Latest news with #HundredYears'War
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
On Bastille Day
Q: What was the original purpose of the Bastille fortress before it became a state prison? A: It was built as a fortress to defend the eastern entrance of Paris during the Hundred Years' War. Q: Which American founding father was present in Paris during the early years of the French Revolution and observed the events surrounding Bastille Day? A: Thomas Jefferson Q: How many prisoners were held in the Bastille at the time it was stormed on July 14, 1789? A: Seven Q: Who was the commander of the Bastille on the day it was stormed and was later killed by the mob? A: Bernard-René de Launay Q: Which radical newspaper editor and revolutionary figure was assassinated in his bath the day after Bastille Day's first anniversary? A: Jean-Paul Marat
Irish Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Shaw's wit hits a high note at the opera
A UNIQUE day of opera and drama awaits fans of playwright George Bernard Shaw in west London. This weekend sees Pegasus Opera Company and Hagemann Rosenthal Associates present special film screenings of two operatic adaptations of Shaw's one-act plays — The Six of Calais and Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction . The event on July 13, is presented in partnership with the George Bernard Shaw Society UK and features a full day of screenings, talks and panel discussions. Both operas were composed by Philip Hagemann, with librettos adapted by the composer himself. Two plays by George Bernard Shaw featurre in the event The Pegasus Opera Company's past productions will be shown on screen, showcasing not only Shaw's razor-sharp dialogue but also the company's commitment to musical excellence and diversity. The first opera, The Six of Calais , was inspired by the 14th-century Siege of Calais during the Hundred Years' War, and by Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture The Burghers of Calais . Shaw wrote the play in 1934, turning the story of self-sacrifice and royal mercy into a characteristically witty commentary on power and humanity. In Hagemann's hands, the tale becomes a stirring operatic piece. The second screening, Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction , is a comic melodrama involving murder, desire and dark hilarity. Shaw originally subtitled it 'A Disregardful Comedy,' and the opera version lives up to that tone with gleeful abandon. The production features a standout cast including Pegasus Opera's artistic director and soprano Alison Buchanan. Born in Dublin in 1856, George Bernard Shaw remains one of Ireland's greatest literary figures, with more than 60 plays to his name, including Man and Superman , Saint Joan , and Pygmalion . His influence on theatre, politics and public discourse extended across decades, and in 1925 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The event will include a full programme of activity. A scene from Pegasus Opera's The Six of Calais Highlights include a talk from Murray Rosenthal, producer and co-founder of Hagemann Rosenthal Associates, on how the operas came to life; reflections on setting Shaw to music from singer Bernadine Pritchett; and a presentation from Pegasus Opera's Sonia Hymans and Alison Buchanan on the company's history and mission. After the screenings, a special panel discussion will be held on Shaw's classic Arms and the Man , with contributions from director John Goodrum of Rumpus Theatre Company and Maureen Clark Darby, chair of the Shaw Society. The discussion also marks two major anniversaries: 100 years since Shaw received the Nobel Prize, and 75 since his death. Founded in Brixton, Pegasus Opera Company champions artists of African and Asian heritage, and promotes opera in underserved communities. For over 30 years it has embodied the motto 'Harmony in Diversity'. The George Bernard Shaw Society, meanwhile, has been celebrating Shaw's life and work since 1941, offering events, talks, publications and performances dedicated to his legacy. The event takes place at the Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black's Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9DT on Sunday, July 13 from 2pm. Tickets are free although a donation of £10 is suggested. Anyone who hopes to attend must register here. Further info: and
7NEWS
03-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Bodiam Castle stabbing: UK medieval re-enactment ends in horror as man stabbed in face
A medieval re-enactment has ended in real-world horror after a staged sword fight turned tragically authentic in front of stunned spectators — including children — at a historic English castle. A 37-year-old man from Horsham remains in critical condition after being stabbed in the face during a mock battle at Bodiam Castle in East Sussex on Sunday. Sussex Police said the sword pierced the man's visor during the fight, which was part of a living-history demonstration. Clad in full body armour, the man was rushed to the hospital with a severe head injury. His opponent, a 36-year-old also from Horsham, is assisting police with their investigation. 'We are treating the incident as an accident, and we are offering support to his family,' Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said. 'His opponent, a 36-year-old man also from Horsham, and the organisers are helping us with our inquiries.' The display had drawn a large crowd to the 14th-century moated castle, which regularly hosts medieval displays and educational events. But what began as pageantry quickly turned into panic. 'It had been a really thrilling fight reenactment, and then suddenly it went catastrophically wrong,' one witness told the Daily Mail. 'It was clear the man was very seriously injured, and people were very shocked. Some kids were in tears. It was quite upsetting for everyone who was there.' Built by a former knight during the Hundred Years' War and now operated by the National Trust, Bodiam Castle is a popular family destination. The Sunday event was meant to bring history to life — instead, it left attendees shaken. Police have asked anyone at the event who may have taken photos or videos to come forward. 'We know that the re-enactment had drawn a large crowd and understand that anyone who witnessed the scene could have found this distressing,' Mr Chandler said. 'We are appealing to anyone who has photographs or videos of the interaction that led to the injury to contact us so we can gain a clear understanding of what happened.'
New York Post
01-07-2025
- New York Post
Medieval knight re-enactment goes ‘catastrophically' wrong in front of terrified crowd
What a knightmare. A medieval knight re-enactor was stabbed in the face during a mock battle outside a historic English castle – a freak 'accident' that left several children in attendance horrified. The 37-year-old Horsham man, clad in full body armor, suffered a severe head injury when his opponent's sword pierced his visor during a living-history demonstration at Bodiam Castle in East Sussex on Sunday afternoon, according to Sussex Police. 4 The 37-year-old Horsham man was clad in fully body armor when a sword pierced his visor. Bodian Castle NT/Facebook The unidentified armored combatant was rushed to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition, police said. 'We are treating the incident as an accident and we are offering support to his family,' Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said in a statement. 4 The historical event attracted dozens of spectators, including children, who were left shaken. Bodian Castle NT/Facebook 'His opponent, a 36-year-old man also from Horsham, and the organizers are helping us with our inquiries.' The historical event drew a large crowd of excited spectators – including children – who were left shaken when the staged sword fight suddenly came to a disturbing end. 4 The injured knight is in critical condition after suffering a head injury. Bodian Castle NT/Facebook 'It had been a really thrilling fight reenactment, and then suddenly it went catastrophically wrong,' a witness said, the reported. 'It was clear the man was very seriously injured, and people were very shocked. Some kids were in tears. It was quite upsetting for everyone who was there.' 4 An aerial view of Bodiam Castle in Sussex shows it surrounded by water. Corbis via Getty Images The 14th-century moated castle, run by the National Trust and built by a former knight during the Hundred Years' War, is a popular landmark known for its medieval displays and educational programs. Officials are asking anyone in attendance at the event to share footage of the traumatic incident. 'We know that the re-enactment had drawn a large crowd and understand that anyone who witnessed the scene could have found this distressing,' Chandler said. 'We are appealing to anyone who has photographs or videos of the interaction that led to the injury to contact us so we can gain a clear understanding of what happened.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
30-05-2025
- General
- First Post
History Today: Why French heroine Joan of Arc was burned at the stake
On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc, the young peasant girl who helped lead France to victory, was burned at the stake after being convicted of heresy. Her bravery and leadership were key in shifting the course of the Hundred Years' War in France's favour and preventing the English from taking full control. Also on this day in 1826, the first Hindi newspaper, 'Udant Martand', was launched in India. May 30 is now celebrated annually as Hindi Journalism Day read more On May 30, 1431, Joan was burned at the stake for heresy in Rouen. Image: Hermitage Museum On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who helped lead France to victory, was burned at the stake after being found guilty of heresy. Years later, in 1920, the Roman Catholic Church declared Joan of Arc a saint, honouring her as one of France's most respected figures. Also on this day in 1826, the first Hindi newspaper, 'Udant Martand', was published. It became a voice for people who spoke Hindi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today , is your one-stop destination to explore key events. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who rose to become a national symbol of France, believed she was carrying out God's will when she led French forces to a key victory at Orleans during the Hundred Years' War. Her leadership helped stop the English from taking full control of France. On May 30, 1431, Joan was burned at the stake for heresy in Rouen, which was under English rule at the time. "Joan of Arc" by John Everett Millais (1865). — Academia Aesthetics (@AcademiaAesthe1) November 19, 2022 The conflict between England and France took a major turn in 1415 when King Henry V of England invaded France and defeated the forces of King Charles VI in several major battles. By the time Henry died in August 1422, the English, along with their French-Burgundian allies, controlled Aquitaine and most of northern France, including Paris. Reims, where French kings were traditionally crowned, remained under Anglo-Burgundian control. Meanwhile, the French heir to the throne, known as the Dauphin, had not yet been crowned. Joan's home village of Domremy lay close to the border between lands held by the Dauphin and those under Anglo-Burgundian rule. In February 1429, dressed in men's clothing and travelling with six soldiers, Joan made her way to Chinon to meet the Dauphin. He was hiding among his courtiers, but Joan recognised him at once and told him she had been sent by God. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Dauphin gave her command of a small army, and on April 27, 1429, she began the march to Orleans, which had been under English siege since October the previous year. Joan led from the front in several attacks. On May 7, she was wounded by an arrow but returned to the battle after treating the injury herself. The French broke the siege, and on May 8, the English withdrew from Orleans. In May 1430, the Burgundians surrounded Compiegne. Joan entered the town secretly to help defend it. On May 23, while leading an attack, she was captured by the Burgundians. They later handed her over to the English. Joan of Arc was a peasant girl who rose to become a national symbol of France. Image: Hermitage Museum In March 1431, she was put on trial in Rouen by church officials on charges of heresy. She was found guilty of relapsing into heresy and on May 29 was passed to the secular court. The next day, at just nineteen years old, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen's Place du Vieux-Marche. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Before the fire was lit, she asked a priest to hold up a crucifix so she could see it and to say prayers loudly enough for her to hear them through the flames. Joan's courage and leadership played a major part in turning the Hundred Years' War in France's favour. In 1920, the Roman Catholic Church declared her a saint. Her feast day is May 30. Later that same year, on June 24, the French parliament announced a national festival in her honour, to be observed every year on the second Sunday of May. First Hindi newspaper was launched On May 30, 1826, the first Hindi newspaper, 'Udant Martand', was launched. This was an important step in Indian journalism and gave Hindi speakers a platform to access news in their own language. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The paper was published weekly and became a voice for those who spoke Hindi, allowing them to read news and opinions in their mother tongue. It was founded by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla and printed by Manna Thakur. It would take another 28 years before the first Hindi daily, 'Samachar Sudha Varshan', began publication in Calcutta in 1854. The launch of 'Udant Martand' reflected a growing sense of cultural identity and pride in the Hindi language. The newspaper featured local and international news, helping to inform and engage its readers. To mark the beginning of Hindi journalism in India, May 30 is now observed every year as Hindi Journalism Day. This Day, That Year 1987: Goa was officially granted statehood. The day is now marked every year as 'Goa Statehood Day'. 2012: Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's civil war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2015: Beau Biden, son of Joe Biden, died of brain cancer at the age of 46. 2019: Narendra Modi began his second term as Prime Minister of India after a decisive win in the general elections. 2020: Protests over the death of George Floyd and other police killings of Black people spread across the United States. 2024: Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found him guilty of 34 charges related to a hush money scheme during the 2016 election.
