Currying is the art of dressing cow-hides, calves'-skins, seal-skins, etc, principally for shoes, saddlery, or harness, after they have come from the tanner. In dressing leather for shoes the leather is first soaked in water until it is thoroughly wet; then the flesh side is shaved to a proper surface with a knife of peculiar construction, rectangular in form with two handles and a double edge, The leather is then thrown into the water again, scoured upon a stone until the white substance called bloom is forced out, then rubbed with a greasy substance and hung up to dry. When thoroughly dry it is grained with a toothed instrument on the flesh side and bruised on the grain or hair side for the purpose of softening the leather. A further process of paring and graining makes it ready for waxing or colouring, in which oil and, traditionally, lamp-black, are used on the flesh side. It is then sized, dried, and tallowed. In the process the leather is made smooth, lustrous, supple, and water-proof. Research Currying
Ket's Rebellion was a revolt in July 1549 instigated by William Ket, a tanner, of Wymondham, Norfolk. He demanded the abolition of enclosures and the dismissal of evil counsellors. The insurgents amounted to 20,000 men, but were quickly defeated by the earl of Warwick. More than 2000 were killed, and Ket and some others were tried and hanged. Research Ket's Rebellion
Cleon was an Athenian demagogue. Originally a tanner by trade. He was well known in public before the death of Pericles, and in 427 BC distinguished himself by the proposal to put to death the adult males of the revolted Mytileneans and sell the women and children as slaves. In 425 he took Sphacteria from the Spartans; but in 423 and 422 he was violently attacked by Aristophanes in the Knights and in the Wasps. He was sent, however, in 422 against Brasidas, but allowed himself to be taken unawares, and was killed while attempting to escape. Research Cleon
Felix Faure was the sixth President of the third French Republic. He was born in 1841 at Paris and died in 1899. The son of a furniture maker, he made his fortune as a tanner and merchant at Le Havre before being elected to the chamber of deputies in August 1881. Research Felix Faure
John Benbow was an Englishsailor. He was born in 1653 at Shrewsbury and died in 1702. The son of a tanner, he is said to have run away to sea, when apprentice to a butcher. In 1678 he became master's mate on board a man-of-war, and so distinguished himself that he was promoted to be master on board another, both vessels being actively engaged against the Barbary pirates. He appears to have again served on board merchant vessels in 1681 to 1686, and he is said to have shown the utmost skill and gallantry in beating off a pirate vessel when in command of a ship of his own in the Levanttrade.
He re-entered the navy in 1689, received rapid promotion, and was engaged in various affairs of importance. He took part in the unfortunate action off Beachy Head and in the glorious battle of La Hogue. He was for some time employed in protecting the English trade in the Channel, which he did with great effect, and in making attacks on St Malo and other places on the French coast; and in 1695 he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral.
In 1701 he sailed to the West Indies with a small fleet, and in August of the following year he fell in with the French fleet under Du Casse, and attempted to close with it and bring on a general action, but was not well supported by some of his captains. While in chase of the French a chain-shot carried away one of his legs. At this critical instant, being most disgracefully abandoned by several of the captains under his command, who urged him to give up the pursuit, the French fleet effected its escape. John Benbow, on his return to Jamaica, brought the delinquents to a court-martial, by which two of them were condemned to be shot; and they were shot, some time after John Benbow himself had died of his wounds. He seems to have been a brave and able seaman, but rough and overbearing to those under him. Research John Benbow
William Lawies Jackson (Lord Allerton) was an English politician. He was born in 1840 at Otley, Yorkshire and died in 1917. A tanner by trade, he built up a large and profitable leather business before becoming a Conservative politician, winning Leeds in 1880. In 1892, when the Conservative party lost control of the government he was made the first Baron of Allerton (Lord Allerton). In 1895 he became the first Conservative mayor of Leeds.
William Jackson was an American soldier. He was born in 1759 and died in 1828. A major, he entered a South Carolinaregiment in 1775. He fought at Stono, Savannah and Charleston. He was secretary to the convention which framed the Federal Constitution in 1787, his notes of which were preserved. Research William Jackson
William The Conqueror (WilliamI) was a King of England. He was born in 1027 in Falaise and died in 1087. He was the son of Robert the Devil, Duke of Normandy and of Arlette, the daughter of a tanner of Falaise. He succeeded his father as duke in 1035 but was not thoroughly established in power until 1047. He was offered succession of the English crown by his cousin, Edward the Confessor in 1051, and in 1064 Harold of Wessex also recognised the Norman duke's pretensions to the English crown. However, when Edward the Confessor died Harold II refused to be bound by a promise which he said was extorted from him, and seized the throne. In consequence William invaded England and defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. His victory at Hastings and his subsequent coronation in WestminsterAbbey on Christmas Day in 1066 did not give him complete control of England. Remaining resistance was, however, severely crushed and castles built to control the country (including a fortress at Windsor, and the White Tower at the Tower of London).
The lands of defeated Saxon nobles were given to William's followers in return for military service by a certain number of knights, so that the tenants' foremost obligation was allegiance to the King. This firmly established the feudal system. In 1086, William commissioned the Domesday Book, to record land holdings for the assessment of taxes and other dues. William spent long periods in Normandy to maintain his authority there, dealing with rebellions and French invasions. William died in 1087 in Normandy, leaving his duchy to his eldest son, Robert, and England to his next surviving son, William Rufus. Research William The Conqueror
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Currying
