starts urinating uncontrollably, much to the shock of the person in question. She is oblivious to her constant urinating and believes the mess she leaves behind to be the result of a pipe leak or something similar. In her final sketch, a doctor, after examining her leg (and seeing her uncontrollable urinating), asks her if she has anything else wrong with her, which she denies. Her sketches attracted controversy soon after the launch of the third series, when they were criticised by the UK incontinence charity, Incontact.
Eileen and Janet
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1 Episode 5
Eileen and Janet appear only in one episode in Series 1. In their sketch, Eileen (Lucas) is consoling her sister, Janet (Walliams), who has recently lost her husband, Ivar. Throughout the sketch, a mention of certain and sometimes very simple things, such as a visit to the shops reminds Janet of Ivar and makes her start sobbing, while Eileen patiently consoles her. At the end of the sketch, she firmly reminds her sister that they had decided not to talk about Ivar's death. They originally appeared in the radio show.
Eugene
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted Scenes
Catchphrase: Correct, Incorrect, Does that smell, Is it smelling?
Eugene appears in three clips of the deleted scenes. He is a musician, who plays nothing more than a triangle. He is a rather crazy and mad sort of person. In each clip, he vandalises the colleagues' instruments for minor things that affected him. For example flattening the brass players' trumpets because one of them made a comment about his lunchbox smelling. After the third and last time he breaks an instrument he is expelled from the orchestra. The gasoline he spreads and ignites after that indicates he is insane.
F
Appearances: Since Series 2
Catchphrase: "Martin, it's Linda", "How can I describe him/her?", "That's right, (insulting epithet)"
Linda is a university counsellor who always has a student in her office asking for something, usually course-related. Linda calls a man named Martin ( unseen and unheard to the audience ) to grant the request and is asked to describe the student in question. While she often begins with complimentary or basic descriptions (such as the colour of the hair or skin, good personalities or what they're wearing), she will, despite the Leftist paraphernalia (A bust of Lenin and several Soviet flags) filling her office, then use descriptions that mock the student's culture or appearance or anything about them outstanding, such as a mole on their chin or their lack of hair, and using an insulting epithet to describe them, such as "big fat lesbian ," "ching-chong Chinaman ", "Ali Bongo", "Fatty Fatty Boom Boom", "the Oompa Loompa ", " Magnum P.I. ", and "Baaallddy!" after the kinder words fail, much to the shock of the students in question. In the last episode of Series 3, all of the students she had insulted in Series 2 and 3 came to tell her they wanted to place a formal complaint about her, but when she called Martin to sort it out, she referred to them as "the whole cast of Fraggle Rock " The tables were turned on her in a Little Britain Abroad deleted scene when her Australian counterpart, Germain remarked that she was four eyed , smelt a bit musky, needed to put on weight and was the wrong side of the menopause (The big ugly Witch), sending Linda out in tears.
She also appears in deleted scenes in which she names a boy with half his right arm missing Handy Andy and a student with an upturned nose a pig (though she made no comments to Martin about the latter).
Sir Norman Fry
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "As far as I'm concerned, that is the end of the matter. Thank you."
Sir Norman Fry is a Conservative MP who seems to be respectable, and has a wife (Camilla, played by Matt Lucas) and two children, possibly based on the real life ex-conservative Norman Fowler . He is always issuing statements to the press regarding compromising situations in which he has apparently been caught. His statements are written and delivered in a futile attempt to make his escapades sound wholly innocent and justifiable, using phrases such as "on entering the room, my clothes accidentally fell off" or "I followed the gentlemen into the toilet cubicle to discuss foreign policy", and to cover up his apparent homosexual tendencies, since all of his statements refer to encounters with other men. He always makes his statements with his wife and children present and kisses his wife after the statement. At first his wife kisses back, but it is clear that she gets less keen on it, eventually even walking away before her husband gets a chance to kiss her.
An American counterpart of Sir Norman Fry called Senator White appears in episodes 5 and 6 of Little Britain USA .
Fry is somewhat similar to Viz character Baxter Basics .
G
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams, respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 1, 2, 7 and 8
Catchphrase: Jason: Heellloooo
Gary and Jason are two friends who always visit Gary's grandmother, on whom Jason has a crush. Jason always tries to play on to Gary's grandmother, by wiping her spillings and sucking her toes, the latter of which horrifies Gary to the point of ordering him out of her house. When Jason later visited Gary's grandmother, he was aroused to see her kissing her sister, which was further enhanced by her offering a sandwich , which he interpreted as the sex position. A sketch is included in the deleted scenes on the Series 2 DVD, where Jason is having sex with Gary's grandmother. This sketch was originally planned for the TV series, but Matt and David have censored themselves by not showing it.
George and Sandra
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams, respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 2, 4 and 6
Catchphrase: George: Come on you c*nt, you've ruined my life, I really am now just waiting for you to die!
George and Sandra are a middle-aged English couple celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary in the United States. It is apparent however that their love for each other has weakened over the years to the point that they often remain in an awkward silence which George tries to break in the best tone he can give, but when this doesn't work, he comments on how he dislikes her. In their second sketch he compares their current relationship to that of a pair of primates in a zoo which they visit on a daytrip. Sandra remains motionless and completely silent, uttering only one word throughout the entire series ("ornithophobic" which she used to remind George of her fear of birds). In the last of their sketches, they return to the United Kingdom and, when George leaves for their aeroplane, Sandra shows no signs of wanting to follow.
Bing Gordyn
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Catchphrases: "I went to the Moon!"
Bing Gordyn is the eighth man (out of eleven) to walk on The Moon . As he has a moustache, he likes to call himself as "the first man with a moustache to walk on the moon" He is exceedingly bitter about the fact that he is largely unknown to the general public, as opposed to Neil Armstrong . In his first appearance, he is speaking to a Boy Scout troop about the moon, but when they show a lack of interest and the questions turn to other astronauts like Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin , he lashes out of the boys, asking them if they'd ever done anything important like walk (or in the case of one wheelchair-using boy, roll) on the moon. In his second sketch, it is shown that he arranges plumbers and other handymen to his house to try and impress them about his exploits, but always fails to do so. In his final sketch, he pulls out a shotgun on a university student writing an essay on the theory of the faked moon landings and, for once, mentions the negative details of his trip ("It was real cold, the food was horrible, I threw up in my helmet!"). He is seen in the opening credits, wearing a spacesuit on a suburban street.
He is similar to the character Denver Mills as they both are Walliams characters and both hold major achievements that nobody else cares about.
His real life counterpart is the late James Irwin .
Edward and Samantha Grant
Played by: David Walliams and Helen Coker respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 5 and 7
Edward Grant is a schoolteacher married to his ex-pupil Samantha. Their marriage had not gone down at all well with Samantha's parents in the early days, but they now claim that they share an ordinary marriage just like any other. However, Edward behaves as though Samantha were still a school pupil , saying things such as "the bell is a signal for me, not for you" upon the doorbell ringing and "you copied Nigella Lawson's work!" upon Samantha's revelation that she used a Nigella Lawson sorbet recipe. In their final sketch, Edward tells Samantha that he will be out the next day and that another teacher will be covering for him, much to her shock.
H
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Catchphrase: "I'm a lady! That's what I am, a lady!" and sometimes ending long statements with "... and shit."
Emily, real name Eddie Howard, is an awkward and very unconvincing transvestite. She has only ever been acknowledged as a woman once in the entire series (the man in question then caught her in the male bathroom of the pub he was at). Rather than trying to be like a modern woman, Emily wears the outdated frocks of Victorian times and her behaviour follows that of the out-dated Victorian stereotype, which only makes her even less convincing. Most sketches involving Emily revolve around the performing of stereotypically male behaviour (such as fixing a car or playing football) in spite of her appearance, or exaggerated attempts to persuade others that she is a woman and to allow her to perform exclusively female behaviour (e.g. entering a women's changing room). From the second series onwards, Emily has best friend, Florence , as a companion and is teaching her how to pretend to be like a lady.
Emily appears alone in Little Britain USA . In her first sketch, she attempts to become a model for an art class, but is forced to pose with no clothes on, thus being forced to admit that she is not a lady. And she also meets Sting where she sings and even kisses him. In her third sketch, she is arrested and, due to the seriousness of the situation, Eddie Howard is forced to admit that he's a male, much to his frustration. It is also here that we learn that Eddie has a wife and three kids (one of which is named Tommy). In her final sketch, she blind dates another man, who accidentally drives off with her wig. Even though Emily is one of the series primary characters, neither Emily nor Florence appeared in Little Britain Abroad.
I
Ian and Ian, The Record Breakers
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
At the end of each show in Series 1, they try to set a world record, but end up not meeting the requirements or not having essential things. For example, they want to set the record for the world’s tallest man, but then realise that wearing an excessively tall top hat doesn't count, or that they want to set the record for the largest baked bean bath, but then realise they need more than one tin of baked beans to fill the bath. On one occasion, they lost their subject when trying to break the record for the world's smallest ant . Each attempt usually takes place in an empty auditorium, showing that they are largely unpopular record attempts. In their final sketch, they successfully made the world's largest meat pie, but didn't get an oven big enough to bake it.
J
Catchphrase: "Wicky Woo!", "Top of the morning, where's me breakfast?"
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, and Little Britain Live
Des Kaye is a rejected children's TV host who works in a DIY store. He is often seen annoying the other members of staff with his puppet (called Croc-O-Dile) and his frequent sayings of "wicky woo". The Series 1 DVD contains a deleted scene showing Des visiting a children's hospital and accidentally unplugging a patient's life support machine while trying to play some cheerful music on a tape recorder. He appears on the radio series, and even makes it into the best of Little Britain Radio show 2-disc set. According to the Radio series, he was sacked from his "Fun Bus" show because of gross indecency (saying "Are you telling me you've never had a wank in the toilet?"). One of the new employees at DIY universe where Des was working at the time claims that he and his sister watched the show during its run and revealed that a girl lost an eye on the show.
Des Kaye also made an appearance on the live show, making him one of only 2 characters to have had their last appearance on the show in series 1, the other being Ray McCooney. The act involved Des driving around in what is pressumably a miniature fun bus and angrily throwing lollipops at the audience. He then proceeds to play a game called "Hide the Sausage", which involes him taking 2 men from the audience at random, asking them to hide a large sausage on a random body part and then rape the contestant who he thinks has the sausage until a loud siren goes off. In the Australian tour, Walliams received a letter of complaint for this strong scene, he then claimed he would respond with an apology.
Reverend Jesse King
Catchphrase: "Fight the power!"
Appearances: Series 2, episode 6
Reverend Jesse King is an American preacher on a foreign exchange with the vicar of a small village church in Britain. He states that he is "from the ghetto"; loudly encourages the congregation to "fight the power"; and makes an ineffective attempt at faith healing .
L
Played By: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Series, Pilot episode and Series 1 Deleted Scenes.
Latymer is a masseur who works on a patient of hers called Jonathan, a very stress prone patient. Latymer tries to relax Jonathan in the most queer methods like telling gruesome stories and thoughts, screaming a horrible lullaby and playing blood curdling music. In one episode, she attempts to make Jonathan relax by using the following mental image. "I'd like you to think of a gang of children throwing stones at a pensioner. He's weeping softly, softly weeping, the children are lifting him, and putting him into a wheelie bin. The is being pushed down a hill and the children have let go." She is then surprised that Jonathan is not relaxed.
Dr Lawrence
Catchphrase: Have you met Anne, by the way?
Appearances: Every sketch with Anne in it.
Dr Lawrence is the Doctor in charge of Anne's progress. He rarely makes a fuss about Anne's Childish behavior and is only seen being angry at her once, when she was going to chuck his children's Guinea Pig out the window, which she did moments later.
For more info see Anne , above
Leonard
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 2 and 6
Leonard is a man who works in a retirement home. He goes to great lengths to ensure comfort for certain inhabitants, namely himself.
Officer Lindsay
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episode 2
Officer Lindsay appears only once in Series 1. He is a retired police officer in the town of Scoffage, who gives driving lessons. After persuading his student to drive at law-breaking speeds, he promptly pulls the car over, goes to the driver's window and berates the student for speeding as if he were still a policeman. Lindsay drives a brown Austin Allegro on which he has crudely painted the word 'Police', he also wears a policemans uniform, claiming all his other clothes were in the wash.
Liz and Clive
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 2, 4 and 8
Liz and Clive are a middle-aged couple who spend a lot of time eating in their local Chinese restaurant. Throughout these sketches, Liz loudly and endlessly claims that she had been a bridesmaid at Mollie Sugden 's wedding, which annoys Clive, especially when Liz makes him listen to her rather than talk to a man who knew Paul McCartney (the man is played by Ted Robbins , McCartney's real-life cousin). In the final sketch involving these characters, Liz is still going on about being Sugden's bridesmaid when Sugden comes to the restaurant. Liz suddenly gets agitated and tries to leave. Clive then approaches Sugden (with Liz trying almost physically to stop him) and Sugden denies any knowledge of Liz, as she only had one bridesmaid at her wedding - her friend, Helen. At this point, Liz suddenly kills her with a knife, revealing that she had been fabricating her claims of being Sugden's bridesmaid.
Sebastian Love
Catchphrase: "Whateva'", “Whaaaat!?”, "Yes Prime Minister, No Prime Minister.", "Bitch!"
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Aide to the Prime Minister , Sebastian holds a badly-concealed homosexual crush on his boss. Wildly jealous of anyone who takes the attention of the PM, Sebastian does everything in his power to bring the attention back to himself. He often "accidentally" finds himself in sexually suggestive positions with his boss, who is usually very tolerant of (and largely oblivious to or tacitly accepting of) his advances. He is also very defensive of his boss when he comes under fire from the press or general public (for instance, when some people present a petition saying that they want the PM to resign, he tears it up and throws it in their faces). In the finale of Series 2, he tries to kiss the P.M. but is at first unsuccessful and weeps. When questioned if he has a crush on his boss, he denies it, then kisses his boss. He believes that his feelings for the PM are mutual, as he occasionally seduces other men to make the PM jealous.
Ironically, however, the PM might, in fact, be genuinely gay (despite having a wife) as well, as it is implied that he had a homosexual relationship with the President of the United States in Little Britain Abroad and, in one sketch, he kisses Gregory, who is another aide. Thus, he may simply be uninterested in Sebastian.
David Walliams has said that Sebastian Love was inspired by Peter Mandelson . [1] By the time of Little Britain USA , Sebastian has risen to the post of PM, and has transferred his affections to the new US President and his jealousy to the first lady.
Lou and Andy
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Catchphrase: Andy: "I want that one...", "I don't like it", "Yeah I know"; Lou: "bit of a kerfuffle!"
Appearances: Throughout entire series
Lou Todd is Andy Pipkin's carer but is often abused by Andy in various ways (although deep down Andy loves Lou). These include Andy's demanding things then rejecting them when they come, and Andy's ability to walk and perform complex physical activities while out of his wheel chair while Lou's back is turned. Andy is often abusive and antisocial to other characters. The pair are the longest serving members of the cast of characters having appeared in every episode except the TV pilot. The names come from two characters in a Rock Profiles sketch, supposedly Lou Reed and Andy Warhol
M
Mr Mann and his purchase, a painting of a displeased owl .
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Mr Mann is a customer who shops in a 1970s -style store (which varies in the merchandise it sells from episode to episode) run by Roy . He will usually ask for ridiculously specific items in the shop (such as "a painting of a disappointed horse " in Series 3 Episode 2). Roy would then call to his unseen wife, Margaret in the back room for assistance. Mr Mann appeared in only one episode in the first series, but was a regular character in the second and third series. These sketches are some of the more traditional in the series, relying upon wordplay and surrealism . Early versions of the sketch feature Roy being unable to provide Mr Mann with his request due to it being too specific and attempting to provide him with a substitute, which he may refuse for any trivial reason. In later sketches, Roy became accustomed to his requests and was sometimes able to provide them. Mr Mann himself does not have any catchphrase (while Roy and Margaret do) and often delivers comedic content by making surreal suggestions to resolve a problem (such as questioning whether a long-dead writer could re-write his book and cut out all the "O's" to make it shorter). In Little Britain Abroad , he visits a shop in Morocco with a Moroccan counterpart of Roy and asks for Pirate Memory Games, which was the first thing he ever asked for at Roy's shop back in the UK.
David Walliams appears in a cameo in the film Run Fat Boy Run as a character similar to Mr Mann.
Margaret
Appearances: Margaret is always off-screen, but she has been included since Series 1
Catchphrase: See Roy below
Margaret and her husband, Roy, own a shop frequented by Mr. Mann . She is unseen throughout all the series and helps Roy when he calls to her from the sales floor. One episode reveals that she is unseen because she has no arms or legs.
Mark and Tom
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Mark and Tom are stereotypical American bodybuilders with enormous muscles, tiny penises and a tendency to boast to each other about their most recent workouts and sexual encounters. Despite talking about being with other women, they are shown to have homoerotic tendencies toward each other and often frolic about naked to the eyes of everyone in the locker rooms (which gives them erections at one point). They never mention their names onscreen making it hard to find out which is which, and in the last of their sketches they have had operations which gives the one played by Lucas a long tube of a penis and the one played by Walliams a woman's genitalia.
Dame Sally Markham
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
Dame Sally Markham is a wealthy, famous romantic novelist, whose preferred method of writing involves dictating her novel to her secretary (Miss Grace, played by David Walliams ), who is typing , while lying on her sofa with her pet bichon frise and some sweets. This is a reference to the novelist Dame Barbara Cartland , whose preferred writing method was dictation in similar circumstances. Unlike Cartland's novels, however, Dame Sally's stories typically fall well short of the required length, and she will then try some bizarre (and often illegal) means of lengthening it, such as having her secretary type up some extended onomatopoeias (such as "Yahoooooooooooo"), integrating excerpts from the radio, reading parts from another book or having the entire Bible being typed into her novel. In the one instance when she tried to lengthen it using her own imagination, she barely got past 76 pages and could not think of anything else to write, so she decided to pause with it and started a new one, which consisted only of title (The Lady in Mauve ), Chapter One and 'The End'.
Mildred and Connor
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Catchphrases: "We didn't know any different!"
Mildred is a "stereotypical Grandma" with a strong Deep South accent. She and her Grandson Connor often chat about uneasy issues concerning what Connor has heard of or been involved in, such as drug testing, racism and homosexuality. Mildred then reveals certain strange details of her past, such as drug habits or homosexuality or incidents involving racism. When talking about drugs, she speaks to Connor as if he should've known better, but defends herself when mentioning her own experiences, claiming that "we didn't know any different." When mentioning all the drug habits she's ever had, she claims to be 28 years old (right after Connor comments that, despite her drug habits, she seems rather healthy and well-aged). In their final sketch, Connor admits to being homosexual, only to be called a "faggot," by Mildred.
Ray McCooney
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 and Little Britain Live
Catchphrase: "A-Yeeeees!", "Ye know too much!" "Maybe I did and Maybe I didn't"
Scottish owner of a hotel who speaks and acts like an Elizabethan fantasy character, even though he is often seen speaking and behaving perfectly normally. He answers questions from customers in a diffident manner using riddles, "spells", and a (intentionally badly dubbed ) flute, which he refers to as a ' piccalillo '. He also refers strangely to ordinary objects, such as "talking noisy box" for a radio. His bizarre behaviour often confuses and irritates his guests. However, in his final appearance, two officers from the Inland Revenue service used it against him, tricking Ray into making overdue tax payments. His hotel is opposite IKEA .
In the pilot episode, this character’s name was "Roy" and his appearance was that of a chef at the "Aberdeen Stook Hoose" ( Aberdeen Steak House ). He also played a metal flute rather than his "Picalillo".
It is said in the series 2 script book that since series 2, Ray has been continually wandering around asking people why he isn't in the second (or third) series.
The name is a tribute to farce writer Ray Cooney .
Denver Mills
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 3, 5 and 6
Denver Mills is a former silver medallist (Gold Medallist in the radio drama) in the 400 metres at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics , who now acts as a guest speaker. His speeches are always politically incorrect, confusing and often offensive, such as his speech at a police dinner "...maybe being an Olympic athlete isn't so different from being a police officer. First of all, we both get a lot of practise running after black guys". In a typical sketch, he will be on his way to his speech, but upon learning a detail in his speech is considered offensive, confusing or is in fact not correct, he will proceed to throw a page of his speech away, until he is left with his greeting and dismissal. Once, he found out he would not only be meeting people with leprosy , but also hugging them, and, suddenly reluctant to do his speech, he threw himself out of the car after a discussion about Lepers. He regularly goes on about his achievements, but gets little response for it.
Mills' US equivalent is Bing Gordyn , the eighth man to walk on the moon and the first to do so with a moustache . The two are both Walliams characters, both have had some amazing achievement that they go on about, but fail to receive praise for.
Mills' real-life counterpart is the late Ivorian athlete Gabriel Tiacoh .
The Minstrels
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1, Episodes 1 and 3
The Minstrels are two minstrels who are constant targets of quasi-racial discrimination. They are refused a room at a bed and breakfast, and are criticized by in radio broadcast by a government official. One of the cut sketches shows the Minstrel played by David Walliams being denied a job to which he replies, "Is it because I'm a minstrel?"
Myfanwy
Played by: Ruth Jones
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1, in Daffyd Thomas sketch
Myfanwy is the barmaid of a local pub and friend to Daffyd Thomas and often sells him Bacardi and Coke. She is very keen to help him find a gay partner, even going as far as to close her bar so he can have a gay night (which she promptly regrets because he orders all the gays who turn up to leave). In later episodes, we learn that she is in a lesbian relationship and about to enter into a civil partnership with Rhiannon. In Little Britain Abroad, Myfanwy opens a gay bar on Mykonos in Greece, but it does not fare well because Daffyd does not hand out flyers to the locals. It is also revealed in Little Britain Abroad that she speaks almost perfect Greek . At the end of series 3 she is seen holding hands with Daffyd and she cries when he tries to leave to London.
Narrator
Played by: Tom Baker
Appearances: Unseen. Narrates every episode
Catchphrase: Opens every episode with "Britain, Britain, Britain!" or something similar, such as "Brighton, Brighton, Brighton" and closes every episode with a mispronounced "goodbye" (e.g. "Good-tie")
The narrator opens and closes every episode and provides a voice-over between sketches to introduce the upcoming characters, announcing the time in a ridiculous manner, such as "nought o'clock", or replacing the hour with a person's name, such as 'half past Oliver' and also fictitious names for locations around Britain, such as villages called " Bruise " and the " Mike McShane Estate'. The narrator delivers comedic content in many voice-overs by making nonsense claims about Britain, its people or its history (such as "we invented the cat") or by breaking the fourth wall , such as saying Anthony Head is not the real Prime Minister, he's "that guy out of Buffy ". He will also make ironic statements (such as in Little Britain Abroad: "I went to Mykonos once. I loathed it...Too many gays! My boyfriend and I got the first flight home!"). He often makes surreal statements, like; "I must go now because I am about to reach orgasm ", or "I do love an election... in fact I'm having one right now" upon the end of one of the episodes. At the end of one episode, shorter than the others, he remarked: "This show has ended a little earlier than usual, because a man is trying to take my clothes off, and I must ask him why". Also, during the Marjorie Dawes sketches, he expresses much contempt for overweight people, such as calling them "vermin", or expressing a desire to have them arrested, removed from the country, spat on or shot dead. However, in one such sketch he states that he would strangle the overweight people himself, but he can't because he's "too fat".
Newsagent
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 2 episode 4
The Newsagent made only one appearance in Series 2, in which he was shown to be very curious. In the sketch, a customer (portrayed by David Walliams ) comes in and picks some items off the shelves, with the newsagent curiously asking him a question in relation to that item (for instance "Thirsty?" upon the customer taking a drink from the fridge, or "Hoping to write letters to friends or relatives?" upon the customer taking a notebook). At the end of the sketch, the customer reaches up to the top shelf of the magazine racks, prompting the shopkeeper to ask; "Planning a wank?" and causing the embarrassed customer to hastily withdraw his hand and pay for the items he has taken. The opening scene of the sketch shows that he allows a maximum of 200 students in his shop at one time
O
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3, episode 3
This one time character is the only character in the show directly based on a real life act or person. Orville the Duck is seen shopping (in what appears to be a British 99p store), in the small town of Breakdance Two, Electric Boogaloo. He is approached by another shopper (Walliams), who asks him for an autograph and then asks him about where Keith Harris is, to which he says that they don't do everything with each other and are currently have no plans for the next few months (other than a serious role in The Bill which Orville claims to be going for). At the end of his sketch, another shopper asks him where Keith Harris is as well, to which he mutters to himself "Oh for God's sake."
P
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 2 and 3
Pat and Don are a couple who eat at a local Indian restaurant. Don always orders the spiciest dish offered to him, saying with enthusiasm that he loves his food spicy. However, he often finds the dish a little too hot for his tastes and it then causes him to spout catchphrases from a variety of 1970s and 1980s TV shows. Pat clearly only likes mild food.
Sandra and Ralph Patterson
Played by: David Walliams and Adam Donkin
Appearances: Series 1, episodes 4, 6 and 7
Sandra Patterson is a stage mother who is unusually determined for her son Ralph (which she pronounces as "Raif", a reference to Ralph Fiennes ) to get into acting. She is also very boastful and rude. Unfortunately, he never gets a part and, every time he fails, Sandra loses her temper and usually takes it out on anyone nearby, including him. They appeared in the radio series under the names of Sandra and Olivier Laurence, a play on the name of the actor Laurence Olivier . She goes to such lengths to get him parts, that she pretends it's his birthday, that he's dying, and even threatening to "tell 'em you touched him!"
Pedro
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2
Pedro is the Spanish , cross dressed boyfriend of Dewi, Daffyd's brother. Pedro was with Dewi when he came out to Daffyd as gay, and shocking to Daffyd was to find out Pedro was a man, and gay. Pedro appeared in Comic Relief who acts as room service when Daffyd was interviewing Elton John . Pedro's character was based on David Walliam's impersonation of Ricky Martin .
Sid Pegg
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 4 and 5
Catchphrases: “Wife, [name of food], go!”, "Britain fights back (fist in air)"
Sid Pegg is a nosey and mean-spirited Neighbourhood Watch leader who takes his job a little too seriously. As there is no real crime in his area, his meetings can be about anything from the Gypsy Kings to the fact that a gang of yobs have kicked an empty can of Lilt down the road. He will frequently call out commands to his wife preparing dinner, in the format of "Wife, [name of food], go!". When asking for assistance from other members of the watch, he always chooses Lloyd, a short man who appeared on The Weakest Link (a fact Sid continually mentions).
Piano Player
Played by: David Walliams
Episodes: Series 1, episodes 1, 3, 6 and 8
The Piano Player is an unnamed man who plays at the Uncle Albert Hall. He pauses in his recitals to say or do mindless things, such as checking where his shopping bag is, to read a text message and to tell someone that he forgot to set the video and ask when Sainsbury's closes, before resuming the recital as if nothing had happened.
An American counterpart (also played by Walliams) of the British Pianist appears in a deleted scene of the USA adaptation of the show. He is seen reading out of a Porn magazine, which is causing him to play to a quick tone of music.
Judy Pike
Appearances: Series 2
Catchphrase: "I want bitty!" or simply "Bitty!"
Harvey Pincher can be best described as a 25-year-old upper-class mummy's boy. He insists on "bitty" ( breast milk ) from his mother (played by Geraldine James ) even though he is an adult, much to the dismay of his prospective wife and her parents.
The sketches follow his engagement to Jane, through to their wedding day, which he interrupts near the end, saying "Bitty" instead of "I Do", gesturing for his mother to come up so he can have some of her breast milk.
Harvey Pincher and his parents (without his new wife) make a surprise return in Little Britain USA , visiting some American relatives. In their final sketch, Harvey's mother hears the relatives insulting them behind their back about the breast-feeding and is deeply offended. It is also revealed that Harvey wears a diaper and his parents change him.
Andy Pipkin
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Starting in Series 1
Catchphrases: "No, but, yeah, but, no, but... (and sometimes repeats this a few times)", "... or sumthin or nuffing", "I wasn't even supposed to be there so, SHUT up!", "Don't be giving me the evils!", "Oh my God! I sooo can't believe you just said that!", "Yeah well she aint got nuffin' to do with it anyway so just leave her out of it!" as well as coming up with gossip unrelated to her situation.
Vicky Pollard is a teenage girl who is intended to be a parody of chavs living in the West Country at the time Matt Lucas was studying at the University of Bristol . When challenged about something, she comes up with gossip that has nothing whatsoever to do with whatever predicament she is in at the time, although she claims to be "getting there". She also speaks unusually quickly which, together with the gossip she comes up with, usually confuses or annoys the person in question. Her place of residence throughout the series was a fictitious town called Darkley Noone, which is shown to be in Bristol . For instance, she refers to places within the Bristol area, such as Fishponds , the Broadmead Shopping Centre and Wookey Hole (which is actually just outside Wells , but is a short drive from Bristol). She also speaks with a Bristolian accent.
Vicky Pollard went to school in the first and second series. In the first series, she was accused of shoplifting, became pregnant (and swapped the baby for a Westlife CD) and was sentenced to borstal where she bit someone called Jackie (a counterpart of Vicky played by Walliams). In the last series, she was hired to babysit and had a wild party in the house while the parents were away and tried to get money from a fake lottery ticket. In Little Britain Abroad she was shut in a Thai prison for smuggling drugs and her mother, Shelly Pollard (played by Dawn French ), made an appearance in court saying that Vicky got into a bad crowd at the age of three. Vicky was sentenced to 10 years for this offence (her mother gets 20 for annoying the judge). Her boyfriend, Jermaine made a brief cameo appearance in a sketch in Series 2. In Comic Relief does Little Britain Live , supermodel Kate Moss played Vicky's twin sister "Katie Pollard", and declared that Vicky was the 'pretty one' and Katie was the "easy one". She is shown in various episodes to be a chav girl seeking to get pregnant in order to get a council house: - in one episode, she is shown enviously referring to an acquaintance of hers who is only 9 years old, but has a council house of her own and 3 children. On the episode where she takes a job at a sleazy sex hotline, she is shown pushing along 6 daughters in buggies all dressed identically to her, whilst in the babysitting episode, she also mentions that she has 6 children of her own.
In Little Britain USA , she is sent to Boot Camp after being thrown out of Disney World for beating up the Aristocats and setting fire to the Peter Pan ride. She enrages the coach, jabbering away during rollcall and refusing to follow orders. This behaviour continues until the other girls run off to get their first assignments and Vicky stays behind to express concern over one of the girls being possibly lesbian. She is told to 'run' by the coach. In another sketch, she smokes in the bathroom and her hair catches fire (she is saved by the concerned coach). In her final sketch in the series, she is in hospital on life support after jumping off the church roof. The coach is shown to be very caring towards her.
R
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Catchphrase:"I'll tell him you're busy."
Jeremy is Dennis Waterman ’s theatrical agent who, while on the phone, at the slightest hint of disagreement, shouts the last word and hangs up the phone.
Robot careers advisor
Played by: Voiced by David Walliams
Appearance: Series 1
The robotic careers advisor, who works in the same school as Mr. Cleaves, makes one appearance. In it, a student, who is very realistic about his career opportunities in the future, comes into his office to discuss his desire to become a caterer or engineer. However, the robot reveals to him just how realistic his career opportunities are - according to the robot, there will be no jobs for humans in the future. Somewhat confused, the boy leaves with a booklet explaining everything the robot has said, a warning over his untucked shirt and a reminder that the advisor is a robot.
Florence Rose
Played by: Matt Lucas
Florence Rose is an aspiring transvestite and companion of Emily . He is even more unconvincing than Emily' in that he deliberately sports a moustache; at one point being referred to as "a short fat bloke with a moustache" whilst attempting to purchase a dress. Emily is teaching Florence how to be a lady in the second series, during which she always makes mistakes. In the last episode of Series 3 it is revealed that he is married and his real name is Fred. He also goes shopping for dresses with his wife.
Roy
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1, in every sketch with Mr Mann
Catchphrase: Roy's catchphrase is a conversation with his wife:
Roy: (Following Mr Mann's request) "Oh, I’m not sure, Margaret will know. (turns to the back of the store) Margaret! Margaret!"
Margaret: (after a long pause) "Yes?"
Roy: "There’s a gentleman here looking for (then repeats Mr Mann's request, often verbatim.)"
These lines are often followed with Margaret suggesting a product which Roy may have in stock, much to his own surprise, and which Mr Mann may then refuse for some trivial reason.
Roy owns a store (that sells different items each episode) where Mr Mann always shops. His wife Margaret helps run the store but is never seen. He has, on at least one occasion, stated that he hates Mr Mann because of his specific requests. The long pause between Roy's calling to Margaret and her response was referenced in one sketch when, as soon as Roy had called to Margaret, he and Mr. Mann both sat down, to read their books while waiting for her response.
Robert
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1 Episode 6 Series 3 Episode 6
Robert is the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Prime Minister Michael Stevens. He is according to the prime minister very distant to him which makes the prime minister think that he doesn't like his policies, so this causes Robert to stand in the leadership elections. However in the last episode of Series 3 when the prime minister resigns it is known that Robert is the new Prime Minister which leaves Sebastian Love the prime minister's aide (who has always taken a dislike to Robert calling him "Fat and Scottish") in tears.
He is possibly based on Gordon Brown who at the time was in the same position.
S
Played by: Anthony Head
Appearances: Since Series 1, in every skit with Sebastian Love
Prime Minister of Britain, and the object of Sebastian’s affection. He "retires" at the end of Series 3, to Sebastian's horror.
David Walliams states that Anthony Head got the role because "next to Steve Martin , he's the only man I'll ever turn gay for."
T
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 onward
Catchphrases: "Everybody knows I'm the only gay in the village", "Homophobe!", "Bacardi and Coke please, Myfanwy", "I don't think so", "I'm gay! Get over it!." "Gay Rights... For Gays!"
Daffyd (pronounced /ˈdæfɪð/) Thomas [2] , who lives in the Welsh mining village of Llanddewi Brefi [3] , is a self-proclaimed gay man who dresses in a vast variety of tight PVC and latex rubber clothing and proudly proclaims that he is "the only gay in the village". In fact, there is a huge gay community in his village and the surrounding area, but he utterly refuses to associate with them. Thus, his self-proclaimed homosexuality is called into question as an attention-seeking device, not helped by his complete lack of homosexual experience, nor by his statement in Little Britain USA "I can't have sex with a man, I'm gay!". Although in one sketch he seemed to admire a handsome man he thought was gay. He longs to be victimised for his supposed homosexuality and often brands anyone who speaks to him as homophobic (even if all they said was "Hello").
He also references stereotypes of homosexuals and makes homophobic statements himself. When forced to admit that his friend is a lesbian, he claims that "lesbians don't count" and tells another that she is "far too attractive" [to be a lesbian]. He spends most of his time in the village pub talking to barmaid and best friend, Myfanwy. Myfanwy (who is in a lesbian relationship herself with girlfriend Rhiannon) is eager to help him with his apparent loneliness, and encourages him to meet other gay men or groups, all of whom he rejects or insults.
He also has a habit of organising gay-related events (such as a gay society) and then refusing other gays entry (by simply declaring that they are not genuinely gay) to try and draw attention to himself and his belief that he's the "only gay". He has a mother (played by Ruth Madoc ), and father who are not bothered by his self-proclaimed homosexuality, much to his dismay. In Little Britain Abroad, he is horrified to learn from Myfanwy that his mother is in love with her aunt, and he even has a genuinely gay brother named Dewi (played by James Corden ), who has a Spanish boyfriend named Pedro. In the final episode of Series 3, he decides to leave Llandewi Breffi for London because he felt he was an "out gay" man. However, he decided not to go, because he learnt from Myfanwy (who is shown at this point to be very fond of him) what a gay man could do in London. In Little Britain Abroad, he ruins the opening night of Myfanwy's gay bar on Mykonos in Greece because he hands out fliers to a 5-year-old tourist girl and a Greek nun instead of to other gays (though the nun later reveals herself to be a lesbian). He is also noticeably curious about what being homosexual is actually like when he questions a homosexual (Walliams) on a Mykonos beach.
Daffyd appears in Little Britain USA , in which he goes to University and claims to be "the only gay on campus". In his first appearance, a genuinely gay student (Walliams) hijacks Daffyd's "Gay society" stand, feeling that he could do a better job at running it than Daffyd. He then starts admitting more homosexuals while Daffyd looks on in shock. This is the first time that another gay has taken over his attempt to prove the fact that he is the "only gay." He later discovers that he is not the "only gay on campus" when he confronts two lesbians who are living next door for making too much noise when he is trying to sleep. He appears in the deleted scenes, in which he protests to his English lecturer about the apparent lack of homosexual writers in their syllabus. He handcuffs himself to a desk and swallows the key, only to discover that they have been studying Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams , two famous homosexual writers.
Dudley and Ting Tong
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: Ting Tong: "Pwease Mr. Dudwey!" "My name Ting Tong, Ting Tong Macadangdang."
Dudley: "Maybe just... ONE more night..."
Dudley Punt ordered a Thai bride from a magazine. However, Ting Tong Macadangdang is quite the opposite of the slim, beautiful bride Dudley was expecting. He is not very happy about this, but for sex, he lets her stay "for one more night". Dudley is very sarcastic and has a West Midlands accent. Ting Tong, on the other hand, is very loud and claims not to be able to understand Dudley a lot of the time,and refers to him as "Mister Dudwey". The sketches generally involve Dudley and Ting Tong's relationship blossoming, only for Ting Tong to reveal a secret. Dudley would then order her out. She would then try to convince him through various methods to let her stay, to which he always gives in. Ting Tong has many secrets: her real name is Tong Ting Macadangdang, and it was revealed she is a lady-boy. She admitted that she comes from Tooting in London, not from a remote Thai village called Pong Pong, as she'd originally claimed. Ting Tong eventually invited her entire family to live in Dudley's home, turned it into a Thai restaurant and forcing him to stay outside his house until it closes. Later, in Little Britain Abroad, after finally getting married, they go on a honeymoon to Belgium, where they stay with Dudley's brother, who has married a beautiful Russian bride called Ivanka. During this sketch, Dudley flirts with Ivanka, which makes Ting Tong jealous, so she plays Dudley and his brother a pornographic video Ivanka starred in, revealing she is not a virgin as she originally claimed.
W
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3, episode 4
Warren appears in a hospital, apparently on his deathbed. Throughout the sketch, he goes quiet and appears to be dead. However as the family begin to mourn, he speaks again to reveal himself as still alive, and "still waiting". Towards the end of the sketch, he appears to die, as he does not speak for a long time. As his family starts to mourn, he gets out of bed to go to the toilet, shocking the family.
Matthew Waterhouse
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 4, 5, 6 and 7
Catchphrase: "Got another one!" and (slaps his hand on the desk) "How’s that for starters?"
Matthew Waterhouse is an inventor who comes up with very silly and crazy ideas for musicals, board games, impersonators and cereals, with a sketch on each subject. An example of one of his ideas is "Sugar Poofs: Real gay men frosted with sugar." or " John McCarthy -o-gram: I come in, handcuff myself to the radiator and talk about my time as a hostage in the Lebanon !" The character's name is a reference to the actor Matthew Waterhouse who played the character of Adric in the television science-fiction series Doctor Who in the early 1980s.
Dennis Waterman
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 and 2 and Little Britain Live
Catchphrase: "Oooh that's nice!" "So they want me to star in it, write the feem toon (i.e. "theme tune"), sing the feem toon..."
Dennis Waterman is a minute actor who, unfortunately, never gets a part because he insists he should "write the feem toon , sing the feem toon" in every part he gets, much to the dismay of his theatrical agent, Jeremy . Ironically, when he is offered to reprise a role in a tv series in which he indeed gets to "write the feem toon, sing the feem toon", if he accepts, he mutters "no thanks, I've moved on." He is very short, as seen when Jeremy hands him something small, such as a 50p coin or a letter, that turns out to be larger than Dennis. His full height is seen in his final appearance - a minute figurine that looks similar to him is used.
He bears little resemblance to the real Dennis Waterman , except that his 'feem toons' are based on the Minder theme tune that Waterman sang himself (among others) but, ironically, didn't write . The real Dennis Waterman has been quoted as saying "I did watch it, but I never saw that bit. I just saw a lot of some bloke dressed up as a woman". [4]
The Little Britain Live stage show included a mock ad-lib sequence in which Lucas and Walliams question the logic of their caricature, which in fact bears little resemblance to Waterman. In a recent special recording of the sketch for Comic Relief 2007, Waterman himself appears on stage and confronts the two, forcing them to admit that in voice and appearance, there is no resemblance. He is forced to concede that he has often written and sung the "feem toon" of programmes in which he has appeared
Deleted Scenes Characters
Many characters from deleted scenes never got an appearance in the series, either due to time constraints, lack of laughs from the audience or due to a sometimes offensive story.
Bus Passenger
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3 Deleted scenes
A man (with the appearance of a Beanie) from the town of Frottage is generally seen on a bus on its way to Dung market centre. He likes to blurt out various different tunes at random, to the annoyance of the person sitting next to him.
Roland
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "Is it Pornoo?..."
Roland is a farm boy with a love of pornographic images, or "Pornoo" as he calls it. His suggestions for almost any question he is asked is various different types of the subject, much to the concern of his family. The start of his sketches often sees him putting women's clothing on a pig. At the end of each sketch, he will take something off the kitchen table before returning to his room.
Shy Hotel Guest
Appearances: Little Britain USA Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "Pervert!..."
Appearing in 2 deleted scenes, the Hotel Guest is never seen in person as he doesn't like to show his face, thus having his treatments and breakfasts slid under the door in unusual fashions. It is revealed in the second sketch that he has a third ear, the most likely explanation for his hate of other people seeing him.
Kim and Jill
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "He's handy is he?"
Kim and her daughter Jill like to sit and relax in the sun. Jill is always dating handy men just to exploit their skills and ends up dumping them. Jill dates handy men like a plumber , a Sky electrician and a elderly gardener.
References
| i m only gay in village |
Which US actor played him in the 2011 film, ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’? | list of little britain characters : definition of list of little britain characters and synonyms of list of little britain characters (English)
Played By: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 3
Alan works for the Donkey Hospice in the town of Achingballs. After contributors give him some money, he blatantly places stickers on embarrassing body parts, such as the genital region or breasts and on someone's rear in a deleted scene. He makes one appearance in Series 3.
Peter Andre
Episodes: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 4 and 5
Catchphrase: I love you Anne and I need you Anne
Peter Andre is a royal BBC correspondent who gets the sack after first making bizarre and inaccurate claims about the Royal Family (such as Prince Charles having magical powers, describing The Queen as "The Main One" and mistaking Princess Eugenie for her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York , and declaring his love for Princess Anne through song). The character's name is a reference to the singer . There are also two deleted scenes in which Peter Andre appears backstage at the Royal Variety Performance and at a drug rehab centre.
Anne
Appearances: Starting in Series 1
Catchphrase: "Eh-eh-ehhh!"
Anne is a patient at the Steven Spielberg hospital in Little Bentcock, where she is being trained for integration into society. She is a mentally challenged patient, although she is known to answer the telephone perfectly normally. Unfortunately for her psychiatrist, Dr. Lawrence, who is always accompanied by Dr. Beagrie, she displays poor progress and often ends up doing bizarre things, such as licking or stroking the faces of other people or destroying the things around her. Anne has worked at a library, bowling alley and as a pianist in a restaurant; she takes a keen interest in amateur dramatics and decoration.
Anne has appeared in all the series and had a Stars In Their Eyes sketch for Little Britain Live. In Little Britain Abroad, Anne met the Pope and went to the Louvre in Paris where she stole the Mona Lisa . She did not, however, appear in Little Britain USA. She is 39 years old.
Ashraf The Horse Whisperer
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3 episode 5
Ashraf is an Indian man working at the local computer shop. He has an unsual fashion using a horse to help customers with their IT problems.
B
Appearances: Series 2 episode 5
Catchphrase: "Fetch", "Good boy"
Every time she goes out to give refreshment to the builders who are doing work on her garden, she gives them biscuits as if they were a dog. This is by throwing them on the floor or making them do tricks in order for them to get the biscuit.
Bank robbers
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearance: Little Britain USA
The bank robbers make an appearance in Little Britain USA. The two appear to be very skilful bank robbers, having a speedy and simple manner of robbing a bank, with one going in and demanding money while the other drives the getaway vehicle, and a very secluded hideout. However, it becomes clear that the two are actually too timid to rob the bank properly, with the one played by Lucas getting only a handful of desk pens and the one played by Walliams a desk marker saying "Position closed" on the second attempt, rather than money.
Appearances: Starting in Series 2
Catchphrase: "Computer says no... (coughs)" as well as offering surreal substitutes to requests.
Carol Beer worked at a bank in Series Two and had a very close relationship with her computer. When asked by customers if they can take a loan or open up an account, she will explain the options to the customer and then type into her computer; usually answering "computer says no" in an unemotional tone. For a change, she will sometimes give a positive response and ask follow-up questions, before refusing the customer's request. She is incredibly unhelpful and completely unwilling to use any human initiative to help customers and will cough in their faces to make them leave. She has a crush on one of her co-workers who enters her office in one sketch.
By Series 3, she has changed jobs and now works as a travel agent in the fictional town of SpongeBob SquarePants , still working very closely with her computer and answering to very reasonable requests with her catchphrase, and she takes many opportunities to cough (such as coughing into their envelope before giving) or to increase her unhelpfulness (for instance, cancelling a customer's flight plan when he requests a vegetarian meal, or telling a child wanting to go to Disney World that the "Mickey Mouse" will just be a man in a suit).
Carol often offers strange or ludicrous replacements the customer is very unlikely to agree to, such as (when the client asked for a flight to Orlando) "I've got a flight to Guildford" or (when asked for a boat ride for two people) "There is one place left. Would one of you be okay swimming alongside?" Another of her trademarks is that, whenever a customer reveals an aspect of their personal lives (such as when a man comments that it's been a while since he saw his daughter), she will shrug her shoulders to him. Occasionally she would simply respond "Computer says no" without typing anything. When her clients point this out, she will stick up one finger (the middle one in Little Britain Live) and tap one key on the keyboard before repeating herself. Her character in Series 2 and 3 contrasts very strongly in Little Britain Live and Little Britain Abroad - Series 2 and 3 portray her as generally unhelpful, while Little Britain Live and Little Britain Abroad portrayed her as a cruel, unreasonable character.
In the final episode of Series 3, she is dismayed to find that "computer says yes" to a more difficult request, a very inexpensive (£700) round-the-world first-class cruise lasting six months, before her customer coughs in her face instead.
Carol has shown no emotion throughout the series, except during her appearance on Little Britain Abroad, where she cried uncontrollably; however, we quickly find out that she was being insincere and was merely trying to manipulate her clients.
Carol Beer appears in Little Britain USA , in which she is the receptionist at a hospital. Her most recent escapades involved offering a child named Danielle Lloyd for double-hip replacement (saying that there is "only one Danielle Lloyd " using the hospital), verbally abuse and annoy a pregnant woman and her husband and denying an injured patient an x-ray. Unlike the series, she is portrayed as rude and unreasonable. Although it was obvious before now that she made up most of what the computer apparently said, she is more blatant in this case, as she types almost nothing into her computer. She also makes no allowances in regard to age - she reacts with annoyance when a child gives very simple details. In her final sketch, she tells an elderly patient that he's listed as deceased, as well as getting frustrated by his slow walking. The patient then gives Carol the middle finger after being ordered to move faster.
In the 2009 Comic Relief for Red nose day, comedienne Catherine Tate stars as Carol's counterpart who is evaluating Carol to see if she makes standards to keep her job during the credit crunch .
Carol was meant to appear in Lucas and Walliams' new comedy Come Fly with Me , working as a Check in manager for Flylo Airlines, but was rejected as David Walliams didn't want it to be a spinoff of Little Britain.
In series 2 (while Carol worked in the bank), her sketches always open with an old lady picking up her dog's poo in a bag, and placing it in an inappropriate place, i.e. in a pillar box, giving the poo to a hobo, or leaving it in a window cleaner's bucket.
In series 3 (while Carol worked as the SunSearchers travel agent), her sketches always opened with her sticking a holiday advertisement poster on the window, and then doing something inappropriate, such as picking her nose and wiping the boogers on the sign, coughing on it, or 'doing a pig' (raising her nostrils against the window.)
Letty Bell
Appearances: Series 3 episode 3
Catchphrase: "I love me froggies" and "KILL IT"
Letty appears in only one sketch in Series 3, in which she appears to have an obsession for frogs (froggies) as her house is full of frog-related novelties, plus she loudly admits it. The sketch shows her birthday. When her friends present her with a real frog, she strangely reacts with fear and bludgeons it to death with a rolling pin. Originally intended as a recurring character, she also appears in several deleted scenes from Series 3. Letty also appears in the Little Britain video game. In a deleted scene, she lives in a small village called "Slut".
Len Boothe
Portrayed by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 1 episode 7
Catchphrase: "It was just (near a certain location) that my wife Eileen first (did something of a sexual nature)"
Len Boothe appears in just one episode of Series 1. He works as the voice-over man on tours of his hometown of Pove. Whenever the tour bus passes a location (i.e. the blacksmiths, the church, the 'Hanging Judge' pub, or the Roman bridge), he tells the people a little bit about the place, and then also says something about what his wife Eileen (they've been married at least 32 years) did to him there:
Church: First kiss.
Blacksmiths: Performed oral sex.
Bridge: Went up the 'wrong-un'.
In Series 1 Deleted Scenes, Len is still working on the bus tours; however, he has a French woman on the bus (presumably Matt Lucas), who keeps needing to sit down when she and her husband get off the bus. And, she repeats this when the passengers get back on.
Boris the Babysitter
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episode 8
Played by: David Walliams
Catchphrase:"Your baby is fine"
Appearing in Episode 8 of Series one, Boris is a scary-looking Russian man who works as a babysitter. In his appearance, he babysits the son of a couple who are about to go out for a work function. Due to his strange appearance and sinister behaviour, the couple is uncomfortable about leaving their baby with him. They decide to take their chances and leave. Despite their worries, Boris turns out to be a good babysitter, spending his time teaching the baby to play the Balalaika , showing it the silent film The Battleship Potemkin , playing with Stalin and Lenin puppets and dancing around with it on his shoulders. The couple return to find the baby sound asleep with Boris playing his Balalaika to it, and Boris leaves, still acting strangely (and responding to the question "did you have to change him?" with "No, is still the same baby."). The baby then says to the couple "Comrade Stalin salutes you!" Throughout the sketch, Boris mentions having a deceased mother called Pietà and a brother called Josef.
PCs Bryce and Rawlinson
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 2 episode 3
Catchphrase: "We must have the wrong house!"
PCs Bryce and Rawlinson appear in Series 2 episode 3, in which they are trying to give some sad news to a Mrs. Harris, whose husband has died in a car accident. In the first sketch, they give the news to the wrong Mrs. Harris, and laugh raucously when they learn that they've made a mistake. However, when they give the news to the real Mrs. Harris, they laugh at the memory of their faux-pas. They then decide it's appropriate to share this with the bereaved Mrs. Harris.
Maggie Blackamoor and Judy Pike
Appearances: Starting in Series 2
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Catchphrase: Maggie: "Who made this?" Judy: "Maggie, no!"
Maggie and Judy are two ladies from the Women's Institute who judge certain foods at different voluntary or charitable events in the village of Pox. They keenly partake in refreshments provided by their hosts, but when informed that anyone involved in its preparation is either from a non-white ethnic background or is married to someone of this description, has no home or is not entirely heterosexual, Maggie proceeds to vomit copiously, often on someone else, as Judy looks on, horrified. This portrayal of vomiting strongly emulates the famous " Monty Python's The Meaning of Life " sketch, presenting an immensely fat man named Mr Creosote who vomits uncontrollably at a very alarming rate (Part VI: The Autumn Years). Generally, Maggie's own habit causes her to become quite cautious when eating some things. These bouts of racism/homophobia, however, are contradicted in Little Britain Abroad when Maggie and Judy holiday together in Italy and Maggie suggests they kiss (however, she vomits the moment she learns this is Lesbian behaviour). The National Federation of Women's Institutes objected to this depiction and the BBC agreed to replace the Women's Institute logo and change the dialogue in subsequent showings of the programme. Series 3 showed them in a variety of different locations instead of the usual village fairs or church events, such as Maggie visiting Judy at home and Maggie recovering in hospital after a kidney transplant (and vomiting it out again after learning that the donor was called "Mrs. Banerjee"). In one Little Britain sketch, Maggie's dog vomits instead of its owner (on a Japanese dog). Maggie is also shown in Little Britain Abroad to idolise Benito Mussolini . The characters did not make an appearance in Little Britain USA.
C
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 3, 5 and 7
Catchphrases: "Yes I heard it, Kitty!"
Sir Bernard Chumley is a faded actor living in ' Sandy Toksvig House' who looks after his sister, Kitty (evidently against his own will), who is disabled after an accident. Bernard is adamant that he isn't responsible for her disability, often telling guests of his innocence even if he hasn't been asked, implying that he had been responsible for her disability.
In the first sketch in which he appears, Bernard invites a young actor, who has written to him, ( Christian Coulson ) over to his flat. He then attempts to seduce him, implying that he is homosexual. This is supported by the fact that he has many photographs of young male actors stuck to his wall. Throughout this sketch, he offers the young man various finger foods. He also says that he found the incident in which his sister lost the use of her legs amusing, and insists that he didn't cause the accident.
In his second sketch, he is visited by his local Meals on Wheels , who are bringing Kitty her daily meal. When talking about how nice the food was, he talks in the first person before hastily adding: "Kitty said" or "She added". As the lady is leaving, he tells her that the food is "a bit dry" and she catches him in the act of eating the food.
In his final sketch, undertakers come to his door to take away the body of Kitty, who has apparently died. However, they then discover she is not really dead and he begs them to "take her anyway". They refuse and he unhappily continues to take care of her.
The character of Chumley is probably the oldest Little Britain character, having appeared in a live-stage show in the early 90s, his own six-part television series in the late 90s called " Sir Bernard's Stately Homes ", and a cameo in Shooting Stars .
Phyllis Church
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 2 and 5
Catchphrase: "If you love me, you'd do it!" and ends every sketch with "You are one crazy bitch!"
Phyllis Church is an American woman who owns a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Mr. Doggy. She often likes to talk to Mr. Doggy, then imitates replies from him using a deep voice (for effect, the camera will zoom onto him when she imitates his replies until later, when it becomes clear that she is providing them herself). Mr Doggy will "order" Phyllis to do naughty or anti-social things such as stripping in public and standing in a trash bin, defecating in the park like her dog or throwing a brick through a shop window. Phyllis and Mr Doggy carry on a dialogue as she resists and "he" repeats "his" request, then "he" finally states "if you love me, you'd do it". At the end of each of her sketches she is caught in the act, "berated" by Mr Doggy and often arrested by the police. She may be the American equvilent to Anne.
Mr. Cleeves
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
Mr. Cleaves is a traditional-looking yet bizarre teacher at Kelsey Grammar School (a reference to actor Kelsey Grammer ). Mr. Cleaves sets the pupils strange tasks such as finding "the square root of Popeye" and "Edward II divided by Henry V = Hydrogen Peroxide ". He also asks for complete silence during a test, which is later revealed to be a test on crisps, but then he does various loud things himself, like playing the saxophone, vacuuming the classroom and setting off fireworks.
He also has trouble with reading, has a habit of making the boys in his class read aloud at random times, even in mid-word, writes his name (Mr. Cleaves) as "Mr. Wells" and his subject (Biology) as "French" and very blatantly throws the exercise books at his pupils. It is implied that he deliberately marks correct answers as wrong. He also introduces strange new pupils into his class such as a dog, a boy from the 17th century and an adult. The school itself is bizarre as it arranges trips to the moon for only 5 pounds entry fee, pilches £36 million during small car park jumble sales, has recreational and lunch periods only a few seconds long and has a robot for a careers advisor, which claims that there will be no jobs for human beings in the future. A major character in Series 1, Mr Cleeves made his last appearance in the program in episode 8.
The Coach
Played by: Davenia McFadden
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 2, 4, 5 and 6
The Coach works in Wilderness Lodge Boot Camp where Vicky Pollard is sent to after burning down Disneyland. She is interrupted by Vicky during Roll Call and, rather than reacting with annoyance, she patiently waits for her to finish before claiming that she hasn't a clue what Vicky has said. Vicky stays behind to express concern over one of the girls being possibly lesbian. She is told to 'run' by the coach. The next sketch involving the coach, she catches Vicky smoking in the bathroom while ordering the other girls to bed and Vicky mentions a girl stealing an eyeliner pencil, and drawing on the wall of a big fat woman with a penis and writing the coach's name on it. Vicky's hair then caught fire (she had hidden the cigarette in her hair) which made the coach very worried. Next, she caught Vicky trying to escape where she mentions that she takes attempts to escape very seriously. She then increases Vicky's sentence by another 6 months, mentioning that she was due to be released the next day. In the last sketch, Vicky goes to hospital and loses her voice after jumping off the chapel roof. The coach appears to be very caring for Vicky (though Vicky reacts by telling her to 'get off me you dirty lezzer'.)
Counsellor
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2
The Counsellor made several appearances in Little Britain Series 2, in which he is always seen in his office, talking to patients. Upon his patients leaving, he disregards the rule of confidentiality and promptly picks up his telephone and calls his friend, to whom he then relates what the patient has just told him and insults the patient. He also makes a few appearances in the Deleted Scenes. The Series 2 Script Book names him as "Dr Lowe."
Kenny Craig
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Appeared in first 2 series
Catchphrase: "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around the eyes, look into my eyes (snaps fingers) you're under." (After dialogue relating to situation), "3, 2, 1... (snaps fingers) you're back in the room"
Kenny Craig is a stage hypnotist who often uses his powers purely for his own ends, such as beating his mother in a game of Scrabble (by playing the non-existent word " cupboardy ", which, according to him, meant "cupboard-like" and hypnotising her into believing it is a real word), getting dates from and seducing women and gaining or avoiding spending money.
In most of the early series, Kenny Craig sketches are based on him hypnotising one or more people into doing things or accepting as fact a ridiculous premise, some of whom aren't really hypnotised, but were merely playing along, or he may use his powers to get out of a sticky situation (such as hypnotising everyone present when he accidentally destroys a man's car).
His powers appear to improve as the series progresses, however; in later episodes he manages feats such as putting on a hypnosis show - in which he does nothing but hypnotise the audience into believing they have actually witnessed an incredible hypnosis show before sitting back to read a book for an hour ( Andy McNab 's Bravo Two Zero ); finally taking them out of their trance at the timetabled end of the show.
In Little Britain Abroad, while holidaying in Portugal, he is hypnotised by Paul McKenna (who does this in Kenny's trademark 'Look into my eyes...' style) into losing his powers of hypnosis, living on the street and digging through dustbins to find a half-eaten box of KFC . He made an appearance in Little Britain live, but not in the USA adaption of the program, though he does appear in a deleted scene on the LBUSA DVD, using his hypnosis to get a woman in a supermarket to agree to go out with him, go to his show and then make love with him at a motel.
D
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Starting in Series 1
Catchphrases: "Oh man I love the cake!", "Dust?", "Oh, man, you is fat!","'ave we got any neeew members?", "It's not easy is it?", "Hello Fatties!", "Do it again", "But YOU are sumin' else!", "Man, you fat, you fatty fatty fatty!", "Say it again?"
Marjorie Dawes is a woman who runs a branch of a weight loss group called 'Fat Fighters' (a group similar to real-life Weight Watchers ), despite weighing approximately 15 stone 8½ pounds (100 kg) herself. She is notoriously rude and mean-spirited, especially towards the members of Fat Fighters, of whom she hypocritically makes fun for being fat. Her sketches featured guest appearances from Vanessa Feltz (who called her a "total cow") and Derek Martin in Series Two and Three respectively. The regular members include Pat, Paul, Tania (the oldest member of the group), several unnamed members and an Indian woman named Meera (who curiously does not appear to be overweight). In Series 2, Pat and Paul start a relationship and the two get married. It is also implied in a Series 1 episode that Marjorie had had a brief sexual encounter with Paul, after which she berates him for it.
One trademark of the sketches is that Marjorie pretends not to hear or understand what Meera says, needing another member (usually Tania), to interpret, or mishearing it as something else. Other trademark actions of hers are misspelling "chocolate" (spelling it "choclit," "choglud" or "chucklet"), and blatantly overeating despite attempts to hide it, as well as avoiding the subject of her own weight whenever it comes under scrutiny - such as shouting at her superior at Fat Fighters Head Office. She even tried to pretend her trolley (which was full of food that is high in fat) was someone else's when she ran into Paul in her local supermarket, and later when Meera turns out to be the cashier.
In the final episode of series 3, all the Fat Fighters attendees desert the group en masse after finally growing tired of Marjorie's hurtful remarks and poor weight loss advice. Marjorie is shocked at this.
Marjorie appeared in Little Britain Abroad, where she went on an exchange to America and attended a meeting in Miami. A new member of the group was the local sheriff, who was less tolerant of Marjorie's rudeness and, after being pushed too far in a matter of minutes after being called " Boss Hogg ," arrested her. Meanwhile, Marjorie's Texan counterpart, Blanche Chuckatuck (portrayed by David Walliams) went to take Marjorie's group in the UK. Although Blanche Tuckatuck was much politer, kinder and gave more helpful weight-loss advice than Marjorie, she had one serious flaw - she was a member of the Ku Klux Klan . It is also noticeable that the narrator, in his voiceovers, expresses contempt towards people who are overweight, much like Marjorie's own contempt.
Marjorie returns to America in Little Britain USA and a new aspect of her personality is shown - she is also homophobic, as seen when Rosie O'Donnell attends a meeting and gets her own taste of Marjorie's medicine. As with Meera in the UK series, she pretends not to understand a Mexican member of the group, whom she also refers to as an illegal immigrant and that Marjorie believes that the member is from the Philippines . She appeared in four of the episodes and a deleted scene in which she convinces Slimmer of the Year Lisa Warren ( Sarah Chalke ) that her donuts are low-calorie, because she insulted her.
Marjorie made several TV appearances in other shows before Little Britain, most notably, appearing as the mother of George Dawes , the overgrown baby who was resident drummer and scorekeeper on Shooting Stars , also played by Lucas. George Dawes is not mentioned in any way in any version of Little Britain. She also made an appearance at the marriage of David Walliams and Lara Stone .
Marjorie's name is a reference to the nursery rhyme , See Saw Margery Daw .
Ellie-Grace Day
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 4, 5 and 6
Catchphrase: "I love you more than (something nice)", repeats twice until "I love you more than (something vulgar)".
Ellie-Grace is a caricatured "sweet" little American school girl who appears regularly in Little Britain USA. When parting with her mother for any particular reason, such as a trip to a brownie camp or having her tonsils removed, they will share love sentiments (or their "I love you more than" game). While these will start off with "nice" things, she innocently comes up with vulgar ones that are often sex-related (which she has obviously picked up from older students), much to the horror of her mother.
In their final sketch they go over to a friend's house for sleepover. As they are parting, Ellie-Grace (who has been warned by her mother not to come up with any vulgar love sentiments) pressures her mother into sharing one more round of love sentiments, which she reluctantly complies with. However, just as it looks fine (when Ellie-Grace's sentiments turn out not to be vulgar), her mother accidentally comes up with one herself. This then traumatizes Ellie-Grace and her friends, who are then comforted by her friends' mother.
The two appeared alongside Robbie Williams in the Little Britain Comic Relief sketch for Red Nose Day 2009. Robbie played Ellie's best friend Candy-Marie in a sketch which parodies The Exorcist .
Appearances: Since Series 2
Catchphrase: "Call me Bubbles darling, everybody does!", (Clapping hands)"Champagne! Chanpagne for everyone!", "'Ello dahlin'!"
Bubbles DeVere is a morbidly obese lady living at Hill Grange Health Spa in (presumably) Leeds. She has a habit of acting like a stripper towards the manager of the spa (Walliams) for various reasons.
Desiree DeVere
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "Baby" (as opposed to Bubbles' "Dahlin" and usually pronounced "bebby", "babby" Or "bubby")
Desiree (pronounced, de-zee-ray) is the rival of Bubbles and the new wife of Bubbles' ex-husband, Roman. Desiree, like Bubbles, is an obese woman (larger even than Bubbles) who frequently appears naked, wears only a small silver dress and is bald (though, like Bubbles, she wears a wig), but is a lot ruder than Bubbles.
Roman enjoys watching the two of them wrestling naked. He divorced Bubbles because she lost an amount of weight. She is believed to be former Miss Botswana and an ex-Olympic Showjumper . On one occasion, when she bends over to search for her wig, Bubbles remarks, referring to Desiree's anus, "Oh, it's like the Black Hole of Calcutta !" Desiree replies "HOW DARE YOU MAKE PERSONAL REMARKS ABOUT MY A-HOLE!".
Roman DeVere
See Desiree DeVere , above
Roman DeVere is the husband of Desiree DeVere, and the ex-husband of Bubbles DeVere. He gets annoyed when Bubbles tries to interrupt his and Desiree's honeymoon. He appears to have some sort of a fetish for fat women as he enjoys seeing Bubbles and Desiree wrestle in the nude, and in one sketch, got an erection after seeing Bubbles naked (getting a whack from Desiree on it due to a believed sex scandal).
Michael Dinner
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2, Episodes 4 and 5
Michael Dinner (also known as The Posh Diner) is a man who is always seen in a restaurant. In each of his sketches he is approached by a waiter and gruffly orders posh dishes, before ordering something basic or mass-market (such as Um Bongo , Hubba Bubba or Monster Munch ) as the waiter walks away. Michael also appeared on the Comic Relief episode and in the deleted scenes of the second series. His name is a reference to film director Michael Winner and was revealed in the Little Britain top trump cards.
The Divorced Couple
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA episode 2
Making one appearance in the U.S version of the show, a couple are divorcing because of the wife's homosexuality. As they are packing her belongings into boxes, the husband discovers numerous books, toys and essentials that suggest her homosexuality that she kept hidden from him. At the end of the sketch he accidentally uncovers a book of his entitled " Sir Ian McKellen 's book of men's bottoms," indicating that he is homosexual as well.
Doug
Appearances: Series 2
Catchphrase: "Stay where you are!" and "50 words for cocaine! Go!"
Doug makes only one appearance in the entire series. He was shown to be giving firm and very tough lectures at a drug rehabilitation centre, while kindly telling them that he will help them overcome their habits.
During the entire appearance, a lady in the Rehab tries to leave, insisting she is at the wrong lecture, but he refuses her request each time. He made several more appearances in the Deleted Scenes of Series 2, in which his mother appears at his lecture and indicates that his supposed drug addictions are all made up and he has never actually done hard drugs. A more polite version of Doug appears in a Deleted Peter Andre sketch from Series 1.
E
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "Oh, 'ello dear!", as well as urinating uncontrollably
Mrs Emery is a kind old lady who is never one to back out of a nice long chat. Her sketches typically show her in some public place like a library, supermarket or post office, and meeting someone of whom she is familiar or acquainted to there and then starts chatting to them. While conversing, she then starts urinating uncontrollably, much to the shock of the person in question.
She is oblivious to her constant urinating and always believes the mess she leaves behind is the result of a pipe leak or someone else's behavior. In her final sketch, a doctor, after examining her leg (and seeing her uncontrollable urinating), asks her if she has anything else wrong with her, which she denies. Her sketches attracted controversy soon after the launch of the third series, when they were criticised by the UK incontinence charity, Incontact.
Eileen and Janet
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1, Episode 5
Eileen and Janet appear only in one episode in Series 1. In their sketch, Eileen (Lucas) is consoling her sister, Janet (Walliams), who has recently lost her husband, Ivar. Throughout the sketch, a mention of certain and sometimes very simple things, such as a visit to the shops, reminds Janet of Ivar and makes her start sobbing, while Eileen patiently consoles her. At the end of the sketch, she firmly reminds her sister that they had decided not to talk about Ivar's death. They originally appeared in the radio show.
The characters appear in the Series 1 DVD extra "What does Britain mean to you?".
F
Appearances: Since Series 2
Catchphrases: "Martin, it's Linda", "How can I describe him/her?", "That's right, (insulting epithet)"
Linda is a university counsellor who always has a student in her office asking for something, usually course-related. Linda calls a man named Martin ( unseen and unheard to the audience ) to grant the request and is asked to describe the student in question. While she often begins with complimentary or basic descriptions (such as the colour of the hair or skin, good personalities or what they're wearing), she will then use descriptions that mock the student's culture or appearance or anything about them outstanding, such as a mole on their chin or their lack of hair, and using an insulting epithet to describe them, such as "big fat lesbian ," "ching-chong Chinaman ", "Ali Bongo", "Fatty Fatty Boom Boom", "the Oompa Loompa ", " Magnum, P.I. ", and "Baaallddy!" after the kinder words fail, much to the shock of the students in question.
Her office is decorated with counter-cultural and Leftist paraphernalia (A bust of Lenin and several Soviet flags.
In the last episode of Series 3, all of the students she had insulted in Series 2 and 3 came to tell her they wanted to place a formal complaint about her, but when she called Martin to sort it out, she referred to them as "the whole cast of Fraggle Rock " The tables were turned on her in a Little Britain Abroad deleted scene when her Australian counterpart, Germain, remarked that she had greying hair, smelt a bit musky, needed a shave and was on the wrong side of menopause ("The dried up old witch"), sending Linda out in tears.
She also appears in deleted scenes in which she names a boy with half his right arm missing Handy Andy and a student with an upturned nose a pig (though she made no comments to Martin about the latter).
Sir Norman Fry
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: "As far as I'm concerned, that is the end of the matter. Thank you."
Sir Norman Fry is a Conservative MP who seems to be respectable, and has a wife (Camilla, played by Matt Lucas) and two children, possibly based on the real life ex-conservative Norman Fowler . He is always issuing statements to the press regarding compromising situations in which he has apparently been caught. His statements are written and delivered in a futile attempt to make his escapades sound wholly innocent and justifiable, using phrases such as "on entering the room, my clothes accidentally fell off" or "I followed the gentlemen into the toilet cubicle to discuss foreign policy", and to cover up his apparent homosexual tendencies, since all of his statements refer to encounters with other men.
He always makes his statements with his wife and children present and kisses his wife after the statement. At first his wife kisses back, but it is clear that she gets less keen on it, eventually even walking away before her husband gets a chance to kiss her.
An American counterpart of Sir Norman Fry called Senator White who is a Republican appears in episodes 5 and 6 of Little Britain USA . Fry is somewhat similar to Viz character Baxter Basics .
G
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams, respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 1, 2, 7 and 8
Catchphrase: Jason: "Heellloooo..."
Gary and Jason are two friends who always visit Gary's grandmother, on whom Jason has a crush. Jason always tries to play on to Gary's grandmother, be it by performing the Heimlich manoeuver on her or seeing her to the bathroom or wiping her spillings and sucking her toes, the latter of which horrifies Gary to the point of ordering him out of her house.
When Jason later visited Gary's grandmother, he was aroused to see her kissing her sister, which was further enhanced by her offering a sandwich , which he interpreted as the sex position. A sketch is included in the deleted scenes on the Series 2 DVD, where Jason is having sex with Gary's grandmother. This sketch was originally planned for the TV series, but Matt and David have censored themselves by not showing it.
Gerald Pincher
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Season 2, episodes 1, 2, 4, and 6; Little Britain USA, episode 2, 3 and 6
Catchphrase: Come on Harvey!
Gerald Pincher is the father of Harvey Pincher. He is a crusty, conservative, upper class Brit, yet he is also warm and friendly. In Season 2 he has mousy brown hair and in Little Britain USA he has red hair. He appears to be unperturbed by Harvey's infantile desire for his mother's breastmilk ('bitty'). In Little Britain USA he is seen changing Harvey's diaper. He appears to be interested in the Battle of Culloden . In Season 2 it is revealed that Harvey does not approve of vegetarianism; when informed about the need for a vegetarian option at Harvey and Jane's wedding he responds "Oh, bloody vegetarians! String up the lot of them, I say!". In Little Britain USA he expresses his dislike of Modern Art, "Hope they don't have too much of that 'modern art'!"
George and Sandra
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams, respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA episodes 1, 2, 4 and 6
Catchphrase: George: Come on you cunt, you've ruined my life, I really am now just waiting for you to die! Help me out here you boring old cow.
George and Sandra are a middle-aged English couple celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary in the United States. However, their marriage has deteriorated to the point that they often remain in an awkward silence which George tries to break in the best tone he can give, but when this doesn't work, he comments on how he dislikes her. In their second sketch he compares their current relationship to that of a pair of primates in a zoo which they visit on a daytrip. Sandra remains motionless and completely silent, uttering only one word throughout the entire series ("ornithophobic" which she used to remind George of her fear of birds). In the last of their sketches, they return to the United Kingdom and, when George leaves for their aeroplane, Sandra shows no sign of wanting to follow.
Bing Gordyn
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Catchphrases: "I went to the Moon!"
Bing Gordyn is the eighth man (out of twelve) to walk on The Moon . As he has a moustache, he likes to call himself as "the first man with a moustache to walk on the moon". He is exceedingly bitter about the fact that he is largely unknown to the general public, as opposed to Neil Armstrong . In his first appearance, he is speaking to a Boy Scout troop about the moon, but when they show a lack of interest and the questions turn to other astronauts like Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin , he lashes out of the boys, asking them if they'd ever done anything important like walk (or in the case of one wheelchair-using boy, roll) on the moon. In his second sketch, it is shown that he arranges plumbers and other handymen to his house to try and impress them about his exploits, but always fails to do so. In his final sketch, he pulls out a shotgun on a university student writing an essay on the theory of the faked moon landings and, for once, mentions the negative details of his trip ("It was real cold, the food was horrible, I threw up in my helmet!"), before chasing him out of his house and yelling "I went to the goddamn Moon!
He is similar to the character Denver Mills as they both are Walliams characters and both hold major achievements that nobody else cares about.
His real life counterpart is the late James Irwin .
Edward and Samantha Grant
Played by: David Walliams and Helen Coker respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 5 and 7
Edward Grant is a schoolteacher married to his ex-pupil Samantha. Their marriage had not gone down at all well with Samantha's parents in the early days, but they now claim that they share an ordinary marriage just like any other.
However, Edward behaves as though Samantha were still a school pupil , saying things such as "the bell is a signal for me, not for you" upon the doorbell ringing and "you copied Nigella Lawson's work!" upon Samantha's revelation that she used a Nigella Lawson sorbet recipe. In their final sketch, Edward tells Samantha that he will be out the next day and that another teacher will be covering for him, much to her shock.
H
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Catchphrase: "I'm a lady! That's what I am, a lady! I do lady things!" and sometimes ending long statements with "... and shit."
Emily, whose real name is Eddie Howard, is an awkward and very unconvincing transvestite. She has only ever been acknowledged as a woman once in the entire series (the man in question then caught her in the male bathroom of the pub he was at). Rather than trying to be like a modern woman, Emily wears the outdated frocks of Victorian times and her behaviour follows that of the out-dated Victorian stereotype, including an exaggeratedly high-pitched, forced laugh and manner of speaking, using the word "lady" as an adjective for almost everything and feigning a lack of strength, which only makes her even less convincing. Additionally, she is in the habit of using French words in normal conversation. Most sketches involving Emily revolve around the performing of stereotypically male behaviour (such as fixing a car or playing football) in spite of her appearance, or exaggerated attempts to persuade others that she is a woman and to allow her to perform exclusively female behaviour (e.g. entering a women's changing room). From the second series onwards, Emily has best friend, Florence , as a companion and is teaching her how to pretend to be like a lady.
Emily appears alone in Little Britain USA . In her first sketch, she attempts to become a model for an art class, but is forced to pose with no clothes on, thus being forced to admit that she is not a lady. And she also meets Sting where she sings and even kisses him. In her third sketch, she is arrested and, due to the seriousness of the situation, Eddie Howard is forced to admit that he's a male, much to his frustration. It is also here that we learn that Eddie has a wife and three kids (one of which is named Tommy). In her final sketch, she blind dates another man, who accidentally drives off with her wig. Even though Emily is one of the series primary characters, neither Emily nor Florence appeared in Little Britain Abroad.
I
Ian and Ian, The Record Breakers
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
At the end of each show in Series 1, they try to set a world record, but end up not meeting the requirements or not having essential things. For example, they want to set the record for the world’s tallest man, but then realise that wearing an excessively tall top hat doesn't count, or that they want to set the record for the largest baked bean bath, but then realise they need more than one tin of baked beans to fill the bath. On one occasion, they lost their subject when trying to break the record for the world's smallest ant . Each attempt usually takes place in an empty auditorium, showing that they are largely unpopular record attempts. In their final sketch, they successfully made the world's largest meat pie, but didn't get an oven big enough to bake it.
J
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Series 1 episode 2
Jane and Rod have a daughter who is in a coma, but it is seen that they use their motionless child as a decoy in order to get celebrities to meet them. David Soul visits them in the first skit, but they only appear to be interested in him and not their child. In the next skit Les McKeown visits them to sing them some of his songs which they say their child wants to hear despite being motionless.
They also appear in a Series 1 deleted scene, going through a list of celebrities due to visit them.
K
Catchphrase: "Wicky Woo!", "Top of the morning, where's me breakfast?"
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, and Little Britain Live
Des Kaye is a one-time children's TV host who works in a DIY store. He is in denial and hasn't come to terms with the fact he is no longer on TV. He is often seen annoying the other members of staff with his puppet (called Croc O'Dile) and his frequent sayings of "wicky woo". The Series 1 DVD contains a deleted scene showing Des visiting a children's hospital and accidentally unplugging a patient's life support machine while trying to play some cheerful music on a tape recorder. He appears on the radio series, and even makes it into the best of Little Britain Radio show 2-disc set. According to the Radio series, he was sacked from his "Fun Bus" show because of gross indecency (saying "Are you telling me you've never had a wank in the toilet?"). One of the new employees at DIY universe where Des was working at the time claims that he and his sister watched the show during its run and revealed that a girl lost an eye on the show.
Des Kaye also made an appearance on the live show, making him one of only 2 characters to have had their last appearance on the show in series 1, the other being Ray McCooney. The act involved Des driving around in what is pressumably a miniature fun bus and angrily throwing lollipops at the audience. He then proceeds to play a game called "Hide the Sausage", which involves him taking 2 men from the audience at random, asking them to hide a large sausage on a random body part and then molest the contestant who he thinks has the sausage until a loud siren goes off. In the Australian tour, Walliams received a letter of complaint for this strong scene, he then claimed he would respond with an apology.
Reverend Jesse King
Catchphrase: "Hallelujah!"
Appearances: Series 2, episode 6
Reverend Jesse King is an Black American preacher on a foreign exchange with the vicar of a small village church in Britain. He states that he is "from the ghetto"; loudly encourages the congregation to "fight the power"; and attempts to cure a man's cough using faith healing (and when this fails, he gives the man some cough sweets instead).
L
Played By: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Series, Pilot Episode and Series 1 Deleted Scenes.
Latymer is a masseur who works on a patient of hers called Jonathan, a very stress prone patient. Latymer tries to relax Jonathan by using the strangest methods, like telling gruesome stories and thoughts, screaming a horrible lullaby and playing blood curdling music.
In one episode, she attempts to make Jonathan relax by using the following mental image. "I'd like you to think of a gang of children throwing stones at a pensioner. He's weeping softly, softly weeping, the children are lifting him, and putting him into a wheelie bin. The is being pushed down a hill and the children have let go." She is then surprised that Jonathan is not relaxed.
Dr Lawrence
Catchphrase: Have you met Anne, by the way?
Appearances: Every sketch with Anne in it.
Dr Lawrence is the Doctor in charge of Anne's progress. He rarely makes a fuss about Anne's childish behavior and is only seen being angry at her once, when she was going to chuck his children's Guinea Pig out the window, which she did moments later.
For more info see Anne , above
Leonard
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 2 and 6
Leonard is a man who works in a retirement home. He goes to great lengths to ensure comfort for certain inhabitants, mainly himself.
Officer Lindsay
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episode 2
Officer Lindsay appears only once in Series 1. He is a retired police officer in the town of Scoffage, who gives driving lessons. After persuading his student to drive at law-breaking speeds, he promptly pulls the car over, goes to the driver's window and berates the student for speeding as if he were still a policeman. Lindsay drives a brown Austin Allegro on which he has crudely painted the word 'Police', he also wears a policeman's uniform, claiming all his other clothes were in the wash.
Liz and Clive
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 2, 4 and 8
Liz and Clive are a middle-aged couple who spend a lot of time eating in their local Chinese restaurant. Throughout these sketches, Liz loudly and endlessly claims that she had been a bridesmaid at Mollie Sugden 's wedding, which annoys Clive, especially when Liz makes him listen to her rather than talk to a man who knew Paul McCartney (the man is played by Ted Robbins , McCartney's real-life cousin).
In the final sketch involving these characters, Liz is still going on about being Sugden's bridesmaid when Sugden comes to the restaurant, causing Liz to suddenly get agitated and try to leave. Clive then approaches Sugden (with Liz trying almost physically to stop him) and she denies any knowledge of Liz, as her friend Helen had been her only bridesmaid. At this point, Liz suddenly stabs and kills her with a knife, revealing that she had been fabricating her claims of being Sugden's bridesmaid.
Sebastian Love
Catchphrase: "Whateva!'", "Whaaaa(t)!?", "Yes Prime Minister, No Prime Minister.", "Bitch!"
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Aide to the Prime Minister , Sebastian holds a badly-concealed homosexual crush on his boss. Wildly jealous of anyone who takes the attention of the PM, Sebastian does everything in his power to bring the attention back to himself. He often "accidentally" finds himself in sexually suggestive positions with his boss, who is usually very tolerant of (and largely oblivious to or tacitly accepting of) his advances. He is also very defensive of his boss when he comes under fire from the press or general public (for instance, when some people present a petition saying that they want the PM to resign, he tears it up and throws it in their faces without showing it to anyone). In the finale of Series 2, he tries to kiss the PM but is at first unsuccessful and weeps. When questioned if he has a crush on his boss, he denies it, then kisses his boss. He believes that his feelings for the PM are mutual, as he occasionally seduces other men to make the PM jealous.
Ironically, however, the PM might, in fact, be genuinely gay (despite having a wife), as it is implied that he had a homosexual relationship with the President of the United States in Little Britain Abroad and, in one sketch, he kisses Gregory, who is another of his aides. Thus, he may simply be uninterested in Sebastian.
David Walliams has said that Sebastian Love was inspired by Peter Mandelson . [1] By the time of Little Britain USA , Sebastian has risen to the post of PM, and has transferred his affections to the new US President and his jealousy to the first lady.
Lou and Andy
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Catchphrase: Andy: "I want that one...", "I don't like it", "I look a pillock", "Yeah I know!"; Lou: "bit of a kerfuffle!" "Are you sure?"
Appearances: Throughout entire series
Lou Todd is Andy Pipkin's carer but is often taken advantage of by Andy in various ways, although deep down Andy loves Lou. These include Andy's demanding things then rejecting them when they are done for him (or when they are given to him), and Andy's ability to walk and perform complex physical activities while out of his wheelchair while Lou's back is turned.
Andy is often rude and antisocial to other characters, and kills Lou's replacement by pushing her off a cliff when she becomes too demanding for him. The pair are the longest serving members of the cast of characters having appeared in every episode except the TV pilot.
The names come from two characters in a Rock Profiles sketch, supposedly Lou Reed and Andy Warhol .
M
Mr Mann and his purchase, a painting of a displeased owl .
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Mr Mann is a customer who shops in a 1970s -style store (which varies in the merchandise it sells from episode to episode) run by Roy . He will usually ask for ridiculously specific items in the shop (such as "a painting of a disappointed horse " in Series 3 Episode 2). Roy would then call to his unseen wife, Margaret in the back room for assistance. Mr Mann appeared in only one episode in the first series, but was a regular character in the second and third series. These sketches are some of the more traditional in the series, relying upon word play and surrealism . Early versions of the sketch feature Roy being unable to provide Mr Mann with his request due to it being too specific, and attempting to provide him with a substitute, which he may refuse for a trivial reason which is important to him.
In later sketches, Roy became accustomed to his requests and was sometimes able to provide them. Mr Mann himself does not have any catchphrase (while Roy and Margaret do) and often delivers comedic content by making ludicrous suggestions to resolve a problem (such as asking whether a long-dead writer would be prepared to re-write his book and cut out all the "O's" to make the book shorter). In Little Britain Abroad , he visits a shop in Morocco with a Moroccan counterpart of Roy and asks for Pirate Memory Games, which was the first thing he ever asked for at Roy's shop in the British version.
Walliams appears in a cameo in the film Run Fatboy Run as a character similar to Mr Mann.
Margaret
Appearances: Margaret is always off-screen, but she has been included since Series 1
Catchphrase: See Roy below
Margaret and her husband, Roy, own a shop frequented by Mr. Mann . She is unseen throughout all the series and helps Roy when he calls to her from behind the counter. She usually takes a long time to reply whenever Roy calls out to her. One episode reveals that she is unseen because she has no arms or legs.
Mark and Tom
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Mark and Tom are stereotypical American bodybuilders with enormous muscles, tiny penises and a tendency to boast to each other about their most recent workouts and sexual encounters. Despite talking about being with other women, they are shown to have homoerotic tendencies toward each other and often frolic about naked to the eyes of everyone in the locker rooms (which gives them erections at one point). They never mention their names onscreen making it hard to find out which is which, and in the last of their sketches they have had operations which gives the one played by Lucas a long tube of a penis and the one played by Walliams a woman's genitalia.
Dame Sally Markham
Appearances: Series 1
Catchphrases: "The End" "How many pages?"
Dame Sally Markham is a wealthy, famous romantic novelist, whose preferred method of writing involves dictating her novel to her secretary (Miss Grace, played by David Walliams ) to type out, while lying on her sofa with her pet bichon frise and a box of chocolates. This is a reference to the novelist Dame Barbara Cartland , whose preferred writing method was dictation in similar circumstances.
Unlike Cartland's novels, however, Dame Sally's stories typically fall well short of the required length, and she will then try some bizarre (and often illegal) means of lengthening it, such as having her secretary type up some extended onomatopoeias (such as "Yahoooooooooooo"), integrating excerpts from the radio, reading parts from another book or having the entire Bible being typed into her novel. In one instance, when she tried to lengthen it using her own imagination, she barely got past 76 pages and could not think of anything else to write, so she decided to pause with it and start a new one, which consisted only of title (The Lady in Mauve ), Chapter One and 'The End'.
As well as having bizarre ways of lengthening her books, Dame Sally also has some rather parculiar topiary designs outside her house, such as a dog performing an act of anal intercourse on another dog, a man picking his nose, and even a penis.
April May and Neville Maddox
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1
April and Neville are ambulance brigade volunteers. When a man has a heart attack during the opera April and Neville come to the rescue. They send his wife to call 999 while they try to recover him using various types of chewing gum that April's first aid kit is full of.
As well as appearing in some of the Series 1 deleted scenes, they also appear outside the theater at the beginning of the Dennis Waterman sketches in Series 1.
Mildred and Connor
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams respectively
Appearances: Little Britain USA
Catchphrases: "We didn't know any different!"
Mildred is a "stereotypical Grandma" with a strong Deep South accent. She and her Grandson Connor often chat about uneasy issues concerning what Connor has heard of or been involved in, such as drug testing, racism and homosexuality. Mildred then reveals certain strange details of her past, such as drug habits or homosexuality or incidents involving racism. When talking about drugs, she speaks to Connor as if he should've known better, but defends herself when mentioning her own experiences, claiming that "we didn't know any different." When mentioning all the drug habits she's ever had, she claims to be 28 years old (right after Connor comments that, despite her drug habits, she seems rather healthy and well-aged). In their final sketch, Connor admits to being homosexual, only to be called a "faggot," by Mildred.
Ray McCooney
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 and Little Britain Live
Catchphrase: "A-Yeeeees!", "Ye know too much!", "Maybe I did and maybe I didn't"
Scottish owner of a hotel who speaks and acts like an Elizabethan fantasy character, even though he is often seen speaking and behaving perfectly normally. He answers questions from customers in a diffident manner using riddles, "spells", and a (intentionally badly dubbed ) flute, which he refers to as a ' piccalillo '. He also refers strangely to ordinary objects, such as the radio, which he calls the "talking noisy box". His bizarre behaviour often irritates and confuses his guests. However, in his final appearance, two officers from the Inland Revenue service used it against him, tricking Ray into making overdue tax payments. His hotel is opposite IKEA .
In the pilot episode, this character's name was "Roy" and his appearance was that of a chef at the "Aberdoone Stook Hoose" ( Aberdeen Steak House ). He also played a metal flute rather than his "Picalillo".
It is said in the series 2 script book that since series 2, Ray has been continually wandering around asking people why he isn't in the second (or third) series.
The name is a tribute to farce writer Ray Cooney .
Denver Mills
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 3, 5 and 6
Denver Mills is a former silver medallist (Gold Medallist in the radio drama) in the 400 metres at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics , who now acts as a guest speaker at various events. His speeches are always politically incorrect, confusing and often offensive to the audience, such as his speech at a police dinner "...maybe being an Olympic athlete isn't so different from being a police officer. First of all, we both get a lot of practise running after black guys". In a typical sketch, he will be on his way to give his speech, but upon learning a detail in his speech is considered offensive, confusing or is in fact not correct, he will proceed to throw a page of his speech away, until he is left with his greeting and dismissal. Once, he found out he would not only be meeting people with leprosy , but also hugging them, and, suddenly reluctant to do his speech, he threw himself out of the car after a discussion about Lepers. He regularly goes on about his achievements, but gets little response for it.
Mills' US equivalent is Bing Gordyn , the eighth man to walk on the moon and the first to do so with a moustache . The two are both Walliams characters, both have had some amazing achievement that they go on about, but fail to receive praise for.
In reality the medal Mills is said to have won was actually won by the late Ivorian athlete Gabriel Tiacoh .
The Minstrels
Played By: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1, Episodes 1 and 3
The Minstrels are two minstrels who are constant targets of quasi-racial discrimination. They are refused a room at a bed and breakfast, and are criticized by in radio broadcast by a government official. One of the cut sketches shows the Minstrel played by David Walliams being denied a job to which he replies, "Is it because I'm a minstrel?"
Myfanwy
Played by: Ruth Jones
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1, in most the sketches with Daffyd Thomas in them
Myfanwy is the barmaid of a local pub (called 'The Scarecrow and Mrs. King') and friend to Daffyd Thomas and often serves him Bacardi and Coke. She is very keen to help him find a gay partner, even going as far as to close her bar so he can have a gay night (which she promptly regrets because he orders all the gays who turn up to leave).
In later episodes, we learn that she is in a lesbian relationship and about to enter into a civil partnership with Rhiannon. In Little Britain Abroad, Myfanwy opens a gay bar on Mykonos in Greece, but it does not fare well because Daffyd does not hand out flyers to the locals. It is also revealed in Little Britain Abroad that she speaks almost perfect Greek . At the end of Series 3, she is seen walking with Daffyd to the train station and she cries when he tries to leave for London.
Narrator
Played by: Tom Baker
Appearances: Unseen. Narrates every episode
Catchphrase: Opens every episode with "Britain, Britain, Britain!" or something similar, such as "Brighton, Brighton, Brighton" and closes every episode with a mispronounced "goodbye" (e.g. "good-tie")
The narrator opens and closes every episode and provides a voice-over between many of the sketches to introduce the upcoming characters, announcing the time in a ridiculous manner, such as "nought o'clock", or replacing the hour with a person's name, such as 'half past Oliver' and also fictitious names for locations around Britain, such as villages called " Bruise " and the " Mike McShane Estate'.
The narrator delivers comedic content in many voice-overs by making nonsensical claims about Britain, its people or its history (such as "we invented the cat") or by breaking the fourth wall , such as saying Anthony Head is not the real Prime Minister, he's "that guy out of Buffy ". He will also make ironic statements (such as in Little Britain Abroad: "I went to Mykonos once. I loathed it...Too many gays! My boyfriend and I got the first flight home!").
He often makes surreal statements, like; "I must go now because I am about to reach orgasm ", or "I do love an election... in fact I'm having one right now", upon the end of one of the episodes. At the end of one episode, shorter than the others, he remarked: "This show has ended a little earlier than usual, because a man is trying to take my clothes off, and I must ask him why".
Also, during the Marjorie Dawes sketches, he expresses much contempt for overweight people, such as calling them "vermin", or expressing a desire to have them arrested, removed from the country, spat on or shot dead. However, in one such sketch he states that he would strangle the overweight people himself, but he can't because he's "too fat".
Newsagent
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 2 episode 4
The Newsagent made only one appearance in Series 2, in which he was shown to be very curious. In the sketch, a customer (portrayed by David Walliams ) comes in and picks some items off the shelves, with the newsagent curiously asking him a question in relation to that item (for instance "Thirsty?" upon the customer taking a drink from the fridge, or "Hoping to write letters to friends or relatives?" upon the customer taking a notebook). At the end of the sketch, the customer reaches up to the top shelf of the pornographic magazine racks, prompting the shopkeeper to ask; "Planning a wank?" and causing the embarrassed customer to hastily withdraw his hand and pay for the items he has taken. The opening scene of the sketch shows that he allows a maximum of 200 students in his shop at one time
O
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3, episode 3
This one time character is the only character in the show directly based on a real life act or person. Orville the Duck is seen shopping (in what appears to be a British 99p store), in the small town of Breakdance Two, Electric Boogaloo. He is approached by another shopper (Walliams), who asks him for an autograph and then asks him about where Keith Harris is, to which he says that they don't do everything with each other and are currently have no plans for the next few months (other than a serious role in The Bill which Orville claims to be going for). At the end of his sketch, another shopper asks him where Keith Harris is as well, to which he mutters to himself "Oh, for God's sake..."
P
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 2 and 3
Pat and Don are a couple who eat at a local Indian restaurant, which has an unusually fast service. The dishes are delivered as soon as the couple is finished ordering, and even so, the waiter will sometimes apologise for the delay.
Don always orders the spiciest dish offered to him, saying with enthusiasm that he loves his food spicy. However, he often finds the dish a little too hot for his tastes and it then causes him to spout catchphrases from a variety of 1970s and 1980s TV shows such as "Super match game, super match game, super match game", "Godzilla, doo doodle doo, Godzilla doo doodle doo, Godzilla doo doodle doo and Godzookey" and "Mr Spencer!" Pat clearly only likes mild food.
Sandra and Ralph Patterson
Played by: David Walliams and Adam Donkin
Appearances: Series 1, episodes 4, 6 and 7
Sandra Patterson is a stage mother who is unusually determined for her son Ralph (which she pronounces as "Raif", a reference to Ralph Fiennes ) to get into acting. She is also very boastful and rude to whoever she comes across. Unfortunately, her son never gets a part and, every time he fails, Sandra loses her temper and usually takes it out on whoever is nearby, including her son.
They appeared in the radio series under the names of Sandra and Olivier Laurence, a play on the name of the actor Laurence Olivier . She goes to such lengths to get him parts, that she pretends it's his birthday, that he's dying, and even threatening to "tell 'em you touched him!" .
Pedro
Appearances: Series 2, The Comic Relief Special
Pedro is the Spanish , cross-dressing boyfriend of Dewi, Daffyd's brother.
Pedro was with Dewi when he came out to Daffyd as gay, and Daffyd was shocked to find out Pedro was a man, and was gay also. Pedro appeared in Comic Relief, acting as room service when Daffyd was interviewing Elton John . Pedro's character was likely based on David Walliams' impersonation of Ricky Martin .
Sid Pegg
Appearances: Series 3, episodes 4 and 5
Catchphrases: "Wife, [name of food], go!", "Britain fights back! (fist in air)"
Sid Pegg is a nosey and rude Neighbourhood Watch leader who takes his job very seriously. As there is no real crime in his area, his meetings can be about anything from the Gypsy Kings to the fact that a gang of "yob" have kicked an empty can of Lilt down the road. He will frequently call out commands to his wife preparing dinner, in the format of "Wife, [name of food], go!". When asking for assistance from other members of the watch, he always chooses Lloyd, a short man who appeared on The Weakest Link (a fact Sid continually mentions).
Piano Player
Played by: David Walliams
Episodes: Series 1, episodes 1, 3, 6 and 8
The Piano Player is an unnamed man who plays at the Uncle Albert Hall. He pauses during his recitals to say or do mindless things, such as checking where his shopping bag is, to read a text message and to tell someone that he forgot to set the video and ask when Sainsbury's closes, before resuming the recital as if nothing had happened. The actual pianist was a student, Simon Callaghan, who was studying at the Royal College of Music at the time. He is now a professional classical musician.
An American counterpart (also played by Walliams) of the British Pianist appears in a deleted scene of the USA adaptation of the show. He is seen reading out of a porn magazine, which is causing him to play to a quick tone of music.
Judy Pike
Gerald Pincher
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Season 2, episodes 1, 2, 4, and 6; Little Britain USA, episode 2, 3 and 6
Catchphrase: Come on Harvey!
Gerald Pincher is the father of Harvey Pincher. He is a crusty, conservative, upper class Brit, yet he is also warm and friendly. In Season 2 he has mousy brown hair and in Little Britain USA he has red hair. He appears to be unperturbed by Harvey's infantile desire for his mother's breastmilk ('bitty'). In Little Britain USA he is seen changing Harvey's diaper. He appears to be interested in the Battle of Culloden . In Season 2 it is revealed that Harvey does not approve of vegetarianism; when informed about the need for a vegetarian option at Harvey and Jane's wedding he responds "Oh, bloody vegetarians! String up the lot of them, I say!". In Little Britain USA he expresses his dislike of Modern Art, "Hope they don't have too much of that 'modern art'!"
Harvey Pincher
Appearances: Series 2
Catchphrase: "I want bitty!" or simply "Bitty!"
Harvey Pincher can be best described as a 25-year-old upper-class mummy's boy. He insists on "bitty" ( breast milk ) from his mother (played by Geraldine James ) even though he is an adult - much to the dismay of his prospective wife and her parents.
The sketches follow his engagement to Jane, through to their wedding day, which he interrupts near the end, saying "Bitty" instead of "I Do", gesturing for his mother to come up so he can have some of her breast milk. His parents do not seem even remotely perturbed by his behaviour.
Harvey Pincher and his parents (without his new wife) return in Little Britain USA , visiting some American relatives. In their final sketch, Harvey's mother overhears the relatives insulting them behind their back about the breast-feeding and is deeply offended. It is also revealed that Harvey wears a Nappy and his parents change him.
Andy Pipkin
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Starting in Series 1
Catchphrases: "No, but, yeah, but, no, but... (and sometimes repeats this a few times)", "... or sumthin or nuffing", "I wasn't even supposed to be there so, SHUT up!", "Don't be giving me the evils!", "Oh my God! I sooo can't believe you just said that!", "Yeah well she aint got nuffin' to do with it anyway so just leave her out of it!" as well as coming up with gossip unrelated to her situation.
Vicky Pollard is a teenage girl who is intended to be a parody of chavs living in the West Country at the time Matt Lucas was studying at the University of Bristol . When challenged about something, she comes up with gossip that has nothing whatsoever to do with whatever predicament she is in at the time, although she claims to be "getting there". She also speaks unusually quickly which, together with the gossip she comes up with, usually confuses or annoys the person in question. Her place of residence throughout the series was a fictitious town called Darkley Noone, which is shown to be in Bristol . For instance, she refers to places within the Bristol area, such as Fishponds , the Broadmead Shopping Centre and Wookey Hole (which is actually just outside Wells , but is a short drive from Bristol). She also speaks with a Bristolian accent.
Vicky Pollard went to school in the first and second series. In the first series, she was accused of shoplifting, became pregnant (and swapped the baby for a Westlife CD) and was sentenced to borstal where she bit someone called Jackie (a counterpart of Vicky played by Walliams). In the last series, she was hired to babysit and had a wild party in the house while the parents were away and tried to get money from a fake lottery ticket. In Little Britain Abroad she was shut in a Thai prison for smuggling drugs and her mother, Shelly Pollard (played by Dawn French ), made an appearance in court saying that Vicky got into a bad crowd at the age of three. Vicky was sentenced to 10 years for this offence (her mother gets 20 for annoying the judge). Her boyfriend, Jermaine made a brief cameo appearance in a sketch in Series 2. In Comic Relief does Little Britain Live , supermodel Kate Moss played Vicky's twin sister "Katie Pollard", and declared that Vicky was the 'pretty one' and Katie was the "easy one". She is shown in various episodes to be a chav girl seeking to get pregnant in order to get a council house: - in one episode, she is shown enviously referring to an acquaintance of hers who is only 9 years old, but has a council house of her own and 3 children. On the episode where she takes a job at a sleazy sex hotline, she is shown pushing along 6 daughters in buggies all dressed identically to her, whilst in the babysitting episode, she also mentions that she has 6 children of her own.
In Little Britain USA , she is sent to Boot Camp after being thrown out of Disney World for beating up the Aristocats and setting fire to the Peter Pan ride. She enrages the coach, jabbering away during rollcall and refusing to follow orders. This behaviour continues until the other girls run off to get their first assignments and Vicky stays behind to express concern over one of the girls being possibly lesbian. She is told to 'run' by the coach. In another sketch, she smokes in the bathroom and her hair catches fire (she is saved by the concerned coach). In her final sketch in the series, she is in hospital on life support after jumping off the church roof. The coach is shown to be very caring towards her.
R
Played by: David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 2, episode 6
Rachel and Nicola are two single women looking for love, who go to lunch together and keep track of dates and potential boyfriends by exchanging Polaroid photos of the men's genitals.
Jeremy Rent
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1
Catchphrase: "I'll tell him you're busy."
Jeremy is Dennis Waterman ’s theatrical agent who, while on the phone, at the slightest hint of disagreement, shouts the last word and hangs up the phone.
He often struggles to get Dennis to agree to take conventional acting roles, whereas Dennis is only interested in writing and singing theme tunes.
Robot careers advisor
Played by: Voiced by David Walliams
Appearance: Series 1
The robotic careers advisor, who works in the same school as Mr. Cleaves, makes one appearance. In it, a student, who is very realistic about his career opportunities in the future, comes into his office to discuss his desire to become a caterer or engineer. However, the robot reveals to him just how realistic his career opportunities are - according to the robot, there will be no jobs for humans in the future. Somewhat confused, the boy leaves with a booklet explaining everything the robot has said, a warning over his untucked shirt and a reminder that the advisor is a robot.
Florence Rose
Played by: Matt Lucas
Florence Rose is an aspiring transvestite and companion of Emily . He is even less convincing as a transvestite than Emily, in that he deliberately keeps his moustache; at one point being referred to as "a short fat bloke with a moustache" whilst attempting to purchase a dress.
Emily is teaching Florence how to be a lady in the second series, during which she regularly makes mistakes. In the last episode of Series 3 it is revealed that he is married and his real name is Fred. Their Nationwide advertisement gives his full name as "Fred Brown."
Roy
Appearances: Radio Show; Since Series 1, in all but one sketch with Mr Mann
Catchphrase: Roy's catchphrase is a conversation with his wife:
Roy: (Following Mr Mann's request) "Oh, I’m not sure, Margaret will know. (turns to the back of the store) Margaret! Margaret!"
Margaret: (after a long pause) "Yes?"
Roy: "There’s a gentleman here looking for (then repeats Mr Mann's request, often verbatim.)"
These lines are often followed with Margaret suggesting a product which Roy may have in stock, much to his own surprise, and which Mr Mann may then refuse for some trivial reason.
Roy owns a store (that sells different items each episode) where Mr Mann always shops. His wife Margaret helps run the store but is never seen. He has, on at least one occasion, stated that he hates Mr Mann because of his specific requests. The long pause between Roy's calling to Margaret and her response was referenced in one sketch when, as soon as Roy had called to Margaret, he and Mr. Mann both sat down, to read their books while waiting for her response.
Robert
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 1 Episode 6, Series 3 Episode 6
Robert is the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Prime Minister, Michael Stevens. He is according to the Prime Minister, very distant to him and this makes the Prime Minister think that he doesn't like his policies. This in turn causes Robert to stand in the leadership elections. However, in the last episode of Series 3 when the prime minister resigns it is announced that Robert will be the new Prime Minister, which leaves Sebastian the Prime Minister's aide (who has always taken a dislike to Robert, calling him "Fat and Scottish") in tears.
He is based on Gordon Brown who at the time was in the same position.
S
Played by: Anthony Head
Appearances: Since Series 1, in all but one skit with Sebastian Love
Prime Minister and the object of Sebastian’s affection. He "retires" at the end of Series 3, to Sebastian's horror.
David Walliams states that Anthony Head got the role because "next to Steve Martin , he's the only man I'll ever turn gay for."
T
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 onward
Catchphrases: "Everybody knows I'm the only gay in the village", "Homophobe!", "Bacardi and Coke please, Myfanwy", "I don't think so", "I'm gay! Get over it!." "Gay Rights... For Gays!"
Daffyd (
/ ˈ d æ f ɪ ð / ) Thomas, [2] who lives in the Welsh mining village of Llanddewi Brefi , [3] is a self-proclaimed gay man who dresses in a vast variety of tight PVC and latex rubber clothing and proudly proclaims that he is "the only gay in the village".
In fact, there is a huge gay community in his village and the surrounding area, but he utterly refuses to acknowledge or associate with them. Thus, his self-proclaimed homosexuality is called into question as an attention-seeking device, not helped by his complete lack of homosexual experience, nor by his statement in Little Britain USA "I can't have sex with a man, I'm gay!". Although in one sketch he seemed to admire a handsome man he thought was gay. He secretly longs to be victimised for his supposed homosexuality and often brands anyone who speaks to him as homophobic (even if all they said was "Hello").
He also references stereotypes of homosexuals and makes homophobic statements himself. When forced to admit that his friend is a lesbian, he claims that "lesbians don't count" and tells another that she is "far too attractive" [to be a lesbian]. He spends most of his time in the village pub talking to barmaid and best friend, Myfanwy. Myfanwy (who is in a lesbian relationship herself with girlfriend Rhiannon) is eager to help him with his apparent loneliness, and encourages him to meet other gay men or groups, all of whom he rejects or insults.
He also has a habit of organising gay-related events (such as a gay society) and then refusing other gays entry (by simply declaring that they are not genuinely gay) to try and draw attention to himself and his belief that he's the "only gay". He has a mother (played by Ruth Madoc ), and father who are not bothered by his self-proclaimed homosexuality, much to his dismay. In Little Britain Abroad, he is horrified to learn from Myfanwy that his mother is in love with her aunt, and he even has a genuinely gay brother named Dewi (played by James Corden ), who has a Spanish boyfriend named Pedro. In the final episode of Series 3, he decides to leave Llandewi Breffi for London because he felt he was an "out gay" man. However, he decided not to go, because he learnt from Myfanwy (who is shown at this point to be very fond of him) what a gay man could do in London.
In one episode of Little Britain series 3, Daffyd is seen to become an MP , representing his own political party, the 'Gay Rights for Gays Party'. If he wins the local election, he claims he would turn Llanddewi Brefi Park into a 24-hour gay cruising zone (merely by adding statues of Colin and Justin ), and that he would demolish the Llanddewi Brefi Home of Retirement and replace it with a gay sauna (most people seem to back Daffyd; the lady we see in the sketch is later revealed to be a lesbian herself), yet the viewer cannot see it happening with Daffyd claiming that he is the only gay in the village; that he also denies other gays entry (by claiming that the new arrival is not a genuine gay), and that he brands everyone in the village (except for his mum, his dad, his gay brother Dewi and Myfanwy ) as homophobic.
In Little Britain Abroad, he ruins the opening night of Myfanwy's gay bar on Mykonos in Greece because he hands out fliers to a 5-year-old tourist girl and a Greek nun instead of to other gays (though the nun later reveals herself to be a lesbian). He is also noticeably curious about what being homosexual is actually like when he questions a homosexual (Walliams) on a Mykonos beach.
Daffyd appears in Little Britain USA , in which he attends an American university and claims to be "the only gay on campus". In his first appearance, a genuinely gay student (Walliams) hijacks Daffyd's "Gay society" stand, feeling that he could do a better job at running it than Daffyd. He then starts admitting more homosexuals while Daffyd looks on in shock. This is the first time that another gay has taken over his attempt to prove the fact that he is the "only gay." He later discovers that he is not the "only gay on campus" when he confronts two lesbians who are living next door for making too much noise when he is trying to sleep.
He appears in the deleted scenes, in which he protests to his English lecturer about the apparent lack of homosexual writers in their syllabus. He handcuffs himself to a desk and swallows the key, only to discover that they have been studying Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams , two famous homosexual writers.
Dudley and Ting Tong
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Since Series 3
Catchphrase: Ting Tong: "Pwease Mr. Dudwey!" "My name Ting Tong, Ting Tong Macadangdang." "Did you have good time?"
Dudley: "Maybe just... ONE more night..."
Dudley Punt ordered a Thai bride from a magazine. However, Ting Tong Macadangdang is quite the opposite of the slim, beautiful bride Dudley was expecting. He is not very happy about this, but for sex, he continues to let her stay "one more night". Dudley is very sarcastic and has a West Midlands accent. Ting Tong, on the other hand, is very loud and claims not to be able to understand Dudley a lot of the time,and refers to him as "Mister Dudwey".
The sketches generally involve Dudley and Ting Tong's relationship blossoming, only for Ting Tong to reveal a secret about herself. Dudley would then order her out. She would then try to convince him through various methods to let her stay, to which he always gives in. Ting Tong has many secrets: her real name is Tong Ting Macadangdang, and it was revealed she is a lady-boy . She admitted that she comes from Tooting in London, not from a remote Thai village called Pong Pong, as she'd originally claimed.
Ting Tong eventually invited her entire family to live in Dudley's home, turned it into a Thai restaurant and forced him to spend Christmas Eve standing on his porch, waiting for it to close. Later, in Little Britain Abroad, after finally getting married, they go on a honeymoon to Belgium, where they stay with Dudley's brother, who has married a beautiful Russian bride called Ivanka. During this sketch, Dudley flirts with Ivanka, which makes Ting Tong jealous, so she plays Dudley and his brother a pornographic video Ivanka starred in, revealing she is not a virgin as she originally claimed.
Viv Tudor
Appearances: Series 2
Catchphrase: "Ohhhh, he was gorgeous!"
A recurring character in Series 2, Viv Tudor is seen to be the manageress of a jewellery shop. In her first appearance, the police are at her shop, investigating a recent break-in. When the police seargeant (David Walliams) asks her to describe the robbers, she is only capable of saying 'Ohhhh, he was gorgeous!', not helping the investigation.
In her final appearance, Viv is at the police station, where 5 or 6 possible robbers are given an identity parade. She claims that the final suspect was the robber, and says that they're 'Ohhhh, gorgeous!'
W
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3, episode 4
Warren appears in a hospital, apparently on his deathbed. Throughout the sketch, he goes quiet and appears to be dead. However as the family begin to mourn, he speaks again to reveal himself as still alive, and "still waiting". Towards the end of the sketch, he appears to die, as he does not speak for a long time. As his family starts to mourn, he gets out of bed and announces he needs to use the toilet, shocking the family. He also appears in deleted scenes from series 3, still waiting to die. It is obviously a long time since the last sketch and the family is preparing to leave. As they say goodbye and let the nurses to call if anything happens, Warren calls "Stay where you are..."
Matthew Waterhouse
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1, episodes 4, 5, 6 and 7
Catchphrase: "Got another one!" and (slaps his hand on the desk) "How’s that for starters?"
Matthew Waterhouse is an inventor who presents very silly and crazy ideas for musicals, board games, impersonators and cereals, with a sketch on each subject, and usually barges into the person's office uninvited.
Several examples of his ideas are " Sugar Poofs : Real gay men frosted with sugar." or " John McCarthy -o-gram: I come in, handcuff myself to the radiator and talk about my time as a hostage in the Lebanon !" The character's name is a reference to the actor Matthew Waterhouse who played the character of Adric in the television science-fiction series Doctor Who in the early 1980s.
Dennis Waterman
Played by: David Walliams
Appearances: Radio Show; Series 1 and 2 and Little Britain Live
Catchphrase: "Oooh that's nice!" "So they want me to star in it, write the feem toon (i.e. "theme tune"), sing the feem toon...?"
Dennis Waterman is a very small actor who, unfortunately, always rejects proposed parts , insisting that he should "write the feem toon , sing the feem toon" every time, much to the dismay of his theatrical agent, Jeremy . Ironically, when he is offered to reprise a role in a TV series in which he indeed gets to "write the feem toon, sing the feem toon", he responds "No thanks, I've moved on." His small size is seen when Jeremy hands him a small object, such as a 50p coin or a letter, that turns out to be larger than Dennis. His full height is seen in his final appearance - a minute figurine that looks similar to him is used.
He bears little resemblance to the real Dennis Waterman , except that his 'feem toons' are based on the Minder theme tune that Waterman sang himself (among others) but, ironically, didn't write . The real Dennis Waterman has been quoted as saying "I did watch it, but I never saw that bit. I just saw a lot of some bloke dressed up as a woman". [4]
The Little Britain Live stage show included a mock ad-lib sequence in which Lucas and Walliams question the logic of their caricature, which in fact bears little resemblance to Waterman. In a special recording of the sketch for Comic Relief 2007, Waterman himself appears on stage and confronts the two, forcing them to admit that in voice and appearance, there is no resemblance. He is forced to concede that he has often written and sung the "feem toon" of programmes in which he has appeared.
Whitelaw
Appearances: Seires 1 episode 6
Catchphrase: Do you know if anyone died in it?
Whitelaw appears only once in the entire season, at her local charity shop. She is seen to browse through the clothes rack, and, when she finds something she likes, she always asks the shopkeepers if anyone died in the clohtes she is holding.
When Whitelaw finds some pale blue silk pyjamas, the assistant keeper (Matt Lucas) says that, just the day before, an elderly lady came in with her husband's clothes, saying he passed away in his sleep. Whitelaw then buys them.
Deleted Scenes Characters
Many characters from deleted scenes never got an appearance in the series, either due to time constraints, lack of laughs from the audience or due to a sometimes offensive story.
Bus Passenger
Played by: Matt Lucas
Appearances: Series 3 Deleted scenes
A man (with the appearance of a Beanie) from the town of Frottage is generally seen on a bus on its way to Dung market centre. He likes to blurt out various tunes at random, to the annoyance of the person sitting next to him.
Stewie and Dale
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams respectively
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted Scenes
Stewie and Dale are two Scottish men working in their local supermarket. Whenever he sees a random person at a certain area of the shop, Dale will say that the person is a celebrity (he has said Whoopi Goldberg , Danny DeVito , and Macaulay Culkin ), then Stewie will prove him wrong.
Barry Edwards
Played by: David Walliams Appearances: Radio show; Series 1 Deleted Scenes
Barry Edwards' sketch consists of him with a new answerphone. When he tries to enter the 'please call me back' message, he tries many different ways of saying 'Hi, this is Barry. I'm sorry I can't answer your call, please call me back'. He tries out so many vocies, but is very indecisive over which one to use.
After many tries, Barry picks his favourite: an incoherent whine.
Eugene
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted Scenes
Catchphrase: Correct, Incorrect, Does that smell, Is it smelling?
Eugene appears in three clips of the deleted scenes. He is a musician, who plays nothing more than a triangle, and speaks with a South African accent. He is irrationally sensitive and always answers with the words "Correct" for positives and "Incorrect" for negatives. In each clip, he vandalizes colleagues' instruments for minor things that affected him. For example flattening the brass players' trumpets because one of them made a comment about his lunchbox smelling. After the third and last time he breaks an instrument he is expelled from the orchestra, which results in him igniting gasoline all over the orchestra, proclaiming how "correct" he is.
Roland
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "Is it Pornoo?..."
Roland is a farm boy with a love of pornographic images, or "Pornoo" as he calls it. His suggestions for almost any question he is asked is various types of the subject, much to the concern of his family. The start of his sketches often sees him putting women's clothing on a pig. At the end of each sketch, he will take something off the kitchen table before returning to his room.
Ruth and her Mother
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2 deleted scenes
Catchphrase: Ruth: "Muuuummmm!" Mother: "Meet me in the back in 5 minutes!"
Ruth is a girl that works in a cafe with her mother. Her mother tries to get her daughter to fall in love with someone. She first makes her daughter do a dance in front of the customer, then later, makes her have sex with them.
Shy Hotel Guest
Appearances: Little Britain USA Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "Pervert!..."
Appearing in 2 deleted scenes, the Hotel Guest is never seen in person as he doesn't like to show his face, thus having his treatments and breakfasts slid under the door in unusual fashions. It is revealed in the second sketch that he has a third ear, the most likely explanation for his hate of other people seeing him.
Kim and Jill
Played by: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Appearances: Series 2 Deleted scenes
Catchphrase: "He's handy is he?"
Jill is a young woman who enjoys dating men of certain professions to exploit their skills and giving her free upgrades while she and her mother Kim laze about in the sun before they finish their work and she dumps them afterwards. Jill dates handy men like a plumber , a Sky electrician and a elderly gardener. The first two lightly accept her rejection but the very last is more eager, prompting Jill to actually ask him if she can "throw him in a pond".
References
| i don't know |
What was ‘the speckled band’, in the short story of that name? | The Adventure of the Speckled Band Summary - eNotes.com
The Adventure of the Speckled Band Summary
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventure of the Speckled Band Summary
In The Adventure of the Speckled Band, Sherlock Holmes investigates the case of a young bride to be who fears that she'll be murdered. Helen Stoner, the stepdaughter of Sir Grimesby Roylott, has reason to believe that her stepfather killed her sister—she just doesn't know how. At the end, Holmes discovers that Roylott was using a snake (the "speckled band").
Helen Stoner visits Holmes and Watson, fearing for her life. Her sister died suddenly not long before her wedding. Now that Helen is to be married, she worries that she will meet the same fate.
Holmes agrees to take the case, but before he can leave his home, he receives a visit from a very irate Roylott, who threatens him. Holmes is undeterred and takes the case anyway.
Holmes discovers that Roylott wants to kill his step daughters in order to maintain control over their inheritance. He sent a snake (the speckled band) through the air vents to poison them in their sleep. In the end, the snake turns against Roylott and he is killed.
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Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson rise unusually early one morning to meet Helen Stoner, a young woman who fears that her life is being threatened by her stepfather, Sir Grimesby Roylott, a doctor who practiced in India and who was married to Helen’s mother there. Helen’s sister has died almost two years earlier, shortly before she was to be married. Helen had heard her sister’s dying words, “The speckled band!” but had been unable to understand their meaning. Now Helen, too, is engaged, and she has begun to hear strange noises and to observe strange activities around Stoke Moran, the estate where she and her stepfather live.
Sir Grimesby Roylott does keep strange company at the estate. He befriends a band of Gypsies on the property and keeps as pets a cheetah and a baboon. For some time, he has been making modifications to the house: Before Helen’s sister’s death, he had modifications made inside the house, and now he is having the outside wall repaired, forcing Helen to move into the room where her sister died.
Holmes listens carefully to Helen’s story and agrees to take the case. He plans a visit to the manor later in the day. Before he can leave, however, he is visited by Roylott, who threatens him should he interfere. Undaunted, Holmes proceeds, first to the courthouse, where he examines Helen’s mother’s will, and then to the countryside.
At Stoke Moran, Holmes inspects the premises carefully inside and out. Among the strange features that he discovers are a bed anchored to the floor, a bell cord that does not work, and a ventilator hole between Helen’s room and that of Roylott.
Holmes and Watson arrange to spend the night in Helen’s room. In darkness they wait; suddenly, a slight metallic noise and a dim light through the ventilator prompt Holmes to action. Quickly lighting a candle, he discovers on the bell cord the “speckled band”—a poisonous snake. He strikes the snake with a stick, driving it back through the ventilator; agitated, it attacks Roylott, who had been waiting for it to return after killing Helen. Holmes reveals to Watson that Roylott plotted to remove both daughters before they married because he would have lost most of the fortune he controlled when the daughters took with them the money left them by their mother.
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“The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is probably the most famous of Sherlock Holmes’s cases, not only because of its diabolical plot about a stepfather preventing his twin daughters from marrying and thereby diminishing his income from his deceased wife’s estate, but also because it so perfectly realizes the pattern of detection that became Holmes’s trademark. Watson opens the story with the information that he has been freed to tell this story by the premature death of the client, Helen Stoner.
Helen comes to Holmes and Watson in April, 1883, terrified that she may meet the same fate as her sister, who died mysteriously two years earlier. Encouraged and reassured by Holmes, she recounts the reasons for her fears. Because of repairs on the house, she has had to move into the bedroom used by her sister when she died and has heard a low whistle in the night, just as her sister did on several nights before her death. Her sister died soon after announcing her engagement to be married, and Helen is now also engaged to marry. Furthermore, the stepfather, Dr. Grimesby Roylott of the Stoke Moran estate in Surrey, is well known as a violent and temperamental giant who brooks no interference with his will. Having married their mother in India, where his medical practice was successful until he murdered his Indian butler, he returned to England, where his wife died in a railway accident. He then retired with his young stepdaughters into virtual seclusion at Stoke Moran, where he gives some of his time to collecting exotic animals, such as a baboon and a cheetah, said to come from India, which he allows to roam free on his grounds. He also associates with bands of gypsies that he allows to camp on his grounds.
Summarized, these details about Roylott’s life seem rather silly, but they work fairly effectively to account for Holmes’s initial failure to discover how Helen’s sister died and, therefore, what threat Helen must fear. This body of detail allows Holmes to develop two theories to explain the death, though he claims to have at least seven. The incorrect theory assumes that Roylott, with his clear motive for preventing his daughters from marrying, employs the gypsies by somehow making it possible for them to enter the woman’s room at night and frighten her to death in some way. This theory would explain why there are no signs of violence on her body; why the police have found no way of entering her room once she locked herself in, away from cheetahs and baboons, each night; and why her mysterious last words to Helen were about a speckled band. When Holmes examines the scene, however, he makes several other pertinent discoveries, such as the small opening at the ceiling between the woman’s room and Dr. Roylott’s room, that the bell rope that hangs down onto the bed is not functional, and that the bed is fastened to the floor and cannot be shifted. These and other details make the case clear to Holmes, but he must, of course, test it.
One of the great scenes in the Holmes stories is the night that Watson and the detective spend in the absolutely dark room, waiting for something to happen. Only when the speckled band appears and reveals itself to be a poisonous snake do the two men fully realize that the evil doctor has trained an Indian swamp adder to descend through the opening, down the bell rope and onto the bed, and return. Holmes, now aware of what was supposed to happen, drives the dangerous snake back upon the doctor, catching the murderer in his own trap.
Though there are many interesting variations, this general pattern is usually recognized as the form of the classic Holmes story. A client gives the detective the unconnected clues that form a mystery. The detective invents structures that make sense of these clues and determines which one is correct. Usually this requires a personal inspection of the crime scene and some other research that uncovers unnoticed clues. The detective reaches a final conclusion by means of reasoning about this information, produces and tests the solution, and reveals the criminal. Though this process usually involves some action and danger, the central activity of the detective is solving the puzzle, and the reader’s main pleasure is in attempting to reach the answer before or along with the detective. That is the general form one expects to encounter in the classical detective stories of such masters of the form as Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie.
This story also deals with Doyle’s typical themes. Often, his client turns out to be a young woman who is, in some way, the victim of a powerful male—a relative, an employer, or a former suitor. As is often the case, the motive here is to obtain money and property. All the Holmes stories emphasize the rationality of causes for mysterious events. This story especially, but not uniquely, underlines Holmes’s wisdom. Like his famous contemporary, Sigmund Freud, Holmes is willing to listen to the problems of a nervous young woman, when even her future husband responds only with “soothing answers and averted eyes.” Helen addresses Holmes as one who “can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart.”
That, however, is not true. Holmes is usually characterized as lacking insight into emotions beyond the common motives for crime. What he really excels at is developing and testing logical connections between seemingly unconnected events. Perhaps this apparent contradiction may be explained by Watson’s assertion at the opening of the story that Holmes’s rapid deductions were “swift as intuitions,” suggesting that his logic is so fine an art that it may look like intuition or may mimic deep insight into the wickedness of the human heart.
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The Adventure of the Speckled Band
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Front cover of a 1982 Chinese graphic novel adaptation of "The Adventure of the Speckled Band".
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is a Sherlock Holmes short story by the British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle . It was first published in the February 1892 issue of the magazine The Strand. It would be republished in October of the same year as the eighth of the twelve stories in the anthology The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes . In August 1905, the story was published, under the title "The Speckled Band", in the New York World newspaper.
In the story, a woman named Helen Stoner approaches Sherlock Holmes for help. Following the mysterious death of her twin sister Julia two years earlier, Helen Stoner has become the only person (apart from an old housekeeper) to share the home of her bad tempered stepfather Dr. Grimesby Roylott. Julia died in agony two weeks before she was due to be married. The last words which she spoke to Helen concerned a "speckled band". A few hours before she died, Julia asked her sister if she had ever heard a whistle late at night. Shortly after she gets engaged to be married herself, Helen hears a whistle late at night for the first time. She immediately comes to the conclusion that her life is in danger.
There have been numerous adaptations of "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" to other media, including a stage play written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself.
In a list of the twelve best Sherlock Holmes stories compiled by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for The Strand magazine in 1927, the author named "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" as his favorite. The story was also ranked as number one in a list of the ten best Sherlock Holmes stories which were voted for by readers of The Baker Street Journal in 1959.
Contents
[ show ]
Plot
The story takes place in April 1883. Dr. John Watson has not yet married and is still living with his friend the detective Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street. Watson explains that he had promised not to write about the case earlier. However, he now feels at liberty to do so because the client who brought it to Holmes' attention has died.
Dr. Watson is awoken shortly after seven o'clock one morning by Holmes. Holmes explains that a client, a young woman, has arrived. The fact that a female client has come to see him so early suggests that the case will be an interesting one and Holmes does not want his friend to miss out on any of its details. The woman who has come to see Holmes is named Helen Stoner. She appears to be about thirty years old but her hair is already turning grey. It is clear that she is very frightened.
Helen Stoner speaks to Holmes and Watson, 1892 illustration by Sidney Paget.
Helen Stoner tells Holmes and Watson that she lives with her stepfather Grimesby Roylott in his ancestral home of Stoke Moran in Surrey. The aristocratic Roylotts had once been one of the wealthiest families in England. However, by the time that Grimesby Roylott was born, the family fortune had almost completely gone and he was forced to work for a living. Grimesby Roylott studied medicine and worked as a doctor in India. It was in India that he met and married Helen's mother, a widow with one other child, Helen's twin sister Julia. Mrs. Stoner had an annual income of a thousand pounds. She agreed to give all of the money to Dr. Roylott but with the stipulation that each of her daughters would receive two hundred and fifty pounds a year from that money after they married. The family returned to England, where Mrs. Stoner died.
Dr. Roylott and his stepdaughters took up residence at the Stoke Moran manor house, an old house in a bad state of repair, only part of which being inhabitable. The bedrooms of Dr. Roylott, Julia and Helen were all close together on the ground floor. Dr. Roylott soon became bad tempered and violent. He also maintained a love for Indian animals and kept a pet baboon and cheetah. He had no friends except for the Gypsies who he allowed to camp on his land. [1] Consequently, Julia and Helen had little opportunity to socialize, except when they went to visit their aunt in Harrow. It was during one of their visits to their aunt that Julia got engaged to be married. Grimesby Roylott did not appear to show any objections to the marriage.
One night, about two weeks before she was due to be married, Julia, who was bothered by the smell of strong cigar smoke coming from her stepfather's bedroom, went to see her sister. She asked Helen if she had ever heard a whistle late at night. Helen answered that she had not. Later that night, Julia emerged from her room, obviously in great pain. Before she fell unconscious, Julia said to her sister, "It was the band! The speckled band!" Helen then heard a whistle followed by a metallic clang. Julia never regained consciousness and died soon afterwards. An inquest failed to determine the cause of her death. Both Julia and Helen kept their bedroom doors locked and their windows tightly shut because they were scared of the cheetah and baboon. An examination of the walls and floorboards of Julia's room found them to be solid.
Dr. Roylott threatens Sherlock Holmes, 1892 illustration by Sidney Paget.
Two years later, Helen becomes engaged to be married herself. Again, Grimesby Roylott has not shown any objections to the marriage. Due to repairs that are being done to her own bedroom, Helen is forced to sleep in the room where Julia died. When Helen hears a whistle late at night for the first time, she is terrified. She leaves for London to see Sherlock Holmes as soon as she gets up the next morning.
When Holmes asks her what she thinks Julia's last words about a "speckled band" refer to, Helen says that she thinks it might be a group of men. It could refer to the Gypsies that Dr. Roylott allows to camp on his land and the spotted handkerchiefs that many of them wear on their heads. Having found out that Grimesby Roylott will be away all day, Sherlock Holmes promises to come to Stoke Moran later that same day and inspect the rooms.
Soon after Helen leaves, Grimesby Roylott, who has followed his stepdaughter, enters Sherlock Holmes' apartment. He demands to know what Helen said. When Holmes evades the question, Grimesby Roylott threatens him, bending an iron poker in half as a display of his strength.
Holmes finds a copy of Helen's mother's will. He finds out that the investments, which were once the source of her annual income of one thousand pounds, are now only worth seven hundred and fifty pounds a year. However, Dr. Roylott is still obliged to pay two hundred and fifty pounds of that money to Helen each year if she marries. If both of Mrs. Stoner's daughters had lived and married, he would have been left with very little.
Holmes, Watson and Miss Stoner inspect Dr. Roylott's bedroom, 1892 illustration by Sidney Paget.
Watson and Holmes arrive at Stoke Moran and meet up with Helen once more. Together, they inspect Julia's old bedroom and that of Dr. Roylott. Holmes notices that all of the furnishings in Julia's former room are very old, except for a bell-rope and a ventilator. Helen explains that they were both added the year that her sister died. She believes that the bell-rope, which rests on the bed's pillow, is connected to the housekeeper's room but adds that her sister never used it. Holmes finds that the rope is not connected to a bell at all. He also notices that the ventilator does not bring in air from the outside but from Dr. Roylott's bedroom and that the bed cannot be moved because it is bolted to the floor. In Dr. Roylott's room, Holmes notices a wooden chair leaning against a wall and an iron safe. There is a saucer of milk on top of the safe, even though there is no cat in the house.
Having made sure that Julia's old bedroom window can be clearly seen from the nearby village inn, Holmes advises Helen to put up with the repairs being done to her own bedroom and sleep there, instead of in Julia's old room, that night. When Grimesby Roylott goes to bed, she should place a lamp in Julia's bedroom window as a signal. That night, Holmes and Watson watch the manor house from their room in the village inn. They see Grimesby Roylott return home. At eleven o'clock, they see the lamp being placed in the window. They go back to the house, enter Julia's old bedroom through the open window, and wait in complete silence and complete darkness for several hours. Watson has brought his revolver and Holmes has brought a walking stick.
The dead Dr. Roylott with the "speckled band" upon his head, exhibit from the Sherlock Holmes Museum, Hyde Park, London.
At three o'clock in the morning, Watson hears, "a very gentle soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping continually from a kettle". The light and smell which come from the ventilator indicate that there is somebody with a lantern behind it. Holmes begins angrily striking at something, which Watson cannot see, with his walking stick. Shortly afterwards, a whistle is heard, followed by a horrible cry. Holmes and Watson enter Dr. Roylott's room. They find him sitting on the wooden chair with what they immediately recognize as the "speckled band", a yellow band with brown speckles, on his head. The band moves and reveals itself to be a snake, identified by Holmes as a swamp adder, "the deadliest snake in India". [2] The poisonous snake has bitten and killed Dr. Roylott.
Holmes later explains that, after he found out about her plans to marry and deprive him of part of his annual income, Dr. Roylott stood on the wooden chair against his bedroom wall and sent the snake into Julia's room each night through the ventilator, certain that it would eventually bite her. The dummy bell rope was for the snake to climb down. Using the saucer of milk as a reward, Dr. Roylott had trained the snake to return when it heard a whistle. The metallic clang which Helen heard on the night that Julia died was the sound of Dr. Roylott hurriedly closing the door of the safe in which he kept the snake. The sound that Watson heard, which reminded him of a kettle, was the snake hissing. When Holmes attacked the snake with his walking stick, it was forced back into Dr. Roylott's room. The angry snake then attacked the first person that it saw. Holmes realizes that he is partially responsible for Dr. Roylott's death but does not feel guilty about it.
Adaptations
A sand boa. A live boa played the title character in the 1910 play The Speckled Band.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adapted his short story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" for the stage himself. It was the third stage play that Doyle wrote and the second play about Sherlock Holmes. [3] Doyle's play The Speckled Band opened at London's Adelphi Theatre on June 24, 1910. It starred H.A. Sainsbury as Holmes, Claude King as Watson and Lyn Harding as Grimesby Rylott (as the character of Grimesby Roylott was renamed for the play). The part of the "speckled band" was played by a live boa. The play ran for one hundred and sixty-nine performances at the Adelphi Theatre. It later toured England and was performed in New York. There was a London revival in 1921.
The story was adapted for American radio in 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1977. It was adapted for British radio in 2008.
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" was adapted as the sixth episode of the Granada TV series Sherlock Holmes, starring Jeremy Brett, which first aired in the United Kingdom on the ITV network on May 29, 1984. Other television adaptations were produced in the United States in 1949, in the United Kingdom in 1964 and in the Soviet Union in 1979. [4]
The story was adapted as the now lost 1912 British-French film Le ruban moucheté/The Speckled Band, as the 1923 British film The Speckled Band and as the 1931 British film The Speckled Band, in which Raymond Massey plays Holmes and Lyn Harding reprises his role of Grimesby Rylott from the 1910 stage play. The plot of the 1944 American film The Spider Woman, which stars Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Watson, is based on elements taken from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" as well as three other Sherlock Holmes short stories (" The Final Problem ", " The Adventure of the Empty House " and " The Adventure of the Devil's Foot ") and one novel ( The Sign of the Four ).
See also
Sound file of public domain audiobook of "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" from LibriVox
Footnotes
↑ The reference to Gypsies turns out to be a red herring . This is also the case in another Sherlock Holmes short story that was first published in 1892, " Silver Blaze ".
↑ The highly poisonous Indian swamp adder is a completely fictitious animal.
↑ The 1910 play The Speckled Band is predated by the 1899 play Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the first draft of Sherlock Holmes but the script was extensively rewritten by the American actor William Gillette before the play was performed.
↑ The 1979 Russian-language TV movie Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: Acquaintance, starring Vasily Livanov as Holmes and Vitaly Solomin as Watson, is an adaptation of "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" and the novel A Study in Scarlet .
| i don't know |
AKA Beestings, the first milk secreted by a mammal, usually just before giving birth, is known as what? | What Is Colostrum?
A Little Known Nutrient That Can Heal Your Gut And Blast Your Immunity Through The Roof.
It was way back in 2009 that I first discovered goat’s milk.
I had just finished interviewing Joe Stout – a food scientist at a small local goat farm called “Mt. Capra”. During our podcast ( which you can listen to here ), Joe filled me on some very interesting properties of goat’s milk that make it much, much different than cow’s milk, including…
…the difference in allergic reactions between goat’s milk and cow’s milk, and why the difference exists…
….what happens to cow’s milk during homogenization that makes it especially dangerous for athletes and people worried about cancer…
…why the body absorbs goat’s milk protein at a much, much faster rate than cow’s milk protein…
…how cow’s milk can cause lactose intolerance, and why this rarely happens with goat’s milk…
…and why goat’s milk “matches up” to the human body better than cow’s milk.
Over at Mark’s Daily Apple just last week, this was recently confirmed, in an article that says:
“Lots of people seem to fare better with goat milk than cow milk, and several studies support these anecdotes:
-Goat milk is both anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory , regulating the intestinal immune response at the cellular level.
-Goat milk possesses immunomodulatory effects and even helps the body release nitric oxide, a vasodilator that improves vascular function.
-Goat milk glycans (carbohydrates that support the healthy gut bacteria and can help the immune system) are more similar to human milk glycans than cow milk glycans; goat milk also contains novel glycans with further health benefits.”
Anyways, after that original podcast with Joe, I asked him what to do if I wanted to get all the beneficial properties of goat’s milk (and as I later discovered) much more, without actually drinking milk every day, because frankly, I’m just not a milk-guzzling kind of guy.
Joe’s response changed my life, and you’re about to discover why.
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What Is Colostrum?
Joe told me, “Simple. Colostrum.”
At this point, colostrum was kind of woo-woo for me. My wife grew up on a sheep farm so I knew colostrum had something to do with sheep’s milk, but wasn’t really sure what it really, truly was.
Joe explained to me that colostrum is produced by not just goats and sheep, but by all mammals (including humans) in the first few days after giving birth. Also known as “first milk”, it is produced in the mammary glands of females just prior to giving birth, and serves as a concentrated source of proteins, growth factors, and antibodies that are essential for early development of newborns.
Its properties have been revered for thousands of years across many cultures: in ancient Chinese medicine it was regarded as a potent health tonic, and for the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania it has long been regarded as a crucial part of a warrior’s diet. In Britain, dairy farmers refer to colostrum as beestings, and they used any surplus colostrum to make an extra-creamy, and very healthy, pudding.
So you can literally think of colostrum as a powerhouse of nutritional ammunition designed to get a newborn through the critical first few days of life.
Now let’s move on to a slightly more scientific definition of colostrum for you nerds out there, straight from the underbellies of the Wiki definition of colostrum:
“Newborns have very immature digestive systems , and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby’s first stool , which is called meconium . This clears excess bilirubin , a waste-product of dead red blood cells, which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the infant’s body and helps prevent jaundice . Colostrum is known to contain immune cells (as lymphocytes ) [4] and many antibodies such as IgA , IgG , and IgM . These are the major components of the adaptive immune system. Inter alia IgA is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium, travels through the blood, and is secreted onto other Type 1 mucosal surfaces[ citation needed ]. Other immune components of colostrum include the major components of the innate immune system, such as lactoferrin , [5] lysozyme , [6] lactoperoxidase , [7] complement , [8] and proline-rich polypeptides (PRP). [9] A number of cytokines (small messenger peptides that control the functioning of the immune system) are found in colostrum as well, [10] including interleukins, [10] tumor necrosis factor, [11] chemokines, [12] and others. Colostrum also contains a number of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-1), [13] and II, [14] transforming growth factors alpha, [15] beta 1 and beta 2, [16] [17] fibroblast growth factors, [18] epidermal growth factor, [19] granulocyte-macrophage-stimulating growth factor, [20] platelet-derived growth factor, [20] vascular endothelial growth factor, [21] and colony-stimulating factor-1. [22]
Colostrum is very rich in proteins, vitamin A, and sodium chloride, but contains lower amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and potassium than mature milk. The most pertinent bioactive components in colostrum are growth factors and antimicrobial factors. The antibodies in colostrum provide passive immunity, while growth factors stimulate the development of the gut. They are passed to the neonate and provide the first protection against pathogens.”
Whew. I know that was a propellor-hat friendly mouthful, so let’s dig into the more practical aspects of how you can use colostrum if you happen to be one of my readers that is not a newborn or 2 day old mammal.
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Colostrum As An Alternative To Antibiotics
The immunoglobulins in colostrum have specific immune system activity against many common human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and rotavirus (yes, that nasty diarrhea disease).
Interestingly, prior to the development of antibiotics, colostrum was the primary source of immunoglobulins used to fight infections. When Albert Sabin made his first oral vaccine against polio, the immunoglobulin he used actually came from colostrum. When antibiotics began to appear, interest in colostrum waned, but, now that antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogens have developed, interest is once again returning to natural alternatives to antibiotics like colostrum.
I personally don’t take colostrum year-round (later in this article I’ll tell you why I don’t take colostrum all the time), but prior to travel or during cold and flu season I “load” with colostrum for several weeks.
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Colostrum For Immunity
Perhaps you have heard of “Proline-Rich Polypeptides” or PRP. These things have been making the news all over scholarly medical research articles lately due to their huge potential for boosting the immune system. So in addition to the infection-fighting immunoglobulins you’ve already learned about, these PRP’s offer a second level of protection.
PRP’s are tiny immune signaling peptides that have been discovered in colostrum (and also in other sources, such as blood plasma). Also known as “Colostrinin”, “CLN”, and “transfer factor”, they function as signal transducing molecules that have the unique effect of making microadjustments to your immune system, turning your immunity up when the body comes under attack from pathogens or other disease agents, and damping your immune system down when the danger is eliminated or neutralized. This is called cell-mediated immunity, and is basically a process of keeping your immune system finely tuned.
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Colostrum For Enhancing The Effectiveness of Probiotics
Because colostrum helps to heal leaky gut and make the tight junctions in your gut less permeable to foreign invaders, without colostrum, probiotics will not be as effective long term because they will pass through your GI tract and not “stick around” in your gut the way they are supposed to. In this way, clostrum is like soil for the seeds of probiotics. It gives friendly bacteria a place to grow by keeping leaky junctions in your gut more “closed”. This has to do with a protein called Zonulin.
In his recent Digestion Session Summit , Sean Croxton interviewed Dr. Datis Kharrazian and in the transcript of the interview, Dr. Kharrazian explained it this way:
So basically, colostrum keeps zonulin protein from opening up your intestinal cells and keeps leaky gut from developing. Hence, your probiotics become more effective.
In addition, since colostrum also contains a large concentration of immune system factors like white blood cells (leukocytes) and antibodies, the combination of probiotics and colostrum together boost your immune system tremendously.
In addition, if you are trying to re-colonize your GI tract (raise the levels of friendly bacteria in your gut) then you should also combine colostrum with probiotics. When you have a healthy population of friendly bacteria combined with colostrum for the probiotics to cultivate, a more hostile environment is created for harmful microorganisms and there is less space for digestion disruptors to proliferate. So colostrum combined with probiotics is a very powerful one-two gut-healing combo for gas, bloasting, diarrhea, constipation.
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Colostrum For Athletic Performance
For me, athletic performance enhancement and the prevention of gas, nausea, cramps or diarrhea during hard workouts and races was a big reason to begin using colostrum, and I particularly achieve this by “loading” with 8 colostrum capsules per day for 2 weeks before hard races – especially races in hot conditions, such as Ironman Hawaii.
A gastroenterologist professor named Raymond Playford, of Plymouth University, has done some very interesting research on the gut benefits of colostrum for athletes, and has published one study entitled: “ The nutriceutical, bovine colostrum, truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes. ”
When we are in intense periods of training, us athletes and exercise enthusiasts (you know who you are) often develop gut problems, also known as “runners’ trots”. If you’ve ever had to pull over on the side of the road during a run with your head between your knees because of gastric distress, or you’ve ever had to interrupt a set in the weight room to quickly duck into the locker room, then you know what I mean.
In the video below, Dr. Playford explains how this is caused by a combination of stress and the simultaneous raising of your body’s core temperature by about two degrees, which increases the permeability of your gut wall, allows toxins into the bloodstream that wouldn’t normally be there, and is the primary reason you get gut distress during stressful exercise, especially stressful exercise in the heat. This is because heat raises the permeability of your gut wall even more.
In this video, Dr. Playfored also talks about his fascinating research on colostrum, its role in protecting this gut leakage that happens during strenuous exercise, and the fact that if you take colostrum for two weeks prior to exercise, the change in gut leakiness is almost completely prevented.
This all makes sense, since colostrum contains growth factors designed to strengthen the gut lining, which is crucial for a newborn mammal, who has a very permeable gut that needs to toughen up fast (and this is why babies or children raised on soy milk – or anyone who has ever been on a bout of gut disrupting antibiotics – should undoubtedly be considering colostrum).
Of course, it’s not just gut problems that colostrum helps to address in athletes. Other studies show that athletes who take it are as much as 20% less likely to get infections of the upper respiratory tract, for reasons you’ve already learned.fs
In this article from the Guardian , Playford expounds on the other benefits that active people can derive from colostrum, “It could be really useful to people who have to do physical exercise in hot conditions, such as soldiers in Afghanistan,” he says. “They are susceptible to heatstroke because of all the gear they have to wear and carry, and taking colostrum could reduce that very serious risk. Another group who could benefit are older people with arthritis who develop serious gut problems because of the strong painkillers they use, and those with ulcerative colitis. These patients are at risk of damage to their gut lining and the colostrum helps it to heal and reduces its permeability.”
As a final boost for athletes, colostrum also has antioxidant components, such as lactoferrin, which assists with iron absorption, bone density and has been shown to have anti-microbial characteristics and hemopexin, which scavenges the heme released or lost by the turnover of heme proteins such as hemoglobin and thus protects the body from the oxidative damage that free heme can cause. This is especially important for endurance athletes, who have high hemoglobin use and red blood cell turnover.
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Colostrum For Growth Hormone (And A Strict Warning!)
Finally colostrum also contains Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). Low IGF-1 levels are not only associated with dementia in the elderly, but people with eating disorders also have low levels of IGF-1 due to malnutrition, as do obese individuals.
The growth-promoting effects most people associate with growth hormone are actually caused by IGF-1, which has characteristics of both growth hormone and growth factor since it stimulates the growth, proliferation, and survival of cells such as gut tissue cells and muscle tissue cells. This is why both IGF-1 and growth hormone are often promoted for muscle building, anabolism, recovery and anti-aging.
IGF-1 also acts as a neurotrophic factor in the brain, which means that it contributes to neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells) and survival of existing neurons (known as a neuroprotective effect).
Now here’s the important part: overexpression of growth hormone by 100 to 1,000-fold in mice causes a 50% shorter lifespan, mainly due to kidney and liver dysfunction. In addition, since IGF-1 and growth hormone are “pro-growth”, excessive long-term use could eventually cause some pretty rapid cell division – which is also known as…cancer.
Author Tim Ferriss calls this a trade-off or a “faustian bargain” between longevity and performance, and you can learn more about it in this excellent WellnessFX article by Dr. Rhonda Patrick entitled “The IGF-1 Trade-Off: Performance vs. Longevity” .
So for the same reason I don’t guzzle a gallon milk a day, eat grass-fed steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or take massive doses of whey protein after a workout, I don’t “overuse” colostrum. I simply load with colostrum for 2 weeks prior to big workouts and races, take it when I know I’ve been exposed to the cold or flu, and then also take it (as 4 capsules in the morning and 4 capsules in the evening ) during most of the winter (about November through February) when I know my immune system is more likely to become compromised.
———————————
Summary
Of course, as I alluded to at the beginning of this post, if you’re going to use colostrum as an alternative to antibiotics, as a boost for your immune system, as a way to make your gut feel bulletproof during exercise, to enhance the effectiveness of probiotics, or as a method for increasing growth hormone and iron absorption, then I highly recommend that you use the most biocompatible form of colostrum you can get.
You guessed it: you should get your colostrum from goats.
Because of this, I’ve just put the finishing touches on designing NatureColostrum , which is human gut-friendly goat’s colostrum harvested from organic, pastured goats straight from Joe’s farm, just a few hours from my house. You can click here to grab it now .
This is literally the most biocompatible colostrum on the face of the planet, and is of course from grass-fed, free-range goats that graze on pesticide-free and chemical-free pasture 365 days a year. No pesticides, no antibiotics and no hormones are used. Ever.
Enjoy your discovery of this little known compound, and leave your questions, comments or feedback below!
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| Colostrum |
Who was the virtual dictator who ruled Portugal for 36 years, from 1932 to 1968? | Nov eng 2013 by Media Icon - issuu
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HUNGER CONTROL
HELP! I’m always so hungry!
Control your hunger ... Before It Controls you Hunger is nothing more than a physiological reaction of the body, letting us know it is time to eat. How we respond to hunger - i.e., what type of food we put in our body in response to feeling hungry, and whether we tend to overeat or ‘binge’ in this situation. Hunger (or the drive to eat) is the single greatest enemy of any weight loss program. In order to control hunger effectively, one has to first understand hunger. Hunger is a perfectly normal phenomenon but what creates problems is the deregulation of the hunger mechanism which ultimately results in overeating and increased calorie intake. So here are tricks to control hunger :-
ÂÂ Learn to predict your body’s hunger ÂÂ Eat small frequent meals: A good way to control
hunger is to eat regular meals, of reasonable size, before feeling very hungry. Eat 5-6 small meals per day. This is very important because it keeps you satisfied throughout the day. ÂÂ Destroy temptation ÂÂ Drink more water: Drink 2-3 big glasses of water or a diet drink when you are hunger. Water fills up the stomach and makes you feel full. Also, foods with high water content can fill you up easily. They naturally pack fewer calories for their volume. ÂÂ Increase your fluid intake: Toss together a salad of lettuce, cucumbers, celery and tomatoes, or a fruit cup with watermelon, strawberries and orange slices. ÂÂ Walking first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is the best way to burn maximum
AYURPHARMA November-2013
fat.
ÂÂ Eat
protein at every meal. Protein is critical for maintaining/building muscle. ÂÂ Avoid simple sugars, Fruit juice and soda will kill any diet plan because they spike insulin and make you hungry. ÂÂ Eat high fiber foods, Oatmeal and beans have tons of fiber. ÂÂ Add some healthy fats. like olive oil, salmon, avocados, walnuts. ÂÂ Eat slowly. ÂÂ Drink green tea - they are particularly rich in healthy antioxidants which rejuvenate the body and facilitate weight loss. ÂÂ Find a new hobby that doesn’t involve food. Examples: Yoga, martial arts, meditation, arts and crafts, working out at the gym, etc. Taking your mind off food and keeping it focused on something you enjoy can work wonders. ÂÂ Avoid restaurant food, especially fast food ÂÂ Focus on the fatigue: Shut the door, close your eyes, re-energize. ÂÂ Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals and going too long without food can turn hunger into irresistible cravings. Don’t skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day. Your first meal of the day helps replenish all those nutrients lost during that all-night fast. Missing out on this meal means setting you up for low blood sugar levels and, thus, low energy levels and irresistible hunger and cravings at lunchtime. ÂÂ Eat vegetables which are healthy. They are also rich in fibre, and secret weapon to control hunger. While all vegetables are beneficial as far as good health and hunger control go, certain veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms, are super-high in fibre and have a negligible amount of calories. They can fill your stomach and control your hunger while filling you with a small amount of calories. ÂÂ Eat more whole grains which are less refined carbohydrates, healthier, higher in fibre. Thus they are more filling and satisfying. While refined carbs -- like idlis, dosas, white bread, white rice -- may be low in fat, they are higher in fibre. You may run the risk of over-consuming calories. If you experience persistent refractory hunger, you may also want to talk to your doctor about ruling out any medical conditions apt to cause increased appetite. In such instances, medical treatment may be necessary to control hunger.
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Award for efforts -
DA Kalpaja Indira Gandhi Sadbhavna Award
National integration and economic council, New Delhi has chosen Mrs DA Kalpaja – Indian Philanthropist & Social Worker, Director of Vydehi Institute of Medical science and research centre and Editor of Vydyaloka and Health Mag to this The award will be presented year’s prestigious on Nov 21st 2013, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi Teen Murti Bhavan Sadbhavna Award. www.bangalorehealthtv.com 6
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omeone once said, ‘There will never be a more difficult or more rewarding job in the world than being a Mom.’ Mrs DA Kalpaja agrees with it completely, she believes that her experiences as a mother groomed her into a sensitive person, which gave her the right perspective to feel very compassionately for the children with special needs in specific and human beings in general. Besides being a very affectionate mother she has evolved into a well known Indian philanthropist who made significant contributions to the field of Medical Science and Education in particular.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
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Early life: Mrs DA Kalpaja was born and brought up in Bangalore, Karnataka. Her father is a Mechanical Engineer and an Industrialist of repute.In contrast to her present image of a soft hearted mother and very graceful social worker, Mrs. DA Kalpaja was a “tomboy” as a child. She loved activities that engaged her and challenged her physical and mental strength. Adventurous sports were a source of fun and were exciting enough to keep her energy levels high. The merit of these sports, she believed, is that you need not explicitly focus on your fitness, it comes automatically. All you need to care about is learning the sport the right way and improving your performance. Among all thrilling sports, car racing seems to be Mrs DA Kalpaja’s all time favorite. ¾¾ Personal Life: As all other youngsters even Mrs DA Kalpaja also nurtured a dream of owning a theater of her own. She always wanted to be known as a daughter of multiplex owner, but destiny would have its own plan and she became famous as the daughter of Ex-MP (Loksabham Chitoor). Building a strong and happy family was on her priority list always. She believes a family laughs together, plays together, enjoys together and support each other in every circumstances of life. She entered into wedlock with Shri Premchander and has two lovely daughters out of it...She attributes her success to her husband who has been by her sides at all times –good and bad. ¾¾ Hobbies:
Mrs DA Kalpaja like any other individual encounters stress, the difference being that she knows very well how to vent out the stress with the help of various hobbies. Hobbies are a great way of relieving
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stress, what can be a better way of relaxation than to paint ? Mrs DA Kalpaja is very proficient in Glass painting (Glass painting is a type of drawing painted on the inner surface of transparent glass, executed with oil and hard resin or with water-colour and gum on glass sheets) and Tanjore Painting (Making a Tanjore painting involves several stages. The artist is first required to make a preliminary sketch of the image on the base, which is a piece of cloth pasted onto wood. Then chalk powder or zinc oxide is mixed with water-soluble adhesive and applied on the base. In addition to that Mrs DA Kalpaja has a degree in Carnatic Music and is well versed in classical dance. She also has a good ear for western music and is fascinated by the Jazz music. She also enjoys travelling and “Bali” (Indonesia) remains her favourite destination till date. She is an avid reader and enjoys writing too; she has authored a book titled “Vaidyaloka” in Kannada. ¾¾ Philosophy: Mrs DA Kalpaja believes that apathy is a low vibration emotion. It does not serve you; its opposite is creative dynamism which boosts your self - respect. She believes today is all we have - live it up, dream with passion ,plan to do things you love and which are fun ,.there is no time like the present for living life with passion. ¾¾ Vision:
Mrs DA Kalpaja has tremendous soft spots for the Senior Citizens and Disabled people. She intends to focus in creating the right support system for both in India .She envisions an “India” with all the privileges for “Seniors” and “Disabled people”, like the ones that prevail in the Western Countries. ¾¾ Role Model: Every parents want their children to have positive role models who have the characteristics that inspire them to want to be (and become) their very best. While there is some variation in every parent’s definition of what it means to be a good person, parents of Mrs DA Kalpaja were really lucky as she found one of the apt role model of her time –none other than, her own father. Her father Late D. K. Audikesavulu, (Ex-M.P Loksabham Chittoor). He was a Mechanical Engineer by profession and also a prominent industrialist having industrial establishments in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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Pradesh. Mrs DA Kalpaja also drew inspiration from her grandfather Sri D Krishnaswamy Naidu who she recalls fondly, “has taught me how to save money”. ¾¾ Source of motivation: When a person persists at a task, it is said that the person has determination or motivation, but where does that determination origin from? Some would say it comes from dedication, commitment, or sense of duty. But if you think about it seriously you will realize that “Core Desires” are the sole source of both the determination and the motivation that are critical for success. If you are not pursuing your deep rooted desires, you might fail to get very motivated or dedicated. It is difficult to pursue something relentlessly unless it is a desire you strongly possess. When one knows exactly what he or she wants, the “Conquering Force” becomes available to him or her at full strength. All great accomplishments are the result of extraordinary determination and drive, both of which come from core desires. Mrs DA Kalpaja exactly knew her strong philanthropic instincts and was sure from the beginning what she wanted. She has an intense desire to make this world a better place for people with disabilities. A very healthy family life with strong bonds between the members has also been a continuous source of motivation for her. Awards Received: Awarded the Rashtriya Udyog Ratna Award for the year 2011-12 by National Education and Human Resources Development Organisation during a national level seminar on Individual achievements, Intellectual Excellence and National Development. The seminar was honoured by Honourable Union and State Ministers. The award was presented to her in
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recognition to her contribution and excellence in the field of special education. ¾¾ Special Achievement -Promoter of Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation As a promoter of the Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation (VIR) that provides holistic education for children with disability between the ages of 5 to 15 yrs, Mrs Kalpaja always ensured that children with special need can live a very normal life. VIR considered one of the best place to address a range of problems that many children face during their growing up years. Handling a troubled child is one of the biggest challenges that any parents would have to face. The emotional, physical and spiritual needs of children with disability are different from others and during their growing years there are a lot of conflicts that go on in their mind. Most children suffer from depression, absence of self worth, lack of motivation, and resistance to change. Professional help is required to understand these special concerns where the troubled child can freely express his/her thoughts. Mrs Kalpaja has put her qualifications and knowledge to best use in helping the parents to handle their child with special need. Vydehi School is a school for children with multiple disabilities, aims at identifying the strengths of each student and using those strengths to learn skills required for daily living. Special education program is provided for different impairments such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome, cognitive delays and other associated conditions. The school started under the initiative of Mrs Kalpaja Dalavoi in January 2008.
The individualized educational programs are prepared for students enrolled. The assessments carried out helps in identifying the skill areas to be assessed, tracking the progress of individual student, and identifying instructional objective and material. Subsidy or fee waiver option is provided for families belonging to the lower income group. Individualized special education program is also provided for students. This is based on the specific needs of the child. Modality training is provided for students with total or partial visual impairment. Counselling and training is provided to the individual and family on
AYURPHARMA November-2013
Keeping up with the inclusive education system followed all over the world, Vydehi School provides special education to the students enrolled in Vydehi School of Excellence. Remedial education for students diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities and other conditions such as Autism. ¾¾ Outreach Program
sensorial training –auditory, tactile, olfactory and kinaesthetic; orientation of places; and introduction to assistive technology. Vision therapy is also provided to students with CVI, low attention span, and/or difficulty in focusing or tracking objects. Remedial education is also provided for students with learning disability attending mainstream schools. Vocational training is provided for students about the age of 13 yrs. This includes computer education, art-work and festival specific work. The school also plans to start a bakery unit and candle making unit in the coming months. Home visit are organized by the staff to each student’s house to get an overall idea of the child’s relationship with the family members, indoor activities, outdoor activities and accommodations provided for the child in the home environment. Field trips or visits are organized by the school to give students different experiences. The field trips are fully sponsored by the Director.
Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation organizes disability screening camps in rural areas in and around Bangalore city. The camps aim at identifying and providing home-based or center-based programs for children with different disabilities. The camp also helps in early identification of a child with disability. Early intervention is crucial as it provides the family a better chance in making the child reach his/ her optimum potential at the earliest. The institute has taken this initiative to 10 aganwadis in Sarjapura area. The institute delivers these initiatives with highly trained professionals in the areas of clinical psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy and special education. The institute also provides home-based or schoolbased programs for children attending aganwadi. Awareness is created among the teachers in aganwadi to identify child with difficulty and provide special attention to these children. The awareness program also empowers the teacher to provide basic information to the parent and if necessary, enroll them in early intervention programs or special education programs. Subsidy or fee waiver facility is available for the
VIR is fully equipped with state of the art equipments. It is staffed by highly qualified professionals in the field. The department boasts of its facility to provide hand splints using latest eco-friendly materials for the needing patients at subsidised cost. In order to make the patients independent in their Basic Living Skills, they are being provided Adaptive Equipments and Environmental Modification Techniques. All this including therapy is being provided to them at subsidised costs. Some of the noteworthy features of the Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation are as given below: ¾¾ Inclusive Education
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children referred through this program. ¾¾ Services Provided by VIR ªª Physical Therapy: They provide assessment and treatment including education and prevention of a recurring problem to residents for a variety of medical conditions. These conditions may affect the musculoskeletal circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Some of the ways physiotherapy can help:  address physical challenges associated with pain and arthritis  maximize mobility for residents with neurological disorders such as  stroke, spinal cord or Parkinson’s disease  treat and manage respiratory and cardiac conditions  help manage the physical complications of cancer and its treatment The goals you establish with your physiotherapist are used to measure your progress. Some of the milestones to evaluate your progress include: ªª ability to participate in activities of daily living ªª distance you are able to walk ªª how much you can lift (e.g. weights) ªª increased motion or strength ªª improved endurance ªª length of time you are pain-free and decreased pain intensity ªª overall improvement in quality of life ªª ergonomics ¾¾ Prosthetics and orthotics: Prosthetics and
Orthotics evaluates , measures, fabricates, and fits patients with artificial limbs and braces. Patients include those with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders and those who have experienced amputation, trauma, and surgical procedures. The prosthetic and orthotic devices are fabricated and fit at the VIR facility using state-of-the-art designs and componentry. They provide people with a permanent or longterm disability with subsidized aids and equipment to enhance independence in their home, facilitate community participation and support families and careers in their role. ¾¾ Vision Therapy: Vision therapy is a planned program to help improve basic visual skills. Many visual conditions in children can often times go undetected if specific visual tests are not performed.
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Even though a child may be seeing well in the distance and up close, it does not automatically mean the two eyes are efficiently working and processing information together. Treatment for vision therapy can range from a few short weeks to several months, depending on the diagnosis. Our one-on-one approach typically consists of weekly training sessions along with individualized, prescribed, home vision therapy exercises. Each patient’s visual training plan is individualized towards the specific type and severity of difficulties detected. Therefore, no one vision therapy program is exactly alike. ¾¾ Aqua Therapy: Aquatic therapy allows the
therapist to move and manipulate the patient with greater ease and diversity. It also allows for people to achieve a variety of therapy goals, which is a winwin situation for all involved. Staffed by aquatic and physical therapists Other services of VIR includes Occupational therapy, Speech and Audiology Clinical psychology and Yoga Contributions of Mrs DA Kalpaja in ¾¾ Healthcare Domain ÂÂ Director - Vydehi Hospital, a 1500 bedded multi specialty hospital providing 24 hour services to patients. The hospital develops and maintains a spirit of charity and cooperation with the primary goal of improving patient safety and of promoting health in rural and underserved communities. The Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research centre is one of the leading medical institute providing education and health care services of truly global standards. A comprehensive range of general and super specialty medical services are provided here including complex surgeries to authentic ayurvedic experience at Vydehi Ayurveda Gram.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
The institute focuses to deliver high quality, comprehensive, integrated medical education including innovative thoughts towards modern technology and research. We provide the finest in infrastructure and facilities to our students when it comes to learning and research along with experienced and dedicated faculty, outstanding clinical facilities, and a world-class environment that supports education. We offer different courses including medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied sciences, biotechnology and many more. The Institute comprising of well-trained personnel provides focused health care services. We are successfully accomplishing our mission of serving the society with our widespread infrastructure, stateof-the-art equipment, backed by the nation’s best professionals, equals those available globally. 1500 bedded multi specialty hospital in which 300 beds are completely free (which includes treatment, food and surgery). Vydehi provides a 24-hour, sevenday-a-week services. Departments like emergency department, critical care unit, blood bank, central diagnostic Lab and ambulance services works round the clock to implement the growing requirements of patients. Vydehi serves over thousands of patients annually. As a leading educational and health care organization Vydehi develops and maintains a spirit of charity and cooperation with the primary goal of improving patient safety and of promoting health in rural and underserved communities. Vydehi wish to rise above the realm of therapeutic care with a new focus on preventive care, to bring health to the community.
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Director- Mallya Hospital, a multispecialty hospital is the pioneer of healthcare services in Bangalore, benefitting hundreds of patients from India and abroad since 1991. Mallya hospital is located in the heart of the Bengaluru city and has grown over the years with substantial increase in bed strength, infrastructure and an assurance of quality patient care with human touch using stateof-the art technology. The multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and care is designed to have a continuum of safe and high-quality care for patients – all services under one roof. Mallya hospital is the first Multispecialty hospital in the country to receive the coveted ISO-9002 certification award which has been recently upgraded to ISO 9001:2008. ÂÂ Partner- Mallya Pharma, Bangalore, a retail chain of pharmacy stores. ¾¾ Education Domain Mrs Kalpaja is currently providing the principal leadership and administrative control of the following
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Institutions in the space of Education: ÂÂ Director - Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore Medical College with 250 seats in MBBS and 109 seats in MD. The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The college annually accepts 250 students for the MBBS undergraduate course. Admission to this course is made through a merit list prepared on the basis of the scores of the candidates in the Common Entrance Test (CET) and KRLMPCA. Post-graduate admission is 109 seats. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences is recognized by Medical Council of India and affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. VIMS is included in the directory of the World Health Organization, which is required to be recognized internationally for purposes of higher postgraduate education and employment opportunities. It has tie-ups with the University of Georgia and University of California. ÂÂ Director - Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences - Permitted by Dental Council of India The Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences is recognized by Dental Council of India and is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. Admission to this course is made through a merit list prepared on the basis of candidate scores in the Common Entrance Test (CET) and KRLMPCA followed by Centralized Counselling.[8] Number of seats allotted in BDS is 60 per year. ÂÂ Director - Vydehi Institute of Nursing Science - Permitted by Indian Nursing Council The Vydehi Institute of Nursing Sciences and Research Centre recognized by Indian Nursing Council and affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.[9] Total of 100 seats are allotted in B.Sc. Nursing & 25 in M.Sc. Nursing.
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Director - Vydehi Institute of Biotech Sciences - In Collaboration with University of Georgia Director - Srinivasa Institute of Technology & Management Studies, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh – a Leading Engineering & Management College. Director - Vydehi School of Excellence – a CBSE school with a vision to impart quality education of global standards and a holistic development of children in a safe & nurturing environment. Director - VKIDS – a day care and preschool that nurtures little children with an objective to enhance their exclusive talents and raise their confidence and interest in the process of learning. Director Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation - Affiliated to California State University, Los Angeles, USA. A Stateof-the-art facility for rehabilitating children & adults suffering from brain damage & other Neurological / physical disabilities.
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Patron – Bengaluru Super Specialty Forum: It is a unique forum that comprises of all the specialists of the medical field. ¾¾ Charitable Organizations ÂÂ Managing Trustee - Shraddha Charitable Society, Bangalore Ambulance service provided for the rural community which is fully equipped for emergency treatment. SHRADDHA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (SCF) was established in 2004 by likeminded ladies of wellto-do families with a desire to make a difference in the lives of under privileged of Society. SCF has been actively involved in various Humanitarian & Social Activities. ¾¾ Miscellaneous Domains: The versatile personality of Mrs DA Kalpaja intrigued her into the following areas too. ÂÂ Director - Mysore Fruit Products Limited, Leading manufacturers of Fruit & Food Products for Domestic and Export Market, based at Bangalore. ÂÂ Director-Kanna Investment Ltd ÂÂ Partner-Balaji Estate, Madikeri, ÂÂ Partner-Sapthagiri Enterprises, Bangalore ÂÂ Partner-United Distributors, Bangalore ÂÂ Partner-Srinivasa Builders, Bangalore ¾¾ Other Philanthropic Activities: Under the leadership of Mrs DA Kalpaja several philanthropic activities have been organised, a few of them are listed below: ÂÂ Free 500 Cardiac Surgeries, 750 free Cancer Surgeries including treatment have been conducted so far ÂÂ Free Total Knee Replacement Surgeries conducted at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre by the leading doctors from USA ÂÂ 32 Cardiac surgeries conducted for the children from Sri Narayani Peedam, Tamil Nadu, at the Vydehi Institute of Medical
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Sciences & Research Centre. These free surgeries are under a scheme offered by Ms. Kalpaja to his holiness, Amma of the Golden Temple, Sripuram, in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the year 2008. ÂÂ Vydehi Rehabilitation has brought the Cochlear Implant, one among the costliest surgeries in the world, as a gift of hearing to 10 children with hearing impairment totally free of cost. ÂÂ Organized more than 500 Free Health Check Camps in rural areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh ÂÂ Actively associated with complete education ,training in music field and providing job assistance of the blind inmates of Navajeevana Trust, ÂÂ Arranged State Level Conference of Pathologists, ÂÂ Blood Donation Camps at Vydehi Campus, ÂÂ International tie ups with California State University, Los Angeles, USA for exchange, programs related to early intervention to benefit the needy, ÂÂ Initiated and supported the Tsunami Relief camp during Tsunami at Tamil Nadu, ÂÂ Providing free drinking water provision in rural areas of Karnataka, ÂÂ Spearheaded various Community Health Camps organized by Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, ÂÂ Actively involved in implementing the Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme. Above mentioned list is just a glimpse of the whole range of social activities that Mrs DA Kalpaja.is involved in.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
Women health
Dr.Sabaretnam.M Consultant Endocrine And Breast Surgeon VIMS and RC 82, EPIP Area, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka 560066. ph: 080-28413384/82/83. www.vims.ac.in
Breast Lump Breast Lump is a common Complaint in the reproductive age group (25-40) years. Once a lump in the breast is identified during self-examination or clinical examination the primary concern is to exclude breast cancer.
Breast Lump is a common Complaint in the reproductive age group (25-40) years. Once a lump in the breast is identified during self-examination or clinical examination the primary concern is to exclude breast cancer. Though lump is the commonest symptom of cancer, most common lumps are due to Benign Breast disease. There are many varieties of benign breast lumps with distinct features, though underlying process is due to physiological cyclical hormonal fluctuations and phasic changes in physiology during menses, pregnancy, lactation all put together in term known as ANDI (Abnormalities in normal development and involution). ¾¾ The many verities of benign breast lumps are : ªª Fibroadenoma ªª Cysts ªª Duct papilloma ªª Epithelial hyperplasia ªª Sclerosing adenosis ªª Fibrosis ªª Duct ectasia ¾¾ Fibroadenoma : The following are the features: ªª It occurs in younger women below 30 years. ªª The types of fibroadenoma clinically are usual one(<5 cm), Gaint fibroadenoma and phylloides tumour(cystosarcoma pjhylloides). ªª Histologically 2 types – Intracanalicular and pericanalicular based on the distribution of acini and fibrosis. In former the fibrosis is between acini and in later around them. ªª The are mostly painless and usually cause
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discomfort in breast around menses. Larger fibroadenomas cause distortion of breast appearance and cosmetic problem ªª One-third of them subside without any treatment. ªª On examination it is firm to hard localised swelling within breast. ªª It is non-tender and freely mobile earning it the name – breast mouse. ªª Once malignancy is excluded by FNAC, it is followed up with mild analgesics and assurance. ªª The indications for surgical excision are for cosmesis in persistent and gaint fibroadenomas, phylloides tumour and patient preference. ªª Phylloides tumour is known for its frequent recurrences and grows to large sizes occupying whole breast. ªª They are treated with surgery in first instance unlike in other fibroadenoma types. ªª In case of repeated recurrences , mastectomy is needed in phylloides tumour as it is known to become malignant and metastasizes to Distant sites. ªª Fibroadenomas perse or excision of it does not predispose to breast cancer. ¾¾ Cysts: Simple cyst is a fluid filled, thin walled cavity within the breast tissue. The features of breast cysts are : ªª They are seen usually after 30 years. ªª One third disappear spontaneously without treatment. ªª They may occur due to localised fluid retention in
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breasts due to estrogenic stimulation and later walled off by fibrosis and epithelisation due to inflammation.
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Ultrasound is excellent way to detect cysts. Clinically they are difficult to be distinguished from other benign conditions like fibroadenoma, fibrosis and sometimes cancers, due to its firm to hard to very hard consistency on palpation depending upon tenseness of fluid within and content type and duration of cyst. Once detected on imaging, they are aspirated. They may completely disappear. The results of cyst aspiration re resolution, partial collapse and later resolution, collapse and reaccumulation, no aspirate and repeated accumulations after 2 or more aspirations. A cyst should be suspected as malignancy in following situations : ÂÂ Bloody aspirate ÂÂ Some solid material on aspiration. ÂÂ 2 relapses. ÂÂ Not uniform thickness of cyst wall ÂÂ Microscopic examination is suspicious of malignancy ÂÂ Inconclusive microscopic examination. ÂÂ In the above situations they are subjected to Excisional biopsy. Duct papilloma :
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They are not usually palpable but quite a common finding which is commonest cause of bloody nipple discharge. They are benign projections of ductal epithelium in to the lumen of lactiferous ducts. Occassionally multiple duct papillomas may present as nipple discharge from multiple ducts. The treatment approach for this duct pap illoma is excision of the concerned duct-acinar unit lodging it. For this the duct is cannulated with a lacrimal probe or a nylon thread from the nipple end of duct. Then with a circumareolar incision nipple-areola complex is raised and the probe is followed and the the duct system is excised (Microdochectomy). If multiple duct p apillomas are present, Macrodochectomy or in later premenopaussal ladies mastectomy done because of slight risk of malignancy. ¾¾ Epithelial hyperplasia: These are lesions found less commonly and if associated with features of atypia of cells , carry a high risk for breast cancer development. Then it is called Atypical epithelial hyperplasia. They are to be closely monitored after excision. ¾¾ Sclerosing adenosis : It is a rare benign breast disease usually occurs >35 years and is not premalignant. ¾¾ Fibrosis : Fibrosis is not a specific entity, but is be found in all breast conditions in varying proportions. Sometimes a localized lump may wholly be composed of fibrous tissue with few scattered cells. This is not premalignant may need excision fr cosmetic reasons as it fibrotic process may distort breast form. ¾¾ Ductectasia : Duct ectasia occurs in >35 years age group and may persist for decades. It cause nodular lump, distortion of breast form and most importantly presents as nipple discharge. Characteristically, the nipple discharge is greenish in colour and may be mixed with blood. It is also called as Plasma cell mastitis due to histological features of macrophages and plasma cells surrounding degenerated duct remnants with ductal dilatation, the findings similar to bro nchiectasis in lung.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
Women health
BREAST FEEDING
Dr. C. SHARATH KUMAR DIRECTOR & CHIEF FERTILITY SURGEON, MEDIWAVE IVF & FERTILITY hospital City X-Ray complex, Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysore - 570021. Ph : (O) : 2444441, (R) : 2519026. E-mail : [email protected]. There are two types of milk 1. Colostrum 2. Mature milk
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There is a dramatic decrease in women who are breast feeding in the developed countries. About 80% of women are not breast feeding their children. Many of them are not breast feeding their children for required length of time. In our country breast feeding rate reduces to 30%.it is serious threat to the development of a Nation. To over come this problem Indian Government took an action and Adopted IMS act in 1992.
¾¾ REASON FOR FALLING BREAST FEEDING RATE ªª Today’s women are more conscious about their body fitness. They have false impression that by feeding their babies for longer period they may lose their baby fitness. ªª In this competitive world women concentrated more on their career so they don’t have sufficient time to give best to their babies. ªª One of the commonest reason or introducing supplementary milk early or even stopping breastfeeding during first few months of baby’s life is that most mothers have a mistaken belief that their baby is not getting enough breast milk. Most mothers have enough milk to the breastfeed their babies. ¾¾
IMPORTANCE OF BREAST MILK Breast milk usually refers to the milk produced by a female which is usually fed to infants by breast feeding. It provides the primary source of nutrition for newborns, before they are able to digest more diverse foods.
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COLOSTRUM Colostrum (also known as beestings or first milk) is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. Colostrum is the thick yellowish fluid that is secreted by the breast in the first few days after delivery, before mature milk is produced. Although only a small amount of colostrum is released from the breast, this liquid is loaded with calories and infection-fighting proteins. Colostrum contains helpful antibodies for the baby’s immune system and helps in early digestion. The baby should be allowed to nurse the colostrum to obtain these benefits. ¾¾ MATURE MILK Regular milk or mature milk is milk which is secreted after colostrums. It contains essential carbohydrates, proteins, and antibodies and low in fats. It is easily digestible. It should be given to a infant at least for a age of 6 months. ¾¾ CONTENTS OF BREAST MILK The breast milk contains fats and carbohydrates in exact ratio and quantity required for the growth of an infant. Some of the other components of the breast milk which are not present in the pasteurized cow milk and other artificial milk products are ªª Vitamins (fat and water soluble) ªª Minerals (especially Calcium, Phosphorus, and Zinc) ªª Lactose (aids in Calcium absorption) ªª Bile Salt Stimulated Lipase (aids in digestion of fats) ªª Cystine ,Taurine ªª Secretory Immunoglobulin ªª Lactoferrin (binds Iron and makes it unavailable to bacteria in the intestines) ªª Lysozyme (breaks cell walls of bacteria in the GI tract) ªª Bifidus Factor (creates more acidic stool, inhibits growth of harmful bacteria) ªª Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and essential Fatty Acids (Linoleic, Linolenic, Arachadonic) ªª Whey protein ¾¾ COMPARISON TO OTHER MILKS All mammal species produce milk, but the composition of milk for each species varies widely and other kinds of milk are often very different from human breast milk and may not be suitable for the infant. Few infants are intolerant of lactose or allergic to one or more of the consitituents of cow’s milk. These problems can also affect formula milk derived from cow’s milk. www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING There are many benefits to Breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are both physical and psychological for mother, child and their family. ¾¾ BENEFITS FOR BABY ªª Breast milk is more digestible. ªª Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. ªª Facilitates proper dental and jaw development ªª Breastfed babies have higher IQ than who fed with other milk substituents. ªª Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system. ªª Breast milk helps to lower the risk of or protect against: Diabetes, obesity, gastroenteritis, Diarrhea, Asthma, Allergies, Urinary tract infection and Ear infection ¾¾ BENEFITS FOR MOM: ªª Breastfeeding releases hormones that have been found to relax the mother and cause her to experience nurturing feelings toward her infant. ªª Breastfeeding can also help the mother to return to
her previous weight as the fat accumulated during pregnancy is used in milk production. ªª Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause. ªª Breastfeeding makes the life easier. It saves time and money. One need not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. ¾¾ BENEFITS FOR BOTH: Both mother and Baby have benefits from breast feeding. It creates a unbreakable bond between them. ¾¾ LEGAL ASPECTS: The Infant Milk Substitute Act (IMS) which came into effect in 1992 has some rules and regulations to regulate the activities of manufacturing of infant food substituents. They are as follows ªª Prohibits the advertisement of infant milk substitutes and feeding bottles to” ensure that no impression is given that feeding of these products is equivalent to, or better than, breastfeeding. ªª Prohibits providing free samples and gifts to pregnant women, mothers of infants and members of the families. ªª Prohibits donation of free or subsided supplies of products for health care institutions and prohibits incentives and gifts to health workers. ªª Prohibits display of posters at health care facilities / hospitals /health centers. It is our responsibility to condemn and give complaint if any one breaks the rules and regulations of IMS act. The addresses are, Women and children development office, A section, Shasthri bhavana, New Delhi- 110001 Director, Health service office, Health department building, New Delhi, 110001 Director, Women and children development department, Ambedkar veedi, Bangalore-560001 ¾¾ CONCLUSION Breast milk is a best and precious to an infant as it contains all essential nutrition’s which makes an infant to be healthy, fit and strong. No other substitute can add to this. Breast feeding At least for 6 months is very much essential to an infant. Newborn deserves the best Nutrition, Improved Survival, Optimum Development and Healthy Life. Breast feeding can do this miracle!
What is Healthy Hair? All of us want our hair to be healthy. However, there is no one definition of healthy hair. Due to the different composition of each person’s hair, factors which affect its health are different. You can decide whether your hair is healthy or not based upon some of these factors.
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Is your hair Thick and Dense? Fine and silky? Shiny and glossy? Easy to style? Having Body and Bounce? ªª Having good and regular growth? Your hair is healthy, if your answers to these questions are in the affirmative.
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AYURPHARMA November-2013
Homeo care
Allergic Rhinitis Homeopathy has successfully treated thousands of cases of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) and brought relief to many suffering patients. Go on and experience the holistic treatment of your allergy!
MH
How often have you been troubled by bouts of sneezing and an itchy, runny nose that persistently lands up with you precisely on the day of your important presentation? If this happens more than once in a while with you, it’s about time you sought treatment for your Allergic Rhinitis. While Allergic Rhinitis (also called nasal allergy) is not life threatening, it can significantly impair the quality of life of patients especially given that it affects almost 20% of general population. It is more of a nagging, chronic complaint that drains the person in the long run and hence calls for early treatment. Homeopathic treatment can give very good relief to patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) and it significantly improves their immunity so that they don’t fall prey to allergens frequently. The potential benefits of homeopathic treatment in seasonal allergic rhinitis were also confirmed in a double-
Dr. Michael gonsalves Mangalore clinic multicare homeopathy , 1st floor . Opp. To kadri petrol pump, kadrishivabagh , mangalore – 2 Bangalore clinic multicare homeopathy, 1st floor , opp. To nagarjuna apartments, 19th main , 27th cross, hsr- 2nd sector, bangalore - 2 Mb - 8050485240 & 9980188918 blind trial conducted at Phoenix metropolitan area. ¾¾ What is Allergic Rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) is an inflammation of the nasal passages characterized by symptoms that include any combination of the following: sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and discharge from the nose. In short it is the condition that makes you go sneezing and gives you an itchy, runny nose with watery eyes whenever you come in contact with certain allergens. The condition is usually precipitated in sensitive individuals after exposure to dust, dander, certain seasonal pollens, etc. Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) is a very common disorder and it affects almost 20% of the population. Although it can affect people of all age groups, twothird of all patients with this condition develop it before the age of 30. The condition seems to spare the geriatric age group. The male - female ratio for adults remains equal though amongst children, boys are more frequently affected than girls. There are two categories of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy): Seasonal: The allergy attacks occur during certain seasons, especially in pollen season Perennial: The allergy attacks are interspersed throughout the year Every year, millions of dollars are spent on doctors’ visits and medication for the treatment of this chronic illness. Not to mention all the missed days at work and school as well as the impaired performance. Timely treatment can surely save a lot of money and agony for the patients of allergic rhinitis
MULTICARE HOMEOPATHY
Safeguard your Health before it complicates ¸ÀA¥ÀQð¹
Dr. Michael Gonsalves
B.H.M.S., M.S.
Mangalore clinic : multicare homeopathy , 1st floor , Opp. To kadri petrol pump, kadri- shivabagh , mangalore – 2 Bangalore clinic: multicare homeopathy, 1st floor, opp. To nagarjuna apartments , 19th main , 27th cross, hsr- 2nd sector, bangalore - 2
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
Mob: 8050485240 & 9980188918 www.bangalorehealthtv.com 17
¾¾
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis The troublesome bout of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) which a lot of people dread can be triggered by a number of allergens. Allergens are substances that can induce an ‘allergic reaction’ in the body. Some of the allergens that are common culprits in cases of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy): ªª Pollen ªª Dust ªª Outdoor molds ªª House dust mites ªª Wood dust ªª Exposure to certain animals (including pets) ªª Cockroaches ªª Rodents ªª Irritant triggers such as smoke, pollution, and strong smells When a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen such as pollen or dust, the body releases certain chemicals which include ‘histamine’. Histamine release is responsible for allergy symptoms such as itchy feeling, swelling, and mucus production. Apart from allergens, there are certain other factors that are responsible in the development of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy): Weather: Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to trigger an allergy attack (due to increased amounts of pollen in the air) as compared to cool, damp, rainy days (when most pollen is washed to the ground) Genetics: Heredity seems to play an important role in allergic diseases. If both your parents suffer from allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy), you have almost 50% chances of developing the same. If one of your parents suffers from it, your chances of developing this stand at 30%. It must also be noted that the triggers of an attack
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may vary from person to person and the patient himself has to figure out which of these causative factors precipitates the episodes in him. ¾¾ Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) is not an easy disorder to live with. Though it may sound very benign to a non-sufferer, only the patient knows how nagging this condition is. Imagine a sudden episode of constant sneezing in the middle of (or just before the start of) an important meeting or assignment. It simply does not allow concentration to be focused on anything at all sometimes. Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) can include any combination of the following symptoms: ªª Repetitive Sneezing ªª Runny nose (rhinorrhoea) ªª Nasal congestion ªª Itchy nose, ear, throat, eyes ªª Watery eyes ªª Reduced sense of smell ªª Post-nasal discharge ªª Chronic cases of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) may develop additional symptoms like: ªª Cough (due to the post nasal discharge) ªª Sinus headaches ªª Blocked ears ªª Nasal polyps ªª Eyelid swelling ªª Injected sclerae (redness of the white part of eyes) ¾¾ Diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis The history of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) is usually enough to diagnose this condition. Physical examination may give some further clues to the treating physician and these include:
AYURPHARMA November-2013
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Paleness or violaceous discoloration of the lining of the nose ªª Nasal polyps in some cases ªª Eyelid swelling ªª Allergic shiners – darkened areas under eyes thought to be due to congestion of venous blood In addition, skin tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy): ªª Skin prick test – In this test, a small amount of purified allergen extract is pricked into the skin of your arm and you’re observed for signs of an allergic reaction. A raised bump at the tested site confirms your allergy to the injected substance. ªª Intradermal tests - The allergen extract is injected between layers of the skin in this test ¾¾ Homeopathic Treatment In one of the research studies conducted, 147 cases with respiratory allergies were evaluated and the success rate with homeopathic treatment was found to be 87.6% in these. In another double-blind clinical trial conducted in the Phoenix metropolitan area during the regional allergy season from February to May, the effects of homeopathic preparations were compared with those of placebo. Participants included 40 men and women, in the age group of 26-63 years, who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. Significant positive changes from baseline to 4 weeks were seen in the homeopathic group as compared to the placebo group. The subjects reported no adverse effects during this period. Thus, the potential benefits of the homeopathic treatment in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were confirmed. Homeopathy indeed has the credit of relieving a large number of patients from the distress of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy). The medication targets the body’s immune system whereby it reduces the hypersensitivity to the allergens. Over a period of time, the patient reacts less aggressively to the allergens and gradually the hypersensitivity is cured. It must be noted that even during the period of treatment, patient may continue to get attacks of the allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy); however these episodes are less severe and last shorter as compared to attacks
before commencing treatment. Patient gradually notices an overall improvement in the general health as the treatment progresses. Even in chronic cases of a long standing nature, Homeopathy has significant help to offer in terms of prevention of the complications. It is strongly suggested that patients with allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) opt for homeopathic treatment as soon as possible. ¾¾ Self Care for Allergic Rhinitis Here are some of the tips ªª Keep a food diary to ascertain food intolerances. ªª Increase your antioxidant intake by taking plenty of fruits and vegetables ªª Zinc intake from mushrooms, whole grains, nuts & seeds is good for patients with allergies ªª Selenium intake from fish, mushrooms, cabbage is also very helpful ªª Eat oily fish 3 times a week or 2 tbsp or 2 tbsp of flaxseeds everyday ªª Avoid or minimize wheat and dairy products in your diet ªª Avoid alcohol and sugary foods
Depression – Symptoms include ªª Depressed or low mood ªª Loss of interest and enjoyment in life ªª Lack of drive and motivation to do normal
activities Fatigue and weakness Agitation and restlessness Loss and appetite and loss of weight Inability to sleep Loss of outward affection, interest in sex Loss of self confidence, avoiding people Feeling useless, inadequate, helpless and hopeless ªª Guilty feeling, worthlessness ªª Feeling worse usually in the morning ªª Suicidal thoughts may occur too ¾¾ Treating common cold using Ginger Ginger is extremely rich in Potassium. It has good amount of minerals like Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and Phosphorus. Ginger also has small amount of Iron, Sodium, Zinc, Manganese and Selenium. Ginger has Vitamin E in good amount. Vitamins A, C, Folate and Choline are found in small amount. ªª Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily ªª Drinking ginger tea is one of the best ways to attach the cold directly. To do this: boil fresh ginger root on water. Use honey instead of sugar to sweeten the tea. ªª Chewing fresh ginger is another effective way in targeting cold ¾¾ Risk factors for heart attacks are:
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november-2013 AYURPHARMA
Tobacco Smoking High Cholesterol: High Blood Sugar;. High Blood Pressure Overweight:
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Sedentary Habit: Emotional stress. Hereditary factor
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Women health
BREAST FEEDING
Dr B Ramesh Dr. RAMESH HOSPITAL # 6/63, 59th Cross, 4th Block, Rajajinagar Entrance, Opposite to MEI Polytechnic, Bangalore - 560 010 Ph: 080 - 23151873 Mob: 9844291777
Human breast milk is the optimal food for newborn infants.
Gynecologic problems
The immunological properties of breast milk are unique. Immunoglobulin A (Ig A) is of major importance, and is present in particularly high concentration in the colostrums produced during the first few days. Ig A probably acts by preventing bacterial adherence to epithelial cell surfaces in the gut and upper respiratory tract. Human milk contains both T&B lymphocytes. Apart from its immunological qualities, breast milk also contains essential aminoacids, and long chain polysaturated fatty acids which are not present in animal milks and which may be great importance for the developing brain. It is recommended that the baby is given to the mother to hold immediately after delivery to provide skin –to-skin contact and for the baby to start sucklingnormally within ½-1 hour after birth. Early skin-to-skin contact and early suckling is associated with more affectionate behaviour of mothers towards their infants, mothers who start to breastfeed early have fever problems with breastfeeding. Early suckling might also influence uterine contractions and thus reduce post partum blood loss. Baby should be properly positioned and attached to the breast. When a baby is properly attached, the nipple, together with some of the surrounding breast tissue, is drawn out into a teat by the suction within the baby’s mouth. If the baby is incorrectly attached milk is not effectively removed and the nipple may be damaged by
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friction as the teat is drawn in and out of the mouth. If the attachment is not corrected, some nipples and engorgement are more common, the baby may get insufficient milk and the mother is more likely to stop breast feeding. In some hospitals it is common practice to give breastfed babies supplements of formula or glucose water while lactation is becoming established. This practice is unnecessary because a healthy baby does not need extra fluids or feeds before breastfeeding is established and it is harmful because bottle feeding may interfere with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Babies who have had their appetite satisfied with an artificial feed may lose interest in trying to breastfeed. Sucking on an artificial teat is physiologicallay different from suckling at the breast. Women whose babies receive routine supplements are up to five times more likely to give up breastfeeding in the first week and twice as likely to abandon it during the second week as women who are encouraged to feel that their own clostrum and milk are adequate without supplements. Keeping babies with their mothers in the same room or the same bed from birth prevents infections and increases the success of breast feeding, especially when it is combined breast feeding guidance. The infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk from birth to at least 4 months and if possible 6 months of age breast feeding should be given as after as the child desires, day and night at least eight times in 24 hrs.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
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uu A medicinal plant in your own yard tt Dr.Vasundhara Bhupathi No 222, 2nd E cross, 3rd Block 3rd Stage Basaweswara nagar Bangaluru - 79 Mob: 9480334750
Mint Aloe vera used in the treatment of tumour & abscess. It is a good aphrodisiac. Used in the diseases of skin, as a blood purifier and in muscle toning.
Mint
ªª ªª ªª ªª ªª ªª Mint is aromatic, removes bad taste in the mouth, clears Kapha and Vata disorders and relieves flatulence.
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The chewing of the leaf keeps mouth fresh. Pudina helps digestion and reduces cholesterol. Pudina tea is good for cough and cold. Decoction reduces fever, Juice of pudina with ginger juice removes dyspepsia. The paste of pudina with turmeric is good remedy for pimples. Pudina juice with lemon juice and honey relieves abdominal pain and distention. If the leaves are chewed after food, it prevents caries tooth and strengthens gums. If pudina is taken in empty stomach it acts as anthelminthic. Gargling the pudina decoction improves the voice and removes throat irritation. Pudina decoction reduces abdomenal pain in women if consumed for a week before the menstrual cycle starts. It reduces the intensity. Pudina juice can be used for the healing of wounds. Caution - pregnant women should avoid the consumption of pudina in excess.
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Fresh Aloe being very good piththanashaka, acts as Germicide, diuretic, analgesic and relieves constipation. Application of the drug with rose water helps in curing eye-infection. In cases of liver and spleenic enlargement, the juice along with turmeric is very effective. The juice with a pinch of hippali (long pepper) powder and honey is a good remedy for fever. The application of the aloe pulp poultice made after boiling the plant in water heals ulcers faster. The mixture of Aloe juice with powder of pepper and honey cures cough by dissolving the phlegm. This is known as the best drug for all menstrual problems of women. The juice with candy is the drug of choice in cases of irregular menstruation The paste made up of kumari and jeera makes good application for burnt wounds as a quick remedy in emergency. The pulp with candy helps cure piles. The mixture of pulp and turmeric gives good result in combating cold. The juice and a pinch of asafoetida cure infantile abdominal pain. In lactating children it can be mixed with mother’s milk. The drug is well-known for its cosmetic uses. Almost all the soaps and shampoos contain aloe as an ingredient. One spoon of the juice, one spoon of rose water and 1A spoon of butter made into paste makes a good moisturizer and applied at bed time to improve complexion. For removal of dandruff, Aloe pulp is applied to the scalp and the hair washed after an hour. Kumaryaasava a commercial preparation of aloe juice, Aloe cream is available in the market.
Aloe vera
Aloe is known by many names like Grihakanya, Kumari, Kanyaka, Grithakumari and so on. Since the leaves are long it is also called Dheergapatrika (Dheerga= long, Patrika= leaves). It is a good tonic for the eye, used in the treatment of enlargement of liver and spleen. It can be
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Our eye and diwali crackers
Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty
Chairman, Narayana Nethralaya 121/C, West of Cord Road Rajaji Nagar, R Block, Bangalore - 10 Ph 080 – 23373311 / 66121300
Take care of your eye on the occasion of diwali It is better to light a candle than to light a cracker
Every Diwali in Bangalore alone, hundreds of people injure their eyes and a few even have total loss of vision. Last year Narayana Nethralaya had treated over 50 cases of eye injuries during the diwali period. More than half of those injured were below the age of 14 years and boys seem to be more prone than girls. The majority of the injured were innocent by standers hit by a cracker while walking or riding. Most of the cases could have easily been prevented if caution were not thrown to the winds. This Diwali let us all take certain steps, so that we can enjoy the festival of lights without burning our fingers and eyes. 1. Selection: a. Better to avoid heavy crackers like rockets, bombs etc. b. Never buy unbranded crackers. 2. Storage: a. Not to store in places like kitchen and pooja rooms. b. Keep them out of reach of children. 3. Supervision: a. Do not allow very small children to play with fire. b. Bigger ones must be supervised. 4. Clothing: a. Cotton clothes are better than nylon or silk as these stick to the body and absorb more heat when burnt. b. Dress should be tight fitting and not loose and hanging as they may easily catch fire. c. Wear protective glasses while burning crackers & also footwear. 5. Place: a. Never burst crackers on roads and do not
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
throw them out on to the roads, as they may injure innocent passers bye. b. Open fields are best. c. Never burn crackers inside the house. 6. While burning: a. Do not bend over to light- always keep crackers at higher level. b. No dangerous pranks, like throwing lit up crackers at each other. c. Never try to make a pool of crackers and burn them. d. Keep a bucket of water and sand ready. 7. First Aid: a. Minor injuries: Thoroughly wash the eye with clean water and rush to hospital. b. Major injuries: Pad and rush to hospital. ¾¾ The ill effects of crackers: 1. Air pollution leading to asthma, bronchitis etc., 2. Sound pollution- is injurious to infants below 1 year, the aged and also pets. 3. Damage to sight, limbs and occasionally even to life. 4. Burns a hole in your pocket. ¾¾ Our advise: 1. Let Diwali be a festival lights and not darkness. 2. Let it be a festival of happiness, not tragedy. 3. Better to light a candle than to light a cracker. Free primary treatment: Narayana Nethralaya as part of it’s cooperate social responsibility will give free primary treatment to all eye cracker injury patients during this diwali at all its three units. www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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Wrinkles And Its Remedies Through Ayurveda
Ayur care Dr S S Hiremath Dhanvantari Hospital , Rajaji nagar, Bangalore Ph:
080-2350 5777,
Email : [email protected], Web: www. dhanvantarihospital.com
Skincare- An Ayurvedic Guide To Acquire Smooth, Glowing & Healthy Skin
¾¾
Normal Skin The skin normally is made up of 3 layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the outer layer.The cells of the epidermis, move from the bottom layer of the epidermis to the top layer. Epidermis acts as a protective layer to external environment. As the cells reach the top layer they flake off. The second layer dermis, contains the connective tissues which are the structural elements of the skin. These tissues give skin the strength (collagen fibres), turgor, elasticity (elastin) etc. The cells of the epidermis receive their nutrients from the blood vessels in the dermis. Below dermis is the subcutaneous tissue containing fat cells. These fat cells act as insulation to the body. The skin looks plumpy due to fat cells. ¾¾ Changes That Occur In Skin As Age Advances ªª Changes in Epidermis The epidermal cells become thinner as age advances. They also lose their stickiness. This change in epidermal cells allows the moisture to escape instead of retaining it back causing dryness of the skin. As we get old the epidermal cells start dividing slowly and the rate of repairing process also retards. ªª Changes in Dermis  The collagen fiber production reduces  The elastin fibers wear out  The production of sebum from sebaceous glands decreases  There will be a decrease in number of sweat glands  The supply of nutrients also decreases ªª Changes in Subcutaneous Tissues  The fat cells get smaller with age  All these changes in three layers of skin lead to wrinkles and sagging
ªª The Factors Cause Early Aging
That
Sun Constant exposure to U-V radiations from the sun causes
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premature aging of skin. Due to constant exposure to sun the epidermis becomes thin and many harm full lesions like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas occur. Sun light also damages collagen fibers of dermis causing early aging. ¾¾ Hormones ªª Apply moisturizer regularly ªª Air conditioners and room heaters tend to dry the skin. Hence apply heavier moisturizer if you are working in these conditions ªª Taking cold water bath immediately after heavy physical works ªª Do not stretch or pull the delicate skin under eye or facial skin ªª Do not go out in hot sun. Carry an umbrella, wear sun glasses and apply sun screen lotions before stepping out in hot sun ªª Avoid smoking ªª Consume chick peas and soya beans regularly ªª Drink plenty of milk ªª Practice Yoga and Meditation regularly ¾¾ Home Remedies  Apply egg yolk once in a week for 10 minutes  A mixture of honey, olive oil and cream give very good results  Apply nourishing mask once in a week
AYURPHARMA November-2013
Prevention is Better Than Cure Ganoderma - Health food
“EAT MUSHROOMS TO BE HEALTHY” The Ganoderma is arguably one of the most beneficial mushrooms to our general health
Guide to Reishi Mushrooms
What is Reishi?
Red Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum), commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is a herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits.
So what’s so good about red reishi? ªª It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects. ªª When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally. ªª Immune modulator - regulates and fine tunes the immune system. What are the benefits of Reishi? Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called watersoluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects. Another major active ingredient found in Red Reishi are triterpenes , called ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpenes are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness. Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance our body’s immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving better health conditions. Generally, Reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma. A full list of reported benefits can be found here. Is there any evidence? A considerable number of studies in Japan , China , USA , and the UK in the past 30 years have shown that the consumption of red Reishi november-2013 AYURPHARMA
has been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common ailments, and conditions. From asthma to zoster, the applications of red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and systems. However, most of the scientific research that has been conducted appears to strongly support red Reishi’s role as a normalizing substance - a nutritional supplement that can yield medical benefits through its normalization and regulation of the body’s organs and functions. The role of Red Reishi in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can best be explained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view because none of the known active components taken alone is as more effective than the consumption of Reishi itself. Whereas Western medicine focuses on the “cure” after the disease has already occurred, TCM, established through over 2,000 years of human observation, focuses on disease prevention by sustaining the right balance within the body through proper nutrition, exercise, and meditation. Reishi is an important adaptogenic herb in TCM in helping the body maintain this balance and also restore the balance when one is sick. GANODERMA is available in the form of capsule, beverages coffee, tea, soap, cream and other form of health products For details
Dr S S Hiremath Dhanvantari Hospital , Rajaji nagar, Bangalore Ph:
080-2350 5777,
Email : [email protected], Web: www. dhanvantarihospital.com www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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Women health
Menopause Menopause is a natural process for a woman, not an illness. As a woman ages, there will be an expected slowing and ultimately shutdown in the reproductive cycle and system. This is normal. Menopause symptoms are indications of underlying hormonal imbalance or damage to the body from poor eating habits, stress, obesity and other factors. Menopause term was originally used to describe the reproductive change in females, where the end of fertility was traditionally indicated by the permanent stopping of menstruation or “menses”. The word “menopause” literally means the “end of monthly cycles”. In females, menopause usually happens more or less in midlife, signaling the end of the fertile phase of a woman’s life. Menopause is perhaps most easily understood as the opposite process to menarche, the start of the monthly periods. However, menopause in women cannot satisfactorily be defined simply as the permanent “stopping of the monthly periods”, because in reality what is happening to the uterus is quite secondary to the process; it is what is happening to the ovaries that is the crucial factor. For medical reasons, the uterus must sometimes be surgically removed in a younger woman; her periods will cease permanently, and the woman will technically be infertile, but as long as at least one of her ovaries is still functioning, the woman will not have reached menopause; even without the uterus, ovulation and the release of the sequence of reproductive hormones will continue to cycle on until menopause is reached. But in circumstances when a woman’s ovaries are removed, even if the uterus were to be left intact, the woman will immediately be in “surgical menopause”. The menopause transition, and post-menopause itself, is a natural life change, not a disease state or a disorder. The transition itself can be challenging for a number of women, but for others it is not difficult. Clinically speaking, menopause is a date. For those women who still have a uterus, menopause is defined as the day after a woman’s final period finishes. The typical age range for the occurrence of menopause is between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause varies according to geographic location. Rarely the ovaries stop working at a very early age, anywhere from the age of puberty to age 40, and this is known as premature ovarian failure (POF). POF is not considered to be due to the normal effects of aging. Some known causes of premature ovarian failure include autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, in the majority of spontaneous cases of premature ovarian failure, the cause is unknown.
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
Dr. G. Grace G&G Multy Speciality Clinic No.29, 1st Floor, 1st Cross, 3rd Main, Ramamurthynagara, Bengaluru-5600016 Mob.: 8951544239
Women who smoke cigarettes experience menopause significantly earlier than non-smokers. Why? There are several reasons. Women often put tremendous demands on their bodies, much more stress than it was designed to handle, and then do not give it the support it needs. Women have demanding and stressful careers. There are family responsibilities. The relationship with the spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents can add to the burden. All of these and other responsibilities are cumulative in the toll they take on the body and health of a woman. And at the same time, the woman’s body may not be receiving the support it needs to function as it was designed to do. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with the demands placed on it. This lack of balance between the demands made versus support given contributes to many of the menopause symptoms. ¾¾ Pre-menopause Pre-menopause is a word used to describe the years leading up to the last period ever, when the levels of reproductive hormones are already becoming lower and more erratic, and the effects of hormone withdrawal may be present. Pre-menopause is a natural stage of life. It is not a disease or a disorder, and therefore it does not automatically require any kind of medical treatment. However, in cases where the physical, mental, and emotional effects of Pre-menopause are severe, and disrupt the everyday life of the woman experiencing them, medical therapy is helpful. ¾¾ Post-menopause Post-menopause is all of the time in a woman’s life that take place after her last period ever, or more accurately, all of the time that follows the point when her ovaries become inactive. www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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A woman who still has her uterus can be declared to be in post-menopause once she has gone 12 full months with no flow at all, not even any spotting. In adult females who still have a uterus, and who are not pregnant or breast feeding, post-menopause is identified by a permanent (at least one year’s) absence of monthly periods or menstruation. At this point a woman is considered infertile, and no longer needs to factor in the possibility of becoming pregnant. However the possibility of becoming pregnant has usually been very low (but not zero) for a number of years before this point is reached. A woman’s reproductive hormone levels continue to drop and fluctuate for some time into post-menopause, so any hormone withdrawal symptoms that a woman may be experiencing do not necessarily stop right away, but may take quite some time, even several years, to disappear completely. Any period-like flow that might occur during post-menopause, even just spotting, must be reported to a doctor. The cause may in fact be minor, but the possibility of endometrial cancer must be checked for and eliminated. ¾¾ Types of Menopause There are different kinds of menopause. If you have breast cancer, it is important to understand which kind of menopause you may be experiencing: ªª Natural menopause or physiological menopause a normal part of the aging process ªª Medical or surgical menopause that is the result of chemotherapy or ovary removal
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ªª
“Cold-turkey” menopause that is the result of being taken off menopausal hormone therapy (for example, after a diagnosis of breast cancer). ¾¾ The causes of menopause Some factors affect how you age and how you experience menopause: ªª Lifestyle: diet, exercise, weight, smoking, environment. The cultural context within which a woman lives can have a significant impact on the way she experiences the menopause. ªª Genetic makeup: the genes that come from your parents, the blueprint of your constitution and perhaps your future health ªª Hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and others. ªª Social location effects the way women perceive menopause and its related biological effects. Ethnicity and geographical location also play a role in the experience of menopause All of these factors have a major influence on how you experience aging. No single factor determines your progress through life or how you’ll feel. ¾¾ Effects or Menopause symptoms? ------Really? At some point in every woman’s life, her hormone production drops below the level required to continue her periods. Some women welcome the end to monthly bleeding, bloating, and inconvenience. If menopause happens suddenly (caused by breast cancer treatment), leading to uncomfortable side effects and even dashed hopes of having a baby, it can feel like a disease even worse than breast cancer. It’s these menopausal changes that may interfere most with day-to-day quality of life.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
Menopause affects women in the following ways: It may leads to Vascular instability like night sweats and, in a few people, cold flashes and Migraine ªª Hot flashes or hot flushes: If you’ve had one, there’s no mistaking it: the sudden, intense, hot feeling on your face and upper body, perhaps preceded or accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation. Some women experience an “aura,” an uneasy feeling just before the hot flash that lets them know what’s coming. A diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. This heat-releasing mechanism is how your body keeps you from overheating in the summer, but when the process is triggered instead by a drop in estrogen, your brain’s confused response can make you very uncomfortable. Some women’s skin temperature can rise six degrees Centigrade during a hot flash. Your body cools down when it shouldn’t, and you are miserable: soaking wet in the middle of a board meeting or in the middle of a good night’s sleep. Most women have mild to moderate hot flashes, but about 10–15% of women experience such severe hot flashes that they seek medical attention. Skeletal problems like joint pain, muscle pain, back pain. Skin problems like breast atrophy, skin thinning and becoming drier, decreased elasticity of the skin, a sensation like pins and needles, more specifically like ants crawling on or under the skin. Psychological problems like ªª Mood disturbance, irritability, memory loss, and problems with concentration, anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor quality sleep, light sleep, Dizziness insomnia. ªª Sadness, Depression and Fatigue Long-range issues include osteoporosis, heart and vascular disease, and how to live a full and reasonably happy life. Sexual problems like ªª Vaginal Problems, It may lead to itching, dryness, bleeding, watery discharge, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, increased inflammation and infection, for example vaginal and urinary tract infections ªª Vaginal dryness: - With the significant drop in estrogen after menopause, the membranes of the vagina thin, lose elasticity, and decrease their production of lubricating fluids. Sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable or even painful ªª Problem in reaching orgasm, Low metabolism, Lower sex drive, loss of sex drive ªª Lubrication: - Many women find that lubricants help ease vaginal dryness. ªª Yeast infections: - You can also get yeast infections—a common side effect of antibiotics, and steroids,—inside the folds of the vagina and vulva that cause discomfort, thick white discharge, and odor. Clean the area gently. You may need to use yeast-fighting creams or pills, a combination antiyeast and steroid medication, can ease the vulvar burning that can go along with a yeast infection. ªª Discharge: - Troubling vaginal discharge can also
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
occur with menopause. If you’ve had no improvement with your vaginal discomfort despite the use of these various remedies, talk to your doctor You may have only a few menopausal symptoms, or you may have every one. There are number of therapy to over come these problems. However, adverse affects hence a woman and her doctor should carefully review her situation, her complaints and her relative risk before determining the benefits of therapies ¾¾ Other therapies ªª Lack of lubrication is a common problem during and after perimenopause. Vaginal moisturizers can help women with overall dryness, and lubricants can help with lubrication difficulties that may be present during intercourse. It is worth pointing out that moisturizers and lubricants are different products for different issues: some women feel unpleasantly dry all of the time apart from during sex, and they may do better with moisturizers all of the time. Those who need only lubricants are fine just using the lubrication products during intercourse. ªª Low-dose prescription vaginal estrogen products such as estrogen creams are generally a safe way to use estrogen topically, in order to help vaginal thinning and dryness problems while only minimally increasing the levels of estrogen in the bloodstream. ªª In terms of managing hot flashes, lifestyle measures, such as drinking cold liquids, staying in cool rooms, using fans, removing excess clothing layers when a hot flash strikes, and avoiding hot flash triggers such as hot drinks, spicy foods, etc, may partially supplement (or even obviate) the use of medications for some women. ªª Individual counseling or support groups can sometimes be helpful to handle sad, depressed, anxious or confused feelings women may be having as they pass through what can be for some a very challenging transition time. Under normal circumstances, you should not feel rushed to make decisions to cope with these symptoms. But if they began because of a medical, surgical, or “cold turkey” menopause, and if a particular symptom stands in the way of your normal activities, you may be eager to get help. The treatment recommendations that follow include a range of suggestions covering lifestyle choices, complementary therapy, and conventional medicine. Most effective therapies have some side effects, but potential benefits should clearly outweigh them. Careful exercise is an ideal example of therapeutic measures with minimal drawbacks: It strengthens your bones and heart, controls weight, lessens hot flashes, improves your sleep, boosts your energy, revs up your sex drive, and makes your skin glow—without side effects. When your hormones are balanced, you feel more alert and energetic. And balancing family, career, stress and your own needs becomes much easier to do, like it was when you were younger. www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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Ayur care Most of us enjoy the act of conception but what happens is quite amazing and interesting. Every mom to be is excited about her pregnancy. The new life inside her is excited and been busy too, facing a lot of challenges. A baby wants to share its birth story and the secret of its youthful topographic features favored by the flavor of Ayurvedic herbs used by her mom during pregnancy. Read this article to find out more week by week tips for Mom to be.
My Birth Story I was very happy that my mom and dad decided to bring me into this beautiful world, and now I am excited because it’s time to share my birth story all folks of this globe.
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From my Diary
Dr.Shubhankari P. Rao Shubha Ayurvedic centre, 3o/3 Patalamma temple street Basavangudi; Bangalore-56 Ph. 08026578620 Email: [email protected]
Being new parents is a major life time event .Though exciting parenthood is loaded and packed with, emotions, anxiety, and worries, fear which requires a fair amount of dedicated time in maintaining the health, before the baby arrives to handle the surprises all along the way. To start with, my mom’s womb (– room in my mom’s body where I have to stay for almost 9mts) was busy cleaning the entire uterine walls the very first week. This is called as a menstrual cycle by the medical fraternity which occurs generally every four weeks to 35 days (sometimes even longer) every month in a cyclic way, when a woman does not conceive.. ¾¾ What is menstruation? Menstrual cycle happens only in a fertile female human and is responsible for producing changes in the uterus and the ovary for reproduction, for production of eggs and for preparing uterus for pregnancy. It is the beginning of an event where the uterus starts
AYURPHARMA November-2013
preparing for a pregnancy. ¾¾ What happens during menstruation? Each month the lining of the uterus is shed from the uterine body producing a period and a new lining is grown to replace it. The ovary during this period is already recruiting several follicles; Follicles are individual’s sacs which carry egg. During this period the follicles are less than 10mm in size. The strongest follicle of this recruited batch will survive when the kapha level drops. The ovaries will releasethe egg from this dominant sac and will create the highly vascularised bed in its inner lining to nurture the fertilised egg. If no embryo implants the uterine lining goes into the next stage of aging or maturation where the uterine lining gets destabilised and sheds its lining. Here the blood and tissue exit the woman’s body through the uterus, cervix and vagina which is called as menstruation. ¾¾ Which is the first day of menstrual cycle? The first day of menstruation is full flow day which while counting is considered as D1MC – Day 1 of the menstrual cycle. Some women have spotting day before this full flow starts and this is not D1MC. ¾¾ What extra precautions are to be taken on these days? During these 3to 5 days a lady is physically and psychologically in a changed status. From the day of onset of menstruation she should observe celibacy. ªª Meeting of the partners during these days is not considered healthy because the penetration of sperms during menstrual flow ,deposited during menstruation do not reach the uterus .Moreover the partners getting involved in coitus gets exposed to endometrial implants which could prove challenging to health and shorten life expectancy ªª Sleeping in the day time is not advised during menstruation as it is considered to lower metabolism levels. Without movement and metabolism our organs would not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Uterus is a muscle that will function more efficiently if it is well nourished and well hydrated. But a full dose of night sleep on a comfortable bed is recommended to relax the uterine muscles. ªª Exposure to winds especially during menstrual cycle can trigger irregular heartbeat; aggravate asthma, decrease lung function, and increase respiratory symptoms such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty in breathing so are discouraged. ªª Over exercising during menstrual cycle can dampen the immune system. ªª Excessive laughter during a menstrual cycle causes the dilatation of the inner lining of the blood vessels and increases the blood flow and hence best avoided. ªª eating very light food like rice ghee and milk , or a meal prepared out of barley in less quantity , in order to get her body slightly emaciated and digestive system purified not only helps in flushing out the menstrual flow but helps in building up the immune system to work better during the process of baby Making .
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
ªª
Food which is pungent, hot and salty is avoidedbecause this type of food triggers the inflammatory response in the body. The classical signs of acute inflammation are pain (dolor), heat (calor), redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), and loss of function (functiolaesa). Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. Inflammation is not a synonym for infection. During menstruation the shedding of the inner lining of the uterus is taking place. The Endometrium later starts to replenish itself from a layer of cells in the walls of the uterus and starts creating a vascularised bed for a fertilised egg. Food has an impact on the events going on in the uterus. A highly inflammatory diet on these three days disturbs these events. ªª Let the thoughts be pious on these days say Ayurvedic Acharyas because with pure thoughts power is generated, and impure thoughts power is destroyed. When thoughts are brought into action they can be seen immediately. Thoughts can be our best friends or our enemy. You need this special power for making a baby . ªª Avoid applying cosmetics especially to the eye as skin is permeable .Cosmetic ingredients are absorbed through the skin Some chemicals may penetrate skin in higher doses especially if left on the skin for longer time and expose the user to allergies , irritation and photosensitivity. ªª Taking massage during menstruation is not advisable for those who have bleeding disorders, damaged blood vessels. ªª .Conversing too much can contribute to emotional difficulties including anxiety and depression. ªª Even shedding tears is avoided because of its effect on the body like getting increased heart rate sweating and slowed breathing. In the second week my mom‘s body was busy preparing for the great event called ovulation. The term Ovulation means the release of a mature egg from the ovarian follicles present in the ovary (-- an egg producing organ ) In the second week after menstruation the body starts working very hard, gearing up for ovulation and preparing for the fertilisation. The kapha bioenergy stimulates the egg containing sacs called follicles to grow. Follicle is a basic unit containing a single immature egg .Periodically initiated to grow and develop; these eggs develop once a month. Each menstrual cycle several ovarian follicles begin to mature and develop under the influence of kapha bio energy. Usually one follicle develops fully while the other follicles recede. The well grown dominant follicle releases the egg which is competent enough for fertilisation through the help of pitta and vata bioenergy.. Fertilisation is also known as conception which happens when the egg from mother and sperms from the father fuse together leading to the development of an embryo before it has reached distinctively recognisable form .As the egg grows the lining of the uterus also responds by thickening ,developing rich blood supply and gets prepared to receive the fertilised egg .The kledaka kapha secretes thin and more copious mucus which helps sperms to pass into the uterus more easily .Cervical mucus starts www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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changing its consistency from week to week .In the beginning the mucus is thick sticky and creamy and as you head towards conception day the volume will increase and it will look cloudy . While the ovarian follicles are maturing one of these follicles which is dominant, will release an egg that will travel down the fallopian tube in search of Mr Right the lucky sperm that turns this eager egg into a baby. This is ovulation. Cervical mucus is a key signal of fertility and also plays a big role in successful conception. Cervical mucus is produced by the gland within the cervix and specifically within your cervical canal. During your menstrual cycle both the quantity and quality texture appearance of cervical fluids undergo a number of changes in human reproduction .Fertile quality cervical mucus supports conception by providing a fluid healthy medium in which sperms can survive and propel forward. Cervical mucus protects sperms from natural acid environment of the vagina and helps sperms to move through the cervix into the uterus and because the cervical fluids insulate nourish the sperms the presence of fertile cervical mucus can also extend the life span of the sperm in turn increasing the odds of conception by helping sperm hang out and wait for the egg to appear following ovulation. Supplements like shatawari, kapikacchu, Amalaki. Praval panchamruta, draksha, etc. contribute in improving the quality of the cervical mucus. Variation in individual mucus patterns differ among women depending on cycle length age use of fertility herbs etc., Fertility quality cervical fluids typically arrives directly prior to ovulation. Keep fit and pregnancy should not be viewed as an excuse to exercise . ¾¾ The entry of my dad in conception begins here. You have made commitment to become a dad .Now comes the fun part of making the baby My dad was busy finding out how to be successful in conception contribution . To make a baby a sperm has to face many challenges to fertilise an egg .it has to be strong enough to contact and penetrate a female egg which can only happen if a man has perfecttly healthy sperms and he should have enough of them Healthy diet loaded with nuts seeds dried fruits whole grains pulses but not
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unhealthy fat was his diet. His Ayurvedic supplements included herbs like Aswagandha ,Gokshura , Brahma Rasayana etc. which his physician had prescribed seeing his Prakriti and doshas . There is still a debate and disagreement about whether or not a man should refrain from sex and ejaculation for a period of time before his partner ovulates .Ayurvedic Acharyas say that man’s sperms are healthiest when he has had alternate day sex, The constant renewal of sperms prevents the time related DNA damage that can occur in sperm that spend too much time in the testes. when you are trying to make a baby it’s time to turn off that electric blanket and keep each other warm .Prolonged excessive heat can adversely affect those testes by slowing down sperm production and you want plenty of sperms right now .All that snuggling you will have to do generates a different kind of heat the kind that actually makes babies ¾¾ When did my life begin? I am a product of conception which happened when my parents procreated - my father’s sperm united with my mom’s egg. I became highly organised, had the ability to adapt and respond to the environment, had the ability to reproduce (the cells divide and divide again). After the union there is a successful integration of a sperm and an egg. This is called as fertilisation .The fertilised eggs go through the process of cell division .Pregnancy begins with conception because conception is not the same as pregnancy. Fertilised eggs take between 6 to 12 days to implant in the uterine lining It is not called as pregnancy till this happens After completing the six day journey through the fallopian tube I reached my ultimate destination and began to attach to the uterine lining .The soul along with the mind descended in this union. Even before my mother became aware that she is pregnant my life had already begun .By the time my mom come’s to know of her pregnancy around 40 days after her D1MC I was already in there metabolically active sucking nutrition ,excreting waste ,growing and doing many other things that living things do.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
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HEALTH COMMUNICATION THROUGH MEDIA When you are healthy, you will be happy, cheerful and lively. You will feel like taking up and completing any work. That is to say that to accomplish any work, one’s health matters most. When there are healthy people in a community, in a locality, taluk, district, state and the country, they form a healthy society and a healthy nation. It has been said long back that ‘health is wealth’. Those with good health can work hard and hard work leads to good health. It is also said ‘sound mind in a sound body’. True, when one’s body is fit, one’s mind can also be fit. And to be physically fit, one has to put in some effort. ¾¾ Prevention is better than cure You have heard that ‘prevention is better than cure’. When you are confronted with some illness, you have to run in search of a doctor, a specialist or a surgeon. Instead, if you are careful and take care, you not only save your precious time, but also money. It is usually more said than done. For example, there is a cavity in one of your teeth. For many days, you manage the cavity without consulting a dentist. It may be because you are very busy, you may be travelling often and did not find time to visit the doctor. This delay leads to decay of the tooth and one fine day, the tooth gives you excruciating pain. You will run to the nearest available dentist and get the tooth extracted. If you had visited the dentist periodically, you would have saved the tooth. Now, once removed, the tooth is gone forever. Although the doctor suggests you to fill that space with an artificial tooth, unless it is one of the visible teeth, you may not get it filled. When you go to the dentist, he will never extract the affected tooth instantly. He will ask you to get your blood pressure (BP) checked, the blood glucose checked. Then you will run to a cardiologist who will
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Dr. N. Gopalakrishna, Ph.D.
investigate about any problem in your heart. Then the diabetologist, for investigating your blood sugar levels. All these may take one or two days as you have to run around from one doctor to another. Similarly, there will be instances of many ailments which are diagnosed when we go to doctors for some other health issue. Therefore, it is suggested that we must get our health checked by our family physician as well as specialists suggested by them periodically to rule out any illnesses. ¾¾ What is Health? If someone is not suffering from any disease, we cannot say that he is a very healthy person. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of any illness or infirmity” defines the World Health Organisation (WHO). ¾¾ Health Communication Communication broadly includes spreading the health message through different media, viz., printing, television, All India Radio, Internet, and also orally. Cinemas have always been communicating messages very effectively. Health communication is taking health messages through different media regarding prevention of diseases and promotion of health; information about several diseases; the relationship between health workers and the patient; the individual searching the information on health and utilizing the same. The patient taking care of his/her health; public health education and health campaign; Educating people about the dangers of ill health; Concept of health in the media; Bringing awareness among the consumers regarding misuse of health and health system; Health provision through telemedicine system. All these constitute health communication. Effective health communication helps people get a complete picture of health and they make serious attempts to prevent onset of several illnesses. They decide to make use of health services suitable to them. For example, they can also decide to go for suitable health insurance schemes. Due to health communications, people can understand about many diseases prevailing in the society. It has also enabled people interact about health and health awareness, group thinking, training of health workers and thus suitable information is communicated to the masses. Ultimately, prevention of disease and promotion of health has become a reality. Today, for example, we have successfully eradicated some
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diseases through immunization programmes. Health communication enables people to think themselves about changes in their behavior. Through research and evaluation, specialists started the concept of social marketing in which specialists had to change their mode of instruction by giving consumers what consumers wanted rather than what the seller wanted to sell. So, the traditional way of specialists talking and consumers listening has changed. This made way for social change attitude. During 1970s, this method was used in Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). It was intended to change the social attitude and social behavior. Although there is no sale of any particular item, it was proposed to enhance the sale of condoms. Drugs, breastfeeding, nutrition, food, protection of environment. Today, computers and Internet have become extremely popular and highly effective communicative media. Telephone, mobile phones have become inescapable necessities of today’s life. One cannot imagine one’s life without the telephone, mobile and of course, the vehicles. ¾¾ Print Media Communication Today communication through print media is mainly through newspapers and magazines. Books are a very great source of information traditionally. Print media conveys messages through news, writeups, features, stories, reviews, essays, analyses, poems, popular writings etc. Science, technology and engineering are also communicated through the press these days. ¾¾ Periodicals Periodicals published today include daily newspapers, weekly magazines, fortnightly magazines, monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual magazines. There are annual reviews, special issues of magazines and newspapers, yearbooks, irregular periodicals published once in a way. Annual reports of scientific institutions carry the details of research work carried out during the year. Reports of national and multinational companies also publish results of research done in their laboratories.
¾¾ Prestigious Journals - English
There are scientific journals in English brought out by prestigious institutions like Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Raman Research Institute and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in
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Bangalore, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, Journal of Indian Medical Association (JAMA), Research journals and other monographs, bulletins etc. from agricultural universities, research stations, etc. Journals are also published through national laboratories, IITs and several professional agencies like Current Science Association in Bangalore. At the international level, one can find thousands of journals published every month. International science journals include Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Science (published by the American Association of Advancement of Science) and several others. All these are professional, research journals which are not read by common readers. Often, it is also not easily understandable to one and all as they are meant for scientists, specialists and those in the field of health, science, technology, etc. But most often, many newspapers and magazines give the gist of some research accomplishments published in these journals for the benefit of common man. ¾¾ Popular Health Science Journals - Kannada Another branch of writing in literature is popular health science writing. This is a special area of writing practised by very few writers. Such writers include doctors, engineers, journalists, freelance writers, professors and many others. In the area of health, one can find several periodicals published by private publishers. As far as Karnataka is concerned, there are very limited number of such periodicals. Most of such journals are in Kannada language. Some English language journals are also published. Kannada journals include – Vaidyaloka (Kannada) and HealthMag (English) published by Mediaicon, Bangalore, Arogya Anuraga, Psychology & Personality Development, Ganda Hendathi by Anurag Publications, Bangalore, Adarsha Ganda Hendathi by Police News Publishers, Bangalore, and many others. In addition, many general periodicals of Karnataka like Sudha, Taranga, Mayura, Tushara, Karmaveera, also publish articles on health very often. Government publications like Janapada, March of Karnataka, also publish articles on health.
****
Next issue: Role of Information, Education & Communication (IEC) in Health
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# HIG 2024, 3rd ‘B’ Sector, ICICI Bank Road, Near SBI, Yelahanka New Town, Bengaluru-64, Ph: 080 - 40933219 / 7795715203
E-mail : [email protected]
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Yoga for life
degeneration. Healthy foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E and lute in include spinach, kale, carrots, strawberries and tomatoes. Cold water fish such as salmon contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids, also a healthy choice for your eyes.
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Important Facts to Remember regarding lens Remove your lenses if you experience discomfort, redness, or decreased vision. ªª Lenses may become contaminated if worn in swimming pools, hot tubs, or saunas. ªª Always use fresh solution. Never reuse solution to store your lenses. ªª Discard your lenses at the interval recommended by your doctor. ªª Remove lenses before using medicated eye drops. ¾¾ Normal Adaptation of lens Symptoms ªª Increased glare sensitivity outdoors. This can be relieved with quality sunglasses. If it is severe, contact your doctor. ªª Some initial mild discomfort. ªª Some dryness in air conditioning or smoky environments. ªª Slight awareness of the lenses. ¾¾ You have responsibilities as a patient: ªª You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, and use of medicine. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor. ªª You hold responsibility for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the eye care team’s instructions ªª Your eye health depends not just on your hospital care but, in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life for your visual outcome. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health. ¾¾ Facts – do you know ? Corneal disease is a major cause of blindness responsible for 7.1% of blindness in India. Recent data reported that only 10 % of the required 400,000 corneas are being procured annually. Winter may turn tuff to your eyes creating problems like dry eyes and inflamed eyes. This in the long run may lead to eye health problems, such as a damaged cornea or cataracts. This is due to low humidity levels and dry air.
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Basic Asanas
Yogaratna Sri Gopalakrishna Delampady International Yoga Referee Rt. Senior Health Inspector Ph: 0824-2211335 Website: www.delampady.webs.com
¾¾ Important instructions to be followed while practicing Yogasanas ªª Asanas should be practiced in a clean, airy and well lit room. The floor Should be level. Required for Yoga is a mat or a folded blanket. ªª The Best time to practice Asanas is in the morning before breakfast or in this evening before dinner. Food can be taken only half an hour after practising yoga. If one has taken heavy food then asana has to be practiced after 3 to 4 hours. If one has taken light food then asana can be practised after 1 to 2 hours. ªª Take a bath if possible and empty your bowel and bladder before you practice asana. ªª When you are sick in the period of mensus or pregnant or too tired do not practice asana instead take rest. ªª Always be alert attentive and watchful when you practice asanas. Concentrate your own pose. Watch your teachers carefully pay attention to their instruction. ªª Basic asanas can be taught at the age of 8. ªª Yogasanas must strictly be learnt under the suitable guidance of an experienced teacher. Those who wish to learn asanas from the guidance of Yogarathna Sri Gopalakrishna Delampady may please contact him here. ªª The asanas should be practiced in the below given order for maximum benefits. AYURPHARMA November-2013
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
An International Conference on Multidisciplinary approach to developmental disabilities
ydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & V Research Centre We are delighted to launch Skill Matrix 2013, an event that reinforces Vydehi’s commitment to continuous learning. This conference is a fantastic opportunity for medics to gain insight and knowledge from leading Mrs. D.A. Kalpaja professionals in the Director, Vydehi related specialties. Institute of Medical In this convention, Sciences and Research we focus on a multiCentre disciplinary approach on developmental disabilities. Our endeavor is to bring together the specialties in Neurology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Neuro Surgery, Paediatrics and ENT together to find solutions to the challenges we face in dealing with developmental disabilities and equip ourselves with knowledge from the best in the field. We are privileged to have such eminent speakers who are the global leaders in their areas of work, share the platform to provide expert knowledge transfer to our delegates. We are thankful to them for partnering with us in our purpose to enhance the quality of life of patients with developmental disabilities by providing high quality, cost-efficient, multi-disciplinary medical services. The specialist conference has been developed specifically with medical professionals in mind, bringing together the learnings from various disciplines dealing with developmental disabilities and is open to delegates from around the world. We encourage the professionals contributing in this area to come and join this conference where we discourse, discuss, debate and practice the latest trends of medicine in the listed fields of medicine.
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hairperson Dr. S. Kantha Trust C Advisor, VIMS&RC It is well established that the competencies of medical professionals need to be constantly developed and enhanced, keeping in mind the future needs of our health care systems. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre optimizes such a learning environment through these global learning forums to support our medical community in being abreast of the latest knowledge and techniques in an evolving medical environment. The same is need based and much as per guidelines of the Medical Council of India. Skill Matrix 2013, a global medical convention is a wonderful initiative that establishes a learning collaborative where the experts come together so that the best practices in the field can be developed, shared and implemented in our fraternity. It revitalizes our commitment to our students to provide the best in medical education and to our patients to give comprehensive medical care. We welcome you to this conference where the most seasoned and respected medical professionals from across the globe come together to share their knowledge and experience with us and help us in our efforts to heal individuals with the developmental disabilities. Our end objective is to give the best in patient care and we encourage all consultants in the related fields to come and gain from this forum
AYURPHARMA November-2013
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Skillmatrix is an initiative by Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre to bring together the best of medical and rehabilitation professionals across the globe. These experts come together to enhance the skills and abilities of our medical community and work with us to provide health care of global standards to our patients. Conducted once in 2 years, the convention aims at bridging gap between education and medicine. It addresses the issues in basic science as well as clinical practice in areas where our medical community benefits from the knowledge, technical facilities, and best practices around the world. This year, we focus on a multi-disciplinary approach on developmental disabilities. Our endeavor is to bring together the specialties in Neurology, Neuro-Surgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, ENT as well as Rehabilitation professionals together to find solutions to the challenges we face in rehabilitation of the individuals with developmental disabilities. We aim to equip ourselves with knowledge from the best in the field, and ultimately to bridge the gap in patient care. These leaders in the field, whose competence and passion inspires the medical fraternity, will share with us the various aspects and latest trends of medicine in their respective disciplines. The conference will take place at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore from the 2 to 6 December 2013. It is a platform that stands out as an exemplary learning experience for all practitioners working towards rehabilitation of patients with developmental disabilities; we encourage participation from all related fields of the medical community.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Dr. Ryan H. Kotton, MD, Director, High Risk Infant Progress Clinic, and Paediatric Rehabilitation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre Dr. Ryan H. Kotton specializes in treating children with cerebral palsy, the management of hypertonicity, brain and spinal cord injuries, developmental disabilities, musculoskeletal injuries, and gait abnormalities. Dr. Kotton is part of Cedars-Sinai’s multidisciplinary team that cares for children and adults with neurologic and musculoskeletal impairments. ¾¾Dr. Khaled A. Tawansy, MD, Founder and Director, Children’s Retina Institute of California Dr. Khaled A. Tawansy, worldrenowned retinal surgeon, is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Loma Linda University where he teaches retina surgery. He specializes in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery, Uveiti and Ocular Trauma. Dr. Tawansy is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Retina Specialists, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and Pan American Academy of Ophthalmology.
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
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Dr. Anshu Batra, MD., F.A.A.P Board Certified Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Paediatrics Dr. Anshu Batra completed Medical School from the University of Michigan, and Paediatric Specialty Training from the University of North Carolina. Her specialtyresidency training included rotations in Developmental Paediatrics within the UNC-TEACCH program. She has been in Paediatric practice since 1994. As a Developmental Paediatrician in private practice, Dr. Batra specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children with developmental delays, autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome and other genetic disorders, ADHD and other behavioural problems. ¾¾ Ms. Diana Dennis, MA, ECSE, Director Children’s Program, Therapeutic Living Centre (TLC) Ms. Dennis is the Director of Children’s Program at Therapeutic Living Centre, for the Blind which paved a new path for rehabilitation of the blind people. She has been working in the field of early intervention for over 18 years, specializing in visual impairment for the last 12. She spent more than 10 years with the Blind Babies Foundation in Oakland, CA as a Family Consultant, Home Counselor and Visual Impairment Specialist. Prior to moving to Los Angeles she was an Early Intervention Teacher and Vision Impairment Specialist with the Santa Clara County Office of Education. ¾¾ Dr. Audrey Griesbach, MD, Developmental Behavioural Paediatrician, Dr. Audrey Griesbach is Developmental Behavioral Paediatrician in Los Angeles, CA. She specializes in developmental difficulties and problematic behaviors in children.
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¾¾ Ms. Nancy Dilger,, M.A., P.T., P.C.S., C/N.D.T.A., C.K.T.P., Paediatric and Adolescent Physical, Therapist Ms. Nancy Dilger is a Paediatric and Adolescent Physical Therapist with an impressive portfolio of working in large metropolitan medical centers, rehabilitation centers, school settings, as well as teaching both in the undergraduate and graduate level. She specializes in infants, children and adolescents with a variety of developmental disabilities which include but are not limited to developmental delay, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, spina bifida and postural/ structural issues. ¾¾ Dr. Jennifer Kaur, Rodriguez Sohal, MD, Board-Certified Orthopaedic, Spine Surgeon Dr. Jennifer Kaur Rodriguez Sohal is a board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon, in private practice, in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in the treatment of myelopathy, lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication, spinal instability and radiculopathy, both cervical and lumbar. Dr. Sohal has received extensive training in the conservative and surgical management of adult and paediatric spinal deformities, tumours, trauma and degenerative conditions. ¾¾ Ms. Yolanda Gama Moreno, MA, ECSE Director, Multiple Disability Services, Special Educator, Vision Stimulation Therapist Ms. Yolanda is the founder of Multiple Disability Services which provides services for children who are blind or visually impaired with multiple disabilities. She is a bilingual Early Intervention Specialist in Los Angeles, California, who specializes in working with children who are blind or visually impaired, from birth to five years of age. She has years of extensive training in vision stimulation and has also trained professionals in the same at Vydehi Institute of Medical Science and at Heller Keller School for the Blind in Guadalajara Mexico.
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Genesis of VIMS&RC Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre was established in the year 2000, with an aim of delivering medical education and healthcare services of true global standards. Our beloved Founder Chairman, Late Dr. D. K. Audikesavulu, gave us our vision and led us to through our journey to create a medical institution that integrates the quality of education and research in medical science and a medical centre that provides a world class healthcare system to the public at very affordable cost. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences is recognized by Medical Council of India and affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Vydehi Hospital in Bangalore is one of India’s largest super specialty hospitals with a capacity of 1600 beds, with the most advanced Hi-tech equipment and facilities. The campus also has specialty centers: Vydehi Institute of Rehabilitation and Vydehi Institute of Oncology, working towards complete patient care. We also have Institutes in Dental Science and Nursing Sciences offering both Undergraduate & Post Graduate Degrees, affiliated by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and recognized by the Dental Council of India & the Nursing Council respectively. Walking the path shown to us by Dr. D K Audikesavulu, the team at VIMS&RC works with great dedication and earnest efforts to continue to build on our history of providing outstanding medical education and care to the community.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
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Dr Lohit Ayur Infertility & Sex Clinic # I 18/137,5th Main, 2nd Block, 3rd Stage, Opp, to 88 ‘A’ Last Bus Stop, Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore-79 Phone : 080-23234969 Mobile : 9620496969 Email: [email protected] Website: www.drlohit.com
Obesity and sex ¾¾
Is weight loss good for sex life? There are many good reasons to lose weight. Improving your sex life might be one of them. The benefits of sex include increased energy, improved mobility, and elevated self-esteem. These factors are bound to have a positive effect on your love life. In addition, if your weight contributes to depression, the confidence you gain from losing weight may help improve that condition. But because the evidence regarding sexuality and obesity is mixed, there is no reason to believe that you can’t have a satisfying sex life during the weight loss process. Improved intimacy with your partner may even help you to get the emotional support you need as you lose weight. ¾¾ The physical effects of obesity affecting your sex life Before anything else, there is a myth pertaining to sex and obesity that needs to be dispelled. New research has brought into question several claims related to obesity that were previously accepted as truths. One of them is the fact that sex is a great workout that burns anywhere from 100 to 300 calories for short sessions. Latest studies show this to be false. One problem with obese people is that they lack stamina, therefore being unable to sustain high energy activities for long periods of time. The research revealed that the average amount of calories burned during a session of sex was less than 50. This means that it cannot be considered an effective weight loss tool by itself. It can, however, still be a powerful motivator to keep going when combined with a healthy diet and a workout regimen. ÂÂ Obesity does not, by itself, lead to a bad sex life. However, there are physical conditions that go hand-in-hand with obesity that can cause such problems. One study revealed that as much as a third of all obese people have issues with their sex drive, performance, desire or a combination of the three. One problem that can cause this is high cholesterol. Most people that are overweight have elevated cholesterol levels as an unhealthy diet is oftentimes a main cause of obesity. Such a problem can also have an impact on sexual performance and desire. This issue is much more common in men than in women. Furthermore, the same symptoms can be caused by insulin resistance which is, again, something related to a poor diet. This can also be an early indicator of type II diabetes. These two medical issues can cause men to experience sexual problems because they can clog up the tiny arteries found in the
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penis with deposits of fat. As you would expect, this can lead to erectile dysfunction or even impotence. Men are not the only ones that can have sexual problems related to improper blood flow. This can also happen in women. They experience a diminished sex drive because the blood vessels that lead to the vagina can also get clogged, thus making their bodies less responsive to sexual stimuli. In certain cases of morbid obesity, men can suffer from a medical problem known as buried penis syndrome. As its name suggests, this problem involves extra layers of fatty tissue above the pubic area overlapping and hiding the penis. This can present physical difficulties for the man, making it harder for him to achieve penetration. However, from a medical standpoint, this condition can also be a direct cause for erectile dysfunction. Surgery is available as a treatment, but it is never the recommended option and, in some cases, it is not even possible. Weight loss through diet and exercise is always the best solution to treat this problem. There is another medical issue that further complicates matters and has a negative impact on the sex life of people struggling with weight problems. Excessive amounts of body fat will increase the levels of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) in the system. This is a natural chemical that binds to sex hormone testosterone, which is also used to provide a healthy sexual libido and increase sex drive. Higher amounts of SHBG means that there is less testosterone left to handle the duties associated with a normal sex life and therefore there is a decrease in desire.
Obesity also interferes with a person’s sex life in
AYURPHARMA November-2013
other ways. One study found that it is much harder for obese women to find a sexual partner than it is for women of normal weight. They were 30% less likely to have had a sexual partner within the last year. The differences between obese men and regular men were not significant. Not only that, but the same study revealed that obese women were also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. One common issue was the lack of contraceptive measures as overweight women were not as likely to anticipate a sexual encounter and plan ahead. Therefore unplanned pregnancies can also be an issue associated with obesity in women. ¾¾ Dealing with obesity for a better sex life The good news is that most of the issues in your sex life that arise as a result of obesity can be dealt with a little effort. The best way to combat this problem is by losing weight through diet and exercise. You do not even have to wait that long for results. Even losing as little as 10 pounds can start to stimulate sex hormone production, thus resulting in a healthier sexual appetite. This means that your sex drive should improve gradually throughout the weight loss process and you can see tangible results from the beginning. This can act as a powerful motivator to keep going until you reach your weight loss goal. Your love life can improve from this regardless of whether your problems were of a physical or mental nature. Some of the benefits of weight loss that pertain to this situation are increased stamina, bigger supplies of energy, better mobility, increased self-esteem and even help deal with depression. ÂÂ Changes to your diet will also help alleviate sexual problems as it is an important part of weight loss. You should look to follow a lowfat diet that also focuses on consuming a lot of vegetables and fruits. That way you can
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
get your cholesterol and blood sugar levels under control. As mentioned above, high cholesterol and insulin resistance are two of the main causes of sexual problems that are often linked with obesity. If you follow such a diet, you should start to experience a better sex drive very soon, even if the diet is not helping you lose weight. ÂÂ Workouts should also be a big part of your routine if you want to see the best results. However, you should choose your exercises carefully. These should not necessarily be about losing the most weight, but rather about improving blood circulation to the genitals. This is a common problem in obese people and it can cause decreased sex drives in women and erectile dysfunctions in men. Recommended activities include walking, cycling and yoga. They increase blood flow in the large muscle groups in the pelvic region. If you are dealing with weight problems, then it is highly likely that you have already experienced your own problems. If not, you will in the future. They can be related to your sexual appetite, your sexual prowess or your physical ability to perform. There is enough evidence and research conducted to show that there is a definite link between obesity and sex. However, it is not all bad. Such problems can be dealt with if you are willing to work for it. Results should come fast as you do not have to wait until you are down to a normal weight for you to experience the pleasures of a normal love life. You have the option of choosing from a variety of different weight loss programs, but a healthy diet low in fat and rich in minerals and vitamins combined with light workouts is.
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Dr.RaghavendraT. SJ Herbals and Healthcare 080-23221514.
Life style
What is stress? How to manage it?
It is only when stress is overwhelming, or poorly managed, its negative effects appear.
Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation. Physical and chemical factors that can cause stress include trauma, infections, toxins, illnesses, and injuries of any sort. Emotional causes of stress and tension are numerous and varied. While many people associate the term “stress” with psychological stress, scientists and physicians use this term to denote any force that impairs the stability and balance of bodily functions. If stress disrupts body balance and function, then is all stress bad? Not necessarily. A mild degree of stress and tension can sometimes be beneficial. For example,
feeling mildly stressed when carrying out a project or assignment often compels us to do a good job, focus better, and work energetically. Likewise, exercising can produce a temporary stress on some body functions, but its health benefits are indisputable. It is only when stress is overwhelming, or poorly managed, that its negative effects appear. An important goal for those under stress is the management of life stresses. Elimination of stress is unrealistic, since stress is a part of normal life. It’s impossible to completely eliminate stress, and it would not be advisable to do so. Instead, we can learn to manage stress so that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health. ¾¾ Who is most susceptible to stress? Stress comes in all forms and affects people of all ages and all walks of life. No external standards can be applied to predict stress levels in individuals -- one need not have a traditionally stressful job to experience workplace stress, just as a parent of one child may experience more stress related to parenting an a parent of several children. The degree of stress in our lives is highly dependent upon individual factors such as our physical health, the quality of our interpersonal relationships, the number of commitments and responsibilities we carry, the degree of others’ dependence upon and expectations of us, the amount of support we receive from others, and
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AYURPHARMA November-2013
the number of changes or traumatic events that have recently occurred in our lives. Some generalizations, however, can be made. People with strong social support networks (consisting of family, friends, religious organizations, or other social groups) report less stress and overall improved mental health in comparison to those without these social contacts. People who are poorly nourished, who get inadequate sleep or who are physically unwell also have reduced capabilities to handle the pressures and stresses of everyday life and may report higher stress levels. Some stressors are particularly associated with certain age groups or life stages. Children, teens, working parents, and seniors are examples of the groups who often face common stressors related to life transitions. The Natural way to get relief by stress is to do regular exercise and pranayama. The recent case study on stress relief will suppress by using lot of Herbal green tea. One who works with the atmosphere of stress may drink two –three times a cup of herbal green tea will reduce the stress drastically. Do not eat any sleeping pills or alcohol to avoid stress. If you are not able to control stresses by yourself please consult your family physician to better before it would worst. Most of our lives are filled with family, work, and community obligations, and at some point we feel as though we are “running on empty.” Here are SOME immediate stress busters to help “fill up the tank!” So take deep relaxing breath and read on. 1. Watch for the next instance in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant. Then practice letting go, making a conscious choice not to become angry or upset. Do not allow yourself to waste thought and energy where it isn’t deserved. Effective anger management is a tried-and-true stress reducer. 2. Breathe slowly and deeply. Before
3.
6. 7.
november-2013 AYURPHARMA
reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out a relaxation technique such as meditation or guided imagery. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You’ll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; by slowing down your speech you’ll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation. Jump-start an effective time management strategy. Choose one simple thing you have been putting off (e.g., returning a phone call, making a doctor’s appointment), and do it immediately. Just taking care of one nagging responsibility can be energizing and can improve your attitude. Get outdoors for a brief break. Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air. Don’t be deterred by foul weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating. Drink plenty of water and eat small, nutritious snacks. Hunger and dehydration, even before you’re aware of them, can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress. Do quick postures check. Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid stooping or slumping. Bad posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress. If you’re stuck at a desk most of the day, avoid repetitive strain injuries and sore muscles by making sure your workstation reflects good ergonomic design principles. 8. Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if only a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax. Don’t spend this time planning tomorrow’s schedule or doing chores you didn’t get around to during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and energize yourself. You’ll be much better prepared to face another stressful day. www.bangalorehealthtv.com
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SET PERSONAL STANDARDS principles of code of conduct
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There are state-of-the-standard rules and dictums. Then there are state-of-the-individual norms that we set according to our own ethos and envision. These norms are the reflection of our own being and remain our guiding force all through. Just jot down your own set of rules that you will try to abide by. ªª I will not knowingly hurt or hinder another human being in the pursuit of my career. ªª I will not knowingly break any laws in the furtherance of my career, ªª I will have a moral code that I will follow no matter what. ªª I will endeavor to provide a positive contribution to society by what I do for a living. ªª I will not do anything that I could be ashamed to talk to my children about. ªª I will put my family first at all times. ªª I will play by the rules at all times. The above code of conducts is some examples we need to follow for a harmonious and respectful life. Not necessarily, all these above rules will suit our own course of actions. We may need or have a better set for our personal conduct, it should bracket superior traits that comprise positive and proactive elements we need to network and nurture. We must endeavor to be the very, very best we can at all times.
AYURPHARMA November-2013
| i don't know |
JM. Who became the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 2015? | A profile of John McDonnell - new shadow chancellor - BBC News
A profile of John McDonnell - new shadow chancellor
By Alex Hunt BBC News
14 September 2015
Image copyright PA
Image caption John McDonnell, right, with Jeremy Corbyn in 2001
Left-winger John McDonnell has been appointed shadow chancellor by his close friend Jeremy Corbyn. Here is a look at his background and politics.
Twice he has tried to stand for Labour leader and twice he failed to get enough backing from MPs to make it onto the ballot paper.
Partly that was the fault of circumstances, but partly it also reflected the fact that McDonnell, at 64 two years younger than his new leader, is seen as a more divisive figure than Corbyn.
This time around he persuaded his close friend to stand and instead masterminded the campaign which took the 200-1 outsider to stunning victory.
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption McDonnell masterminded a Corbyn campaign which drew big crowds
His reward has been to get what is generally regarded as the second most important role in a political party - in charge of economic policy and taking on Chancellor George Osborne.
It is all a big change from 2007 when our profile of him began : "Left-wing leadership candidate John McDonnell is the sort of MP who used to give Labour leaders a double dose of the jitters. However, that was back in the 1980s and early 1990s when the hard left, particularly the Militant tendency, were a real force in the Labour movement."
Now it's other members of the party, rather than the leader, getting the jitters - BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says members of Corbyn's own team warned him not to give the role to McDonnell, because of the impact it would have on the rest of his senior team.
Public spending cuts
The man now in charge of Labour's economic strategy is certainly not one to have minced his words over the years.
His Who's Who entry talks of "generally fermenting the overthrow of capitalism", and as BBC business editor Kamal Ahmed notes , he has argued in the past for the nationalisation of the UK's banking system, a rapid expansion of public ownership and a new 60% tax rate for earnings over £100,000.
He says he is not a deficit denier. In his blog post last month McDonnell says: "We accept that cuts in public spending will help eliminate the deficit, but our cuts won't be to the middle-and low-income earners and certainly not to the poor. Our cuts will be to the subsidies paid to landlords milking the housing benefit system, to the £93bn in subsidies to corporations, and to employers exploiting workers with low wages and leaving the rest of us to pick up the tab."
As BBC economics editor Robert Peston says, McDonnell is unambiguous that "we believe that we can tackle the deficit by halting the tax cuts to the very rich and to corporations, by making sure they pay their taxes, and by investing in the housing and infrastructure a modern economy needs to get people back to work in good jobs".
Like Corbyn, McDonnell has a long history of left-wing politics in London.
He has been involved in Hayes and Harlington for more than three decades - including a spell as deputy leader of the Greater London Council to Ken Livingstone and as chair of finance overseeing its £3bn budget.
He referred to this when asked on his first morning as shadow chancellor about his suitability for the job - pointing out that he was "chancellor of the exchequer for London at the age of 29".
The married father of three, who suffered a heart attack two years ago, was born in Liverpool, but was educated at Great Yarmouth Grammar School and Burnley Technical College.
Backbench rebel
McDonnell, whose first marriage ended in 1987 and who remarried in 1995, spent time after leaving school as a production worker, and according to the Evening Standard attended night school to take his A-Levels before going on to study government and politics at Brunel University.
He then became an official for the National Union of Mineworkers and TUC and completed a masters degree at Birkbeck College in London.
He stood for Parliament in 1992, losing by just 54 votes but campaigned for the next five years in the seat, being elected in Tony Blair's landslide victory by 14,291 votes.
During the New Labour years he was chairman of the Campaign Group of socialist Labour MPs - a fairly small band who rebelled on a regular basis - on issues ranging from the Iraq War and tuition fees to ID cards and fast food firm McDonald's sponsorship at Labour's 2001 conference.
There were controversies along the way - in 2003 he told a gathering to commemorate the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands: "It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table."
In 2010 McDonnell had to apologise for saying during a radio warm-up that if he could go back in time he would "assassinate Thatcher" - with Jeremy Corbyn taking part in the debate about the comments on the Daily Politics:
A year earlier he was suspended from the House of Commons for five days after grabbing the mace - the ornamental club which represents the royal authority of Parliament - during angry exchanges over Gordon Brown's Labour government's decision to approve a third runway at Heathrow.
Earlier this year, as he rebelled against the Labour leadership on the Welfare Reform Bill, he said: "I would swim through vomit to vote against this bill. And listening to some of the nauseating speeches in support of it, I might have to."
That was the latest of what have been many, many rebellions over the years. It will also, presumably, be the last for at least a while as he prepares to make his move from backbench critic to the front bench.
| John McDonnell |
SG. What was the name of the huge seaplane owned by Howard Hughes? | Who's in Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet?
Who's in Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet?
Who's in, and who's out of the Labour leader's first Shadow Cabinet?
Sign up to the Staggers Morning Call email *
Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Party Chair and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office
Tom Watson MP
Shadow First Secretary of State, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
Angela Eagle MP
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
John McDonnell MP
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Seema Malhotra MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Heidi Alexander MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Education
Lucy Powell MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Owen Smith MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Maria Eagle MP
Shadow Lord Chancellor, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Lord Falconer of Thoroton
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention
Jon Trickett MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Lisa Nandy MP
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Chris Bryant MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Lilian Greenwood MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Vernon Coaker MP
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
Diane Abbott MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
Ian Murray MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Nia Griffith MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Kerry McCarthy MP
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
Kate Green MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Michael Dugher MP
Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration
Gloria De Piero MP
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Luciana Berger MP
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
Baroness Smith of Basildon
Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning
John Healey MP
Chris Leslie, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Rachel Reeves, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Tristram Hunt, Shadow Secretary of State for Education
Emma Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities
Caroline Flint, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Liz Kendall, shadow minister for care and elderly people
Jamie Reed, shadow health minister
Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary
Clive Lewis, Corbyn backer and MP for Norwich South
John Woodcock, shadow minister for education
Ed Miliband, former Leader of the Opposition
Dan Jarvis, shadow Foreign Office minister
Stella Creasy, shadow Home Office minister (Creasy had said before the leadership result that she would go back to the backbenches regardless of who became leader)
Shabana Mahmood, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Chuka Umunna, Shadow Business Secretary
Mary Creagh, Shadow International Development Secretary
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18 January 2017
PMQs review: Theresa May shows how her confidence has grown
After her Brexit speech, the PM declared of Jeremy Corbyn: "I've got a plan - he doesn't have a clue".
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The woman derided as “Theresa Maybe” believes she has neutralised that charge. Following her Brexit speech, Theresa May cut a far more confident figure at today's PMQs. Jeremy Corbyn inevitably devoted all six of his questions to Europe but failed to land a definitive blow.
He began by denouncing May for “sidelining parliament” at the very moment the UK was supposedly reclaiming sovereignty (though he yesterday praised her for guaranteeing MPs would get a vote). “It’s not so much the Iron Lady as the irony lady,” he quipped. But May, who has sometimes faltered against Corbyn, had a ready retort. The Labour leader, she noted, had denounced the government for planning to leave the single market while simultaneously seeking “access” to it. Yet “access”, she went on, was precisely what Corbyn had demanded (seemingly having confused it with full membership). "I've got a plan - he doesn't have a clue,” she declared.
When Corbyn recalled May’s economic warnings during the referendum (“Does she now disagree with herself?”), the PM was able to reply: “I said if we voted to leave the EU the sky would not fall in and look at what has happened to our economic situation since we voted to leave the EU”.
Corbyn’s subsequent question on whether May would pay for single market access was less wounding than it might have been because she has consistently refused to rule out budget contributions (though yesterday emphasised that the days of “vast” payments were over).
When the Labour leader ended by rightly hailing the contribution immigrants made to public services (“The real pressure on public services comes from a government that slashed billions”), May took full opportunity of the chance to have the last word, launching a full-frontal attack on his leadership and a defence of hers. “There is indeed a difference - when I look at the issue of Brexit or any other issues like the NHS or social care, I consider the issue, I set out my plan and I stick to it. It's called leadership, he should try it some time.”
For May, life will soon get harder. Once Article 50 is triggered, it is the EU 27, not the UK, that will take back control (the withdrawal agreement must be approved by at least 72 per cent of member states). With MPs now guaranteed a vote on the final outcome, parliament will also reassert itself. But for now, May can reflect with satisfaction on her strengthened position.
George Eaton is political editor of the New Statesman.
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RHB. The Coast-to-Coast walk finishes at which coastal village? | Day One on the English Coast to Coast Walk
Day One on the English Coast to Coast Walk
2016 (43)
Coast to Coast Walk - Day 1
Robin Hoods Bay to Lion Inn, Blakey
Distance: About 22 Miles.
Weather: Very wet & stormy in the morning but clearing in the afternoon.
My First Step off the Beach at Robin Hoods Bay!
My Coast-to-Coast Walk was unusual in that I traversed from the East Coast at Robin Hoods Bay to finish at St Bees in Cumbria in the West of England.
The majority of walkers complete Wainwright's route in the opposite direction - going West to East.
This first day was also a little unusual in that I walked from Robin Hoods Bay around the Cleveland Way cliff path into Whitby; before joining the "proper" route at Beggar's Bridge in Glaisdale.
I took this detour as I wanted to start my own walk from the Life Boat Station in Whitby and end at the Lifeboat Station at St Bees; bookending my charity raising endeavours for the RNLI!
My Walk Aimed to Raise at Least £1,000 for the RNLI in Whitby.
The Walk
It is an easy enough start to the Coast-to-Coast with a generally gentle uphill climb from sea level at the bottom of the hill in the village of RHB. Obviously, if you're coming from the West, it'll be your penultimate day (or perhaps final day) and an easy downhill walk all the way from the high points of the North York Moors at Blakey Ridge.
I left RHB at 5am with the ritually-collected pebble safely in my pocket! It was a quickish walk around the 7-mile cliff path into Whitby and in time for some breakfast at Spyglass 1708 at 8am. I left the Whitby Lifeboat Station and headed out of town towards Aislby; then Egton; before joining the traditional C-to-C route at Glaisedale at about 1130am.
In Glaisdale I came across my first end-to-enders heading in the opposite direction - and happy to be nearly finishing!
Heading out of Glaisdale up the Rigg; I was soon out of the soft countryside of Eskdale and onto the sweeping open North York Moors plateau with its flatish vista spreading in all directions.
Moorland Scene on Glaisdale Rigg.
After six months in planning; I felt that I was finally on my way!
It was a lovely walk with lots of Skylark song to keep me company; and in familiar country for me.
I arrived at the Lion Inn in time for an afternoon pint and a bit of late lunch around 3pm.
All-in-all - a great start!
Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge Makes a Welcome Sight!
| Robin Hood's Bay |
YM. ‘Life of Pi’ won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 2002. Who is the author? | Thackwood Bed And Breakfast Robin Hoods Bay
Guest Comments
Welcome to Thackwood Bed and Breakfast
Open all year, Thackwood Bed and Breakfast is ideally situated in a quiet and private setting at the top of the hill in the picturesque seaside village of Robin Hood's Bay. We are only 6 miles from Whitby and Scarborough is just a short scenic drive away.
Thackwood was built in 1948 and has since been completely re-designed with high quality decor and also to provide guests with plenty of space. There is ample free off road parking.
We are situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, and are the first house that you see as you leave the Coast to Coast Walk to come into Robin Hood's Bay.
Our luxurious bedrooms (2 Double and 1 Twin) are en-suite and have tea/coffee making facilities, TVs and hairdryers. The double rooms have showers and the twin room has a bath. The 2 double rooms have the benefit of spectacular sea views.
A selection of breakfasts are served in our modern, spacious dining room and our full English breakfast will make sure that your day gets off to the perfect start.. Sorry, no pets allowed.
© Thackwood | Bed & Breakfast, Mount Pleasant East, Robin Hoods Bay, YO22 4RF | 01947 880858 Website By Scarborough Website Design
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