#canute the saint

[docpiplup]

The Bastard Kings and their families

This is series of posts are complementary to this historical parallels post from the JON SNOW FORTNIGHT EVENT, and it's purpouse to discover the lives of medieval bastard kings, and the following posts are meant to collect portraits of those kings and their close relatives.

In many cases it's difficult to find contemporary art of their period, so some of the portrayals are subsequent.

1) Harald III of Denmark (c. 1040 – 1080), son of Sweyn II of Denmark and a concubine named Alvhild

2) Sweyn II of Denmark (c. 1019 –1076), son of Ulf Thorgilsson and Estrid Svendsdatter. Father of Harald III, Cnut IV, Niels I, Olaf I and Erik I

3) Niels I of Denmark (c. 1065 – 1134), son of Sweyn II of Denmark and a concubine

4) Olaf I of Denmark ( c. 1050 – 1095), son of Sweyn II of Denmark and a concubine

5) Cnut IV of Denmark  (c. 1042 – 1086), son of Sweyn II of Denmark and a concubine

6) Erik I of Denmark (c. 1060 – 1103), son of Sweyn II of Denmark and a concubine

7) Erik II of Denmark ( c. 1090 – 1137), son of Erik I of Denmark and a concubine

8) Sweyn III of Denmark (c. 1125 – 23 October 1157), son of Erik II of Denmark and a concubine named Thunna

9) Cnut/Knut/Canute Lavard ( 1096 – 1131), son of Erik I of Denmark and his wife Boedil Thurgotsdatter

10) Valdemar I of Denmark (1131 –1182 ), son of Canute Lavard and his wife Ingeborg of Kiev: with his wife Sophia of Minsk (d. 1198), daughter of Volodar of Minsk and Richeza of Poland

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (January 19)

Saint Canutus, King of Denmark,  succeeded his elder brother Harold on the throne of Denmark in the year 1080.

He began his reign by a successful war against the enemies of the state and by planting the faith in the conquered provinces.

Amid the glory of his victories, he humbly prostrated himself at the foot of the crucifix, laying there his diadem, and offering himself and his kingdom to the King of kings.

After having provided for the peace and safety of his country, he married Eltha, daughter of Robert, Earl of Flanders, who proved herself a spouse worthy of him.

The justice of Saint Canutus as sovereign was well known. He applied himself to the reform of all internal abuses.

For this purpose, he enacted severe but necessary laws for the strict administration of justice, the repression of violence and tyranny by the powerful, without respect to persons.

He favored and honored holy men. He also granted many privileges and immunities to the clergy.

His charity and tenderness towards his subjects made him study all possible ways to make them a happy people.

During a rebellion in his kingdom on 10 July 1086, the king was surprised at church by the rebels. He confessed his sins and received Holy Communion.

Stretching out his arms before the altar, he was struck down on his knees by the enemies of his Christian reign.

On 19 April 1101, persuaded by the envoys from Eric I of Denmark, Pope Paschal II confirmed the "cult of Canute" that had arisen, and King Canute IV was canonized. He was the first Dane to be canonized.

[maypoleman1]

29th July

St Olaf’s Day

Wooden Statue of St Olaf by Ferdinand Stuflesser. Source: stuflesser.com

Today is St Olaf’s Day. Olaf (995-1039) was a fervently Christian king of Norway who was not above using force and repression to convert the remaining Norse pagans to Christianity. The resentment this campaign caused enabled King Canute, the Danish conqueror of England, to stimulate a revolt against Olaf in Norway, leading to the king’s overthrow. In the civil war that followed Olaf’s attempt to regain his kingdom, he was killed. This greatly pleased Canute, who held a long standing grievance against his fellow Scandinavian monarch because Olaf had supported the Anglo-Saxon king Aethelred the Unready against Canute’s invasion. When Canute was then invited to take the vacant throne of Norway, thus creating a vast Scandinavian empire, the Danish/English king’s revenge on Olaf was complete.

Olaf’s extreme Christianity led to his canonisation and he became particularly popular in those parts of the British Isles settled by the Vikings. The saint became associated with cures and miracles, the waters of wells dedicated to his name being believed to be curative.

[useless-catalanfacts]

Photos: quinto being played in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona Metropolitan Area, Catalonia). Photos from Tot Sant Cugat. Close up to the numbers carton taken in Sabadell (BMA, Catalonia), by Óscar Espinosa for Diari Sabadell.

On the evening and night of Christmas (December 25th), Saint Stephen (December 26th), and sometimes more days around it, many people in the Catalan Countries will be playing a very fun game called quinto, quina, plena, rifla or loteria vella, depending on the area. To summarize it, it could be described as an unhinged traditional kind of bingo, but words can't do it justice.

Social centres (social centres are a big thing here) and other organizations set up the game, which is attended by many people of all ages. When you come in, you pick up a carton with numbers for yourself (each carton has all numbers from 1 to 90 but organized differently) and a handful of dry beans for the table. A person known as "the parrot" (el lloro) will pull out balls with numbers from a bottle basket or a hollow dry squash, but for many numbers he will not say the number, he will refer to it in a cryptic way, through a rhyme, an idiom, a pun or a joke. Each town or area has their own way of naming each number, some of which require the players to sing back or complete the sentence. Here are a few examples of how the "parrot" can say the number 1:

el més menut ("the smallest one"), to which the players shout back to the "parrot" el teu canut! ("your wallet!")

la més petita ("the smallest one"), to which the players say to the "parrot" la teva! ("yours!", you can guess what the innuendo is)

el més petit de tots ("the smallest of them all"), to which the players sing back tocava la trompeta ("played the trumpet"). This is part of a traditional Catalan song about kids who were sent to war.

Cap d'Any ("New Year's Day")

és tot sol ("he's alone")

el primer de mil ("the first of a thousand")

el primer ("the first one"), to which the players reply el Barça! (Barça is Barcelona's football club, meaning it's on top of the charts, the best club)

The rest of numbers follow the same idea. A few more examples:

2: un dos ("a two", said the same way as "one two"), to which the players say tres quatre ("three four").

6: el sis ("the six", pronounced the same as "please, stand up" in formal you), followed by the players' reply alci's vostè ("YOU stand up").

8: un que és vuit/buit ("one that is eight" which is pronounced the same as "one that is empty"), followed by the players' reply el teu cap! ("your head!) or el teu llit! ("your bed!").

2: un aneguet ("a little duck"). 22: dos aneguets ("two little ducks").

4: una cadireta ("a little chair"). 44: dues cadiretes ("two little chairs").

75: l'any que va morir el Paquito ("the year Paquito died", in reference to 1975, year when the despised dictator Francisco Franco died. Paquito is a diminutive of Francisco, here used to ridiculize him)

90: pelat l'avi (all multiples of 10 are called pelat, this one is "pelat the grandpa").

The number of the day of each festivity: 17 is Sant Antoni, 23 is Sant Jordi, 28 is els sants innocents ("holy innocent's", 28th december), etc. 25 is sang el 25 de desembre (December 25th) with the players singing fum, fum, fum (lyrics of a famous Catalan Christmas carol).

Every time a number ends in 1 (21, 31, 41, etc), the players say in a high pitched voice "uuuu uuuuu!"

The list would be never ending if we could see what is said in every town. Some "parrots" might also add some new way of saying it according to some common reference for the people of the town, or even a historical event (I've seen some refer to 23 as "todo el mundo al suelo!", Spanish sentence meaning "everyone to the ground!" which was said by Tejero in the 23rd February 1981 failed coup d'etat).

As you see, there's many things to remember, and the "parrot" sings quite quickly, so you're always busy placing the dry beans on top of the numbers that have been said, trying to get a line or a square. Whoever gets it will shout línia! ("line!") or pleno! ("full!"), and their carton will be taken to the "parrot" to check if they did it right. If it's correct, this person will win the prize (usually consisting on a basket with products donated by local shops as well as the money being played), and then the rest of players might whistle and shoot dry beans at the winner, especially if they or their surroundings have already won a previous round.

But, as if the players didn't have enough things to be busy with, at any moment they can shout more things at the "parrot":

If you have only one number left: busca-me-la! ("search it for me!").

Or you can be more specific with what you need: una de petita! ("a small one!"), una de gran! ("a large one!"), i els vuitantes? ("what about the 80s?"), petits a dormir ("the little ones, bedtime" if you don't want small numbers)...

If numbers that end with the same show up on a row: remena! (shake it!) or remena, nena! ("shake it, baby!", in reference to a famous 1930s song).

If the "parrot" is not saying any good numbers for you or has been the same person for a long time: canvi de lloro! ("change the parrot!") clapping or banging the table three times, said repeatedly. It can be a joke just to say it's not working for you, or if more people join and if the clamor is sang by many players, the person who says the numbers will change.

You can also shout things that rhyme with the number that has just been said, for example: dos! - que n'ets, de gos! ("2!" - "you're such a dog"), set! - tira't un pet! ("7!" - "fart!")

These are only a small percentage of the sentences said, and many jokes and puns can't be translated outside of the Catalan language. It's difficult to explain how fun this game is and how unhinged it can get in some occasions, but I hope you could imagine it with this explanation.

Merry Christmas! Bon Nadal!

[serialadoptersbracket]

Round 2, Match 13: Askeladd vs. Rune Saint John

Submitted kids:

Askeladd: Thorfinn, Canute

Rune Saint John: Max Saint John, Quinn Saint Nicholas, Layne Dawncreek, Annawan Dawncreek, Corbitant Dawncreek

Propaganda under the cut!

Askeladd:

1. "The funny thing about Askeladd is he keeps killing the dad's of characters and then adopts them.

At the very start of the show he kills the main character's father. The 6 y/o main character vows revenge and follows him around trying to kill him for like ten years. Askeladd does not take this seriously at all and is basically his mentor and new dad, even though Thorfinn despises him.

Then later they meet Canute (prince of Denmark). Askeladd kills his right-hand-man/father-figure to toughen Canute up, then becomes Canute's evil advisor/father figure in his quest to overthrow his biological father (king of denmark)

Askeladd ends up killing the king of Denmark as well which makes us three for three on the father-killing.

None of this ever bites Askeladd in the ass btw he's free to kill and adopt and is having a grand old time. He's so funny about it, too"

2. "Askeladd is the leader of a band of Vikings. He was hired to kill a man named Thors. Thors' son Thorfinn witnessed the murdur of his father at the age of six and swore to avenge his death by killing Askeladd. So he joined Askeladd's band. Askeladd, who despite being the cause of Thors' death respected the man, and agreed to duel with Thorfinn if he followed his orders during fights. Thorfinn was defeated each time and Askeladd (in a twisted and mocking way) always gave him advice how to be better. In the end Thorfinn didn't kill Askeladd because - as Askeladd alluded to by his own story of killing someone out of hate - he would've killed him sometime earlier during those 11 years if he really hated him. In the end Thorfinn realized too late that from a hated person Askeladd became kind of a father figure to him during those 11 years. (The mangaka called Askeladd 'an amazing tsundere dad')

Canute is the youngest son of the Danish king. When the Danes were fighting in England the king sent Canute to lead the siege of London so Canute could die there and there wouldn't be any fights for the throne in the future. Askeladd, being a sly mastermind who plays 5D chess at all times, decided to save Canute from the enemy forces so when he'd return him safely to the king he could get into a position so he could influence Canute to protect Wales. But before that he had to get rid of Canute's previous adoptive father, Ragnar. (Yes, it's a pattern.) So when Ragnar was dying, he told Askeladd that ""Btw, the king hates his son and wants him dead"", so Askeladd had to recalculate a lot of things, and in the end he and Canute worked together to kill the king and create a situation where Canute could come out as a strong heir.

In his last minutes, Askeladd decided to not chose between Wales and Canute, and saved both instead, and used his last breath to convince Thorfinn to let go of his anger.

Sometimes a family is a half-Danish mercenary who kills father figures, an gremlin child from Iceland with anger issues, and a timid Danish prince who goes through a strong character developmen by becoming rejecting his religion."

Rune Saint John:

“Oh my god, oh lord where do I start. Within the FIRST CHAPTER of the FIRST BOOK he accidentally adopts a teenager in exchange for a magical artifact during a deal with a fae- this teen is Max! He then later adopts Quinn, whos older brother he is dating. Then he adopts the three Dawncreek children after a series of events in the second book that i wont get into due to plot spoilers, but it was ✨traumatic✨ AND the author had confirmed that there will be ANOTHER kid joining his found family in the upcoming 4th book. Rune is the chosen one, there are MANY prophecies about him, to the point that Quinn; who has the ability to see future probabilities, finds it difficult to look at him. He experienced horrific sexual assault, and he just wants to be a decent person and look after these traumatized magic children. Every member of his found family is a chaos gremlin- including Rune. Honestly this book series is so so very near and dear to my heart, and it handles topics like grooming and assault with incredible tact and care and more people should read about Rune and his queer disaster found family.”

[anastpaul]

Sts Marius & Companions, St Canute (1040-1086) Martyr, King of Denmark and all the Saints for this day in history - 19 January

Sts Marius and Family of Perisa – Martha, Audifax, Abacjum (Died c270 – Martyrs, Husband, Wife and 2 Sons – in the time of Emperor Claudius.The Roman Martyrology today states: “At Rome, on the Cornelian road, the holy Martyrs, Marius and his wife Martha, with their sons, Audifax and Abachum, noble Persians, who came to Rome, through devotion, in the time of the Emperor Claudius. After they had…

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 7.10

Holidays

Armed Forces Day (Mauritania)

Army Day (Albania)

Battle of Britain Anniversary Day

Battle of Poltava Day (Russia)

Beatles Day (Liverpool, Hamburg)

Capybara Appreciation Day

Chronic Disease Awareness Day

Clerihew Day

Cumin Day (French Republic)

Don't Step On A Bee Day (UK)

Flag Day (Mongolia)

Global Energy Independence Day

Gospel Day (Kiribati)

His Masters Voice Day

International Glut1 Awareness Day

International Safewords Day

Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta (National Day of Commemoration; Ireland)

Lady Godiva Day

London Bridge Falling Down Day

Merchant’s Festival (Elder Scrolls)

Minion Day

Naadam Day (Mongolia)

National All American Pet Photo Day

National Caleb Day

National Contour Day

National Fish Farmers Day (India)

National Kitten Day

National Lineworker Appreciation Day (Canada)

National Stella Day

National Transplant Financial Coordinator Day

Natto Day (Japan)

Nikola Tesla Day

Oils and Concentrates Day

Police Radio Day

Protogeneia Asteroid Day

Rhodes Day (Rhodesia)

710 Day

Silence Day (Meher Baba)

Srebrenica Memorial Day

Stay Away From Bees Day

Teddy Bear's Picnic Day

Telstar Day

Uniwaine (Senior Citizens’ Day; Kiribati)

U.S. Energy Independence Day

World Airway Disorders Day

World Miniature Golf Day

World Shuvit Cancer Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Beer Distributors Day

National Piña Colada Day

National Pizza Day (Brazil)

Pick Blueberries Day

Independence & Related Days

Bahamas (from UK, 1973)

Federal Republic of New Potato Land (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Wyoming Statehood Day (#44; 1890)

2nd Wednesday in July

National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving (Montserrat) [2nd Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning July 10 (2nd Week of July)

Sweetheart Days Festival (Minnesota) [2nd Wednesday; thru Friday]

Festivals Beginning July 10, 2024

American Cheese Society Annual Conference (Buffalo, New York) [thru 7.13]

European Balloon Festival (Igualada, Spain) [thru 7.14]

EXIT (Novi Sad, Serbia) [thru 7.14]

Love International Festival (Tins, Croatia) [thru 7.16]

Mad Cool Festival (Madrid, Spain) [thru 7.13]

Ossipee Valley Fair (South Hiram, Maine) [thru 7.14]

Riddu Riđđu (Manndalen, Norway) [thru 7.13]

Sandcastle Contest (Belmar, New Jersey)

Tangomarkkinat (Seinäjoki, Finland) [thru 7.14]

Vegan Summerfest (Johnstown, Pennsylvania) [thru 7.14]

Winona County Fair (St. Charles, Minnesota) [thru 7.14]

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (Okemah, Oklahoma) [thru 7.14]

Feast Days

Alice Munro (Writerism)

Amalberga of Maubeuge (Christian; Saint & Widow)

Amalburga (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Antony and Theodosius Pechersky (Christian; Saints)

St. Bathilda (Positivist; Saint)

Camille Pissarro (Artology)

Canute IV of Denmark (Christian; Saint)

David Teniers III (Artology)

Day of Holda (Goddess of the Underworld; Anglo-Saxon, Norse)

Feast Day of Knut the Reaper, Hela, Holda and Skadi (Norse)

Feast of Translation of Saint Maclovius, Bishop of Saint-Malo (Christian; Confessor)

Feast of The Seven Brothers (Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis; Christian; Martyrs)

Felicitas of Rome (Christian; Martyr)

The First Sermon of Lord Buddha (Buddhism; Bhutan)

Giorgio de Chirico (Artology)

Hela’s Day (Pagan)

Joe Shuster (Artology)

Kanute IV, King of Denmark (Christian; Martyr)

Knut the Reaper's Day (Norse; Scotland)

Marcel Proust (Writerism)

Mel Blanc Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Millennial Fairy Olympics, Day 5 (Shamanism)

New Robe for Athena Day (Ancient Greece)

Otto Freundlich (Artology)

Pina Colada Day (Pastafarian)

Reach Out and Touch a Green Leaf Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Reg Smythe (Artology)

Ronnie Cutrone (Artology)

Rufina and Secunda (Christian; Martyrs & Virgins)

Rusty (Muppetism)

Septic Bralu Diena (Ancient Latvia)

Seth Godin (Writerism)

Seven Brothers (Christian; Martyrs)

Sixto Rodriguez (Humanism,)

Tita or Tatata Ita (Muppetism)

U Festinu (a.k.a. Feast of St. Rosalia; Palermo, Italy) [thru 7.15]

Viaticum of Llefoed Wynebglawr (Celtic Book of Days)

Victoria, Anatolia, and Audax (Christian; Saints)

Wickerwork Giants Parade & Festival (Douai, France)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Fatal Day (Pagan) [13 of 24]

Prime Number Day: 191 [43 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [39 of 57]

Premieres

Ball Four, by Jim Bouton (Sports Memoir; 1970)

The Brave Little Toaster (Animated Film; 1987)

Cocky Cock Roach (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Cool World (Animated Film; 1992)

The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1951)

Do Way Diddy Diddy, by Manfred Mann (Song; 1964)

Escape from New York (Film; 1981)

The Fox and the Hound (Animated Disney Film; 1981)

Greyhound (Film; 2020)

A Hard Day’s Night, by The Beatles (Album; 1964)

Heat Wave, by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1963)

Homesteader Droopy (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1954)

The Hot Spell, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Lethal Weapon 4 (Film; 1998)

I Got You Babe, by Sonny and Cher (Song; 1965)

I Love You Beth Cooper (Film; 2009)

In Search of Lost Time, by Marcel Proust (Novel; 1927)

In the Midnight Hour, by Wilson Pickett (Song; 1965)

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (Film; 1985)

Minions (Animated Film; 2015)

Moon (Film; 2009)

Mother Necessity (America Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1976)

New Maps of Hell, by Bad Religion (Album; 2007)

Ode to Billie Joe, by Bobbie Gentry (Song; 1967)

The Oily American (WB MM Cartoon; 1954)

The Old Guard (Film; 2020)

Once Upon a Mouse (Disney Cartoon Documentary; 1981)

The Outpost (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Palm Springs (Film; 2020)

Parachutes, by Coldplay (Album; 2000)

Pi (Film; 1998)

Pink Valiant (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

She Wolf, by Shakira (Album; 2009)

Small Soldiers (Animated Film; 1998)

Smoke Signal (Animated Film; 2018)

Son of Schmilsson, by Harry Nilsson (Album; 1972)

Summertime, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald (Song; 1936)

Tempted, by Squeeze (Song; 1981)

Trouble with Lichen, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1960)

Unnatural Death, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Novel; 1927) [Peter Wimsey #3]

Up N’ Atom (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1947)

The Wayward Pups (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1937)

We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You, by Queen (UK Song; 1977)

Your Hit Parade (TV Series; 1950)

Today’s Name Days

Engelbert, Knud, Raphael (Austria)

Feliks, Srećko, Viktorija (Croatia)

Amálie, Libuše (Czech Republic)

Knud (Denmark)

Saima, Saime, Saimi (Estonia)

Saima, Saimi (Finland)

Ulrich (France)

Knud, Engelbert, Raphael, Sascha (Germany)

Amália (Greece)

Amália (Hungary)

Armando, Marziale, Pietro, Rufina (Italy)

Lielvardis, Lija, Olīvija, Uve (Latvia)

Amalija, Eirimė, Gilvainas (Lithuania)

Anita, Anja (Norway)

Aleksander, Amelia, Aniela, Filip, January, Radziwoj, Rufina, Samson, Sylwan, Sylwana, Witalis (Poland)

Amália (Slovakia)

Cristóbal (Spain)

André, Andrea, Anund (Sweden)

Anthony (Ukraine)

Emanuel, Emmanuel, Gage, Immanuel, Manuel, Manuela (USA)

Emanuel, Immanuel, Maos, Manuela, Ulla, Ulrich, Ulrika, Ulrike (Universal)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 192 of 2024; 174 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 28 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 5 (Yi-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 4 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 3 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 12 Red; Foursday [12 of 30]

Julian: 27 June 2024

Moon: 21%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 23 Charlemagne (7th Month) [St. Bathilda]

Runic Half Month: Ur (Primal Strength) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 21 of 94)

Week: 2nd Week of July

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 20 of 31)

[loving-n0t-heyting]

Still making my way trudgily thru Vinland saga and thinking a bit about what makes it feel so much more authentic and admirable than a huge amount of similarly themed preachy pop media (artistic sermons about how violence is not the answer). The example in the forefront of my mind is the civil rights arc from the umbrella academy s02, which I was watching pre-breakup with my ex. The good place can fit this mould at times too

I think the fundamental answer is that a lot of competing preachy pacifist propaganda is really selling a sort of complacency and self-congratulation. The height of morality is a moderately intensified version of well-adjusted suburban existence—maybe one that’s more politically involved, maybe one where you don’t call the cops much/ever, maybe one where you’re a bit ahead of the curve on social inclusion and conscientious consumption. But, once you’ve purged it of some unfortunate socially backward residue, a saint looks basically smth like you, the dignified and well-reared middle class liberal

VS refuses to let you indulge this fantasy, vigorously. It repudiates the idea at every step. Some examples [spoilers]:

The heroes are men who have committed or negligently failed to resist inexcusable acts, repeatedly and at mass scale. Thus they cannot present pacifism as a promised means of resting assured of their moral superiority; indeed, especially the protagonist makes it clear that he cannot preside over violent judgment precisely bc he is conscious of his guilt

In one of the most beautiful animanga scenes I’ve ever read/watched, the work viciously attacks the values of family and personal loyalty. Particular “loves” like those between parent/child or husband/wife are not even love at all, they are mere prejudice and favouritism, no different from servile courtiers debasing themselves before a king while exploiting their social inferiors. This is, obviously, a bad fit for middle class morality

It refuses to condemn revolutionary violence in absolute terms. King Canute, reimagined as a femboy 11th cent Lenin of the north sea, is one of the vaunted few who can see beyond to a truly better world. The manga makes clear which route it prefers between egalitarian radical pacifism and ruthless strongman militarism, but it doesn’t let the better man (that is, vicariously, the audience) gloat about it and also makes clear that the latter is at least asking the right questions (a rare and laudable achievement)

The hero’s personal self-transformation is centrally, flauntingly undignified. His pride and dignity are the first things he is willing to toss aside for the sake of his dream of a better world. His pacifism doesn’t allow him to preserve his dignity and honour at all: it treats it instead as one of his first hindrances

It also manages to be so earnest and unsubtle to circle around from cringe to endearing. You can tell she’s really putting her whole heart into it, she really believes she needs to say what shes saying with it and won’t let artistic sophistication and discretion stand in the way of it

In conclusion pls read the manga it is very good :3

[gudvina]

The sea fig, ch. I, Emma.

(First chapter of this series, posting just because I'm proud of this prologue)

It was an early morning when London was awakened by horns bellowing, accompanying ships that were approaching the city. The sky was of an ashy colour, darkening as the clouds filled with rain, and the Londinium’s sentinels struggled to identify the ships’ banner as water, sky and air blended and created an untouchable barrier. When the boat was finally visible, though, seeing the Norman banners filled them with release, and soon the visitor was let in.

When Queen Emma was alerted of a visit from Normandy, she was surprised. She hadn’t received a previous notice, and her brothers’ last letter had come just after Canute’s departure, congratulating for her new marriage. She sat on her throne, her niece in law Gytha by her right and her lady in wait Aelfwynn by her left, waiting for the visitor to come.

They didn’t have to wait long, for soon the blue doors opened and let in her guards, Lord Godwin and a mass of Norman soldiers. In the midst of them a young woman came forth. She was tall with dark brown hair braided in a simple updo, clad with a brown furred coat that was fastened with a sun shaped golden broach. Emma instantly recognized the symbol; it was inspired by the oriflamme of Saint-Denis, once raised by her grandfather’s parents.

She bowed after her, and Emma got up from her sit to walk to the girl. One of the Norman soldiers approached her, greeted as due and spoke.

“My Queen, it is an honour to be before you. We are men of your brother, Duke Richard the Good, and we are accompanying your niece, Lady Adelaide. The duke wishes for her to stay with you and sends his best regards”.

Emma listened closely. She knew her niece, though last time she had met her was a long time ago. Now she was before her, bowing not anymore as a wild child but as a young woman with the usual Norman countenance. And she was surprised. Her brother loved his daughters, they were the jewels he prided around anytime he could, and her sister-in-law was a devoted mother. What could have prompted them from wishing to part from her?

Her curiosity needed to wait, and she got down to gently hold her niece and help her into a standing position. She could feel Godwin’s eyes on her, surprised of her sudden display of affection to the girl, but she ignored it and smiled softly at the young girl whose face was so familiar.

“Niece, welcome to London. Why would my brother part Normandy from one of their gems?”

“My Queen, my father wishes me to marry the Lord of Lyonnais. I refused.”

Queen Emma turned to see Godwin’s face drop, his expression showing how impressed he was with her niece. “As you can see, Lord Godwin, Norman Ladies have a tendency for impertinence”.

She saw the Lord regain his composure and come forth to curtsy, almost embarrassed to have lost his poise. “Adela, this is Lord Godwin, Jarl of Wessex. He is the right hand of King Canute”. Adelaide greeted him properly, and Emma couldn’t help but beam with pride, grateful that her brother had educated her niece in the same fashion as their father had.

“Adela, now tell me, do you have any good news from Normandy?” asked Emma as she sat down the throne.

“The good news is that my father’s work to legitimize our claim to the motherland is bearing its fruits. My sister is growing steadily, and my younger brothers have already started their training”.

“That’s very good. And my children?”

“They are well and are being trained by our Uncle Geoffrey. Before coming here I visited them, and I am happy to report that Edward is advancing in his studies and Alfred is following suit”.

Emma couldn’t have been happier to hear news of her children, and to know that they had a cousin such as Adela brought her much relief. Despite this she wasn’t blind to Adela’s shifting and rigid posture, showing some signs of the fatigue she tried to hide.

“Well Adela, we have much to share still, and I am delighted to have you here. I think you’ve earned your rest! Gytha, Aelfwynn, please show my niece to her rooms! Lord Godwin, please show the Norman soldiers for their quarters”.

Lord Godwin nodded and promptly left the room followed by the soldiers, as Adela was welcomed by her ladies in wait and swiftly taken to her quarters. She was pleased to see her niece become acquainted to Gytha, they were close in age and would have benefited greatly of each other’s company.

Left alone in the throne halls, Emma saw the potential of having under her wing her brother’s daughter to further Norman roots in London. Richard and Judith were busy with their younger children, but she could give Adela what they couldn’t. And if her brother didn’t have a change of heart she would provide for the girl.

Satisfied she got up and retired to her chambers. The corridor was dimly lit by the windows on the left walls, her steps loudly echoing on the stone floor.  London wasn’t Normandy. When she married AEthelred the narrow corridors and deafening silence almost drove her mad. Normandy was colourful, and she and her siblings had filled its halls with laughter and mischief, but she had learnt quickly that London was the exact opposite. Where Normandy shined, London darkened. With time she adapted, and became a perfect English Lady, but she was still a Norman. And now that Viking rule was softening the English manners, she knew her niece would help dissolve that grip completely.

When she arrived at her rooms she sat on her desk, where parchment and ink awaited her. She took her pen, dipped it in the ink and started her letter to her husband. Little pleased her more than acquainting him of their new guest. And if the weather allowed, she’d also write to her brother and sister.

[nimblermortal]

Fine we can talk about the English

So. King Knut (Canute) was ruling in England, at least the York area. He conquered him some Denmark. He conquered him some Norway too, and drove Olaf and son Magnus to outlawry. Olaf made a bid to reclaim his kingdom, failed. Knut installed his sons as kings in England, Denmark, and Norway, and, being an old man, promptly died. (Charles take note.)

So in England, Knut's son Harald takes over, but then he dies and Knut's next son Hortha-Knut comes back from Scandinavia to rule, and he sticks around for a few years. Long enough for Magnus Olafsson to come back from Kiev and retake his country, and make a deal with Hortha-Knut that they are such good buddies that if one of them dies without a male heir, the other will inherit.

Ynglings are. Very accustomed to sharing crowns, I have discovered.

So Hortha-Knut dies. Magnus is a bit busy with this dude Svein who keeps trying to conquer Denmark on the grounds that Magnus gave it to him as jarl and who cares if Svein declares himself king and independent, it's his now, don't you know who his father is?? Anyway Edward (Eadward) takes over in England.

Magnus gets shut of Svein, finally, largely by inspiring his army with stories of how Svein's daddy might be a king but Magnus's daddy is a saint, and God is on their side, the daddy of all daddies. So once he's feeling confident in his hold over Norway and Denmark, he sends a message back to England all, "Hey, remember this deal I had with Hortha-Knut?"

And Eadward, that badass pushover, sends a message back, saying, "Look. My dad was king of England, and I was well. When he died my eldest brother Eadmund was king, and I was well. After him my stepfather Knut ruled England, and I was well. And when he died my brother Harald ruled, and I was well. And when he died my brother Hortha-Knut ruled, and I stood by, and all was well, but let me remind you that I yet of the brothers had no kingdom to govern.

"So now you want to come over here and declare yourself king? Let me just say, over my dead body.

"And I will make it easy for you. If you come, I will not raise an army, you can march right in. But you will very much have to kill me with your own hands."

Which Magnus abstains to do.

[queens-an-tings]

Malcolm greeting Margaret at her arrival in Scotland.

Detail of a mural by Victorian artist William Hole.

I’m aiming to grow my plaits that long - I’m getting there!

The following info has been lifted from Wikipedia:

Margaret was an English princess who became a Scottish queen when she married Malcolm III of Scotland in 1070. She was also known as ‘The Pearl of Scotland’. Her birthplace was actually the Kingdom of Hungary; her father was the English prince, Edward the Exile, whose expatriation came about following the Danish conquest of England in 1016, led by Canute (aka Cnut the Great). As well as being mother to at least two other kings of Scotland, Margaret was also the mother of Matilda, who became Queen of England upon her marriage to Henry I, and grandmother of Empress Matilda (aka Empress Maude - you have to know a bit about early medieval history to keep up with all this, it’s quite complicated!).

She was canonised in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and is now referred to as Saint Margaret of Scotland (she is mentioned in the post about Durham Cathedral). She was a very pious Christian and among her many charitable works she established a ferry across the Firth of Forth for pilgrims travelling to St Andrews in Fife, which gave the towns of South Queensferry and North Queensferry their names.

[silvestromedia]

SAINTS OCTOBER 30 "There is only one tragedy in this life, not to have been a saint."- Leon Bloy

Bl. John Slade, 1583 A.D. Martyr of England. He was a native of Manston, Dorchestershire, and was educated at Oxford. John denied King Henry Viii’s supremacy in religious matters and was arrested and tried with Blessed John Bodey. They were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Winchester. He was beatified in 1929.

St. Arilda. Virgin, martyr of Gloucestershire, England. She was slain while defending her chastity. St. Arilda is honored by a church on Oldbury on the Hill.

St. Ethelnoth. Archbishop of Canterbury, England called “the Good,” also called Aethelnoth. He was a monk at Glastonbury until 1020, when he was consecrated archbishop. Ethelnoth won the loyalty of King Canute II, who aided his work. A gifted scholar, he persuaded Canute to assist in the restoration of Chartres Cathedral in France.

St. Talacrian, 6th century. Bishop of Scotland, also cal led Tarkin. He was probably of Pictish descent, serving as a bishop in Caledonia (Scotland). His name was listed in the Aberdeen Breviary.

ST. GERMAN, BISHOP OF CAPUA

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (October 13)

St. Edward was born in 1003 as the son of the Duke of Normandy and nephew of King Edmund Ironside of England.

He grew up in exile in Normandy from the age of 10 when the Danes gained control of England.

The early experience of loss, coupled with his earnest religious piety, caused him to renounce worldly ambition and devote himself to the love of God.

In 1042, on the death of the Danish king, Canute, he was called to the throne of England, which he accepted dutifully and held until 1066.

His saintly bearing made him a popular sovereign, and his actions even more so. He abolished an unjust tax and was known to cure people with his touch.

Having made a vow of chastity, he accepted marriage for the sake of his kingdom but lived with his queen in celibacy, as brother and sister.

Unable to fulfill a vow to embark on a pilgrimage to Saint Peter’s tomb without leaving his subjects vulnerable to attack, his vow was commuted by the pope to the rebuilding of Saint Peter’s Abbey in Westminister, where he was buried upon his death a week after it’s dedication.

Edward died on 5 January 1066. Usually considered the last king of the House of Wessex, he ruled from 1042 until his death.

He was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 7 February 1161.

[lilstjarna]

Lyon

Lyon, surnommé parfois la capitale gourmande de la France, est une ville pleine de lieux uniques et de surprises. Située à la confluence du Rhône et de la Saône, son emplacement stratégique a permis son développement depuis l'Antiquité. En résulte un caractère historique fort et de multiples merveilles à découvrir.

Comment venir ?

Lyon se situe :

en train : 2h de Paris, 2h d'Annecy, 2h de Montpellier, 1h25 de Grenoble, 1h d'Avignon, 45min de Saint-Etienne

en voiture : 2h d'Annecy, 1h25 de Grenoble, 2h de Clermont-Ferrand, 50min de Saint-Etienne

en bus : 2h d'Annecy, 2h de Clermont-Ferrand, 50min de Saint-Etienne

Quand et combien de temps ?

Lyon peut se visiter grossièrement en un weekend si l'on souhaite simplement voir les principaux quartiers. Un grand week-end est à prévoir si l'on désire profiter du Parc de la Tête d'Or et des multiples musées qu'offre la ville. Le climat y est acceptable toute l'année bien que l'hiver est davantage froid et pluvieux. La meilleure saison est probablement le printemps ou l'automne afin d'éviter la foule estivale.

Que voir à Lyon ?

Des monuments et sites historiques : site antique de Fourvière, quartier du Vieux-Lyon, traboules, Palais de Justice, Place et théâtre des Célestins, Place des Jacobins, rue de la République, Palais de la Bourse, opéra, hotel de ville, place des Terreaux, fontaine Bartholdi, Mur peint des Lyonnais célèbres, les Halles, Place Bellecour, Grand Hôtel-Dieu,   Palais de la Bourse, quartier d’Ainay, quartier de la Croix-Rousse, anciens Docks, quartier de Confluence

Du patrimoine religieux : cathédrale Saint-Jean, église Saint-Nizier, basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, église Saint-Bonaventure, église Saint-Georges, église Sainte Blandine, église Saint Just, église Saint Paul, église du Sacré-Coeur, église Saint-Pothin, église de l'Immaculée Conception, église Saint-François, église du Saint-Sacrément, église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus

Des musées : Musée des Confluences, Musée de l’Illusion, musée Lumière, Musée des Miniatures et du Cinéma, musée des beaux-arts, musée et théâtres romains, musée d'art contemporain, musée de l'imprimerie, centre d'histoire de la résistance et de la déportation, musée des arts de la marionette, musée d'histoire de Lyon, cité internationale de la gatsronomie, maison des Canuts, musée Henri Malartre, musée Jean Couty, cité Tony Garnier, institut d'art contemporain

Des parcs et jardins : Parc de la Tête d’Or, parc de Gerland, Île Barbe, jardins du Rosaire, jardin archéologique

Que voir dans les environs ?

Des villes et villages : Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Avignon, Pérouges, Oingt, Pont-en-Royans, Lovagny, Beaujeu, Crémieu, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, Lavoûte-sur-Loire

Taluyers

Des lieux historiques : Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, Demeure du Chaos, Château de la Roche, Temple Pagode Thiện Minh, château de Vufflens

Des espaces naturels : parc naturel régional du Pilat, vallée du Garon, pays de l'Arbresle, Miribel, sentier de l'Homme et du Fleuve, sentier des rapaces, sentier de la clef des champs, sentier du Biézin Nature, Grottes de la Balme, grottes du Cerdon, Lac d’Aiguebelette, Cascade du Pain de Sucre, lac des sapins, lac de Nantua, lac des Eaux Bleues

crédits photos @lilstjarna

[brookston]

Holidays 7.10

Holidays

Armed Forces Day (Mauritania)

Army Day (Albania)

Battle of Britain Anniversary Day

Battle of Poltava Day (Russia)

Beatles Day (Liverpool, Hamburg)

Capybara Appreciation Day

Chronic Disease Awareness Day

Clerihew Day

Cumin Day (French Republic)

Don't Step On A Bee Day (UK)

Flag Day (Mongolia)

Global Energy Independence Day

Gospel Day (Kiribati)

His Masters Voice Day

International Glut1 Awareness Day

International Safewords Day

Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta (National Day of Commemoration; Ireland)

Lady Godiva Day

London Bridge Falling Down Day

Merchant’s Festival (Elder Scrolls)

Minion Day

Naadam Day (Mongolia)

National All American Pet Photo Day

National Caleb Day

National Contour Day

National Fish Farmers Day (India)

National Kitten Day

National Lineworker Appreciation Day (Canada)

National Stella Day

National Transplant Financial Coordinator Day

Natto Day (Japan)

Nikola Tesla Day

Oils and Concentrates Day

Police Radio Day

Protogeneia Asteroid Day

Rhodes Day (Rhodesia)

710 Day

Silence Day (Meher Baba)

Srebrenica Memorial Day

Stay Away From Bees Day

Teddy Bear's Picnic Day

Telstar Day

Uniwaine (Senior Citizens’ Day; Kiribati)

U.S. Energy Independence Day

World Airway Disorders Day

World Miniature Golf Day

World Shuvit Cancer Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Beer Distributors Day

National Piña Colada Day

National Pizza Day (Brazil)

Pick Blueberries Day

Independence & Related Days

Bahamas (from UK, 1973)

Federal Republic of New Potato Land (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Wyoming Statehood Day (#44; 1890)

2nd Wednesday in July

National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving (Montserrat) [2nd Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning July 10 (2nd Week of July)

Sweetheart Days Festival (Minnesota) [2nd Wednesday; thru Friday]

Festivals Beginning July 10, 2024

American Cheese Society Annual Conference (Buffalo, New York) [thru 7.13]

European Balloon Festival (Igualada, Spain) [thru 7.14]

EXIT (Novi Sad, Serbia) [thru 7.14]

Love International Festival (Tins, Croatia) [thru 7.16]

Mad Cool Festival (Madrid, Spain) [thru 7.13]

Ossipee Valley Fair (South Hiram, Maine) [thru 7.14]

Riddu Riđđu (Manndalen, Norway) [thru 7.13]

Sandcastle Contest (Belmar, New Jersey)

Tangomarkkinat (Seinäjoki, Finland) [thru 7.14]

Vegan Summerfest (Johnstown, Pennsylvania) [thru 7.14]

Winona County Fair (St. Charles, Minnesota) [thru 7.14]

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (Okemah, Oklahoma) [thru 7.14]

Feast Days

Alice Munro (Writerism)

Amalberga of Maubeuge (Christian; Saint & Widow)

Amalburga (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Antony and Theodosius Pechersky (Christian; Saints)

St. Bathilda (Positivist; Saint)

Camille Pissarro (Artology)

Canute IV of Denmark (Christian; Saint)

David Teniers III (Artology)

Day of Holda (Goddess of the Underworld; Anglo-Saxon, Norse)

Feast Day of Knut the Reaper, Hela, Holda and Skadi (Norse)

Feast of Translation of Saint Maclovius, Bishop of Saint-Malo (Christian; Confessor)

Feast of The Seven Brothers (Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis; Christian; Martyrs)

Felicitas of Rome (Christian; Martyr)

The First Sermon of Lord Buddha (Buddhism; Bhutan)

Giorgio de Chirico (Artology)

Hela’s Day (Pagan)

Joe Shuster (Artology)

Kanute IV, King of Denmark (Christian; Martyr)

Knut the Reaper's Day (Norse; Scotland)

Marcel Proust (Writerism)

Mel Blanc Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Millennial Fairy Olympics, Day 5 (Shamanism)

New Robe for Athena Day (Ancient Greece)

Otto Freundlich (Artology)

Pina Colada Day (Pastafarian)

Reach Out and Touch a Green Leaf Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Reg Smythe (Artology)

Ronnie Cutrone (Artology)

Rufina and Secunda (Christian; Martyrs & Virgins)

Rusty (Muppetism)

Septic Bralu Diena (Ancient Latvia)

Seth Godin (Writerism)

Seven Brothers (Christian; Martyrs)

Sixto Rodriguez (Humanism,)

Tita or Tatata Ita (Muppetism)

U Festinu (a.k.a. Feast of St. Rosalia; Palermo, Italy) [thru 7.15]

Viaticum of Llefoed Wynebglawr (Celtic Book of Days)

Victoria, Anatolia, and Audax (Christian; Saints)

Wickerwork Giants Parade & Festival (Douai, France)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Fatal Day (Pagan) [13 of 24]

Prime Number Day: 191 [43 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [39 of 57]

Premieres

Ball Four, by Jim Bouton (Sports Memoir; 1970)

The Brave Little Toaster (Animated Film; 1987)

Cocky Cock Roach (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Cool World (Animated Film; 1992)

The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1951)

Do Way Diddy Diddy, by Manfred Mann (Song; 1964)

Escape from New York (Film; 1981)

The Fox and the Hound (Animated Disney Film; 1981)

Greyhound (Film; 2020)

A Hard Day’s Night, by The Beatles (Album; 1964)

Heat Wave, by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1963)

Homesteader Droopy (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1954)

The Hot Spell, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Lethal Weapon 4 (Film; 1998)

I Got You Babe, by Sonny and Cher (Song; 1965)

I Love You Beth Cooper (Film; 2009)

In Search of Lost Time, by Marcel Proust (Novel; 1927)

In the Midnight Hour, by Wilson Pickett (Song; 1965)

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (Film; 1985)

Minions (Animated Film; 2015)

Moon (Film; 2009)

Mother Necessity (America Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1976)

New Maps of Hell, by Bad Religion (Album; 2007)

Ode to Billie Joe, by Bobbie Gentry (Song; 1967)

The Oily American (WB MM Cartoon; 1954)

The Old Guard (Film; 2020)

Once Upon a Mouse (Disney Cartoon Documentary; 1981)

The Outpost (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Palm Springs (Film; 2020)

Parachutes, by Coldplay (Album; 2000)

Pi (Film; 1998)

Pink Valiant (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

She Wolf, by Shakira (Album; 2009)

Small Soldiers (Animated Film; 1998)

Smoke Signal (Animated Film; 2018)

Son of Schmilsson, by Harry Nilsson (Album; 1972)

Summertime, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald (Song; 1936)

Tempted, by Squeeze (Song; 1981)

Trouble with Lichen, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1960)

Unnatural Death, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Novel; 1927) [Peter Wimsey #3]

Up N’ Atom (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1947)

The Wayward Pups (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1937)

We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You, by Queen (UK Song; 1977)

Your Hit Parade (TV Series; 1950)

Today’s Name Days

Engelbert, Knud, Raphael (Austria)

Feliks, Srećko, Viktorija (Croatia)

Amálie, Libuše (Czech Republic)

Knud (Denmark)

Saima, Saime, Saimi (Estonia)

Saima, Saimi (Finland)

Ulrich (France)

Knud, Engelbert, Raphael, Sascha (Germany)

Amália (Greece)

Amália (Hungary)

Armando, Marziale, Pietro, Rufina (Italy)

Lielvardis, Lija, Olīvija, Uve (Latvia)

Amalija, Eirimė, Gilvainas (Lithuania)

Anita, Anja (Norway)

Aleksander, Amelia, Aniela, Filip, January, Radziwoj, Rufina, Samson, Sylwan, Sylwana, Witalis (Poland)

Amália (Slovakia)

Cristóbal (Spain)

André, Andrea, Anund (Sweden)

Anthony (Ukraine)

Emanuel, Emmanuel, Gage, Immanuel, Manuel, Manuela (USA)

Emanuel, Immanuel, Maos, Manuela, Ulla, Ulrich, Ulrika, Ulrike (Universal)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 192 of 2024; 174 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 28 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 5 (Yi-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 4 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 3 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 12 Red; Foursday [12 of 30]

Julian: 27 June 2024

Moon: 21%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 23 Charlemagne (7th Month) [St. Bathilda]

Runic Half Month: Ur (Primal Strength) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 21 of 94)

Week: 2nd Week of July

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 20 of 31)

[catholic-compendium]

ST. ELPHEGE: Faithful, Benevolent Archbishop, Martyr – April 19th – Lives of the Saints

Harry13 Seconds Ago03 Mins

Introduction

At thirty years of age he was chosen Bishop of Winchester, and twenty-two years later he became Archbishop of Canterbury.

St. Elphege – Ransom demand for release

In 1011, when the Danes landed in Kent and took the city of Canterbury, putting all to fire and sword, St. Elphege was captured and carried off in the expectation of a large ransom. He was unwilling that his ruined church and people should be put to such expense, and was kept in a loathsome prison at Greenwich for seven months.

Murder and Martyrdom

As he still refused to give ransom, the enraged Danes fell upon him in a fury, beat him with the blunt sides of their weapons, and bruised him with stones until one, whom the Saint had baptized shortly before, put an end to his sufferings by the blow of an axe.

He died on Easter Saturday, April 19, 1012, his last words being a prayer for his murderers. His body was first buried in St. Paul’s, London, but was afterwards translated to Canterbury by King Canute. A church dedicated to St. Elphege still stands upon the place of his martyrdom at Greenwich.

Reflection.—Those who are in high positions should consider themselves as stewards rather than masters of the wealth or power intrusted to them for the benefit of the poor and weak. St. Elphege died rather than extort his ransom from the poor tenants of the Church lands.