What did Terry Scott’s lovely brother put in grandma’s tea?

My Brother... Terry Scott Phorr, there’s something funny round ‘ere. What is it? Oh, it’s you... come ‘ere and sit down. You’re gonna ‘ave the truth told about you and put on record. ‘Ere, please do not sit too close to me, I’ve just ‘ad my breakfast,   thank you. Who put        salt in the sugar bowl? Who put fireworks in the coal? Who put a real live toad-in-the-’ole? My brother! Who put jam in mother’s shoe? Who made real caterpillar stew? Who locked Grandad in the loo?... My brother! My brother        said it wasn’t he, who put shampoo in Grandma’s tea My brother said that it was me – my brother’s rotten. Who squeezed toothpaste round the hall? Who put soot in the baby’s        ball? Who drew things on the garden wall?... My brother! You wanna        see what he drew. Phorr, what a surprise. Nobody knew what it was really, but everybody ‘ad a jolly good        idea. An’ ‘e wrote slogans. “Down with young mothers”, that was one. ‘Cos ‘e don’t think my mum knows ‘ow to brings us up right...        I don’t think so either. You know, every night when we’re wide awake, she makes us go to        bed. And then in the morning when we’re fast asleep, she makes us get        up. Whose pet        mouse made Auntie shriek? Who ate glue and couldn’t speak? What clever dick was sick for a week? My brother! Who keeps maggots in a tin? Plays the twist on ‘is violin? Who’s been gettin’ at the gin?... My brother! He looks        just like a chimney sweep, but dirt, they say, is just skin deep. I know he’s good when he’s asleep. But you don’t know what he’s        dreamin’ about do ya? Who wouldn’t mind if I ride his bike? Who let’s me shoot his gun        if I like? Who says I’m best at - football, ludo, snakes & ladders, ‘ide & seek, Chasin’ each other up an’ down the garden, pinching little girls        up the ‘igh street. Well, he’s gotta say I’m best, ‘cos I’m bigger than ‘e is An’ if ‘e don’t say I’m best at everything... I’ll bash ‘im. Ha Ha. My lovely, lovely brother. Come on,        come on mate, let’s get you out of ‘ere before you fall down the ‘ole in the middle. Come on, give us yer ‘and, we’re gonna walk ….. ‘Ere, ‘ere, what ‘ave you ‘ad in yer ‘and?... ‘Ave yer? Phorr!!


Whose followers are Timid Toad, Reckless Rat, Artful Owl and Batty Bat?

'80s Actual: Captain Beaky: "Hissing Sid Is Innocent!" From the 1981 Captain Beaky annual. More Captain Beaky 1981 annual fun. We had a lot to thank Keith Michell for in 1980.... He sang that funky little groover Captain Beaky - the record - and illustrated that sizzling best seller - Captain Beaky - the book! Captain Beaky - the sheet music! Remember "Hissing Sid Is Innocent, OK?!" The bravest animals in the land are Captain Beaky and his band That's Timid Toad, Reckless Rat, Artful Owl and Batty Bat They march through the woodlands singing songs That tell how they have righted wrongs Once Hissing Sid, an evil snake, kept the woodland folk awake In fear and trembling every night In case he gave someone a bite Said Artful Owl, 'We'll lie in wait And one of us will be the bait." Said Captain Beaky, "Have no fear! For I alone will volunteer!" "No, make it me!" Said Reckless Rat "I'll stand there in my reckless hat When Hissing Sid picks up my trail, I'll just lasso him with my tail!" "Oh, good idea" said Timid Toad, "We'll hide a long way down the road. And when you've overcome resistance, We'll rush along to your assistance." Said Batty Bat, "I've got a wheeze! I'll fly and hide up in the trees! If Hissing Sid should slither by I'll drop a boulder from the sky!" Said Artful Owl, "The idea sound… how will you lift it off the ground?" Poor Batty Bat just scratched his head, "I hadn't thought of that," he said. Said Owl "The rest of us hold back - There's only one that he'll attack." Said Timid Toad, "I like your plan." "Good luck," said Owl, "For you're the man!" So Timid Toad, his eyes a-popping, Into the woodland night went hopping Captain Beaky waved his hand, followed by his trusty band That's Artful Owl and Reckless Rat, and above the trees flew Batty Bat. "Stop!" Said Beaky, "I hear squeaking!" "It's Batty Bat" said Owl, "He's speaking!" "It's all in code," said Reckless Rat Said Owl, "I'll just decipher that." "A dash, a dot, two short, two long… I rather think we've got it wrong. It reads 'can clearly see the road, Hissing Sid has captured Toad!'" "Quick men!" said Beaky, "No delay! You mustn't let him get away!" And leaping off, said "Follow me!" And ran head first into a tree. "Dot dot dot" squeaked Batty Bat. Said Beaky, "Quick! Decipher that!" Said Reckless Rat, "Perhaps we're gaining?" "No," said Owl. "He says…it's raining" Oh, how they ran to save poor Toad, For they must find that snake's abode Guided by old Batty Bat Dot dot go this way dash, go that! Then Hissing Sid's lair they spied Were they too late? Was he inside? Said Reckless Rat, "I'll get a pole And stop him going down his hole!" Then into sight the snake came hopping, Right past his hole, no sign of stopping Said Reckless Rat, "That's rather funny, "There's something jumping in his tummy." Said Captain Beaky, "Well I'm blowed! Hissing Sid has swallowed Toad!" And as the snake hopped out of sight, Off they chased into the night. At last they found him, tired and dizzy And pulled out Toad, who said "Where is he? For left alone, I felt quite sick, And hopped into a hollow stick" Said Owl, "A clever step to take! You jumped into that slippery snake." "That was brave of Toad", said Rat "That's just my sort of plan!" said Bat Said Captain Beaky to his men, "Well we'll not see Hissing Sid again!" And as they marched off down the road, They sang in praise of Timid Toad Above them flew ol' Batty Bat, With his wings stretched out, like that Owl's idea, the clever fella To have a flying um-ber-ella The origins of Captain Beaky stretched back over twenty years. The name came about because the author, Jeremy Lloyd (creator of Are You Being Served?), was nicknamed “Captain Beaky” at school because of his rather long nose. Over a period of twenty years, Mr Lloyd scribbled down various short poems on the backs of envelopes, film scripts and in letters to friends - featuring such characters as Dilys the Dachschund, Harold the lonely frog, and Captain Beaky and his band. In 1977, a book of these poems was published, and an album of music was released. The music was


What was the pirate Blackbeard’s real name?

Ten Facts About Blackbeard the Pirate Ten Facts About Blackbeard the Pirate Ten Facts About Blackbeard the Pirate Facts, Myths and Legends about Blackbeard By Christopher Minster Updated February 16, 2016. When it comes to Blackbeard, the most famous pirate ever to sail the seven seas, it's hard to separate myth from fact. There are a lot of tall tales out there about the man who was the scourge of the Atlantic in 1717-1718! Here are some facts about everyone's favorite buccaneer.  Blackbeard with Sword. Hulton Archive/Getty Images continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States Pirates on the March. Art by Frank Schoonover 2.  Blackbeard learned from other pirates Blackbeard started his piracy career while serving under the legendary Benjamin Hornigold. He wasn’t “Blackbeard” then: he was just one more pirate out of many. Hornigold saw potential in young Edward Teach and promoted him. Eventually, he gave Teach his own command as captain of a captured ship. The two were very successful while they worked together. Hornigold eventually accepted a pardon and Blackbeard set out on his own.  3.  Blackbeard had one of the mightiest pirate ships ever to set sail In November of 1717, Blackbeard captured La Concorde, a large French slaving vessel. He renamed the Queen Anne’s Revenge and kept it for himself, modifying it for piracy. He put 40 cannons on it, making it one of the most formidable pirate ships ever. With it, he terrorized the Atlantic and Caribbean for almost a year before the Queen Anne’s Revenge ran aground. More » Blackbeard Attacks a Ship. Art by Frank Schoonover 4.  Blackbeard looked like a devil in battle Blackbeard knew the importance of image in his line of work. Before battle, he would dress all in black, strap several pistols to his chest and put on a large black captain’s hat. Then, he would put slow burning fuses in his hair and beard. The fuses constantly sputtered and gave off smoke, which wreathed him in a perpetual greasy fog. He looked like a devil who had stepped right out of hell and onto a pirate ship and most of his victims simply surrendered their cargo rather than fight him. Blackbeard intimidated his opponents this way because it was good business: if they gave up without a fight, he could keep their ship and he lost fewer men. Who Shall be Captain?. Art by Howard Pyle 5.  Blackbeard had some famous friends Besides Hornigold, Blackbeard sailed with some famous pirates . He was a friend of Charles Vane , who came to see him in North Carolina to try and enlist his help in establishing a pirate kingdom in the Caribbean (Blackbeard wasn’t interested, but his man and Vane’s had a legendary party). He sailed with Stede Bonnet , the “Gentleman Pirate” from the Barbados. Also, Blackbeard’s First Mate was a man named Israel Hands; Robert Louis Stevenson borrowed the name for his classic Treasure Island. More » Blackbeard Approaching. Art by Frank Schoonover 6.  Blackbeard went legit (sort of) In 1718, Blackbeard went to North Carolina and accepted a pardon from Governor Charles Eden. He may have wanted to leave piracy behind, but his retirement didn’t last long. Before long, Blackbeard had struck a deal with the crooked Governor: loot for protection. Eden helped Blackbeard appear legit, and Blackbeard shared his takings. It was an arrangement that benefited both men until Blackbeard’s death. Capture of Blackbeard. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930) 7.  Blackbeard went down fighting Blackbeard wasn’t one to run from a fight. On November 22, 1718, Blackbeard was cornered by two Royal Navy sloops that had been sent to hunt him down. The pirate had relatively few men, as most of his men were on shore at the time, but he decided to fight. He almost got away, but in the end was brought down in hand-to-hand fighting on the deck of his ship. When Blackbeard was finally killed, they found five bullet wounds and twenty sword cuts on his body. His head was cut off and presented as proof to collect a bounty: his body was thrown into the water, and legend has it that it swam


Where did the failed US backed landing in Cuba take place in 1961?

The Bay of Pigs invasion begins - Apr 17, 1961 - HISTORY.com Within the CIA, the Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961 was regarded as the "perfect failure." Cold War The Bay of Pigs invasion begins Share this: The Bay of Pigs invasion begins Author The Bay of Pigs invasion begins URL Publisher A+E Networks The Bay of Pigs invasion begins when a CIA-financed and -trained group of Cuban refugees lands in Cuba and attempts to topple the communist government of Fidel Castro. The attack was an utter failure. Fidel Castro had been a concern to U.S. policymakers since he seized power in Cuba with a revolution in January 1959. Castro’s attacks on U.S. companies and interests in Cuba, his inflammatory anti-American rhetoric, and Cuba’s movement toward a closer relationship with the Soviet Union led U.S. officials to conclude that the Cuban leader was a threat to U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere. In March 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the CIA to train and arm a force of Cuban exiles for an armed attack on Cuba. John F. Kennedy inherited this program when he became president in 1961. Though many of his military advisors indicated that an amphibious assault on Cuba by a group of lightly armed exiles had little chance for success, Kennedy gave the go-ahead for the attack. On April 17, 1961, around 1,200 exiles, armed with American weapons and using American landing craft, waded ashore at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. The hope was that the exile force would serve as a rallying point for the Cuban citizenry, who would rise up and overthrow Castro’s government. The plan immediately fell apart–the landing force met with unexpectedly rapid counterattacks from Castro’s military, the tiny Cuban air force sank most of the exiles’ supply ships, the United States refrained from providing necessary air support, and the expected uprising never happened. Over 100 of the attackers were killed, and more than 1,100 were captured. The failure at the Bay of Pigs cost the United States dearly. Castro used the attack by the “Yankee imperialists” to solidify his power in Cuba and he requested additional Soviet military aid. Eventually that aid included missiles, and the construction of missile bases in Cuba sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, when the United States and the Soviet Union nearly came to blows over the issue. Further, throughout much of Latin America, the United States was pilloried for its use of armed force in trying to unseat Castro, a man who was considered a hero to many for his stance against U.S. interference and imperialism. Kennedy tried to redeem himself by publicly accepting blame for the attack and its subsequent failure, but the botched mission left the young president looking vulnerable and indecisive. Related Videos


The Settings of Shakespeare's Plays   Shakespeare Hits the Big Time Bard Bites Dramatist and Shakespearean scholar Nicholas Rowe was the first to write a critical (annotated) edition of Shakespeare's works. ___ The average length of a play in Elizabethan England was 3000 lines. With 4,042 lines and 29,551 words, Hamlet is the longest Shakespearean play (based on the first edition of The Riverside Shakespeare (1974)). With 1,787 lines and 14,369 words, The Comedy of Errors is the shortest Shakespearean play (also based on the first edition of The Riverside Shakespeare). ___ Shakespeare's late comedies are considered romances: The Winter's Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline, and Pericles. The Two Noble Kinsman is also sometimes mentioned along side these other plays as a romantic comedy. ___ Love's Labour's Lost has the highest percentage of rhyming lines of all of Shakespeare's plays. According to Shakespearean scholar Tucker Brooke, 62.2% of the lines in Love's Labour's Lost rhyme. The closest competitor is A Midsummer Night's Dream, with 43.4% rhyming lines. ___ The historical time of King Lear is roughly 800 BC, making it the second-earliest setting of any of Shakespeare's plays. Click here to find out the first.


Which English king was married to Henrietta Maria?

Biography of Queen Henrietta Maria » Biographies » Queen Henrietta Maria Queen Henrietta Maria, 1609-69 Loyal, courageous and devoted to King Charles I, but her influence added to the atmosphere of mistrust that surrounded the King. Henrietta Maria was born in Paris on 26 November 1609 (NS), the youngest daughter of King Henri IV of France and Marie de Medici. She was taught riding, dancing and singing and received religious instruction from the Carmelite nuns. Her marriage to Charles, Prince of Wales, required a special dispensation from the Pope because it was the first time that a Catholic princess had married a Protestant prince. Politically, it was a move towards an alliance between France and England against Spain. The marriage took place in May 1625 when Henrietta was 15 and Charles was 24. Her Catholicism alarmed the English Parliament, and she was not allowed to be crowned alongside her husband when he succeeded to the throne of the Three Kingdoms as King Charles I in February 1626. Catholic Queen Consort Apart from their religious differences, the royal couple were opposites in character and temperament: Charles was sober and aloof, Henrietta was stylish and vivacious. During the first three years of their marriage, Charles was influenced by his overbearing favourite the Duke of Buckingham , and neglected Henrietta Maria almost to the point of estrangement. But when Buckingham was assassinated in 1628, Charles transferred his affections to the Queen, and they quickly became devoted to one another. During the 1630s, the court of King Charles and Queen Henrietta Maria was admired throughout Europe. The King's impeccable taste in art and the formality of court ritual gave an appearance of sophistication; the Queen's encouragement of dancing, music and theatre added warmth and polite gaiety. Elaborate masques were staged by Inigo Jones and Ben Jonson to dramatise the ideals of the Stuart monarchy. To the horror of many Puritans, the Queen herself sometimes took part in the performances. Increasingly, King Charles discussed affairs of state with Henrietta Maria. He valued her opinions and advice, but because she remained a practising Roman Catholic, her influence was viewed with extreme suspicion, particularly as several prominent courtiers converted to Catholicism and a papal representative was received in England for the first time since the Reformation. When the King needed money to finance the Bishops' Wars (1639-40), the Queen raised funds by appealing to English Catholics. Her further appeals to the Vatican itself fuelled Protestant fears of a Popish conspiracy against England. She was even suspected of inciting the Irish Uprising of 1641. Rumours that members of the Long Parliament were planning to impeach the Queen prompted King Charles to make his disastrous attempt to arrest the Five Members in January 1642. “She-Majesty, Generalissima” In February 1642, when civil war looked inevitable, Henrietta Maria left England for the Netherlands—the King galloping along the cliff tops to keep her ship in sight until the last sail had vanished below the horizon. She spent almost a year in The Hague, raising loans, buying weapons and recruiting troops for the Royalist cause. By selling or pawning jewels, she raised a large fortune which financed several convoys of weapons and ammunition and a company of veteran professional soldiers to fight for the King. Braving storms and attack by Parliament's warships, she returned to England in February 1643, landing at Bridlington in Yorkshire. Henrietta stayed with the Earl (later Marquis) of Newcastle at York. She participated in Newcastle's secret negotiations with the Parliamentarian commanders Sir Hugh Cholmley at Scarborough and  Sir John Hotham at Hull. Persuaded by the Queen, Cholmley defected and delivered Scarborough Castle to the Royalists. By the summer of 1643, Royalist victories in the Midlands made it relatively safe for Henrietta to move south at the head of her army, styling herself "Her She-Majesty, Generalissima". On 13 July 1643, she was reunited with the Ki


What did Demi Moore remove to play the role of G.I. Jane?

Extreme Weight Loss And Gain For Movie Roles - Business Insider print Bradley Cooper says he gained 40 pounds of muscle in 10 weeks for his Oscar-nominated role in "American Sniper."Keith Bernstein/Warner Bros. Bradley Cooper recently bulked up to 225 pounds to play US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in "American Sniper."   His daily regimen included two intense workouts and eating more than 5,000 calories per day.   He's not the only actor to undergo extreme measures to gain and lose weight for a role. Plenty of stars have endured grueling diets and workouts to be in tip-top shape for their roles as superheroes, ballerinas, boxers, and more.   Keertana Sastry and Jennifer Michalski contributed to this story. Bradley Cooper gained 40 pounds for "American Sniper." Keith Bernstein/Warner Brothers The Oscar-nominated actor  told Men's Health  he worked with a trainer twice a day to help him gain the weight in 10 weeks: In the first workout, beginning at 5 a.m., they focused on structural exercises like deadlifts and squats to build a foundation solid enough to hold the extra mass. The second workout, late in the afternoon, was more focused on traditional muscle-building exercises. Cooper needed both types of training to convincingly portray Chris Kyle. Jake Gyllenhaal looked gaunt after losing 30 pounds for his role in "Nightcrawler." Gyllenhaal really went all-out to get into the mind of a deranged, career-hungry freelance journalist.  The actor told Variety he didn't take on any special diet. Instead, he just stopped eating: I would try to eat as few calories as possible. I knew if I was hungry that I was in the right spot. Physically, it showed itself, but chemically and mentally, I think it was even a more fascinating journey. It became a struggle for me. Gyllenhaal added that he would often go on 15-mile runs from his home to the film's set. In addition, his co-star Riz Ahmed claimed the star would chew flavored gum to trick his mind into believing he was eating a meal. Chris Pratt lost 60 pounds in six months for "Guardians of the Galaxy." Marvel Pratt said he ditched beer to take on the role of Peter Quill in Marvel's hit. He also divulged his workout routine with a personal trainer and nutritionist to Men's Fitness . It consisted of running, swimming, boxing, kickboxing, a triathlon, and consuming 4,000 calories a day. "I actually lost weight by eating more food, but eating the right food, eating healthy foods, and so when I was done with the movie my body hadn't been in starvation mode," Pratt told  People magazine . Natalie Portman dropped 20 pounds to play a ballerina in "Black Swan." Youtube/FoxSearchlight Portman was on a carrots-and-almond diet , working five to eight hours a day for a year to slim her already trim figure down for the lead role in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan." The 33-year-old actress revealed the extent of her preparation for the role  to Entertainment Weekly . "There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die," Portman told EW. "It was the first time I understood how you could get so wrapped up in a role that it could sort of take you down." After filming ended, the singer quickly returned to carbs . She announced a pregnancy with her now-husband, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she met on set.  Mila Kunis also lost 20 pounds for her role in "Black Swan." Black Swan screencap Though Portman is often cited as shrinking to an alarmingly small size for "Black Swan," Kunis did the same for her role in the Oscar-winning film, slimming down to 98 pounds .  Kunis was pretty vocal about her dismay with her shapeless body. "I could see why this industry is so f----d up, because ... I would literally look at myself in the mirror and I was like: 'Oh my God! I had no shape, no boobs, no a--...,'" she said . "All you saw was the bone. I was like 'this looks gross.'" After filming, the actress binged out at a Panda Express in JFK Airport and an In-N-Out Burger after landing in Los Angeles. Kunis joked, "It took me five months to lose 20 pounds, and it took me hours to gain it back!" Anne H


Chess Champion Bobby Fischer ended his days exiled on which island?

Bobby Fischer, Troubled Genius of Chess, Dies at 64 - The New York Times The New York Times Chess |Bobby Fischer, Troubled Genius of Chess, Dies at 64 Search Correction Appended Photo Boris Spassky and Mr. Fischer, right, met at the XIX World Chess Olympiad in Siegen, Germany, in 1970. Credit Heinz Ducklau/Associated Press Bobby Fischer , the Chicago-born, Brooklyn-bred genius who became one of the greatest chess players the world has ever seen, died on Thursday in Reykjavik, Iceland . He was 64. For decades he had lived in obscurity, ultimately settling in Reykjavik after renouncing his American citizenship. Gardar Sverrisson, a close friend of Mr. Fischer’s, confirmed the death, telling wire services that the cause was kidney failure. Mr. Fischer was said to have been ill at home for some time before being admitted to a hospital on Wednesday. Mr. Fischer was the most powerful American player in history, and the most enigmatic. After scaling the heights of fame, he all but dropped out of chess, losing money and friends and living under self-imposed exile in Budapest, Japan, possibly in the Philippines and Switzerland, and finally in Iceland, moving there in 2005 and becoming a citizen. When he emerged now and then, it was sometimes on the radio, ranting in increasingly belligerent terms against the United States and Jews. His rationality was questioned. Advertisement Continue reading the main story In 1992, he came out of a long seclusion for a $5 million rematch against his old nemesis, the Russian-born grandmaster Boris Spassky. The match, in Yugoslavia, commemorated the 20th anniversary of the two men’s monumental meeting in Reykjavik and Mr. Fischer’s most glorious triumph. Mr. Fischer won the rematch handily, but it was a sad reprise of their face-off in the summer of 1972. In that earlier encounter, Mr. Fischer wrested the world championship from the elegant Mr. Spassky to become the first and, as yet, only American to win the title, one that Soviet-born players had held for 35 years. It was the cold war fought with chess pieces in an out-of-the-way place. Mr. Fischer won with such brilliance and dramatic flair that he became an unassailable representative of greatness in the world of competitive games, much as Babe Ruth had been and Michael Jordan would become. “It was Bobby Fischer who had, single-handedly, made the world recognize that chess on its highest level was as competitive as football, as thrilling as a duel to the death, as aesthetically satisfying as a fine work of art, as intellectually demanding as any form of human activity,” Harold C. Schonberg, who reported on the Reykjavik match for The New York Times, wrote in his 1973 book “Grandmasters of Chess.” The rematch 20 years later drew no such plaudits. By participating, Mr. Fischer defied an American ban on conducting business in Yugoslavia as it waged war on Bosnia . After dispatching Mr. Spassky, Mr. Fischer dropped out of sight again, partly to avoid arrest on American charges stemming from his appearance. He stayed in touch with a dwindling number of friends in the United States by phone, compelling them to keep his secrets or risk his rejection. In 2004, he was seized by the Japanese authorities when he tried to board a plane to Manila and accused of trying to leave the country on an invalid passport. He was detained in prison for nine months while the various governments and his supporters in the chess world tried to resolve the issue. In 1999, in a series of telephone interviews with a radio station in the Philippines, he rambled angrily and profanely about an international Jewish conspiracy, which he said was bent on destroying him personally and the world generally. Advertisement Continue reading the main story On Sept. 11, 2001, he told a radio talk-show host in Baguio, the Philippines, that the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were “wonderful news.” He wished for a time, he said, “where the country will be taken over by the military, they’ll close down all the synagogues, arrest all the Jews and execute hundred


Which novelist was exiled to Jersey and then Guernsey?

Victor Hugo on the Island of Guernsey - The New York Times The New York Times Travel |Where Victor Hugo Found Freedom Search Where Victor Hugo Found Freedom By ANN MAH Continue reading the main story Photo Drawing room in Hauteville House where Victor Hugo lived on Guernsey. It is now a museum. Credit Hazel Thompson for The New York Times IN October 1855 Victor Hugo arrived on rainy, wind-swept Guernsey seeking refuge. A fierce opponent of the Second Empire of Napoleon III, he had been banished first from his native France, and then Belgium and the island of Jersey. By the time he landed on this small neighboring island in the English Channel, the exiled writer was in desperate need of asylum. He found it on Guernsey. The “rock of hospitality and freedom,” as Hugo proclaimed it in the dedication of “Toilers of the Sea,” his seafaring novel set on the island, would become his home for over 15 years. Undistracted and determined, he poured his creative energy into masterpieces like his epic novel “Les Misérables,” and the decoration of his home, Hauteville House, the only home he ever owned. “Exile has not only detached me from France, it has almost detached me from the Earth,” he wrote in a letter. In this wild, isolated retreat, a British dependency just 26 miles from the Normandy coast of France, Hugo passed the most productive period of his life. Today, Guernsey is best known for offering a haven of a different kind: it’s a common overseas tax shelter, thanks to lenient financial laws. But the Guernsey of Victor Hugo — a place of quiet contemplation, vigorous cliff walks and seductive swimming bays — is still palpably present, as are elements of the writer’s life on the isle. Continue reading the main story From the minute his boat docked at St. Peter Port, the capital of the 24-square-mile island, Hugo marveled at the beauty. “Even in the rain and mist, the arrival at Guernsey is splendid,” he wrote in a letter to his wife. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Today, travelers who arrive by ferry, from either England, Jersey or France, share this same first glimpse of the port, with its gently bobbing fishing boats and orderly rows of houses stacked along hills. Hugo settled in one of these residences at the top of town, a rambling villa called Hauteville House, surrounded by family and a band of fellow exiles. He installed Juliette Drouet, his mistress of decades, in a modest home down the street. Already a celebrated writer at the time of his exile, Hugo was drawn to the Channel Islands because of their proximity to France and independent governance. (Though the islands have been linked to Britain for almost 1,000 years, a 1204 charter still guarantees their autonomy.) For Hugo, who spoke no English — “When England wants to chat with me, let her learn my language,” he said with typical grandiosity — the French and Guernsey patois spoken by the island’s Norman descendents were essential to his comfort. Today, locals speak English more than any other language, but the warmth of their hospitality remains undimmed. “It’s such a small island, everyone knows everyone — in a nice way,” said Mark Pontin, the proprietor of the Ship and Crown, a local pub where Juliette Drouet first stayed when she arrived on Guernsey. “Most locals know the stories about Victor Hugo, and people have plenty of time to talk about the history of the island.” In his mid-50s when he arrived in Guernsey, Hugo believed that his “present refuge” would eventually become his “probable tomb.” Fueled by these morbid fears — amplified, no doubt, by his remote isolation — he embarked on a staggeringly prolific literary output, as well as his most tangible work of art, the decoration of his home, Hauteville House. In 1927, Hugo’s granddaughter, Jeanne, and great-grandchildren, Jean, Marguerite and François, donated the property to the city of Paris, which maintains it as a museum, open from April to September. Stepping into the house, which brims with objets d’art and swaths of tapestry, is like entering Hugo’s imagination, filled with hidden symbol


Richard III Society  |  RICHARD III - HIS FAMILY His family His Mother - Cecily, Duchess of York by Dr Joanna Laynesmith (Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris, Paris: MS Latin 1158, f. 34v) One of Richard III's most unnatural crimes, according to Tudor propaganda, was his false accusation that his own mother, Cecily Neville, was an adulteress. Polydore Vergil asserted that she 'complanyd afterward in sundry places to right many noblemen …of that great injury'. More recently Michael K Jones has suggested that Edward IV really was a bastard and that Richard's claim to the throne was largely inspired by this fact, abetted by his mother. The nature of Richard's relationship with Cecily remains one of the many mysteries surrounding his accession to the throne.   Of Cecily Neville's last six children, only George and Richard survived infancy. These boys were with her during some of the most traumatic years of her life, as the Lancastrian kingship collapsed and her husband made his unsuccessful bid for the throne of England. She would have supervised their early education, perhaps taught them to read.   Bruges – home to Richard for a few months In the winter of 1460/61 Yorkist fortunes were at their lowest, with the duke of York's death at Wakefield and the earl of Warwick's defeat at St Albans. For their safety Cecily sent the boys, aged just eleven and eight, to the court of the duke of Burgundy. Her decision to remain in London to defend the interests of her only other surviving son, the eighteen-year-old Edward, Earl of March, indicates her priorities and her ambition for her family. Immediately after their return to England the king's little brothers, like their mother, probably lived within the royal household for several years. Richard may well have been nearly thirteen before he left the regular company of his mother for the household of the earl of Warwick. Family Division The year 1469 was to prove the first real test in Cecily's relations with her sons. This was the year that George, Duke of Clarence, joined forces with his father-in-law, the earl of Warwick, to rebel against and imprison Edward IV. Richard was steadfastly loyal to Edward in the face of slanders that the king was a bastard. When Clarence and Warwick rebelled again in 1470 to reinstate Henry VI, Richard fled with Edward to Burgundy. But where did Cecily stand? Before Clarence and Warwick set sail for Calais from where they launched their initial rebellion Cecily spent five days with them at Sandwich. Michael Jones has surmised that she had fallen out with Edward and was in favour of the rebellion. Yet only months earlier Edward had named his second daughter after Cecily and as soon as Edward regained his throne in 1471 he took his family to join his mother at Baynard's Castle. Cecily the Widow. © Geoffrey Wheeler My suspicion is that Cecily knew nothing of rebellion but was aware of Clarence's plan to marry Warwick's eldest daughter in defiance of the king. This suggests that for all her loyalty to Edward, Cecily did not always put him entirely before her other sons - she wanted George to marry England's most eligible heiress. In 1461 one observer claimed that Cecily 'can rule the king as she pleases'. It appears from surviving correspondence that her relationship with Richard was similar. In 1474 a land dispute arose between servants of Cecily and Richard. When Richard was first informed of his servant's claim he was prepared to enforce it with men at arms, until he learnt that the dispute was with one of his mother's men. An exchange of letters followed in which Cecily laid down the terms and place of negotiation and ultimately the affair was settled entirely in her man's favour. Cecily's letters also indicate affection for Richard, expressing regret that he had not been able to visit her recently when Edward was with her at Berkhamstead (she had seen Richard only a few weeks previously at Syon). Cecily's Piety John the Baptist © Geoffrey Wheeler By the 1470s Cecily was developing a greater interest in religion and she probably shared some of this with R


Which county is most associated with Jack Cade?

Jack Cade's Rebellion of 1450 : I. M. W. Harvey : 9780198201601 Jack Cade's Rebellion of 1450 Hardback We can notify you when this item is back in stock Notify me Try AbeBooks Description Jack Cade's rebellion of 1450 was one of the most important popular uprisings to take place in England during the Middle Ages. It began as an orchestrated demonstration of political protest by the inhabitants of south-eastern England against the corruption, mismanagement, and oppression of Henry VI's government. When no assurance of any remedy came from the king the rising soon collapsed into violence. This is the first full-length study of Cade's revolt to be published this century. I. M. W. Harvey charts the course of the rebellion and its associated troubles during the early 1450s, and explores the nature of the society which gave rise to these upheavals. She makes full use of the available contemporary evidence, as well as the work of subsequent historians, in order to uncover the identities of the rebels, explain their actions, assess their relations with the magnates, and to examine their achievements. Dr Harvey's lucid and scholarly analysis of Jack Cade's rebellion helps make intelligible the eventual collapse of Henry VI's reign into the Wars of the Roses. show more Product details 144                   x 220                   x 20mm                                   | 421.84g Publication date Revolutionary Groups & Movements Review quote 'important book ... Harvey's skillful and well-documented study perhaps confirms the view that only in 1381 did social revolution appear on the agenda of English medieval rebels.' The Historian, Autumn 1993, Vol 56 'This book is an impressive piece of scholarship and most readable... A book of this calibre should be on every historian's bookshelf both to enjoy and for use as a reference book'. Patricia Winzar, Journal of Kent History, Issue No 34. 'I.M.W. Harvey's work is particularly to be welcomed in view of the recent advances in research on central government and the regions in the 15th century. Her book will be useful to both political and regional historians.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'The chief value of Harvey's careful dissection of the local context and events of the rebellion is that it gives us a rare and valuable insight into this class in a county...' S.J. Payling, The Ricardian 'Harvey has pieced the tale together in a convincing and coherent fashion. ... A scholarly work, clearly written, and based largely on manuscript sources, this book removes mystery and myth from the tale.' Choice 'This volume provides valuable information on the landscape of Cade's rebellion; the portrait of that rebellion still remains unfinished. Oxford has produced an attractive book with useful maps and bibliography.' James L. Gillespie, Notre Dame College of Ohio, American Historical Review, February 1993 'This book fills the most conspicuous gap in fifteenth-century English history. Dr Harvey provides by far the fullest account to date. She has amassed much new and fascinating detail and quotes tellingly from both the indictments and political poems. ... there is much material to stimulate others to draw their own conclusions. The foundations that Harvey has laid are sound. New avenues have opened for future research and, perhaps above all, for future reflection.' Michael Hicks, King Alfred's College, Winchester, History No. 252, February 1993 Dr Harvey has produced both an authoritative narratvie of the events of summer 1450 and a great deal of useful information on other popular demonstrations in the period of 1449-61. A useful source of reference for the popular convulsions of Henry VI's last decade. English Historical Review show more Table of contents The south-east of England; The growth of discontent during the 1430s and 1440s; Crisis comes, 1449-1450; Cade's rebellion in Kent and Middlesex; Rebellion throughout southern England in 1450; Popular revolt during the 1450s; The outcome of Cade's rebellion; Append


Who won the 2013 World Super Bike Championship?

Superbike World Championship 2013 - Malaysian (-0.20) Superbike World Championship 2013 Two time Superbike World Champion, the Italian Max Biaggi has retired from the sport leaving no defending champion in this years event. The 2013 Superbike World Championship will be the 26th edition of the hugely popular motor cycling competition, with 15 rounds and, therefore, 30 points-scoring races scheduled to occur between 24 February and 17 November. Two-time Superbike World Championship winner Max Biaggi has retired after moving than 20 years as a professional motor cyclist so the 2013 competition will not feature the 2012 champion. Indeed, Carlos Checa is the only former Superbike World Championship winner among this year’s participants. The Superbike World Championship differs from MotoGP in a number of ways, the most significant of which is that the motor cycles that Superbike World Championship competitors ride are tuned versions of machines that are available for purchase by members of the public. MotoGP participants ride purpose-built motor cycles that are not for sale. So think about it like this: MotoGP is similar to Formula One and the Superbike World Championship is similar to F V8 Supercars . Carl Fogarty is the most successful rider in Superbike World Championship history, with the British motor cyclist winning the title four times – 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999. Checa won the 2011 Superbike World Championship on a score of 505 points, 110 more than Marco Melandri. Checa won 15 of the 26 races two years ago, only missing the podium five times. Most Competitive Market In Years Checa is not the 2013 Superbike World Championship favourite going into the first race that will take place in Australia at Philip Island off the coast of Melbourne. Bookmakers are offering odds of around 15-2 that the Spaniard rider becomes the ninth man to win multiple Superbike World Championships. In the absence of Biaggi, bookmakers are expecting a battle featuring not only the two motor cyclists who went so close to beating the Italian last season – Melandri and Tom Sykes – but also Checa, Eugene Laverty, Jonathan Rea, Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Camier. They think that the 2013 Superbike World Championship could be the most competitive ever. Melandri is the 2013 Superbike World Championship market leader at odds of around 9-4, with Sykes (around 11-4), Checa (around 15-2), Laverty (around 8-1), Rea (around 9-1), Guintoli (around 14-1) and Camier (around 16-1) rounding out what bookmakers think are the most magnificent seven. Melandri And Sykes Too Short In Betting One can understand how bookmakers have decided that Melandri is the 2013 Superbike World Championship favourite. The Italian scored more points per completed race than any participant in last year’s competition. Melandri racked up 328.5 points in 20 completed races for an average of 16.43, which was superior to that of Biaggi (14.92), Sykes (14.90), Checa (13.69) and everyone else who lined up on the grid. However, Melandri is something of a nearly man. The Italian has been racing in major competitions since 1997 but he has only one title to his credit – what is now known as Moto2 in 2002 – so he does not make all that much appeal at odds of around 9-4. That Melandri managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the 2012 Superbike World Championship has to be a concern to anyone considering backing him in 2013. Sykes won only four of the 27 races contested during the 2012 Superbike World Championship – two fewer than Melandri, one fewer than Biaggi and the same number as Checa. Last year was the one in which the Englishman made a big name for himself after finishing no higher than ninth in the previous four seasons. Sykes could go one better in 2013 than he did in 2012 but, at the prices, he is not the pick of the bunch. Former Champion The Early Value Checa is the value 2013 Superbike World Championship betting option before the competition gets under way in Australia. The Spaniard has been there, seen it and done it, which is going to count for a lot in this year’s field. P


Name the country which ruled Burundi after Germany?

Timeline of Events in Rwanda and Burundi Timeline of Events in Rwanda and Burundi COLONIAL PERIOD 1890s: Germany claimed Ruanda and Urundi (Burundi) 1919: Germany lost Ruanda-Urundi to Belgium under the League of Nations mandate system. Both Germany and Belgium ruled through the traditional system of Tutsi nobles, headed by the Mwami. 1950s/late: Belgium created local government to prepare Rwandans and Burundians for self-government 1950s: (Burundi) Tutsi prince Louis Rwangazore founded a multi-ethnic party, the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) 1959: (Rwanda) The Tutsi Mwami died and riots broke out with the Hutu majority fighting against the Tutsi aristocracy 1961: (Rwanda) Before the violence had entirely died away, the first pre-independence elections were held and won by the Hutu Emancipation Movement, known as PARMEHUTU INDEPENDENCE 1962: (Rwanda) Rwanda and Burundi became independent from Belgium as separate countries, even though both were ethnically and cultural united. Burundi's first government was controlled by Tutsi while the first Rwandan government was Hutu. 1962: (Burundi) Prince Rwagazore was assassinated, but his party UPRONA led the first independence government with King Mwambutsa IV's collaboration 1962-1963: From bases in western Uganda, Tutsi refugees called the Inyenzi launched attacks into Rwanda. 1963-1964: (Rwanda) More violence caused 10s-100,000s of Tutsi to flee to Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. Thei numbers grew to 200,000-1,000,000, and they failed to integrate into their new countries. The Rwanda government refused to allow them to return. 1965: (Burundi) Multi-ethnic government broke down during the first elections after Hutu politicians won control of both houses of parliament. King Mwambutsa abolished the legislature before it could meet and the (Hutu-dominated) army revolted. The army coup was crushed by Tutsi officers led by Michel Micombero. King Mwambutsa IV fled the country and his son Ntare V assumed power. Micombero dismissed Ntare and authorized reprisals that resulted in about 5,000 Hutu deaths. Micombero set up a "Government of Public Safety" modeled after the French revolutionary government that included extraordinary police powers for a strong, centralized government. 1969: (Burundi) There was a major purge of Hutu elite. 1972: (Burundi) Uganda's Idi Amin assisted Micombero to arrest Ntare V (who later died while in custody in Burundi). Citing riots that killed 2000 top Tutsi officials, Micombero declared martial law. Educated Hutu were targeted and between 80,000 and 500,000 died, while more than 100,000 Hutu fled to neighboring countries and did not return. Meanwhile, France, China and Libya increased their military aid to the Burundi government, and a report by the International Commission of Jurists and the International Leaugue of the Rights of Man identified systematic human rights abuses by the government against Hutu citizens. 1973: (Rwanda) General Juvenal Habyarimana seized power in a military coup. He was a northern Hutu. 1974: (Burundi) Micombero revised the constitution to create a one-party state under UPRONA. 1975: (Burundi) Although the UN Commission on Human Rights opened prosecution against Burundi officials for human rights violations against Hutu citizens, the case later was dropped. 1975: (Rwanda) Habyarimana declared a one-party state under the MRND as a way to overcome ethnic divisions. A system of quotas was devised to limit Tutsi participation in civil service jobs 1975/07/18: (Rwanda) France signed its first "Technical Military Assistance Agreement (TMAA) with Rwanda. 1976: (Burundi) Micombero was overthrown by a military coup led by Colonel Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, but power remained in the hands of a Tutsi elite composed of army, civil servants and UPRONA. 1985: (Burundi) Bagaza widened repression against opponents of the government to include the Catholic Church. 1987: (Burundi) Bagaza was overthrown by Pierre Buyoyo in another military coup. 1987: (Rwanda) coffee prices collapsed, crushing the Rwandan economy 1988: (Burundi) There w


What is the state capital of Mississippi?

Mississippi State Capitol Mississippi State Capitol 1901-1903 The state capitol is the third capitol building built in the capital city of Jackson. The first building was completed in  1822, the second building in 1833 and the current capitol building was completed in 1903. The building was erected on the site of the old state penitentiary and was designed by Theodore Link, an architect from St. Louis, Missouri. The building cost $1,093,641 dollars, which was paid by the Illinois Central Railroad by the back taxes they owed the state. In 1979-1983, the capitol building underwent a complete restoration, which cost $19 million. The renovation remained true to the  original building and strived to maintain the original design when at all possible. The Beaux Arts style building was designed to house all branches of the Mississippi state government. Currently, only the Legislature and the executive branches are contained in the capitol. The judicial branch is housed in the Gartin Justice Building across High Street. The capitol is 402 feet long and 180 feet to the top of the dome. The dome interior contains 750 lights which illuminate the blind-folded lady representing "Blind Justice" and four scenes: two Indians, a Spanish explorer and a Confederate general. The eagle which sits atop the dome is made of solid copper coated with gold leaf. The eagle is 8 feet high and 15 feet wide. On the first floor, the Hall of Governors is located. Portraits of Mississippi's governors since the creation of the Mississippi Territory in 1798 are on display. The State Library and the Supreme Court chambers, now both committee meeting rooms, are  located on the second floor. The Legislature is housed on the third floor, along with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House's offices. The public viewing for both chambers is located on the fourth floor. The grounds of the capitol building contains one of the 53 replicas of the original Liberty Bell and a statue erected in memory of the ladies, mothers, sisters, wives and daughters of the Confederate soldiers. Among the trees on the grounds are the state tree, the magnolia, along with two Japanaese magnolias. The battleship figurehead is from the second USS Mississippi. The ship was sold to Greece in 1914 but the figurehead was presented to Mississippi by the United States Navy in December 1909. The Mississippi State Capitol is designated a Mississippi landmark building and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.


Who was the World’s first Christian martyr?

martyr | religion | Britannica.com religion Saint Paul, the Apostle Martyr, one who voluntarily suffers death rather than deny his religion by words or deeds; such action is afforded special, institutionalized recognition in most major religions of the world. The term may also refer to anyone who sacrifices his life or something of great value for the sake of principle. Martyrdom of the Maccabees, oil on canvas by Antonio Ciseri, 1852–63; in the Church of … © M.bonotto/Shutterstock.com Judaism. The universality of persecution throughout its history has engendered in Judaism an explicit ideal of martyrdom. It begins with Abraham, who according to legend was cast into a lime kiln and saved from the fire by divine grace. The tradition was continued by Isaac, who consented to be sacrificed by his father, and by Daniel, whose example compelled the popular imagination. Readiness for martyrdom became a collective Jewish ideal during the Antiochene persecution and the Maccabean rebellion of the 2nd century bc. The best known episode was that of the mother and her seven sons (II Maccabees 7). Martyrdom was preferred to the desecration of the Sabbath by the early Ḥasidim. In Hadrian’s time, pious Jews risked death to circumcise their children, and Rabbi Akiba embraced martyrdom to assert the right to teach the Law publicly. The Talmud cites the majority opinion that one should prefer martyrdom to three transgressions—idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder . The Midrash on Lamentations 2:2 contains what is probably the oldest Jewish martyrology, the list of the Ten Martyrs . It was repeated in later midrashim and formed the theme of several liturgical elegies, including the Eleh Ezkerah, found in the Yom Kippur service. During the European persecutions of the later Middle Ages, chronological registers of martyrs were drawn up for use in synagogue commemorative services. In 1296 Isaac ben Samuel of Meiningen began to collect these in the Memorbuch published in 1898, covering the years 1096–1349. Similar Topics Church Father In a sense, Jewish life was a nearly continuous training in martyrdom. Martyrs are honoured as kedoshim (“the holy ones”). Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady, founder of Ḥabad Ḥasidism, considered the spirit of martyrdom (mesirut nefesh) to be the distinguishing quality of the Jewish people. The deliberate execution of an estimated 5,700,000 Jews by the Nazis during World War II dwarfed all previous ordeals of martyrdom. In current Jewish literature, the victims are regarded as martyrs since they died for the sole reason of being Jews. In contrast to previous occasions, they were not given the alternative of saving their lives by abjuring their faith. In Israel the library of Yad Veshem contains most of the extant records of the holocaust . Christianity. The original meaning of the Greek word martys was “witness”; in this sense it is often used in the New Testament. Since the most striking witness that Christians could bear to their faith was to die rather than deny it, the word soon began to be used in reference to one who was not only a witness but specifically a witness unto death. This usage is present, at least implicitly, in Acts 22:20 and Revelation 2:13. The first Christian martyrs were St. Stephen and St. James. Of the apostles the most important martyrs were SS. Peter and Paul, both put to death at Rome. Clement of Rome describes them as God’s athletes, contending for the heavenly prize, and mentions a “great multitude” executed at the same time. Early in the 2nd century, Ignatius of Antioch described his own prospective martyrdom as a way of “attaining to God” and urged the Roman Christians not to make any effort to have him spared. In the sporadic persecutions of the first two centuries, martyrdoms were not especially frequent, but the martyrs were highly regarded by Christians. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius , by contrast, viewed their constancy as theatrical. The government’s position was not entirely clear. Were Christians to be condemned as Christians because of specific criminal charges or because


Makara | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Possible Population Unknown Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal, such as a crocodile, and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or peacock's tail feathers. At Ta Prohm, near Angkor Wat and built by the epic builder king Jayavarman VII in the late 1100s, a small carving on a crumbling temple wall seems to show a dinosaur - a lizard, to be exact. The hand-sized carving of the Hindu-Buddhist Makara can be found in a quiet corner of the complex, a stone temple engulfed in jungle vegetation where the roots of centuries-old banyan trees snake through broken walls. After parts of Tomb Raider were shot here, the temple got a PR lift and has become one of the site's top tourist draws. But many of the package tours are still ushered in and out without spotting the enigmatic dinosaur carving. Several different theories have been advanced to explain its Makara statues at the Candi Kalasan temples in Indonesia presence. Some maintain that the ancient Khmers  A bronze (?) Makara face  could have unearthed a fossil and figured out what kind of creature it belonged to. One theory has it that the image actually shows a cow or rhino with a palm tree in the background - the palm's fronds being easily mistaken for the fin-like blades running down a lizard back. Or maybe the carving is evidence that dinosaurs really did live on until much later than previously thought. Perhaps here in the humid, ancient jungles of Southeast Asia , where the climate has remained largely unchanged since the dinosaurs' days, giant reptiles lived on well into the human era - long enough to persist in the Khmer folk-memory. If only these walls could talk, we might have a clue. Contents [ show ] Etymology Makara' is a Sanskrit word which means "sea dragon" or "water-monster" and in Tibetan language it is called Makara at Nanpaya Temple, Bagan, Burma the "chu-srin", and also denotes a hybrid creature. It is the origin of the word for crocodile 'mugger' (मगर) in Hindi. The English word 'mugger' evolved meaning one who sneaks up and attacks another. The name is applied to the Mugger crocodile, the most common crocodile in India, and is descriptive of its aggressive feeding behavior. Meanwhile, Josef Friedrich Kohl of Wurzburg University and several German scientists claimed that makara is based on dugong instead, based on his reading of Jain text of Sūryaprajñapti. Vedic Description During the Vedic times when Indra was the God of heaven, Varuna, the Vedic water god became the God of the seas and rode on makara, which was called “the water monster vehicle”. Makara has been depicted typically as half mammal and half fish. In many temples, the depiction is in the form of half fish or seal with head of an elephant. It is also shown in an anthropomorphic (abstract form) with head and jaws of a crocodile, an elephant trunk with scales of fish and a peacock tail. Lakshmi sitting on a lotus is also a depiction in which she pulls the tongue of the elephant shaped makara is meant to project Lakshmi’s image as the goddess of prosperity, wealth and well being. It represents a chaotic state, which eventually is restored to a state of regular order. Makara is also the emblem of Kamadeva, the vedic god of love and desire. It is also known as ‘Makara-Ketu’ which means “long tailed makara.” It is the tenth sign of the Zodiac, called rasi in Sanskrit, which is equivalent to the zodiacal sign of Capricorn (goat symbol). Recent Sightings On November 15, 2013, an alleged monster creature has surfaced in Vietnam, with many scratching their heads due to the claims of how it was found. According to Japanese new site Karapaia, the monster was dug up in Vietnam rather than found at a beach or near the water. It is clearly a faked photo though. Typically sea monsters and large corpses are often found from an oceanic source, so this claim is what's causing quite the stir online. The find caused widespread speculation as to what it could be, som


Who is the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow?

IRIS - Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, Messenger of the Gods Iris Iris, Athenian red-figure lekythos C5th B.C., Rhode Island School of Design Museum IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods. She was often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera . Iris was a goddess of sea and sky--her father Thaumas "the wondrous" was a marine-god, and her mother Elektra "the amber" a cloud-nymph. For the coastal-dwelling Greeks, the rainbow's arc was most often seen spanning the distance beteween cloud and sea, and so the goddess was believed to replenish the rain-clouds with water from the sea. Iris had no distinctive mythology of her own. In myth she appears only as an errand-running messenger and was usually described as a virgin goddess. Her name contains a double meaning, being connected with both the Greek word iris "the rainbow" and eiris "messenger." Iris is depicted in ancient Greek vase painting as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a herald's rod (kerykeion), and sometimes a water-pitcher (oinochoe) in her hand. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera, sometimes serving nectar from her jug. As cup-bearer of the gods Iris is often indistinguishable from Hebe in art. FAMILY OF IRIS PARENTS [1.1] THAUMAS & ELEKTRA (Hesiod Theogony 265, Apollodorus 1.10, Hyginus Pref, Nonnus Dionysiaca 26.350) [1.2] THAUMAS (Plato Theatetus 155d, Callimachus Hymn 5, Ptolemy Hephaestion 6, Ovid Met. 4.479, Vergil Aeneid 9.2, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.20) [1.3] THAUMAS & OZOMENE (Hyginus Fabulae 14) OFFSPRING [1.1] POTHOS (by Zephryos ) (Alcaeus Frag 257; Eustathius on Homer 555, Nonnus Dionysiaca 47.340) ENCYCLOPEDIA IRIS (Iris), a daughter of Thaumas (whence she is called Thaumantias, Virg. Aen. ix. 5) and Electra, and sister of the Harpies. (Hes. Theog. 266, 780; Apollod. i. 2. § 6; Plat. Theaet. p. 155. d; Plut. de Plac. Philos. iii. 5.) In the Homeric poems she appears as the minister of the Olympian gods, who carries messages from Ida to Olympus, from gods to gods, and from gods to men. (Il. xv. 144, xxiv. 78, 95, ii. 787, xviii. 168, Hymn. in Apoll. Del. 102, &c.) In accordance with these functions of Iris, her name is commonly derived from erô eirô; so that Iris would mean "the speaker or messenger:" but it is not impossible that it may be connected with eirô, "I join," whence eirênê ; so that Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, would be the joiner or conciliator, or the messenger of heaven, who restores peace in nature. In the Homeric poems, it is true, Iris does not appear as the goddess of the rainbow, but the rainbow itself is called iris (Il xi. 27, xvii. 547): and this brilliant phenomenon in tile skies, which vanishes as quickly as it appears, was regarded as the swift minister of the gods. Her genealogy too supports the opinion that Iris was originally the personification of the rainbow. In the earlier poets, and even in Theocritus (xvii. 134) and Virgil (Aen. v. 610) Iris appears as a virgin goddess; but according to later writers, she was married to Zephyrus, and became by him the mother of Eros. (Eustath. ad Hom. pp. 391, 555; Plut. Amat. 20.) With regard to her functions, which we have above briefly described, we may further observe, that the Odyssey never mentions Iris, but only Hermes as the messenger of the gods: in the Iliad, on the other hand, she appears most frequently, and on the most different occasions. She is principally engaged in the service of Zeus, but also in that of Hera, and even serves Achilles in calling the winds to his assistance. (Il. xxiii. 199.) She further performs her services not only when commanded, but she sometimes advises and assists of her own accord (iii. 122, xv. 201. xviii. 197. xxiv. 74, &c.). In later poets she appears on the whole in the same capacity as in the Iliad, but she occurs gradually more and more exclusively in the service of Hera, both in the later Greek and Latin poets. (Callim. Hymn. in Del. 232; Virg. Aen. v. 606; Apollon. Rhod. ii. 288, 432; Ov. Met. xiv. 830, &c.) Some poets describe Iris actually as t


Meaning of the Word “Islam” Islam & Peace Bassam Darwich Muslim propagandists are nowadays making extraordinary efforts to change the image of Islam by reintroducing it to the Western society as a religion that calls for peace and rejects violence. One of the new theories that they are trying to sell is that the name of their religion Islam implies the meaning of ‘Peace’, which in Arabic is Salam. The grounds for their theory is that both words are derived from the same root in the Arabic language! While it may be possible to deceive those who do not speak Arabic or those who do not know much about Islam, propaganda like this does not fool someone who knows the Arabic language and the teaching of Islam, a religion that was established by violence and still believes in violence as a principal and as a way of life. The relationships between Muslims themselves and between them and all other nations have always been based on terror and still is. Islam and Salam are two incongruous words that share no common ground either in name or in substance. In order to find the meaning of a certain word in the Arabic dictionary, it is essential to search for the three letter infinitive verb which is called the root. Many words can be derived from the same root, but they don't necessarily have to have any similarity in their meaning. The word Islam, which means ‘submission’, is derived from the infinitive Salama. So is the word Salam which means ‘peace’ and so is the verb Salima which means ‘to be saved or to escape from danger’. One of the derivations of the infinitive Salama means ‘the stinging of a snake’ or ‘The tanning of the leather’. Hence, if the word Islam has something to do with the word Salam i.e. ‘Peace’, does that also mean that it must be related to the ‘stinging of the snake’ or ‘tanning the leather’? Muhammad used to send letters to the kings and leaders of the surrounding countries and tribes, inviting them to surrender to his authority and to believe in him as the messenger of Allah. He always ended his letters with the following two words: "Aslim, Taslam!". Although these two words are derived from the same infinitive Salama which is the root of Salam, i.e. ‘Peace’, neither one of them implies the meaning of ‘peace’. The sentence means ‘surrender and you will be safe’, or in other words, ‘surrender or face death’. So where is the meaning of ‘Peace’ in such a religion that threatens to kill other people if they don't submit to it? On the other hand, the Qur'an and other Islamic books like Al-Hadith and Al-Sira, i.e. the life of Muhammad, are full of evidence which proves that had it not been for violence, Islam wouldn't have existed or wouldn't have survived until today. A good example to mention would be The Wars Of Al-Riddah, i.e. ‘the wars against the apostates’, that began immediately after the death of Muhammad. Feeling relieved by the disappearance of the strong fearful leader Muhammad, the tribes which have been forced to embrace Islam, revolted and began, one after another, to renegade and to refuse paying the taxes imposed on them by the Prophet's government. In response to the revolution, the first Caliph, Abu-Bakr, ordered his army to fight the apostates. It took him almost two years of fighting to force the tribes back into the fold of Islam. These wars were not ordered only by the first Caliph, but they were also instructed by Allah and his messenger Muhammad. The Qur'an states clearly that those who go back from Islam are to be punished by death: "But if they turn renegades seize them and slay them wherever ye find them and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks. Al-Nisaa 4:89." Muhammad also said, as narrated by Al-Bukhari, "If somebody - a Muslim - discards his religion, kill him." The Qur'an not only ordered the killing of those who embraced Islam and afterwards decided to renegade, but also commanded the followers to fight all nations until they either believe in it, pay the Jizya or face death: "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which ha


The Chinese New Year has just occurred, what is it the year of?

Chinese New Year - Holidays - HISTORY.com Chinese New Year A+E Networks Introduction The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it’s been called since the 20th century, remains the most important social and economic holiday in China. Originally tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, the holiday was a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family together for feasting. With the popular adoption in China of the Western calendar in 1912, the Chinese joined in celebrating January 1 as New Year’s Day. China, however, continues to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year, although in a shorter version with a new name–the Spring Festival. Significantly, younger generations of Chinese now observe the holiday in a very different manner from their ancestors. For some young people, the holiday has evolved from an opportunity to renew family ties to a chance for relaxation from work. Google The Ancient Chinese Calendar The ancient Chinese calendar, on which the Chinese New Year is based, functioned as a religious, dynastic and social guide. Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records indicate that it existed at least as early as 14th century B.C., when the Shang Dynasty was in power. The calendar’s structure wasn’t static: It was reset according to which emperor held power and varied in use according to region. Did You Know? San Francisco, California, claims its Chinese New Year parade is the biggest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. The city has hosted a Chinese New Year celebration since the Gold Rush era of the 1860s, a period of large-scale Chinese immigration to the region. The Chinese calendar was a complex timepiece. Its parameters were set according to the lunar phases as well as the solar solstices and equinoxes. Yin and yang, the opposing but complementary principles that make up a harmonious world, also ruled the calendar, as did the Chinese zodiac, the cycle of twelve stations or “signs” along the apparent path of the sun through the cosmos. Each new year was marked by the characteristics of one of the 12 zodiacal animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Traditional Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year period began in the middle of the 12th month and ended around the middle of the first month with the waxing of the full moon. Observance of the New Year period was traditionally divided into New Year’s Eve and the first days of the new year. Traditionally for the Chinese, New Year was the most important festival on the calendar. The entire attention of the household was fixed on the celebration. During this time, business life came nearly to a stop. Home and family were the principal focuses. In preparation for the holiday, homes were thoroughly cleaned to rid them of “huiqi,” or inauspicious breaths, which might have collected during the old year. Cleaning was also meant to appease the gods who would be coming down from heaven to make inspections. Ritual sacrifices of food and paper icons were offered to gods and ancestors. People posted scrolls printed with lucky messages on household gates and set off firecrackers to frighten evil spirits. Elders gave out money to children. In fact, many of the rites carried out during this period were meant to bring good luck to the household and long life to the family–particularly to the parents. Most important was the feasting. On New Year’s Eve, the extended family would join around the table for a meal that included as the last course a fish that was symbolic of abundance and therefore not meant to be eaten. In the first five days of the New Year, people ate long noodles to symbolize long life. On the 15th and final day of the New Year, round dumplings shaped like the full moon were shared as a sign of the family unit and of perfection. Evolution of Spring Festival The Western-style Gregorian calendar arrived in China along with Jesuit missionaries in 1582. It began to be used by the general population by 1912, and New Year’s Day was officially reco


Who was the first Mayor of Casterbridge in the Thomas Hardy novel?

Thomas Hardy Biography Thomas Hardy Biography    Bookmark this page    Manage My Reading List Early Years Thomas Hardy was born June 2, 1840, in the village of Upper Bockhampton, about three miles from the town of Dorchester in Southwestern England. The impressions of his early youth — the people, the events, the surrounding countryside — became part of the subject matter of his "Wessex" novels and stories. The town of Casterbridge itself, for example, is modeled after Dorchester. Hardy's father was a builder and stone mason and was by no means wealthy. His mother loved reading, and under her care young Thomas was given an ample introduction to the classics, folk songs, ballads, and local stories and legends. Music was also a common feature of the Hardy household. Thomas's father taught him to play the violin, for he himself was violinist in the church choir and often played at parties, weddings, and festivals. Music was a great love throughout Thomas Hardy's life and often figures in his writing. At least three important scenes in The Mayor of Casterbridge involve music. Education and Apprenticeship Hardy did not study at a university. His formal education consisted of a year in a village school at Lower Bockhampton and additional private schooling in Dorchester during which he learned French and German. When he was sixteen, his father apprenticed him to a Dorchester architect, John Hicks, where he was taught architectural drawing for the restoration of churches and old houses. Indeed, this association taught him much of local family histories and folklore. When the day's work was completed, Thomas usually undertook advanced Latin studies and the task of teaching himself Greek. In 1862 Hardy went to London as a draftsman and worked in the office of A. W. Blomfield, an architect. During this time he won a number of prizes for essays, and he began to steep himself in architectural and art studies, classic literature, contemporary poetry, and fiction. In 1867 he returned to Dorchester to a better position as a church-restorer with his former master, and began to write more steadily. Years as a Novelist (1867-1895) From this time on, Hardy wrote poetry and novels, though he dedicated himself chiefly to the novel form until 1895. At first Hardy published anonymously, but as interest grew in his work, he began to write under his own name. His novels were published for the most part in serial form in well-known magazines both in England and America. His major novels are: Under the Greenwood Tree (1872), Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), The Woodlanders (1887), Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). His works were highly acclaimed (the success of Far from the Madding Crowd enabled him to give up architecture and to marry), but he also encountered literary hostility. Jude the Obscure received such harsh criticism that Hardy gave up the writing of novels entirely. Years as a Poet (1895-1928) Hardy retired to his house in Dorchester and there turned to poetry almost exclusively. Before his death he completed over 800 poems and a long epic drama, The Dynasts (1908). His first marriage was not a happy one, but in 1914, two years after the death of his first wife, he married a second time. The remaining supremely happy years of his life were spent in matrimonial devotion and reticent tranquility. The last two decades of Hardy's life were increasingly full of honors. With the death of George Meredith in 1909, he became undisputed holder of the title of greatest living man of letters, and in 1910 he was awarded the Order of Merit. His house, Max Gate, became a literary shrine, and there he received many visitors from all over the English-speaking world. He continued to publish poetry well into the 1920s, even though he was then over eighty. He died at the age of 87 on January 11, 1928.


Bi is the chemical symbol for which element?

Chemical Elements.com - Bismuth (Bi) Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Bismuth. <http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/bi.html>. For more information about citing online sources, please visit the MLA's Website . This page was created by Yinon Bentor. Use of this web site is restricted by this site's license  agreement . Copyright © 1996-2012 Yinon Bentor. All Rights Reserved.


Who played John Christie in 1960’s film 10, Rillington Place?

10 Rillington Place (1971) - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Based on the real-life case of the British serial killer John Christie, and what happened to his neighbours Tim and Beryl Evans. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 21 titles created 08 Sep 2011 a list of 35 titles created 03 Oct 2011 a list of 31 titles created 24 Jun 2013 a list of 47 titles created 29 Oct 2015 a list of 23 titles created 10 months ago Title: 10 Rillington Place (1971) 7.6/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for     1     BAFTA Film Award. See more awards  » Photos Rillington Place (TV Mini-Series 2016) Crime A three-part drama about serial killer John Christie and the murders at 10 Rillington Place in the 1940s and early 1950s. Stars: Jodie Comer, Tim Roth, Nico Mirallegro A series of brutal murders in Boston sparks a seemingly endless and increasingly complex manhunt. Director: Richard Fleischer A young blind woman is pursued by a maniac while staying with family in their country manor. Director: Richard Fleischer An idealistic rookie cop joins the LAPD to make ends meet while finishing law school, and is indoctrinated by a seasoned veteran. As time goes on, he loses his ambitions and family as police work becomes his entire life. Director: Richard Fleischer Edit Storyline London, 1949. John Christie is an unassuming, middle-aged man who, along with his wife Ethel, lives in the ground-floor flat at 10 Rillington Place. His demeanor masks the fact of being a serial killer. His modus operandi is to act as a person with a medical background, lure unsuspecting women to his apartment on the pretense of curing them of some ailment, knock them unconscious with carbon monoxide gas, gain his sexual release through contact with the unconscious body, then strangle the victim dead before disposing of the body somewhere in the house or outside area. His next intended target is Beryl Evans, a young woman who has just moved into the top flat in the house. Beryl's husband, Tim Evans, is an illiterate man who likes to put on airs. Already with an infant daughter named Geraldine, the Evanses learn they are going to have another baby, which they cannot afford to have, nor can they afford to abort the pregnancy. This problem, on top of the constant issue of lack of money ... Written by Huggo The true story of John Christie - the serial killer. See more  » Genres: 29 January 1971 (UK) See more  » Also Known As: 10 Rillington place See more  » Filming Locations: Did You Know? Trivia The movie's closing epilogue states: "Christie confessed his crimes and was hanged at Pentonville Prison. Twelve years later Timothy John Evans was pardoned, his body exhumed and reburied in consecrated ground". See more » Goofs The caption '1949' appears on the screen as the Evans family come to view the top floor of 10 Rillington Place, but in fact they moved in in 1948. See more » Quotes Timothy John Evans : How do you actually do it? John Reginald Christie : That's something only doctors and myself know about, it has to be secret you understand. See more » Crazy Credits Prologue to opening credits: "This is a true story Whenever possible the dialogue has been based on official documents" See more » Connections Referenced in Nekromantik  (1987) See more » Frequently Asked Questions (derby, kansas usa) – See all my reviews This British thriller is one of the best films I have ever seen. It tells the story of John Christie, the serial killer whose "career" lasted from the middle 1940's until the early 1950's. The name is taken from the scene of the murders; 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London. Chillingly portrayed by the great actor Richard Attenborough , Christie was a little mouse of a man who first lured


In the film The Dirty Dozen, which actor played Samson Posey?

Clint Walker - IMDb IMDb Actor | Soundtrack Clint Walker was born Norman Eugene Walker in Hartford, southwestern Illinois, to Gladys Huldah (Schwanda), a Czech immigrant, and Paul Arnold Walker, who was from Arkansas. Walker almost single-handedly started the western craze on TV in the 1950s as Cheyenne Bodie in Cheyenne (1955). Growing up in the Depression era meant taking work wherever ... See full bio » Born:


In the sitcom Terry and June, what was the title characters surname?

..: Terry and June :.. Terry and June By the time the sticom Terry and June was written there has already been six series of Happy Ever After, essentially the same show, but with a different writer, and a messy end off screen if not on, where there were legal wranglings.  This came about because the show was popular, and the BBC, never one to relinquish something the audience want, differed in their views with John Chapman who had written HEA and who thought it had come to the end of its natural life.  A change of surname, location, and some minor tinkering with the set-up and cast, and Terry and June was born, but to all intents and purposes, it was the same show. Long before Happy Ever After, Terry Scott and June Whitfield had worked together (on Scott On...), but it was through the 6 series of HEA and 9 of Terry and June that they became associated as a husband and wife team, even though they weren't.  In the first episode of Terry and June we meet the Medfords as they move into their new home in Purley, South East London. Here we are reacquainted with Terry, who seemingly in control, definitely isn't and whose childish stubborness generally leads to the mishaps and complications of suburban life that make up each episode of the show, and June, who doesn't seem to be phased by any of the outlandish situations she finds herself and takes them, and Terry, in her stride. This sitcom is very easy to watch, and regularly received audiences in excess of 10 million, but suffered, like so many of the other comfortable and cosy comedies of the 80s, from the rise of alternative comedy, and a new critical voice that went hand in glove with the movement.  The show finally came to a close in 1987 after 9 series, but now 2|entertain have begun releasing it on DVD. The first three volumes, each containing all 6 episodes from the series is now available priced just �15.99.  Series 4 is also now available for pre-order on Amazon using the links to the right. :: Series 1


Car Reviews: Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI - The AA Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI January 2007 Altea XL is a stylish car from any angle Ratings Crossover will appeal to a range of buyers Scores high on practicality Decent fun to drive despite family status Good quality feel inside and out Gripes Diesel engines can be noisy Altea, Altea XL and Toledo similarity may confuse A-pillars reduce forward visibility Ride may be too firm for some Seat is making a name for itself by offering alternative family cars, which are just as easy to drive and own as conventional hatchbacks, but offer something extra in terms of appearance and practicality. Its Altea range already packs impressive space into a relatively small shape, and the introduction of the XL version creates yet greater load space inside. Seat has come a long way in recent years, benefiting from the improved technology and refinement that has appeared in all VW Group cars. Whereas the older cars in the Seat range fit easily into conventional templates, more recent introductions such as the Altea and Toledo blur the boundaries between MPVs, estates and hatchbacks. This has also been achieved through quite radical styling. Most Seat cars look like little else on the road, and the Altea XL is no exception. The strong nose treatment, trademark swage line along the flanks and a truncated tail give it a very strong and dynamic appearance, contrary to the softer shapes that are normally seen in both the hatchback and MPV segments. This dynamism is repeated inside, with a low set driving position, deep windscreen and high-mounted, steeply angled dashboard. These features combine to create a great feeling of space within the cabin, while also conveying a strong sense of security thanks to the high waistline. The key differences between the standard Altea and the XL are from the B-pillar backwards. The overall length is increased by 18.7cm, which allows an extra 2cm of movement for the sliding rear seat. Boot space is also increased, from 409 litres to 532 litres with the rear seats upright. This can be increased by sliding or folding the rear seats. Our verdict on the Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI Given the amount of choice in this sector, the Altea XL is refreshingly different. The gains in accommodation over the standard model are worthwhile and fail to spoil the car's good looks. With versatility, value and driving fun amongst its qualities, the Altea XL deserves to be considered alongside more established competitors in the market segment. Costs With a good price tag to start with, the Altea XL should offer respectable running costs. Insurance groups are reasonable and fuel economy is good for both petrol and diesel engines. Space and practicality The successful side of the Altea XL's shape is in terms of space, with loads of room for passengers while providing yet more boot space. With the sliding seats allowing greater flexibility, the Altea should satisfy the most demanding of customers. Extra length is neatly incorporated Controls and display The stylish instruments are clear and set deep in the dash, while the unusual design puts all the controls close to the driver. The optional sat-nav system is mounted unusually to the driver's right-hand side, which does prevent the passenger from operating it. Comfort Supportive seats offer good comfort levels in the Altea, though elsewhere the emphasis seems to be slightly biased towards sportiness rather than comfort. Although not excessively loud or firm, the noise levels and the ride quality are respectively greater and firmer than some of its rivals. Car security Fitted as standard are remote central locking with deadlocks, immobiliser and alarm, with Stylance models getting locking wheel nuts for the alloy wheels. Car safety Twin front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard, as are anti-lock brakes. Twin rear Isofix mounting points are also included, with a deactivation switch for the front passenger airbag. Driver appeal Keener drivers will enjoy the fact that the Altea offers some fun behind the wheel, with reasonably sharp steering and


The Citigo is manufactured by which car maker?

Skoda Citigo review | Autocar Skoda Citigo review Prices and specs Close The Skoda Citigo is the Czech car maker’s rebadged and subtly restyled version of the Volkswagen Up and Seat Mii city car. It shares its engines, gearboxes, underpinnings and chassis components with its more premium VW-badged sibling and rival, so, setting aside the badge differences, how do you distinguish a Citigo from an Up?  There are some minor styling tweaks – notably to the front-end treatment, the shape of the front headlamps and the rear side-window. The Citigo’s finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame is a scaled-down version of that seen on the MissionL concept car, and shows the stylistic way forward for the Czech marque’s ever-expanding range. Editor, Autocar The Citigo, along with its siblings, is a good city car and surprisingly easy to live with Engine-wise, there are effectively two petrol offerings, one with 59bhp and the other with 74bhp. Both produce 70lb ft of torque from the naturally aspirated, all-alloy, 12-valve unit and come with a five-speed manual gearbox, although an automated sequential gearbox is available. Greentech versions are also offered, which deliver marginal improvements in efficiency thanks to lowered suspension, low rolling-resistance tyres and other minor upgrades. Safety equipment includes a head-thorax side airbag – a first in any Skoda , let alone the smallest one – and the City Safe Drive (CSD) brake assist system. At speeds up to 19mph, CSD uses a laser sensor to automatically slow the car if it senses there is a danger of a collision. As for the other standard equipment found on this small city car. The entry-level S models come with steel wheels, two speakers, electronic stability control, CD player, and manually operated windows and mirrors. Upgrade to the SE and you'll find air conditioning, electric front windows and remote central locking, while the sportier-looking Monte Carlo comes with 15in alloys, lowered suspension, a portable infotainment system - including sat nav, Bluetooth and a trip computer, and a four speaker audio system. The range-topping SE-L models get 14in alloy wheels, heated front seats, electrically adjustable mirrors, and leather trim on the gearbox gaiter, handbrake and steering wheel. The Citigo is willing and peppy to drive, well engineered and ticks all of the car-about-town boxes. In 74bhp form, the three-pot, 999cc engine is quite refined and, as well as its urban prowess, feels capable of handling motorway cruises without any fuss. The light-but-precise electro-hydraulic power steering reinforces the sensation that this is a fairly agile car that's easy to guide in and out of traffic. The Citigo's low- and medium-speed ride, however, isn't as outstanding as that of the related Volkswagen Up . Lower-end versions on 14in steel wheels cross uneven town surfaces with noticably less comfort and finesse than the most refined cars in the class. In the less-powerful 59bhp Skoda Citigo, the powerplant sounds harsher and doesn’t cruise along with the same willingness as the 74bhp version. Still, both cars offer decent fuel economy, with the 59bhp car returning a claimed 62.8mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 105g/km of CO2, while the 74bhp version offers 60.1mpg and 108g/km. In terms of layout, the cabin is sensibly thought-out, with all the controls in logical positions and easy-to-use switchgear. Taking centre-stage on the dashboard is a removable 5.0in multimedia device that can be used for navigation, as a hands-free phone or on-board computer, and is integrated into the car’s audio system. Some hard plastics on the dashboard, however, provide a reminder that this is a low-cost machine. Despite that, the cabin is a pleasant place to be, with more width than you’d consider possible when you survey the Skoda Citigo’s svelte dimensions from the outside. There’s enough rear legroom for adults of medium height to sit line astern, but a pair of six-footers might struggle for space, particularly on longer trips. Boot space is 251 litres – good by small car standards and en


Who currently coaches England’s women team?

Women's World Cup 2015: England squad guide as they open their campaign against France   | Daily Mail Online comments England kick-off their Women's World Cup campaign against France on Tuesday evening, with Mark Sampson's team setting their sights on the latter stages of the tournament. It's appropriate that Moncton, a city in the east of Canada, is hosting the game seeing as most of its residents are bilingual in English and French. With England ranked sixth in the FIFA world rankings and France third, this will be a stern test of their World Cup aspirations. The England team line-up ahead of their World Cup warm-up match with Canada late last month England coach Mark Sampson and captain Steph Houghton talk to the media ahead of their opening fixture The England team get to know the Moncton Stadium, where their opening match with France takes place ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP GAMES  Olympic Stadium, Montreal, 9pm Live on BBC Three and British Eurosport 2 'It's going to be a tough game, isn't it?' said Sampson in the build-up, conscious that a 3-0 loss to France at Euro 2013 cost his predecessor Hope Powell her job. 'We're playing many people's tournament favourites, we're playing against some huge individual talents. 'Now, more than they've ever had, France have got a real collective ethic as well. It's going to be a huge challenge for us, but we'll do what we always do: we'll focus on ourselves, and make sure we pick a team that can deal with France and give them as many problems as possible. 'We'll make it as difficult an afternoon as we possibly can for France, and I think we've got a group of people who can do that.' This is undoubtedly England's biggest challenge in Group F, with Mexico, ranked 25th in the world, to come on June 13, followed by Colombia, ranked 28th, on June 17. Ahead of England's opening game, which will be screened live on BBC Two at 6pm, we introduce the England lionesses.    Age: 30 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2005 Total caps: 44 England’s No 1 was born and raised in California to English parents. After studying graphic design at California State University, Bardsley played football in the States and then briefly for Linkopings in Sweden.  Joined the Women’s Super League (WSL) team Lincoln Ladies (now Notts County) in 2013 and Manchester City a year later. Replaced Rachel Brown as first choice in 2011 and has 44 caps in total.  Played four matches for the Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics in London. Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley makes a save during England's World Cup warm-up with host nation Canada SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN Age: 31 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2004 Total caps: 33 England’s second-choice goalkeeper has been in and around the Three Lionesses set-up for over a decade and has 33 caps.  Has also played for a number of English clubs, including Chelsea, Fulham, Birmingham, Bristol Academy and current team Arsenal.  She certainly has plenty of tournament experience, having been selected for three World Cups and two European Championships. Arsenal stopper Siobhan Chamberlain makes a save during the England vs China friendly match this year CARLY TELFORD Age: 27 Club: Notts County First England cap: 2007 Total caps: 6 Hailing from the north-east, Telford became a goalkeeper after turning up to a trial in a Sunderland keepers’ jersey. Despite being an outfield player, the coach assumed she was a keeper and put her in goal.  Started out with Sunderland before joining Leeds Carnegie, Chelsea and Australian side Perth Glory. Is now at Notts County. Carly Telford (left) trains alongside Karen Bardsley ahead of the friendly game with Canada    Age: 27 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2007 Total caps: 54 Goals: 7 Manchester City’s Houghton will captain England at the tournament. She has played a number of positions in her career, from striker through midfield to the more familiar defensive role. Indeed, when representing Great Britain at London 2012, she scored three goals in four games despite playing at the back.  Started at Sunderland in her native north-east before moving to


Brazil are hosting the next World Cup but who is their coach?

World Cup 2014: The inside story of what went wrong for Brazil against Germany - and identity of their new coach - Telegraph Brazil World Cup 2014: The inside story of what went wrong for Brazil against Germany - and identity of their new coach Tite, the former coach of Sao Paulo club Corinthians, is already being lined  up as Luiz Felipe's Scolari's replacement Distraught: The fall-out from Brazil's 7-1 humiliation by Germany is only just beginning Photo: GETTY IMAGES Luiz Felipe Scolari's future as Brazil coach has been called further into question as more detail has emerged as to how he appeared to shockingly lose the plot ahead of the disastrous World Cup semi-final against Germany . Henry Winter's World Cup final Hangout Scolari is expected to be sacked after Saturday's Third and Fourth Place Play-Off in Brasilia against Holland - with genuine fears that Brazilians fans might actually boycott the match or those who do attend may turn it into a disenchanted protest against the Selacao and the tournament as a whole. The former coach of Sao Paulo club Corinthians, Tite, is already being lined up as Scolari's replacement, although there have been suggestions that Felipao might try to cling on to his job until the end of the year. Related Articles Scolari is an arrogant jerk, says Neymar agent 10 Jul 2014 However, the backlash against him has become increasingly angry with Scolari having apparently changed his team selection and tactics at 11am on Wednesday - just six hours before kick-off in Belo Horizonte - much to the astonishment of the players. Brazil had trained with three powerful midfielders in Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho and Paulinho to try and combat the strength of the formidable German midfield of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos. But then Scolari shocked his players by changing his line-up - bringing in the diminutive winger Bernard and leaving out Paulinho and attempting to attack the Germans. It is understood Brazil did not even try this formation in training and Bernard's inclusion, plus the persistence with the out-of-form striker Fred, left some players bewildered. The Brazil players in a heated debate after defeat to Germany. AP There were further changes that unbalanced the team with Scolari having to include central defender Dante as a replacement for suspended captain Thiago Silva, even though the Bayern Munich player has barely featured for club and country in the last three months. This also meant that David Luiz, who probably also should not have been chosen as captain, had to switch across to the left-hand side of the centre of defence, where he is far less comfortable. He struggled. But it was the complete failure to try and match up to the German midfield which was most puzzling, especially with Bernard's inclusion. The 21-year-old is undoubtedly talented and Scolari may have felt that playing him at home - he is from Belo - might inspire him, Brazil and the supporters but it played into Germany's hands. The tactics were suicidal, particularly given they had not been practised, with most commentators assuming Scolari would include the more combative Willian. Scolari has cut a broken, distraught figure in recent days with the criticism of Neymar's agent Wagner Ribeiro that the 65-year-old coach was "an old jerk, arrogant, repulsive, conceited and ridiculous". Neymar later distanced himself from his agent's comments but stopped short of endorsing Scolari to carry on. There are also real concerns that Saturday's game in Brasilia against the Dutch could take place before a half-empty stadium and with the Brazilian team being barracked. If that does happen it would seal Scolari's fate. It seems very unlikely he will be allowed to carry on in any case with a real appetite for change after the World Cup. Tite, aged 53, is the favourite to take over having led Corinthians to the Copa Libertadores and Fifa Club World Cup (when they beat Chelsea) double in 2012. He has been out of work since leaving Corinthians last December and is understood to be keen to take over and will also inst