Brandenburg Tor

One of Berlin's most prominent features is the Brandenburg Gate; standing for hundreds of years and towering over the square in front of it which houses the city's embassy buildings as well as the most expensive hotels, including the hotel balcony from which Michael Jackson infamously dangled his infant child.

The gate was built in 1791 as one of the city's fourteen gates, its design influenced by the Acropolis in Athens. The statue on top of the gate was created by Gottfried Schadow and is called a Quadriga - chariot drawn by four horses - and is pulling on it Victoria the Roman goddess of victory, however originally it looked a little different to how it does today.

When it was first constructed the woman on the statue was holding an olive branch, the symbol of bringing peace to this land, however then it happened in 1806 that Napoleon defeated Prussia in battle (this area included modern day Germany).  As a trophy to remind himself and his enemies of his victory in battle against this powerful enemy, Napoleon took this statue back to Paris with him.

In 1814 the Prussians won a great victory over Napoleon and his French army, and so took their statue back with them. They made a minor adjustment to it before putting it back on top of the gate though; the olive branch that the statue was holding was removed and in its place was an Iron Cross - a symbol of Germany and of its military - thereby transforming it into the goddess Victoria,  the bringer of victory.

At this time, the square that the gate is located in was simply named 'The Square', but after the French defeat and reclaiming their iconic statue, it was decided that the square would be renamed to 'Pariser Platz' translated to 'Paris Square'. This change in title was not a coincidence; the statue of Victory would forever more stand over Paris Square - 'Victory over Paris'. In other words, it became ingrained in Berlin's architecture that Prussia brought Napoleon down in a crushing defeat. And they say the Germans don't have a sense of humour ;)

Chicago May, Queen of Crooks

The internationally renowned criminal 'Chicago May', famous for thievery, fraud, blackmail,  prostitution and dirty dealings with corrupt policemen, started life in Edenmore, County Longford in Ireland as Mary Ann Duignan.

Mary Ann 'May' was the born on the 26th December 1871, as the eldest child of five of a subsistence farmer Thomas Duignan and his wife Mary Elizabeth Brady, she had red hair and blue eyes. When she was eighteen she was miserable with her life and felt overworked by her family as she had helped raise her three brothers and would now be expected to do the same for the new baby. So she stole the family's life savings ($5000 modern day equivalent) and left her home on the day that her baby sister was born. She used the money to buy new fashionable clothes, jewellery and a one way first class steamer ticket to America.

Upon arrival at Castle Gardens in America from Liverpool, May lied her way into the country as she did not hold a passport. She began working as a dishwasher in New York; however the time she spent in the city was hard and she was penniless, so she took a train to Nebraska to stay with an uncle there. Life in Nebraska was less exciting and appealing to May than life in New York, but she fell in love there. Dal Churchill was a crook and could turn his hand to any crime - as May claimed. Dal taught May his tricks of the trade and they soon began robbing banks together. The couple got married but it was short lived as when May went to Chicago and waited for him, Dal went to rob a train but was lynched by angry locals. May was now in Chicago and broken hearted.

It was 1892 when she moved to Chicago and without her partner in crime May was forced into prostitution to make easy money. May found a friend and new crime partner in Dora Donegnan; while one entertained the customer, the other would rob them of their money and valuables. May preferred to be called a 'badger' rather than a prostitute and took pride in what she did; it was often the case that men drugged the girls and May took her stand against this, not hesitating to punch out a mans teeth or use a hot poker to brand pimps - it was through this that she became known as the toughest prostitute among the Chicago cirminal fraternity and gained herself the nickname of 'Chicago May'. May became involved with the police force in Chicago; they themselves were corrupt and become partners in crime of a sort as they took money made my prostitutes, thieves and those who owned brothels and gambling dens. The infamous Charles Becker of the NYPD became one of her protectors - he would later be executed in Sing Sing prison for murder - as he released her when she was arrested and in return she testified on his behalf when his arrests were questioned.

May returned to New York and determined to make a success of it this time; her tricks were becoming more and more devilish, such as one trick where she would entertain her customer and while doing so, use her teeth to steal the jewels from their tie pin. Over time, competition from fellow prostitutes increased and May needed another way to make a living, so she became a chorus dancer in the musical 'The Belle of New York'. However, when May was caught stealing a wallet from a church minister she was faced with a short prison sentence. An acquaintance, Jim Sharpe, offered to marry her to keep her off the streets. May married James Montgomery Sharpe, an army officer, and the couple moved to Belleview in New Jersey. The couple divorced after only three months as James had an unhealthy obsession with trying to murder his brother so May left her husband and she took with her ten thousand dollars of his money.
After years of evading arrest through bribery and blackmail, May found herself in trouble with the NYPD, and so to avoid capture she fled to London, where she could prey on aristocrats and wealthy businessmen.

In 1900 May traveled to Paris to visit the World Fair. It was in Paris that May met and fell in love with fellow Irish criminal Eddie Guerin, and the two carried off multiple crime sprees. Their love affair was to be short lived though, in 1901 the two became involved in a high profile bank robbery which resulted in Eddie's arrest. The two were partisans of the successful robbery of $300,000 from the American Express Office in Paris on the 27th April, however, during his boat ride to escape to England, Eddie was captured. May made her way back to Paris in the hope that she could get Eddie released by attempting to forge his innocence, however May herself was then arrested. In 1902, the pair were found guilty of the robbery by French courts and May was sent to La Roquette women's prison but was then sentenced to five years of hard labour at Montpellier Prison, while Eddie was sentenced to ten years on Devil's Island. May was released early in 1905 for good behaviour, however it said that she in fact seduced and blackmailed the prison doctor into signing a medical certificate so she could be released on health reasons. She returned to her life of crime in order to raise funds for Eddie's escape plans.

May returned to her home town in Ireland, where her family forgave her for what she had done, however the town at large was not as accommodating. The Catholic community were ashamed of her disgraced sexuality and criminality, and so May soon left again for London. While in a London bar, May ran into Eddie Guerin; he had become bitter from his imprisonment and suspected she had played a part in it, however he still convinced her to partner up with him again. May became paranoid about Eddie and was convinced he was going to harm her, so she took all of her prostitution money and fled to Argentina. Eddie was then arrested again and sent back to France on a prison sentence.

In 1907 Eddie Guerin was released from prison, and set out to kill May in revenge for his imprisonment believing that she had betrayed him. Eddie befriended a man called Charley Smith, real name being Robert Considine who was an American burglar. Eddie ordered Charley to kill May, but when he found her, Charley fell in love with her. Less than 24 hours after his release Eddie was shot in the foot; May and Charley becoming the prime suspects. May was sentenced to 15 years hard labour while Charley was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In 1917 after only ten years of her prison sentence, May was released and deported to America - due to her American citizen status through her marriage. She returned to her trade of prostitution, however she was no longer young and her looks had faded. While in New York she found a new young lover, however this did not end happily as he ran off with her money and was never found again.

In January 1928 May caused public controversy when an engagement was announced between herself and a man half her age by the name of Lucas Netley, he was a well known conman. The engagement turned out to be a publicity stunt and was quickly called off despite Netley publishing several stories about their life together, which were most likely invented.


Towards the end of her life May suffered from multiple physical illnesses and as a result became alcohol dependent, however she continued to work as a prostitute until her death.
In 1928 when she was admitted to hospital in Detroit, August Vollmer convinced May to write her autobiography, titled "Chicago May Her Story: A Human Documentary by the Queen of Crooks".
May died on the 30th May 1929 in Philadelphia. It was the day of her wedding to Charley Smith who she had found again in Philadelphia, however upon her death he left and was never heard from again. No one attended May's funeral and she was buried alone, all that is known is that Charley sent a nun to the funeral to represent him.

Cecily of York

Princess Cecily of York was born on the 20th March 1469, the third child of King Edward IV of England and his wife Elizabeth Woodville. Among her contemporaries, Cecily was said to be the most beautiful of Elizabeth Woodville's daughters.
After two unsuccessful betrothals to Scottish nobles; the future James IV of Scotland in 1474 and to Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany in 1482, Cecily was married at age sixteen to Ralph Scrope of Upsall who was a supporter of her uncle Richard. After Richard was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth and his supporters were disbanded and ousted from royal favour, the marriage between Cecily and Ralph was annulled after less than a year in 1486. They had no children.
Cecily was a prominent figure at court and among the royal family; she carried Prince Arthur at his christening and also Catherine of Aragon's train at her wedding to Prince Arthur in 1502.
In 1487, Cecily was married again to John Welles (born 1450), 1st Viscount Welles, who was the half brother of Margaret Beaufort, the new king's mother with whom she became close friends. The couple had two daughters; Elizabeth in 1492 and Anne in 1494. However, tragedy struck the family and within a year in 1498-9 John Welles and the two daughters all died and Cecily was left alone.
Three years after being widowed Cecily married again to a Thomas Kyme (born 1465), who was a Lincolnshire squire, in 1502. This marriage however was not for political alignment, it was a love match; "rather for comfort than credit"(Fuller's Worthies, vol 2, pg 165). The king was neither aware of or approved of the marriage beforehand; Cecily may have believed that by marrying someone of relatively low political standing and of little ambition to power that the king would be forgiving and accepting of the marriage. However, King Henry VII reacted to the news by banishing the couple from court and confiscating Cecily's estates; Welles' lands which she inherited upon his death.
The king's mother Margaret Beaufort, who had for a time been Cecily's sister in law, was the only person who spoke up for her to the king and fought for her estates to be reinstated. During this time Cecily and her new husband were living on a country estate belonging to Margaret Beaufort.
Eventually, Cecily's lands were restored to her but they would only be for her use during her lifetime; in that her husband and children of the marriage would inherit nothing.
The couple had two children; Richard and Margaret, however they did not enjoy royal titles or favour.
Cecily died in 1507, aged 38 on the Isle of Wight without the luxuries that being of royal blood would have afforded her so that she could marry for love.

Famous landmark is actually drunken outburst

The city of Barcelona is filled with beautiful and unique architecture dating back thousands of years. This particular building however, is considered one of the least attractive in the city centre, and ironically it is the School of Architecture.
It was built in the 1970's and for the front of the building they wanted to place on it some artwork and so held a public competition whereby anyone can enter a design and the best one will be used on the school. The artwork that you see on the building is actually copied from a drawing done by the artist Pablo Picasso. However, Picasso had not drawn this with the intention of entering the competition, nor was it actually him who entered it. In fact, he had no recollection at all of drawing it.
The story goes that one night there was an exhibition of the new artist Joan Miro's work which was being hailed as the next big thing; Picasso did not like Miro's work and said Miro was child like and not a real artist. Picasso was jealous of the attention given to Miro, as even their mutual friends declared Miro to be good, and refused to go to the exhibition and instead spent the evening drinking in a bar and taking drugs. The mutual friends of his and Miro's came to meet him after the show to tell him what they thought, to make Picasso angry they spoke continuously about how great Miro was. Their plan worked and Picasso was furious. He threw all of the objects off his table onto the floor, grabbed a pen and told them 'you want a Miro? I'll give you a Miro!' Picasso then draws onto the tablecloth the image that is now on the buildings face, and he then stumbles out of the bar. The next day Picasso had no memory from the night before, including the picture he had drawn. The friends who had made him angry then kept the tablecloth and submitted it for consideration to be on the new school building, and it was chosen. So the artwork that is now on public display for all to see, which looks like a child could have drawn it is in fact the result of Picasso's drunken rage.

St George as the origin of World Book Day?

When I was in Barcelona recently I was taken on a walking tour of the city and the guide pointed out a wall carving of St George and the dragon, who is a patron saint of the city. I had always assumed that St George was a solely British icon.

The guide then told us the Spanish version of his legend;
In Barcelona there had been a large pack of dragons living there until the people fought against them until there was only one left, this dragon then lived on the outskirt of the city in a cave but over the years he became very mean and bitter and would often attack the city. The king went to talk to the dragon and asked him what was wrong, as the people were letting him live there without being killed. The dragon demanded that once a month a young girl from the city, a virgin, was to be sacrificed to the dragon for him to eat. The king agreed to this deal. However, girls realised that this was to be their fate and so soon lost their virginity to protect themselves from the dragon. The only girl left was the king's daughter as she was to save herself for her wedding night. The king desperately sends a message to the world that a dragon needs to be slayed and that the man will be rewarded. On the 23rd of April the day comes when the princess is to be sent to the dragon, she goes to the cave, however at this point a man on a white horse rides up. The man is George, the world famous dragon slayer who has come to save the princess. George slashes the dragon's throat, spilling his blood over a field, and the blood then turns into a field of roses. George picks a rose and gives it to the princess who falls in love with him and they ride of into the sunset for a happily ever after.
It became the tradition in Barcelona to always give a rose to a loved one on that day of the year, in a similar fashion to Valentine's day.
In time, tradition changed and on that day the couple would exchange gifts in the form of a rose for the woman and a book would be given to the man. The book is given to commemorate the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes who died on the 23rd of April in 1616.
The tradition of giving a book as a gift on a certain day of the year became famous in Spain, and also came to the attention of the rest of the world. In the 1990's the UN regarded this tradition as a good way to get people more interested in books and reading, and so in 1995 the first International Book Day was celebrated on the 23rd of April. The date also coincides with the birthdays, and death days, of writers Shakespeare and Cervantes.

5 sisters, 1 king

Louis XV of France

Louis, Marquis de Nesle et de Mailly, Prince of Orange (1689-1767) and his wife Armande Felice de la Porte Mazarin (1691-1729) had five daughters, four of which all became the consecutive mistresses of King Louis from 1732 to 1745.


Louise Julie

Louise Julie (1710-51) was the eldest of the sisters, she married her cousin Louis Alexandre de Mailly, Comte de Mailly (1694-1743) on 31st May 1726. Not long after her marriage, she was noticed by the king and was permitted by her husband to become his mistress in 1732. It was not until 1738 that she was given the title of 'maitresse en titre', meaning that she was the official royal mistress. She did not use her position at court to become involved in poltics. After the death of her sister Pauline, Louise was devastated and began washing the feet of the poor in penitence. When her sister Marie became the king's mistress, she demanded that Louise be dismissed from court so that she could be recognised as the 'maitresse en titre'. Louis had become weary of Louise's tears and reproaches and so agreed to Marie's demands; Louise's post as dame du palais to the queen was taken from her and she was ordered to leave the royal court. Louise became quite religious and found refuge in a convent.

Pauline Felicite

Pauline Felicite (1712-41) wrote to her sister Louise Julie in 1738 and requested to come to the royal court, upon arrival she began to seduce the king and he fell in love with her. She became a mistress of the king as well as her elder sister. Pauline was described as being taller, louder and wittier than her older sister, more ambitious and had a great desire for money and political influence; however her arrogance meant she was hated by the court and the people.The king gave her many gifts, including the castle Choisy-le-Roi.

Choisy le Roi

To provide Pauline with a fitting status at court the king arranged for her to marry a nobleman who would not interfere in the king and Pauline's relationship; on the 28th September 1739 Pauline married Jean Baptiste Felix Hubert de Ventimille, Marquis de Ventimille, Comte de Luc (b.1720), who soon after the wedding left France. Pauline became pregnant by the king, and gave birth to a son Louis, Duc de Luc in 1741. While giving birth, Pauline suffered convulsions and died. Her body was placed at Lit-de-parade in Versailles, but during the night the guards left the room to drink and a mob broke in and mutilated the body. Her son Louis was said to resemble his father the king and was nicknamed 'Demi Louis', he was raised by his aunt Louise with the king taking care of his needs financially but never paid him much attention.

Marie Anne

Marie Anne (1717-44) was the youngest of the sisters. On the 19th June 1734 Marie married Jean Baptiste Louis, Marquis de La Tournelle (1728-40). After the death of her sister Pauline, the king's best friend the Duc de Richelieu began to look for a new mistress for the king, as he did not want Louise to regain the king's affections; Richelieu decided upon Marie Anne.
At a masked ball on Shrove Tuesday 1742, Richelieu introduced Marie to the king, however at first Marie rejected the king's advances as she already had a lover and didn't want to give him up; the Duc d'Agenois. Jealous, the king sent the Duc d'Agenois to war in Italy against the Austrians, however he returned only wounded. Richelieu was Agenois' uncle, and so to help the king in his suit, had his nephew go to Languedoc, where he had arranged for a woman to seduce him. Agenois fell for the young woman and they exchanged passionate love letters; the young woman sent those she received to Richelieu who brought them to the attention of Marie. As a result, Marie was furious with her lover and so turned her attentions to the king. In return for becoming his mistress she demanded the king remove her elder sister, his official mistress, from court and give her the title and also granted Marie the title of Duchess of Chateauroux. Marie aided the court faction which brought France against Austria in the War of the Austrian Succession, and also persuaded the king to take the field himself in pursuit of military glory, and in June 1744 King Louis allowed Marie to join him with his army in the Austrian Netherlands. In August 1744 Louis fell critically ill while in Metz and under advisement from priests sent Marie away, however she soon returned to him when he recovered.

Diane Adelaide

Diane Adelaide (1713-60) married in January 1742 to Louis de Brancas, Duc de Lauraguais, Duc et pair de Villars (1714-93) and she was his second wife. She lacked intelligence, once saying that "my husband cheated on me, so I'm not even sure to be the mother of my children", therefore she was not seen as much of a rival by her sister Marie who kept her as a companion at court. It was rumoured that Marie often suggested a menage a trois between herself, the king and Diane, as Diane was already the king's mistress too. After the death of Marie, Diane was the king's most prominent mistress, however this ended after only a few months until he became infatuated with his next royal mistress Madame de Pompadour.

Hortense Felicite

Hortense Felicite (1715-99) was the only one of the sisters to not become a mistress of the king. She married in 1739 Francois-Marie de Fouilleuse, Marquis de Flavacourt (1708-63). The couple had two children together; Augustus Frederick (1739-62) and Adelaide (1742-59). It was proposed after her sister Marie's death that Hortense become the king's mistress, however her husband was possessive and jealous and would not allow it; he threatened to kill his wife if she became 'a whore like her sisters'. Hortense became a close, lifelong friend of the queen and of Madame du Barry the king's final royal mistress.    

Humphrey Kynaston, the real Robin Hood

Humphrey Kynaston (1474-1534) was the son of the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Sir Roger Kynaston (1432-95) and his second wife Lady Elizabeth Grey (1440-1501) whom he married in 1465 and had seven other children with; Jana Jane (1466), Lancelot (1469), Margaretta, Johanna, Jana Anne, Maria (1470) and Ermine. Elizabeth Grey was the daughter of Henry Grey and Antigone Plantagenet (the illegitimate daughter of Humphrey, 1st Duke of Gloucester).
Humphrey and his siblings were raised at Myddle Castle, previously belonging to Sir Roger's first wife Elizabeth Cobham with whom he had a son Thomas, and would later be inherited by Humphrey who allowed the castle to fall in disrepair due to his heavy debts.
Humphrey's first wife was Mariona ferch Williamus ap Griffith ap Robin, with whom he had two children; Edward and Isabella. Humphrey's second wife was Isabella ferch Maredudd ap Howell ap Morrice of Oswestry, and together they had six children; Margaretta (1515), Edward (1517), Thomasina, Robert, Roger and Jane.

Humphrey's behaviour was considered reckless, often falling into trouble with the law, and it earned him the nickname 'Wild Humphrey'. He was impulsive and irresponsible and very soon his lands and castle fell into disrepair as he became heavily in debt. He led a dissolute lifestyle, was arrogant and had no respect for reputation or person.

On the 10th May 1486 there was a royal proclamation which demanded Humphrey and Thomas Kynaston to appear before the king and council charged with the murder of a priest; Thomas Kyffin. The proclamation stated that if any person aided them they would also be charged with being partner to the murder and raids. The Kynaston brothers did not adhere to the proclamation to appear before the king's council. Thomas Kyffin was the rector of the parish in which the Kynaston's lived; as rector it was his responsibility to store the grain harvested in barns, it was when these were full that Humphrey raided them, as part of his job to take care of the produce and profits of the local lord.

A Star Chamber document to Cardinal Wolsey outlines the crime committed;

Humphrey and "24 outlaws and other persons came to the castle of Oswestry at midnight and Sir Thomas and others were compelled to yield to Humphrey and when yielded were murdered as was the porter. Humphrey took away £200 in money, plate and apparell and soon after... went to Felton Aber took away corn to the value of £60 of the proper goods of Sir Thomas who had to account yearly to the Lord. Arundel and his auditors one Thomas ap Richard and many others were bound surety unto the Lord and also to the abbot of Shrewsbury for a farm."

An order from the King to the Sheriffs of London to make proclamation within the city and suburbs of London, listed in the Calendar of Close Rolls for 23rd December 1487:

“... the King considering the abomination of murders, robberies and other offenses disobediences to his command, committed by Thomas, Humphrey, Oliver and Richard Keveston, gentlemen of Shropshire, contrary to their allegiance, by advice of parliament on November last, ordered that after writs of parliament issued to the sheriffs of London and Salop (Shropshire), the said parties should appear before his highness within fifteen days … to answer charges against them: and should they fail to appear, then they shall be adjudged as persons outlawed of felony and foreit life, goods and lands as if lawfully outlawed by course of law."

In December 1491, when out riding Humphrey, his brother Thomas and their friend Robert Hopton, a labourer, without provocation killed John Hughes. The attack was cowardly and brutal; Humphrey struck Hughes on the right side of his chest with a lance, which killed him, and then once dead Thomas struck him on the left side of his head with a sword and Hopton on the calf of his leg with a bill. During the trial it was revealed that Robert Thornes also aided and abetted the crime, he was the husband of Jane Kynaston, and he along with Sir Roger Kynaston and 34 others were accused of housing and feeding the three men at Pontesbury after knowing they had committed the crime. It was found unquestionably as murder but shortly after his trial on December 20th 1491 and before he was incarcerated, Kynaston fled the crumbling Myddle Castle, leaving behind his wife, family and enormous debts. He then found refuge in a cave in the west point of Nesscliffe Rock, where we would then live for the rest of his life.
On the 20th December 1491, Humphrey was found guilty of the murder of John Hughes at Stretton, and declared an outlaw by King Henry VII. 

From 1491-8 Kynaston lived the life of an outlaw and highway man, similar to the fictional Robin Hood; he stole from the rich and gave it to the poor. In return for this act of generosity, the locals protected him from the law and provided him and his horse with food. One time the local sheriff attempted to capture him by removing planks of wood from the Montford Bridge to stop Humphrey from crossing the River Severn, however Humphrey used his horse to leap over and clear the river.
Beelzebub would graze in the fields of loyal neighbours surrounding the hideout and would come whenever Kynaston whistled. The local people respected his secrecy and gave him food from time to time, probably in exchange for a share of his spoils.
The cave was a perfect vantage point and from the top of Nesscliffe Hill, Kynaston could see the road below winding between Shrewsbury and Oswestry and could target the merchants in their carts carrying wool, silver or gold or travellers in their coaches.
One day he walked into his favourite pub, The Old Three Pigeons of Nesscliffe, which sits at the foot of the cliff, and took offence when he saw a man sitting in ‘his’ seat inset into the fireplace. Without further ado he drew his pistol and shot the man dead; he escaped by climbing up the chimney, out onto the roof and away. Today, the pub still features Humphrey’s seat carved out of the large fireplace as a sandstone cleft.

From 1507 Humphrey owned 10 High Street, Welshpool, which was passed down to his direct descendants.

Humphrey was pardoned by the crown; either in 1493 by Henry VII, or later in 1513 when Humphrey provided 100 men to aid Henry VIII in his French campaign and received a royal pardon and knighthood three years later.

Humphrey died on the 1st May 1534. The cave in which he lived became known as 'Kynaston's Cave' and included two rooms, one for himself and the other for his horse Beelzebub. The engraving in the cave of 'H.K.1564' was made after Humphrey's death, and probably belonged to his grandson Humfridus (b.1530) instead.