Category Archives: Monarchy

Angling for the Saxons

Posted on April 24, 2021 by Nathan

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s idea for an America First Caucus based on Anglo-Saxon values sounds kind of bizarre to those of us who don’t run in white supremacist circles. Like, why Anglo-Saxon in particular, and why would a group focusing on … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthurian Legend, Authors, British, Celtic, Colonization of America, England, Ethnicity, Etymology, History, J.R.R. Tolkien, Language, Lewis Carroll, Monarchy, Monsters, Mythology, Names, Norse, Politics, Prejudice, Roman Empire, United Kingdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In 1215 at Runnymede, Doo-Dah, Doo-Dah

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Nathan

Magna Carta is now 800 years old, but I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do to celebrate the birthday of a document. The main way academia seems to be calling attention to it is by destroying some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in England, History, Monarchy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Sleep in the Ring of Fire

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Nathan

Brunhilda is a figure from Norse myths and legends who has somehow come into popular culture as a really fat woman. In fact, thanks to Wagner, she IS the singing fat lady of the saying. And while I certainly don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in German, History, Middle Ages, Monarchy, Mythology, Norse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Norway Begins

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Nathan

As I mentioned here, I was looking through the introduction by the Brothers Grimm to their fairy tale collection to see what mythology they referenced, and one of the figures mentioned was someone named Harald the Fair-Haired. It turns out … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Monarchy, Mythology, Norse, Scandinavia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Franks and Beans

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Nathan

While I’m mainly concentrating on theologians for these Sunday posts (well, they’re USUALLY on Sundays, anyway), I don’t think it would be out of place to discuss Charlemagne, one of the most significant kings in the post-Roman era. While not … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Christianity, France, Germany, Historical Personages, History, Holy Roman Empire, Monarchy, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Blood of Kings

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Nathan

If the monarchical system is obsessed with one thing, it’s bloodlines. And if it’s obsessed with two things, the other one is authority from God. So it’s no surprise that a few different royal families traced their lineage to King … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Historical Personages, History, Judaism, Monarchy, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments