History Challenge & Journal

[Big Boy]

Looks like an old photo of Pattaya to me.

Indeed, looking south to north from Pratamak hill. I posted it before some months back. Beautiful, wasn't it. How times change. Pete

I remember the photo from the free publication, Pattaya Guide that I used to pick up in Pattaya bars back in the 90s. There used to be a standing article in there talking about the history of Pattaya (with photos).

Of course, it could have been a similar photo - not the same.

[sandman67]

If it is Hastings Abbey then the thing it marks is the spot old Harold died on.

The battle lines were further away on top of the ridge nearby....Brave but terminally impatient and undisciplined battle and march weary Saxons at the top of the ridge, orrible horse mounted garlic gobbling descendents of Viking pirates who got lost on their way to Norfolk in the swampy flat bit at the bottom led by William The Bastard...and he was. Harold supposedly got shot in the eye with an arrow, and so wasnt there to make sure the shield wall held its ground. They chased the retreating frogs down the hill, the cavalry turned on em and carved em to bits. The shield wall collapsed and the Saxons ran, chased down by the frog horsemen as Harold lay dying at the site of the Abbey. Thus the kingdom fell. William, living up to his name, had his knights desecrate the dead kings body, then made sure his burial site remained unmarked, so nobody is sure where he is buried. William spent his reign massacring Saxons, his son spent his hunting them for sport. Until the reign of Edward III, the first truly English king, the official language of England was Norman French. Normans are called Normans because like them its a bastardised version of "Norse"...they are not actually French, as any Norman will tell you.

Its one of only two battlefields where an English king died on the field of battle. The other one is Bosworth where Richard III died.

Then again, Im not that sure it IS Hastings abbey.

Next one.....

The shipwreck is of the SS Samtampa but the funeral cortege photo is that of the brave lifeboatmen of Mumbles Lifeboat Crew who went out into a massively stormy sea depite being told not to go. They all died attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Samtampa. Happened in 1947.

It was on a program called "Coast" about coastal Britain last week on True Explore Channel 2 which shows a lot of BBC history stuff and is well worth watching I recognised the photo of the kids and so looked it up.

[dtaai-maai]

If it is Hastings Abbey

That it is - well, Battle Abbey, of course, in the lovely little town of Battle, East Sussex.

[caller]

I think that correctly, its Battle Abbey, in Battle, Hastings!

[dtaai-maai]

Enthroned Thrice, Abdicated Twice, Deposed Once.
Married five times, widowed three, divorced once.
Imprisoned in three states, named twice, numbered once.
Author, Film Star, Politician and Prince, I left no epitaph...
Who Am I?

Getting nowhere on this, SM - I hate to ask, but how about a clue? I assume he's a 20th C figure, but I've run the gamut of boxers and Richard Burton/Cary Grant types without success.

(Just seen your earlier post, richard. Well spotted - not bad for a Yorkshireman!)

[Big Boy]

Then again, Im not that sure it IS Hastings abbey.

I thought that was an excellent answer for something that you weren't even sure was right - well done

[dtaai-maai]

the spot old Harold died on.

... on his horse, with his hawk in his hand...

Of course, if he hadn't just belted all the way down the M1 from Stamford Bridge (the real one) after kicking some Viking arse, he'd have shown William a thing or two.

Then where would we be now? Speculations on a postcard, please.

[dtaai-maai]

Sandman - Henry VI...?

Nah, never mind.

[richard]

Beverly Fisher.

[sandman67]

Enthroned Thrice, Abdicated Twice, Deposed Once.
Married five times, widowed three, divorced once.
Imprisoned in three states, named twice, numbered once.
Author, Film Star, Politician and Prince, I left no epitaph...
Who Am I?

Indeed he was a 20thC character...very famous as well....starred in a film about his downfall.

His family had reigned for 260 years, but he was the last of his line. Though he is survived by brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces none hold a title. The most famous member of his family is a fictional character.

[caller]

all the way down the M1 from Stamford Bridge (the real one)

Phooey! The other one has a name right of its own, granted not with the claim to fame of the Northern imposter! And if you know that little patch of the Fulham Road, you will be aware its a separate Bridge to the railway line.

"18th century maps show a 'Stanford Creek' running along the route of what is now a railway line at the back of the East Stand as a tributary of the Thames.

The stream had two local bridges: Stanford Bridge on the Fulham Road (also recorded as Little Chelsea Bridge) and Stanbridge on the Kings Road, now known as Stanley Bridge. Stanford Creek, Stanford Bridge and Stanbridge no doubt all contributed in some uncertain way to the eventual name of Stamford Bridge"

In fact, an 1893 Ordnance Survey map clearly shows the existance of 'Stanford Bridge' near the clearly marked 'Stamford Bridge Athletics Ground' and now defunct 'Chelsea Station'! The source of which is the book, 'The Bridge', 1st published in 1987 for 9.95pounds. I have an original copy in pristine condition, for this no longer in print definitive history of this special part of SW London, available from me, for a mere 250 quid!!!

[PeteC]

Enthroned Thrice, Abdicated Twice, Deposed Once.
Married five times, widowed three, divorced once.
Imprisoned in three states, named twice, numbered once.
Author, Film Star, Politician and Prince, I left no epitaph...
Who Am I?

Indeed he was a 20thC character...very famous as well....starred in a film about his downfall.

His family had reigned for 260 years, but he was the last of his line. Though he is survived by brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces none hold a title. The most famous member of his family is a fictional character.

I'm thinking Puyi, Last emperor of China, although, "The most famous member of his family is a fictional character." has me stumped? Pete

[PeteC]

We haven't touched on famous quotes yet, or quotes by the famous. Here's one. I know who said it but not when, in what context, or part of what speech. Pete

"History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days."

[dtaai-maai]

I've not seen it in detail before, but the style gives it away. However, I had to google the context, so I'll say no more.

(Good one on puyi, pete!)

[dtaai-maai]

A simple 'what'? Answer me that!