Rockingham Castle - Battlements!

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Duddington Bridge - 2025

Northants: Ancient Duddington – Tixover Bridge! (27.7.2025)

As soon as we entered the graveyard – everyone started shouting-out the name “Wyles”! I was astonished as I had become so used to having a name that hardly anyone had heard of. It turns-out that names in the UK – just like anywhere in the world – developed in local areas and spread-out as populations moved about. It turned-out that Duddington has been cut-off from mainstream society for years – with my direct relatives not leaving until around 1905. Even today – the world has passed Duddington by. None of the broader changes of society have touched Duddington at all. The local population today are wealthy and conservative with a “C” and “c”. Although I do not share these views myself – I have to admit that these attitudes have preserved my family history until I became aware of it – and have been able to gather all the data together for anyone interested to benefit freely from it. Today, myself and Gee headed to Duddington around 6aam in the morning to get some early research in. We are staying in the Duddington area to carry-out some much needed genealogical investigations and we are making important headways already!

All Our New Year Cards!

London: Happy Chinese New Year [恭喜發財 – Gung Hay Fat Choi] 2025-4723! (29.1.2025)

In otherwards, by showing respect to one another (humanity) animals, plants, and nature – a great inner happiness is generated that flows outward through society and generates all kinds of inner and outer wealth (not just material wealth – but also intellectual, emotional and spiritual). This is the proper use of Confucianism ideology – not distorted by governments and classes that have ulterior motives used to control the masses through deception. The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE) was originally “foreign” (Manchurian-Jurchen) – and distorted Confucian thinking so as to paralyse Chinese society and prevent its development. Today, the Jurchen are now considered “Chinese” – and Confucianism is used to emphasise “education” and “self-cultivation”.

William Cecil - Closet Revolutionary!

The Lord Burghley – William Cecil (1520-1597) – Closet Revolutionary! (30.4.2024)

To remedy this situation, during March 1563, William Cecil drafted a “Bill for the Succession” designed for Parliament to debate and pass (as an “Act”) providing it received Royal Assent. Cecil suggested that if Elizabeth I died suddenly with no direct (or suitable) heirs, the Crown (and all its powers) should be temporally transferred to the Privy Council (effectively making England a “Republic”). Whilst this was happening, the English Parliament was to sit, discuss and then “vote” for the most suitable candidate to ascend to the throne – thus creating an “Elected Monarchy”! If this idea had been successful – virtually everything earned during the English Civil Wars of the 1640s would have been peacefully achieved around 80-years earlier! As matters transpired, Elizabeth I quashed the Bill by refusing to allow it to be discussed – or move to the voting and assenting stages.

WWII: Lest We Forget! (6.21.2023)

The politically motivated casualty lists of the contemporary Bourgeois West play down the Soviet and Asian casualty figures whilst over-exaggerating the losses of the West. The UK morally led the way whilst China and the USSR fought their corners with an incredible tenacity! At this special time of year we must also remember the Soviet and British POWs who suffered at the hands of the brutal (fascist) Imperial Japanese – with the Soviets also brutalised by the Nazi Germans (who viewed them as sub-human). At the setting of the sun – we will remember them!

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