Podcasts about cromwellian

Saint Michael's Church has a new First Lady, named Jenna.A Series in 17 parts, By Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Candlemas RompThis Sunday had brought the heaviest rain so far of 2023. The weather had caused a notable drop in the number of people attending this morning's church service, Reverend Morris noticed.Today was Candlemas, which commemorated the ritual purification of Mary, forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. This day also marked the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. It reminded Jenna of her own sacred ritual of fertility, Mentula Cōleī Baptism'. She's thankful to be so blessed by God, to have such devoted church elders guiding her spiritual development.After the service, and the usual tea, biscuits and chit chat in the church hall, Reverend Morris was eager to return to the vicarage. His wife had given him "that look"; and he knew what that meant. It had been a week since they'd made love, and as he had a feeling Jenna would be more than up for "a little afternoon delight," as she termed it.Outside, the late January winter rain was still lashing down. Despite the vicarage being a five minute walk from the church, the vicar and his wife had neglected to bring an umbrella with them. By the time they arrived home, they were both soaked to the bone.Reverend Morris' hair was wet, and the legs of his trousers clung damply to him, and the back of his black shirt was also soaked. He figured he was going to come down with a nasty cold if he didn't get into some dry clothes right away. Jenna evidently had the same thought, and they went straight upstairs to the master bedroom.She opened the wardrobe doors, and he switched on a bedside lamp. Shivering, they stripped out of their wet clothes.When they were nearly undressed, they glanced at each other. Their eyes locked.Still, they didn't speak. They didn't need to.He took her in his arms, and they kissed lightly at first, tenderly. Her mouth was warm and soft and vaguely flavored with communion wine.She clutched him, pulled him closer, her fingertips digging into the muscles of his back. She pushed her mouth hard against his, scraped his lip with her teeth, thrust her tongue deep, and abruptly their kisses grew hot, demanding.Something seemed to snap in him, and in her, too, for their desire was suddenly marked by animal urgency. They responded to each other in a hungry, almost frenzied fashion, hastily casting off the last of their clothes, pawing at each other's wet bodies, squeezing, stroking. She nipped his shoulder with her teeth. He gripped her pert buttocks and kneaded them with uncharacteristic crudity, but she didn't wince or try to pull away; indeed, she pressed even more insistently against him, rubbing her breasts over his chest and grinding her hips against his. Their wet, tussled hair and slippery bodies wrestled to seduce each other into submission. The soft whimpers that escaped from her were not sounds of pain; they clearly expressed her eagerness and need.In bed, his energy was manic, and his staying power amazed him. He was insatiable, and so was she. They thrust and thrashed and flexed and tensed in perfect harmony, as if they were not only joined but fused, as if they were a single organism, shaken by only one set of stimuli instead of two. Every vestige of civilization slipped from them, and for a long while the only noises they made were animal sounds: panting; groaning; throaty grunts of pleasure; short, sharp cries of excitement. At last Jenna uttered the first word to pass between them since they had left the church:"Oh my God!"And again, arching her slender, graceful body, tossing her head from side to side on the pillow: "Yes, yes!" It was not merely an orgasm to which she was saying yes, for she'd already had a couple of those and had announced them with only ragged breathing and soft mewling. She was saying yes to life.The vicar repeated the word as if chanting a sacred incantation,"Yes, yes, yes!"as he emptied his cum into her a second time.Spent, they stretched out on their backs, side by side on the disheveled bed. For a long time they listened to the rain on the roof and to the persistent thunder, which was no longer loud enough to rattle the windows. Wind howled around the side of the house.Jenna lay with her eyes closed, her face completely relaxed."Lovely service this morning, Simon!" She said at last. "Great choice of hymns.""It certainly was. I think my sermon went down well. Shame about the weather.""Hmm, I don't know - I think the rainy weather makes me much hornier than normal!" It isn't even February, but my winter ‘cabin fever' has already set in. Get ready for more of this ravishing sex, my stud!"Happy Candlemas, Jenna," Reverend Morris replied.Jenna & the Church Trip: Part 1“Thine be the glory hole!”More light-hearted goings-on with vicar's wife Jenna. New year, new naughtiness, and a dull coach trip organized by the church might turn out to be more fun than expected! God works in mysterious ways. For Jenna's husband, it was relief from a nymph wife who had few other ways to occupy herself, besides sexual romps, at all hours of the day and night."I'm so pleased that Alpha and Omega coach holidays have re-started their short breaks," Reverend Simon Morris excitedly exclaimed. "I've just booked us on the three-day trip to Epworth!"His wife Jenna looked up from her phone. "Epworth? Where's that?""It's in Lincolnshire. Now I know what you're thinking, it's January, the excitement of Christmas and the New Year is over and it's such a dull time of year. The weather is awful and what I really should be doing is booking us a fortnight in the Maldives or Barbados to escape the British winter blues. But instead I've booked us a coach trip to Lincolnshire,"Jenna tried to look interested. "Well, I've never been to Lincolnshire. Always nice to see somewhere new.""The reason I booked this trip is that Epworth is the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. I thought you'd like to see it. After all, you are a big fan of them, yes?" He winked at her. "Oakwood Road Methodist Church are forever grateful to you for what you did last year."Jenna grinned. "I'd love to see their birthplace. So, when is this trip?""Next Monday. I think it'll be a fun little getaway. Gordon's coming along too. Oh and so is Barry, his cousin."That made Jenna perk up. Ooh, she thought to herself. I wonder if he's as hot? "He's recovered from his broken ankle then?""As far as I know, he's made a full recovery. His daughter Lisa came over from Florida to stay with him, so Gordon was relieved at that.""Thank goodness for that," Jenna replied. She'd really missed seeing her favorite organist. Oakwood's organist Raymond Wilson had done a superb job standing in for Gordon, thanks to some "gentle persuasion" from Jenna on Christmas Eve. "What sort of hotel are we staying at?"Reverend Morris looked at the Alpha and Omega brochure. "Hmm. We're staying at a hotel just outside Epworth that was originally a 17th century coaching inn. It's called The Parson's Knob, "Jenna almost spat out the coffee she was drinking. "Seriously?""I'm sure there is an innocent explanation for that name! Then again, maybe not! According to the travel agent, all twenty rooms of the hotel had been booked up for a group of Albanian asylum seekers. However for some bizarre reason, after a few days, the Albanians all begged to be transferred to a Travelodge a few miles away.""That is weird," Jenna replied. "I'd much rather stay in a lovely old historical inn than some crappy Travelodge. Oh well. Maybe they wanted somewhere a bit more modern?""Perhaps?"The day of the trip arrived. The British weather was true to form, and it had been raining hard since dawn. "When's the coach due again?" Jenna asked as she and Reverend Morris shivered at the bus stop opposite the railway station."Should be here now," her husband replied. "Oh look, there's Gordon and Barry!""Hmm, maybe this trip won't be so dull after all!" She smirked. Barry was basically a clone of Gordon. "Looks more like his identical twin brother than his cousin!" The only difference being that Barry was wearing glasses. The resemblance was uncanny."I don't know why I let you talk me into coming with you on this trip," Barry moaned as he and Gordon approached the bus stop. "You know I'm not a member of the God Squad, ""You haven't met the vicar's wife yet," Gordon whispered."Oh, this the lass you've got the hots for?" His skeptical cousin rolled his eyes."I think you'll find quite a lot of the fellas at St. Michael's Church have the hots for her," Gordon replied. "Oh God, there she is!"Barry adjusted his glasses. "Bloody hell. You weren't kidding when you said she was a bit of a fox, were you? Dream on! She's way too young for you, Gordy! I'd say she's way too young for the vicar too, but she must have a thing for older men if she's ended up marrying him,"Gordon chuckled. "If only you knew half of the things that go on at St. Michael's, dear cousin. If you did, wild horses wouldn't be able to drag you away from the Sunday Eucharist!""Hello!" Jenna said. "Oh Gordon, is this your cousin?""Hiya, and yes, this is Barry. He's not been won over by St. Michael's yet,""I see. Nice to meet you! Maybe you'll think differently about our church after you've been on this trip?""Perhaps," Barry interrupted, ogling Jenna, until Gordon gave him a nudge.Ten minutes later, a white minibus pulled up at the bus stop."Oh, I was expecting a coach," said Jenna. Further along the street, came Josh the curate and Norman the churchwarden."Not as many people booked as was expected," Reverend Morris replied. "I blame the weather. Afraid there's only six of us!"The group boarded the bus. Barry turned to Gordon. "She's not the typical vicar's wife is she?""Oh not at all," Gordon smiled.Barely half an hour into the journey and as always tended to happen on road trips, someone needed the toilet.Reverend Morris rolled his eyes. "Oh for goodness sake, we've only just set off. We're not due to stop for another hour, when we have our lunch at Cusworth Hall in Doncaster!"This does tend to happen when you have elderly passengers," the bus driver remarked. "I know. I've been doing this job for thirty years. The stories I could tell you!""We haven't got any elderly passengers," the vicar replied. "It's our organist who needs to go. As usual!""Oi, it's not my fault my bloody prostate makes me pee more!" Gordon yelled from the back of the bus. "You're not being very Christian today, Vicar! How about some compassion for your fellow man?""Yes, yes, alright. I'm sorry Gordon. Alright, we'll find somewhere to pull in for a quick comfort break. Is that okay with you, Ahmed?""No worries," the bus driver replied, checking the sat nav. "There's a coach stop a couple of miles away. I'll just come off at the next junction and it's right there. I've stopped at it a few times. It's a bit down at heel, but,""That'll do. As long as there are toilets.""Oh yeah. They're unisex though, and a bit, grimy. Is that a problem?""Not at all," Reverend Morris smirked. "Any port in a storm, as the old saying goes!"The minibus exited the motorway. A short time later, it pulled onto the car park of Jed's Butty Hut, a sandwich restaurant in a 1960s prefab that had seen better days."Right," Reverend Morris said, checking his watch. "We'll have a fifteen minute stop here. Can everyone be back on the bus by ten o'clock please?"The toilets were at the back of the main building. Gordon hurried in first. There were five cubicles, each with its own nauseating odor. He entered the first one. The toilet was missing a seat and the bowl was overflowing with vomit."Ugh. No thanks." He hurried out and entered the next one. A dead crow was sticking out of the toilet, beak wide open and wings spread, reminiscent of a scene from Hitchcock's The Birds."Fuck," he muttered, rushing out and into the third one. This toilet seemed clean enough, only a few cigarette ends and crack pipes floating in it.A few minutes later, Jenna decided to relieve herself, even though she could've held on until Doncaster. It was always the same on a trip. You got the urge to go even though you didn't actually need to go.The pretty redhead went into the end cubicle, which was the cleanest of the lot. Graffiti was daubed all over the walls, the usual expletives, plus crude drawings of cocks done in black marker pen. An urban art gallery for the times, she remarked to herself as she did her thing. It was then that she noticed a neat, circular hole on the lower right side of the partition wall."Ooh, a glory hole," she said to herself. "I wonder if it's well-used?""Why don't we try it out?" A muffled voice in the next cubicle muttered. Seconds later, a cock poked through it!"Gordon, is that you?" Jenna whispered. The shaft was thick just like his."No," the mystery man replied. She didn't recognize his voice, so he had to be someone from the restaurant. Jenna gasped. A burst of excitement ran through her, at the thought of touching this stranger's cock. At the same time, the danger associated with doing this seemed to add to the thrill.With her right hand, she reached down, slowly tracing up and down the length of the engorged cock with her palm. The man let out a groan. The size and hardness of his member increased Jenna's excitement. Her cunt was getting increasingly wet in anticipation, and she quickly knelt down in front of the generous offering.She rolled her tongue around its circumference and sucked on it as she would a piece of fruit, trying to get every drop of pre-cum. Not content with just a portion, she began to slowly venture down the shaft. With every thrust forward, she took more of it down her throat."Oh!" The mystery man exclaimed. He moaned in pleasure and bestowed every compliment he could think of on her.Jenna withdrew in order to say something. "What a gentleman you are!""Well you're damned good," came his reply.With every bobbing of her head, Jenna made progress toward the base. Above the slurping sounds she made as she wetted the shaft with her saliva, she could hear the stranger gently moaning with approval at her technique. She began to vary her speed; one moment erupting with a robust attack, then at an instant slowing her pace to relish the feast.Feeling the end would arrive soon, Jenna quickened her speed. She too, felt the rising heat from her crotch swelling to an orgasmic crescendo. Then, at the apex of pleasure, there erupted from deep within her cunt a spasm, which rapidly spread a pleasing warmth all over her body.The man's body stiffened as he released his full load into Jenna's mouth with a mighty groan. When every drop had been expelled, he slowly withdrew his rod from the glory hole."Mmm, delicious," Jenna said, swallowing all the cum. There was the sound of a zipper being fastened. Suddenly she heard the main door of the toilets open and a group of people enter. She stood up and flushed the toilet. The mystery man exited the cubicle before Jenna was able to peek through the glory hole to see who he was."Oh shit," Jenna muttered, checking her smartphone. It was ten o'clock. "Simon's not going to be too happy."Hurrying out of the toilet, she washed her hands and dashed out."Sorry I'm last guys," she said, getting back on the bus. "Those toilets were gross. I wasted time putting loads of paper on the seat.""Don't blame you," Reverend Morris replied. "I confess, I couldn't bring myself to go in! I'm squeamish about public loos, especially filthy ones. I'll just cross my legs until we get to Doncaster!"The minibus pulled out of the car park.Gordon glanced at his cousin, who appeared to be in a daze. "What's the matter with you? The sight of that dead bird in the bog?""Uh, what?" Barry replied, staring straight ahead."Never mind. You mustn't have seen it.""I've seen the light," said Barry."Are you hammered or something?"Barry smiled and turned to Gordon. "You were right! She isn't the typical vicar's wife!"As the minibus exited the M180 motorway and drew near to its destination, tall pines crowded the sides of a long main road. They formed a grey-green tunnel, casting long shadows in the late-afternoon light. The day was cloudless yet strangely forbidding, Reverend Morris mused."Well the weather's a lot better than it was this morning!" Jenna said, knocking her husband out of his thoughts. "The land sure is flat round here. No hills anywhere.""I think some parts of the Fens are below sea level," Reverend Morris said. "The highest point is World's Top. Lots of beautiful areas for walking and such, shame we haven't the time to explore the Wolds. Oh well, there'll be other times. I'm looking forward to getting off this bus and stretching my legs, though!"A road sign appeared. Epworth, 2 miles.A few houses were tucked in the purple gloom among the trees on both sides of the road; their windows glowed with soft yellow light even an hour before nightfall. Most were Georgian-era red brick cottages with terracotta roof tiles.The Parson's Knob was a 3 story building dating back to the 1690s. Once a coaching inn, it had gone through various occupations before being converted into a hotel. As the minibus pulled onto the car park, a peculiar sense of wrongness immediately overcame Reverend Morris. He could not identify the reasons for his instant negative reaction to the place, though perhaps it was related to the somber interplay of light and shadow caused by the tall conifers encircling the car park. At this dying end of the January day, in the cheerless sunlight, the white painted exterior of the building gleamed as if built from time-bleached bones. The shadows cast by the trees were stark, spiky, razor-edged.Exiting the minibus, the small group made their way into the hotel. There was no-one at the reception desk."Ah, typical British service," Gordon muttered to Barry. "Non-existent."As the group waited for a member of staff to arrive, Reverend Morris paused to study the other guests in the lounge. Not many were there, four or five people, mostly middle-aged. They also struck him as wrong, though his reasons for thinking ill of them were less definable than those that fanned his impression of the hotel itself. They looked uneasy, one man wandering around with peculiar air of urgency that seemed unsuited to an old-fashioned hotel such as this.Reverend Morris sighed and headed back to the reception desk, telling himself that his imagination was running wild.Gordon, not known for patience, pressed the bell on the reception desk again."Does anyone work at this place? We've been stood here for ten minutes!"Moments a later, an overworked-looking Eastern European woman came hurrying behind the desk."I'm so sorry for your wait! We're really short-staffed at the moment. Many workers have gone on strike.""Makes a change from being absent due to testing positive I suppose," Gordon replied and the vicar pulled a face at him."We've only four rooms available, the receptionist replied. "A lot of rooms are, being redecorated. Mr. and Mrs. Morris, you're in Room 13, which has a double bed." She turned to the others. "Which leaves three rooms, all with two single beds. Someone will have a room of their own, but the other four of you will have to share. Are you gentleman okay with sharing?"Josh looked at Norman. "That's fine by me."Gordon looked horrified. "I'm not sharing a room with my cousin. He snores!""What? No I don't!" Barry shouted."You do. When I was seeing to you over Christmas when you had that broken ankle, you nodded off on the couch and your snoring was that bad, doors were opening and closing."Ahmed the bus driver attempted to calm the situation. "I don't mind sharing. My wife snores. They can hear her snores in Bradford. I'm used to it though. I just put my wireless earbuds in.""Okay, thanks, that's sorted then. Mr. Leesmith, you get the room of your own then, yes?""Suits me!" Gordon smiled. "I prefer a room all to myself."Jenna smirked. "Unless you have to share a room with a woman, or a pipe organ, right?"He winked back at her. "You know me so well!"Barry raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, "Reverend Morris and Jenna trudged up three flights of stairs to get to the room, seeing as the lift was out of order."Good thing we've just got overnight bags instead of heavy suitcases," he said. "I'm not too enamored with this place so far.""What do you expect for such a low price though? It could be so much worse. It's dated and badly in need of re-decorating, but it seems clean enough. Cheer up Simon!" Jenna said. Already she was thinking of Gordon, all alone in his room. Maybe I could read him a bedtime story,"Yep, you're right. Sorry for being such a misery guts today. Not very Christian is it?"The vicar had arrived with the knowledge that something was rotten there, so of course he saw ominous signs in a perfectly innocent scene.At least that was what he told himself. But he knew better.During the wait at the reception desk, he'd overheard two of the guests discussing the hotel. Why had the Albanians left in such a hurry? What was the real reason for the workers going on strike? Reverend Morris had a hunch that the truth, once uncovered, would be unusually disturbing.Room 13, despite the bad luck associated with such a number, was decent enough, clean, double bed and a view overlooking the River Torne."Ooh comfy!" Jenna flopped on the bed. Reverend Morris peered out of the window. To the west, the sun sank through a sky that was slowly turning muddy red. Serpentine tendrils of fog began to rise off the water."There's a bit of a disagreeable chill in this room. I suppose it's because this window isn't double glazed." He sat down on the bed, still feeling a dim but persistent sense of unease.Jenna bit her lip. "Why don't we have some, fun?" She whispered something in her husband's ear and his eyes widened."My dear, are you sure?"She stood up and began loosening her clothing. "Long journeys make me so horny. What do you think John Wesley would do after a long journey?"He blinked. "Well, usually, he'd sit reading his Bible,""Hmm. In that case, let me lead you into temptation." She removed the last of her clothes.Reverend Morris immediately had a raging boner. "What a good idea!" The negative thoughts vanished from his mind as his wife began pleasuring herself.Jenna's eyes were heavy-lidded as she stared at the outline of the reverend's cock, which was presently tenting his black trousers. She lay back on the bed, and her bare foot slowly stroked up the inside of his thigh caressing the bulge of his manhood. Reverend Morris moaned at her sensual touch and thrust his hips instinctively against her foot. He raised her leg, ran his tongue lightly along the sole of her other foot, making her giggle. A low laugh rumbled in his throat as he went back to her toes, kissing each one before working his way up her smooth leg."Oh Simon,"She murmured his name in a needy whine, spreading her milky thighs further apart as his mouth slowly kissed and licked closer to her core. Unable to resist such an invitation, he settled on his stomach between her legs. He drew his tongue along her hot slit then closed his mouth over it to suck up her sweet juices. Jenna gasped, arching her back. Her husband began to worship her eagerly, her taste inflaming his want. She cried out then, rocking her hips and coming in his mouth. After savoring her juices, Reverend Morris stood up, unzipped his trousers, pulled out his cock and began lazily stroking it. She purred at the sight, sitting up in front of him and wrapping her hand around the base of the shaft."Let me bless you."He moved his hand and allowed her to stroke him. "Mmm, I am blessed in many ways, and eternally thankful!""Seeing as this hotel hasn't impressed you, it's up to me to make our stay here memorable." Jenna smiled and crawled in his lap, straddling him. The feeling of having her so close in his arms as she jacked him with her hand was intense because her cunt hovered so close to the head of his cock. Growling, Reverend Morris grasped her arse cheeks. Jenna closed her eyes in joy.At that point, an unseen presence in the room grew tired of being a mere spectator and decided to join in.He knelt behind Jenna so that she was sandwiched between the two of them, and began stroking her lower back.Reverend Morris began caressing her breasts. She let out a little moan at his touch.Enjoying her reaction, the invisible one moved his right hand down and he very gently used his index finger to massage her arsehole."Ooh Simon. That's new, but I like it!""What is?""Huh?" Jenna opened her eyes and realized both his hands were still on her tits. "I just felt something finger my butthole, ah!"Arching her back and squeezing her husband's cock with her hand, she uttered a breathy scream."Simon, I think there's a ghost in here!" Jenna whimpered in response as the unseen presence put firm pressure on her rosebud. "Ahh, he's fingering my arse!""I can't see anyone," Reverend Morris moaned, desperate to feel the tight walls of Jenna's sex engulf him. "Maybe John Wesley's come looking for you?" He shifted his hips so the head of his aching shaft was nestled at her entrance."I'm being serious here!"Someone continued to stroke her arsehole, gradually putting more pressure until the tip of his finger was inside."Mmm yes," Reverend Morris sighed, too under the spell of arousal to care.Jenna sighed in pleasure, steadily lowering herself onto her husband's cock. The unseen one pushed his finger a little bit further inside her tight anal passage. Jenna let out a surprised squeak of pleasure and wiggled her hips until he was fully embedded inside of her, .his finger and her husband's cock now filling her sweet holes.Reverend Morris moaned as he intensified his strokes, plunging his cock in and out of her cunt. Jenna cried out in delight at this and then the unseen one's finger pressed deeper still and suddenly she was coming again. Her clenching walls coupled with an invisible finger embedded in her arse created a tightness around Reverend Morris' cock beyond anything he thought possible and with the first compression of her orgasm around his cock, a low whine escaped his throat and he came, filling her with his seed.The unknown entity carefully withdrew his finger from Jenna's arse. There was no time for her to catch her breath.She murmured, as her husband moved away, stroking his softening cock. Suddenly, something slid up her arse, thrusting gently to begin with. She was surprised that it didn't hurt at all. She'd never experienced anal before but had read it could be extremely painful. And without lube, well that didn't bear thinking about!"Ahha, ha, who are you, what are you?" Jenna panted.The invisible presence shot a massive load of cum deep inside her arse and she closed her eyes tight. He pulled out, and Jenna panted, sweat running off her and cum oozing out of both orifices,"Oh," Jenna gasped, flopping forward. A yell of terror from her husband finally brought her to her senses."Oh my God!""What's wrong, Simon?""There! There!" His eyes were wide with fright and he was pointing. "Behind you! Who, what is that? He's got no head!"Jenna looked round. He was dressed in black. A white collar. The unmistakable clothing of a Cromwellian-era preacher. And was completely without a head."A headless ghost has just had anal sex with me," Jenna blinked. "I'm, kind of okay with this. I had a threesome with my vicar husband and a ghost. Is that a holy trinity or an unholy one?"Reverend Morris twitched and fainted."What a shame you can't talk," Jenna said, standing before him. "I wonder who you are? Did I please you? If I did, maybe you could bow?"The headless ghost bowed and vanished."Aww. Well he seemed satisfied." She rushed over to her husband, who was staggering to his feet. "It's alright Simon. He's gone.""I didn't just imagine all that did I?" Reverend Morris groaned, sitting on the bed. "We just, encountered a headless ghost?""Oh he was real alright. He came in my arse!""Are you sure you okay? Did he; it hurt you?""I'm fine! Was a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one.""Hmm, I think we should say a prayer for that lost soul," Reverend Morris replied. "I wouldn't like to think he'll return later tonight.""Oh I don't think he will," Jenna smiled. "He was just horny and he is satisfied now. He bowed at me before he disappeared.""I guess that explains why those Albanians begged to be transferred to the Travelodge! The travel agent never said anything about this place being haunted. No wonder its half-empty!"LaterIt was around five minutes after midnight. In Room 11, Gordon was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Despite wearing nothing but his vest and y-fronts, he was boiling hot, and sweat was running down his brow."God, this room's like a furnace!" He groaned, throwing the duvet off and switching the bedside lamp on. He staggered over to the radiator. It was as cold as ice."Why's it so hot in here? Hope I'm not coming down with flu or something."Gordon made his way into the bathroom and fumbled around for the light pull cord. Intending to splash his face with cold water, he hurriedly turned the washbasin tap, but instead of water, black powder shot out of it."What the fuck?" He squinted at the stuff. "Looks like soil. A right dump this place is.A curious smoky smell met his nose. There was something familiar about the smell, it reminded him of fireworks. Hearing faint laughter, Gordon looked in the mirror."Bloody hell!"Ahmed and Barry were rudely awakened by a furious banging on the bedroom door."What the?" Barry groaned, getting out of bed. "Who can that be? Almost knocking the door down!""Might be a drunk or a crackhead," Ahmed said. "Don't open the door. They usually get bored and go bother someone else."Barry! Barry! Let me in!" Gordon yelled.Barry opened the door and was almost knocked over as Gordon dashed in."Can I sleep here? I have to sleep in here!""Whoa, whoa, calm down. What's happened?" Barry said."Can I sleep here?" Gordon prattled. The color had drained from his face."There's no spare bed.""Do you think I care about that?" Gordon yelled, grabbing his cousin by the front of his pajamas. "I'll sleep on the floor! I can't go back to that room! Oh my God. I've just had the shock of my life!""Did someone break into your room?" Ahmed asked."Break in? Not much chance of stopping a ghost from breaking in is there? My bloody room is haunted!"To be continued.By Blacksheep for Literotica.

Saint Michael's Church has a new First Lady, named Jenna.A Series in 17 parts, By Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Candlemas RompThis Sunday had brought the heaviest rain so far of 2023. The weather had caused a notable drop in the number of people attending this morning's church service, Reverend Morris noticed.Today was Candlemas, which commemorated the ritual purification of Mary, forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. This day also marked the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. It reminded Jenna of her own sacred ritual of fertility, Mentula Cōleī Baptism'. She's thankful to be so blessed by God, to have such devoted church elders guiding her spiritual development.After the service, and the usual tea, biscuits and chit chat in the church hall, Reverend Morris was eager to return to the vicarage. His wife had given him "that look"; and he knew what that meant. It had been a week since they'd made love, and as he had a feeling Jenna would be more than up for "a little afternoon delight," as she termed it.Outside, the late January winter rain was still lashing down. Despite the vicarage being a five minute walk from the church, the vicar and his wife had neglected to bring an umbrella with them. By the time they arrived home, they were both soaked to the bone.Reverend Morris' hair was wet, and the legs of his trousers clung damply to him, and the back of his black shirt was also soaked. He figured he was going to come down with a nasty cold if he didn't get into some dry clothes right away. Jenna evidently had the same thought, and they went straight upstairs to the master bedroom.She opened the wardrobe doors, and he switched on a bedside lamp. Shivering, they stripped out of their wet clothes.When they were nearly undressed, they glanced at each other. Their eyes locked.Still, they didn't speak. They didn't need to.He took her in his arms, and they kissed lightly at first, tenderly. Her mouth was warm and soft and vaguely flavored with communion wine.She clutched him, pulled him closer, her fingertips digging into the muscles of his back. She pushed her mouth hard against his, scraped his lip with her teeth, thrust her tongue deep, and abruptly their kisses grew hot, demanding.Something seemed to snap in him, and in her, too, for their desire was suddenly marked by animal urgency. They responded to each other in a hungry, almost frenzied fashion, hastily casting off the last of their clothes, pawing at each other's wet bodies, squeezing, stroking. She nipped his shoulder with her teeth. He gripped her pert buttocks and kneaded them with uncharacteristic crudity, but she didn't wince or try to pull away; indeed, she pressed even more insistently against him, rubbing her breasts over his chest and grinding her hips against his. Their wet, tussled hair and slippery bodies wrestled to seduce each other into submission. The soft whimpers that escaped from her were not sounds of pain; they clearly expressed her eagerness and need.In bed, his energy was manic, and his staying power amazed him. He was insatiable, and so was she. They thrust and thrashed and flexed and tensed in perfect harmony, as if they were not only joined but fused, as if they were a single organism, shaken by only one set of stimuli instead of two. Every vestige of civilization slipped from them, and for a long while the only noises they made were animal sounds: panting; groaning; throaty grunts of pleasure; short, sharp cries of excitement. At last Jenna uttered the first word to pass between them since they had left the church:"Oh my God!"And again, arching her slender, graceful body, tossing her head from side to side on the pillow: "Yes, yes!" It was not merely an orgasm to which she was saying yes, for she'd already had a couple of those and had announced them with only ragged breathing and soft mewling. She was saying yes to life.The vicar repeated the word as if chanting a sacred incantation,"Yes, yes, yes!"as he emptied his cum into her a second time.Spent, they stretched out on their backs, side by side on the disheveled bed. For a long time they listened to the rain on the roof and to the persistent thunder, which was no longer loud enough to rattle the windows. Wind howled around the side of the house.Jenna lay with her eyes closed, her face completely relaxed."Lovely service this morning, Simon!" She said at last. "Great choice of hymns.""It certainly was. I think my sermon went down well. Shame about the weather.""Hmm, I don't know - I think the rainy weather makes me much hornier than normal!" It isn't even February, but my winter ‘cabin fever' has already set in. Get ready for more of this ravishing sex, my stud!"Happy Candlemas, Jenna," Reverend Morris replied.Jenna & the Church Trip: Part 1“Thine be the glory hole!”More light-hearted goings-on with vicar's wife Jenna. New year, new naughtiness, and a dull coach trip organized by the church might turn out to be more fun than expected! God works in mysterious ways. For Jenna's husband, it was relief from a nymph wife who had few other ways to occupy herself, besides sexual romps, at all hours of the day and night."I'm so pleased that Alpha and Omega coach holidays have re-started their short breaks," Reverend Simon Morris excitedly exclaimed. "I've just booked us on the three-day trip to Epworth!"His wife Jenna looked up from her phone. "Epworth? Where's that?""It's in Lincolnshire. Now I know what you're thinking, it's January, the excitement of Christmas and the New Year is over and it's such a dull time of year. The weather is awful and what I really should be doing is booking us a fortnight in the Maldives or Barbados to escape the British winter blues. But instead I've booked us a coach trip to Lincolnshire,"Jenna tried to look interested. "Well, I've never been to Lincolnshire. Always nice to see somewhere new.""The reason I booked this trip is that Epworth is the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. I thought you'd like to see it. After all, you are a big fan of them, yes?" He winked at her. "Oakwood Road Methodist Church are forever grateful to you for what you did last year."Jenna grinned. "I'd love to see their birthplace. So, when is this trip?""Next Monday. I think it'll be a fun little getaway. Gordon's coming along too. Oh and so is Barry, his cousin."That made Jenna perk up. Ooh, she thought to herself. I wonder if he's as hot? "He's recovered from his broken ankle then?""As far as I know, he's made a full recovery. His daughter Lisa came over from Florida to stay with him, so Gordon was relieved at that.""Thank goodness for that," Jenna replied. She'd really missed seeing her favorite organist. Oakwood's organist Raymond Wilson had done a superb job standing in for Gordon, thanks to some "gentle persuasion" from Jenna on Christmas Eve. "What sort of hotel are we staying at?"Reverend Morris looked at the Alpha and Omega brochure. "Hmm. We're staying at a hotel just outside Epworth that was originally a 17th century coaching inn. It's called The Parson's Knob, "Jenna almost spat out the coffee she was drinking. "Seriously?""I'm sure there is an innocent explanation for that name! Then again, maybe not! According to the travel agent, all twenty rooms of the hotel had been booked up for a group of Albanian asylum seekers. However for some bizarre reason, after a few days, the Albanians all begged to be transferred to a Travelodge a few miles away.""That is weird," Jenna replied. "I'd much rather stay in a lovely old historical inn than some crappy Travelodge. Oh well. Maybe they wanted somewhere a bit more modern?""Perhaps?"The day of the trip arrived. The British weather was true to form, and it had been raining hard since dawn. "When's the coach due again?" Jenna asked as she and Reverend Morris shivered at the bus stop opposite the railway station."Should be here now," her husband replied. "Oh look, there's Gordon and Barry!""Hmm, maybe this trip won't be so dull after all!" She smirked. Barry was basically a clone of Gordon. "Looks more like his identical twin brother than his cousin!" The only difference being that Barry was wearing glasses. The resemblance was uncanny."I don't know why I let you talk me into coming with you on this trip," Barry moaned as he and Gordon approached the bus stop. "You know I'm not a member of the God Squad, ""You haven't met the vicar's wife yet," Gordon whispered."Oh, this the lass you've got the hots for?" His skeptical cousin rolled his eyes."I think you'll find quite a lot of the fellas at St. Michael's Church have the hots for her," Gordon replied. "Oh God, there she is!"Barry adjusted his glasses. "Bloody hell. You weren't kidding when you said she was a bit of a fox, were you? Dream on! She's way too young for you, Gordy! I'd say she's way too young for the vicar too, but she must have a thing for older men if she's ended up marrying him,"Gordon chuckled. "If only you knew half of the things that go on at St. Michael's, dear cousin. If you did, wild horses wouldn't be able to drag you away from the Sunday Eucharist!""Hello!" Jenna said. "Oh Gordon, is this your cousin?""Hiya, and yes, this is Barry. He's not been won over by St. Michael's yet,""I see. Nice to meet you! Maybe you'll think differently about our church after you've been on this trip?""Perhaps," Barry interrupted, ogling Jenna, until Gordon gave him a nudge.Ten minutes later, a white minibus pulled up at the bus stop."Oh, I was expecting a coach," said Jenna. Further along the street, came Josh the curate and Norman the churchwarden."Not as many people booked as was expected," Reverend Morris replied. "I blame the weather. Afraid there's only six of us!"The group boarded the bus. Barry turned to Gordon. "She's not the typical vicar's wife is she?""Oh not at all," Gordon smiled.Barely half an hour into the journey and as always tended to happen on road trips, someone needed the toilet.Reverend Morris rolled his eyes. "Oh for goodness sake, we've only just set off. We're not due to stop for another hour, when we have our lunch at Cusworth Hall in Doncaster!"This does tend to happen when you have elderly passengers," the bus driver remarked. "I know. I've been doing this job for thirty years. The stories I could tell you!""We haven't got any elderly passengers," the vicar replied. "It's our organist who needs to go. As usual!""Oi, it's not my fault my bloody prostate makes me pee more!" Gordon yelled from the back of the bus. "You're not being very Christian today, Vicar! How about some compassion for your fellow man?""Yes, yes, alright. I'm sorry Gordon. Alright, we'll find somewhere to pull in for a quick comfort break. Is that okay with you, Ahmed?""No worries," the bus driver replied, checking the sat nav. "There's a coach stop a couple of miles away. I'll just come off at the next junction and it's right there. I've stopped at it a few times. It's a bit down at heel, but,""That'll do. As long as there are toilets.""Oh yeah. They're unisex though, and a bit, grimy. Is that a problem?""Not at all," Reverend Morris smirked. "Any port in a storm, as the old saying goes!"The minibus exited the motorway. A short time later, it pulled onto the car park of Jed's Butty Hut, a sandwich restaurant in a 1960s prefab that had seen better days."Right," Reverend Morris said, checking his watch. "We'll have a fifteen minute stop here. Can everyone be back on the bus by ten o'clock please?"The toilets were at the back of the main building. Gordon hurried in first. There were five cubicles, each with its own nauseating odor. He entered the first one. The toilet was missing a seat and the bowl was overflowing with vomit."Ugh. No thanks." He hurried out and entered the next one. A dead crow was sticking out of the toilet, beak wide open and wings spread, reminiscent of a scene from Hitchcock's The Birds."Fuck," he muttered, rushing out and into the third one. This toilet seemed clean enough, only a few cigarette ends and crack pipes floating in it.A few minutes later, Jenna decided to relieve herself, even though she could've held on until Doncaster. It was always the same on a trip. You got the urge to go even though you didn't actually need to go.The pretty redhead went into the end cubicle, which was the cleanest of the lot. Graffiti was daubed all over the walls, the usual expletives, plus crude drawings of cocks done in black marker pen. An urban art gallery for the times, she remarked to herself as she did her thing. It was then that she noticed a neat, circular hole on the lower right side of the partition wall."Ooh, a glory hole," she said to herself. "I wonder if it's well-used?""Why don't we try it out?" A muffled voice in the next cubicle muttered. Seconds later, a cock poked through it!"Gordon, is that you?" Jenna whispered. The shaft was thick just like his."No," the mystery man replied. She didn't recognize his voice, so he had to be someone from the restaurant. Jenna gasped. A burst of excitement ran through her, at the thought of touching this stranger's cock. At the same time, the danger associated with doing this seemed to add to the thrill.With her right hand, she reached down, slowly tracing up and down the length of the engorged cock with her palm. The man let out a groan. The size and hardness of his member increased Jenna's excitement. Her cunt was getting increasingly wet in anticipation, and she quickly knelt down in front of the generous offering.She rolled her tongue around its circumference and sucked on it as she would a piece of fruit, trying to get every drop of pre-cum. Not content with just a portion, she began to slowly venture down the shaft. With every thrust forward, she took more of it down her throat."Oh!" The mystery man exclaimed. He moaned in pleasure and bestowed every compliment he could think of on her.Jenna withdrew in order to say something. "What a gentleman you are!""Well you're damned good," came his reply.With every bobbing of her head, Jenna made progress toward the base. Above the slurping sounds she made as she wetted the shaft with her saliva, she could hear the stranger gently moaning with approval at her technique. She began to vary her speed; one moment erupting with a robust attack, then at an instant slowing her pace to relish the feast.Feeling the end would arrive soon, Jenna quickened her speed. She too, felt the rising heat from her crotch swelling to an orgasmic crescendo. Then, at the apex of pleasure, there erupted from deep within her cunt a spasm, which rapidly spread a pleasing warmth all over her body.The man's body stiffened as he released his full load into Jenna's mouth with a mighty groan. When every drop had been expelled, he slowly withdrew his rod fr

Saint Michael's Church has a new First Lady, named Jenna.A Series in 17 parts, By Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Candlemas RompThis Sunday had brought the heaviest rain so far of 2023. The weather had caused a notable drop in the number of people attending this morning's church service, Reverend Morris noticed.Today was Candlemas, which commemorated the ritual purification of Mary, forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. This day also marked the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. It reminded Jenna of her own sacred ritual of fertility, Mentula Cōleī Baptism'. She's thankful to be so blessed by God, to have such devoted church elders guiding her spiritual development.After the service, and the usual tea, biscuits and chit chat in the church hall, Reverend Morris was eager to return to the vicarage. His wife had given him "that look"; and he knew what that meant. It had been a week since they'd made love, and as he had a feeling Jenna would be more than up for "a little afternoon delight," as she termed it.Outside, the late January winter rain was still lashing down. Despite the vicarage being a five minute walk from the church, the vicar and his wife had neglected to bring an umbrella with them. By the time they arrived home, they were both soaked to the bone.Reverend Morris' hair was wet, and the legs of his trousers clung damply to him, and the back of his black shirt was also soaked. He figured he was going to come down with a nasty cold if he didn't get into some dry clothes right away. Jenna evidently had the same thought, and they went straight upstairs to the master bedroom.She opened the wardrobe doors, and he switched on a bedside lamp. Shivering, they stripped out of their wet clothes.When they were nearly undressed, they glanced at each other. Their eyes locked.Still, they didn't speak. They didn't need to.He took her in his arms, and they kissed lightly at first, tenderly. Her mouth was warm and soft and vaguely flavored with communion wine.She clutched him, pulled him closer, her fingertips digging into the muscles of his back. She pushed her mouth hard against his, scraped his lip with her teeth, thrust her tongue deep, and abruptly their kisses grew hot, demanding.Something seemed to snap in him, and in her, too, for their desire was suddenly marked by animal urgency. They responded to each other in a hungry, almost frenzied fashion, hastily casting off the last of their clothes, pawing at each other's wet bodies, squeezing, stroking. She nipped his shoulder with her teeth. He gripped her pert buttocks and kneaded them with uncharacteristic crudity, but she didn't wince or try to pull away; indeed, she pressed even more insistently against him, rubbing her breasts over his chest and grinding her hips against his. Their wet, tussled hair and slippery bodies wrestled to seduce each other into submission. The soft whimpers that escaped from her were not sounds of pain; they clearly expressed her eagerness and need.In bed, his energy was manic, and his staying power amazed him. He was insatiable, and so was she. They thrust and thrashed and flexed and tensed in perfect harmony, as if they were not only joined but fused, as if they were a single organism, shaken by only one set of stimuli instead of two. Every vestige of civilization slipped from them, and for a long while the only noises they made were animal sounds: panting; groaning; throaty grunts of pleasure; short, sharp cries of excitement. At last Jenna uttered the first word to pass between them since they had left the church:"Oh my God!"And again, arching her slender, graceful body, tossing her head from side to side on the pillow: "Yes, yes!" It was not merely an orgasm to which she was saying yes, for she'd already had a couple of those and had announced them with only ragged breathing and soft mewling. She was saying yes to life.The vicar repeated the word as if chanting a sacred incantation,"Yes, yes, yes!"as he emptied his cum into her a second time.Spent, they stretched out on their backs, side by side on the disheveled bed. For a long time they listened to the rain on the roof and to the persistent thunder, which was no longer loud enough to rattle the windows. Wind howled around the side of the house.Jenna lay with her eyes closed, her face completely relaxed."Lovely service this morning, Simon!" She said at last. "Great choice of hymns.""It certainly was. I think my sermon went down well. Shame about the weather.""Hmm, I don't know - I think the rainy weather makes me much hornier than normal!" It isn't even February, but my winter ‘cabin fever' has already set in. Get ready for more of this ravishing sex, my stud!"Happy Candlemas, Jenna," Reverend Morris replied.Jenna & the Church Trip: Part 1“Thine be the glory hole!”More light-hearted goings-on with vicar's wife Jenna. New year, new naughtiness, and a dull coach trip organized by the church might turn out to be more fun than expected! God works in mysterious ways. For Jenna's husband, it was relief from a nymph wife who had few other ways to occupy herself, besides sexual romps, at all hours of the day and night."I'm so pleased that Alpha and Omega coach holidays have re-started their short breaks," Reverend Simon Morris excitedly exclaimed. "I've just booked us on the three-day trip to Epworth!"His wife Jenna looked up from her phone. "Epworth? Where's that?""It's in Lincolnshire. Now I know what you're thinking, it's January, the excitement of Christmas and the New Year is over and it's such a dull time of year. The weather is awful and what I really should be doing is booking us a fortnight in the Maldives or Barbados to escape the British winter blues. But instead I've booked us a coach trip to Lincolnshire,"Jenna tried to look interested. "Well, I've never been to Lincolnshire. Always nice to see somewhere new.""The reason I booked this trip is that Epworth is the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. I thought you'd like to see it. After all, you are a big fan of them, yes?" He winked at her. "Oakwood Road Methodist Church are forever grateful to you for what you did last year."Jenna grinned. "I'd love to see their birthplace. So, when is this trip?""Next Monday. I think it'll be a fun little getaway. Gordon's coming along too. Oh and so is Barry, his cousin."That made Jenna perk up. Ooh, she thought to herself. I wonder if he's as hot? "He's recovered from his broken ankle then?""As far as I know, he's made a full recovery. His daughter Lisa came over from Florida to stay with him, so Gordon was relieved at that.""Thank goodness for that," Jenna replied. She'd really missed seeing her favorite organist. Oakwood's organist Raymond Wilson had done a superb job standing in for Gordon, thanks to some "gentle persuasion" from Jenna on Christmas Eve. "What sort of hotel are we staying at?"Reverend Morris looked at the Alpha and Omega brochure. "Hmm. We're staying at a hotel just outside Epworth that was originally a 17th century coaching inn. It's called The Parson's Knob, "Jenna almost spat out the coffee she was drinking. "Seriously?""I'm sure there is an innocent explanation for that name! Then again, maybe not! According to the travel agent, all twenty rooms of the hotel had been booked up for a group of Albanian asylum seekers. However for some bizarre reason, after a few days, the Albanians all begged to be transferred to a Travelodge a few miles away.""That is weird," Jenna replied. "I'd much rather stay in a lovely old historical inn than some crappy Travelodge. Oh well. Maybe they wanted somewhere a bit more modern?""Perhaps?"The day of the trip arrived. The British weather was true to form, and it had been raining hard since dawn. "When's the coach due again?" Jenna asked as she and Reverend Morris shivered at the bus stop opposite the railway station."Should be here now," her husband replied. "Oh look, there's Gordon and Barry!""Hmm, maybe this trip won't be so dull after all!" She smirked. Barry was basically a clone of Gordon. "Looks more like his identical twin brother than his cousin!" The only difference being that Barry was wearing glasses. The resemblance was uncanny."I don't know why I let you talk me into coming with you on this trip," Barry moaned as he and Gordon approached the bus stop. "You know I'm not a member of the God Squad, ""You haven't met the vicar's wife yet," Gordon whispered."Oh, this the lass you've got the hots for?" His skeptical cousin rolled his eyes."I think you'll find quite a lot of the fellas at St. Michael's Church have the hots for her," Gordon replied. "Oh God, there she is!"Barry adjusted his glasses. "Bloody hell. You weren't kidding when you said she was a bit of a fox, were you? Dream on! She's way too young for you, Gordy! I'd say she's way too young for the vicar too, but she must have a thing for older men if she's ended up marrying him,"Gordon chuckled. "If only you knew half of the things that go on at St. Michael's, dear cousin. If you did, wild horses wouldn't be able to drag you away from the Sunday Eucharist!""Hello!" Jenna said. "Oh Gordon, is this your cousin?""Hiya, and yes, this is Barry. He's not been won over by St. Michael's yet,""I see. Nice to meet you! Maybe you'll think differently about our church after you've been on this trip?""Perhaps," Barry interrupted, ogling Jenna, until Gordon gave him a nudge.Ten minutes later, a white minibus pulled up at the bus stop."Oh, I was expecting a coach," said Jenna. Further along the street, came Josh the curate and Norman the churchwarden."Not as many people booked as was expected," Reverend Morris replied. "I blame the weather. Afraid there's only six of us!"The group boarded the bus. Barry turned to Gordon. "She's not the typical vicar's wife is she?""Oh not at all," Gordon smiled.Barely half an hour into the journey and as always tended to happen on road trips, someone needed the toilet.Reverend Morris rolled his eyes. "Oh for goodness sake, we've only just set off. We're not due to stop for another hour, when we have our lunch at Cusworth Hall in Doncaster!"This does tend to happen when you have elderly passengers," the bus driver remarked. "I know. I've been doing this job for thirty years. The stories I could tell you!""We haven't got any elderly passengers," the vicar replied. "It's our organist who needs to go. As usual!""Oi, it's not my fault my bloody prostate makes me pee more!" Gordon yelled from the back of the bus. "You're not being very Christian today, Vicar! How about some compassion for your fellow man?""Yes, yes, alright. I'm sorry Gordon. Alright, we'll find somewhere to pull in for a quick comfort break. Is that okay with you, Ahmed?""No worries," the bus driver replied, checking the sat nav. "There's a coach stop a couple of miles away. I'll just come off at the next junction and it's right there. I've stopped at it a few times. It's a bit down at heel, but,""That'll do. As long as there are toilets.""Oh yeah. They're unisex though, and a bit, grimy. Is that a problem?""Not at all," Reverend Morris smirked. "Any port in a storm, as the old saying goes!"The minibus exited the motorway. A short time later, it pulled onto the car park of Jed's Butty Hut, a sandwich restaurant in a 1960s prefab that had seen better days."Right," Reverend Morris said, checking his watch. "We'll have a fifteen minute stop here. Can everyone be back on the bus by ten o'clock please?"The toilets were at the back of the main building. Gordon hurried in first. There were five cubicles, each with its own nauseating odor. He entered the first one. The toilet was missing a seat and the bowl was overflowing with vomit."Ugh. No thanks." He hurried out and entered the next one. A dead crow was sticking out of the toilet, beak wide open and wings spread, reminiscent of a scene from Hitchcock's The Birds."Fuck," he muttered, rushing out and into the third one. This toilet seemed clean enough, only a few cigarette ends and crack pipes floating in it.A few minutes later, Jenna decided to relieve herself, even though she could've held on until Doncaster. It was always the same on a trip. You got the urge to go even though you didn't actually need to go.The pretty redhead went into the end cubicle, which was the cleanest of the lot. Graffiti was daubed all over the walls, the usual expletives, plus crude drawings of cocks done in black marker pen. An urban art gallery for the times, she remarked to herself as she did her thing. It was then that she noticed a neat, circular hole on the lower right side of the partition wall."Ooh, a glory hole," she said to herself. "I wonder if it's well-used?""Why don't we try it out?" A muffled voice in the next cubicle muttered. Seconds later, a cock poked through it!"Gordon, is that you?" Jenna whispered. The shaft was thick just like his."No," the mystery man replied. She didn't recognize his voice, so he had to be someone from the restaurant. Jenna gasped. A burst of excitement ran through her, at the thought of touching this stranger's cock. At the same time, the danger associated with doing this seemed to add to the thrill.With her right hand, she reached down, slowly tracing up and down the length of the engorged cock with her palm. The man let out a groan. The size and hardness of his member increased Jenna's excitement. Her cunt was getting increasingly wet in anticipation, and she quickly knelt down in front of the generous offering.She rolled her tongue around its circumference and sucked on it as she would a piece of fruit, trying to get every drop of pre-cum. Not content with just a portion, she began to slowly venture down the shaft. With every thrust forward, she took more of it down her throat."Oh!" The mystery man exclaimed. He moaned in pleasure and bestowed every compliment he could think of on her.Jenna withdrew in order to say something. "What a gentleman you are!""Well you're damned good," came his reply.With every bobbing of her head, Jenna made progress toward the base. Above the slurping sounds she made as she wetted the shaft with her saliva, she could hear the stranger gently moaning with approval at her technique. She began to vary her speed; one moment erupting with a robust attack, then at an instant slowing her pace to relish the feast.Feeling the end would arrive soon, Jenna quickened her speed. She too, felt the rising heat from her crotch swelling to an orgasmic crescendo. Then, at the apex of pleasure, there erupted from deep within her cunt a spasm, which rapidly spread a pleasing warmth all over her body.The man's body stiffened as he released his full load into Jenna's mouth with a mighty groan. When every drop had been expelled, he slowly withdrew his rod fr

Your hosts take another step on their Journey to the Ends of the Discworld with "I Shall Wear Midnight," by Terry Pratchett, the YA novel to define all YA novels. They talk about quintessential genre examples, relatable teenage angst, and unfortunate Deus ex Machinas. They also discuss realistic romance arcs, unrealistic romantic interests, and what makes a villain scary. There's a brief visit to the Pet Peeve corner to talk about Cromwellian click bait.Find us on Discord / Support us on PatreonThanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs:- Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris”- Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise”Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Due to the inconsistencies and ambiguities within his work and the scarcity of information about his personal life, Andrew Marvell has been a source of fascination for scholars and readers since his work found recognition in the early decades of the twentieth century. Born on March 31, 1621, Marvell grew up in the Yorkshire town of Hull, England, where his father, Rev. Andrew Marvell, was a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church and master of the Charterhouse. At age twelve Marvell began his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. Four years later, two of Marvell's poems, one in Latin and one in Greek, were published in an anthology of Cambridge poets. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1639, Marvell stayed on at Trinity, apparently to complete a master's degree. In 1641, however, his father drowned in the Hull estuary and Marvell abandoned his studies. During the 1640s Marvell traveled extensively on the continent, adding Dutch, French, Spanish, and Italian to his Latin and Greek—missing the English Civil Wars entirely.Marvell spent most of the 1650s working as a tutor, first for Mary Fairfax, daughter of a retired Cromwellian general, then for one of Oliver Cromwell's wards. Scholars believe that Marvell's greatest lyrics were written during this time. In 1657, due to John Milton's efforts on his behalf, Marvell was appointed Milton's Latin secretary, a post Marvell held until his election to Parliament in 1660.A well-known politician, Marvell held office in Cromwell's government and represented Hull to Parliament during the Restoration. His very public position—in a time of tremendous political turmoil and upheaval—almost certainly led Marvell away from publication. No faction escaped Marvell's satirical eye; he criticized and lampooned both the court and Parliament. Indeed, had they been published during his lifetime, many of Marvell's more famous poems—in particular, “Tom May's Death,” an attack on the famous Cromwellian—would have made him rather unpopular with royalists and republicans alike.Marvell used his political status to free Milton, who was jailed during the Restoration, and quite possibly saved the elder poet's life. In the early years of his tenure, Marvell made two extraordinary diplomatic journeys: to Holland (1662–63) and to Russia, Sweden, and Denmark (1663–65). In 1678, after eighteen years in Parliament, Marvell died rather suddenly of a fever. Gossip from the time suggested that the Jesuits (a target of Marvell's satire) had poisoned him. After his death, he was remembered as a fierce and loyal patriot.Now considered one of the greatest poets of the seventeenth century, Marvell published very little of his scathing political satire and complex lyric verse in his lifetime. Although he published a handful of poems in anthologies, a collection of his work did not appear until 1681, three years after his death, when his nephew compiled and found a publisher for Miscellaneous Poems. The circumstances surrounding the publication of the volume aroused some suspicion: a person named “Mary Marvell,” who claimed to be Marvell's wife, wrote the preface to the book. “Mary Marvell” was, in fact, Mary Palmer—Marvell's housekeeper—who posed as Marvell's wife, apparently, in order to keep Marvell's small estate from the creditors of his business partners. Her ruse, of course, merely contributes to the mystery that surrounds the life of this great poet.Andrew Marvell died on August 16, 1678.-bio via Academy of American Poets Get full access to The Daily Poem Podcast at dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Irish land is awarded to English Adventurers and Cromwellian soldiers, and Protestant dominance is secured. Join the Mailing List! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! Sarah Barber, ‘Settlement, Transplantation and Expulsion: A Comparative Study of the Placement of Peoples', in British Interventions in Early Modern Ireland, ed. by Ciaran Brady and Jane Ohlmeyer (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005). Heidi J. Coburn, 'Cromwellian Transplantations of the Irish to the Colonies', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives (Liverpool, 2020) John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660', Cambridge History of Ireland Elaine Murphy, Micheál Ó Siochrú, Jason Peacey, John Morril, eds. The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Crmwell: Volume II, 2022. David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641', Cambridge History of Ireland Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000 Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999 Micheál Ó Siochrú, God's Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland. Micheál Ó Siochrú, 'Atrocity, Codes of Conduct and the Irish in the British Civil Wars 1641-1653', Past & Present , 195 (May, 2007), pp. 55-86 Micheál Ó Siochrú and David Brown, 'The Down Survey and the Cromwellian Land Settlement', in Jane Ohlmeyer (ed), The Cambridge History of Ireland: Volume II. Pádraig Lenihan, Consolidating Conquest: Ireland 1603-1727 (England: Pearson, 2008). Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001 Pádraig Lenihan, 'Siege Massacres in Ireland: Drogheda in Context', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives Patrick J. Corish, ‘The Cromwellian Regime, 1650–60', in A New History of Ireland: Early Modern Ireland 1534-1691, ed. by T. W. Moody, F. X. Martin, and F. J. Byrne (Oxford University Press, 2009) James Scott Wheeler, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives Martyn Bennett, ‘God's Wall of Brass: Cromwell's Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650' in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England's Other Nations, 1649-1658', in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution. Jenny Shaw, Everyday Life in the Early English Caribbean: Irish, Africans, and the Construction of Difference (Athens, United States: University of Georgia Press, 2013) R. Scott Spurlock, ‘Cromwell and Catholics: Towards a Reassessment of Lay Catholic Experience in Interregnum Ireland', in Constructing the Past: Writing Irish History, 1600-1800, ed. by Mark Williams and Stephen Paul Forrest, Irish Historical Monographs (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2010). Jennifer Wells, ‘Proceedings at the High Court of Justice at Dublin and Cork 1652-1654, part 2', Archivium Hibernicum, 67, 76-274. Go to AirwaveMedia.com to find other great history shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

Alan Marshall's book Intelligence and Espionage in the English Republic C. 1600-60 (Manchester UP, 2023) is a richly detailed account of the ideas and activities in the early-modern 'secret state' and its agencies, spies, informers and intelligencers, under the English Republic and the Cromwellian protectorate. The book investigates the meanings this early-modern Republican state acquired to express itself, by exploring its espionage actions, the moral conundrums, and the philosophical background of secret government in the era. It considers in detail the culture and language of plots, conspiracies, and intrigues and it also exposes how the intelligence activities of the Three Kingdoms began to be situated within early-modern government from the Civil Wars to the rule of Oliver Cromwell. It introduces the reader to some of the personalities who were caught up in this world of espionage, from intelligencers like Thomas Scot and John Thurloe to the men and women who became its secret agents and spies. The book includes stories of activities not just in England, but also in Ireland and Scotland, and it especially investigates intelligence and espionage during the critical periods of the British Civil Wars and the important developments which took place under the English Republic and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies

A chalice secretly used by Franciscan monks during the Cromwellian invasion has been returned to a parish in Leitrim almost 400 years after it was crafted. Sean was joined by the man who tracked it down, historian and priest Monsignor Liam Kelly... Image: Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

A chalice secretly used by Franciscan monks during the Cromwellian invasion has been returned to a parish in Leitrim almost 400 years after it was crafted. Sean was joined by the man who tracked it down, historian and priest Monsignor Liam Kelly... Image: Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

Pinball Party Podcast Episode 14: Sir Kenneth Cromwellian Host: Jason Guest Host: Ken Cromwell, Jersey Jack Pinball   Should we spend a bunch of time talking about pinball and record it? - Yep. Did Spooky announce Scooby Doo? - Yep. Did Ken Cromwell join me and have a great conversation about all things pinball including a deep dive on Jersey Jack Pinball? - Yep. Am I done typing?... - Yep.   Show notes: - Figure It Out ™ - Pinball Pantry with Mabel - Getting to know Ken Cromwell's balls - Getting to know more about Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP)     Voicemail: (262)-528-6625 Email: pinballpartypodcast@gmail.com  Website: https://www.thepinballnetwork.net  Neon Dale: https://www.neondale.com    

Margaret Leeson, also known as Peg Plunkett was a Sex Worker and Madame to the elite in 18th-century Ireland.  Companion to Modern Ireland's founding fathers *cough - Colonisers, she was renowned for her wit, intelligence, and charm.  When down on her luck, she published her autobiography in three volumes - giving unreliable customers the option to clear their debts with her, or be named and shamed!   Sources: Book - Peg Plunkett: Memoires of a Whore by Julie Peakman https://dublin.ie/live/life-in-dublin/history-society/  https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/prostitution-ireland  https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/the-liberty-and-ormond-boys-gangs-and-rioting-in-historic-dublin  https://comeheretome.com/2012/11/13/the-pinking-dindies/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poynings%27_Law_(on_certification_of_acts) https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliamentandireland/overview/poynings-law/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Ireland  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modest_Proposal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Swift

Fáilte go dtí Reel History! We’re finally going local – this week we dive into the wild forests of Irish history with Wolfwalkers, our first Irish feature film and first animated film. Come along on a mythical romp thorugh oppressed Cromwellian Ireland and learn how puritanical Christianity clashed with Irish mythology and tradition! Wolfwalkers concludes... The post Wolfwalkers (2020) | Cromwellian Conquest (1649–1653) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Charles II was determined to seek revenge on the men who killed his father. During the Restoration period the regicides fled across the globe and were hunted down by the king's allies, to be gruesomely executed for their part in Charles I's death. Historical novelist Robert Harris tells Rhiannon Davies about his new book, Act of Oblivion, which follows the hunt for two Cromwellian colonels who signed the king's death warrant. (Ad) Robert Harris is the author of Act of Oblivion (Cornerstone, 2022). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/FDR-Transforming-Presidency-Renewing-America/dp/075563716X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QB83NOYQD92C&keywords=iwan+morgan+FDR&qid=1662116942&sprefix=iwan+morgan+fdr%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histipad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremiah, a 1600's Cromwellian Soldier Killed in Battle Spirit CommunicationSpirit Communications: do Spirits really communicate with mortals? The answer to that question is a resounding “YES”! Spirit communications happens every single day to people all over the world. Nearly every major religion maintains, as a primary tenet, the belief in the afterlife. The major religious books, such as the Bible, Torah, Qur'an, Tripitaka, Bhagavad-Gita, and others are replete with references to spirit to mortal communication. After thousands and thousands of years of this communication, what would make you believe it would all suddenly stop? It hasn't stopped, and it continues to this very day, every day around the world. This may leave you with more questions than you previously had. Questions such as: “why do spirits communicate?”; “what is a medium?”; “who can be a medium?”; “how to spirits communicate with mediums?” To answer the first question, most spirits that surround you are attractted to you because of some affinity, either a relative, friend, or loved one. The overwhelming reason they communicate is to give you messages of love. This site is dedicated to educating people on Spirit Communication, mediumship, and all it offers all of these spirit-related books, spirit messages, and more, free of charge. Click the “Learn more” button to read more about Spirit Communications through history until today.

Jeremiah, a 1600's Cromwellian Soldier Killed in Battle narrates his Death through Spirit CommunicationSpirit Communications: do Spirits really communicate with mortals? The answer to that question is a resounding “YES”! Spirit communications happens every single day to people all over the world. Nearly every major religion maintains, as a primary tenet, the belief in the afterlife. The major religious books, such as the Bible, Torah, Qur'an, Tripitaka, Bhagavad-Gita, and others are replete with references to spirit to mortal communication. After thousands and thousands of years of this communication, what would make you believe it would all suddenly stop? It hasn't stopped, and it continues to this very day, every day around the world. This may leave you with more questions than you previously had. Questions such as: “why do spirits communicate?”; “what is a medium?”; “who can be a medium?”; “how to spirits communicate with mediums?” To answer the first question, most spirits that surround you are attractted to you because of some affinity, either a relative, friend, or loved one. The overwhelming reason they communicate is to give you messages of love. This site is dedicated to educating people on Spirit Communication, mediumship, and all it offers all of these spirit-related books, spirit messages, and more, free of charge. Click the “Learn more” button to read more about Spirit Communications through history until today.

Jeremiah, a 1600's Cromwellian Soldier Killed in Battle narrates his Death through Spirit CommunicationSpirit Communications: do Spirits really communicate with mortals? The answer to that question is a resounding “YES”! Spirit communications happens every single day to people all over the world. Nearly every major religion maintains, as a primary tenet, the belief in the afterlife. The major religious books, such as the Bible, Torah, Qur'an, Tripitaka, Bhagavad-Gita, and others are replete with references to spirit to mortal communication. After thousands and thousands of years of this communication, what would make you believe it would all suddenly stop? It hasn't stopped, and it continues to this very day, every day around the world. This may leave you with more questions than you previously had. Questions such as: “why do spirits communicate?”; “what is a medium?”; “who can be a medium?”; “how to spirits communicate with mediums?” To answer the first question, most spirits that surround you are attractted to you because of some affinity, either a relative, friend, or loved one. The overwhelming reason they communicate is to give you messages of love. This site is dedicated to educating people on Spirit Communication, mediumship, and all it offers all of these spirit-related books, spirit messages, and more, free of charge. Click the “Learn more” button to read more about Spirit Communications through history until today.

Jeremiah, a 1600's Cromwellian Soldier Killed in Battle Spirit Communication Spirit Communications: do Spirits really communicate with mortals?  The answer to that question is a resounding “YES”!  Spirit communications happens every single day to people all over the world.  Nearly every major religion maintains, as a primary tenet, the belief in the afterlife.  The major religious books, such as the Bible, Torah, Qur'an, Tripitaka, Bhagavad-Gita, and others are replete with references to spirit to mortal communication.  After thousands and thousands of years of this communication, what would make you believe it would all suddenly stop?  It hasn't stopped, and it continues to this very day, every day around the world. This may leave you with more questions than you previously had.  Questions such as: “why do spirits communicate?”; “what is a medium?”; “who can be a medium?”; “how to spirits communicate with mediums?”  To answer the first question, most spirits that surround you are attractted to you because of some affinity, either a relative, friend, or loved one.  The overwhelming reason they communicate is to give you messages of love.  This site is dedicated to educating people on Spirit Communication, mediumship, and all it offers all of these spirit-related books, spirit messages, and more, free of charge.  Click the “Learn more” button to read more about Spirit Communications through history until today.

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Empire and Enterprise: Money, Power and the Adventurers for Irish Land During the British Civil Wars (Manchester UP, 2020), Dr. David Brown examines the transformation of England's trade and government finances in the mid-seventeenth century, a revolution that destroyed Ireland. In 1642 a small group of merchants, the 'Adventurers for Irish land', raised an army to conquer Ireland but sent it instead to fight for parliament in England. Meeting secretly at Grocers Hall in London from 1642 to 1660, they laid the foundations of England's empire and modern fiscal state. But a dispute over their Irish land entitlements led them to reject Cromwell's Protectorate and plot to restore the monarchy. This is the first book to chart the relentless rise of the Adventurers and their profound political influence. It is essential reading for students of Britain and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century, the origins of England's empire and the Cromwellian land settlement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies

PULL OVER #3 Fuerty   Location: 53.610687, -8.269272  Just after the tree in the picture, there is parking space just before the church on the right. Pull over here to enjoy the audio pieces and to wander around this wonderful village. The graveyard here is one of the most interesting in the county. In it are the ruins of a Franciscan church in which 100 priests were massacred in Cromwellian times by Colonel Ormsby, the local tyrant. Some of the gravestones date back to 1720 and there are graves and tombs of many priests. Two headstones are of special interest. One, erected over the grave of a blacksmith, is carved to show anvil, bellows and smith's tongs. The other, over the grave of a shepherd, shows a sheep and shepherd's crook. 

Wolfwalkers takes the myth and legend everyone knows surrounding werewolves, and transports it to a stunning 2D hand-drawn animated version of Kilkenny in 1650's Ireland, during the Cromwellian occupation of the country, and a dark time for Irish Catholics. At its heart it's a story about the unlikely friendship between Robyn, an English immigrant to Ireland and daughter of the new local wolf hunter and Mebh, a Wolfwalker who lives in the forest with her mother and a pack of wild wolves, set against a backdrop of tyranny, oppression and fear. The final part of their Irish Folklore Trilogy is, to put it simply, a stunning piece of animation innovation. Cartoon Saloon are a force to be reckoned with. Everything about this movie is incredible, from the animation, the story and the stellar voice cast. If you haven't seen this movie. Go. Do it now! You won't regret it. I would love to hear your thoughts on Wolfwalkers! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter https://twitter.com/verbaldiorama (@verbaldiorama) Instagram https://www.instagram.com/verbaldiorama (@verbaldiorama) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/verbaldiorama (@verbaldiorama) Letterboxd https://www.facebook.com/verbaldiorama (@verbaldiorama) Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website https://my.captivate.fm/verbaldiorama.com (verbaldiorama.com) SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Give this podcast a five-star rate & review at https://verbaldiorama.com/rateandreview (https://verbaldiorama.com/rateandreview) Join the Patreon: https://verbaldiorama.com/patreon (https://verbaldiorama.com/patreon) Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Mark, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart and Ian D. Buy Merch! https://verbaldiorama.com/merch (https://verbaldiorama.com/merch) Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent patrons: Ian D & Brendan for their Patron thoughts! Twitter peeps @stoghz Instagram folk @sassylassy76 @theafternoontune Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - https://www.facebook.com/watch/Compositionsbychloe/ (Compositions by Chloe ) Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio Support this podcast

Rakesh Pathak is Head of History and Politics at Feslsted School. After graduating from Oxford, Rakesh taught at Forest School in London before joining the Felsted family in 2006. Rakesh is the founder, editor and chief of the school's annual Cromwellian magazine and in recent years has become chair of the pupil lead equality and diversity committee. Rakesh is also a keen sportsman, particularly enjoying cricket and has a passion for music as well. Felsted School onlineWebsite: www.felsted.orgInstagram: felsted_schoolFacebook: felstedschoolTwitter: felstedschoolLinkedIn: FelstedSchool 

Direction: South west over the N72 blackwater bridge Location: Lismore, Co. Waterford Coordinates: 52.141127, -7.93067 Richard Boyle came to Ireland from England in 1588 with only twenty-seven pounds in capital and proceeded to amass an extraordinary fortune. After purchasing Lismore he made it his principal seat and transformed it into a magnificent residence with impressive gabled ranges each side of the courtyard. He also built a castellated outer wall and a gatehouse known as the Riding Gate.  The principal apartments were decorated with fretwork plaster ceilings, tapestry hangings, embroidered silks and velvet. It was here in 1627 that Robert Boyle The Father of Modern Chemistry, the fourteenth of the Earl's fifteen children, was born. The castle descended to another Richard Boyle, 4th Earl of Cork & 3rd Earl of Burlington, who was a noted influence on Georgian architecture (and known in architectural histories as the Earl of Burlington).  Lismore featured in the Cromwellian wars when, in 1645, a force of Catholic confederacy commanded by Lord Castlehaven sacked the town and Castle. Some restoration was carried out by Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork (1612-1698) to make it habitable again but neither he nor his successors lived at Lismore. The castle (along with other Boyle properties - Chiswick House, Burlington House, Bolton Abbey and Londesborough Hall) was acquired by the Cavendish family in 1753 when the daughter and heiress of the 4th Earl of Cork, Lady Charlotte Boyle (1731-1754) married William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, a future Prime Minister of Great Britain & Ireland. Their son, the 5th Duke (1748-1811) carried out improvements at Lismore, notably the bridge across the river Blackwater in 1775 designed by Cork-born architect Thomas Ivory.

The Stuart Restoration.  The landed classes displace the middling sorts of the Cromwellian power structure.  This is the first of three episodes looking at mainly social history of the Stuart Restoration leading to the Glorious Revolution.  The repression of Dissenters with the Clarendon Code, John Bunyan's eleven years in prison, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress there, are reviewed.  Some pretty big and complicated ideas will appear.  The importance of the Royal Society, the situation of the poor in a society that regards them as morally deficient.There is a digression on the 7 ill years in Scotland during the horrible climate event of the 1690’s.We have an experimental format with two guests this episode, Dragonslayer and Budgieslayer.Trigger warning: One terrible Scottish joke , Haggis and deep-fried Mars bars.With Camie we examine the weakening power of guilds.

‘Keeping the Covenant in Cromwellian Scotland: https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/shr.2020.0488 Dr Brock’s website: https://www.mdbrock.com/ Mapping the Scottish Reformation: https://mappingthescottishreformation.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cromwellian conquest of Ireland --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sarah-hayter/support

On May 12th, Nathan Maxwell was helping to put up a fence at his home in Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus, when he swung a pick-axe, and struck what turned out to be a cannonball in the ground. It's been donated to the Clare Museum, who - with the help of historian Martin Breen - discovered that it was linked with a former castle in Ballycar, and that it dates back to the 1650s and the era of Oliver Cromwell. Nathan, and John Rattigan of the Clare Museum, spoke with Gavin on Friday's Morning Focus

Twitter: twitter.com/historyfolklore Instagram: instagram.com/historyandfolklore Patreon: patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Discover the folklore behind hawthorn trees in early medieval Europe.  How are hawthorns connected to the dead? Why is it dangerous to bring them inside? Can I say thrimethylamine? (no).  I had a bit of an issue with the sound at the end of this episode - sorry! I will do my best to get it sorted for the next episode. Sources used: Baker, M., Discovering the Folklore of Plants (2019). Carey, F., The Tree: Meaning and Muth (2012). Castleman, M., The New healing Herbs (2009). Eberly, S., A Thorn Among the Lilies: The Hawthorn in Medieval Love Allegory, Folklore (1989) Roud, S. A Pocket Guide to Superstitions of the British Isles (2005). Schneidu, L., Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (2019). Stocke, L., The Two Mayings in Chaucer's 'The Knight's Tale': Convention and Invention, The Journal of English and Germanic Philology (1986).Struthers, J. Red Sky at Night: The Book of Lost Countryside Wisdom (2009). Watts, D.C., Dictionary of Plant Lore (2007). Transcription: Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather!   By the craggy hillside, Through the mosses bare, They have planted thorn trees For pleasure, here and there. Is any man so daring As dig them up in spite, He shall find their sharpest thorns In his bed at night.   Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men;     The Fairies by William Allignhorn.      Hello, welcome to the History and Folklore podcast, where we look at different folk beliefs through history and how these beliefs have shaped people's perceptions of nature. Today we're looking at hawthorn trees and the folklore associated with them.     Hawthorn has been in the British Isles for over 20,00 years, and is one of only 33 trees that are native to Britain. Probably because of this, it has a central place in British folklore and is seen as a sacred tree to be respected.    One of the strongest associations that hawthorns have is with spring, particularly May Day. As part of the May festivities, on the night before May 1st young people would go into the woods and return with hawthorn blossoms, stems and branches to turn into garlands and ‘may trees' - hawthorn branches that would be set up outside the house and decorated with wildflowers. Crosses made of hawthorn would also be hung over home and stable doors to protect the inhabitants and in Suffolk any servant who was able to bring back a branch of hawthorn on May morning was rewarded with a bowl of cream for their efforts.    Hawthorn was such a sign of the change of seasons that it was actually used as a way measuring of time in some parts of the British Isles. In Scotland, farmers would say that ‘harvest follows thirteen weeks after hawthorn scents the air.' The use of hawthorn at May Day celebrations became less common after the change from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorain calendar in 1752. This is because May Day was shifted to be about two weeks earlier, making hawthorn blossoms difficult to find. Despite this, the tree still has a strong association with spring and is still called the May Tree in some parts of Britain. It is probably unsurprising that due to its link with spring and new life, that hawthorn has a number of other positive associations.    In Europe hawthorn symbolised hope, marriage and fertility. In England, it is often incorporated into the ‘Green Man' figure and in Ancient Greece brides would carry hawthorn boughs and wear the blossoms in their clothes. In medieval literature hawthorn was used regularly in medieval literature to allude to courtship, fertility and carnal love.    After the Inclosure Act in England, which saw common land being divided up into smaller private fields, hawthorn was used as a common hedging plant and also became associated with boundaries and protection. Planting hawthorn in your garden was said to keep witches away from your home, or at least severely diminish their power. Including hawthorn in hedging plants was also said to ward away fairies, and any cattle kept in the field would flourish. Similarly, May blossom placed on the cowshed door on May morning would ensure the milk supply for the coming year. In Cambridgeshire, hawthorn was also thought to bring luck to the harvest and a branch would be added to the last hayrick. The protective nature of hawthorn extended to the point where it was said that a sprig of it in a hat would protect the wearer from lightning strike.   In Serbia, hawthorn was very closely associated with vampires and driving a hawthorn branch into a graveside would prevent the dead from returning as a Vampire.    However, there was definitely a darker side to hawthorn in folk practice and belief. A popular saying that references the tree states that ‘hawthorn bloom and elder flower fill the house with evil power' and if hawthorn was brought inside the house then a person inside was likely to die. In certain areas the death would be specified, with children being told that bringing hawthorn into the house would kill their mothers - an early version of ‘don't step on the cracks or you'll break your mother's back' rhyme that's sung by schoolchildren in England today. But like all good rules there are exceptions, and in Staffordshire hawthorn could be brought into the house if it was gathered on Holy Thursday and laid in the rafters by someone who was not part of the family who lived there. In that case it would protect the house from lightning strike because apparently ‘under a thorn our saviour was born.'  This superstition may have arisen from the fact that, apparently, the blossoms ‘smelt like death', or more precisely, like the plague. This comparison goes back to before the Great Plague of 1665 and Francis Bacon refers to it in 1627 as an already existing piece of knowledge. The flowers do decay quickly once picked and let off a strong smell. It turns out that the comparison is an accurate one, as trimethylamine (sorry if I haven't pronounce that properly - I am definitely not a science person - if you know how it should be pronounced please let me know) anyway trimethylamine is one of the first products formed when animal tissues start to decay, is present in hawthorn flowers. So if you want a budget interactive history experience, pick some May blossom and you can transport yourself to a seventeenth century house afflicted by the Great Plague.  There is a clear difference in historical attitude between hedgerow hawthorns, planted by humans, and lone hawthorn trees, sometimes called ‘sentry' trees, which were said to either be planted and inhabited by fairies, or to have sprung from the ashes of the dead scattered through the world.   In England these solitary thorns were often used to mark places of administrative meetings or trials. The inclusion of ‘thorn' in an English place name is assumed to be evidence that such meeting trees once stood there as a place of administration and justice.    However, in Ireland a ‘sentry thorn' was a fairy trysting place. It was reported that a woman wearing white could be seen entering and leaving a lone hawthorn tree, and fairies would be seen in their branches. It is thought that this woman could be a fairy queen, or potentially a banshee. Their association with death, and the scattered ashes of the dead is quite interesting in this instance, as there are instances in Icelandic and Scandinavian folklore associating elves with the reincarnated souls of the dead, which makes me wonder if a similar belief used to exist in Ireland and other Celtic nations, or if its just a coincidence.    Because of their association with fairies, lone hawthorn trees demanded great respect and were especially dangerous on May Day, midsummer or halloween - the times of greatest fairy power. It was particularly unlucky to go to sleep under one of these thorns, and Thomas the Rhymer was said to have met the Queen of Elfhame after falling asleep under one, was taken to the realm of the fairies for 7 years, and was returned with the gift of prophesy. While this may have sounded like a great outcome, there were stories of people not returning until their friends, families and all who knew them had died, so you might not want to take your chances.    Farmers would cultivate around lone thorns that lay in their fields, and as late as 1968 there was local opposition to plans to remove a thorn that lay in the way of a road in Donegal. In the end, the road was realigned at great expense to avoid the tree. Again, this mimics legends in Iceland of elf stones, with roads being diverted even now to avoid rocks where elves are said to reside.    Damaging one of these thorns was seen as incredibly reckless. A farmer in Worcester became so annoyed at the people coming to his lands to visit the thorn that stood there that he chopped it down. Shortly after he broke an arm, a leg and his farm burnt down. Another man reported that he saw blood coming from the tree as he tried to fell it, and so stopped, which he was probably grateful of if he knew of the fate of the first farmer.    Again there is evidence of ritual rule breaking in these instances, and saying a prayer before felling the thorn may save you from harm. This would only be true if the reason for felling was absolutely necessary, though, usually for ritual or healing purposes - never to tidy a farm or for convenience. On of the more alarming stories was when Walter Grove, son of a manor house in Dorset, cut down a thorn when firewood ran short one winter. After this, the entire village became infertile. No chickens laid eggs, no calves and no babies were conceived. It was only after the tree was replaced that this was remedied and things returned to normal, but it shows how an entire community could be punished for the thoughtlessness of one individual.    Fairy or sentry thorns did not always bring ill fortune, though, if you treated the tree and fairies with the respect they deserved. An account of two men who carefully ploughed a field, taking great care to avoid the hawthorn tree in the middle, were rewarded at the end of their work with a table overflowing with food and drink. A particularly lovely story from the Isle of Man tells of a girl who had always left offerings out for local fairies. When she needed help completing her spinning work in time she told a nearby hawthorn of her troubles, and the fairies came to complete her work as well as leaving her a beautiful shawl of wildflowers as a parting gift.    The importance of hawthorns easily passed from pagan to Christian law. In the first episode about elves, I talk about how the early Christian church was keen to keep the trappings of old religions and folk beliefs, while changing the meaning for them to a more Christian one so as to ease the transition between religions.    In England, this is particularly true in the case of the Glastonbury Thorn in Somerset. After conversion a legend grew around the tree that said that it came into being after St Joseph of Arimathea struck his staff into the ground, where it immediately rooted and grew branches, to the amazement of the watching crowd. This miracle gave people a justifiable reason to continue venerating the tree after conversion, and it was said that the tree would burst into bloom every year on December 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ. In the winter of 1752, after the calendar change, the tree failed to do so and apparently a large crowd gathered around it on January 5th, Christmas Day on the old calendar, to see if it bloomed then. It did, which was seen as proof that the old calendar was the correct one. Sadly, the Glastonbury Thorn was cut down by Cromwellian troops, who saw it as a relic of old superstitions, in the English civil war. Although it was later replaced by another, said to be from a cutting of the original tree.    Other lone thorns retained importance to their local communities in their own ways. In Ireland, some became ‘mass trees', dedicated to saints, associated with holy wells or incorporated into burial customs. In France hawthorns were seen as an acceptable alternative to church to pray if someone was a long way from church, and it was traditional for mothers to pray at these trees for the health of their children.    Hawthorn wood was seen as particularly holy as it was said that the crown of thorns at Jesus crucifixion was made of hawthorn and in the medieval era rosaries were often made of this wood because of this . It was believed that this link made hawthorn particularly effective in healing. A charm for a festering wound instructed the practitioner to pass a thorn over the wound while saying the phrase ‘Christ was of the Virgin born, he was pricked by a thorn, it never did bell and swell, I trust in Jesus it never will.' Hawthorn was seen to have a number of healing properties and in the seventeenth century the herbalist Thomas Culpeper claimed it was a singular remedy for kidney stones and dropsy, which caused tissue swelling. It is still used in modern medicine to treat a variety of ailments including high or low blood pressure, congestive heart failure (which can lead to edema, formerly known as dropsy) and high cholesterol.   As well as medicinal uses, hawthorn berries and leaves have been used for food for thousands of years, either straight from the tree or made into jams and jellies. The leaves were often called ‘poor man's bread and cheese' due to their distinctive taste. If you do choose to try a leaf,, obviously make sure it definitely is hawthorn and safe before you eat one, but maybe also leave an offering out in return for the fairies that live there, just in case. Thank you for listening to this episode of the History and Folklore Podcast. If you enjoyed the episode I would really appreciate it if you could follow me on Facebook at History and Folklore Podcast or Instagram at history and folklore, where you will be notified of future episodes and also discover lots or random history and folklore facts.You can also get in touch by emailing me at historyandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening, and I hope to see you for the next episode.

Podcast 7, 22nd May 2020* - SUT Chair of Education Committee Susan John interviewing Mark Beattie-Edwards, CEO of the Nautical Archaeology Society, about the discovery, excavation to date, & future plans for the wreck of the 'London' - a rare English civil-war-era warship, that was lost in a massive explosion in the Thames Estuary off Southend in 1665. London has been described at Southend's very own 'Mary Rose', and Mark discusses the possibilities of how she could be raised as a future education and archaeology project - but that time is short, as the wreck lies just off a major shipping lane and is in danger of destruction by erosion. This is an extra episode timed for the UK late May bank holiday weekend. See also https://thelondonshipwrecktrust.co.uk/save-the-london/ & the following Twitter Feeds - @SaveTheLondon @StevenEllis3 (Steve's the main diver working the wreck) and @NautArchSoc Find out more about SUT at www.sut.org, & contact steve.hall@sut.org if you'd like to be interviewed for a future podcast. Thanks to Emily Boddy for creating the podcast artwork and composing the theme music. Please don't forget to follow, subscribe, rate and review our podcast - Thanks! *audio file replaced 0850hrs 22/5/20 after error found in version 1 - please reload if you've got a version with a gap in sound after the theme music Support the show (https://www.justgiving.com/soc-underwatertech)

42 BC Marcus Junius Brutus, a leading conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar, dies by suicide after his defeat at the second battle of Philippi. Two years before, Brutus had joined Gaius Cassius Longinus in the plot against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, believing he was striking a blow for the restoration of the Roman Republic. However, the result of Caesar's assassination was to plunge the Roman world into a new round of civil wars, with the Republican forces of Brutus and Cassius vying for supremacy against Octavian and Mark Antony. After being defeated by Antony at a battle in Philippi, Greece, in October 42 B.C., Cassius killed himself. On October 23, Brutus' army was crushed by Octavian and Antony at a second encounter at Philippi, and Brutus took his own life. Antony and Octavian soon turned against each other, and in 27 B.C. the Roman Republic was lost forever with the ascendance of Octavian as Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. 1641 Irish Rebellion of 1641 starts as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for Catholics. The coup failed and the rebellion developed into an ethnic conflict between the Gaelic Irish and old English Catholics on one side, and both ethnically English Protestants and Scottish/Presbyterian planters on the other. This began a conflict known as the Irish Confederate Wars. The Irish Confederate Wars, also called the Eleven Years' War would end in English victory and a crushing of Irish Catholic power in Ireland that would last for nearly two centuries. The death toll of the conflict was huge. William Petty, a Cromwellian who conducted the first scientific land and demographic survey of Ireland in the 1650s, concluded that at least 400,000 people and maybe as many as 620,000 had died in Ireland between 1641 and 1653. The true figure may well be lower given Petty's outmoded methodology, but the lowest suggested is about 200,000. It is estimated that about two thirds of the deaths were civilian; at the time of the conflict, the population of Ireland stood at around 1.5 million people, putting casualties at around 1/5 - 1/3 of the total population. 1983 A suicide bomber drives a truck packed with explosives into the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. military personnel. That same morning, 58 French soldiers were killed in their barracks two miles away in a separate suicide terrorist attack. The U.S. Marines were part of a multinational force sent to Lebanon in August 1982 to oversee the Palestinian withdrawal from Lebanon. A terrorist plowed his bomb-laden truck through three guard posts, a barbed-wire fence, and into the lobby of the Marines Corps headquarters in Beirut, where he detonated a massive bomb, killing 241 marine, navy, and army personnel. The bomb, which was made of a sophisticated explosive enhanced by gas, had an explosive power equivalent to 18,000 pounds of dynamite. 2002 About 50 Chechen rebels storm a Moscow theater, taking up to 700 people hostage during a sold-out performance of a popular musical.The second act of the musical “Nord Ost” was just beginning at the Moscow Ball-Bearing Plant's Palace of Culture when an armed man walked onstage and fired a machine gun into the air. The terrorists—including a number of women with explosives strapped to their bodies—identified themselves as members of the Chechen Army. They had one demand: that Russian military forces begin an immediate and complete withdrawal from Chechnya, the war-torn region located north of the Caucasus Mountains. The siege lasted for about 3 days and ended after Russian security forces released a chemical gas in the theater. All of the rebels and about 170 hostages died during the siege.

Welcome to episode TWO of Justice Time Machine. This one is about a huge piece of shit named Oliver Cromwell. Do not give Oliver some more because this Oliver wants genocide. Cody and CJ cover the systematic purge of Catholicism from Ireland. In this scenario, the British never pay their debts, they just use Irish blood as currency. justicetimemachine@gmail.com @justicetimemachine --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/justice-time-machine/support

In which you will learn The tumultuous tale of Oliver Cromwell's head Why dear Oliver might have made a bad dinner party guest The extensive list of things he tried to ban during his time in power

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant's obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen's University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant’s obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen’s University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant’s obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen’s University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant’s obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen’s University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant’s obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen’s University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsteen M. MacKenzie, an historian who has taught for many years at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, has published a definitive account of the relationships between England, Scotland and Ireland during the Cromwellian republic of the 1650s. The Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Kingdoms and the Cromwellian Union 1643-1663(Routledge, 2018) re-examines the political and constitutional bonds that were implied by the covenant to which the English and Scottish parliaments had subscribed at the beginning of the first civil war, and considers why so many Presbyterians understood the Cromwellian occupation to represent a breach of the covenant’s obligations. But far from retreating into their own world, this book shows that Presbyterians in Ireland and England set about an ambitious attempt to export their system of church government, with the effect that the Presbyterian movement actually grew under conditions that were designed to frustrate it. This important new book argues for a new account of Presbyterian growth in the British Republic, and demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of a religious group that refused to accept defeat. Crawford Gribben is a professor of history at Queen’s University Belfast. His research interests focus on the history of puritanism and evangelicalism, and he is the author most recently of John Owen and English Puritanism (Oxford University Press, 2016). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we talk about Oliver Cromwell - Parliamentary visionary or war criminal? He is a figure that divides opinion, even amongst supporters. If you want to read more, here are our sources: http://www.olivercromwell.org/wordpress/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/cromwell_01.shtml https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Ireland https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/localnotes/cromwell-there-is-absolutely-no-solid-contemporary-evidence-that-civilians-were-killed-at-drogheda-27123593.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8eAZK8biR0 https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Oliver-Cromwell/

“Irish Ghost Hunters” is a two-part documentary series on paranormal investigators in Ireland. In this episode Ghost Eire carry out a seance at a medieval abbey in county Kerry where monks were tortured by Cromwellian soldiers.

Scottish and Irish Resistance to Cromwellian Legal Measures by Jennifer Wells (Brown and IHR) at Law and Revolution in Ireland - law and lawyers before, during, and after the Cromwellian Interregnum.

Scottish and Irish Resistance to Cromwellian Legal Measures by Jennifer Wells (Brown and IHR) at Law and Revolution in Ireland - law and lawyers before, during, and after the Cromwellian Interregnum.

Jennifer Wells (Brown/IHR) at the 2014 Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference. Spanish wine bee better than French - Continental Realpolitik and its imperial resonance, 1649-92.

John Morrill of Cambridge University draws on eyewitness testimony to examine the exceptional violence and disruption brought about by the Irish Massacres of 1641–42. Morrill chaired the editorial board for the project that put 8,000 survivor statements online at the 1641 Depositions website. This was the 2013–14 Crotty Lecture at The Huntington.

Teresa Shoosmith (NUIG). Stone, mud and straw - landscape, people and material culture in east Clare, 1670 to 1750.

Professor Barry Coward, President of the Historical Association and the Cromwell Association discusses the nature of the republican government of Britain's most controversial head of state.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Restoration. On 29th May 1660, on his thirtieth birthday, Charles II rode into London on horseback and was restored to the thrones of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland. A ‘golden age' descended on a people that had been ravaged by civil war, religious division, Cromwellian tyranny and puritanical laws: suddenly the theatres were re-opened, Christmas was celebrated once again, all Orange-sellers were beautiful and peace and prosperity reigned across the land. Or at least that's one version of the Restoration story. But despite the architecture of Wren, the literature of Dryden, and the philosophy of Hobbes, can an era that is suffused in Plague and in Fire, and culminates in something called The Glorious Revolution, ever really have had it so good?With Dr Mark Goldie, lecturer in History, Churchill College, University of Cambridge; Richard Ollard author of The Image of the King: Charles I and Charles II; Dr Clare Jackson, lecturer and Director of Studies in History, Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Restoration. On 29th May 1660, on his thirtieth birthday, Charles II rode into London on horseback and was restored to the thrones of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland. A ‘golden age’ descended on a people that had been ravaged by civil war, religious division, Cromwellian tyranny and puritanical laws: suddenly the theatres were re-opened, Christmas was celebrated once again, all Orange-sellers were beautiful and peace and prosperity reigned across the land. Or at least that’s one version of the Restoration story. But despite the architecture of Wren, the literature of Dryden, and the philosophy of Hobbes, can an era that is suffused in Plague and in Fire, and culminates in something called The Glorious Revolution, ever really have had it so good?With Dr Mark Goldie, lecturer in History, Churchill College, University of Cambridge; Richard Ollard author of The Image of the King: Charles I and Charles II; Dr Clare Jackson, lecturer and Director of Studies in History, Trinity Hall, Cambridge.