The Cato Street Conspiracy was a plot to murder British ministers in 1820. Arthur Thistlewood, who had already been mixed up with revolutionary projects, conceived a plan for assassinating Lord Castlereagh and his ministerial colleagues at a dinner in Grosvenor Square, London on February 23rd. Arms were collected in a hired rendezvous in the neighbouring Cato Street. The plot was discovered, and Thistlewood and his colleagues (Brunt, Davidson, Harrison, Ings, Monument, Tidd and Wilson) were arrested (Arthur Thistlewood escaped at the time, but was arrested the next day). All eight were sent to the Tower of London and Thistlewood and four others were hanged for high treason on May the 1st 1820. Research Cato Street Conspiracy
A cenotaph is a monument erected in honour of a deceased person, but not containing his body. The Greeks erected cenotaphs, and a number were built in England after the Great War, the most famous is in Whitehall, London which was designed by Sir E Luytens and unveiled by the King on Armistice Day (11th November 1920). Research Cenotaph
An epigram, in a restricted sense, is a short poem or piece in verse, which has only one subject, and finishes by a witty or ingenious turn of thought; in a general sense, an epigram is a pointed or witty and antithetical saying. The term was originally given by the Greeks to a poetical inscription placed upon a tomb or public monument, and was afterwards extended to every little piece of verse expressing with precision a delicate or ingenious thought, as the pieces in the Greek anthology. In Roman classical poetry the term was somewhat indiscriminately used, but the epigrams of Martial contain a great number with the modern epigrammatic character. Research Epigram
An epitaph is a short composition in verse or prose, nominally for the tomb of a deceased person or monument in honour or memory of the dead, and generally setting forth his or her virtues and the survivors' regrets. Epitaphs were in use both among the Greeks and Romans. The Greeks distinguished by epitaphs only their illustrious men. Among the Romans they became a family institution, and private names were regularly recorded upon tombstones. The same practice has generally prevailed in Christian countries. On Christian tombstones epitaphs usually give brief facts of the deceased's life, sometimes also the pious hopes of survivors in reference to the resurrection or other doctrines of the Christian faith, etc. Many so-called epitaphs are mere witty jeux d'esprit, which might be described as epigrams, and which were never intended seriously for monumental inscriptions. The literature of the subject is very large. Research Epitaph
The Great Fire of London occurred in 1666, starting in a baker's house in Pudding Lane and burning for four days. It was attributed to be a Catholic plot intended to destroy the Protestant city of London (an early act of terrorism). The fire destroyed 88 churches, the city gates, the Royal Exchange, the Custom House, the Guildhall, Sion College, other public buildings, 13,200 houses and destroyed 400 streets. 200,000 people were made homeless and camped in Islington and Highgate fields, but only eight people were killed by the fire. A monument to the fire (the Monument of London) was erected designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1671 - 1677. Research Fire Of London
Stonehenge is the principal prehistoric monument in Great Britain. It consists of a group of large stones arranged in a circle on Salisbury Plain.
Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed that the devil bought the stones from an old woman in Ireland, wrapped them up in a wyth, and took them to Salisbury plain where after fixing them in the ground he cried out 'no man will ever find out how these stones came here'. Several hundred years later the mystery of how the stones arrived and were erected, remains a mystery.
In 2008, the results of an archaeological survey were published, suggesting that, based upon evidence of artefacts and near-by burials, that Stonehenge was used as a place of healing from prehistoric times through to the mediaeval period, including by the Romans. Whether or not Stonehenge was used for other purposes as well is not known, but it seems very likely that the stones and location were considered to have the properties of healing the body, and there is evidence that suggests people travelled from as far as Switzerland to be treated at the site. Research Stonehenge More pictures of Stonehenge
The Asp, or Aspic (Naja, or Vipera haje) is a species of viper found in Egypt, resembling the cobra da capello or spectacle-serpent of the East Indies, and having a very venomous bite. When approached or disturbed it elevates its head and body, swells out its neck, and appears to stand erect to attack the aggressor. Hence the ancient Egyptians believed that the asps were guardians of the spots they inhabited, and the figure of this Asp, from ancient reptile was adopted as Egyptian monument. an emblem of the protecting genius of the world. The balancing motions made by it in the endeavour to maintain the erect attitude have led to the employment of the asp as a dancing Serpent by the African jugglers. The deaf adder that stoppeth her ear of Psalm LVIII. 4, 5 is translated asp in the margin, and seems to have been this species. Cleopatra is said to have committed suicide by means of an asp's bite, but the incident is generally associated with the Cerastes or horned viper, not with the haje. The name asp is also given to a viper (Vipera aspis) common on the continent of Europe. Research Asp
The Skye Terrier is a long-coated breed of terrier originating from the Isle of Skye and bred for hunting foxes and badgers. A remarkably loyal breed, a famous story concerning the devotion of one Skye Terrier called Greyfriars Bobby tells how after his master's death the dog visited the grave every day for ten years until his own death. A monument was subsequently erected commemorating the dog's loyalty. Skye Terriers are a hardy breed, but require a lot of exercise and with a long coat, grooming. Research Skye Terrier
John Bell was a Scottish surgeon. He was born in 1763 at Edinburgh 1763 and died in 1820. After completing his professional education he travelled for a short time in Russia and the north of Europe; and on his return to Edinburgh began to deliver extramural lectures on surgery and midwifery. These lectures, which he delivered between the years 1786 and 1796, were very highly esteemed, and speedily brought him into an extensive practice as a consulting and operating surgeon. His principal works are: The Anatomy of the Human Body, Discourses on the Nature and Cure of Wounds, The Principles of Surgery, and Letters on Professional Character, etc.
John Bell was a Scottish surgeon. He was born in 1763 at Edinburgh 1763 and died in 1820. After completing his professional education he travelled for a short time in Russia and the north of Europe; and on his return to Edinburgh began to deliver extramural lectures on surgery and midwifery. These lectures, which he delivered between the years 1786 and 1796, were very highly esteemed, and speedily brought him into an extensive practice as a consulting and operating surgeon. His principal works are: The Anatomy of the Human Body, Discourses on the Nature and Cure of Wounds, The Principles of Surgery, and Letters on Professional Character, etc.
Abbreviations
Research Cato Street Conspiracy
