Update from Paris

[jimboston]

NO matter the evidence I present, jimb will will continue his HOAX.

So me stating that Arthur is a mythological character, a view supported by pretty much everyone, this is a hoax?

I did find this, from May 2017:

When the movie King Arthur: Legend of the Sword hits theaters Friday, it will add the latest twist to a legend that’s been evolving for nearly a millennium. This version of the legend (starring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law) pits King Arthur against his uncle, who seizes the crown until the famous episode in which young Arthur pulls the sword from the stone and proves he is the rightful king.

It’s a fanciful tale and one that’s been told many times, but where does it come from?

Some people do believe that King Arthur could have been a real person, but despite the occasional news story about an archaeological discovery that may provide clues, experts on Arthurian legend tell TIME that there is no evidence — no primary source from the time — to confirm that King Arthur was ever a real person.

So you just proved me correct.

Also note… “some people” not “some learned scholars”.

What is possible, however, is that Arthur is based on a real leader from the 5th or 6th century. One promising theory points to a person known as “Riothamus” — an honorific for “supreme king” — who crossed the English Channel to fight in France. That’s something that Arthur also does in early texts. “It may be the closest we will come to locating a specific model for Arthur,” according to Norris J. Lacy, a medievalist and former international president of the International Arthurian Society.

If an “Arthur-type” figure were alive around that time, then he was probably a military leader reacting to the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain, a very violent time and a setting ripe for the creation of a legend. “There was no centralized government, and British life was essentially tribal,” says Lacy. “Rulers would occupy an area, often a hill, that would be easy to defend. Local wars were frequent, with much hacking and ‘smiting.’ Life being as uncertain as it was, and with society torn by war, strife, and sometimes famine and disease, it is not surprising that people would latch onto stories of a benevolent king or warlord who is intent on peace and prosperity.”

Sure. It’s “possible” Arthur is based on a real person. I never disputed this. The fact that this article quotes one historian who’s speculating about one possible “historical Arthur” theory proves nothing. He’s not even saying he believes this… he’s just giving the author of the article some speculative filler. Note the language he’s using… he’s very very far from actually claiming this theory as valid. Additionally it’s amusing to me that in this particular “theory” the historical figure referenced “Riothamus” isn’t named “Arthur” or any version of Arthur in a different language.

So your whole post just proves you wrong. Keep going bruh.

[bigtoughralf]

Most of the current theories suggest that King Arthur was a real person

Yes, a real person whose magic sword was given to him by a woman who lived at the bottom of a lake.

[jimboston]

Most of the current theories suggest that King Arthur was a real person

Yes, a real person whose magic sword was given to him by a woman who lived at the bottom of a lake.

Have you read none of his posts since this?

He recanted this position, then doubled-down on it, then called me stupid for disagreeing with him, and now he’s not sure.

[bigtoughralf]

Most of the current theories suggest that King Arthur was a real person

Yes, a real person whose magic sword was given to him by a woman who lived at the bottom of a lake.

Have you read none of his posts since this?

I try to ration myself.

[2dimes]

On July 8th swinging back towards Paris to visit Versailles, and then on July 9th planning to be in Puy de Dome to see one leg of the Tour de France. Going to France to see part of the Tour de France has been on my bucket list since I was a kid! The Puy de Dome is a legendary leg, brutal mountain for a biker to conquer! Then Chambord and Angers on the 10th before returning to Paris on the 11th.

How did that go?

[Dukasaur]

On July 8th swinging back towards Paris to visit Versailles, and then on July 9th planning to be in Puy de Dome to see one leg of the Tour de France. Going to France to see part of the Tour de France has been on my bucket list since I was a kid! The Puy de Dome is a legendary leg, brutal mountain for a biker to conquer! Then Chambord and Angers on the 10th before returning to Paris on the 11th.

How did that go?

Mix of success and failure.

My original plan was to park at the bottom of Puy de Dome and walk up to the top and wait for the riders. That got kaiboshed once the day got closer and the forecast turned to 33 degrees Celsius. There's no way a fat old man with a heart condition was going up a mountain like that in 33 degrees with high humidity. So we had to change the plan to driving, but driving with all the road closures was almost impossible, especially when you're not a local and you don't have any inside knowledge. Got turned back by cops on closed roads so many times I literally lost count. So walking to the top was out, and after several hours of trying to find a way through the blockades, driving up was also out.

Eventually had to settle for a vantage point down in the valley below. Not the triumph I was hoping for, but we did get to see the race. A tiny sliver of it, to be sure, but incredibly exciting nonetheless. Bucket list entry successfully checked off, albeit with an asterisk.

As a side note, friends of my wife (who were watching the race at home on TV) phoned us and congratulated us for being a good luck charm. Canadian Michael Woods won Leg 9 of the race (his first victory), and although he races for an Israeli team, Canadian biking fans saw it as a rare victory to celebrate.

[KoolBak]

Cool manno..

[jimboston]

As a side note, friends of my wife (who were watching the race at home on TV) phoned us and congratulated us for being a good luck charm. Canadian Michael Woods won Leg 9 of the race (his first victory), and although he races for an Israeli team, Canadian biking fans saw it as a rare victory to celebrate.

All seven of them?

[bigtoughralf]

There's no way a fat old man with a heart condition was going up a mountain like that in 33 degrees with high humidity.

tbf I'm none of those things and I wouldn't be hiking up a mountain in that weather either.

[2dimes]

Nice.

We walked a bit over 10k per day according to the wife's phone for almost a week, mostly in that sort of weather in Montreal. Don't worry, I still put on three pounds.

I know what you mean trying to get around sometimes when you lack local knowledge, launguage skills and an interpreter.

We had weekend bus passes, went up on Mont Royal to check out the chalet. From the viewing area I saw the Cartier bridge, figured we should ride over for a closer look. Missed a stop to switch busses and the plan kind of unraveled. Worked out but would have been much easier in English. I was surprised how English friendly Montreal is though. Being close to the US border helps.

How was Versailles, Chambord and Angers?

I presume Paris was quiet when you got back.

[2dimes]

How was Versailles, Chambord and Angers?

I presume Paris was quiet when you got back.

[jusplay4fun]

Most of the current theories suggest that King Arthur was a real person

Yes, a real person whose magic sword was given to him by a woman who lived at the bottom of a lake.

Yeah, RIGHT, this is the part I said was TRUE. Comprehension problems? or just DUMMMM...?

More than likely, poor-ralph was HOPING to annoy me. NAW, a quick clarification should clear up any misunderstanding or miscomprehension.

Let me clarify:

Most Some of the current theories suggest that King Arthur was BASED ON a real person

[jonesthecurl]

I just got the new (6th ed) version of the roleplay game Pendragon. I started playing it with the second edition, way back when I owned a game shop.

I don't know if I'll be able to get a game going locally, especially since my hearing is crap these days.

It's my favourite roleplay game, even better than my own AAARG!

[jusplay4fun]

I just got the new (6th ed) version of the roleplay game Pendragon. I started playing it with the second edition, way back when I owned a game shop.

I don't know if I'll be able to get a game going locally, especially since my hearing is crap these days.

It's my favourite roleplay game, even better than my own AAARG!

Very cool. (tbh, I am not familiar with that game.)

What was your big sellers? what did you sell lots of, Jonesy? and how long ago did you own this game shop?

[jonesthecurl]

I was going to add a pic of the game, but Paint seems to have been updated and I can't do what I want. I'll try later.

It's set in the legendary Arthurian world, owing little history and a lot to Malory.

My shop was in the UK back in the 80's. AD&D was big then (and again now, though the modern version is a bit pussified). In roleplay there were various fads which everyone played for a while and then forgot - Paranoia (dark humour of the computer-run world), Cyberpunk, Middle-Earth, and so on.

Eventually. Magic the Gathering began to eat most people's disposable income. I personally lost patience with it very early on when they wimped out and outlawed the idea of the 'ante' cards.

But the biggest selling thing consistently in the shop was - anything to do with Star Trek. I know far more about the Trek universe than I ever wanted to, due to the then-early teens who haunted the shop waiting for their next pocket money . There were Trek roleplay games, Trek boardgames, Trek metal miniatures,Trek novels and comics, 'Teach Yourself Klingon' and above all, 'Starfleet Battles' which I know many of them still play all this time later. I think this was largely a local phenomenon - Trek was bigger there than most places.

My three favourite RPGs of all time (in order) are: Pendragon. my own AAARG!, and the French game Thoan.

[jusplay4fun]

I was going to add a pic of the game, but Paint seems to have been updated and I can't do what I want. I'll try later.

It's set in the legendary Arthurian world, owing little history and a lot to Malory.

My shop was in the UK back in the 80's. AD&D was big then (and again now, though the modern version is a bit pussified). In roleplay there were various fads which everyone played for a while and then forgot - Paranoia (dark humour of the computer-run world), Cyberpunk, Middle-Earth, and so on.

Eventually. Magic the Gathering began to eat most people's disposable income. I personally lost patience with it very early on when they wimped out and outlawed the idea of the 'ante' cards.

But the biggest selling thing consistently in the shop was - anything to do with Star Trek. I know far more about the Trek universe than I ever wanted to, due to the then-early teens who haunted the shop waiting for their next pocket money . There were Trek roleplay games, Trek boardgames, Trek metal miniatures,Trek novels and comics, 'Teach Yourself Klingon' and above all, 'Starfleet Battles' which I know many of them still play all this time later. I think this was largely a local phenomenon - Trek was bigger there than most places.

My three favourite RPGs of all time (in order) are: Pendragon. my own AAARG!, and the French game Thoan.

Thanks for sharing, Jonesy. I like Star Trek, but know almost nothing about these games, tbh.

I think I had mentioned that when I was teaching in public school, I sponsored a Games Club (evolved from Chess only, with Risk in the Spring). In the last few years, the games expanded to include other games, boards (e.g., Ticket to Ride), cards (e.g., Coup), and D&D attracted a small group, too. I wanted students do more than stare at their phones all the time and this provided a nice meeting place and event. My classroom proved too small, so I moved the meeting place to the Library and we could spread out.

[jonesthecurl]

AHa: I hadn't installed Paint.net on the new computer and was apparently trying to use something with a similar name. Here's the game (I haven't opened the box yet, I'm reserving that for a day when I've got a few hours to spare.

[2dimes]

What?

Behind the rabbit?

[jonesthecurl]

What?

Behind the rabbit?

[2dimes]

Huh. That bag pipe...

[jonesthecurl]

Terry Jones was a serious (and published) medieval historian. In 'Holy Grail', it showed ( including the dangerous rabbit). He was not involved in the creation of the musical 'Spamalot', and that showed too.

[2dimes]

I guess I need to go down that rabbit hole..

[jonesthecurl]

The monks who were copying out bibles and other texts often illustrated the margins with irrelevant doodles. A very common one was rabbits attacking people or jousting with knights. Dangerous rabbits! The obscure inspiration for the scene in 'Holy Grail'.

(The pic above is a real medieval manuscript illumination if that wasn't obvious)

Possibly rabbits were simply a strange species, at least in Britain - there were none before the Normans imported them.
Originally, they were farmed, but many escaped and eventually became a 'native' species.

Lord but I know some odd things.

[jonesthecurl]

More research, inspired by the fact that the guys above look more like hares than rabbits. Hares were in Britain before the rabbits - possibly imported by the Romans, possibly here even earlier.

I'm thinking about some leads this is suggesting to me. More may come later.

[2dimes]

Hares were typically called Jack Rabbits here.

Update : Now I'm reading that "jack rabbit" is a breed of hare. It's kind of complex considering their only known purpose is to bring Jim Boston colorful eggs one day a year.