Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 39

[cahn]

Last post, along with the usual 18th-century suspects, included the Ottonians; changing ideas of conception and women's sexual pleasure; Isabella of Parma (the one who fell in love, and vice versa, with her husband's sister); Henry IV and Bertha (and Henry's second wife divorcing him for "unspeakable sexual acts"). (Okay, Isabella of Parma was 18th century.)

Comments

Re: Trenck's "Blutbibel"

[cahn]

Huh, wouldn't it make more sense not to allow him pens than ink?

Fouquet: I said invisible. I was only caught because of the extraordinarily unlikely coincidence of a bolt of lightning striking an arsenal of gunpowder, exploding the tower, and starting a fire that warmed up the air in my room enough that the ink showed on the paper! That's an act of god that I could not have been expected to account for.

I forgot about this and now having been reminded let me say again that this is a CRAZY story and I would not believe it if it had been in a work of fiction! (But it should totally also be in more works of fiction!)

Re: Trenck's "Blutbibel"

[mildred_of_midgard]

Huh, wouldn't it make more sense not to allow him pens than ink?

He was forbidden pens too! But banning ink in addition actually makes sense to me, because it's easier to manufacture a pen than ink. Trenck used the teeth of a comb, and in the worst case, you could use the tip of your finger to smuggle out short messages arranging your escape. But creating ink out of materials at hand...you have to be more hardcore, either in chemistry or in willingness to self-mutilate. :P

I forgot about this and now having been reminded let me say again that this is a CRAZY story and I would not believe it if it had been in a work of fiction! (But it should totally also be in more works of fiction!)

Hee! Agreed.

ETA: Did I mention that Fouquet, when he was in prison in Pignerol near the Alps, once submitted a request for a telescope, on the grounds that he was bored and the only thing he could see from prison was a tiny patch of beautiful Alpine mountain, and he wanted to be able to spend his time appreciating the scenery more? Saint-Mars submitted the request with a note saying he thought it should be denied, Fouquet was clearly up to something, and the request was denied. I think I didn't mention that story. (There was TOO MUCH ELSE. :P)