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Have we learned moderation from history?

7/10/2015

6 Comments

 
PictureCromwell statue outside Palace of Westminster
Much of our history—stories passed by word of mouth, or documented facts—features the wealthy and greed. Here's another example from Tudor Britain's powerful generation.

A jewel-encrusted ring discovered by an amateur treasure hunter is expected to sell for £30,000 when it is auctioned at Sotheby's in London this afternoon, along with several pieces of 15th century jewelry. The stunning ring is an early example of a love and marriage ring, with the bond between husband and wife symbolized by two different gems: a point-cut diamond and a rounded ruby.

A shy enthusiast uncovered the 15th Century 'love ring' with a metal detector near Launde Abbey in Leicestershire, a monastery once owned by Henry VIII's advisor Thomas Cromwell.

Impressed by the structure and its location during his survey at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries, the highborn presented the building to himself, writing in his diary: 'Myself for Launde'.

PictureMiniature of Qn. Jane Seymour
Building work on a new house at the site was started in 1540, but Cromwell's swift execution came before he could move in. Instead his son Gregory and his wife Elizabeth Seymour, the sister of Henry VIII’s third wife Jane Seymour, took over the home.

The land where the Abbey stands had been home to a large and wealthy Augustinian Priory since the 12th century. It now serves as a Christian retreat and conference center.

Erik Bijzet, Sotheby's Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art specialist, said: 'The movement of wealthy patrons around a major monastery, the violence with which the rich institution must have been taken for the Crown, and the importance of the subsequent inhabitants are all reasons for a ring of this significance to have been deposited in its vicinity.' Source: Mail Online.

Nowadays, the crown doesn't take anyone's property by force. Instead, the public pay taxes, some of which is used to maintain the monarchy's many buildings.

My hope is for balance and equality in all things, between men and women, between the supremely wealthy and the impoverished population, and between good and evil. I'm wondering if history has taught us anything.


6 Comments
Alana link
7/9/2015 08:20:53 pm

Sadly, Francene, I don't think history has taught us much at all. Too many of us pay no attention to history, which is rich in lessons.

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Toni Nelson link
7/9/2015 08:55:15 pm

History can help us see the mistakes that were made and shouldn't be repeated again. As the other comment mentioned some people don't pay attention to those lessons.

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Nick #thisyearinmusic link
7/9/2015 10:21:01 pm

We should learn from it, but we don't which is a worrying sign.

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Jacqui link
7/9/2015 11:17:57 pm

I adore reading about the Tudor period and find the 'politics' fascinating.

We may not work that way any more but the world is still corrupt and brutal.

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sojourner link
7/10/2015 01:27:08 am

That's a good question. What a fascinating story. I'll never forget looking at the crowned jewels on a visit to London several years ago and thinking, oh my god, all of these things were stolen by force from one of the many colonies. Yes, the monarchy isn't taking things by force any longer, but what is their responsibility now to the people in England and the colonies who have been exploited for centuries. Of course, there's no easy answer, but stories like this always make me think about that.

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Amar Naik link
7/10/2015 04:20:16 pm

i do not think history has taught us anything. for example there is such a huge divide between rich and poor

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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