As we do every year here at the New Hampshire Notebook we rank the state's top football recruits. Any NH resident is eligible, whether they attend an NHIAA school or a a prep school. Colleges are recruiting kids from the Class of 2016, so that's who we are ranking. Post-grads are eligible as well. We've got the state's top recruits ranked, along with their school, height, weight, position, scouting report and a link to their Hudl page. Other information such as 40 yard dash time and bench press is also listed.
Prospects are ranked in order of how well they project as college recruits. Athletes who project at the FBS level will be ranked highest, followed by FCS, then D-II and finally D-III prospects. We cover dozens of high school football games around the state every season, break down countless hours of game film and talk to coaches in order to come to assessments of the players that is as accurate as possible. As a result, this can be used as a resource for college coaches when recruiting Granite State talent. Size, speed, strength were all taken into account, as well as the player's ability to play the position(s) he projects at the next level.
One other note - Hayden Sturdevant (OL/DL, 6'4" 305 lbs.) from Pinkerton is transferring to the Salisbury School and reclassifying to the Class of 2017 per NH Football Report's Roger Brown. So he is not on the list. Two players who are on the list are Saikou Bah (Trinity) and Chase Hughes (BG), pictured above on a visit at UConn. Without any further ado, here are New Hampshire's top recruits from the Class of 2016.
1. Chase Hughes, OLB/S, 6'1" 205 lbs., 4.87 40 time, Bishop Guertin HS - all football teams need kids who can fly around on defense and hit people. That's exactly what Hughes does best. He's been ranked the #2 prospect in New England. Check out his junior season recruiting video. He's got toughness to burn, has a nose for the football, really flies around the field well in pursuit of the ball carrier. Hughes is also very effective when dropping back in pass coverage, getting deflections, interceptions and hitting people. He's got a great motor, goes hard on every play and is one of the hardest hitters in the region. He has good size for the college level, good speed, good technique and loves to hit people. He's been contacted by schools like Michigan, Wake Forest and Texas Tech. BYU came to visit him at BG and he's also visited UConn, Purdue, New Hampshire, Temple, Army and Navy. He also just committed to play in the NUC All-American game in December in South Carolina. There's no question Hughes will be a Division I college player, it's just a matter of where he ends up.
2. Demitri Jackson, WR/DB, 6'2" 185 lbs., 4.55 40 time, Lawrence Academy (from Nashua, NH) - Explosive athlete with good size at 6-foot-2 and speed with a 4.55 40 time. Also a tough kid who can break tackles and run hard on offense, and is a hard hitter on defense. Plays against tougher competition week in and week out than the NHIAA kids. Long, powerful strides when running the ball and also an effective down field blocker. Get him the football out in space and with his speed, ability to break tackles and follow his blockers he's a threat to go for a touchdown every time. Has ability to catch passes in traffic, take a hit and still hold on, and get some yards after the catch. Also worth noting that Jackson is Class President, starts for basketball team and set school track record for high jump, long jump and triple jump. Jackson has committed to play football at Brown.
3. TJ Urbanik, RB/DB, 6'1" 185, 4.60 40 time Pinkerton Academy - Not only is Urbanik fast as hell, but what you've really got love is how hard he runs. Whether he's coming from one side of the QB to the other on a sweep play, out-running LBs and DBs in the open field or sprinting out for a pass out of the backfield he's got a great motor and runs on every play like it's his last. Has a great speed to the edge and once he gets there he's very hard to catch - a threat to go for a TD every time he touches the football. Urbanik follows his blockers well and uses good footwork and juke moves to evade defenders. Not the biggest tailback in the state, but definitely one of the toughest, as sometimes it takes for or five guys to bring him down. Fights hard for those tough, extra yards, always keeping his feet moving. Also effective as a run blocker, in the return game and as a DB. Simply put, this kid is a wrecking ball who makes plays all over the field. Getting interest from Villanova and UNH, among others.
4. Saikou Bah, RB, 5'11" 195 lbs., 4.45 40 time, Trinity HS - Catch him if you can, this kid has excellent speed, with a 4.45 40 time and outstanding breakaway speed once he hits the second layer of a defense. Follows his blockers very well. Slippery and elusive, he bounces off tackles well and is hard to wrap up. Bah has shifty moves to make defenders miss, and crazy speed to the edge. A threat to take it to the house every time he touches the football. Bah is also effective catching passes out of the backfield, using his speed to create separation from the DB. Bah is getting recruited by the likes of New Hampshire, UConn, UMass and Southern Methodist.
5. Jack Cavallaro, TE, 6'4" 220 lbs., 4.80 40 time, Milford Academy (from Hanover, NH) - Cavallaro (whose older brother Shawn is playing at UNH) was a four year standout at Hanover High and is now doing a post-graduate year at Milford Academy. Cavallaro is a versatile kid who can play TE or FB on offense and DE or LB on defense. However he plans on playing TE this season at Milford, and also TE in college. Just a real tough, physical kid who is not afraid to get in the trenches, get his nose dirty and block the heck out of people. A very good pass catching tight end, runs good routes, has good hands and often requires 2 or 3 defenders to bring him down and by that time he's got some good yards after the catch. Makes leaping catches, catches it with one hand and as a blocking TE he absolutely levels people. Catches balls in traffic, takes a hit and still holds onto it, and has good speed for a kid his size. Put a DB on him and he'll use his size, put a LB on him and he'll use his speed - either way he's gonna make the catch. The PG year should make him even better, and he'll likely have his choice of D1 and D2 schools. He passed up a walk-on opportunity at UNH. Also looking into schools like Bryant, Stonehill, Merrimack and Saint Anselm.
6. Gardner Gendron, 6'5" 250 lbs., OL/DE, Bedford HS - Gendron is getting recruited for both football and lacrosse, but plans on playing football in college. He is a powerful blocker who bulls people over. Has good technique and finishes his blocks well. At 6-foot-5, Gendron has the size that college coaches like to see, and plus he's very quick and agile for a 250 pound kid. both pass blocking and run blocking situations, often times blocking to the point where his man ends up on the ground. Strong in the trenches as well as blocking down field. In addition to football and LAX he also is a key player for the Bedford High basketball team, and another thing college college coaches like is multi-sport athletes. Gendron is a high academic kid, who is looking at schools like Brown, Dartmouth, Amherst, Middlebury, Tufts and Bentley. Those are some great options to have right now.
7. Jason Murray, OL/DL, 6'6" 295 lbs., Plymouth HS - mean and nasty are two words I'd use to describe what I saw of Murray on film. Those are obviously two qualities you love to see in a lineman. Soft is the last word I'd use to describe him. This kid is a beast in the trenches, just goes out there and blocks the heck out of people on offense and relentlessly purses the football on defense, making some bone-crushing tackles. Take that toughness and tenacity and couple it with his size at 6'6" 295 lbs. and you have a kid who is clearly a potential D-I college prospect. Most impressive in his highlight video was the last play, vs. Laconia where he picks off a pass and rumbles 30 yards down field on the return. The speed and agility he shows on that play for a kid his size and outstanding. Murray should definitely have a lot of college coaches calling him.
8. Bennett Parkinson, OT, 6'3" 280 lbs., 5.59 40 time, 315 lbs bench press, Alvirne HS - arguably the top offensive lineman prospect in the state. And that's saying a lot, because there's some really good ones. A big, strong, powerful kid, who flat out pushes through whichever defender is trying to get by him. Has good technique and finishes blocks well. Whether he's pass blocking or run blocking, Parkinson gets the job done. It's no coincidence that Alvirne often runs their play to the side of the line that Parkinson is blocking on.
9. Clay Legault, OT, 6'5" 290 lbs., 5.20 40 time, Manchester Memorial HS - Legault is just a big, powerful kid who can block the heck out of people. Often times he blocks his man to the point where he's either on the ground or far away from the play. Has good blocking technique, and moves very well for a kid his size. A physical kid, Legault has a nasty steak as well which you like to see. Easily one of the top offensive linemen in the state, Legault is also a very effective long snapper for the Crusaders.
10. Bryson Pacocha, OT/DT, 6'4" 240 lbs., 5.38 40 time, Bridgton Academy (from Derry, NH) - One thing you have to like about Pacocha's game is that not only can he manhandle people as an o-lineman in the trenches, but he also has above average quickness for an o-lineman, and he uses that quickness to sprint downfield and continue blocking people as the running play progresses. Pacocha has a high upside at 6'4", and comes from a winning program at Pinkerton. Doing the post-grad year at Bridgton will give him a year of playing against a higher level of competion and he'll be able to get even bigger and stronger.
11. Sean Nartiff, OT/DE, 6'2" 240 lbs., Salem - One of the state's top defenders, Nartiff comes off blocks well, really pursues the ball with a head of steam and delivers bone-crushing hits. He wraps up and finishes tackles well. Nartiff also has the quickness to get out of the trenches near the sideline to make hits. Had a ton of tackles behind the line of scrimmage last year. Nartiff is a beast in the trenches - you've got to always know where #68 is out there or he'll make you pay. He goes hard on every play, never stopping until he's reach the ball carrier and brought him down. Quick on his feet for a kid his size, both laterally and running up field. Also an effective run blocker on offense or rushing the passer on 'D'. An absolute menace for an opposing offensive line to deal with.
12. Kody Palladino, C/DT, 6'2" 240 lbs., 4.90 40 time, 315 lbs. bench press, Milford HS - time and time again, when Milford picks up 1st downs on the ground it's when they're running behind Palladino. A big kid who can block the heck out of people, often times leaving his opponent on the ground. A tough, physical lineman who is also very quick and agile for a kid his size. Also a hard hitter on defense, and a beast as a pass rusher. Does a nice job of spinning off blocks in order to get to the ball carrier and then making the hit.Does a nice job on 'D' of clogging up the middle and stuffing the run. A menace in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Could play either side in college. Milford also used him at MLB which gives him even more versatility.
13. Leo Sudieh, RB/DB, 5'7" 180 lbs., 4.50 40 time, Concord HS - excellent breakaway speed and explosiveness. Slips out of tackles and uses good moves in the open field to evade defenders, including stiff-arms and jukes. With a 4.50 40 time he's one of the fastest players in the region. Quick to the edge and once he gets there it's almost a surefire touchdown. Sudieh is also an explosive play maker on defense, where he's a hard hitting DB who can cover couple down field and make interceptions. He also makes good tackles, using good technique, hitting people hard and using his crazy speed to fly around the field and plug the gaps. It would help if he was an inch or two taller, but this kid is still a very intriguing prospect for the next level.
14. Jackson Housman, SB/FS, 6'1" 198 lbs., 4.58 40 time, Bishop Guertin HS - Housman was a key play maker as a sophomore, then over the off-season before his junior year he got bigger, faster and stronger. Housman was primed for a breakout junior season following an impressive perfrormance at the Queen City Jamboree, but then suffered a broken leg during the first game of the season vs. Londonderry and missed the rest of the season. He came back and played for BG during basketball season though, and is now looking to make up for lost time and have a big senior campaign. He's an explosive athlete with good vision when running the football and shows good burst through the hole. He can run the ball up the middle, outside the tackles or catch passes out of the backfield. His speed and versatility make him a very intriguing prospect at the next level.
15. Brad Kamal, RB/S, 5'11" 185 lbs., 4.60 40 time, Alvirne HS - Makes good cuts and juke moves in open field to evade defenders. Runs hard and tough with the football. A versatile prospect who could play on either side of the ball at the next level, as well as on special teams where he's very effective both in coverage and returning kicks. Very good speed with a 4.60 40 time and kicks into an extra gear once he hits the second level of a defense as well. Breaks tackles well when running the ball, and on defense he has a nose for the ball, pursues it well and wraps people up well. A hard hitter on 'D' who never gives up on a play. Kamal can also be used as a slot receiver, which makes him even more versatile. Definitely a kid who should be on the radar of college coaches.
16. Casey Gervais, QB, 6'4" 220 lbs., 220 lbs. bench press, Goffstown HS - right off the bat you have to consider this kid a legit scholarship prospect, as a 6'4" 220 lbs. QB who can stand in the pocket and hit receivers down field. Add in the fact that he's a dual threat as not only a passer but a rusher as well and there's even more reason for college coaches to be calling. This kid is a threat to go for a touchdown at anytime, both passing it or running it himself. Runs a good play action - watching the film it's often difficult to tell whether he handed it to the tailback or kept it himself. Not only does he have good speed when running the ball but he follows his blockers well too. Plus with his size and strength he's tough to bring down in the open field. Can throw the deep ball with accuracy, even with a pass rush coming at him. Makes good reads and hits his receivers in stride.
17. Stephen Hedberg, QB, 6'3" 180 lbs., 5.10 40 time, St. Thomas Aquinas - set NHIAA single season TD passing record last season as a junior with 35. Obviously the size is a plus. He's listed on hudl at 6'3" and also 6'4". Either way he has good size to play QB at the next level, and really stands tall and strong in the pocket which enables him to see the whole field and make a good read. Could stand to add some strength/weight to his frame, though. A fairly strong arm, and a very accurate passer, often able to fit the ball into tight windows in order to get it to his guy. Hedberg also has good speed for a QB of his size, and is able to keep it himself pick up some good yardage on the ground. Runs the play action effectively and can also throw accurately on the run. Can hit receivers all over the field, whether its the TE down the seam, a slant route, a screen pass or downfield to a WR along the sideline, plus he might keep it himself. This keeps the defense off balance, as they never know where he might go with the ball. You have to of course credit a lot of that to the offense run at STA by Coach Cumba. A legit QB prospect at the next level. Other downside (besides needing to get bigger/stronger) is that in his video he has so much time in the pocket, never seems to get pressured and receivers often are wide open. It will be interesting to see how he responds when that's not the case. Very smooth mechanics as a pocket passer, with both footwork and throwing motion.
18. Will Pollard, QB, 6'1" 185 lbs., 4.80 40 time, Kennett HS - operates well out of the shotgun. Even if he's getting pressured by the defense from all angles he is cool under pressure and scramble away from the rush to pick up some yardage. Has good speed for a QB, and also has the strength and toughness to take a hit and keep picking up those extra yards. Makes good decisions with the ball, knows when to throw it and when to tuck the ball and run with it. Makes good reads and has solid arm strength. Has ability to roll out of the pocket and throw with accuracy while on the run. A dual threat as both a passer and a runner. Able to slip out of tackles when running it, and you've got to love the play vs. St. Thomas where he avoids a sack, scrambles for 20+ yards and then STA needs 5 guys to bring him down. Very good with short passes, the other play I really like is vs. Kearsarge where he scrambles out of the pocket and throws it on the run, 37 yards right on target for a TD. Pollard but not be as tall as Hedberg and Gervais, but he's right up there with them because of his ability to avoid a rush, scramble out of the pocket and either pick up yards on the ground or throw it accurately on the run. Oh yeah, and how about that bomb he throws in the Lebanon video, throwing it 40 yards in the air right on target? Yeah, this kid is a legit prospect. Good arm strength, especially on some of the throws in the Lebanon video.
19. Mason Wallace, MLB, 6'1" 200 lbs., 4.66 40 time, Exeter HS - a tenacious defensive player, Wallace is a hard hitter and makes some nice open field tackles. Wallace loves to hit people and is one of the state's top MLB. He's a play maker who also picks off passes, forces fumbles and blocks kicks on special teams. Pursues the football well, at times sprinting across the field to make the hit. Also an effective pass rusher. Has a nose for the football, helps to stuff the run. Very good at covering kicks on special teams as well. Simply put, one of the hardest hitters in the state.
20. Christian Marquis, SB/FS, 6'0" 174 lbs., 4.58 40 time, Bridgton Academy (from Goffstown, NH) - a play maker on both sides of the football. Get him the football out in space and he has very good speed and the ability to make defenders miss. Anticipates well when defending the pass on defense. He can really rack up the yards after the catch (YAC) and is a threat to go for a touchdown every time he catches a pass, even if you just throw it to him in the flat. Also able to use his speed to create separation from the DB covering him. Marquis (Goffstown, NH) is also a dangerous threat on special teams as a return man, using his speed and elusiveness to break some big runs. Able to take a good hit and still hang onto the ball while making the catch. A deep threat in the passing game. With his speed, athleticism, big play ability and how hard he plays, this kid is a definite prospect at the next level.
21. Jackson Allen, DB, 6'1" 195 lbs., Exeter HS - one of the state's hardest hitting defensive backs. Good speed and tenacity rushing from the edge to stuff the run, also a play maker when dropping back into pass coverage. Pursues the ball with tenacity, has good tackling technique and wraps up well. Delivers punishing hits, especially the last play in his highlight video where he knocks the ball loose near the goal line. You have to also have to love the play in there vs Dover where she sprints about 50 yards and makes the hit to prevent the touchdown - never gives up on the play. With his size, speed and ability to fly around the field and hit people, this kid will be in a college secondary somewhere next year.
22. Bobby Heald, C/DT, 5'11" 255 lbs., 5.41 40 time, Bedford HS...very quick and agile for his size. Has a good motor, and is tenacious coming off blocks and going after the QB or ball carrier. A very good run stuffer. Heald was a big reason why Bedford's defense was so dominant last year. With his combination of size, strength, speed and tenacity, he is a handful for any o-lineman. He's definitely one of the top linemen in the state.
23. Johnny Bartose, FB/MLB, 6'2" 215 lbs., 4.85 40 time, Salem HS - tough kid who keeps on pushing forward, spinning off tackles to fight for the extra yards and is tough to bring down. Also a tenacious, hard hitting LB who comes off blocks well and anticipates where the play is going. As a blocking FB he's like a bulldozer out there, leveling which ever defender is in his way. At 6'2 215 he has the size to play FB or LB at the next level. He has good speed for either position and loves to hit people on defense and run through them on offense.
24. Hunter Long, TE, 6'4" 210 lbs., 4.71 40 time, Exeter HS - A big target, has good hands and runs like a deer. Able to make a catch in traffic and hold on to the football, even with 3 defenders all bringing him down. an catch passes down field, but also an above average run blocker. Could stand to put a few pounds on, but still for a kid his size is very tough and physical. Not afraid to mix it up and get a little nasty out there when blocking people. Upside is definitely there at 6'4". Runs good routes. Has a good combination of size and speed, and also has a good combination of being effective as both a receiver and blocker. A very good tight end prospect. Quite a few colleges will want him.
25. Connor Bourque, RB, 5'5" 150 lbs., 4.53 40 time, Goffstown HS - fast, elusive, slippery are all words that describe Bourque. One of the fastest backs in the state. Very elusive, and also excels at slipping out of tackles to break long runs. Most impressive in the highlight video was around the 3:00 minute mark when there's back-to-back players where he breaks a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and ends up racing in for the touchdown. He may not be the ideal size for a back at the next level, but this kid has crazy speed and refuses to go down. You simply can't let him get the football out in space - he'll burn you for 6 points. He's going to have a huge senior year, and there's no doubt he can play somewhere in college. A tough, hard nosed kid who also plays CB for Goffstown and at times delivered the game's hardest hit despite being the smallest player on the field.
26. Liam Middleton, WR/OLB, 6'5" 205 lbs., St. Thomas Aquinas - between his size, speed, ability to run routes and catch the football it's clear that Middleton is one of the top receivers in the state. You got to love the concentration and how he was able to stay in bounds while making the catch on the play just after the 2:00 mark in the video. Also a good blocker, leveling an opponent on another play. He's a tough kid who's difficult to bring down, plus he can take a hit and still hang onto the ball. Even when the defense puts a small, quicker defender on him he's still able to burn him to create separation and make the grab. Definitely a kid who should be on the radar of colleges looking for a big WR or a speedy TE.
27. Riley Antle, RB/DE, 6'2" 225 lbs., 245 lbs. bench press, Kearsarge HS - Antle is a power running back who is very effective at running between the tackles and dragging defenders along with him. He's a tough runner, just keeps moving forward, spinning off tackles. Doesn't go down on first contact. Also a punishing hitter on defense, Antle comes off blocks well to make the tackle. He shows a good burst up the middle of a defense. So big and strong, it often takes a defense 3 or 4 guys to bring him down.
28. Mike Curley, FB/MLB, 5'11" 195 lbs., 4.70 40 time, Pinkerton Academy - when it comes to a lead blocking FB, Curley is one of the best around. He's also a tough runner up the middle, and has good juke moves in the open field to evade defenders. It's tough for just one defender to bring him down, as he fights hard for those extra yards. Good combination of speed and power, projects well as a between the tackles runner at the next level. Started on both sides of the ball for an undefeated Pinkerton team, and could play on either side of the ball in college as well. Has a nose for the ball on defense. A hard hitter who can read where the ball is going, fill the gap and make the play. Has a knack for making big plays, whether it's breaking a long run on offense or forcing a fumble or picking off a tipped pass on defense.
29. Tyler Furey, RB/DB, 6'0" 200 lbs., 4.50 40 time, Timberlane HS - very good speed, shows an explosive burst through the line. A tough kid who can break tackles. Has the speed to break long runs outside the tackles, and has the size and strength to run it up the middle. Has good vision and follows his blockers well. An elusive runner who's tough to bring down in the open field. A workhorse back who can take the pounding of being a lead back in a run-heavy offense. Can grind out short runs, but at the same time is capable of breaking off a long run at any time. Also has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and turn them into big gains.
30. Mike Lewis, RB/RLB, 6'0" 195 lbs., 4.80 40 time, Winnacunnet HS - tough kid, has a nose for the ball, makes good reads off the snap to know where the play is going. Pursues the ball carrier hard and is effective as stuffing the run. On offense Lewis is a power runner who who's tough to bring down and also has good speed. You can also put him at FB where he's an excellent lead blocker, especially in goal line and short yardage situations. Good at wrapping people up and finishing tackles. Runs hard on offense and hits people hard/tackles well on defense. Could play either side of the ball in college.
31. Kyle Cantalupo, K/P, 5'8" 160 lbs., Pinkerton Academy - averaged 40 yard on punts, and in his video there's back-to-back punts that he puts inside the opponent's 5 yard line. Has good hang time on his punts as well, which allows his teammates to get down field on coverage. Averaged 50 yards on kickoffs, routinely pinning opponents deep in their own end. Was 3/3 on field goals with a long of 37. Was 57/58 on extra points. He's poised on his FGs and PATs, and has a strong, accurate leg. He'll definitely be kicking somewhere in college.
32. Matt Shea, RB/DB, 5'8" 165 lbs., 4.61 40 time Windham HS - tough, physical kid. Good blocker in the open field. Has ability to break long runs. Has good speed at 4.61 in the 40. He's elusive, has ability to slip out of tackles to pick up extra yards. Shea can also be used as a receiver, has good hands and is effective running deep routes. Has shifty moves when running the ball to make people miss. Shea is a versatile player who can run between the tackles or outside, catch screen passes or run routes down field as well as play on defense. Follows blockers well and fights hard for those extra yards. Very good in pass coverage, one of the hardest hitting CBs in the state, has a nose for the ball and can make the interception as well. Runs hard with the ball, and on defense wraps up tackles well. A tough corner containing the edge, creeping forward towards the line and stopping the run.
33. Jordan Hiscoe, QB/S, 6'1" 190 lbs., Bishop Guertin HS - runs a good play action, Hiscoe also has exceptional arm strength and is able to still throw accurately even when pressured by a pass rush. Can scramble out of the pocket, throw across his body and still put it on the money to intended receiver. Able to stand in pocket, set feet and hit a target down field, as well as throw it on the run. Puts a good zip on his passes. Makes good reads and can hit his check-down receiver. Has good poise in the pocket. Hiscoe definitely has one of the stronger arms in the state.
34. Tom Regan, OL, 6'3" 245 lbs., Manchester Central HS - a big, strong kid who really excels in pass blocking situations, never lets his guy get to the QB. Has good technique, sees where the pass rush is coming from and routinely makes solid blocks. Definitely a kid who will help out someone's o-line at the next level.
35. Joey Auger, RB/DB, 5'8" 165 lbs., 4.84 40 time, Portsmouth HS - the 40 time might not be as fast as some of the other backs on the list, but in watching the film it's clear that Auger has very good 'football speed', as he's very quick and nimble in the open field and can really break some long runs. Auger is also built very strong for a kid his size, so he can run between the tackles, take a hit and keep moving up field. Good footwork and juke moves in open field to make defenders miss. Good vision, sees the holes up field. A tough kid who fights for those extra yards and refuses to go down. Can run the ball, catch screen passes or run routes down field and make the tough catches. A dual threat, able to make big plays either rushing the football or catches passes down field. Bounces off tackles well. As a DB he can provide blanket coverage, anticipates well and makes great effort to intercept or deflect passes. Tough for just one defender to bring him down. Effective at catching screen passes or pitches when running the option and turning them into big gains.
36. Tim Comeau, OT/DE, 6'3" 235 lbs., Goffstown HS - a versatile two-way player, Comeau can play o-lie or d-line, and Goffstown has also used him as a TE and dropping back into pass coverage as a LB. Comeau is an effective pass rusher, coming off blocks well and wrapping up the QB. A tough, physical kid who is can block people well up front. Can stuff the run and help contain the edge on defense. Is tenacious coming off blocks and delivers some hard hits.
37. Jason Hughes, QB, 5'9" 175 lbs., Timberlane HS - yes he is definitely small for a QB, but he's a talented athlete with instincts, speed and toughness so he could end up playing at RB, WR or CB at the next level. Or depending on the system he could play QB, if it's a team that likes to have a QB who is on the run a lot, rolling outside of the pocket, scrambling and running draw plays. Hughes throws well on the run and has good speed to turn a broken play into a 1st down. He makes good reads and has a pretty strong arm. Most impressive was the bomb he threw and completed after rolling out of the pocket vs. Pinkerton. That's a high level play right there. Also has good footwork to set himself before throwing the ball. Hughes is also an effective place kicker and punter, giving him even more ways he can help a team. He's also a standout for Timberlane in baseball and basketball, and college football coaches like kids who are good all-around athletes. This kid will play somewhere for sure.
38. Shane Lafond, RB/OLB, 5'9" 170 lbs., 4.51 40 time Windham HS - uses good footwork and very shifty juke moves in open field to make defenders miss. Can also break tackles to pick up those extra yards. A kid who's capable of breaking a long run at any time. Shows a good burst through the hole, follows his blockers well. Good speed to the edge.
39. Charles Sibanda, RB, 5'10" 165 lbs., 4.80 40 time, Salem HS - Sibanda can break tackles and is tough to bring down. Shows a good burst of speed up the middle of the defense and follows his blockers well. A versatile back who can run between or outside the tackles, and also catch passes out of the backfield.
40. Zach Comeau, CB, 6'0" 180 lbs., Goffstown HS - one of the quickest, hardest hitting corners in the state. Comeau can also creep up towards the line and stuff the run, making solid tackles all over the field. A tough kid who loves to hit people and isn't afraid of mixing it up in the trenches. Able to provide blanket coverage on deep balls, not allowing the receiver to gain separation. Between covering passes and making solid tackles, Comeau is one of the better corners in NH.
41. Will Sheppard, RB/OLB, 5'11" 190 lbs., 4.90 40 time, Trinity HS - Sheppard runs, hard, he's tough, is difficult to bring down in the open field. He follows his blockers well and has good speed. Can take a hit and keep on moving up field. On defense he can step up near the line and stuff the run, or drop back into pass coverage and make tackles or interceptions. A power back who can break the long run, and is also effective in goal line/short yardage situations.


We would like to thank all of our friends, family, and customers who have supported our passion for making our scotch-inspired chocolates. We delivered our scotch-inspired chocoates coast-to-coast and received rave reviews from Connecticut to California and from Chicago to the Gulf Coast. Life is a dynamic journey, and despite the success we found in this business, as any entrepreneur knows, a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and time go into growing a business. Other priorities in our lives have caused us to evaluate the time we have been devoting to Chocolate Malts and we have made the difficult decision to discontinue our operations as of January 11, 2012.
Although this chapter of Chocolate Malts is closed, we still are very passionate about our product and at some point in the future may decide to begin a new chapter so that you may once again enjoy our exquisite blend of the best pairing in life: indulgent chocolate and single malt scotch.


Not Quite a Genius - now available for pre-order!
Nate Dern's debut book Not Quite a Genius is now available for pre-order from Simon & Schuster, with a scheduled release of August 8th, 2017.
The books is available for purchase from these retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bam!, indies, and Wal-Mart.


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Coast to Coast Challenege
As Part of a busy 2020 calendar of fundraising events for the Bri-Stor Group, a team of cyclists from Alpha Manufacturing and Bri-Stor Systems will be taking part in a Coast to Coast Challenge.
The event, scheduled for September, will see the group travel up from Stafford to Siloth on the East Coast near Carlisle, where they will set off on a 125 mile journey along Hadrian's wall all the way to Tynemouth on the West Coast.
The ride is planned over two days, with a stop off over night along the route. A support group of Bri-Stor Group employees will also follow in a Bri-Stor Systems Welfare vehicle and will be on hand to supply refreshments and support throughout.
The event is open to all levels of experience and experienced cyclists and novices alike have already signed up to take part.
As with all Bri-Stor Group fundraising events this year, all proceeds will be donated to the nearby Katharine House Hospice, who offer crucial care and support for people with advanced life-limited conditions across mid-Staffordshire.
If you'd support the Coast to Coast event, visit the just giving page and click donate.
Bri-Stor Group Trio Complete Brighton to London Cycle
Last week, three Bri-Stor Group employees took part in the annual London to Brighton bike ride in support of the British Heart Foundation. Simon Webb, Robin Eley and Neil Andrews all braved the rain, described by the local press as "Biblical", to complete the 55-mile ride in around 4 hours.
All three are keen cyclists and thoroughly enjoyed the ride, despite the challenging conditions. Rob, who is Alpha's Commercial Manager commented:
"I'd hoped to complete the ride in a slightly better time but I's not really what the day is about. We had a thoroughly enjoyed the event and got to see some brilliant costumes plus some weird and wonderful cycles. The torrential rain wasn't what you'd call ideal conditions for a bike ride but even that didn't dampen spirits. An all-round good day and great to have done a little in support of the British Heart Foundation."
Just under 20,000 entrants arrived at the start line in Clapham Common on Sunday 23rd June to take part in the event, which is now in it's 44th year. Since the event's inception, elite and novice riders alike have pedalled more than 41 million miles between them and raised more than £70 million. Organisers estimate that this year's riders raised a combined total of £2million towards various charitable causes.
Simon, Rob and Neil managed to exceed their donation target for the British Heart Foundation and were delighted to take part in the ride in support of the charity. Thanks to everybody who donated and sent messages of support!
Bri-Stor Group Employees to Cycle London to Brighton for BHF
Three long serving Bri-Stor Group employees are raising money for the British Heart Foundation by taking part in the London to Brighton cycle on Sunday 23rd June.
Rob Eley – Alpha Commercial Manager, Neil Andrews – Bri-Stor Group Systems Manager and Simon Webb – Bri-Stor Systems Managing Director, will set off from Clapham Common early on Sunday morning, taking the 55-mile route to Brighton beach.
The event will be celebrating its tenth year with this year's event and is one of the most iconic UK cycle events. Thousands of cyclists, from all ages and experience levels will take part in the ride, raising funds for a wide range of causes.
Rob, Neil and Simon are all keen cyclists, regularly meeting up to cycle routes around nearby Cannock Chase and have been in training for a few weeks ahead of the event. The trio are cycling in support of BHF and are asking for donations in support of the charity. If you'd like to show your support, visit their Just Giving page.
Best of luck Rob, Simon and Neil!
Alpha's Pete Ricketts Fights for Charity
Alpha Manufacturing quality inspector Peter Ricketts took part in a charity boxing match last week to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Pete narrowly lost out during the fight at the Ultra White Collar Boxing event in the King's Hall Stafford, but thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and was delighted to have raised over £750 for the cause.
"It was an amazing experience and well worth all the training and hard work. I was overwhelmed by all the support I got and donations towards such a worthy cause."
Prior to the fight, Pete had spent 6 weeks training with other amateur competitors, where he learned boxing basics, sparring and endurance training. Outside of the set training program, he also upped his own fitness training regime in order to be in peak condition.
A massive well done to Pete from everyone here at Alpha Manufacturing!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Turmeric is a shrub in the ginger family that's grown in Asia, India and Africa. It's golden in color and has a bitter taste, making it an often-used spice in curry powder, mustard and some cheeses. This herb, which is sometimes referred to as Indian saffron, may help clear up pimples. Do not use turmeric for pimples without consulting your doctor about the risk and benefits of treatment.
The Acne Resource Center touts turmeric as very useful in treating acne. According to its website, it can clear up pimples whether taken as a supplement or in a food, or if directly applied to the skin. Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, acknowledges that laboratory studies have shown turmeric has anti-inflammatory activity, which would explain its ability to bring down the swelling of a pimple.
If you want to take turmeric internally to help pimples, the Acne Resource Center suggests taking it mixed with warmed milk. If you prefer to apply it directly to acne, turmeric and coconut oil can be mixed into a paste and dabbed on pimples. The mixture takes about 20 minutes to dry, and you can leave it on overnight. In the morning, wash your skin as you normally would.
Dried turmeric is available in health food stores, and in the spice section of many supermarkets. You can also find it at ethnic markets, where the selection of the freshest herb is probably best, according to the World's Healthiest Foods. The color doesn't necessarily affect its potency. However, you should store it in a sealed container and keep it in a place that's dark, dry and cool.
Turmeric fights pimples in a number of ways. The Acne Resource Center says it can dry out blemishes while stopping formation of new ones. It's also said to not be drying to skin. The website notes that South Indian women use it as a daily face mask to maintain their smooth, clear skin. Turmeric may already be in your natural skin care products; it has many synonyms, including curcuma, shati and zingiberene.
Medline Plus says allergic reactions to turmeric are possible. If you experience a rash, discontinue use until consulting your physician. If you have difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth, lips or throat, seek immediate medical attention. Medline Plus also warns that the herb may increase the risk of bleeding, so make sure all of your health care providers are aware you're using it.
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Comment «The Use of Turmeric for Pimples»


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Brian O'Grady (L/R)
Brian O'Grady
Active (L/R) OF
O'Grady was traded from the Reds to the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash and a player to be named later.
O'Grady will remain on a 40-man roster after being designated for assignment by the Reds earlier in the week. The 27-year-old owns a career .286/.360/.553 slash line at the Triple-A level but hit just .190/.292/.429 in his 28-game big-league debut last season. Nov 27 12:57 pm (EST)
O'Grady was designated for assignment by the Reds on Monday.
O'Grady went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Pirates.
O'Grady is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
All Brian O'Grady (L) News
2019 - - - - - - - -
Sep 27 L 6 - 5 @ PIT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Sep 18 W 3 - 2 @ CHI 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Sep 15 W 3 - 1 @ ARI 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Sep 14 L 1 - 0 @ ARI 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
37 6 2 4 3 0 4 .162 .279 .684
5 2 0 0 0 0 0 .400 .400 1.000
29 Sep Pirates 18.7 14 18.7 12
28 Sep Pirates 12 10 12 8.4
27 Sep Pirates 0 0 0 0
26 Sep Reds 0 0 0 0


Hi, I'm Jessica! I would love to share with you the day to day things that inspire me, and hopefully they will inspire you too! Thanks for visiting!
Member since June 28, 2012.
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In order for you to receive optimal benefit from your initial visit and evaluation with your therapist it is recommended that you complete your paperwork ahead of time or arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. If you'd like to complete it now, click here to go to our forms page, download and print the forms to bring with you.
Physical Therapy will help you eliminate or manage your pain. It will help speed your healing process, educate you to minimize or prevent further injury and help you to have better mobility and function.
For a non-complex pain or injury problem a patient can expect to participate in Physical Therapy appointments an average of 7 to 12 visits. Typically appointments are scheduled 2 to 3 times/ week depending on the acuity of the injury and the level of pain.
Complex injuries or chronic conditions are expected to take more time to resolve and therefore a series of Physical Therapy visits may take a little longer. Often Therapy appointments are tapered to 1 time/week as goals are met.
Hands On Techniques: Specific region massage, gentle alignment techniques, manual stretching, and joint movement as needed.
Exercises and Stretches: Specific exercises and stretches to avoid weakness in the area and allow for the surrounding healthy body regions to support the healing of the injured area.
Education: Patient education is KEY to optimal healing. Avoiding excessive tissue stress while it heals, understanding how posture and movement can positively or negatively influence the healing outcome, and training stabilization of the region so that subsequent mis-use injury will not occur.
Treatments:These are often used to manage pain, inflammation, swelling, and include:Ultrasound, Iontophorsis, Electrical Stimulation or specific massage technique.
Your initial visit is mostly comprised of the "initial evaluation" that must be completed by your licensed therapist to accurately assess your complaints and design the best treatment plan for your recovery. The Evaluation is a written report that is sent to your physician and is used to communicate with your medical team and is used as an initial starting point to assess future progress. The therapist who performs the initial evaluation is known as the "lead" therapist for the rest of your care with Healing Bridge Physical Therapy. Most of your first "Therapy" appointment will be questions, answers, and movement tests. Along with this your therapist will begin to educate you as to the findings and factors that are contributing to your condition.
Once your therapist has a complete understanding of your condition, the remaining time will be spent initiating treatment. This may be anything from further education regarding your posture or work activities that are aggravating your condition, to the initiation of some exercises and stretches, and possibly the introduction of some hands-on therapy to relieve some of your acute symptoms.
Both the therapist and the patient appreciate the quality of time we spend during every therapy visit, but during the initial visit, the time can pass quickly with so much information to gather. Rest assured, however, that this upfront time is well spent for the quality and accuracy of your future visits and interventions.
Before you leave the clinic, your therapist will discuss your individualized plan with you and begin to determine which of our therapists will provide the best set of skills to assist and direct your recovery. Often, you will be given a "team" of therapists who will work together with you toward your goals of better health.
If at any point during your therapy, you feel your needs are better met by one therapist over the other, we encourage that you communicate this with your "lead" therapist (the one who evaluated you on your first visit), or contact the owner, Allison Suran PT, to arrange appointments with the therapists of your choice.
We encourage patients to schedule appointments up to 4 weeks in advance. This allows you to claim the time slots which work best in your busy schedule, and ensures we have reserved the resources you need. Because our office is usually very busy and the therapist's schedules can be quite full, this communication is imperative so that we can meet your scheduling and healing needs. But don't worry! If your recovery happens faster than expected (which is what we aim for!), we can cancel unneeded appointments. We have found this is much easier than to trying to squeeze new ones in.
Follow up visits will be treatment-oriented. Treatment is initially determined at your first visit but continually assessed and revised depending on your feedback and recovery. After 30 days, your therapist will complete a Progress Report to send to your physician. This allows on-going communication between the therapist and the MD. Progress reports are completed periodically to ensure that your treatments are effective, with documented progress of changes in your symptoms and level of functioning.
During the time of your Initial Evaluation and subsequent Progress Reports, goals for your progress are established by your therapist with your participation. When you have met your goals for full recovery it is time for discharge. At your final discharge visit, your therapist will review your progress, your education, and your home program so you can continue your the healthy path.


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//=================================================================================================

//=================================================================================================

#ifndef _BLAZE_MATH_TYPETRAITS_ISTEMPORARY_H_
#define _BLAZE_MATH_TYPETRAITS_ISTEMPORARY_H_

//*************************************************************************************************
// Includes
//*************************************************************************************************

#include <blaze/math/typetraits/IsExpression.h>
#include <blaze/util/IntegralConstant.h>
#include <blaze/util/typetraits/IsNumeric.h>
#include <blaze/util/typetraits/IsReference.h>

namespace blaze {

//=================================================================================================
//
//  CLASS DEFINITION
//
//=================================================================================================

//*************************************************************************************************
/*!\brief Compile time check whether the given type is a temporary vector or matrix type.
// \ingroup math_type_traits
//
// This type trait class tests whether the given type is a temporary vector or matrix type,
// i.e. can be used for a temporary vector or matrix. In case the given type can be used as
// temporary, the \a value member constant is set to \a true, the nested type definition
// \a Type is \a TrueType, and the class derives from \a TrueType. Otherwise \a value is set
// to \a false, \a Type is \a FalseType, and the class derives from \a FalseType.
*/
template< typename T >
struct IsTemporary
   : public BoolConstant< !IsReference_v<T> && !IsNumeric_v<T> && !IsExpression_v<T> >
{};
//*************************************************************************************************

//*************************************************************************************************
/*!\brief Auxiliary variable template for the IsTemporary type trait.
// \ingroup math_type_traits
//
// The IsTemporary_v variable template provides a convenient shortcut to access the nested
// \a value of the IsTemporary class template. For instance, given the type \a T the following
// two statements are identical:

   \code
   constexpr bool value1 = blaze::IsTemporary<T>::value;
   constexpr bool value2 = blaze::IsTemporary_v<T>;
   \endcode
*/
template< typename T >
constexpr bool IsTemporary_v = IsTemporary<T>::value;
//*************************************************************************************************

} // namespace blaze

#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Zengota checks in at Pirates... and more changes could follow
Grzegorz Zengota checks in at Pirates... and more changes could follow
By Ned Payne
RUTHLESS Pirates chief Matt Ford swooped for Polish flier Grzegorz Zengota before admitting further changes could be in the pipeline.
Zengota will provide cover in the number-one slot for Krzysztof Kasprzak while the under-fire charger recovers from the broken collarbone he sustained earlier this month.
Swindon asset Zengota joins for an initial four-meeting spell and returns to British shores for the first time since he won the Robins rider-of-the-year award in 2015, his debut inked in for Monday at Wolverhampton – subject to approval from the British Speedway Promoters' Association.
Kasprzak is expected to be fit for the home clash with Leicester on Wednesday, June 21 but should his 28-year-old compatriot impress in his absence, the former Grand Prix ace may not return to Wimborne Road.
And with Pirates having already lost three SGB Premiership meetings this season, Ford has sounded a warning to his septet.
He told the Daily Echo: "This is the first move we are making and I have a feeling it may not be our last. We have to stay in the competition and at this point in time, we are doing okay but are by no means near the best.
"If opportunities arise which will improve us as a team, I will not act on sentiment, unlike last year.
"Other teams are making changes and there is a feeling we may be getting left behind. I am very conscious of the fact Wolverhampton are, in my opinion, a step above the rest of us.
"They have brought in Rory Schlein and Mark Riss and those two moves alone have made them a real force. We are all now playing catch up, even Belle Vue."
Twice a winner of the Under-21 Speedway World Cup, Zengota has yet to ride for Leszno in the Ekstraliga this season, although he has been selected for Sunday's home clash with Grudziadz.
In addition, he did not feature in two of Vetlanda's first three meetings in the Swedish top flight.
And while Ford admits he is taking a chance by bringing in the ex-Coventry racer, he feels Zengota's need to prove himself to his Polish employers should motivate him to perform well for Pirates.
Ford said: "Greg has not been very productive this year but I feel we have little to lose. The guests available would not necessarily cover Krzys's absence.
"What really appeals to me is Greg has to show his worth, which could help him keep his place in Poland. With that in mind, I feel this is worth a chance.
"He has to come in and do his best because he needs to show Leszno he is capable of scoring good points. I feel the pressure is on him to produce so he can keep his place in his homeland, where the finances are very different to those of the UK.
"If he comes in and does a very good job, the situation (over his Poole future) is left open.
"In speedway that is the way it has to be."
'Ricky's experience is going to be massively valuable to us' – Pirates snap up Wells to replace Busk Jakobsen
'We are over the moon to have him back' – Pirates star Covatti set to return
Ford heaps praise on Pirates duo Grajczonek and Klindt
'Nobody saw that coming' – Witches left spellbound by makeshift Pirates
'I was in massive shock afterwards' – Klindt's thankful to stay on track after van left mangled by moose
Danny Ford admits patching up Pirates has been a 'baptism of fire' for him this season
Ford hopeful aces will be back soon after Pirates suffer crushing defeat at King's Lynn
'Everyone has done their bit': Danny Ford hails team effort of injury-hit Pirates
Ford expecting tougher trip to King's Lynn for Pirates after two convincing wins this season


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Archive for the category "battles"
And here it is, folks. Proof at last.
We are told by some that apparently Henry "Tudor" really, really wanted to fling himself into the fray at Bosworth (instead of lurking behind his bodyguard), and here finally is the proof of that intent. Henry, waving his trusty sword Cash-Bringer in defiance of the foe, spurs on his noble but unfortunately rather stationary steed 'Sandy,' whose name is now forever-immortalised in one of the alternative names for the Battle of Bosworth–the Battle of Sandeford.
Believe It Or Not.
Posted by hoodedman1 in anniversaries, battles, humour and tagged Battle of Bosworth, Henry VII, horses, Sandeford
The Queen of England the Tudors chose to overlook….
Yes, of course the Tudors dismissed the fact that Eleanor Talbot (Butler) was Edward IV's first wife. Well, only wife, as it happens, because she was still alive when he "married" Elizabeth Woodville, whom he never did wed legally. In law, she was little more than a glorified mistress, and as a consequence, all the children she bore to Edward were illegitimate. So the usurper Henry VII pretended Eleanor had barely existed, let alone had married Edward IV.
It mattered to him because he wanted to marry Edward's oldest daughter, Elizabeth of York. Ostensibly to unite the warring Houses of York and Lancaster; in reality to give himself some credibility. It was all very well to claim the throne through conquest, but knew his hold on the throne was very shaky. Elizabeth of York was rather necessary to him, and the sooner she could produce an heir, the better for Henry!
But he couldn't marry a bastard. So he overturned Richard III's legitimate right to the throne, declared Elizabeth trueborn, married her and gave us the delightful Henry VIII. Thank you very much. But, of course, by making her trueborn, he also did the same to her two brothers, whose claim to the throne immediately became far superior to his own. Oh, dear. Poor Henry. What a dilemma. The result was that he was hounded throughout his reign by the fear that one or other of these Plantagenet "princes" would come to take the crown from him. My heart breaks for him,. Natch.
If you go to this article you can read an explanation of what happened. It doesn't do Richard III any favours, of course, but then that's par for the course! Always the slight nudge into the rough or the bunker. Never the hole in one he so rightly merited. Here's a sample:
"…. Eleanor never claimed a crown for herself but as the Wars of the Roses raged to their bloody end at Bosworth Field, she became a central figure in the path to the throne. She was actually already dead by the time her name was passed through parliament in the fight for the right to rule but the fact that she had ever lived at all was a vital part of the hold that Richard III had on the title of King of England following the death of his brother, Edward IV, in 1483….."
Fight for the right to rule? Um, read the Woodvilles trying to seize power and get rid of Richard of Gloucester, Edward IV's only surviving brother. A vital part of the hold Richard III had….? If Eleanor and Edward IV were married, which clearly they were because the Three Estates believed in it sufficiiently to beg him to become king, Richard was the rightful heir to the throne. It wasn't a case of his having a "hold" on being King of England, he WAS the King of England. Rightfully. Lawfully. By blood. Even by invitation, because everyone wanted Richard to wear the crown, except the Woodvilles and some of Edward's old buddies, who feared a loss of influence. If the traditionalists can't swallow this fact, then they're even more blinkered than I thought.
Oh, and BTW, the above illustration seems to be solely of Henry VIII and his offspring. There is no sign of Old Miseryguts VII, not even a portrait on the wall. What an oversight. After all, he was the Tudor who made sure Eleanor's marriage to Edward IV was ignored. Henry VIII and his children owed their thrones to his sleight of hand and devious brain. And the treacherous support of the Stanleys at Bosworth.
Posted by viscountessw in battles, law, religion, sources and tagged "Princes", Battle of Bosworth, bigamy, Edward IV, Elizabeth of York, Henry VII, illegitimacy, Lady Eleanor Talbot, Stanleys, Three Estates, Titulus Regius, Wydevilles
At last, a sensible account of Bosworth….
Richard III at Bosworth', 22 August 1485, (c1880). The Battle of Bosworth Field (or Battle of Bosworth) 22 August 1485, was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the Houses of Lancaster and York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Richard III, the last king of the House of York, was killed in the battle making Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, by his victory the first English monarch of the Tudor dynasty. From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. I, by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & New York, c1880] Artist Unknown. (Photo by Print Collector/Getty Images)
I know there are always lists of this and that, and a compilation of important battles pops up from time to time. On this occasion, however, when Bosworth is dealt with, it's an objective assessment, and worth reading. You'll find it on History Today.
Posted by viscountessw in battles and tagged Armada, Bannockburn, Battle of Britain, Bosworth, Julius Caesar, Jutland, New Orleans, Plassey, Rorke's Drift, Siege of Mafeking
Genealogy with some bite
I had heard the rumour of the Queen's descent from "Dracula" (Vlad III Tepes), through the Teck line, before and this picture from Pinterest gives an outline of quadruple descent, although the text is in Romanian and not every generation is detailed. How reliable is it?
What we know is that Vlad was born between 1428 and 1431 and died shortly before 10 January 1477, as recorded by a letter from Stephen of Moldavia. He reigned three times and fought the Ottoman Empire under Mehmet II, against whom he probably fell. The references to "Princess May of Teck" are, of course, Queen Mary who married George V, having been betrothed to his brother Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence.
Here is our version. Those connections that neither Genealogics nor Wikipedia confirm are in red. Will you say "fangs for the research"?
Posted by super blue in anniversaries, battles, films, genealogy and tagged Elizabeth II, Romania, Transylvania, Vlad the Impaler, Wallachia
The demolition of the medieval Bow Bridge, Leicester, that Richard would have crossed….
Medieval Bow Bridge, probably the year before demolition
Taken from https://storyofleicester.info/a-place-to-live/bow-bridge/
The old myth about Richard striking his heel against Bow Bridge on his way to Bosworth, and then his head on the same place when being carried ignominiously back to Leicester after the battle, is very well known indeed. As is the supposed prediction of this sequence of events by an old woman in the crowd watching the king's departure.
I have always wondered how Richard would have struck his heel/spur in such a way, but now I've read the following:-
"….Bow Bridge was built of stone with five semi-circular arches, piers with cut-waters, and niches at intervals along both sides in which pedestrians could stand to allow vehicles to pass – this was because the bridge was 21m long but only 1.8m wide, leaving enough space for only a single waggon to cross at once…." See here.
1.8 metres is a little over 5′, so I guess the swaying gait of a horse would achieve the supposed incident. I should have guess earlier, of course, since those pedestrian passing places were rather necessary if one wished to cross without being crushed.
https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/leicestershire/leicester/bow-bridge.htm
from https://storyofleicester.info/a-place-to-live/bow-bridge/
The old bridge was repaired in 1666, and again in 1784 when it was widened with brickwork, but it was eventually pulled down and replaced two years later with the present bridge.
According to the Richard III Society's Leicestershire branch , demolition of the original bridge commenced on 7th January 1861. The present Bow Bridge, built in 1863, was designed by the city as a memorial to Richard III.
In this article , I read: "Its decorative ironwork bears the town's coat-of-arms (a white cinquefoil on a red shield) interspersed with roses and the coats-of-arms of Richard III and Henry VIII." I'm not sure about Henry VIII – what did he have to do with it? I imagine it is more likely supposed to be Henry VII.
from https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/leicestershire/leicester/bow-bridge.htm
The above links give much more information about the bridge, as does this one.
Posted by viscountessw in anniversaries, battles, buildings, heraldry and tagged "Tudor" rose, Battle of Bosworth, Bow Bridge, bridges, cinquefoil, demolition, historical myths, ironwork, Leicester, memorials, roses
A Fiennes distinction?
Having seen this article in a recent Daily Mail Weekend magazine, as a feature on the television page about Ralph Fiennes, his acting/ directing family and his explorer cousin Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, I have now tested the genealogical claims within. As you can see, it would have been more precise to claim James IV as their most recent royal common ancestor than James II – in fact they are twice descended from James IV and his mistresses, then a branch of the Hamilton family.
Interestingly, they are can also trace descent from the Powerscourt family, who are connected through the (Thomas) Cromwells and Nevilles to Edward III.
Posted by super blue in anniversaries, battles, genealogy and tagged Cromwells, Edward III, Flodden, Hamiltons, James II, James IV, Nevilles, Powerscourts, Ralph Fiennes, Ranulph Fiennes, royal mistresses, Scotland
THE MEDIEVAL CROWNS OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND QUEEN EDITH
KING RICHARD III AND HIS CONSORT QUEEN ANNE NEVILLE WEARING EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND QUEEN EDITH'S CROWNS. THE ROUS ROLL.
THE SAME CROWNS WORN EARLIER BY EDWARD IV AND ELIZABETH WYDVILLE. Photograph by Geoffrey Wheeler.
The first Coronation Crowns, known as the crowns of Edward the Confessor (also known as St Edward the Confessor) and his wife Queen Edith were probably made about the IIth century for the king's coronation in his new completed rebuilt Church of St Peter, now known as Westminster Abbey on Thorney Island. Edward was one of the last Anglo Saxon kings. We know that Queen Edith's crown was valued at £16 and was made of 'Siluer gilt Enriched with Garnetts foule pearle Saphires and some odd stones'. Edward the Confessors crown was described as a 'crowne of gould wyer worke sett with slight stones and two little bells'. They were worn by every king and queen after that, excluding Edward V and Jane, who of course were never crowned, until their destruction by the Parliamentarians. Its hard to find an absolutely accurate depiction of them as various kings may have added bits and pieces over the centuries. Having said that we have a very good idea from the lovely drawings in Rous roll, the Beauchamp Pageant, and the Royal Window at Canterbury Cathedral.
King Richard wearing the Crown of St Edward the Confessor, Rous Roll.
Edward IV'S portrait in the Royal Window at Canterbury Cathedral wearing the Coronation Crown of St Edward.
Elizabeth Wydeville in her coronation robes and Queen Edith's crown. the Worshipful Company of Skinners
Queen Anne from the Rous Roll wearing Queen Edith's crown..
Queen Anne Neville wearing Queen Edith's crown from the Beauchamp Pageant..
King Richard III wearing the crown of Edward the Confessor..The Beauchamp Pageant.
King Edward the Confessor's crown..drawn by Julian Rowe. The Road to Bosworth Field. P W Hammond and Anne E Sutton
Queen Edith's crown..artist Julian Rowe
These wonderful crowns survived until the end of the English Civil War when the victorious Parliamentarians ordered all sacred symbols and relics of monarchy, now rendered redundant, to be 'totallie Broken and defaced' and the metal to be used to make coins.
New crowns were made for Charles II's coronation in 1661 by Robert Vyner including a new Coronation Crown. This crown sometimes gets confused with the Imperial State Crown. It should be remembered that the Coronation Crown is only used for coronation and thus does not get many outings. The State crown is the one our present queen wears for the State Opening of Parliament. Having been made comparatively recently in 1937 it has a most exquisite survivor from the Middle Ages…the Black Prince's Ruby! Its not actually a. ruby but a large irregular cabochon red spinel. The stone has an astonishing history which is hard to verify and I will go into here only briefly but suffice to say it did indeed belong to Edward the Black Prince. It then passed to Henry V who was said to have worn it on his helmet at Agincourt. It was later said that it was worn by King Richard III in the crown that was lost at Bosworth and legend says was found under a hawthorn bush by William Stanley.
The red cabochon known as the Black Princes Ruby..a medieval survivor and now worn in the modern State Crown.
And so, besides the two royal crowns, much, much more was lost. Described by Sir Roy Strong as a 'treasure trove of medieval goldsmith work' there were 'Several ancient sceptres and staffs, two with doves on top and one with a fleur-de-lis of silver gilt and an ampulla which contained the holy oil for anointing listed as 'A doue (actually an eagle) of gould set with stones and pearle' There were ancient medieval royal robes worn by the king before the crowning….and an 'old Combe of Horne' probably of Anglo Saxon origin and used to comb the kings hair after the anointing listed as 'worth nothing' . A total of nine items were sold to a Mr Humphrey for £5 in November 1649 (1).
I'll leave the last word on this tragic part of British history to Sir Edward Walker, Garter of Arms who wrote his report in 1660.
'And because through the Rapine of the late vnhappy times, all the Royall Ornaments and Regalia heretofore preserved from age to age in the Treasury of the the Church of Westminster, were taken away, sold and destroyed the Committee mert divers times, not only to direct the remaking such Royal Ornaments and Regalia, but even to setle the form and fashion of each particular' (2)
1) Lost Treasures of Britain Roy Strong p124
2) Ibid p125
Posted by sparkypus in anniversaries, art, battles, buildings, law, religion, sources and tagged Anglo-Saxons, Anne Neville, Anne Sutton, Azincourt, Battle of Bosworth, Beaucham Pageant, Black Prince's Ruby, Canterbury Cathedral, Charles II, Civil War, Commonwealth, Coronation Crown, crowns, Edward IV, Edward V, Elizabeth Wydeville, garnets, gilt, Henry V, House of Wessex, Imperial State Crown, Jane, Julian Rowe, pearls, Peter Hammond, Queen Edith, regalia, Restoration, Richard III, Robert Vyner, Rous Roll, sapphires, silver, Sir Edward Walker, Sir Roy Strong, Sir William Stanley, spinel, St. Edward the Confessor, State Opening of Parliament, The Road to Bosworth Field, Thorney Island, Westminster Abbey, Worshipful Company of Skinners | Leave a comment
Were the Houses of York and Lancaster true Plantagenets or not….?
This illustration is from the history of Liverpool
(don't bother, it's traditionalist fare masquerading as funny-ha-ha).
When reading the Yorkshire post I came upon the following sentence: "It's thought that the white rose was adopted as a symbol in the 14th century, when it was introduced by Edmund of Langley, the first Duke of York and founder of the House of York, a dynasty related to the Plantagenet kings."
Related to the Plantagenet kings? Well, yes, they were all related, but the implication seems to be that they weren't Plantagenets themselves. As far as I'm concerned, the House of York was Plantagenet, as was the House of Lancaster. They were two parts of the House of Plantagenet, fighting each other.
But there is a school of thought that considers the true House of Plantagenet to have ended with the death of Richard II, who was, of course, the last king of the senior line of descent. He was the only surviving son of the Black Prince, who was himself the senior son and heir of Edward III, who was in turn the senior son of Edward II, etc. etc. It begins to sound like the Bible, with all the "begats".
Coronation of the boy king, Richard II, from Chroniques de France ou de St Denis. End of 14th century
The Black Prince pre-deceased his father, and his brothers startled jostling for control of Richard, who was only a boy at that time. When Richard was married to Anne of Bohemia it was expected that he would produce an heir, thus continuing the senior line. But he and Anne were childless, Cue more jostling from the increasingly ambitious uncles. Especially John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who out-ambitioned the lot of them. Because he married the elder daughter of the King of Castile, Gaunt thought he had a right to the throne of that land, and demanded that he be addressed as "My Lord of Castile". Gaunt also wanted the English succession to go to him and his line, should Richard die without issue, and he is believed to have persuaded/cajoled/forced the senile, failing old Edward III into agreeing to an entail that would ensure this. It is also believed that in due course Richard II disposed of this entail.
John of Gaunt receiving a letter from the King of Portugal – Chronique d' Angleterre (Volume III) (late 15th C), f.236r – BL Royal MS 14 E IV.png
Then Anne of Bohemia died, and instead of taking another wife of a suitable age to have children, Richard married a little girl, Isabella of France. Not a wise move, because it would be years before she'd be considered old enough to consummate the marriage. Richard put peace with France above his own succession.
Richard II, Isabella, and King Charles VI of France, Isabella's father. Richard was 22 to Isabella's mere 6 years. The marriage was political.
Richard's rule was not popular among the nobility, and when Lancaster died, his son Henry Bolingbroke became duke. Well, Richard and Henry had never got on, in fact they loathed the sight of each other (or so it seems to me, even though they were thrown together as boys) and Richard banished Henry into exile (a long story). Richard then confiscated the entire Lancaster inheritance, which was yet another very unwise move, because Henry came back with an army. He caught Richard (whose next exceedingly unwise move had been to go off to Ireland with all his friends – he specialised in being unwise) on the hop, and disposed of him. Henry then usurped the throne as Henry IV. Thus the House of Lancaster took the crown.
I can't imagine the scene was quite like this, or that Richard II was willing, maybe even eager, to be rid of the crown that was his birthright.
Henry IV's coronation sealed the moment the Plantagenets split, but they all remained Plantagenets. There were plenty of people in England who didn't believe Henry, descended from Edward III's third son, had any right to the throne, because there were descendants (the Mortimer Earls of March) from Edward III's second son, Lionel of Clarence. Lionel had passed away some time before, leaving a daughter. The Mortimers would eventually be blood descendants of Edward III's fourth son, Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York. Therefore the 5th Earl of March, who was a mere child, was deemed to have a stronger claim than Henry IV, who had usurped Richard II's throne and probably seen to that unhappy king's murder, and was only descended from Edward III's third son, John of Gaunt. But slick Henry could easily see off an opponent who was less than ten years old!
And so the rebellious rumbles began and did not go away. They were still around when the House of Tudor eventually held the throne.
But did this dichotomy in the Plantagenet family make Henry IV any less of a Plantagenet than Richard II had been? I think not. They were both grandsons of Edward III as well as being first cousins, I cannot see that Henry suddenly ceased to be a Plantagenet and became solely a Lancastrian. The bloodline remained the same, the difference being that Henry was from Edward III's third son, whereas Richard had been from the second and senior line.
Then, in due course, Henry IV died and his son Henry V came and went, until his grandson, Henry VI, a mere baby, ascended the throne. Henry VI reigned a long time, but was a disastrous king, far too weak and impressionable to rule England. He drifted in an out of mental illness, eventually requiring a Protector to be appointed to safeguard the realm. Along came the 3rd Duke of York, who was directly descended from the fourth son of Edward III, but also from the second son, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, through Lionel's only child, a daughter. It was from her marriage to a Mortimer that in many eyes made the then Earl of March the rightful king when Henry IV usurped the throne. A subsequent marital union between York and March thus gave the 3rd Duke of York a very strong case indeed.
York felt (rightly in my opinion) that he had a better claim to the throne than Henry VI, but his ambitions were thwarted by the convenient (after years of barren marriage to Margaret of Anjou) arrival of Henry VI's son. It was widely believed that Henry (who had been mentally ill at the time of the child's conception) was in reality made a cuckold by his wife's affair with Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset. Somerset was also descended from John of Gaunt, albeit through an originally illegitimate line, the Beauforts. Perhaps he and Queen Margaret decided he was close enough in blood for it to be OK? Who knows. Perhaps it was just passion.
Killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury, aged 17
York therefore encountered effective opposition from Margaret, Somerset and others at the Lancastrian court, even though he was better qualified for the crown. Thus he rebelled, and the so-called Wars of the Roses began. You either supported York, or Lancaster, or kept your head down and hoped to survive unnoticed.
The above paragraphs illustrate the very basics of what prompted the Wars of the Roses: the white rose for York and the red rose for Lancaster. We had three Lancastrian kings, then two (three if you count Edward V) Yorkist kings in Edward IV and Richard III.
Henry VII receives Richard III's Crown from the traitorous Stanley
Then came Bosworth, in which Richard III was cruelly betrayed by the Stanleys, who turned traitor mid-battle to support Richard's opponent, Henry Tudor (Henry VII), whose actual blood claim to the crown of England was dodgy to say the least. Little more than right of conquest. His descent came through the Beauforts, who were the result of John of Gaunt's extra-marital affair with Katherine Swynford and thus baseborn. Well, Gaunt managed to persuade Richard II to legitimize them, but when their half-brother Henry IV swiped the throne from Richard, he made sure to exclude the Beauforts from any claim to the throne. The line of succession would descend through his offspring, not his half-blood siblings.
This made Henry VII a mere Beaufort through his mother Margaret Beaufort, whose father was John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, the eldest of Gaunt's Beaufort brood. But, it is thought Henry VII was probably also a Beaufort on his father's side. There had been an affair between Henry V's widow, Catherine of Valois (who died today in 1437), and the self-same Edmund Beaufort (third son of John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset) who was thought to have fathered Henry VI's son and heir! Edmund was a busy boy between the sheets. I know that posterity has Owen Tudor as Catherine's only love after the death of Henry V, but Edmund Beaufort is far more likely, as Harriss and Ashdown-Hill , inter alia, both said. It was also thought so at the time, and hasty moves were made in Parliament to regulate remarriages for queens of England. And Catherine's first son, supposedly by Owen Tudor, was named Edmund. A coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.
from http://www.ssqq.com/travel/london2017history04.htm
Katherine of Valois and Owen Tudor – maybe she was already with child by Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset? Was Owen a convenient reputation-saver? Or was it a true lovematch, and the Beaufort story a fabrication?
Let's face it, Henry VII's probable total descent through the Beauforts wasn't much to brag about when it came to parking his behind on the throne with any real authority. He was not a Plantagenet, and that particular parking lot was not built on solid, unchallengeable ground. So he married Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter of Edward IV, who was a Plantagenet, and thus managed to make himself more secure on the throne by "uniting" the two warring Plantagenet houses. Not entirely secure, for there were pretenders throughout his reign, but he survived, dropped the pretence of being a Beaufort/Lancastrian, and instead set up the House of Tudor, which gave us a truly charming sequence of monarchs, I think you'll agree. The only one worth her salt was Elizabeth.
So there you have my version of the bare bones of English Plantagenet history from Richard II to Richard III. To my mind, all the kings (between and including those two) were Plantagenets. They didn't cease to be Plantagenet and suddenly morph into York or Lancaster. They all claimed direct descent through the many sons of Edward III, and thus to all the Plantagenet and Angevin Kings of England who'd gone before.
Is my reasoning correct? Or do you disagree? Please feel free to comment. To help you sort out all these different monarchs, here is a tree from https://www.britroyals.com/plantagenettree.asp.
Posted by viscountessw in anniversaries, battles, genealogy, law and tagged "Tudors", Catherine de Valois, Edmund "Tudor", Edmund Duke of Somerset, House of Plantagenet, Lancastrians, Owain Tudor, Richard II, roses, Yorkists
If things had been different, might Richard and George have been buried at Fotheringhay….?
Richard, 3rd Duke of York
It occurs to me to wonder if Richard intended to be lain to rest at Fotheringhay with his father, the 3rd Duke of York, and brother, Edmund of Rutland. Wouldn't he think he belonged with them – no matter how fond he was of his beloved Yorkshire?
Of course, things changed radically when he became king, because kings were (in general) buried at Westminster. Richard's brother, Edward IV, was to start a new fashion for burials at St George's Chapel, Windsor, which he himself had completed. I know there are other exceptions to Westminster, e.g. John at Worcester and Edward II at Gloucester, but perhaps Edward, once he became king, wanted to start a new trend—which he did, because there are now ten monarchs in St George's Chapel.
The tomb of Edward IV, King of England and Elizabeth Woodville at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England (circa 15th century) from the Works of William Shakespeare. Vintage etching circa mid 19th century.
But do we know what George of Clarence really wanted? If he'd been a good boy and survived his considerable transgressions against Edward, would he still have picked Tewkesbury? That was where his wife Isabel was buried, but would he have wanted her to remain there when he himself died?
Entrance to vault of George of Clarence, Tewkesbury Abbey
Might he have wanted her to be moved to Fotheringhay, where they could lie together again? Moving remains around to suit later interments was quite common, as shown by the Duke of York and Edmund of Rutland being brought south to Fotheringhay. And Richard himself moved Henry VI from Chertsey to St George's, Windsor. Maybe this latter act was an indication of what Richard Intended for himself? Who knows? He didn't leave instructions, and so it is still a mystery to this day. All we do know is that he wouldn't have chosen Leicester, because he had no connection with that city. He lies there today because at the time of his death it was the closest suitable place to the battlefield.
Tomb of Richard III at Leicester Cathedral of Saint Martin.
And from thinking all this, my musings wandered to whether or not Richard would think George wished to remain in Tewkesbury. On the instructions of Edward IV, Richard, as Duke of Gloucester, had originally escorted the remains of his father and second eldest brother south from Pontefract to Fotheringhay, and that experience must have been a hugely emotional and important time for him. Fotheringhay was surely the place he too expected to eventually be lain to rest? After all, he didn't know that for the last two years of his life he would be king.
York is always put forward as his inevitable choice, but we don't know for certain. Once he was crowned, no doubt he felt he had to conform. He'd buried Anne at Westminster, and maybe, had he lived, there would have been a tomb there for them both, and for their son, who'd have been brought from wherever he was laid to rest. We still do not know where little Edward of Middleham was buried, all record has been lost.
Or maybe Richard too would have chosen Windsor, after all, that was where he'd moved Henry VI. Perhaps he intended his wife and son to go there too? The guesswork is infinite. Oh, for his fifteenth-century iPhone, and a casual note left on Medieval Messenger on the eve of Bosworth. Not that Henry Tudor would have honoured such a wish anyway.
Tomb of Henry VI, St George's, Windsor.
If Edward had lived on, and Richard had never become king, what would have happened to the remains of both Richard and George? Let's imagine they died before Edward, leaving him the only surviving brother. Even if they had specified their choice of burial place, I have a feeling that he'd have laid them to rest at Fotheringhay, with their father and other brother. And surely he'd have had Anne and Isobel and their children moved to lie with them? Or is that just too simple and neat a solution?
Posted by viscountessw in Alternative History, battles, buildings, genealogy, religion and tagged Anne Neville, Battle of Bosworth, Chertsey, Edmund of Rutland, Edward II, Edward IV, Edward of Middleham, Elizabeth Wydeville, Fotheringhay, George Duke of Clarence, Gloucester Cathedral, Henry VI, Henry VII, Isabel Neville, John, Leicester cathedral, Pontefract, Richard Duke of York, St. george's Chapel, Tewkesbury Abbey, Wakefield, Westminster Abbey, Worcester Cathedral, York Minster
The truth about the Christian New Year's Eve….
From https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-sylvester-pope-101
New Year's Eve now and New Year's Eve in the mediaeval period actually refer to two different calendar days. Old New Year's Eve was 24th March. For an easy-to-understand explanation, please go to here, but whichever the day, it was still New Year's Eve. We now celebrate it with much fun, laughter and hope, but its history is rather different. And so this article of mine has appeared on the day as we know it now.
From https://www.weekendnotes.com/where-to-spend-new-years-eve-in-canberra/
The name Sylvester is a reference to New Year's Eve, because St Sylvester's Day is celebrated then. This saint's day is still widely celebrated, although not particularly here in the United Kingdom. The Germans, for instance, call New Year's Eve Silvester. See this site
From https://www.eventbrite.de/e/mega-silvester-berlin-201920-tickets-67021094899?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
St Sylvester was first Pope Sylvester I, and was in office from 314 to 335. (see Brittanica Online) He died on 31st December 335, hence it is his feast day. He is the one who converted the Emperor Constantine to Christianity.
"The Donation of Constantine", Gian Francesco Penni, Sala di Costantino in the Vatican
There was a second St Sylvester who was also a Pope, 999 to 1003, but apart from having taken the name Sylvester (he was originally Gerbert of Aurillac) I do not think he was connected with New Year's Eve. He was the one who introduced Europe to the decimal system. Pope Sylvester III took office in 1045, and is believed by many to be an antipope (see explanation of antipopes here) Pope Sylvester IV was another who was considered to be an antipope.
New Year's Eve was the birthday of Bonnie Prince Charlie. It was also the birthday of the French admiral who was defeated by Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. Pierre-Charles-Baptiste-Silvestre de Villeneuve was born on 31st December 1763. Hence the name Silvestre being added.
Admiral Pierre-Charles-Jean-Baptiste-Sylvestre de Villeneuve from From https://www.frenchempire.net/biographies/villeneuve/
When it comes to English medieval history, the closest I can come to New Year's Eve is the Battle of Wakefield, which took place the day before in 1460. To learn more, go to Battlefields of Britain As the 3rd Duke of York and his second son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, were killed at the battle, I imagine that New Year's Eve was a time of utter sorrow for their remaining sons/siblings.
Both images above are from http://www.warfaremagazine.co.uk/articles/Nation-in-Conflict-The-Battle-of-Wakefield/87
The Scots have their New Year's Eve celebrations too. They call it Hogmanay. If you go to this article you can read all about it. The name is thought to have been used after the return of Mary, Queen of Scots, to Scotland from France in 1561. The origin of the name Hogmanay is not really known, but the above BBC Newsround link offers quite a number of possibilities.
Now, in the present day there is no ignoring the claims that most of our Christian feasts and festivals have a pagan origin. I don't know whether to give this credence or not. Julius Caesar was said to have used 31st December/1st January to honour the two-faced Roman god Janus, god of changes and beginnings. Janus was said to look back into the past and forward into the future. That sounds logical enough to me.
The Roman God Janus
from https://www.mercatornet.com/features/view/who-was-janus-the-roman-god-of-beginnings-and-endings/20868
So, while you're all enjoying your parties tonight, seeing in the New Year and singing with gusto—and not a little alcoholic assistance!—perhaps you should raise your glasses to Julius Caesar, St Silvester I, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and poor old defeated Admiral Villeneuve (who, was returned to France by the British, and was quite amazingly supposed to have committed suicide by "six stab wounds in the left lung and one in the heart". That, ladies and gentlemen, was quite feat, I think you'll agree. I can't imagine anyone believed it was self-inflicted!
Villeneuve was interred at the Church of Saint Germain in Rennes, pictured here in 1910
from http://www.wiki-rennes.fr/Fichier:Eglise_saint_germain.jpeg
I will end this now, but but not before reminding you of the very first Sylvester I ever knew – yes, Sylvester the Cat, who so wanted to eat that annoying Tweety-Pie. Personally I always hoped he'd succeed. Was there ever a more irritating, stupid-looking canary? Anyway, here's a link to make you laugh as you see out 2019! I'll bet a lot of you remember I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvNfPSXWZqw
Let's Hope 2020 is a Good One!
Posted by viscountessw in anniversaries, battles, buildings, culture, religion and tagged Admiral Villeneuve, Antipopes, Charles "III", Constantine, conversion, decimal system, Edmund of Rutland, Eglise St. Germain Rennes, Gregorian Calendar, Hogmanay, Horatio Nelson, Janus, Julian Calendar, Julius Caesar, Mary Stuart, Naval warfare, New Year's Eve, paganism, popes, Richard Duke of York, saints, St. Sylvester, suicide, Trafalgar, Wakefield | Leave a comment