21st REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 30 May 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Continuing with the subject of Magna Carta, the 800th Anniversary Events Programme booklet for Salisbury Cathedral is now out. On page 5 of the 22 pages there is an article on the conservational importance of Salisbury's version. Emily Naish, the Cathedral's archivist claims that it has often been described as 'the best preserved' or 'the most beautifully written' of the surviving four versions. Apparently all the versions are visibly different from each other (different sizes of parchment and in different states of preservation). Salisbury's script is in 'Book Hand' whereas the other three are in 'Chancery Hand'. Emily says that the ink on the Salisbury charter is particularly clear and strong and appears to be the most stable. As a result the text is clearly legible even after 800 years.
22nd REPLY
NAME: Nick Dean
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 30 May 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
This would have sent Sam C0cks into orbit on at least three counts. The Times quotes from a flyer for a production of King John at the Globe Theatre which "fittingly marks the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carter".
23rd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 04 June 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Turning from the anniversary of Magna Carta back to the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th of June [see reply 15], I did send off for and receive the campaign bronze medal, 1 of 500,000 issued. I am not going to collect the other more expensive medals. The original medal is a bit like a sprat to catch a mackerel. The question has arisen of course in these days of the EEC whether such a victory over the French should be celebrated. His Grace the current Duke of Wellington replies in the folder returned with the medal: "My reply is history cannot be forgotten and we need to be reminded of the bravery of thousands of men from many nations who fought and died in a few hours on 18th June 1815 and why their gallantry and sacrifice ensured peace in Europe for 50 years." I myself wish that a return may be made to a fight like David and Goliath between two men rather than the thousands involved in such battles. I prefer also the 60s chant of "All we are saying is give peace a chance."
24th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 08 June 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I enjoyed watching two programmes on BBC TV this week relevant to King John (The Last Journey of the Magna Carta King) and to The Duke of Wellington and the Battle of Waterloo (Wellington - The Iron Duke Unmasked). In the first I was interested especially in John's concern for his eternal soul and his stated wish to be buried in Worcester Cathedral near a well known saint and the desire for the regular saying of masses for him. This has been carried out and tourists today go and see the tomb. He died in 1216 and a new sarcophagus with an effigy was apparently made for him in 1232, in which his remains now rest. Wellington was portrayed, warts and all, in the other programme but he was much respected in his lifetime and of course much remains today to celebrate his life and actions.
25th REPLY
NAME: Nick Dean DATE: 13 June 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Possibly taking his cue from the Globe Theatre [reply 22], or maybe the Royal Mint [reply 9], the Prime Minister twice referred during Parliamentary questions this week to "the signing of the Magna Carta" I don't know who taught him history at Eton, but, as his Latin may well have benefited from the teaching of the esteemed John Lewis [reply 93/10], he presumably knows how to spell 'Magna Carta' correctly (albeit employing the superfluous definite article which used to annoy Mr C0cks so much).
26th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 22 June 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Well the main day for celebrating the sealing of Magna Carta in Salisbury has come and gone (Monday 15th June) and a jolly good show was provided by all. Especially was this true of the procession, which included really tall barons along with banners for so many towns around Salisbury. There were bands and morris dancing in the market square as well as so many dressed as knights also involved in mock battles. In fact there was quite a weekend of it with a concert and lectures on the Saturday, a walk from Old Sarum to Salisbury Cathedral and a free tea for all attending on the Sunday, and then the Monday parade and celebrations. I even obtained two of the cooking apples donated amongst many from a local farm. There is still a large programme for coming days as well. Around the square and cathedral there are also a few baron statutes. I hope to send in some photos when I may develop them in Andover's Boots store.
27th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 03 July 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I personally do not seem to get away from the celebrating of Magna Carta. On a visit to the National Trust run Anglesea Abbey near Cambridge over the last weekend I saw in a glass case in the library a copy of a book with both the Latin and English translation of the Magna Carta terms on facing pages. What I found as interesting was that the Runnymede site was bequeathed to the nation by the Lord Fairhaven family, who also owned Anglesea Abbey until Lord Fairhaven's death in 1966. He bequeathed that property also to the National Trust and decreed that the contents of rooms remain as he left them. Perhaps that is news to others, as it was to me.
28th REPLY
NAME: Nick Dean DATE: 27 July 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Others may already be aware of this, but I was interested to read in The Times (25/7) of plans for an archaeological project this autumn to unearth evidence relating to the use of handguns at the Battle of Barnet (1471). The hope is that this will shed greater light on the precise location of the battle which, traditionally, has been placed just north of the town and is, of course, marked by Hadley Highstone. War historians have evidently differed about where precisely the respective forces were deployed, but evidence of handguns may be helpful because Barnet is apparently the only intact 15th century battle site in England where such weapons are known to have been used in large numbers. I read elsewhere that "hande-gonnes" were pretty unreliable at that time and that it was a wonder they were used at all. But, equally, archers were hampered at Barnet by the April mist and lack of open terrain (unlike at Towton ten years before, or at Agincourt, for that matter). So, ultimately, hand-to-hand combat was crucial.
29th REPLY
NAME: Nick Dean DATE: 03 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
(Continuing my reply 3) ... I was surprised therefore to read that the British Library has been granted Grade I listed status, placing it on a par with St Pancras and King's Cross. I don't know if there was some perception that, with all the redevelopment in the area, covetous eyes might eventually be cast at the site - "We'll pay for a new library in the Thames Estuary if we can build a 50 storey hotel" - but, whatever the apparent architectural merits, this decision does strike me as somewhat premature.
30th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 02 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
The celebrations of Magna Carta in Salisbury [replies 26 & 27] continue with events throughout the end of Summer. Of course the great day of the procession (15th June) has come and gone but on Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 February there is a contemporary craft and heritage festival (Tickets £5 adults £2 children) and on Tuesday 15 - Sunday 20 September there is a Magna Flora flower festival (Tickets £11 adults £5 children.) These charges will be a good supplement to the Council's lottery grant for Magna Carta but may well be worth paying. The blurb for the flower festival says "See the spectacular work of over 500 flower arrangers with the smell and sight of many thousands of blooms in a mix of contemporary, traditional and interpretive displays inspired by Magna Carta." This all represents an extremely mini Chelsea or Hampton Court Flower Show, with a corresponding price. Perhaps some or all the proceeds goes to Salisbury Cathedral. Proceeds for the former go to a separate charity. See Jas's pics of the celebrations
31st REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 11 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In regard to Magna Carta celebrations, at last they have come to where I live in Ludgershall. There are to be some activities at our local church this weekend, such as shield painting. The town has some connection with King John as he apparently used to stay at our Ludgershall Castle. This is in addition to whatever benefits we have all finally received from the 1215 events.
32nd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 14 October 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Well the Magna Carta flower festival at Salisbury Cathedral has come and gone and it is considered by most to be a great success. Photos of parts of it may be seen on the BBC website for any who might be interested. The Salisbury Cathedral site was down at the time of posting this.
33rd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 04 April 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
The earlier correspondence regarding King John and Magna Carta raised its head again this week in the ITV quiz programme The Chase, which I often watch and enjoy. The question put to contestant Hazel was "a £2 coin was issued in 2015 and criticized for a schoolboy error because it showed King John holding what? A sword, a quill or a mobile phone?" She answered mobile phone and shortly after was eliminated from the potential team for the final chase. Comments on the twittersphere were made to the effect "is she the worst contestant ever?" She certainly missed out financially as the other three contestants got through and won £75,000 between them (£25,000 each) by one second against the chaser Paul "The Sinnerman" Sinha.
34th REPLY
NAME: Nick Dean DATE: 05 June 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I'm not sure if anyone is still out there, but I thought I'd mention that recently I visited Lincoln for the first time in 10 years. I took the opportunity to view their copy of Magna Carta which, though owned by the cathedral, is on display in the crypt of the castle. Like the one at Salisbury, it's not the most visually exciting document; indeed, in addition to not being allowed to take a photo (of course), there was nothing as mundane as a postcard for sale either. (There are pics on the internet, though.) By chance, I was in Northampton a few days before and saw on the side of the Guildhall this late 19th century representation of the granting of what is labelled as "Magna Charta", a form unlikely to have endeared the good burghers of the town to Mr C0cks. In respect of that, I came across the following in my 1926 edition of Fowler: "Authority seems to be for spelling as "charta" and pronounced "karta", which is hard on the plain man. But outside histories and lecture-rooms the spelling & pronunciation "charta" will take a great deal of killing yet". But perhaps the book's wrong.