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Showing posts from December, 2018

Ivanhoe, a historical Novel by Sir Walter Scott

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Ivanhoe narrates the story of one of the remaining Anglo-Saxon noble families during an era where the English nobility was overwhelmingly Norman. The plot observes the story of the Saxon protagonist, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who has fallen in his father's disfavour for his allegiance to the Norman King Richard the Lionheart. Richard the Lionheart The plot is set in 1194, , follwing the defeat of the Third Crusade, , where many of the Crusaders were still returning home in Europe. King Richard, encaptured by Leopold of Austria during his journey back to England was believed to still be in captivity. The location of the novel is centred upon southern Yorkshire and northern Nottinghamshire in England. Castles mentioned within the story include Ashby de la Zouch Castle (now a ruin in the care of English Heritage), York (though the mention of Clifford's Tower, likewise an extant English Heritage property, is anachronistic, it not having been called that ...

Hanukka: The Origins of the eight-day and night Jewish Holiday

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Hanukkah , which in 2018 begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 2, is one of the most widely celebrated Jewish festival of lights in the United States. Hanukka , or (less commonly) Chanukah, Hanukah is the 8-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th of Kislev and commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after its defilement by Antiochus of Syria. Hanukkah traditions include lighting candles, giving presents, playing games and eating food fried in oil, like doughnuts or potato pancakes. Star of Wonder, Vintage Framed Jewelry brooch star of David History of Hanukka More than 2000 years ago there was a time when the land of Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire, dominated by Syrian rulers of the dynasty of the Seleucids . In order to relate the story that led up to Chanukah, we shall start with Antiochus III, the King of Syria, who reigned from 3538 to 3574 (222-186 B.C.E.). He had waged war with King Ptolemy of Egypt over the possession of the ...