Fifth Generation

I have this book on British Kings and Queens. It is the best one I have ever seen because it doesn’t just list the kings after William the Conqueror. It also lists the Kings and Queens of all of Britain and Ireland including those of pre-history and of the Dark Age.

There are many definitions of what exactly the “dark ages” were but my definition is after about 500 AD until Charlemagne.  For some reason the records go”dark”. There are many explanations for this. This craziest is that there was never a Dark Age. Anything before 1600 was made up! Then there is the theory that a volcano erupted causing the world to literally go dark. Lastly, the best explanation is that after the fall of the Western Empire, Europe went into a sort of Balkanization much like what happened after the Soviet Empire fell. There was constant war and as a result, famine and later plague.

Britain was not immune to this. It was quickly broken up into several kingdoms some weaker than others. The Saxons and Angles and Danes took full advantage of the weakness of the British Isles.

The British were not entirely weak, for about 100 years they were able to unite and fight off the Germans. This is the time that many historians believe was the time of Arthur. The time after the fall of the Roman Empire to about 600 AD is turned into myth, though a lot of the myths are based on facts.

The book I have tells the stories of these mythological kings as well as those that we have found evidence for historically. The myths,  however, make genealogy difficult, especially since genealogy must be based on some record.  Basing your genealogy on a bard’s song is very tricky however interesting it might be.

Unfortunately, even the songs and poems of times past are only about royalty. Most of us are not royal. Perhaps though, you can trace your ancestors to that area of the mythological king. However, in England, what if you are Norman or Saxon?People moved around a lot and lived like nomads at this time trying to find a safe place to live.

Well, it is still a lot of fun to read Dark Age genealogy of the kings of a long time ago. Including those on the continent. We can get some clues on the people who lived at that time.  The people of that Dark age can teach us today how to avoid passing away into darkness and myth.

People determine history, history does not determine people.

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The Black Plague of 1348-49 was sparked a catastrophic change in Europe and Asia. Some say that it was the catalyst that brought about Rennaissance and Reformation. Many have made theories about the Black Plague and how it affected society. Modern historians looking at the plague with modern eyes conclude that the amount of death of suffering brought by the plague made people doubt religion and the church. However, by looking at will, probate records, and tombstones of the time, John Aberth, who wrote From the Brink of the Apocalypse proves this post-modern theory incorrect.

Wills can give a great insight into what was in the mind of the people of the time. Usually the will began with a religious hope depending on their particular beliefs. Then they will probably state how they wish to be buried. These desires of their souls are usually stated in the first paragraph.  This is a will from 1676 for example: And first being sorrie for my sins from my heart most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same I give and commit my soul unto Almighty God, my Savior, and Redeemer. . .through the merits of Jesus Christ deatha nd passion posess and inheirit the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the Elect Chosen and my body to be buried in such a place where it shall please my executors. . .” (Will of Alexander Magruder)  or here from 1816, “Knowing the mortality of my body that it is appointed for all men once to die. . . I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to be buryed in a decent and Christianlike amnner. . “(Will of Moses Linster) From this we can receive clues on their beliefs. Alexander Magruder obviously was part of a Calvinist religion, since he was Scottish, he was Presbyterian. He stated belief in the “Elect Chosen” a common term used by Calvinists and Presbyterians. I also happen to know he is a Presbyterian. Moses Linster was a religious Christian who I believe was a Baptist. There is a theory he married into a Quaker family that converted to the Baptist faith. He wished to be buried in a “Christian-like manner.” Sometimes we can see desires of the parents for their children, “Son Isaac Tatum’s legacy to remain in the hands of my executors, until Isaac Tatum can be a man of sobriety and prudence.” (Will of Nanthaniel Tatum) He wished his children would be sober and prudent. Other ancestors would leave money or land to go towards a church. (Isham Tatum for example)

Tombstones also give us clues. There is usually a cross somewhere on Christian tombs.  The above Nathaniel Tatum’s tomb bears the quote, “Rock of Ages Cleft for Me Let me Hide Myself in Thee.” Nathaniel was the son of a Methodist minister and sometimes he would preach for his father. A favorite hymn was put on his tombstone. Contrast this with the tomb of William Burgess (1686)  “In His Lifetime a Member of His Lordship’s Deputy Governors.” I am sure William Burgess was religious (He was a Quaker at some point, but etched on his tombstone is a reminder that he once served in a high position of government.

I listed examples that exist in my own family of how wills and tombstones can help enter the mind of the people who lived at that time. The  writer John Abnerth uses these to give us a glimspe of how people responded to the Black Plague. He also listed other sources like chronicles and church records.  “Local priests weer by far the most requested the most requested group to participate in the deceased’s funeral and . . . were left the most money outside offamily in order to say masses to speed the deceased’s soul through purgatory. ” (p 171)He states that Parish churches received a lot of money for their upkeep because that was the most popular place to be buried. “Ninety- five percent of lay testators and 85 % of clerical ones between 1370-1532 left money to a parish church.” (p 172) The people died and were buried in the same manner that they were before the Black Plague. People weren’t suddenly questioning and breaking away from the Catholic church. There were small groups under John Wycliffe, but they never gained much popularity. Church records show that marriages, funerals, and christenings went on like before, except there were less people do to the high numbers dead. Tombs for the wealthy emphasized the difference of the spirit and the temporal body as evident by the two tiered transi tombs. The Black Plague changed society, but the faith of the people had not changed . . .yet.

Unless we invent the time machine, we will never be able to know exactly what people thought. Wills and tombs can give us at least a clue of the faith of the people at least towards the end of their lives.

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I used to teach English to children from the Ukraine. The Ukrainian children I taught usually came from the rural areas and were very poor. Some of their parents were largely uneducated and came to the USA and lived on welfare. One of the interesting things about my students were the prejudices they held. Sure, everyone has some kind of prejudice, but let’s just say that my students were more outspoken about it.

We were talking about wars and conflicts. You learn a lot about using language to disagee or agree and learn a lot of useful vocbulary, especially in understanding the news and terms in your history courses. The main topic was the American “Civil” War. Somehow, we ended up talking about Chechnya. The students really didn’t have a lot to say about the American Civil War, but they had a lot to say about Chechnya and the Chechnyans.

They called them dirty Muslims and that called them evil. There were about ten 13-14 year olds in my class and they all told me stories that their parents told them about the “dirty Muslims”. They told me they were animals like monkeys and not like “us”. They described the Muslims as savage and wild and told how they loved to kill children and rape women. They said that is was a matter of pride for the Muslims that after they killed children, they would put their fingers in a necklace around their necks.

It is interesting that the Christian Bosnian students I had used similar descriptions of the Muslims in Bosnia, except their stories had a inkling of truth. One of my students’ farms was destroyed by a Muslim. He told me that after the president died the Muslims rose up to make their own country and took over farms owned by Christians. His family had to flee to Germany. Another family also had their farm taken over by Muslims. They shot at them and so they had to hide. The grandfather didn’t make it in time and got killed right in front of them. They also fled to Germany and later came to the United States. That was the truth, but the stories about the Muslims loving to kill children and eat them is a horror story.

I was reminded of these descriptions about “savage” Muslims wearing the body parts of the dead around their necks while reading from Greek sources descriptions about the Scyths. The Scyths were considered the lowest of Barbarians in the Ancient World. They were described as savage cannibals who after killing someone in battle, they would skin the face of their dead and hang around the neck of their horse. It made me wonder about how much of the Scyths’ description was true. These people controlled a large part of Central Asia and the Steppes. If the stories were true, then maybe that is why the later Slavs who later controlled and intermarried with the people in the area described their enemies as having the bones of children they killed around their necks like Baba Yaga.

As Pagans who committed human sacrifice lived in the woods, maybe that is how the story of Hansel and Gretel got started. There were evil savage witches who ate children for dinner. Maybe this started as, there were once people with an old priestess like a witch who would kill people to a god in the groves. Or, be careful as you wander around the Steppes, there are still “savage” Scyths who might kill you, eat you, and use your bones as jewelry. Soon, any enemy was described as being one who kills children and eats them. They became monsters from the worst stories.

The Germans were described this way at one time. In a scene from Alexander Nevsky, the invading Teuton knights throw children into a fire.

Now the Chechnyans are described this way. Of course, the Beslan massacre did not help their reputation. . .

It is true that Americans are depicted this way too. I have seen movies where Americans are like monsters. I laugh at it of course, but it is true that people actually think American soldiers kill Muslim children for their body parts. . .

American soldiers are modern day Scyths for the masses of the Middle East. Americans do it too!
The cycle never ends, even with modern day “progress.”

Makes you think that maybe the Scyths weren’t as horrible as they were described.

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I promise that the reason why I love studying about Barbarians and Mongol hordes has nothing to do with them being sexy. I promise! The fact that they are sexy is only secondary. Besides, they probably smelled bad and I don’t like men that are too hairy. What do you think?

Here is the sexy King Alaric of the Goths. I can’t find the glam rocker looking Alaric from the History Channel. He “sacked” Rome.

If only Atila the Hun really looked this good! This is Gerard Butler, who is famous from the movie 300, playing Atila the Hun back in 2001. The move was great if not historically accurate.

This is Geiseric of the Vandals. Not too sexy, but oh well! Hollywood and the video games do a much better job depicting savage warriors. They can even make Genghis Khan look sexy, except for that John Wayne movie.

Remember this? John Wayne was the least sexy Barbarian.

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I found my favorite History Channel documentary, The Barbarians, on You Tube. The entire documentary on the Goths is offered on You Tube guilt free! The History Channel has an account on You Tube. Now I no longer have to wait for Barbarian Week!!

You can also get the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Franks online. I won’t tell you where though! I am afraid that if I tell you they will disappear!

I think that this is one of the best pre-World War II documentary that the History Channel has done. (the Black Plague one is my favorite!) I love the costuming, though the acting is poor. The “sack of Rome” scene is particularly cheesy. There are about 10 “Barbarians” who look like my Dad and my brothers dressed up in Gothic costume filming a pillaging scene in my backyard. There is one Roman looking statue, that they probably bought at Home Depot, that is knocked over to represent the destruction of Rome. Then they break pottery and “stab” a civilian, even though you can tell that the sword went to the side of the man under his arm. I think they should have used more of their budget on the pillage of Rome.

The costuming was amazing. The man who plays King Alaric is the coolest King I have ever seen. I love his armor and his crown. Geiseric is not what I pictured however. Of course, the Romans always look good. You can tell that a historian was behind the costuming and casting. I wish those historians would help out Hollywood movies who never quite get it right. The History Channel’s Anne Boleyn and Leonardo da Vinci were the best I have ever seen. Of course, they didn’t have to act.

The History Channel needs more documentaries like the Barbarians. They are for history nerds like myself who are never satisfied with historical movies. (Britain does a much better job than the USA does though) Gangland, Modern Marvels, and The Universe are getting annoying. I want to see ancient battle scenes! (I will admit that the Modern Marvel episode on cheese was quite interesting. The one on toilets or the one on hamburgers. . . .ummm. . . no. . .) I HATE Wild West week! I love 300 (thought the documentary was better than the movie) and when they do Mysteries of the Bible.

Now I know that when I need my History Channel fix, and they are doing nothing but showing the history of toilets or of alien sightings for 24 hours, I can find the good documentaries online!

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