Benjamin Britten, a British composer, took some Medieval poetry and set it to music, calling it the "Ceremony of Carols". Below is a video of a selection of these works being performed by the Indianapolis Children's Choir.
Ceremony of Carols
Merry Christmas, and Best Wishes for the New Year!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
December 16-31, Random Events in History
Things have been a bit hectic, and I apologize that this post is late.
December 16
1431 AD - King Henry VI of England crowned King of France
1598 AD - Final battle of the 7-Years war between Korea and Japan is fought
1617 AD - Spain founds the provinces of Argentina (Rio de le Plata) and Paraguay (Guaira)
1631 AD - Mt. Vesuvius in Italy erupts destroying 6 villages and killing 4,000
1653 AD - Oliver Cromwell sworn in as Lord Protector of England
1707 AD - Last recorded eruption of Mt. Fuji in Japan
December 17
546 AD - the Ostrogoths conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison
1526 AD - Pope Clement VII publishes the decree forming the Inquisition
1538 AD - Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII of England
December 18
1271 AD - Kublai Khan renames is empire "Yuan", officially marking the start of the Yuan Dynasty in China
December 19
1154 AD - King Henry II crowned King of England
December 20
1192 AD - King Richard the Lionheart captured in Vienna
1522 AD - Sulelman the Magnificent accepts the surrender of the surviving Knights of Rhodes, who
evacuate to the island of Malta and eventually become known as the Knights of Malta
1600 AD - The Rinuccini/Cacini opera "Euridice" is published
1606 AD - Virginia Company settlers leave London for Jamestown, Virginia
1669 AD - The first jury trial is held in Delaware, American Colonies
December 22
1135 AD - Norman nobles recognize Stephen of Blois as the English King
December 23
962 AD - Byzantine troops storm the city of Aleppo in Syria
1620 AD - French Huguenots declare war on King Louis XIII
1672 AD - Giovanni Cassini discovers Rhea, a satellite of Saturn
December 24
563 AD - The Hagia Sophia (church) in Constantinople is dedicated for the 2nd time after being destroyed
by earthquakes
1476 AD - 400 Burgundian soldiers freeze to death during the siege of Nancy
December 25
597 AD - England adopts the Julian calendar
800 AD - Charlemagne crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III
1066 AD - William the Conqueror crowned King of England
1100 AD - Boudouin I of Boulogne crowned King of Jerusalem
1223 AD - St. Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene
1492 AD - Columbus' ship the Santa Mario runs aground and sinks on Hispaniola (Haiti)
1553 AD - Spanish conquistadores are defeated by Mapuche rebels and the governor of Chile is executed
1599 AD - City of Natal, Brazil is founded
December 26
795 AD - St. Leo III begins his reign as the Catholic Pope
1198 AD - French Bishop Odo von Sully condemns "Zottenfeest" or "The Feast of Fools", believed to
be an incarnation of Saturnalia and therefore immoral
1492 AD - First Spanish settlement, La Navidad (modern Mole-Saint-Nicholas), founded by Columbus in
the New World
1620 AD - Pilgrims from England arrive at Plymouth Rock, in what is now Massachusetts
1620 AD - The crimes of Elizabeth Bathory, "The Blood Countess" are uncovered
December 28
1065 AD - Westminster Abbey in London is consecrated
1308 AD - The reign of emperor Hanazono begins in Japan
1732 AD - First known ad for "Poor Richard's Almanack" appears in the Pennsylvania Gazette
December 29
1170 AD - Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury inside Canterbury Cathedral
by followers of King Henry II. He subsequently becomes a martyr and saint for both the
Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches
1503 AD - France is beaten by Spain in the Battle of Carigliano
1708 AD - The Great Alliance occupies Gent
December 30
1317 AD - Pontifical decree "Sancta Romania" against spiritualists
1460 AD - Battle of Wakefield in the Wars of the Roses
1621 AD - English King James I cracks Protestation of Parliament
1689 AD - Purcell's and Tate's opera "Dido and Aeneas" premieres in Chesea
1703 AD - Tokyo hit by an earthquake which kills 37,000 people
December 31
406 AD - The Rhine at Mainz is attacked by 80,000 Vandals
535 AD - Byzantine general Belisariaus completes the conquest of Sicily
870 AD - Skirmish at Englefield, in which Ethelred of England defeats the Danes
1229 AD - James I of Aragon enters Medina Mayurqua (now Palma, Spain) thus consummating the
Christian conquest of the island of Majorca
1502 AD - Cesare Borgia (son of Pope Alexander VI and brother to Lucretia) occupies Urbino
1600 AD - British East India Company is chartered
1687 AD - The first Huguenots depart France for the Cape of Good Hope
1695 AD - A window tax is imposed in England, resulting in numerous shopkeepers bricking up their
windows to avoid paying the tax
December 16
1431 AD - King Henry VI of England crowned King of France
1598 AD - Final battle of the 7-Years war between Korea and Japan is fought
1617 AD - Spain founds the provinces of Argentina (Rio de le Plata) and Paraguay (Guaira)
1631 AD - Mt. Vesuvius in Italy erupts destroying 6 villages and killing 4,000
1653 AD - Oliver Cromwell sworn in as Lord Protector of England
1707 AD - Last recorded eruption of Mt. Fuji in Japan
December 17
546 AD - the Ostrogoths conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison
1526 AD - Pope Clement VII publishes the decree forming the Inquisition
1538 AD - Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII of England
December 18
1271 AD - Kublai Khan renames is empire "Yuan", officially marking the start of the Yuan Dynasty in China
December 19
1154 AD - King Henry II crowned King of England
December 20
1192 AD - King Richard the Lionheart captured in Vienna
1522 AD - Sulelman the Magnificent accepts the surrender of the surviving Knights of Rhodes, who
evacuate to the island of Malta and eventually become known as the Knights of Malta
1600 AD - The Rinuccini/Cacini opera "Euridice" is published
1606 AD - Virginia Company settlers leave London for Jamestown, Virginia
1669 AD - The first jury trial is held in Delaware, American Colonies
December 22
1135 AD - Norman nobles recognize Stephen of Blois as the English King
December 23
962 AD - Byzantine troops storm the city of Aleppo in Syria
1620 AD - French Huguenots declare war on King Louis XIII
1672 AD - Giovanni Cassini discovers Rhea, a satellite of Saturn
December 24
563 AD - The Hagia Sophia (church) in Constantinople is dedicated for the 2nd time after being destroyed
by earthquakes
1476 AD - 400 Burgundian soldiers freeze to death during the siege of Nancy
December 25
597 AD - England adopts the Julian calendar
800 AD - Charlemagne crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III
1066 AD - William the Conqueror crowned King of England
1100 AD - Boudouin I of Boulogne crowned King of Jerusalem
1223 AD - St. Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene
1492 AD - Columbus' ship the Santa Mario runs aground and sinks on Hispaniola (Haiti)
1553 AD - Spanish conquistadores are defeated by Mapuche rebels and the governor of Chile is executed
1599 AD - City of Natal, Brazil is founded
December 26
795 AD - St. Leo III begins his reign as the Catholic Pope
1198 AD - French Bishop Odo von Sully condemns "Zottenfeest" or "The Feast of Fools", believed to
be an incarnation of Saturnalia and therefore immoral
1492 AD - First Spanish settlement, La Navidad (modern Mole-Saint-Nicholas), founded by Columbus in
the New World
1620 AD - Pilgrims from England arrive at Plymouth Rock, in what is now Massachusetts
1620 AD - The crimes of Elizabeth Bathory, "The Blood Countess" are uncovered
December 28
1065 AD - Westminster Abbey in London is consecrated
1308 AD - The reign of emperor Hanazono begins in Japan
1732 AD - First known ad for "Poor Richard's Almanack" appears in the Pennsylvania Gazette
December 29
1170 AD - Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury inside Canterbury Cathedral
by followers of King Henry II. He subsequently becomes a martyr and saint for both the
Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches
1503 AD - France is beaten by Spain in the Battle of Carigliano
1708 AD - The Great Alliance occupies Gent
December 30
1317 AD - Pontifical decree "Sancta Romania" against spiritualists
1460 AD - Battle of Wakefield in the Wars of the Roses
1621 AD - English King James I cracks Protestation of Parliament
1689 AD - Purcell's and Tate's opera "Dido and Aeneas" premieres in Chesea
1703 AD - Tokyo hit by an earthquake which kills 37,000 people
December 31
406 AD - The Rhine at Mainz is attacked by 80,000 Vandals
535 AD - Byzantine general Belisariaus completes the conquest of Sicily
870 AD - Skirmish at Englefield, in which Ethelred of England defeats the Danes
1229 AD - James I of Aragon enters Medina Mayurqua (now Palma, Spain) thus consummating the
Christian conquest of the island of Majorca
1502 AD - Cesare Borgia (son of Pope Alexander VI and brother to Lucretia) occupies Urbino
1600 AD - British East India Company is chartered
1687 AD - The first Huguenots depart France for the Cape of Good Hope
1695 AD - A window tax is imposed in England, resulting in numerous shopkeepers bricking up their
windows to avoid paying the tax
Monday, December 9, 2013
December 9-15, Random Events in History
This week's installment of a sampling of events occurring throughout history for this week of December.
December 9
1212 AD - Frederik II crowns himself the Roman Catholic King
1640 AD - Settler Hugh Bewitt is banished from the Massachusetts Colony after declaring himself free of
original sin
1658 AD - Dutch troops occupy the harbor city of Quilon (Coilan) in India
December 10
1520 AD - Martin Luther publicly burns papal edict demanding he recant
1582 AD - France begins use of the Gregorian Calendar
December 11
1282 AD - Llywelyn ab Gruffydd, the last Welsh Prince of Wales, is assassinated
1572 AD - Spanish troops begin the siege of Haalem
1620 AD - 103 pilgrims on board the ship Mayflower land at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts
December 13
1294-AD - St. Celestine V abdicates as pope after only 5 months
1577 AD - Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around the world
1636 AD - the Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes 3 militia regiments to defend against the Pequot
Indians--recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard
1642 AD - New Zealand is discovered by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman
1643 AD - the Battle of Alton is fought in the English Civil War
December 14
1287 AD - Storms cause St. Lucia's flood, which collapses the Zuyderzee (Netherlands) seawall, resulting
in the death of an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people in the 5th largest flood of recorded history
1547 AD - Mary Stuart succeeds her father, James V, and becomes Mary Queen of Scots at 6 days old
1656 AD - Artificial pearls are first manufactured in Paris of gypsum pellets covered with fish scales
December 15
1256 AD - The Mongols capture and destroy the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut in present-day Iran
1612 AD - The Andromeda Galaxy is first observed through a telescope
1664 AD - the British colonize what is now Connecticut
December 9
1212 AD - Frederik II crowns himself the Roman Catholic King
1640 AD - Settler Hugh Bewitt is banished from the Massachusetts Colony after declaring himself free of
original sin
1658 AD - Dutch troops occupy the harbor city of Quilon (Coilan) in India
December 10
1520 AD - Martin Luther publicly burns papal edict demanding he recant
1582 AD - France begins use of the Gregorian Calendar
December 11
1282 AD - Llywelyn ab Gruffydd, the last Welsh Prince of Wales, is assassinated
1572 AD - Spanish troops begin the siege of Haalem
1620 AD - 103 pilgrims on board the ship Mayflower land at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts
December 13
1294-AD - St. Celestine V abdicates as pope after only 5 months
1577 AD - Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around the world
1636 AD - the Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes 3 militia regiments to defend against the Pequot
Indians--recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard
1642 AD - New Zealand is discovered by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman
1643 AD - the Battle of Alton is fought in the English Civil War
December 14
1287 AD - Storms cause St. Lucia's flood, which collapses the Zuyderzee (Netherlands) seawall, resulting
in the death of an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people in the 5th largest flood of recorded history
1547 AD - Mary Stuart succeeds her father, James V, and becomes Mary Queen of Scots at 6 days old
1656 AD - Artificial pearls are first manufactured in Paris of gypsum pellets covered with fish scales
December 15
1256 AD - The Mongols capture and destroy the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut in present-day Iran
1612 AD - The Andromeda Galaxy is first observed through a telescope
1664 AD - the British colonize what is now Connecticut
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tapestry of Life
In this age of phones that take high-definition photos, there are generations of people who can't imagine there being a time when there was no fast, simple means of pictorially recording events. From drawings on cave walls to paintings or bas relief in tombs and religious buildings, to photography--man seems to have a need to show the importance of certain events or people in his life.
In the Medieval era, this was done primarily through paintings, which were typically commissioned by a wealthy patron (an individual or an entity, such as the Church), but not always.
The earliest tapestries were believed to be Greek and produced in the 2nd-3rd century. The Egyptians produced a form of tapestry called kepati, and the Chinese, as early as the Tang Dynasty in the early 7th century, produced cut silk tapestries called kesi
Generally considered to be the oldest known European tapestry is the Cloth of St. Gereon (right), dating back to the early 11th century. It's purpose was ornamental, and both the patterns and the weave show oriental or Byzantine influence.
Below is another famous piece, the Bayeux Tapestry. It is not considered technically a tapestry, but an embroidered cloth since it is stitched and not woven. It depicts scenes leading up to the Norman conquest of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings, and is approximately 70 meters long. Some historians believe it was commissioned by the Bishop Odo, half-brother to William the Conqueror, and was believed to have first been seen at the dedication of his cathedral on July 14, 1077.
By about 1300, with improvements in looms, tapestries became much more common. They were often used by the Church to depict biblical scenes for the commoners, who were illiterate and unable to read texts. Tapestries also came into common use by the nobility as art, or to commemorate and display family heraldry or significant events. One of the most commonly-reproduced tapestries is "The Lady and the Unicorn" shown below and which dates back to the 15th century:
The last example of European tapestry art is one of several "Wawel" tapestries, held by the Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland. Most if not all were commissioned by Sigisimund II Augustus, king of Poland.
In Europe, the popularity of tapestries declined with the advent of the French Revolution, not only because many of the artisans were located in France, but also because they came to symbolize the opulent decadence of the ruling class. Antique tapestries, at least those prior to the 19th century and which are not in museums or private collections, are not that easy to come by. However, in this digital age, even the most complex tapestries are simple to produce--just in case you have an event in your life you'd like to commemorate or display.
In the Medieval era, this was done primarily through paintings, which were typically commissioned by a wealthy patron (an individual or an entity, such as the Church), but not always.
The earliest tapestries were believed to be Greek and produced in the 2nd-3rd century. The Egyptians produced a form of tapestry called kepati, and the Chinese, as early as the Tang Dynasty in the early 7th century, produced cut silk tapestries called kesi
Generally considered to be the oldest known European tapestry is the Cloth of St. Gereon (right), dating back to the early 11th century. It's purpose was ornamental, and both the patterns and the weave show oriental or Byzantine influence.Below is another famous piece, the Bayeux Tapestry. It is not considered technically a tapestry, but an embroidered cloth since it is stitched and not woven. It depicts scenes leading up to the Norman conquest of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings, and is approximately 70 meters long. Some historians believe it was commissioned by the Bishop Odo, half-brother to William the Conqueror, and was believed to have first been seen at the dedication of his cathedral on July 14, 1077.
 |
| Bayeux Tapestry Photo courtesy of hans_s/Foter.com/CC BY-ND |
By about 1300, with improvements in looms, tapestries became much more common. They were often used by the Church to depict biblical scenes for the commoners, who were illiterate and unable to read texts. Tapestries also came into common use by the nobility as art, or to commemorate and display family heraldry or significant events. One of the most commonly-reproduced tapestries is "The Lady and the Unicorn" shown below and which dates back to the 15th century:
The last example of European tapestry art is one of several "Wawel" tapestries, held by the Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland. Most if not all were commissioned by Sigisimund II Augustus, king of Poland.
The Wickedness of the Human Race Before the Flood. Made in Brussels circa 1553
An example of Chinese kesi appears below. Later, around the 15th or 16th century, some of these tapestries were embellished with brushwork and colors. It's difficult to believe, with such intricate detail as these show, that they were woven on a loom.
Cut silk of the Song Dynasty
In Europe, the popularity of tapestries declined with the advent of the French Revolution, not only because many of the artisans were located in France, but also because they came to symbolize the opulent decadence of the ruling class. Antique tapestries, at least those prior to the 19th century and which are not in museums or private collections, are not that easy to come by. However, in this digital age, even the most complex tapestries are simple to produce--just in case you have an event in your life you'd like to commemorate or display.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Happenings in History for December by Date
Following is a random sampling of events throughout the Middle Ages, most for Western Europe.
December 1
800 AD: Charlemagne judges accusations against Pope Leo III of perjury and adultery
which are dismissed. 2 days later, Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor
1640 AD: Portugal regains independence from Spain after 60 years of Spanish rule
December 2
1409 AD: The University of Leipzig opens
1697 AD: St. Paul's Cathedral opens in London
December 3
1557 AD: The first Covenant of Scottish Protestants forms
1586 AD: Potatoes from Columbia are first introduced into England
1621 AD: Galileo invents the telescope
December 4
1110 AD: City of Saida in Syria surrenders to the Crusaders
1154 AD: Hadrian IV is elected pope, the only Englishman to become pontiff
1259 AD: Treaty of Paris signed between King Henry III (England) and Louis IX (France)
1619 AD: 38 colonists from England disembark in Virginia
1674 AD: Father Marquette, a French priest, builds the first building in what is now Chicago
December 5
1360 AD: The French franc is created
1408 AD: Emir Edigu of the Mongolian Golden Horde reaches Moscow
1456 AD: 35,000 people die when an earthquake strikes Naples, Italy
1492 AD: Columbus discovers Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)
December 6
1240 AD: The Mongols occupy and destroy Kiev
1534 AD: Quito, Ecuador is founded by Spain
December 7
43 AD: The Roman orator, Cicero, is assassinated
185 AD: Emperor Lo-Yang of China sees supernova
December 8
1659 AD: The city of Cuidad Juarez is founded in Mexico
December 1
800 AD: Charlemagne judges accusations against Pope Leo III of perjury and adultery
which are dismissed. 2 days later, Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor
1640 AD: Portugal regains independence from Spain after 60 years of Spanish rule
December 2
1409 AD: The University of Leipzig opens
1697 AD: St. Paul's Cathedral opens in London
December 3
1557 AD: The first Covenant of Scottish Protestants forms
1586 AD: Potatoes from Columbia are first introduced into England
1621 AD: Galileo invents the telescope
December 4
1110 AD: City of Saida in Syria surrenders to the Crusaders
1154 AD: Hadrian IV is elected pope, the only Englishman to become pontiff
1259 AD: Treaty of Paris signed between King Henry III (England) and Louis IX (France)
1619 AD: 38 colonists from England disembark in Virginia
1674 AD: Father Marquette, a French priest, builds the first building in what is now Chicago
December 5
1360 AD: The French franc is created
1408 AD: Emir Edigu of the Mongolian Golden Horde reaches Moscow
1456 AD: 35,000 people die when an earthquake strikes Naples, Italy
1492 AD: Columbus discovers Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)
December 6
1240 AD: The Mongols occupy and destroy Kiev
1534 AD: Quito, Ecuador is founded by Spain
December 7
43 AD: The Roman orator, Cicero, is assassinated
185 AD: Emperor Lo-Yang of China sees supernova
December 8
1659 AD: The city of Cuidad Juarez is founded in Mexico
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)