In Scotland in the 15th century, the ruler’s money came in and it went out, much like every other place at every other time. It did so via the Exchequer. The word comes from the medieval Latin scaccarium, or “chessboard”, these royal accounts being kept with counters on a chequered cloth. On 1 June 1495, the… Continue reading #OTD 1 June – I’m scotched
Author: The chronographer
#OTD 7 May – Westward ho?
On 7 May 1954, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu ended in a French defeat and a Viet Minh victory. In terms of dialogue about communism and about nationalism, the outcome was a doozy. It was also something more. In the words of a US soldier who would serve in Vietnam, the battle became a… Continue reading #OTD 7 May – Westward ho?
#OTD 6 May – The mother of all birthdays
On 6 May 2019, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born. George Clooney is reported to have stated: It’s kind of irritating, if you think about it…’Cause I’ve already had to split [my birthday] with Orson Welles, Sigmund Freud, and now this [baby] comes in. I’m moving down the line very quickly. Clooney the heartthrob ought to… Continue reading #OTD 6 May – The mother of all birthdays
#OTD 5 May – What is Europe?
What is Europe? is a question which ever resonates. As to the regal model, 5 May 1747 was the birthday of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor and brother of Marie Antoinette. The execution of his sister Marie Antionette would have as one of its consequences a twist on the model and so on 5 May… Continue reading #OTD 5 May – What is Europe?
#OTD 4 May – Star Wars
The Fourth of May – “May the force by with you” – is Star Wars Day. Star Wars became the nickname for President Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative launched in 1984. His closest ally was the UK’s prime minister Margaret Thatcher, whose Conservative Party were victorious on Thursday and who was thus invited by the Queen… Continue reading #OTD 4 May – Star Wars
#OTD 3 May – Another Sun Day
3 May 1978 was a Wednesday. By US legislative decree it was also Sun Day, a day to celebrate “the realization of the promise of solar energy”. The celebration was strongly encouraged by President Carter. The sponsor in the House was Rep Leo J Ryan, who would soon become the second serving congressman to be… Continue reading #OTD 3 May – Another Sun Day
#OTD 14 October – England and France, not a love story
Behind west European history is an English-French and a more recent Protestant-Catholic rivalry. Things began in 1066 when William the Bastard sailed from Normandy. On 14 October, he defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Harold at Hastings. Five hundred and twenty years later on 14 October 1586, Mary Queen of Scots was tried for treason. One of… Continue reading #OTD 14 October – England and France, not a love story
#OTD 2 May – Love and charity
From 1588, the failure of the Spanish armada, to1620, the voyage of The Mayflower, things were done which would underpin Britain’s conflicted self-image as underdog and world leader for centuries. The years represented revolution. The language of Shakespeare is the example for the ages. They also represented consolidation. The King James Bible was built on… Continue reading #OTD 2 May – Love and charity
#OTD 1 May – Woman and War
The English presence in Ireland has pervaded the politics of those countries for 800 years and flowed into others. The Australian conscription referendums of the Great War and the election of JFK are two examples. That said, who knows let alone cares that President Biden has an Irish Catholic pedigree? In any event, 1 May… Continue reading #OTD 1 May – Woman and War
#OTD 3 February – Nations or peoples?
An advantage of seeing history through people is that people have that magic ingredient of inconsistency. On 3 February 1870, the US Constitution’s Fifteenth Amendment was ratified. It provided that the right of citizens to vote could not be denied or abridged by the US or by any state on account of race, colour or… Continue reading #OTD 3 February – Nations or peoples?