#Sir Robert Keith

[mooncustafer]

(edit) Forgot add the caption "It's pathetically obvious that I have A Type"

[scotianostra]

On 7th June 1329 Robert the Bruce died at his manor near Cardross, Dumbarton.

King Robert was buried at Dunfermline Abbey, his heart was removed and embalmed. As recorded in 14th Century John Barbour’s “The Bruce”, as he requested, his heart was to be taken to Jerusalem by Sir James Douglas, known as “The Black Douglas” , accompanied by Sir William St Clair of Roslin, Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan, Sir William Keith, Sir Alan Cathcart and Sir Symon Loccard of Lee, and one other knight unnamed. Sir James Douglas was killed at the Battle of Teba, on 25th August, 1330.

An embalmed heart, thought to be that of Robert the Bruce was discovered at Melrose Abbey in 1921, re-located in 1996 and re-interred in 1998 marked with a memorial which reads “A Nobel Hart May Have Nane Ease Gif Freedom Failye.” written by John Barbour in 1375, which translates, “A noble heart can know no ease without freedom.”

The tomb you see in Dunfermline Abbey, in the second photo, is not the original it was sadly destroyed during the reformation, the picture shows how it may have looked, contemporary sources record that his grave was by a monument commissioned prior to his death and imported from Paris.

I posted pics of King Robert's tomb after I visited last weekend, here is a wee bit more, the pics include how the original tomb may have looked.

During the building of the present parish church in 1818, workmen discovered a skeleton, believed to be that of the king. Whether or not the skeleton is actually that of Bruce, or one of the other kings known to have been buried in the abbey, is still a subject of debate. However, other excavations between c1790 and 1820 also discovered fragments of carved and gilded stone, variously described as marble or alabaster, which were identified as pieces of Bruce’s vanished monument.

These pieces are now preserved in the collections of The Hunterian, National Museums Scotland, and Dunfermline Museum, who also commissioned the 3D reconstruction you see in the photos.

[blackcur-rants]

Random silly headcanons about what the casting would be for a 1980s or 1990s version of “Hazbin Hotel” (This version probably comes out some time between 1987 and 1994, most likely in either 1989 or 1991 and most likely on 28 July 1989 at that, to be quite honest).

01. Jodie Foster as Charlie

02. Steve Martin as Lucifer

03. Robin Wright as Vaggie

04. Robin Williams as Angel Dust

05. Tim Curry as Alastor

06. Keith David as Husk

07. Michael Keaton as Vox

08. Mandy Patinkin as Stolas

09. William Atherton as Blitz

10. Joe Pesci as Fizzarolli

11. Danny de Vito as Moxxie

12. Karen Allen as Velvette

13. Christian Slater as Adam

14. Sigourney Weaver as Lute

15. Shelley Duvall as Niffty

16. Jamie Lee Curtis as Millie

17. Winona Ryder as Loona

18. Kate Winslet as Octavia

19. Ernie Hudson as Asmodeus

20. Robert de Niro as Mammon

21. Linda Hamilton as Carmilla

22. Bruce Campbell as Stryker

23. Kurt Russell as Vortex/Tex

24. Michael Crawford as Sir Pentious

25. Madeline Kahn as Rosie

26. Olivia Newton John as Cherri Bomb

27. Jack Nicholson as Valentino

28. James Earl Jones as Zestial

29. Judi Dench as Sera

30. Linzi Hateley as Emily

31. Martin Mull as Andrealphus

32. Elaine Paige as Stella

Christopher Guest as Paimon

Eddie Bracken as Cash Buckzo

Chris Sarandon as Vassago

Sean Young as Beelzebub

Miriam Margolyes as Mimzie

Jean Marsh as Mrs Mayberry

Pam Ferris as Martha

John Hurt as Lyle Lipton

@cynicalclassicist @carcosa-commune @disregardcanon @lady-asteria @dachi-chan25

@helluvatired @lorethebookworm

[marcmarcmomarc]

Return to Gravity Falls

Jason Ritter

Kristen Schaal

Alex Hirsch

J.K. Simmons

Linda Cardellini

Dee Bradley Baker

Carl Faruolo

Niki Yang

Justin Rupple

Jackie Buscarino

Thurop Van Orman

Jillian Bell

Michael Rianda

Jessica DiCicco

John DiMaggio

Jennifer Coolidge

Stephen Root

Kari Wahlgren

Nathan Fillion

Kevin Michael Richardson

Keith Ferguson

Gregg Turkington

Will Forte

Matt Chapman

Alfred Molina

Cast:

Brad Abrell as Agent Trigger

Dee Bradley Baker as Waddles

Cecil Baldwin as Tad Strange

Jonathan Banks as Filbrick Pines

Lance Bass as Sev’ral Timez

Harry Belden as Blendin Blandin

Jillian Bell as Melody

Kurt Braunohler as Greg Valentino

Jackie Buscarino as Pacifica Northwest

Frank Caliendo as Sergei

Bobby Cannavale as Shermie Pines

Linda Cardellini as Wendy Corduroy

Matt Chapman as Abuelita Dolores Ramirez, Marius von Fundshauser, Mermando, Sev’ral Timez, & French Lilliputians

Greg Cipes as Craz

Jennifer Coolidge as Lazy Susan Wentworth

Jim Cummings as Pirate Lilliputtian

Grey DeLisle as Mrs. Gleeful, Clerk, Gourney, & Carla McCorkle

Jessica DiCicco as Tambry

John DiMaggio as Manly Dan Corduroy

Carl Faruolo as Grenda Grendinator

Keith Ferguson as Deputy Edwin Durland & Testosteraur

Nathan Fillion as Preston Northwest

Will Forte as Mayor Tyler Cutebiker

Alex Hirsch as Stanley Pines, Soos Ramirez, Fiddleford McGucket, Nate, the Gnomes, Sev’ral Timez, Wendy’s Brothers, Sir Lord Quentin Trembley III, Biker, Farmer Sprott, Mayor Beffufflefumpter, & Bill Cipher

Ariel Hirsch as Pacifica’s Friend 2

Larry King as Wax Larry King

Kyle MacLachlan as Bus Driver

Sam Marin as Celestabellebethabelle

Alfred Molina as Multi-Bear

Kimberly Mooney as Janice Valentino

Nick Offerman as Agent Powers

John O’Hurley as Knight Liliputtian

Patton Oswalt as Franz

Annie Potts as Mrs. Pines

Chris Pratt as Mr. Pines

Michael Rianda as Thompson, Lee, & Mr. Poolcheck

Kevin Michael Richardson as Sheriff Daryl Blubs, Ghost Eyes, Chutzpar, Leaderar, & Tats

Jason Ritter as Dipper Pines

John Roberts as Xyler

Stephen Root as Bud Gleeful

Justin Rupple as Robbie Valentino

Kristen Schaal as Mabel Pines

Peter Serafinowicz as Blind Ivan

J.K. Simmons as Stanford Pines

Fred Tatasciore as Pituitor & Glurk

Gregg Turkington as Bodacious T

Thurop Van Orman as Gideon Gleeful

Kari Wahlgren as Shandra Jimenez, Priscilla Northwest, Pacifica’s Friend 1, Polly, & Caryn Pines

Frank Welker as Gompers

Dave Wittenberg as Time Baby

Niki Yang as Candy Chiu

[project1939]

200 Films of 1952

Film number 196: Blackbeard the Pirate

Release date: December 24th, 1952 

Studio: RKO 

Genre: adventure 

Director: Raoul Walsh 

Producer: Edmund Grainger 

Actors: Robert Newton, Linda Darnell, William Bendix, Keith Andes, Torin Thatcher 

Plot Summary: In the late 17th century, a Lieutenant in the British Navy sets out to prove that Sir Henry Morgan, a Jamaican government official, is engaging in piracy. In the process, he winds up on the ship of the infamous Blackbeard. 

My Rating (out of five stars): **¾  

I’m not entirely sure why, but something about this film just didn’t click for me. I’m getting a little sick of seafaring/pirate movies, though, to be honest. That could certainly color my opinion! Blackbeard was played memorably, but the rest of the characters kind of fell flat. (minor spoilers) 

The Good: 

Robert Newton as Blackbeard. Yes, he sometimes chewed the scenery a bit, but he made Blackbeard a strong villain, lacking any kind of sympathetic romanticization. I much prefer that to turning him into some kind of anti-hero. 

Linda Darnell. She looked jaw droppingly gorgeous, and it’s hard to take your eyes off of her. Thank god she got to be in a better movie in 1952 than the low budget mess Island of Desire! (film number 18) 

William Bendix as Ben, Blackbeard’s sidekick. He is such a good character actor with so much screen presence. Even in a fairly small role, he stands out. 

There were certainly some interesting adventures that are pirate movie staples- I liked the treasure plot, some of the sword fighting scenes, the escape plans, etc. 

The death of Blackbeard was pretty damn unforgettable. 

The Bad: 

The romance side plot bombed, as most romance side plots in adventure movies do. The worst part was the fact that Darnell and Keith Andes had about as much chemistry as a wet match. 

I didn’t really like Keith Andes- I don’t know if it was him or the role, but he came across as pretty bland. He looked good shirtless, though! 

Darnell’s character, Edwina. She thankfully had more strength and guile than a typical damsel in distress, but barely. 

The music in these kinds of movies is usually sweeping and epic, but even within that genre the score here was too heavy-handed. It became annoyingly distracting at times. 

The adventures started bleeding together in an amorphous way that got kind of tedious after awhile.  

For a film directed by a prominent director like Raoul Walsh, it was surprisingly ho-hum visually. 

The budget, while not small, was clearly not a lavish one either. In the scenes aboard the ship, the sets were super obvious, and the models used for the long shots of the ships weren’t much better. It really compromised any feeling of being at sea.  

 Why did no one else talk like Blackbeard? He had that strong “Argh!” type of pirate accent, but no one else on his ship or in his crew did. Would his speaking really have been that different from theirs? I know, I know, this is just a pirate movie. 

[ljblueteak]

From "Memories of Michael" by Terry Southern:

Summer of '66 at the top of Duke Street, in the heart of Old Smoke, I...had my first larger-than-life living-colour confrontation with a certain Michael Cooper, Esquire....I moved on a couple doors along Duke Street to the Robert Fraser Gallery and Grill, as we were later wont to call it. I tried the door and found it locked up tighter than Dick's hat-band.

"Looking for Robert, are you?" asked the young dandy, and when I turned I saw something I was to come to love--his extraordinary smile, piercing; and somehow both shy and knowing, almost conspiratorial....

"Yes," I said. "I'm supposed to meet him here at four." It was almost five now.

Michael laughed. "Oh, I expect he's hopped it," he said, affecting a slightly Cockney accent. "Off to Meerakesh, if my guess is any good. Having a right rave-up with Bill Willis and Chris Gibbs about now, I shouldn't wonder, ho-ho!"

I peered through the gallery window; in the shadows I could see the great B-52 sculpture by Colin Self, which he had said was inspired by Doc Strangelove....

"Hold on," [Michael] said. "Is this a bloody Thursday?" I replied that it was indeed Thursday.

"Then Bob's having tea at his mum's."

"And not the right rave-up you had imagined."

"Yes, he has tea with his mum every Thursday, rain or shine." He considered it. "I should very much like to know what they talk about." He laughed. "Robert's poor taste in choosing his friends, most likely. Although she's a very nice woman. Actually quite charming."

"So he won't be coming back here to the gallery."

"No, we'll have to catch him at Mount Street. Have you been to his flat in Mount Street?"

I said that indeed I had....

Many of my memories of Michael involve Robert Fraser. They were ideally suited for the remarkable friendship they enjoyed. Each regarded the other as a grand eccentric, with Robert playing a sort of older brother of a more conservative stamp.

He had a rather protective attitude towards Michael, although it was Michael who was dominant in terms of influence; it was he who always managed to get copies of the latest Otis Redding or Sam Cooke, or to know about a private screening of a Bruce Connor film; and whenever he made a trip to New York, he would invariably return full of enthusiasm for the work of some new artist he had met through Larry Rivers, Andy Warhol or Den Hopper.

He once persuaded Robert to install a 45rpm record-player under the dashboard of his car--a remarkable Italian device that would absorb the bumps and cobbles of Old Smoke without skipping a note. With Michael as DJ and 'Strawberry Bob' at the wheel, driving like a demon, eye glasses glinting in the changing traffic lights, mouth fixed in a smile of stone manic hilarity, we would tool about the city, blasting with our rock'n'roll. A memorable period.

...I once heard [Michael] defending Keith [Richards] in an amusing exchange with Robert. It was during an evening at Mount Street.

"Well young sir," said Robert, waxing indignant, "buzz along the rialto has it that those two esteemed cronies of yours--Squire Richards and Anita Pallenberg--have shown some rather bad form, rather bad form indeed."

Michael brightened. "Oh? How's that, then?"

Robert took great glee (while feigning high seriousness) in recounting how Keith and Anita had run away together, into the North African night, leaving Brian to his own devices.

"'Spanish Tony' brought the news," he said in solemn conclusion and waited for Michael's response. It appeared, however, that Michael had already heard about it, from Christopher Gibbs, and in more detail.

"They left Brian half of the hash and half of the albums," he said in loyal defence.

Robert seemed to weigh the matter anew for a moment, but he remained sceptical. "Including the Little Richard?" he demanded. "I would wager my life they did not leave the Little Richard!"

From Blinds & Shutters (bold mine)

[bbgliker-teehee]

Got inspired by the other asks about what type of VAs they would pick for each Hazbin hotel character, so heres mine:

Charlie- Hynden Walch/Liliana Mumy

Vaggie- Stephanie Beatrice (keeping her in just let her give Vaggie more emotion)

Angel Dust- Robert Tinkler

Alastor- Edward Bosco (keeping him because he's amazing as Alastor)

Sir Pentious- Tom Kenny (no offense to Alex but Tom being Sir Pentious feels right to me)

Husk- Gabriel Brown/Keith Ferguson

Niffty- Janice Kawaye/Kimiko Glenn

Lucifer- Alessandro Juliani

Lilith- Christine Ebersole/Jennifer Hale (I know she doesn't have a voice nor appearance yet, this is morely my voice headcanon)

Valetino- Mark Fischbach/Clancy Brown

Vox- Mark Hamill

Velvette- Kimberly Brooks

Katie Killjoy- Wendie Malick/Lauren Synger

Tom Trench- David Eddings

These are just mostly my choices, feel free to agree or disagree on them if you want to.

-Yes I see it!!!!

-Thats what I'm saying

-I don't really see it tbh.../lh

-Live laugh love Edward Bosco‼️‼️‼️‼️

-Tom Kenny is just perfect for him...

-Yessss

-YES‼️

-I love Alessandro Juliani!!!!!!

-I hope she has either of them

-YES just yes

-Not for me but I do adore Mark

-Nice love that

-Im obsessed with that woman...(Wendie Malick)

-YESSSSSSSSS

[liminalpsych]

tl;dr: Anyone got translation recommendations for any pre-1500's Arthurian text? Not because it's free/easily found, but because it's accurate or particularly readable.

I am building a reading list for myself in my project of "read all the classic Arthurian literature", and hitting a roadblock I didn't expect: figuring out which translation to get.

My background around this sort of thing is the reconstructionist Pagan community. Egyptian reconstruction, Norse reconstruction, Celtic reconstruction, etc. I'm used to finding long lists of recommended reading on source texts with recommended translators, and also translators who are decidedly not recommended (looking at you, E. W. Budge). These used to be readily available on a variety of webpages, forums, and mailing lists.

But that was back in the 2000's, when the internet was heavily decentralized. Nowadays it's very centralized to social media websites, so maybe that's the challenge. I'm not sure, I haven't gone looking for ancient text recommendations in a long time.

Anyway, I assumed this was going to be the same for Arthurian literature. That there would be recommended core texts to start with, and recommended translations of each text.

This has so far proven to be untrue. I ask about translations and get confused responses. I get links to free translations instead, when what I want is the *accurate* translation, or recommended translation due to its readability (thanks whoever recommended Keith Baines' translation of Morte d'Arthur by the way).

I get that there are free translations out there and that's great, but my ADHD brain is gonna file away the first version I read as its internal canon, and overriding that is *hard.* So I'd like the first readthrough to be a reasonably accurate one.

I got great thorough discourse on the pros and cons of different translations of the Mabinogion (which I expected, after dealing with the Celtic reconstructionists back in my Live Journal days, those people were *hardcore* about their texts so I figured something related to that would have translation Opinions available), thank you all.

Anyone got strong opinions on translations of Chretien de Troyes? Malory's Morte dArthur? Lais of Marie de France? Lanzelet? Parzival? I *know* there are a lot of opinions about translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

How about Robert de Boron's work? Black Book of Carmarthen? Various pre-Galfridian Lives of the Saints that relate to Arthurian lore? Alliterative Morte Arthure? Stanzaic Morte? Post-Vulgate? Any of the huge variety of Tristan content?

I did get a recommendation on the French Vulgate, not that there are a lot of options, which is Norris J. Lacy's translation. That one... gets to wait for a year. If I'm still doing this after a year, I'll allow myself to buy that expensive monstrosity.

If you've got a translation recommendation of absolutely *any* pre-1600 Arthurian text, please drop it in the comments or a reblog.

[celticbarb]

#BookReview #JustReleased #BookBirthday #Scotland #ScottishHistorical #DragonbladePublishing

Book: The Scottish Bride

Author: Susan King

Series:Highland Secrets, Book #1

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Dragonblade

Length: 336 Pages

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

This book is set during Scottish independence in the fourteenth century between the English King Edward I of England and King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. This English King, also known as Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, is slaughtering Scotland from designing horrific cages and demanding Scottish noblewomen live in them under the worst conditions imaginable! Furthermore, having public and horrific executions for some of Scotland's most honorable and bravest heroes that are remembered and honored to this day. Men like William Wallace and the brothers of Robert the Bruce and so much more! This story is surrounded by the words and books of Thomas the Rhymer who is a real person in Scottish history, he was a Scottish Laird with a reputation of prophecy and supernatural abilities. He was also called True Thomas and was born Thomas Learmont in Ercildoune now called Earlston near the Scottish Borders.

Scotland 1306

Thomasina (Tasmin) Keith was forced to marry elder Englishmen Sir John Witton who left her to her own devices. She was surprised that after he died he left her the Dalrinnie castle. Except she knows this English King Edward I will eventually force this Scottish noblewoman to marry another English enemy. Another man she will hate as the Englishmen will detest her equally. Sir William (Liam) Seton has been kept a prisoner and hates the English for so many reasons including murdering his betrothed right before they were to marry. On top of that he has been imprisoned and stripped of his Baron title and stolen his Dalrinnie castle from him several years ago.

Now Longshanks dangles a carrot in front of him saying he might return his Dalrinnie castle to him if he steals Thomas Rhymer’s book of prophecies from this old crone! He thinks Tasmin is an elderly woman thinking it is her grandmother. He also thinks this book will help him destroy Scotland with his dire predictions. Except she is not old at all but the young and beautiful Lady Tasmin Keith-Witton who is also a powerful seer and the great granddaughter of the famous Scottish prophet and Laird Thomas Rhymer.

Tasmin at first meets Liam as a harper and later discovers he is a Knight. She had dreamed of him rescuing her before she even met him. Except that truly does happen but she has a hard time trusting men with so many who have betrayed her. One dangerous, cruel and treacherous man Malise Comyn is obsessed with Tasmin knowing how beautiful she is and he also wants Dalrinnie castle and hates Liam Seton for other reasons from their past. He was a cousin to the deceased John Comyn that Robert the Bruce killed. Malise will do anything to capture Tasmin and that includes lying, cheating and harming anyone who gets in his way!

Tasmin is very attracted to Liam but has a hard time believing and trusting this man, but soon breaks down her defenses from loneliness. All she wants is a husband that will love her and treat her as an equal partner and have children with. Will that ever happen? Does Liam want Tasmin for his family's castle, dogs or has he discovered true love for the first time? There are many who want to destroy these star crossed lovers. Will they survive or will Malise Comyn or King Edward I who hates everything Scottish betray and deceive them both? Read and find out.

There is a reason I have been reading Susan King books for three decades, as she knows how to write these swoon worthy heroes and these fun feisty heroines! Plus it is also a story that will knock your socks off! Again I was blown away by another brilliantly superb story that I could not put down!

I also love when real history and fiction are weaved together into an extraordinary story. Just the research alone was pure perfection with enchanting landscapes, breathtaking betrayal and heartwarming passion. This author brings you into her medieval Scottish journey that readers will never want to leave! Another book I highly recommend!

Highland Secrets

Book 1 - The Scottish Bride

Book 2 - The Forest Bride - To be released

Book 3 - The Guardian's Bride - To be released

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

[sopolicegardener]

15 Up-and-Coming Trends About 69VN

Celebrities are not like everyday people. They have busy schedules, drive expensive cars, and wear jewelry that others can only dream of owning. Maybe it is because celebrities are so far removed from normal life that they often give their babies unusual names.

Some names are just a little different. John Travolta and Kelly Preston have two beautiful children. Their daughter’s name is Ella Bleu. Their son’s name is Jett. Jett is different, but anyone who knows anything about John Travolta knows he has a love for flying. Gwyneth Paltrow, pregnant again, came under scrutiny for naming her first child Apple. While Vpay88 it is unusual, it is somewhat cute, like in the “apple of their eye.” Chris Martin, her husband, tired of the controversy over the name Apple, has jokingly stated their second child, whether male or female, will be named Banana. Another cute name is Dandelion, the name of Keith Richards’ daughter. Julie Roberts recently gave birth to twins – a boy and a girl – and received flack over the names she chose. She received Royvin almost as much grief over the choice for her daughter’s name, Hazel, as she did the more eccentric choice of Phinnaeus for her son.

Many people speculated what Madonna would name her HUNO first child. Lourdes Maria seems a fitting name for child who’s mother’s name is Madonna, but she often goes by Lola. Her son is named Rocco, which sounds a bit like a cartoon character, but at least it is a tough sounding name. Actor Casey Affleck and fianc Summer Phoenix recently had a son named Indiana August, which leads one to wonder what state and month their son was conceived in. Toni Braxton has two sons, Denim and Diezel. While both useful products, they make somewhat strange names for children. Rob Marrow decided it would be cute if he named his daughter Tu Simone Ayer, calling her Tu Morrow. Wonder if she will think it is cute 20 years from now? Actor Jason Lee named his son Pilot Inspektor, but magician Penn Jillette may have topped them all. He named his daughter, Moxie Crimefighter, saying “because when xoso66 she’s pulled over for speeding she can say, `But officer, we’re on the same side, my middle name is CrimeFighter.”‘

If you think it is a new trend, think again. Back in 1971, David Bowie and his then wife Angela decided to name their son Duncan Zowie Heywood Jones. He soon became known as Zowie Bowie. Cher named her children Chastity Sun and Elijah Blue.

The Phoenix family is well known for their unusual choice of baby names. Summer Phoenix’s siblings are the late actor River Phoenix, actresses Rain and Liberty Phoenix and actor Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin felt his name was so out of place with his siblings, that when he was four, he decided to change his name to Leaf. By the early 1990’s, he had reverted back to using his birth name. Another family infamous for their choices of baby names is the Zappa family. Frank’s children are Dweezil, Moon Unit, Ahmed Emuukha Rodan and Diva Muffin. While many people think that Dweezil is his given name, his birth name was originally Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa because the hospital refused to register the name Dweezil. Always called Dweezil, when he was a child, he wanted to make the name official and his parents took him to have it changed legally. Paula Yates, former wife of Sir Bob Geldof and girlfriend of late rocker Michael Hutchence, also had a knack for giving her children unusual names. Among her brood are Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa, Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily, and Little Pixie.

Some celebrity baby names make sense if you know the story behind them. Eurythmic’s Dave Stewart named his son Django after jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Stevie Wonder named his son Mandla Kadjaly Carl Stevland, however Mandla means “powerful” in Zulu and Kadjaly means “born from God” in Swahili. Helen Hunt just gave birth to a baby girl she named Makena’lei Gordon. The name Makena’lei is from a friend’s dream and means “many flowers of heaven.” Gordon, an unlikely girl’s name, was to honor of Helen’s father, television director Gordon Hunt. Nicolas Cage just named his new baby boy Kal-el. Because Nicolas took his stage name of Cage from comic book character Luke Cage, he decided to name his son Kal-el after one of his favorite comic book heroes. Kal-el is Superman’s kryptonian name.

So, do the children like these unconventional names given them by their parents? In some cases, they do. The Phoenix’s seem to love their nature-inspired names and the Zappa children seem to have had no ill effects from their eccentric names. However, some children tire of the peculiar names quickly. Zowie Bowie had had enough of his moniker by the time he was 12 and asked to be referred to as “Joey.” Although Dandelion Richards does not seem too bad, she has since started referring to herself as Angela. Recently, Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof has been the most outspoken about the odd choice her parents made in naming her. She has been quoted as saying, “I hate ridiculous names. My weird name has haunted me all my life.”

While having an unusual name might be difficult for any child, the celebrity of a child’s parents may enhance it even further. Thankfully, celebrity children who decide they don’t like their given names can switch to a nickname or even eventually have their names legally changed.

[maxriderg]

In honor of #ChristmasEve2022 and #KeithSilverstein's #52ndBirthday, allow me to share this and as well as welp, hitting the bell to cue this. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=899kstdMUoQ

Ladies and Gentlemen, Today is Sir Silverstein's 52nd Birthday and well, have a #Happy52ndBirthday to the one and only, Keith Silverstein (1970-present) himself, the English-language #AfricanAmerican Voice Actor who is known for voicing Barry in #DisneysAmphibia, Garland in #MobiusFinalFantasy, Midas Felgreed in the #StarOcean series, Zasalamel in the #SoulCalibur series, Simon Belmont in the #Castlevania series, Vector the Crocodile in the #SonictheHedgehog series, Zhongli in #GenshinImpact, Wolfram in #MyHeroAcademia, Robert E.O. Speedwagon in #JoJosBizarreAdventure, Deep Sea King in #OnePunchMan, Masaimichi Yuga in #JujutsuKaisen, Coyote Starrk in the #BleachSeries, Manji in the original #BladeoftheImmortal anime series, Monspeet in #TheSevenDeadlySins series, Professor Souichi Tomoe in the #SailorMoon series, Johab Libert in #Monster (I'm referring to the #Shogakukan franchise), Flynn and Tatsuya Suou in the #ShinMegamiTensei and #Persona series with him as Dr. Wily/Doctor Albert W. Wily from the #MegaMan series alongside with him as Char Aznable in the #MobileGuitGundam series and of course, him as the #HunterXHunter series' Hisoka Morow.

#SameVoiceActor #GroupPictures #EnglishDubbedAnime

[scotianostra]

On June 24th 1314 the Battle of Bannockburn was concluded.

The painting by the late Andrew Hillhouse compresses all the main events of the second day of the battle.

The Scots’ forces first appeared to the English along the low ridge, at the upper left of the painting, where the knelt to pray. Seeing them kneel, the English King, Edward II, called out “Ha! They kneel for mercy!” misunderstanding their intent. The Scots then stood up and marched in their schiltrons down the hill, straight towards the massing English knights, under cover from their own archers. The English archers reacted swiftly, however, and quickly drove the few Scots archers from the field. They must have been buoyed by this and lulled into believing they could vanquish the Scots.

However beneath this ridge is the line of casualties where the two armies first clashed. The well drilled Scottish lines held at the impact of the poorly organised English cavalry, they then began driving back the Auld Enemy in a relentless, murderous, crushing slog. The lines were packed so closely together that English support from their archers quickly became impossible.

In the lower left of the image, two Scottish soldiers can be seen holding aloft the standard of the English Earl of Gloucester, taunting the English lines. Gloucester had been stung by accusations of cowardice from his own king the day before. Subsequently, upon seeing the Scots’ advance, he hastily formed up the vanguard of the English cavalry and charged without even pausing to don his own surcoat. With great bravery, he charged the Scottish lines but went down under the spears of Edward Bruce’s men. Without his surcoat, he was not recognised as a potentially valuable hostage and was killed by the rampaging Scots. Behind these two characters, Scottish foot soldiers take English knights hostage.

In the far distance, to the right hand side, men can be seen running from horses. The English had redeployed their now redundant archers across the Pelstream Burn, on the Scots’ left flank, where they wreaked total havoc amongst the Scotsmen under the command of the Black Douglas and Walter the Steward. But the Bruce had foreseen just such a development and deployed the Scots light cavalry under Sir Robert Keith in a circuitous movement to dispatch them. Unseen by the English, they tracked swiftly through the concealing countryside to take the English archers by surprise and drove them from the field.

In the centre of the painting can be seen the huge Lion Rampant, the position of King Robert. It was at this point that the Bruce deployed his own schiltron, with support from Angus Og MacDonald and his highlanders, who he had previously held in reserve. As they smashed into the thick of the battle, the English began to lose heart. They were being driven back mercilessly and yet most had been unable to reach the front line to strike a blow. They could not manoeuvre effectively in the tight confines and on such broken terrain. Many fell beneath the crush, never to rise again and panic began to surge through their ranks.

English King Edward was persuaded to leave the field by his advisers as order in the English ranks collapsed and he fled for nearby Stirling castle with his escort. Upon seeing the Royal Standard, three golden leopards on a scarlet background, leaving the field, the English collapse became inevitable as depicted in the right hand side of the painting. The Scottish archers returned to the field to wreak havoc upon the fleeing English.

The “small folk” abandoned their reserve position by Coxet Hill and took to the field. It is unlikely that Robert the Bruce ordered this charge, but its effect was devastating upon the already retreating English forces. Seeing these hundreds of figures rush into battle carrying workmen’s tools as weapons and waving homemade banners, the English mistook them as another Scottish reserve force entering the fray. Subsequently, they totally disintegrated and fled the field, pursued in every direction by vengeful Scots.

The rout was complete. King Edward eventually reached English occupied Stirling Castle but was refused entry by the castle commander, Sir Philip Moubray, as this would only have resulted in the King’s ultimate capture. He and his retinue were pursued relentlessly south and east to Dunbar by the Black Douglas.

[happyhyenaminis]

thank you all for the suggestions!! i have a nice list of books to try now >:D i've collated n loosely ordered them + added notes for reference so i can come back to this whenever i need (and so other folks can use it if they want too!) 🙏 y'all are fantastic i appreciate u taking the time to give me cool books to read

my lil list is below the read-more :)

novels either covering important events in-universe or being foundational to the setting:

Gray Death Trilogy, by William H. Keith, Jr. (which expands into The Saga of the Gray Death Legion past the first 3 books with a few other authors. The original trilogy being the first, third and fourth book respectively ever to be published for the BattleTech Universe.) Set during the Succession Wars Era. "A series of books and stories about Grayson Carlyle and his famed mercenary unit, the Gray Death Legion." Warrior Trilogy, by Michael A. Stackpole. Set during the Succession Wars Era. "Follows the intertwined stories of Justin Xiang Allard, Daniel Allard and the Kell Hounds, and Yorinaga Kurita and the Genyosha in the build-up to the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner and the Fourth Succession War that was launched during the wedding." Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, by Michael A. Stackpole. Transitions the setting from the original Succession Wars Era into the Clan Invasion Era. Betrayal of Ideals, by Blaine Lee Pardoe. Set during the Succession Wars Era. "Narrates the "true" story behind the destruction of Clan Wolverine, making Clan founder Nicholas Kerensky appear in a more sinister light than in official Clan history and revealing many aspects of Clan history as revisionist falsifications." Twilight of the Clans Series, an 8-part series by a number of authors (Blaine Lee Pardoe, Michael A. Stackpole, Thomas S. Gressman, and Robert Thurston.) Covers the end of the Clan Invasion Era. "The Clans, for generations, bided their time waiting for the right opportunity to appear from the Periphery and conquer the Inner Sphere. They risked all at the Battle of Tukayyid – only to be soundly defeated. The results were deadlier than they could ever imagine." Forever Faithful, by Blaine Lee Pardoe. Set at the end of the Twilight of the Clans Series (and the Clan Invasion Era) bridging through the Jihad Era and into the Dark Age Era. Two Clan Smoke Jaguar warriors who survived the destruction of the Clan at the hands of the newly reborn Star League struggle to save the Smoke Jaguars against many different forces looking to exterminate or pilfer and absorb the remnants of the Clan.

side-stories:

Legend of the Jade Phoenix Trilogy, by Robert Thurston. Set throughout the Succession Wars and Clan Invasion Eras. "The story of the fall and redemption of Aidan Pryde, hero of Clan Jade Falcon Ideal War, by Christopher Kubasik. (Note: I'm looking forward to the Commentary™ in this one.) Set during the Clan Invasion Era. "Chronicles the military and ethical dilemmas faced by Sir Paul Masters of the Knights of the Inner Sphere as he fights in a vicious guerrilla war." Far Country, by Peter Rice. Set during the Clan Invasion Era. "The book's protagonists are marooned in an unknown star system with no chance whatsoever to return to or communicate with known space, effectively separating them from the rest of humanity. The story therefore has no impact on the fictional history of the BattleTech universe. As far as everyone else is concerned, the protagonists simply vanished in a jump accident and are presumed dead." (This is the fun controversial one where there are aliens >:) ) Ghost of Winter, by Stephen Kenson. Set during the Clan Invasion Era. "A stand-alone tale about the defense of a minor Periphery planet against invading bandits. It is the first novel in the loosely related MechWarrior series." Star Lord, by Donald G. Phillips (rewritten for publication by Blaine Lee Pardoe) Set during the Clan Invasion Era. "A descendant of Stefan Amaris tries to reestablish the (New) Rim Worlds Republic. Posing as the Knights, his forces launch terror attacks to sow chaos. An irregular unit including elements of the real Knights is tasked with identifying, infiltrating and terminating the unknown enemy." Fox Tales, by Bryan Young. Set during the Dark Age Era. "An anthology containing short stories about the mercenary unit Fox Patrol." The Proving Grounds Trilogy, by Martin Delrio. Set during the Dark Age Era. "The novels chronicle the Steel Wolves assault on The Republic of the Sphere, the resistance led by the Northwind Highlanders, and the legacy of Paladin Ezekiel Crow." The Rogue Academy Trilogy, by Jennifer Brozek. Set during the Dark Age Era. "About the invasion of Emporia by the rogue DCMS Seventh Ghost Regiment." A Question of Survival, by Bryan Young. Set during the IlClan Era. About the Khan for Clan Jade Falcon looking to rebuild his devastated Clan in the aftermath of their loss of the ilClan trial on Terra, and decide to attempt to do this by capturing sibkos from Clan Ghost Bear. Who wouldn't like that I bet. Redemption Rites, by Jason Schmetzer. Set during the IlClan Era. Centering Kincaid of the Wolf's Dragoons, in the aftermath of the ilClan trial on Terra where they suffered terrible losses. Follows his and his Dragoons' quest for revenge after being used and insulted by Alaric Ward of Clan Wolf.

Also been recommended anything written by Michael A. Stackpole so I may go sniff through his books later. He's tackled a lot of pivotal historical events in-universe.

any battletech enthusiasts have a favourite novel/s they'd recommend? 👀

[weavingthetapestry]

24th of June 1314: The Battle of Bannockburn (Second Day)

(Cambuskenneth Abbey)

Part 1- Lead-up to the battle; Part 2- the first day of the battle

As it turned out, it was the Scots, and not the English, who should have worried about treachery in the night. Despite having fought against Bruce for much of the conflict, David of Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, had changed sides by late 1313, and was one of the three earls with the king at Bannockburn. Another of these, however, was the king's brother, Edward Bruce, for whom Atholl had allegedly conceived a deep hatred on account of Edward's desertion of his wife Isabel (Atholl's sister) for a sister of Sir Walter Ross. It was claimed by John Barbour that this issue came to a head on the night of the 23rd, when Atholl and his men headed towards the Scots’ supply depot at Cambuskenneth. There, they slew Sir William Airth along with many of his men, and raided the supplies in the Abbey before leaving the area completely. For this crime, Atholl's lands were forfeited and he was banished to England, but his descendants continued to cause trouble for the Bruce kings long afterwards. 

Several miles away in the New Park, the Scots rose at daybreak and readied themselves for battle, as the morning of the 24th of June dawned clear and sunny. Robert Bruce had been convinced not to withdraw the previous evening, but while the victories of the previous day had been an auspicious beginning, the task facing the Scots was still immense, and the king did his best to hearten his army. Probably on the evening of the 23rd (though some sources say the next morning), he addressed them, in a speech which has been variously recorded by different sources, but was plainly inspiring to the Scots whatever its form, and if the next morning they felt any trepidation about the battle ahead, they seem to have been no less determined to face the challenge. The English chronicler Geoffrey le Baker’s account was written sometime after Bannockburn, and is likely embellished, but his description is no less compelling,

“On the other side you might have seen the silent Scots keeping a holy watch by fasting, but with their blood boiling with a fervent love for the liberty of their country which, although unjust, made them ready to die on her behalf.”

The previous evening having been the eve of the feast of St John the Baptist, the army had fasted, but now they received bread and wine, and masses were said. Walter Bower claims that Maurice, the Abbot of Inchaffray, having taken King Robert’s confession previously, presided over this mass, before making his own speech to the host and then leading them onto the field, walking ahead of the army with cross in hand. The Scots quickly formed up in their divisions, almost all, including the king, being on foot, many carrying axes at their sides and spears in hand. As already mentioned, most sources state that there were three divisions, two in front, and a third in the rear commanded by the king, which may have included many men from Carrick and the west highlands and islands, as well as Lowlanders. The other two seem likely to have been commanded by the king’s brother Edward Bruce and Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, (John Barbour’s claim that there was a fourth division under the Steward and James Douglas being largely rejected by historians, though A.A.M. Duncan has raised the possibility that Douglas was serving under Edward Bruce, which would fit his movements later in the battle). Once in their divisions, the king likely created new knights, as was chivalric custom, though again Barbour’s claim that this was when Stewart and Douglas were knighted may have been poetic licence. This done, the army advanced, moving out of the New Park and down into the land near to where the English had made camp.

(One interpretation of where the second day of the battle may have taken place (Barrow’s), with the English camp in between the Pelstream and Bannock burns. Not my picture.)

The site of the fighting which took place on the second day of the Battle of Bannockburn has never been conclusively located, despite the best efforts of historians and archaeologists across the centuries, which have most recently included a huge archaeological dig to mark the seven hundredth anniversary. Some archaeological finds would seem to support Barrow’s hypothesis, which was also supported by Duncan. In this view, the English encampment is thought to have been on the fields which are currently sited just across the railway from Broomridge, surrounded by the Pelstream and Bannock burns, and it is even possible that the battle itself was fought down here, or perhaps at Broomridge itself (though there are now houses on the spot). It is also possible that the battle may have been fought up the hill from Broomridge, over the other side of Balquidderock wood, on the ground that Bannockburn high school now occupies. The position of the Bannockburn Heritage Centre near Borestone (to the west of the aforementioned sites) is actually very unlikely to have been the spot of the battle, though local legend states that Borestone takes its name from a nearby stone (which survived until the mid-twentieth century) in which Bruce's standard was planted during the battle. This legend can only be definitively dated to the eighteenth century, however, and, though there are arguments for spots slightly further afield, most theories seem to agree on a spot somewhere in the vicinity of Balquhidderock wood. I cannot comment on this with authority though, and so I recommend personally reading up on the subject further, as there are other opposing arguments (and it’s also really interesting- see the references below for the full titles of Barrow and Scott’s books). For now though, I’ll return to narrating the battle. 

The English army had not had a particularly restful night. Though some sources claim that the soldiers ‘spent the night in braggartry and revelry with Bacchus’, exulting in the rout of the Scots rabble they were sure would follow, other sources indicate that many within the army were anxious and restless. The cavalry had armed themselves and readied their horses in the night, and Thomas Gray states that when they saw the Scots march out of the woods, they mounted hurriedly in some alarm. The behaviour of their king and other leaders can hardly have been comforting: the English commanders were deeply divided, both on account of individual pride and on what course of action they should take. Seasoned veterans counselled against attacking that day, reasoning that the Scots would likely begin to melt away if the battle was postponed or become too tempted by the prospect of gaining spoils to maintain discipline. Gilbert de Clare, the Earl of Gloucester, though relatively young, is also supposed to have supported this argument, but according to the ‘Vita Edwardi Secundi’ many of the other younger nobles felt that delaying the battle was cowardly, while King Edward is said to have accused his nephew Gloucester of treachery. Gloucester did not take this at all well and, allegedly replying, ‘Today it will be clear that I am neither a traitor nor a liar’, he quit the king’s presence in anger and readied himself for battle. 

(Part of one possible location for the English camp- and maybe the battle itself- between Broomridge and the A91).

To the Scots coming out of the wood the sheer size of the English army would have been immediately apparent, and according to some reports only the vanguard was distinguishable from the rest of the vast force assembled in front of the Bannockburn, the cavalry’s armour glinting in the early morning sun. From the English point of view, the far smaller Scottish army appeared like a ‘thick-set hedge’, the two foremost divisions bristling with spears as they advanced in their schiltroms. This type of tight-knit spear formation had its weak points, but the Scots were in a much narrower, and therefore more advantageous, position than Randolph’s force had been in the skirmish by St Ninian’s the previous day. Moreover, the Scots had been drilled thoroughly in the weeks leading up to the battle, enabling them to use the schiltrom offensively as well as to simply stand their ground. They moved swiftly in the direction of the English, but briefly paused as they came in sight of the enemy and the whole Scottish army knelt down to pray, both confusing and impressing their foes. Soon after they rose to their feet again, battle was joined. 

The Chronicle of Lanercost maintains that the main battle was preceded by a short duel between the two sides’ archers, but if so this probably stopped as soon as the main bodies of the two armies clashed. It is unclear just how this clash occurred, but, while the ‘Vita Edwardi Secundi’ implies the Scots advanced first, most sources suggest that the English vanguard, under the earls of Gloucester and Hereford, suddenly charged the Scots schiltroms, particularly those under Edward Bruce. As this Scottish division came under pressure, Thomas Randolph’s division pressed ahead to lend support, and the English vanguard soon felt the full repercussions of charging straight into thousands of spears, as the Scots held the line and did not falter under the weight of the heavy cavalry. Jammed together the English cavalry found it difficult to fight effectively, and hadn’t the space to pull the schiltroms apart from the sides. Sir Thomas Gray, whose father had been captured charging a schiltrom the previous day, wrote:

“They [the English] were not accustomed to fight on foot; whereas the Scots had taken a lesson from the Flemings, who before that had at Courtrai defeated on foot the power of France.”

The twenty-three year old Earl of Gloucester seems to have been an early casualty. Whether in a fit of pique over the accusations of cowardice and treachery his uncle Edward II had levelled at him, or because he was still squabbling with his other uncle, the earl of Hereford, over who should take precedence in leading the vanguard, he had hurled himself at the schiltroms with much ferocity. When a phalanx that may have been under the command of James Douglas suddenly rushed forwards, however, Gloucester’s horse was brought down by the Scottish spears and its rider hit the ground, where he was lost in the fray.

(In this recent imagining of the battle, Gloucester may be identified by his arms- yellow (or) with red chevrons. The knight to his right is possibly intended to be Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke while elsewhere in the background can be seen the arms of James Douglas, Edward Bruce Earl of Carrick, and Hugh Despenser the Younger. Not my picture) 

***Gloucester’s death may have been a blow, and others in the vanguard probably met similar fates, but the Scots were not out of trouble yet. According to John Barbour, at some point the English archers moved to the side and began causing real problems for the spearmen in the schiltroms. From his position behind the main battle, holding his division in reserve, King Robert sent out a small cavalry force under the command of the marischal, Sir Robert Keith, numbering about five hundred and mounted on relatively light horses. Keith’s horsemen got in among the English archers and scattered them, and as the archers fled they ran into their own troops coming up from behind and worsened the crush. It may have been then that King Robert committed his men to the battle and the Scots began to steadily push their foes back in the direction of the Bannock burn, the English giving ground as their line collapsed and men fell backwards over each other under the weight of the Scottish onslaught. Not long afterwards, if Barbour is to be believed, an even worse omen appeared,, as what looked like thousands of Scottish reinforcements suddenly emerged from the wood and headed in the direction of the battle. In fact, this was no second army at all, but the camp followers and carters and other members of the supply train who had been left behind in the New Park (tradition has it they were stationed near the appropriately named Gillies’ Hill but this is more folklore than evidence). Seeing the fight from afar, they had allegedly chosen leaders among themselves, made banners from sheets, and marched down to the battlefield in time to join the struggle. Their arrival though, appearing like a second army, was a terrible blow to English morale, and many now began to flee. 

From where the men in charge of Edward II’s rein were standing, the situation was beginning to look rather perilous, and it was now that the Earl of Pembroke and Sir Giles d’Argentan made the decision to remove their king from the battle. Edward was less than happy about being made to leave the field, but went, ‘much against the grain’, striking out at the Scots behind him with a mace. Once the king was clear, however, the famous knight Sir Giles d’Argentan took his leave of the party, claiming that he had never been accustomed to fleeing from a fight, and rode back into the fray, where he met his end. Pembroke and Edward, with the rest of their party, continued on towards Stirling castle as fast as their horses would carry them. Arriving at the gates of the castle, however, they were refused entry. Some sources imply that the garrison had switched their allegiance to the Scots, others that the captain Philip de Mowbray quite sensibly, pointed out to the king that once inside Stirling he would never be able to escape again. Whatever the case, the king’s party was forced to gallop hell-for-leather back the way they’d come, tearing past the King’s Knot and the battlefield in the direction of Lothian. 

(Not my picture.)

The rest of the English army had not been so lucky. When the king’s standard was seen to leave the field, this signalled the complete collapse of the English defence, and men began fleeing in earnest, the Scots pursuing them with triumphant shouts, cutting down any they could reach and snatching up spoils as they went. In their haste to get away from the enemy, many of the retreating English soldiers fell into the ditch behind them, through which flowed the dark waters of the Bannockburn, and this stream now became a graveyard as it filled with the bodies of the drowned and the wounded. Others fled in the direction of the castle, and Barbour describes the castle rock as visibly crawling with men as they scaled the crag any way they could. King Robert was apparently still anxious about the English deciding to turn and fight again, however and attempted to prevent his men from chasing them too far, especially avoiding any attack on those in the park under the castle, where the hundreds of fleeing soldiers might yet regroup. However, if we are to believe John Barbour, the king still granted James Douglas permission to pursue the party containing the English king- if captured, Edward II would have been too large a prize for King Robert to pass up such an opportunity.

In all the confusion, and despite the area swarming with men, both friend and foe, King Edward made it safely to the Torwood and from there his party, numbering around five hundred, headed south-east. James Douglas and his men swiftly gave chase, and by the time they reached Linlithgow, the Scots were nipping at the heels of the English. According to Barbour however, Douglas’ force, numbering only around sixty, was far too small to engage them, even when they joined up with another force that had defected from the English, and the Scots settled for picking off stragglers in the rear. When the English paused at Winchburgh to rest their horses, the Scots paused too, lurking some distance away and keeping a careful watch, until the English remounted and the chase began again. Eventually though, their headlong flight paid off, and Edward made it safely to Dunbar, the coastal fortress belonging to Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, who was quick to demonstrate to the English king that he was still loyal, evacuating many of his own people to make room for the royal party. From Dunbar, a small, open boat was procured, and Edward, with only a few attendants, escaped by sea to Berwick. The rest of his party followed overland as best they could, though they were constantly harassed by the Scots of the borders. Many of their horses were left running wild, and were seized eagerly by the Scots. A force of Welshmen under the command of Maurice de Berkley, heading towards the border of their own accord, were also much harried by the Scots, with many being taken or killed. In the south-west, Bothwell Castle received a large number of men seeking refuge, under the command of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford. Unfortunately for them, the keeper of Bothwell, Sir Walter Gilbertson, was not as loyal as the Earl of Dunbar, and, having ensured that Hereford’s force was subdued, he soon brokered a deal with the Scots, and handed over his prisoners, including the earl. 

By late afternoon, the battle was very much over. The Scots busied themselves clearing up the rich pickings left behind by the magnificent English army- their fastidiousness when it came to spoils partly account for the lack of surviving archaeological evidence. As well as horses, treasure, and armour, they may also have found Edward II’s seal, as he lost it in his haste to escape and had to borrow Queen Isabella’s when he finally arrived in Berwick. It was equally important to count the dead, and while it is difficult to gauge the number of Scottish losses, most accounts only give two notable names- Sir William de Vieuxpont and Sir Walter Ross, the latter allegedly a close comrade of Edward Bruce, being the brother of his mistress Isabel of Ross. The English death toll was far higher. As well as Giles d’Argentan, among the dead were that hardy veteran of so many Scottish campaigns Robert Clifford, Lord William Marshall, Edmund Mauley the steward of Edward II’s household, and Payne de Tibetot, whose young son and heir had been born not even a year before. The earl of Gloucester’s body was also identified among the carnage, which is said to have saddened King Robert, the two being close kin, and an honourable guard was appointed to wake the corpse that night. Gloucester’s body was later returned to England and buried in Tewkesbury Abbey, while several of the other English nobles were given honourable burials. The rest of the army, meanwhile, was interred in large pits.

(The earliest known artistic portrayal of the Battle of Bannockburn, from a manuscript of the fifteenth century Scotichronicon. Obviously not my picture.)

While Bruce may well have lamented Gloucester, his death also meant the loss of a hefty ransom for the Scots, but in that department at least they were generally well off, not least due to the capture of the Earl of Hereford. Humphrey de Bohun was later to be exchanged, with others, for the aged yet formidable bishop of Glasgow, Robert Wishart, and several of Robert Bruce’s kinswomen, including his queen, Elizabeth de Burgh, his sister Mary, and his daughter Marjorie Bruce, all of whom had been in captivity in England since 1306. Other captives were not of such high rank, but still had their uses- for example, Robert Baston, a Carmelite friar who had apparently been brought along with Edward II’s army to compose poetry commemorating his victory over the Scots. In the event, he was captured by the Scots and in return for his release was commissioned to write poetry celebrating their victory, though Baston’s poetry is less partisan than either side might have liked, and more grief-stricken than triumphant. I agree with Walter Bower in that Baston’s poem makes for interesting reading, particularly from the point of view of someone who was near the field at the time of the battle itself, so here are a few verses:

“Weeping in my tent, I lament the battles joined, not knowing (God be my witness!) which king is to blame for them.

This is a twofold realm, where either half seeks to be master; neither wishes to be a supplicant subjected to the other. England and Scotland are two Pharisaic kingdoms. This one is at the top and so is the other, lest one or the other fall. Hence spring gaping flanks, spattered with rose-red gore, embattled ranks, mown down with bitter anguish; hence wasted strength, overwhelmed by Mars, hosts engulfed while hammering out mutual conflict; hence pallid faces, one drowned, another buried; hence manifold mourning, a noise that mounts to the stars; hence wars that arise and waste the resources of the land. I cannot recount the particulars of a massacre that transcends all reckoning

(...)

All round the scene are places heaped high with spoils. Words charged with menace are hurled back and reinforced with acts. I know not what to say. I am reaping a harvest I did not sow.  I renounce the trickery of guile; I cultivate the peace that is a friend of right. Let him who cares for more assume the care of writing it. My mind is dulled, my voice is harsh, my work totally blurred.

I am a Carmelite, surnamed Baston.    I grieve that I am left to outlive such a carnage.”

Sixty years later, John Barbour took a rather different view of the battle in his poem ‘the Brus’, written in the days of Robert I’s grandson. His work is a romance more than history, though it provides many details for events that we cannot find elsewhere and is therefore an invaluable source, if often problematic. Thus Bannockburn is presented in triumphant terms, but is not without its chivalric episodes, as in the story Barbour tells of the Yorkshire knight Sir Marmaduke Tweng. The survivor of Stirling Bridge had similarly managed to weather Bannockburn and, by hiding his armour under a bush, somehow managed to avoid coming across any of the thousands of Scots roaming the field in the immediate aftermath of the battle. When he happened to come across the Scottish king however, he spurred his horse in Bruce’s direction and yielded to him personally. Apparently impressed by this, King Robert ensured that he was treated well, chivalrously waived Tweng’s ransom, and sent him home to England laden with gifts. 

Eventually, Stirling Castle, the source of all the troubles, surrendered to the King of Scots. It was then razed, like Edinburgh and Roxburgh, so it could not be held by the English again, but it was of course rebuilt later on, and survived to continue causing trouble across the centuries.

The Battle of Bannockburn did not end the First War of Independence. It didn’t even prevent Robert I from being faced by threats from other Scottish magnates, though it certainly did do much to bolster his position in his kingdom and rendered his rule a great deal more acceptable to many of his subjects. Even some English commentators seem to have reluctantly conceded his primacy, and Bannockburn certainly played a huge role in this- Sir Thomas Gray, for example, refers to Bruce as the king of Scotland for the first time in the paragraph immediately following his account of the battle. Edward II’s ambitions in Scotland were also massively affected, and though the English king did mount other campaigns against the Scots they were largely unsuccessful and were often less confident than even the Bannockburn campaign. Bannockburn was also a triumph for a new way of fighting, and some of the tactics used therein found their way into the style of warfare practised so expertly by the English on their French campaigns during the Hundred Years’ War, and other instances of late mediaeval warfare. Its importance in popular culture from the fourteenth century to the present day, should also not be overlooked, even if some examples are rather cringeworthy. All in all, whilst it is important to recognise that Bannockburn was not the pivotal, conflict-ending event it is often claimed to be, it is still a fascinating battle, associated with many compelling stories, and is of great historical significance, both for Scotland and Britain as a whole, which makes it well worth studying.

(Not my picture. References and notes below)

*** This paragraph is based largely on the outline given in John Barbour’s ‘the Brus.’ As this is as much a work of literature as a historical source, much of it can of course be questioned, I generally have included the events in this paragraph as they are one of our only sources for the middle period of the battle and I wanted to give as a full an account as possible. That being said, it should be approached with caution.

References:

"The Brus", John Barbour, with notes by A.A.M. Duncan

“Chronica Gentis Scotorum”, by John of Fordun, translated by W.F. Skene

‘Scotichronicon’, by Walter Bower, translated by D.E.R. Watt (contains versions of Robert Baston’s poem and a verse chronicle by Abbot Bernard of Arbroath)

The Chronicle of Lanercost, translated by Sir Herbert Maxwell

"Scalachronica", by Sir Thomas Gray, translated by Sir Herbert Maxwell

"Vita Edwardi Secundi", by ‘The Monk of Malmesbury’, translated by N. Denholm-Young

‘The Chronicles of Geoffrey le Baker’, translated Richard W. Barber and David Preest

"Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland", G.W.S. Barrow

‘Bannockburn Revealed’, William Scott

"Bannockburn", David Cornell

"Edward II", Philip Seymour

And quite a few other secondary sources, occasionally the Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, and a host of leaflets, articles, e.t.c. If you want the source for a specific part, just ask, I should hopefully be able to provide it.

[fictionadventurer]

Hello! I was just wondering what your favorite books are. I noticed that you seem to post about books I really like but no one around me has ever read (like The Blue Castle), so I was just curious if we had other book favorites in common!

Sincerely,

Sirius:)

I don't know if I can narrow it down to a top 20 or anything, but I can provide a list of a few of my favorite authors and the books of their I most love. My taste isn't terribly obscure--most of the more obscure books were recommended to me by people here on tumblr--so it's likely we share several favorites.

Jane Austen: Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, The Watsons, Emma, Lady Susan, Sense and Sensibility (Bonus: Sanditon, completed by Marie Dobbs)

Wendell Berry: Bringing It to the Table: Writings on Farming and Food

G.K. Chesterton: Orthodoxy, Manalive, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, Tremendous Trifles, The Innocence of Father Brown, The Wisdom of Father Brown

Nina Clare: Beau Brown

Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay

Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White

Allie Condie: Matched

Kenley Davidson: Goldheart, The Countess and the Frog

Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations

Heather Dixon: Entwined

Regina Doman: The Shadow of the Bear, Black as Night, Waking Rose, The Midnight Dancers, Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyberthieves, Rapunzel Let Down

Tim Downs: Shoofly Pie, Less Than Dead

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Amanda Dykes: Yours is the Night

Elizabeth Gaskell: Wives and Daughters, North and South, Cranford, My Lady Ludlow

Jean Craighead George: The Tarantula in My Purse

Rumer Godden: The Kitchen Madonna

Elizabeth Goudge: Pilgrim's Inn/The Herb of Grace

Ben Hatke: Zita the Spacegirl

Georgette Heyer: A Civil Contract, The Grand Sophy, The Talisman Ring

Caryll Houselander: The Reed of God

Gail Carson Levine: Ella Enchanted

C.S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia, but especially The Silver Chair and The Magician's Nephew; A Grief Observed, Surprised by Joy, The Problem of Pain

Therese of Lisieux: Story of a Soul

George Macdonald: The Light Princess

Emily B. Martin: Woodwalker

Robert K. Massie: Nicholas and Alexandra

C.J. Milbrandt: Meadowsweet, Harrow and Rakefang

L.M. Montgomery: The Anne of Green Gables series, especially Anne of Green Gables, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, and Rilla of Ingleside; The Blue Castle; Jane of Lantern Hill

Pope Pius VI: "Humanae Vitae"

Mollie E. Reeder: The Electrical Menagerie

Kate Stradling: Brine and Bone

Dorothy L. Sayers: The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but especially The Nine Tailors, Gaudy Night, and Murder Must Advertise; The Man Born to Be King, The Mind of the Maker, Creed or Chaos?

Noel Streatfeild: Skating Shoes, Traveling Shoes, Ballet Shoes

Emily Stimpson: These Beautiful Bones, The Catholic Table

Matthew Stover: Novelization of The Revenge of the Sith

Josephine Tey: The Daughter of Time

Meriol Trevor: The Crystal Snowstorm, Following the Phoenix, Angel and Dragon

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Letters from Father Christmas

John R. Tunis: The Kid from Tomkinsville, The Kid Comes Back

Megan Whalen Turner: The King of Attolia, A Conspiracy of Kings

Jules Verne: Around the World in 80 Days

Maisie Ward: Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Little House on the Prairie series

P.G. Wodehouse: The Psmith series: Mike and Psmith, Psmith in the City, Psmith Journalist and Leave It to Psmith

[unknown-songs]

BLACK LIVES MATTER

A list with black artists who have a song in the Unknown Songs That Should Be Known-playlist (Can be a black artist in a band or just solo-artist) (no specific genre)

Bull’s Eye - Blacknuss, Prince Prime - Funk Aftershow - Joe Fox - Alternative Hip-hop Strangers in the Night - Ben L’Oncle Soul - Soul Explore - Mack Wilds - R&B Something To Do - IGBO - Funk

Down With The Trumpets - Rizzle Kicks - Pop Dans ta ville - Dub Inc. - Reggae Dance or Die - Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Funk FACELESS - The PLAYlist, Glenn Lewis - R&B Tell Me Father - Jeangu Macrooy - Soul

Southern Boy - John The Conquerer - Blues Hard Rock Savannah Grass - Kes - Dancehall Dr. Funk - The Main Squeeze - Funk Seems I’m Never Tired of Loving You - Lizz Wright - Jazz Out of My Hands - TheColorGrey, Oddisee - Hip-Hop/Pop

Raised Up in Arkansas - Michael Burks - Blues Black Times - Sean Kuti, Egypt 80, Carlos Santana - Afrobeat Cornerstone - Benjamin Clementine - Indie Shine On - R.I.O., Madcon - Electronic Pop Bass On The Line - Bernie Worrell - Funk

When We Love - Jhené Aiko - R&B Need Your Love - Curtis Harding - Soul Too Dry to Cry - Willis Earl Beal - Folk Your House - Steel Pulse - Reggae Power - Moon Boots, Black Gatsby - Deep House

Vinyl Is My Bible - Brother Strut - Funk Diamond - Izzy Biu - R&B Elusive - blackwave., David Ngyah - Hip-hop Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - Heritage Blues Orchestra - Blues Sastanàqqàm - Tinariwen - Psychedelic Rock

Disco To Go - Brides of Funkenstein - Funk/Soul Circles - Durand Jones & The Indications - Retro Pop Cheesin’ - Cautious Clay, Remi Wolf, sophie meiers - R&B Changes - Charles Bradley - Soul The Sweetest Sin - RAEVE - House

Gyae Su - Pat Thomas, Kwashibu Area Band - Funk What Am I to Do - Ezra Collective, Loyle Carner - Hip-hop Get Your Groove On - Cedric Burnside - Blues Old Enough To Know Better - Steffen Morrisson - Soul Wassiye - Habib Koité - Khassonke musique

Dance Floor - Zapp - Funk Wake Up - Brass Against, Sophia Urista - Brass Hard-Rock BIG LOVE - Black Eyed Peas - Pop The Greatest - Raleigh Ritchie - R&B DYSFUNCTIONAL - KAYTRANADA, VanJess - Soul

See You Leave - RJD2, STS, Khari Mateen - Hip-hop Sing A Simple Song - Maceo Parker - Jazz/Funk Have Mercy - Eryn Allen Kane - Soul Homenage - Brownout - Latin Funk Can’t Sleep - Gary Clark Jr. - Blues Rock

Toast - Koffee - Dancehall Freedom - Ester Dean - R&B Iskaba - Wande Coal, DJ Tunez - Afropop High Road - Anthony Riley - Alternative Christian Sunny Days - Sabrina Starke - Soul

The Talking Fish - Ibibio Sound Machine - Funk Paralyzed - KWAYE - Indie Purple Heart Blvd - Sebastian Kole - Pop WORSHIP - The Knocks, MNEK - Deep House BMO - Ari Lennox - R&B

Promises - Myles Sanko - Soul .img - Brother Theodore - Funk Singing the Blues - Ruthie Foster, Meshell Ndegeocello - Blues Nobody Like You - Amartey, SBMG, The Livingtons - Hip-hop Starship - Afriquoi, Shabaka Hutchings, Moussa Dembele - Deep House

Lay My Troubles Down - Aaron Taylor - Funk  Bloodstream - Tokio Myers - Classic Sticky - Ravyn Lenae - R&B Why I Try - Jalen N’Gonda - Soul Motivation - Benjamin Booker - Folk

quand c’est - Stromae - Pop Let Me Down (Shy FX Remix) - Jorja Smith, Stormzy, SHY FX - Reggae Funny - Gerald Levert - R&B Salt in my Wounds - Shemekia Copeland - Blues Our Love - Samm Henshaw - Soul

Make You Feel That Way - Blackalicious - Jazz Hip-hop Knock Me Out - Vintage Trouble - Funk Take the Time - Ronald Bruner, Jr., Thundercat - Alternative Thru The Night - Phonte, Eric Roberson - R&B Keep Marchin’ - Raphael Saadiq - Soul

Shake Me In Your Arms - Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ - Blues Meet Me In The Middle - Jodie Abascus - Pop Raise Hell - Sir the Baptist, ChurchPpl - Gospel Pop Mogoya - Oumou Sangaré - Wassoulou Where’s Yesterday - Slakah The Beatchild - Hip-hop

Lose My Cool - Amber Mark - R&B New Funk - Big Sam’s Funky Nation - Funk I Got Love - Nate Dogg - Hip-hop Nothing’s Real But Love - Rebecca Ferguson - Soul Crazy Race - The RH Factor - Jazz

Spies Are Watching Me - Voilaaa, Sir Jean - Funk The Leaders - Boka de Banjul - Afrobeat Fast Lane - Rationale - House Conundrum - Hak Baker - Folk Don’t Make It Harder On Me - Chloe x Halle - R&B

Plastic Hamburgers - Fantastic Negrito - Hardrock Beyond - Leon Bridges - Pop God Knows - Dornik - Soul Soleil de volt - Baloji - Afrofunk Do You Remember - Darryl Williams, Michael Lington - Jazz Get Back - McClenney - Alternative Three Words - Aaron Marcellus - Soul

Spotify playlist 

In memory of:

Aaron Bailey Adam Addie Mae Collins Ahmaud Arbery Aiyana Stanley Jones Akai Gurley Alberta Odell Jones Alexia Christian Alfonso Ferguson Alteria Woods Alton Sterling Amadou Diallo Amos Miller Anarcha Westcott Anton de Kom Anthony Hill Antonio Martin Antronie Scott Antwon Rose Jr. Arthur St. Clair Atatiana Jefferson Aubrey Pollard Aura Rosser Bennie Simons Berry Washington Bert Dennis Bettie Jones Betsey Billy Ray Davis Bobby Russ Botham Jean Brandon Jones Breffu Brendon Glenn Breonna Taylor Bud Johnson Bussa

Calin Roquemore Calvin McDowell Calvin Mike and his family Carl Cooper Carlos Carson Carlotta Lucumi Carol Denise McNair Carol Jenkins Carole Robertson Charles Curry Charles Ferguson Charles Lewis Charles Wright Charly Leundeu Keunang Chime Riley Christian Taylor Christopher Sheels Claude Neal Clementa Pickney Clifford Glover Clifton Walker Clinton Briggs Clinton R. Allen Cordella Stevenson Corey Carter Corey Jones Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd Cynthia Wesley

Daniel L. Simmons Danny Bryant Darius Randell Robinson Darius Tarver Darrien Hunt Darrius Stewart David Felix David Joseph David McAtee David Walker and his family Deandre Brunston Deborah Danner Delano Herman Middleton Demarcus Semer Demetrius DuBose Depayne Middleton-Doctor Dion Johnson Dominique Clayton Dontre Hamilton Dred Scott

Edmund Scott Ejaz Choudry Elbert Williams Eleanor Bumpurs Elias Clayton Elijah McClain Eliza Woods Elizabeth Lawrence Elliot Brooks Ellis Hudson Elmer Jackson Elmore Bolling Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. Emmett Till Eric Garner Eric Harris Eric Reason Ernest Lacy Ernest Thomas Ervin Jones Eugene Rice Eugene Williams Ethel Lee Lance Ezell Ford

Felix Kumi Frank Livingston Frank Morris Frank Smart Frazier B. Baker Fred Hampton Fred Rochelle Fred Temple Freddie Carlos Gray Jr.

George Floyd George Grant George Junius Stinney Jr. George Meadows George Waddell George Washington Lee Gregory Gunn

Harriette Vyda Simms Moore Harry Tyson Moore Hazel “Hayes” Turner Henry Ezekial Smith Henry Lowery Henry Ruffin Henry Scott Hosea W. Allen

India Kager Isaac McGhie Isadore Banks Italia Marie Kelly

Jack Turner Jamar Clark Jamel Floyd James Byrd Jr. James Craig Anderson James Earl Chaney James Powell James Ramseur James Tolliver James T. Scott Janet Wilson Jason Harrison Javier Ambler J.C. Farmer Jemel Roberson Jerame Reid Jesse Thornton Jessie Jefferson Jim Eastman Joe Nathan Roberts John Cecil Jones John Crawford III John J. Gilbert John Ruffin John Taylor Johnny Robinson Jonathan Ferrell Jonathan Sanders Jordan Edwards Joseph Mann Julia Baker Julius Jones July Perry Junior Prosper

Kalief Browder Karvas Gamble Jr. Keith Childress, Jr. Kelly Gist Kelso Benjamin Cochrane Kendrick Johnson Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Kenny Long Kevin Hicks Kevin Matthews Kiwane Albert Carrington

Lacy Mitchell Lamar Smith Laquan McDonald Laura Nelson Laura Wood L.B. Reed L.D. Nelson Lemuel Penn Lemuel Walters Leonard Deadwyler Leroy Foley Levi Harrington Lila Bella Carter Lloyd Clay Louis Allen Lucy

M.A. Santa Cruz Maceo Snipes Malcom X Malice Green Malissa Williams Manuel Ellis Marcus Deon Smith Marcus Foster Marielle Franco Mark Clark Maria Martin Lee Anderson Martin Luther King Jr. Matthew Avery Mary Dennis Mary Turner Matthew Ajibade May Noyes Mckenzie Adams Medgar Wiley Evers Michael Brown Michael Donald Michael Griffith Michael Lee Marshall Michael Lorenzo Dean Michael Noel Michael Sabbie Michael Stewart Michelle Cusseaux Miles Hall Moses Green Mya Hall Myra Thompson

Nathaniel Harris Pickett Jr. Natasha McKenna Nicey Brown Nicholas Heyward Jr.

O’Day Short family Orion Anderson Oscar Grant III Otis Newsom

Pamela Turner Paterson Brown Jr. Patrick Dorismond Philando Castile Phillip Pannell Phillip White Phinizee Summerour

Quaco

Ramarley Graham Randy Nelson Raymond Couser Raymond Gunn Regis Korchinski-Paquet Rekia Boyd Renisha McBride Riah Milton Robert Hicks Robert Mallard Robert Truett Rodney King Roe Nathan Roberts Roger Malcolm and his wife Roger Owensby Jr. Ronell Foster Roy Cyril Brooks Rumain Brisbon Ryan Matthew Smith

Sam Carter Sam McFadden Samuel DuBose Samuel Ephesians Hammond Jr. Samuel Hammond Jr. Samuel Leamon Younge Jr. Sandra Bland Sean Bell Shali Tilson Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Shukri Abdi Simon Schuman Slab Pitts Stella Young Stephon Clark Susie Jackson

T.A. Allen Tamir Rice Tamla Horsford Tanisha Anderson Timothy Caughman Timothy Hood Timothy Russell Timothy Stansbury Jr. Timothy Thomas Terrence Crutcher Terrill Thomas Tom Jones Tom Moss Tony McDade Tony Terrell Robinson Jr. Trayvon Martin Troy Hodge Troy Robinson Tula Tyler Gerth Tyre King Tywanza Sanders

Victor Duffy Jr. Victor White III

Walter Lamar Scott Wayne Arnold Jones Wesley Thomas Wilbert Cohen Wilbur Bundley Will Brown Will Head Will Stanley Will Stewart Will Thompson Willie James Howard Willie Johnson Willie McCoy Willie Palmer Willie Turks William Brooks William Butler William Daniels William Fambro William Green William L. Chapman II William Miller William Pittman Wyatt Outlaw

Yusef Kirriem Hawkins

The victims of LaLaurie (1830s) The black victims of the Opelousas massacre (1868) The black victims of the Thibodaux massacre (1887) The black victims of the Wilmington insurrection (1898) The black victims of the Johnson-Jeffries riots (1910) The black victims of the Red summer (1919) The black victims of the Elaine massacre (1919) The black victims of the Ocoee massacre (1920) The victims of the MOVE bombing (1985)

All the people who died during the Atlantic slave trade, be it due to abuse or disease.

All the unnamed victims of mass-incarceration, who were put into jail without the committing of a crime and died while in jail or died after due to mental illness. 

All the unnamed victims of racial violence and discrimination. 

...

My apologies for all the people missing on this list. Feel free to add more names and stories. 

Listen, learn and read about discrimination, racism and black history: (feel free to add more)  Documentaries: 13th (Netflix) The Innocence Files (Netflix) Who Killed Malcolm X? (Netflix) Time: The Kalief Browder Story (Netflix) I Am Not Your Negro

YouTube videos: We Cannot Stay Silent about George Floyd Waarom ook Nederlanders de straat op gaan tegen racisme (Dutch) Wit is ook een kleur (Dutch) (documentaire)

Books: Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri Freedom Is A Constant Struggle by Angela Davis How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery White Fragility by Robin Deangelo Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge Woman, Race and Class by Angela Davis

Websites: https://lynchinginamerica.eji.org/report/ https://museumandmemorial.eji.org/ https://archive.org/details/thirtyyearsoflyn00nati/page/n11/mode/2up https://lab.nos.nl/projects/slavernij/index-english.html https://blacklivesmatter.com/ https://www.zinnedproject.org/