MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 340
December 16, 2013
History Trivia - Englands Henry VI crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris
December 16
882 Marinus I was elected Roman Catholic pope, replacing the murdered John VIII.
955 Ottaviano (age 18), the only son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, who ruled Rome, became Pope John XII when his father ordered his election. John's pontificate lasted nine years.
1431 Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. Though young Henry had been proclaimed king at age ten months, it was not until he was ten years old that he was officially crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral.
1485 Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and first wife of Henry VIII was born.
1631 Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupted, destroying 6 villages & killing 4,000.
1653 Parliamentarian general Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
882 Marinus I was elected Roman Catholic pope, replacing the murdered John VIII.
955 Ottaviano (age 18), the only son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, who ruled Rome, became Pope John XII when his father ordered his election. John's pontificate lasted nine years.
1431 Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. Though young Henry had been proclaimed king at age ten months, it was not until he was ten years old that he was officially crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral.
1485 Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and first wife of Henry VIII was born. 
1631 Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupted, destroying 6 villages & killing 4,000.
1653 Parliamentarian general Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
December 15, 2013
THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK: - The Mystical Mountains of Terra - My Review - Kindle edition FREE today and tomorrow 16 Dec 2013
THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK:The Mystical Mountains of Terrawritten by Ngaire Elder illustrated by Peter Maddocks My review: An enchanting story in the magical world of children. Ms. Elder weaves her magic with this delightful tale of adventure in the second installment of the Cecilia Spark Adventures series. Senorita Favorita needs Cecilia’s help to reverse a spell cast by the evil sorcerer, Magus, upon Orson, changing the boy into a mouse, who was given the name Soldier. Senorita Favorita needs the Scepter of Malvado, which is being guarded by the Keeper in the mystical mountains of Terra. However, time is of the essence, since the quest must be completed before the total eclipse of the sun in two days’ time. Cecilia faces new challenges as the ten-year-old arrives at the Sandscape Coast with Soldier, her guide to the Kingdom of Malvado. They come upon Ractus the Armadillo who once knew Orson. The hearty trio must survive the Mangrove Swamp, defeat Pyrbrok and escape the beast’s lair before reaching the mystical mountains where they encounter the Keeper, hoping to retrieve the scepter. Does Cecilia complete her quest in time? Does Orson become a boy once again? No spoilers here. Children of all ages will enjoy this story, which has all the elements necessary for a wonderful adventure. The author delves into the mindset of a child, sharing with the reader every emotion experienced on such a quest. Excitement, anxiety, perseverance to never give up - this story has it all. I look forward to reading more stories by this author. FREE KINDLE EDITION through December 16, 2013 UK Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Adventures-Cecilia-Spark-Mountains-ebook/dp/B00ATQQEDM
US Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.com/The-Adventures-Cecilia-Spark-Mountains-ebook/dp/B00ATQQEDM
History Trivia - Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals
December 15
37 Nero was born. He was the Roman emperor who is alleged to have fiddled while Rome burned.
533 Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron.
687 Sergius I (Saint Sergius) was elected Roman Catholic pope. He received Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, and baptized him (689) but because the King died in Rome, he was buried in St. Peter's. Sergius also ordered St. Wilfrid to be restored to his see (Bishopric at York), greatly favored St. Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and is credited with endeavoring to secure the Venerable Bede as his adviser. Finally he consecrated the Englishman St. Willibrord bishop, and sent him to preach Christianity to the Frisians.
37 Nero was born. He was the Roman emperor who is alleged to have fiddled while Rome burned.
533 Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron.
687 Sergius I (Saint Sergius) was elected Roman Catholic pope. He received Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, and baptized him (689) but because the King died in Rome, he was buried in St. Peter's. Sergius also ordered St. Wilfrid to be restored to his see (Bishopric at York), greatly favored St. Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and is credited with endeavoring to secure the Venerable Bede as his adviser. Finally he consecrated the Englishman St. Willibrord bishop, and sent him to preach Christianity to the Frisians.
December 14, 2013
History Trivia - Nostradamus is born
December 14
867 Adrian II was elected Roman Catholic pope. Adrian had difficulties with international politics. The eighth ecumenical council and the fourth Council of Constantinople took place during his reign. He died on this date in 872.
872 John VIII was elected Roman Catholic pope on the very day Pope Adrian II died. His pontificate was marked with political intrigue, and he is believed to have been murdered by conspirators involved in a plot of local politics.
1503 Nostradamus was born. Author of a collection of predictions in quatrains published in the book Centuries, Nostradamus gained fame in his lifetime when some of his prophecies appeared to come true.
1542 Princess Mary Stuart became Queen Mary I of Scotland.
867 Adrian II was elected Roman Catholic pope. Adrian had difficulties with international politics. The eighth ecumenical council and the fourth Council of Constantinople took place during his reign. He died on this date in 872.
872 John VIII was elected Roman Catholic pope on the very day Pope Adrian II died. His pontificate was marked with political intrigue, and he is believed to have been murdered by conspirators involved in a plot of local politics.
1503 Nostradamus was born. Author of a collection of predictions in quatrains published in the book Centuries, Nostradamus gained fame in his lifetime when some of his prophecies appeared to come true.
1542 Princess Mary Stuart became Queen Mary I of Scotland.
December 13, 2013
Violence in Sports: Football hooligans jailed after violence in Lincoln UK
Delve into the mindset of the football hooligan in Mark Barry's Ultra Violence and Violent Disorder.Does this incident remind you of the Rotherham story from Violent Disorder? Haven't read it yet? Pick up your copy today.
Amazon US
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Barry/e/B008479RWI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Amazon UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Barry/e/B008479RWI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Football hooligans jailed after violence in Lincoln
http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2013/12/football-hooligans-jailed-violence-lincoln/ Published December 13, 2013 By Elizabeth Fish
Football hooligans who were part of a violent clash before a Lincoln City home game have been sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates Court.
The 11 men were sentenced on December 13 for violent disorder charges at The Ritz Wetherspoons on High Street before a Lincoln v Luton football match in October 2012.
The violence escalated and spilled out onto High Street and Firth Road. Furniture and glasses were thrown around.
In the clash, two women were injured and treated in hospital for minor injuries.
In total, 12 pleaded guilty to violent disorder offences at earlier hearings. All 12 were given 10-year football banning orders.
The 12 men all charged with violence disorder before a football match last October. Photos: Lincolnshire PoliceThe men charged are:Nathan Luke Ashmore (33), of St Catherine’s Grove, Lincoln — three years prisonTomas Samways (20), of Jenson Road, Bracebridge Heath — two years four months young offenders instituteLee Anthony Oliver Swain (26), of Walnut Place, Lincoln — three years prisonDaniel Oliver White (20), of St Johns Road, Bracebridge Heath — two years four months young offenders instituteMarcus Johnathan Greatorex (22), of Geneva Avenue, Lincoln — two years eight months prisonPhillip Neil Adams (36), of Prior Street, Lincoln — three years prisonCallum Busby (19), of De Wint Avenue, Lincoln — two years eight months prisonAshley Evans (22), of Picton Street, Lincoln — three years prisonAndrew John Deans (27), Clipstone Village, Mansfield — three years prisonJake Sinclair (26), of Vernon Street, Lincoln — two years eight months prisonLiam Wiggins (18), of Chester Road, Birkenhead — two years one month young offenders instituteJosh Atter (18), of Matlock Drive, North Hykeham 18 month detention and training orderDI Suzanne Davies said: “This was a protracted police investigation that went to great lengths to track down every single offender involved in the violence on that day. Its success was largely down to the tenacity and professionalism of PC Andy Pearson.
“All of these offenders are thugs who masquerade as football fans. They give decent, law abiding home and visiting fans a bad name and they have rightfully been brought to justice.
“We hope our investigation and the subsequent convictions and sentences send out a very clear message to offenders in Lincoln and those visiting to cause trouble. We will arrest you and put you before the courts.”
13 October 1307,Friday - The day that changed the world
Friday 13th – unlucky to be a Templar 
Two Templars burned at the stake, from a French 15th century manuscript (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Well, the story has it that on this day – Friday 13th – the order went out from the King of France to arrest all Knights Templar including the Grand Master Jacques de Molay. King Philip (the Fair or ‘le Bel’ in French) was heavily in debt to the Templar Order who had been bankers to the French monarchy for two hundred years.By the year 1307, their raison d’etre – the Crusades – had crumbled in the east with the loss of Jerusalem and most of the territories conquered in the eleventh century. So they were a diminished power though still wealthy enough.
In effect what Philip did was to kill his bank managers and free himself of his overdraft. Ah, haven’t we all imagined that scenario? Tortures and forced confessions followed and this is where we get most of the stories of sodomitic practices between knights, spitting and urinating on the crucifix, kissing on the base of the spine, worshipping goats’ heads, etc, etc, etc. The end result was the burning at the stake of the Grand Master about seven years later.
One thing to note is that there doesn’t seem to be much written evidence that this Friday the 13th superstition existed before the 19th century. However, 12 is a number that crops up in many religions and one more suggests an unncessary and possibly malign surfeit. Contrary to what some people think – Judas Iscariot was not a 13th apostle.
http://thetemplarknight.com/tag/friday-13th/
FREE 12th-16th December!!!! For Amazon Kindle - THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK:
Cecilia's Festive Freebie for Children FREE 12th-16th December!!!!for Amazon Kindle.THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK:The Mystical Mountains of Terrawritten by Ngaire Elder illustrated by Peter Maddocks
Today the spotlight is on Cecilia Spark. Cecilia made her first appearance in The Brimstone Forest, book one of the action and adventure series for children, THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK. We follow her on her next adventure to The Mystical Mountains of Terra!
Cecilia and Pyrbrok!
Excerpt from The Adventures of Cecilia Spark: The Mystical Mountains of Terra written by Ngaire Elder:
There wasn’t much conversation between them as Cecilia and Soldier followed Pacha to meet her master. Cecilia marvelled at the variety of animals and birds that lived on and around the mangrove root system; oysters and mussels, monkeys and spoonbills. Pacha paused now and then to snack on a shrimp or crab, catching them nimbly with her paws. “Not far now,” she announced.They had travelled for about two hours, and were deep in the heart of the mangrove. They could see fires flickering a short distance away. Soldier shivered. He glanced at the gemstone, and then looked for Pacha, but she was nowhere to be seen.“Psssssst, Cecilia, something’s not right.”“Shhhhh, Soldier. We’re nearly there.”“But look, look at the gemstone! And Pacha has gone.”She glanced at the citrine gemstone which had now turned a dark shade of grey and then at the compass; the needle was spinning round and round. The mangrove had become deafeningly silent and the hairs on the back of Cecilia’s neck were standing up.“This feels creepy!” exclaimed Cecilia.“I know. Let’s get out of here!”Cecilia was shaking her head and gazing around. She didn’t know which way to go since the compass was still going wild.“I wish I’d listened to you.”“Too late for that!” scoffed Soldier.Pacha reappeared on a branch close to them.“I’m sorry,” she whispered.The screech that followed was ear-splitting. Something moved down towards them; massive wings out-stretched and the ear-splitting noise came with it. The leaves on the trees began to wilt and curl up, then fall to the ground. The tree bark turned black in a flash.Soldier jumped into the backpack to escape the noise. Cecilia covered her ears and crouched down. Gazing up she saw the shadow of a man in front of her. She did not get up; she followed the man’s shadow with her gaze, then let out a frightful scream.It was not a human being but a beast, with the antlered head and legs of a deer, and the wings and body of a bird.
The last thing Cecilia remembered seeing before drifting into the shadows was the gemstone. It was now black.
FREE Download UK Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Adventures-Cecilia-Spark-Mountains-ebook/dp/B00ATQQEDM
FREE Download US Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.com/The-Adventures-Cecilia-Spark-Mountains-ebook/dp/B00ATQQEDM
http://adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.com.es/2013/12/cecilias-festive-freebie-for-children.html
The Phil Naessens Show: The Red Hot Oklahoma City Thunder
http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/the-phil-naessens-show-the-red-hot-oklahoma-city-thunder/
On today’s Phil Naessens Show I’m talking Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs Basketball on today’s show! Segment 1: Welcome to Loud City Managing Editor J.A. Sherman joins Phil to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunders recent four game winning streak. With wins against New Orleans, Indiana, Atlanta and Memphis the Thunder are looking good in the West. Segment 2: Memphis Flyer reporter Kevin Lipe joins Phil to discuss the Memphis Grizzlies and their numerous injuries but find a few bright spots to discuss plus much more. Segment 3: Pounding the Rock Managing Editor J.R. Wilco joins Phil to answer a listeners question about possibly holding the NBA Finals at a neutral site which brought forth a lively discussion. You won’t believe what Phil would like to see happen with the NBA Finals.
On today’s Phil Naessens Show I’m talking Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs Basketball on today’s show! Segment 1: Welcome to Loud City Managing Editor J.A. Sherman joins Phil to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunders recent four game winning streak. With wins against New Orleans, Indiana, Atlanta and Memphis the Thunder are looking good in the West. Segment 2: Memphis Flyer reporter Kevin Lipe joins Phil to discuss the Memphis Grizzlies and their numerous injuries but find a few bright spots to discuss plus much more. Segment 3: Pounding the Rock Managing Editor J.R. Wilco joins Phil to answer a listeners question about possibly holding the NBA Finals at a neutral site which brought forth a lively discussion. You won’t believe what Phil would like to see happen with the NBA Finals.History Trivia - Council of Trent begins
December 13
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm, earl of Flanders, wed Charles II the Bald of France's daughter Judith. He was daring warrior who fell in love with the youthful widow of two English kings, married her and fled with his bride to Lorraine. Charles, though at first angry, was at last conciliated, and made his son-in-law margrave of Flanders, which he held as a hereditary fief. The Norsemen were continually devastating the coastlands at this time, and Baldwin was entrusted with this outlying borderland in order to defend it. He was the first of a line of strong rulers of Flanders, who early in the 10th century exchanged the title of margrave for that of count.
1294 Saint Celestine V resigned the papacy after only five months; Celestine, who founded the Celestine order, was the first pope to abdicate. He had accepted the position only because the papacy had been vacant for years and needed a leader. In his eighties when elected, the work proved too problematic, and he resigned.
1545 Council of Trent began. The council would pass legislation dealing with the doctrinal challenges of the Protestant Reformation.
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm, earl of Flanders, wed Charles II the Bald of France's daughter Judith. He was daring warrior who fell in love with the youthful widow of two English kings, married her and fled with his bride to Lorraine. Charles, though at first angry, was at last conciliated, and made his son-in-law margrave of Flanders, which he held as a hereditary fief. The Norsemen were continually devastating the coastlands at this time, and Baldwin was entrusted with this outlying borderland in order to defend it. He was the first of a line of strong rulers of Flanders, who early in the 10th century exchanged the title of margrave for that of count.
1294 Saint Celestine V resigned the papacy after only five months; Celestine, who founded the Celestine order, was the first pope to abdicate. He had accepted the position only because the papacy had been vacant for years and needed a leader. In his eighties when elected, the work proved too problematic, and he resigned.
1545 Council of Trent began. The council would pass legislation dealing with the doctrinal challenges of the Protestant Reformation.
