My mother was always into family, which is to say the actions of ancestors in the past who gave some cachet to those still living. She actually became a rather well respected genealogist for her work to establish legal proofs on various lines. For her, every link to royalty and nobility was yet more proof of our goodness and superiority. Me, well, I rather enjoyed the playboys, cattle thieves, and other less-than-stellar ancestors. I’ve met various members of royalty over the years, and frankly with a few exceptions I’d rather drink with whores and rogues. The latter are far better sorts in my opinion.
That said, I also have to admit I enjoyed being a direct descendant of Duncan slain by the traitor MacBeth. Of course, I am one of many who suspect the family paid off Shakespeare to make Duncan into a saint when he was far from it. It was interesting to have more than one connection to the current royal family of England. And, I have enjoyed being a member of a society The Friends of St. George’s. Another earned it, but it was interesting to be a descendant of one who had done great things.
However, current events do have an impact on the past — and especially to those who worship it. I have never truly worshiped the past, but have respected it and those who maintained the obligations of the past. The late Queen earned my respect on several fronts, not the least learning to shoot with Churchill’s tommy gun. She will be missed on many fronts, and I have my doubts about her line ever climbing to her level again. William might surprise me, but Charles is not worthy of her or her throne.
Which brings me to a choice I must now make. I’ve written about the rape gangs (bleep calling them grooming gangs) for years now, took a small bit of flack for doing so and for publishing an editorial cartoon that hit home for some. May have to publish it again despite it being deemed too much for the public.
I, Clifford Blake Powers, Jr., do hereby renounce any and all membership in all English Orders, be they of nobility or otherwise. I renounce for myself and my heirs any and all claims to titles, lands, or other carriage within the Kingdom of England and/or Great Britain. I hereby renounce my membership in The Friends of St. Georges, and Knights of the Garter. I nor my heirs are no longer subject to being a member or life descendant member of this or any other order. I reject utterly and completely being associated with child rapists, their enablers, or their defenders. May God reward you all well for that which you have done, and that which you have enabled.
My die is cast, and I reject you all. My heart is with those abused, who you would fuck over even more.
Gone Medieval podcast had current episode on The Real Lady MacBeth.
I am proud of my great grandparents who left Europe over 150 years ago. The lands and people they left behind are nothing to me. The land and people who let them live and reproduce (bigly) are all the ancestors I want.
Still the best damn country in the world.
The USA is indeed!
“… frankly with a few exceptions I’d rather drink with whores and rogues.”
So you like drinking with Royalty?
I should have specified honest whores and rogues… 🙂
It’s very sad to see the former capital of Western Civilization sinking to such a sordid nadir.
It is indeed.
McNulty has it right. The risk takers who left the old country are our forebears, and those who stayed behind are their inferiors.
The risk takers, the desperate, and those who craved adventure if not new life. They made us, and they made this country.
Good on you my friend!
Cry havoc!
Thanks! Also, hope 2025 is a good year for you and yours!!
I’ve never considered the highly placed ancestors I do have as making me anything or anybody special, Cousin Wolf. I’m also grateful nobody’s going to judge me by Mabel Talvas de Belleme.
There are some ancestors whose admirable traits I consider worthy of emulation. There are knights and woman warriors from whom I’m proud to be descended, FWIW. But, I see and enjoy the family history as a great collection of stories.
And we threw all that rank and royalty stuff over during the Revolutionary War, and became Americans. That’s my bottom line.
I’m with you on how that sceptered isle now stinketh to high heaven.
Your take is pretty much mine. I think Mom always hoped that one day the family would be brought into/brought back into high society. For me, I saw some of my ancestors as having traits worth emulating and some well worth avoiding (as you feel about Mabel). Much like the tales of knighthood and chivalry, those in our past worthy of emulation should inspire. And educate, including not doing as some of my ancestors did (or whom they trusted).
Hey, cuz. My Mom’s folks were Duncan’s. Who were transported as prisoners after the Bonnie Prince Charlie Rebellion of 1745.
Sold as indentured servants in Virginia, and after their indenture ended, moved down the mountains to East Tennessee.
I live about a half mile from the Historical Marker for Jessie Duncan, an ancestor who was killed by Indians in 1765.
Two hundred and fifty years and we’ve only gotten a half mile.
Glad they were transported and not killed! British were rather testy about our (Clan Donnachaidh, the Robertsons and the Duncans) closing with them in battle. Did I tell you I visited the tree where the Clan Chief allegedly hid while the Brits were looking for him? LOL on the half mile.
My ancestors were common as muck. Past about 5 or 6 generations back we can’t find squat on them. I do know my surname was originally Haades which in anglo-saxon was a hat seller, but the overwhelming majority of my family was from Germany so who knows.
Dont blame you one bit for not wanting any link with the royal scumbags these days.
I always found it amusing that if we were part of any family with money and power, our branch was always on the wrong side of the tracks and had neither money or power. 🙂 Have to admit, two of my favorite ancestors caught royal tax collectors staying at an inn on their (clan) lands. Said tax collectors were set out into the cold Scottish night in their nightshirts and barefoot, and warmed up by running them to the nearest point off clan lands.
Seems reasonable to me.
Reminds me of what St. John said about the truly evil: “…receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
I do think that in a number of cases of royalty and other so-called elites, this does apply.