A maligned count and a monster hurricane

I hope that all in the path of this monster storm will be able to stay safe. For NJ, it will get really bad tonight. I am very concerned, too, about an extended loss of power. When South Jersey lost power after that surprise Derecho that struck us in June, life was miserable for so many, especially families with young children. I bought several battery operated lamps after that ordeal and a car charger for my cell phone. Next on my wish list is a generator, though it is likely too big to fit into a Christmas stocking. As alarming a thought as it is, this is our future worldwide, with storms of savage intensity becoming the norm. Take care, everyone in the line of fire.
I forgot that yesterday was the birthday of one of history’s most maligned figures, Raymond, the Count of Toulouse. Thanks, Rania, for reminding me, though he was born on October 27, 1156, not 1056! Raymond’s reputation was totally trashed by the Church as a means of justifying the Albigensian Crusade which destroyed the way of life in the south of France. I’ve discussed this travesty of justice often this year, so won’t go into it again. But Raymond’s day should not go unnoticed. He was denied a Christian burial in a particularly shameful act of vengeance by the Church, which used his son’s desperate desire to see him buried in consecrated ground as leverage to squeeze more concessions from that unhappy young man. But at least he can be remembered. Raymond, of course, was the second husband of Eleanor and Henry’s daughter Joanna, and so the young Count Raymond was her son. He asked to be buried with her at Fontevrault, but sadly both of their tombs were later lost.
As for today, October 28th, in 1216, John’s nine year old son, Henry, was crowned as King of England.
This is likely to be my last post for a while, but I am sure you all can take up the slack.