About Shakespeare

15 Forgotten Facts. Share

In Praise of Folly

The life of Erasmus.

Erasmus returned to England in 1509 and wrote The Praise of Folly with its Latin pun on Thomas More's name: Moriae encomium; he left England to have the book printed in Paris. In August of 1511, John Fisher invited him to teach Greek at Cambridge and Erasmus also received a living and a pension. In 1513, he went to Basel where he accomplished much of the work on his Novum Instrumentum edition of the New Testament. In 1515, 1516, and 1517, he made brief visits to England. 

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The Banyan

What every fashionable eighteenth century gentleman wore in his leisure hours. To quote:

The banyan, a fashionable and loose man's indoor garment made with exotic fabric, is thought to have originated from the gown worn by the Hindi in India.  From the seventeenth century it was used for indoor wear over the shirt and breeches with a cap instead of a wig and was also apparently worn for receiving close friends at home or for morning walks. [Historical Fashion in Detail, by Avril Hart]

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The New PBS Sherlock

A review from The Little Professor. (Via Steven Riddle.) Share

The Tympanum Player

Marie-Antoinette's android.

This famous android was a collaborative effort by two Germans. Clockmaker Peter Kintzing created the mechanism and joiner David Roentgen crafted the cabinet; the dress dates from the 19th century. Automatons were in circulation and aroused much curiosity. Roentgen probably sent the tympanum to the French court and Marie-Antoinette bought it in 1784. The queen, aware of its perfection and scientific interest, had it deposited in the Academy of Sciences cabinet in 1785. The tympanum is a musical instrument that plays eight tunes when the female android strikes the 46 strings with two little hammers. Tradition has it that she is a depiction of Marie-Antoinette.

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Pumpkin Seeds

A wonderful autumn snack. Share

Chartres

The consecration of the cathedral is commemorated. Share

The Greatest City in the Americas

Mexico City. Andrew Cusack reports. (Via The Western Confucian) Share

Our Meeting with Archduke Imre

Every once in awhile life offers surprises when the impossible becomes a reality. On the Vigil of All Saints we had the joy of meeting His Imperial and Royal Highness Imre of Habsburg-Lorraine, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Hungary and Bohemia (on the right). Mr. Michael Drake of the TFP emailed me with an invitation to meet the Archduke at a TFP event and I gladly accepted. The Archduke possessed a most friendly manner; we were put completely at ease and found ourselves speaking quite freely. I told the Archduke how I have always loved his family, especially his great aunt Marie-Antoinette. I described my experience of praying in the Capuchin crypt at his great grandmother Empress Zita's tomb and at Empress Maria Theresa's tomb and finding the inspiration to write Trianon.

 I hoped to the Archduke that his great grandfather Blessed Emperor Karl could be returned to rest in Vienna in the Capuchin crypt with the rest of the family. But Archduke Imre said no, he thought it was better for Blessed Karl to be buried in Madeira, in a remote place which captures the spirit of the Holy Emperor's poverty, suffering, exile and rejection by his own. It was amazing to talk about a saint with one of the saint's own great grandchildren. Archduke Imre is also the nephew of the courageous Grand Duke Henri de Luxembourg who has taken such a strong pro-life stand.

Here are 2008 photos of the Archduke's family at the wedding of his sister, Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Marie Christine.

Later in the day, I met His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza. Slightly bent with age and walking with  a cane, Prince Bertrand nevertheless emanated great dignity. His Imperial Highness had the kindest, most gentle face, with black eyes that pierce the soul. He is not only a prince but a mystic, I think. I addressed His Imperial Highness in French but it turned out that his command of English is better than mine of French. (It was a good thing that Mr. Robert Ritchie, who introduced me to the Prince, is fluent in French and was able to rescue me.) The Prince graciously received my books and told me he had just read a biography of Madame Elisabeth of France.

As for the TFP members hosting the event, they treated us royally, with the utmost kindness and deference, making for an especially lovely day. Michael Drake showed me around the campus, which had been the estate of wealthy industrialists. The main house is an old Tudor revival, utterly magnificent, now a beautiful place for study, prayer and cheerful gatherings. Mr. Drake introduced me to everyone we met and I had many delightful conversations. My husband listened to a lecture which he found gratifying both spiritually and intellectually. It is good to know that there is such a movement of faith and culture in Pennsylvania. Share