FAIRELY COOL STUFF
TREBUCHETS were the ultimate weapons of the Renaissance. These siege devices were so feared that some cities and castles surrendered upon their appearance. No shots even had to be fired for these weapons to be effective.
What is a trebuchet? It is not quite a catapult. It’s a machine that uses heavy counterweights to hurl objects several hundreds of yards. The objects could be stones that could pummel castle walls. The projectiles could be lit to set buildings on fire. They could also be dead bodies used to spread panic and fear among their enemies. Animal carcasses were also sometimes launched over walls to spread diseases. These were some of the earliest biological weapons.
The 2019 Immanuel Lutheran Renaissance Reformation Faire in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma had an 11' trebuchet. It was being tested at the faire. The 2021 Guthrie (Oklahoma) Renfest also had a firing trebuchet. It was being fired by the University of Central Oklahoma's Medieval Society. You can also see them working in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”, “Timeline”, “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Robin Hood” (2010), on YouTube or at
www.trebuchet.com
or
www.lordsandladies.org/trebuchet.htm
I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I do. HUZZAH!
Today, the world could use a return to CHIVALRY. Many drivers are rude in traffic. People are often selfish and unpredictable in friendships and romantic relationships. Businesspeople can be corrupt, dishonest and unscrupulous. Sometimes, people think “It’s all about me”. Even if they don’t acknowledge that approach, it is evident in their behavior. This world needs to return to the rules of chivalry.
Chivalry was a code of conduct established by Charlemagne, promoted by English King Edward III & practiced by knights nearly 500 years ago. This code provided guidelines on how knights should act towards others. It offered rules for fighting, loving and living. These rules were intended to make knights into good examples of integrity in society.
Let’s keep chivalry alive. There are several ways to bring more chivalry back into society:
Always tell the truth.
Keep your word.
Help others.
Treat women with the utmost respect.
Don’t cheat (in school, in your job, in sports or in your relationships).
Open doors for women, regardless of whether you know them or not.
Let a woman have your seat at a crowded place if no others are open.
Let the children eat first, then women, then men when you’re at a large gathering.
When shaking someone’s hand, grip their hand firmly and look them in the eye.
Take your hat off when entering a building, during the national anthem or during a prayer.
On June 15th, 1215, the Magna Carta was signed into law by England’s King John. It was imposed on the king by dozens of his feudal barons. They had become tired of his high taxes in the absence of his brother, Richard the Lionheart, who was away fighting in the Crusades. This Great Charter placed limits on the king and expanded freedom for his subjects. Does this sound familiar? The Magna Carta was a partial basis for the United States Constitution over 500 years later.
After three months, King John declared the Magna Carta void. However, he died a year later and it was once again placed into effect. Its scores of clauses granted rights and freedoms to everyone in England. Many are still enjoyed today. You can see a part of its story in the 2010 movie “Robin Hood” starring the storied actor, Russell Crowe.