Elizabeth was the daughter of the infamous King Henry VIII and his second Wife Anne Boleyn. Boleyn was tried and convicted of adultery and incest by her husband and was therefore beheaded. Elizabeth was only 3 years old at the time and was declared as illegitimate.
Elizabeth had 2 other siblings, both of which were in line for the throne before her. She had her half-brother Edward and her half-sister Mary. When their father died, edward took the throne at the ripe old age od 10 years old, becoming Edward VI of England. After edwards death in 1553, Mary Tudor took the throne and made catholicism the religion of england. For protection and to send a message Mary locked her half-sister in the tower of london for several months.
In 1558, after the death of Queen Mary, Elizabeth finally acended to the throne. She ruled for a total of 45 years, in which time she developed england as a much more stable culture by making religous compromises in order to apease both sides Elizabeth was the 5th and Final ruler of england in the Tudor Dynasty. Her reign is considered by many to be the Golden Age of england.
Her personality fit very well into her tudor heritage, also she generally had a calm demeanor she also had a violent temper that was well known throughout england. Much of this anger was put towards her cousin Mary Queen of scots who was believed to have been plotting against elizabeth and the protestand crown of england. Interestingly enough the two never met face to face, only through long distance correspondance. Elizabeth was well known for her prejudice towards Jewish people and the Catholics.
The period of her reign is often referred to as the elizabethan age, and is considered to be one of the most enlightening times in art, history and philosophy that england has ever seen. She passionate of the arts and had many hobbies including music, painting and writing. In fact she corresponded frequently with famous playwrights and poets of that era. She was very fond of fashion and would dress up very extravagantly to go out in the public eye.
Although known as the virgin queen because she never married, Elizabeth the first was rumoured to have had affairs with several prominent men. This list included Robert Dudley, one of her coutiers and Sir Walter Raliegh, a very influential poet of that period. She used her unmarried status as a political bargaining tool on many occasions. She told the people that she was married to the country first and foremost not to a husband.
During her reign Elizabeth was known by many different names: The virgin quees, Gloriana, The Faerie Queen, and the Good queen Bess
Elizabeth lived until she was approximately 70 years old of bood poisoning. She never had any children and therefore the crown was passed onto another branch of the family tree.
Thursday 29 March 2012
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Martin Luther
No I do not mean Dr. Martin Luther King. The individual I am speaking of today lived several centuries previous to the fight for equality rights in the United states. Martin Luther was one of the most prominent figures in the Lutheran reformation of the fourteenth Century.
Luther was a theologian that studied philosophy at the University of Efurt. In his early life he had dedicated himself to a monastic life as an augustinian Monk. He studied the scriptures in depth and became very familiar with the writings of the bible. During this time he was chosen to make a trip to Rome to represent his church. While on this trip Luther was appalled by the posessions, behaiviour and and ignorance that he observed in the Roman priests.
In 1517 Luther created a document that protested the indulgent practices of the Catholic church. Indulgences were something that nobility could purchase for a fee and in return recieve a complete remission of sins. This document later became known as the 95 Theses. Martin Luther posted his Theses on the door of the Castle Church at wittenberg. Due to its popularity among the laity, this particular document was copied and distributed throughout Europe.
This act of defiance was obviously a very powerful threat to the power and status of the church at that time. At first the pope simply dismissed Luther as " a drunken German" who " when sober will change his mind." However as Luther's ideas spread and gained popularity the church was forced to take more direct and extreme measures to ensure that they could retain their position within society.
In 1520, Pope Leo X threatened Luther with excommunication unless he would publically withdraw much of his work, including the extremely controversial 95 Theses within 60 days. However Luther refused to recant his writings and therefore was excommunicated from the Catholic church in January of 1521.
In May of that year the Edict of Worms was released with proclaimed Luther as an outlaw, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. It was also illegal for anyone in Germany to provide Luther with food or water. In addition to prohibiting providing any type of support to Luther, the edict also stated that anyone could kill Luther without having to face legal consequences.
While in exile as a fugitive Luther fled to the Wartburg Castle and lived as if he were a knight named Sir Junkar Jorg
The Peasants war was in many ways a direct response to Luther's writings. Although initially behind the revolt, Luther later publically denounced the rebels and the attrocities that they commited during their rebellion. He published to works against their actions: Against the Murderous and Theiving Hordes of Peasants. Once they realized that they no longer had the support of Martin Luther many of the revolutionaries withdrew from the rebellion.
Luther is remembered today as one of the most influential church reformers of medieval Europe. His ideas were widespread and continue to be taught to those of the Lutheran faith.
Luther was a theologian that studied philosophy at the University of Efurt. In his early life he had dedicated himself to a monastic life as an augustinian Monk. He studied the scriptures in depth and became very familiar with the writings of the bible. During this time he was chosen to make a trip to Rome to represent his church. While on this trip Luther was appalled by the posessions, behaiviour and and ignorance that he observed in the Roman priests.
In 1517 Luther created a document that protested the indulgent practices of the Catholic church. Indulgences were something that nobility could purchase for a fee and in return recieve a complete remission of sins. This document later became known as the 95 Theses. Martin Luther posted his Theses on the door of the Castle Church at wittenberg. Due to its popularity among the laity, this particular document was copied and distributed throughout Europe.
This act of defiance was obviously a very powerful threat to the power and status of the church at that time. At first the pope simply dismissed Luther as " a drunken German" who " when sober will change his mind." However as Luther's ideas spread and gained popularity the church was forced to take more direct and extreme measures to ensure that they could retain their position within society.
In 1520, Pope Leo X threatened Luther with excommunication unless he would publically withdraw much of his work, including the extremely controversial 95 Theses within 60 days. However Luther refused to recant his writings and therefore was excommunicated from the Catholic church in January of 1521.
In May of that year the Edict of Worms was released with proclaimed Luther as an outlaw, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. It was also illegal for anyone in Germany to provide Luther with food or water. In addition to prohibiting providing any type of support to Luther, the edict also stated that anyone could kill Luther without having to face legal consequences.
While in exile as a fugitive Luther fled to the Wartburg Castle and lived as if he were a knight named Sir Junkar Jorg
The Peasants war was in many ways a direct response to Luther's writings. Although initially behind the revolt, Luther later publically denounced the rebels and the attrocities that they commited during their rebellion. He published to works against their actions: Against the Murderous and Theiving Hordes of Peasants. Once they realized that they no longer had the support of Martin Luther many of the revolutionaries withdrew from the rebellion.
Luther is remembered today as one of the most influential church reformers of medieval Europe. His ideas were widespread and continue to be taught to those of the Lutheran faith.
Wednesday 21 March 2012
Tutankhamun- the boy king
For anyone who has read my previous posts I am sure you have picked up on a trend. I have written quite a bit about ancient Egypt. This is because since I was little that area of history has always intrigued me. Something that I have recently become aware of is that starting on May 24th through January of next year, the National Geographic tutankhamun Treasure exhibit is going to be in Seattle. I personally have been waiting to see this particular exihibit for several years now. So therefore This time I chose to do a blog entry on him.
When Tutankhamun was actually born as Tutankhaten, but due to a declining support of the sun disk god aten, he changed his name to that of the old god Amun. Tut's mother was the infamous Nefertiti, his father was the Heterical king Akhenaten.
He was married only once to his half sister, but unfourtunately that marriage did not produce any living children, only 2 stillborn daughters. Their tiny coffins were found in the tomb with the pharoah.
Although today Tutankhamun is one of the most well known pharoahs of all time, his reign was almost obliterated out of the history shortly after his death. His successor Hor
emheb replaced Tut's name with his own on many monuments.
Tut became king at the age of nine years old, and died at the age of 18. Because he ascended to the throne at such a young age it is very unlikely that he made very many decisions in regards to ruling egypt. These decisions would probably have been made by his top advisors. Due to this very sort life and unexpected death, he was buried hastily in his tomb 70 days after his death.
Although he may not have engaged in many military battles directly, he was trained as a archer. Tut's tomb was filled with some evidence of his hunts. His reign was a very turbulent time in Ancient Egyptian History. It was filled with religious strife against the Aten and towards the more traditional egyptian dieties.
On November 4th 1922, Archaeologist Howard Carter made what is arguably the single most important discovery in the Valley of the Kings at tomb KV62. Tutankhamun's tomb was full of beautiful artifacts that had not been touched in 3000 years. Around 3000 treasures were found within the tomb including many items that would have been made in order to help the Pharoah in the afterlife. It is believed that many other tombs would have contained similar treasures but were probably sacked by grave robbers. His sarcophagus still remains inside the tomb even today.
There is a Curse that is associated with the tomb. On the incriptions that were found it, it states that anyone that disturbs the king's final resting place would suffer and die. This curse was populaized after several members of the team involved in the initial discovery died prematuraly.
For anybody who has been watching TLC lately, they are currently broadcasting some of the newer finds in the Valley of the Kings. Namely, a tomb approximately 45 meters away from Tut's tomb. There is a potential to find out more about Tutankhamun and the Ancient egyptian customs, beliefs and way of life.
When Tutankhamun was actually born as Tutankhaten, but due to a declining support of the sun disk god aten, he changed his name to that of the old god Amun. Tut's mother was the infamous Nefertiti, his father was the Heterical king Akhenaten.
He was married only once to his half sister, but unfourtunately that marriage did not produce any living children, only 2 stillborn daughters. Their tiny coffins were found in the tomb with the pharoah.
Although today Tutankhamun is one of the most well known pharoahs of all time, his reign was almost obliterated out of the history shortly after his death. His successor Hor
emheb replaced Tut's name with his own on many monuments.
Tut became king at the age of nine years old, and died at the age of 18. Because he ascended to the throne at such a young age it is very unlikely that he made very many decisions in regards to ruling egypt. These decisions would probably have been made by his top advisors. Due to this very sort life and unexpected death, he was buried hastily in his tomb 70 days after his death.
Although he may not have engaged in many military battles directly, he was trained as a archer. Tut's tomb was filled with some evidence of his hunts. His reign was a very turbulent time in Ancient Egyptian History. It was filled with religious strife against the Aten and towards the more traditional egyptian dieties.
On November 4th 1922, Archaeologist Howard Carter made what is arguably the single most important discovery in the Valley of the Kings at tomb KV62. Tutankhamun's tomb was full of beautiful artifacts that had not been touched in 3000 years. Around 3000 treasures were found within the tomb including many items that would have been made in order to help the Pharoah in the afterlife. It is believed that many other tombs would have contained similar treasures but were probably sacked by grave robbers. His sarcophagus still remains inside the tomb even today.
There is a Curse that is associated with the tomb. On the incriptions that were found it, it states that anyone that disturbs the king's final resting place would suffer and die. This curse was populaized after several members of the team involved in the initial discovery died prematuraly.
For anybody who has been watching TLC lately, they are currently broadcasting some of the newer finds in the Valley of the Kings. Namely, a tomb approximately 45 meters away from Tut's tomb. There is a potential to find out more about Tutankhamun and the Ancient egyptian customs, beliefs and way of life.
Monday 12 March 2012
Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci was the true definition of a renaissance man, his love for knowledge, art and science defined his as a revolutionary thinker who is responsible for some of the inventions that we enjoy today. Da Vinci, is a man that seemed to have been good at everything he did, not only was he a masterful painter, but he also was inolved in numerous things throughout his lifetime.
Da Vinci started out as a painter in the city of Florence, a son born out of wedlock to a poor peasant women. Which turned out to be beneficial for him, if he had been a ligitimate child he would have gone through with the occupation of his father and never become the artist he did.He spent most of his early years being educated under the painter Verrocchio. At the age of 20 he was given the title as a master in the guild of st. Luke. He was one of the first Italian painters to use oil paints instead of egg tempura.
Although they were both in the same profession, Michalangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci were not close friends as one would expect.They were very bitter rivals. So much so that they often would insult each other in public.
Da Vinci is believed to have been an extreme perfectionist, so much so that the lips on his most famous painting, the mona lisa, took him approximately 10 years to complete. It is also said that he destroyed many of his works before they could be viewed by anyone else.
But Leonardo's interested spread far beyond just that of painting and art. He was also very interested in science and machinery. In fact Leonardo Da Vinci is responsible for designing many things including:
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo Da Vinci
For most of his life Da Vinci was obsessed with birds and the idea of flight, that is probably why many of his sketches involve the idea of man being able to fly. Because paper was so expensive during his lifetime Da Vinci was very careful with how he used his paper and made sure not to waste any by ensuring that all possible space was used before moving on to the next piece. In all of his notebooks Da Vinci used what is called mirror writing, this is believed to have been an attempt to keep his notes secret.
Da Vinci was also very interested in the study of human anatomy and is believed to have dug out several graves in order to further his studies and knowledge of our inner workings. He also studied many animal remains. From this he work he creates sketches like the Vitruvian man.
Some of the personal choices that Da Vinci made during his lifetime also make him distinct from his contemporaries. Da Vinci was a humanitarian and therefore chose to become a vegetarian . This may have in part because of his work studying how the body worked In addition to being a vegetarian da vinci also chose to never marry or have children. Some scholars believe this is because he was gay.
Although many of us don't realize it, Leonardo Da Vinci has had a very big impact on how we live today. His inventions, notes and artwork were revolutionary for the time, and continue to amaze us in the 21st Century.
Da Vinci started out as a painter in the city of Florence, a son born out of wedlock to a poor peasant women. Which turned out to be beneficial for him, if he had been a ligitimate child he would have gone through with the occupation of his father and never become the artist he did.He spent most of his early years being educated under the painter Verrocchio. At the age of 20 he was given the title as a master in the guild of st. Luke. He was one of the first Italian painters to use oil paints instead of egg tempura.
Although they were both in the same profession, Michalangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci were not close friends as one would expect.They were very bitter rivals. So much so that they often would insult each other in public.
Da Vinci is believed to have been an extreme perfectionist, so much so that the lips on his most famous painting, the mona lisa, took him approximately 10 years to complete. It is also said that he destroyed many of his works before they could be viewed by anyone else.
But Leonardo's interested spread far beyond just that of painting and art. He was also very interested in science and machinery. In fact Leonardo Da Vinci is responsible for designing many things including:
- The first Machine Gun
- The Parachute
- Several engineering projects such as bridges and canals.
- Gliders
- Other flying machines
- cannon
- Armored vehicles
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo Da Vinci
For most of his life Da Vinci was obsessed with birds and the idea of flight, that is probably why many of his sketches involve the idea of man being able to fly. Because paper was so expensive during his lifetime Da Vinci was very careful with how he used his paper and made sure not to waste any by ensuring that all possible space was used before moving on to the next piece. In all of his notebooks Da Vinci used what is called mirror writing, this is believed to have been an attempt to keep his notes secret.
Da Vinci was also very interested in the study of human anatomy and is believed to have dug out several graves in order to further his studies and knowledge of our inner workings. He also studied many animal remains. From this he work he creates sketches like the Vitruvian man.
Some of the personal choices that Da Vinci made during his lifetime also make him distinct from his contemporaries. Da Vinci was a humanitarian and therefore chose to become a vegetarian . This may have in part because of his work studying how the body worked In addition to being a vegetarian da vinci also chose to never marry or have children. Some scholars believe this is because he was gay.
Although many of us don't realize it, Leonardo Da Vinci has had a very big impact on how we live today. His inventions, notes and artwork were revolutionary for the time, and continue to amaze us in the 21st Century.
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Ramses II ( The Great)
Ramses II is remembered today as one of the greatest, if not the greatest builder in all of ancient egypt. His major projects included the town site of Pi Ramses and his extravagant tomb at Abu Simbel. He also enjoyed restoring older complexes. These projects were a way of highlighting his power and to ensure that he would leave a legacy long after he died.
Besides being a sucessful constructor, Ramses is also famed for his numerous military victories. He
led sucessful campaigns against the Hittites, Libya, and Nubia. Ramses signed the earliest peace treaty that has ever been found. However his reign was plagued with many periods of political unrest.
Ramses is believed to have fathered at least 100 children during his exeptionarily long life.He reigned for an astonishing 66 years, and is believed to have lived to at least his 90th year. During this period the average person lived for approximately 40 years. Because Ramses lived so long his son was sixty years old before he ascended to the throne. His successor was Merneptah, he was Ramses thirteenth son. All of his elder brothers had already died.
Ramses' chief and most famous wife was Nerfertari, who died 54 years before he met his demise. In the custom of egyptian pharoahs, she was not however his only wife. It is believed that he had at least 12 wives. His other prominent wives were Maathorneferure and Isetnofret.
Once Ramses had reigned over egypt for 30 years he was inducted into a special group made up of the kings who had lived the longest in the history of Egypt. During this induction a celebration was held, called the Sed Festival. The festival is linked to the transformation of the king into a god.
It is believed that it is Ramses II that is the pharoah described in the Bible in the story of Moses, but this claim is not subsantiated. Due to his life and reign he left a significant legacy behind him. So much so that at least 9 pharoahs were named after him.
During his long life Ramses is said to have suffered from Arthritis and arterial issues. They may have been the causes of his eventual death. His mummy was not actually found in an elaborate tomb as one would have imagined. It was actually found with a cache of other royal mummies in a cave. The mummy was probably brought there to protect it from the damage that grave robbers would have inflicted upon it.
Besides being a sucessful constructor, Ramses is also famed for his numerous military victories. He
led sucessful campaigns against the Hittites, Libya, and Nubia. Ramses signed the earliest peace treaty that has ever been found. However his reign was plagued with many periods of political unrest.
Ramses is believed to have fathered at least 100 children during his exeptionarily long life.He reigned for an astonishing 66 years, and is believed to have lived to at least his 90th year. During this period the average person lived for approximately 40 years. Because Ramses lived so long his son was sixty years old before he ascended to the throne. His successor was Merneptah, he was Ramses thirteenth son. All of his elder brothers had already died.
Ramses' chief and most famous wife was Nerfertari, who died 54 years before he met his demise. In the custom of egyptian pharoahs, she was not however his only wife. It is believed that he had at least 12 wives. His other prominent wives were Maathorneferure and Isetnofret.
Once Ramses had reigned over egypt for 30 years he was inducted into a special group made up of the kings who had lived the longest in the history of Egypt. During this induction a celebration was held, called the Sed Festival. The festival is linked to the transformation of the king into a god.
It is believed that it is Ramses II that is the pharoah described in the Bible in the story of Moses, but this claim is not subsantiated. Due to his life and reign he left a significant legacy behind him. So much so that at least 9 pharoahs were named after him.
During his long life Ramses is said to have suffered from Arthritis and arterial issues. They may have been the causes of his eventual death. His mummy was not actually found in an elaborate tomb as one would have imagined. It was actually found with a cache of other royal mummies in a cave. The mummy was probably brought there to protect it from the damage that grave robbers would have inflicted upon it.
Saturday 3 March 2012
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin has been the centre of many controversies since his publication of the Origin of Species, which was credited for introducing the theory of evolution to the public.
During his early years, Darwins father, Robert, considered his son to be a failure as a young man. He convinced young charles to enter into medical school, however Darwin showed no interest and was in fact uncomfortable with the sight of blood.
Darwin actually married his first cousin Emma Wedgewood. They were married for a total of 43 years prior to Darwin's death. They had a total of 10 children. 2 of which unfourtunately died in infancy and one that passed away at the age of 10 years old.
Prior to publishing the Origin of Species Darwin took part in a five year expedition to the Galapagos Islands on the ship Beagle. During this expedition Darwin had the opportunity to study thousands of different species and their particular adaptations.
However, Darwins ideas were not completely new and revolutionary, evolutionary concepts like his were circulating around academia during the late 1850's. In fact British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace also had come up with a similar theory and had been credited with the discovery jointly with Darwin. Later Darwin was mostly credited with the discovery because he defined evolution and adaptation in more detail than Wallace.
Contrary to what we might think today, the reaction to Darwin's publications was not a dramatic one at all. Moreover The president of the Linnean Society said in May 1859 that there had been no big discoveries in the past year. It was not until later that controversy erupted over the evolutionary theory.
Today especially in western cultures, Darwin is considered the pinnacle of Atheism. A symbol that represents the progress of science and backwardness of religion. By religious sects evolution is seen as a threat to tradition and their children. However, for the majority of his life, Charles Darwin was a convential catholic man. It was his relationship with the church and his fear of their reaction that caused Darwin to hestitate so long before publishing his work. Later on in his life Darwin proclaimed that he was an agnostic.
For the majority of Darwin's adult life he was plagued with several dieases that at times incapacitated him. Some speculate that this was a result of the stress of the theory and worrying about how it
After his death in 1882, Darwin was buried at Westminster Abbey, in the same area as Sir. Isaac Newton. This particular fact was a suprise to me, as I am sure it is to some of you. I had assumed that due to his controversial works and conflict with the church that he would have not been buried in such a sacred place.
NOTE:
If anyone has any suggestions for future posts please let me know by adding a comment down below.
During his early years, Darwins father, Robert, considered his son to be a failure as a young man. He convinced young charles to enter into medical school, however Darwin showed no interest and was in fact uncomfortable with the sight of blood.
Darwin actually married his first cousin Emma Wedgewood. They were married for a total of 43 years prior to Darwin's death. They had a total of 10 children. 2 of which unfourtunately died in infancy and one that passed away at the age of 10 years old.
Prior to publishing the Origin of Species Darwin took part in a five year expedition to the Galapagos Islands on the ship Beagle. During this expedition Darwin had the opportunity to study thousands of different species and their particular adaptations.
However, Darwins ideas were not completely new and revolutionary, evolutionary concepts like his were circulating around academia during the late 1850's. In fact British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace also had come up with a similar theory and had been credited with the discovery jointly with Darwin. Later Darwin was mostly credited with the discovery because he defined evolution and adaptation in more detail than Wallace.
Contrary to what we might think today, the reaction to Darwin's publications was not a dramatic one at all. Moreover The president of the Linnean Society said in May 1859 that there had been no big discoveries in the past year. It was not until later that controversy erupted over the evolutionary theory.
Today especially in western cultures, Darwin is considered the pinnacle of Atheism. A symbol that represents the progress of science and backwardness of religion. By religious sects evolution is seen as a threat to tradition and their children. However, for the majority of his life, Charles Darwin was a convential catholic man. It was his relationship with the church and his fear of their reaction that caused Darwin to hestitate so long before publishing his work. Later on in his life Darwin proclaimed that he was an agnostic.
For the majority of Darwin's adult life he was plagued with several dieases that at times incapacitated him. Some speculate that this was a result of the stress of the theory and worrying about how it
After his death in 1882, Darwin was buried at Westminster Abbey, in the same area as Sir. Isaac Newton. This particular fact was a suprise to me, as I am sure it is to some of you. I had assumed that due to his controversial works and conflict with the church that he would have not been buried in such a sacred place.
NOTE:
If anyone has any suggestions for future posts please let me know by adding a comment down below.
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