Myth Of The Wiccans

The Wiccan religion began in the 1950's and was led by a man named Gerard Gardner, a British civil servant who wrote many books on Witch craft after the laws concerning it had been repealed in England. Margaret Murray, archeologist and Egyptologist was the first to try and connect the Wiccan religion to tribal religions. Her two most significant works in this area were “The Witch-Cult in Western Europe” published in 1921 and “The God of the Witches” from 1933. In these texts she argued that the Witchcraft of her day resembled that of a pre-Christian religion that she called the Dianic cult. Since her books had been published, almost all other scholarly investigations on the subject have disproved her theory. Margaret's findings continue to be one of few that promote the idea that Wiccanism has been around longer then the mid 1900's. Though their may be similarities between the modern religion, and past tribal religions the is no concrete connection between any of them. It is a fact that Gerard Gardner founded the religion of modern witch craft, and those who believe otherwise are trying to form connections that simply are not there.

Catherine the Great (lover of beastiality?)

         Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1729 to 1796 was known for many things, including: Being the longest female ruler in Russia, exempting nobles from mandatory military service, introducing the first government-financed higher education center for women, expanding the Russian empire, and instilling many different reforms. After her death, she was remembered for something a bit more trivial: dying while having sex with a horse. This is a definite myth, seeing as she actually died of an illness, safe in her own bed. But at the time that was the circulating rumor about the empress who led Russia through its enlightenment period. So if this myth is false, how on earth did it come to be?

The answer is not surprising as it involves one of the most hated Queens of all time. Mary Antoinette was said to start outrageous myths about anyone she didn't care for; and apparently the myth started in France so Antoinette starting this rumor would not be far fetched. With Catherine's eager sexual appetite, it was no question that there would be rumors started about her sex life, but the that they were wilder then the standards of her time made her subject to rumors on a more heinous scale. In more recent years, another myth about her death surfaced: that she died on the toilet. The story goes that Catherine's dead bloated body was so heavy that it cracked the toilet she was sitting on. The myth stems from the fact that before her actual death, she was said to be found collapsed in a "closet". People have taken the liberty to interpret closet as "water closet", another term for the toilet. Even if this myth has some truth to it, it is not a fact; for Catherine was pronounced dead as she lay in her bed surrounded by family and caretakers. It is common for ruthless rumors to be spread about leaders, especially by their enemies, but in Catherines case, it doesn't seem fair that such a seemingly wonderful ruler has such a humiliating legacy.

Morgan Le Fay

Morgan Le Fay is a mythical character who was first introduced to the world in Geoffrey of Monmouth's text Vita Merlini or The Life of Merlin. Geoffrey portrayed Merlin as a prophit and Le Fay as a Sorceress. Later, she became known as a fairy, priestess, dark magician, enchantress, witch, sea goddess, shape-changer, healer, and the half sister to King Arthur.

From all the different persona's Morgan was given, it is clear to see that her name was used in many made up tales. She was a mysterious womanly figure who posessed powers that were exciting and dangerous to people of the time. Her name would come about in the telling of children, and adult stories alike. Her name eventually descended into an literary metaphor for deviancy, evil and mischeif.

Militia Miconceptions

I came across an interesting article that described the misconceptions people have of martial arts and formal fighting in Western Europe through history. It seems that combat was more articulated then many people now a days seem to think. Here, is a list of common mistakes people make about combat in earlier centuries.  

1. There were no "martial arts" in Western European civilization. 

 This is false, Europe had a very advanced and sophisticated fighting system, begining at the time of ancient Greece and stretching to the 19th century. Techniques that were used were recorded and passed down through the decades. Techniques were altered to suit the needs of the time, but what didnt change was the effectivness of the tactics. 

 2. Medival and Renaissance fencing had no real technique, it was improvised; with tricks and wrestling added in. 

 This is incorrect. In fact, fencing was highly systematic, and incorperated a number of diffeent combat skills and weaponary techniques; strangely even more then fencig during the 18 and 1900's. 

 3. Medieval and Renaissance unarmed fighting methods were less developed and less sophisticated than elsewhere in the world. 

 There were actually a variety of different fighting styles circulatig around Europe since ancient times. Through guides and books that had been passed down through generations, new fighters could learn the tricks of the trade conveniantly. 

4. Knights in full-plate armour were slow and clumsy.

Plate armour was actually well balanced and cleverly designed for ample maneuvering and agility. Although, the armour did restrict breathing, expulsion of body heat, hearing, and sight. 

5. Medival swords were heavy and weighed tons of pounds.

Fighting swords during the middle ages and Renaissance were actually very light, well balanced, and masterfully designed, well made, and well proportioned (swords weighed 1.8 kg on average).

6. Only Knights were permitted to use swords in the Middle Ages.

This is false, the sword is only associated with knights, and knighthood; but not restricted to. Any foot solider or fighting man could use a sword, and he was expected to know how to handle it. There commoners who were sword fighting teachers, tradesmen and salesmen who sold swords. There were many attempts to ban commoners from owning swords; but of course, the attempts were constantly violated and became impossible to control.

7. Medival and Renaissance Europe did not know of curved swords.

This is incorrect, in fact, curved swords were native to Western Europe and were known since the times of Ancient Greece. 

8. Some swords could cut through plate armour.

This is false, there was never record of any sword being able to penetrate the strong plate armour that soldiers buried themselves in. They could however, cut through straps and tear off peices of armour. If the popular "thrusting" method was used, sword-plate contact could create bruises and wounds. 

9. European fighting systems never adressed any spiritual or ethical components. 

This is not true, as one could rarely find any martial arts teachings that didn't address ethical behaviour. Teachings also gave tips on how to avoid fights and when it was appropriate to use violence. This was the start of the idea that officers should also be gentlemen.

10. Historical European Martial Arts were copied from Asian Martial Arts.

They were actually stolen from Amazonian Martian Cyborgs who are in fact the real ancestors of ancient Africans (through Atlantis)