R.L. Geer-Robbins's Blog, page 16

Friends,

Day 4 of the 31 Days of Myths, Magic, Mayhem, and more…

I will be your host for the evening, and tonight, I want to explore the relationship between magicians and spiritualism.

Maybe the term ‘relationship’ is too friendly. It’s more like a toxic relationship. A battle between two groups of people who use the art of illusion to convince the audience that they can manipulate the environment, spirits, and your mind.

Now, in full disclosure- I love the idea of magic. I love shows and movies with magic at its core. One of my bucket lists is to visit Las Vegas and see every magic show. Have you ever been to one? I always walk out confused and amazed at what my eyes have seen but what my mind questions.

I love fantasy books! Good vs. evil. Magic vs. the mundane. Magicians vs. warriors. Who will win the war? Once upon a time magic was accepted culturally- people with the ability were healers, druids, and religious leaders.

I also believe that there were people in the world who could talk to the dead. Across cultures and religions, people with this power have been highly revered; their predictions were seen as invaluable. They were the king makers.

Given the existing historical records, it’s safe to say that both abilities were seen as factual. However, that is not the case anymore. Nowadays, breeding, wealth, and education are what gives someone credibility to be in a leadership role.

Why such a shift? Because sometimes the unbelievable is explainable.

Spiritualist

Hydesville Day- Have you ever heard of it? No? Most people haven’t, so don’t be worried. On March 31, 1848, sisters Kate and Margaretta (Maggie) Fox first announced they were communicating with the dead. According to their initial story, they had been plagued with knocking sounds in their home and soon discovered that spirits were trying to communicate with them. The knocks would answer like a spiritual Morris Code when they asked questions.

With the help of their mother and older sister- they took their show on the road. For years, it was a profitable business. So much so that in The Quarterly Journal of Science (1874), William Crookes wrote that he thoroughly tested Kate and was convinced the sounds were actual occurrences and not a form of trickery. The sisters made quite the team for a while, always performing together until Kate married and her husband convinced her to walk away. Maggie married a fellow spiritist, and they continued the show.

And for the next 40 years- the public was convinced. That is until Maggie wrote a letter to the New York World explaining how she and her sister had been able to pull the wool over so many people’s eyes. At first, it was a simple trick. They would tie an apple to a string and drop it when their mother was around – claiming it was the spirits talking to them. 

With her sister Kate in the audience at the New York Academy of Music, Maggie demonstrated her tricks to a crowd of skeptics and staunch believers. She put her bare foot on a stool and showed how she could bang the seat with her big toe, producing the famous rapping noise.

In 1855, 16-year-old Ira and 14-year-old William Davenport got on stage for the first time. With the help of their spirit guide, Johnny King, they performed several elaborate tricks that surpassed simple rapping’s; often, bells, cabinets, ropes, and floating instruments would be utilized in the performance.

When William died, Ira gave up the show and disappeared from the limelight until he became friends with Harry Houdini. Ira ended up spilling the beans about the illusions he and his brother had created, from booking the front row for their friends to hiring multiple assistants. Interestingly, some of their most impressive stunts didn’t require any effort at all; reports of floating instruments and strange feelings were simply figments of the audience’s imaginations.

Strange how people imagine things in the dark! Why, the musical instruments never left our hands yet many spectators would have taken an oath that they heard them flying over their heads

Ira Davenport

In the 1920s, Mina Crandon (or more commonly referred to as Margery, or the Blonde Witch of Lime Street) was one of the most recognizable spiritualists around. After her divorce from her first husband, she married Dr. Le Roi Goddard Crandon who introduced her to spiritualism and guided her into the role of a medium.

At her séances, Margery used to conjure up the spirit of her brother Walter. He was an angry ghost often known to cause havoc and distress in the auditorium, flipping tables over and shouting insults. While under a trance, ethereal substance would ooze from her body, forming hands that could ring bells or touch people. Her displays captivated audiences — even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — from Boston’s elite social circles.

But just like the Davenport brothers, there were many who question her abilities, and the loudest was Harry Houdini. But Margery wasn’t concerned and invited him to one of her shows. Unfortunately for her, Harry was no stranger to illusion and quickly figured out how she was able to perform her ‘spiritual tricks.’

That November, Houdini published a pamphlet called Houdini Exposes the Tricks Used by the Boston Medium “Margery.” He went on to recreate Margery’s tricks for the amusement of skeptics. Margery was obviously upset by the article and denounced Harry, even going so far as predicting the day of his death. 

31 October 1926. 

The day that Harry died. 

Magicians

Harry Kellar was considered the first great American magician, and Harry Houdini credited him with significantly influencing his own performances. His popularity stemmed from his spectacular shows and sleight-of-hand tricks that captivated audiences. “The Levitation of Princess Karnac” was one of his signature acts, in which an assistant seemed to rise up from a couch with no visible support. To demonstrate that the girl was not suspended in the air, Kellar moved a hoop around her figure. In reality, she rested on a flat board connected to a hidden apparatus that allowed her to move up and down.

Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin is now remembered as the “father of modern magic” for moving his craft away from street performances and into theaters. At the end of one show, Robert-Houdin convinced an audience member that he was capable of making a strongman “as weak as a woman.” He asked a burly volunteer to lift up a small metal box, which he accomplished with ease. Then Robert-Houdin said some magic words and asked him to try again. This time, the man could not move the box. Angrily, the man tried again, but this time he screamed in pain and ran off the stage in tears. It turned out Robert-Houdin had constructed an electromagnet beneath the stage and rigged it so that every time someone tried to lift the box, they would receive an electric shock.

The Ghost Army, known as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, pulled off 20 incredible deceptions from 1944 to 1945. The unit’s members were not literal magicians, though they achieved feats that bordered on magic. Composed of actors, artists, and engineers primarily, they deceived the German army into believing the Allied forces weren’t where they thought they were.

This unit’s sheer magic could fill a book, and it has. In 1944, their mission was to enter enemy territory, set up a fake artillery station, and wait for the enemy to attack. It worked perfectly – no casualties were reported. They even wheeled out a mock army of rubber tanks to distract the Germans from the remainder of their troops. This allowed the military to cross the Rhine River safely and deal a fatal blow to the befuddled Nazis.

The Ghost Army’s creativity and cunning are said to have saved tens of thousands of lives during the war.

Conclusion

I don’t want you to walk away from this blog disbelieving in magic because if you go back to any of these individual cases- you will find that while there was an explainable explanation, there was also the sprinkle of the unexplainable. The spiritualists brought comfort and closer to those who had a loved one who died. The magicians were able to convince a crowd that they had supernatural powers.

And for a few minutes- all those people’s lives were a little better.

That my friends- is magic.

Words and magic were in the beginning one and the same thing, and even today words retain much of their magical power.

Sigmund Freud

If tales of legend, myth and fantasy topped with a nice cup of coffee interest you, I suggest taking a look at my book The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Now available on

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store website!

The post Explaining the Unexplainable appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

Day 2 of the 31 Days of Myths, Magic, Mayhem, and more…

I will be your host for the evening, and tonight we going to talk about a medical mystery of an unusual type. The use of the dead to cure the living!

Humans have always been drawn to the idea of life after death or extending life. But what happens when the treatment defies medical necessity and borders on the strange and unusual?

Imagine with me going to the doctor for something small, maybe stomach pains or a headache that just won’t go away. The doctor patiently listens to your complaints, smiles knowingly, and tells you he can cure you. The treatment is a little different. New research proves that the medical field has found the cure for almost everything. It’s something so revolutionary that it’s been around for ages. Nothing more than a homeopathic cure, he assures you. No need to worry.

Seems too good to be true, and you have a twinge of doubt. But he’s a doctor, so you put yourself in his hands and pray for the best.

What you didn’t know was that it wasn’t necessarily him that was saving you.

It was the dead.

The dead can still be useful.

Fresh from a recently discovered Egyptian tomb, a mummy has been sold to the highest bidder- bindings included free of charge. If a patient suffers from internal bleeding, soak the mummy in alcohol or vinegar, ground it up, and sprinkle a touch of it into the body.

A skull found in a shallow grave in Ireland has been ground up into a fine powder and stored in a waterproof bag. Thomas Willis, a 17th-century brain science pioneer, claimed that mixing it with chocolate could cure apoplexy or bleeding. Or combine it with molasses and you can cure epilepsy.

A recently deceased woman has had the fat off her body rendered, made into an ointment, and packaged in a lovely tin can. Use it liberally for wounds or gout; cherries are no longer needed and too expensive.

A group of people waits hungrily at the gallows’ steps, cups in hand. The executioner has promised them fresh blood; everyone knows it’s easier to swallow when it’s still warm. The 16th-century German-Swiss physician Paracelsus believed it was good for the body and the soul. If you weren’t keen on drinking straight, you could always follow the 1679 Franciscan apothecary recipe to turn it into marmalade.

Or you could follow King Charles II of England’s favorite- ‘The King’s Drops’ liberally added to a glass of alcohol, and depression would flitter away. No matter that it contained pieces of Egyptian mummy skulls, everyone knows they don’t need it anymore.

Teeth and fingers could be used to cure toothaches. Just place the teeth in a bag around your neck, but remember to periodically touch it to your infected tooth for added precaution. If that doesn’t work- take the finger of a corpse and rub it along the afflicted gum.

It wasn’t a new concept.

The Roman’s believed that the blood of a fallen Gladiator could cure epilepsy.

Ancient Babylonians believed that illnesses resulted from demonic forces or punishment by the gods. If you ground your teeth at night, it was obviously the dead trying to communicate with you. Easy enough fix- just sleep with a skull for a week, and the spirit will disappear. But remember to kiss it at least seven times each night.

Up to and during the Tang Dynasty in China, it was believed that consuming human flesh was a highly effective medical treatment. There are even cases up to the 1980s where the younger generation willingly offered pieces of their flesh to their ill parents for consumption. Don’t worry- they would only cut up thighs, upper arms, or livers.

The practice is a still used today.

Body brokers are still a multi-million-dollar operation and can be found worldwide. Every year alone in the U.S., thousands of people donate their bodies to science. But they don’t realize their bodies are traded as raw material in a highly unregulated market.

Only the organ and tissue transplant industry have oversight by the federal government. The rest of the body?

They go to the highest bidder. And in most states- anyone can legally purchase body parts.

Sick to your stomach yet?

Don’t be. According to Armand Krikorian, a past president of the American Federation for Medical Research- “The need for human bodies is absolutely vital.” Researchers use the body to develop new surgical instruments, techniques, and implants. Cadavers are used to train medical students, dentists, and nurses.

Generally, a broker can sell a donated human body for about $3,000 to $5,000, though prices sometimes top $10,000. But a broker will typically divide a cadaver into six parts to meet customer needs. Internal documents from seven brokers show a range of prices for body parts: $3,575 for a torso with legs; $500 for a head; $350 for a foot; $300 for a spine.

Reuters Investigates

The moral of the story, as nauseating as it might be, is that the dead have long been considered essential to life. From ancient times to today- bodies have been used to treat, cure, and extend the life of the living.

The question remains- is it ethical?

I will leave you to decide.

If you want to learn more about the ancient practice- I invite you to pick up a copy of Louise Noble’s, Medicinal Cannibalism in Early Modern English Literature and Culture, or Richard Sugg’s, Mummies, Cannibals and Vampires: The History of Corpse Medicine from the Renaissance to the Victorians, 

“Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.”

Edgar Allen Poe

If tales of legend, myth and fantasy topped with a nice cup of coffee interest you, I suggest taking a look at my book The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Now available on

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store website!

The post The gruesome history of the dead being used to save the living. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

Day 1 of the 31 Days of Myths, Magic, Mayhem, and more…

I will be your host for the evening, and tonight I will take you on a journey of discovering why certain items have come to define the holiday where the supernatural and the living intertwine. What is it about buying costumes, purchasing mountains of candy, exploring haunted houses and decorating our homes that makes Halloween so special?

What are the myths behind the traditions?

Craving of pumpkins

The devil is in the details, as this myth will prove. The Irish has a story about a man named Stingy Jack. A name that he was given because, you guessed it, he was stingy. One night, he was sitting in a local pub and invited the devil to have a drink with him. When it came time to pay, Stingy Jack refused and tricked the devil into turning himself into a coin. Once the devil did, Stingy Jack pocketed the coin next to a silver cross, trapping the devil in that form. He eventually released him – but only after making a deal with him: the devil couldn’t claim Stingy Jack’s soul for an entire year.

The Devil waited until the year was up, then came to collect. But Stingy Jack thought fast and talked the Devil into climbing a tree in order to get him a piece of fruit. Once the Devil had clambered up the tree, however, Stingy Jack swiftly carved a cross into the trunk – trapping the Devil. After much negotiation, Stingy Jack offered to remove the symbol if the Devil agreed not to take his soul for ten more years.

Now obviously, the devil was upset but he upheld his side of the bargain. Stingy Jack must have felt like he had won the lottery. That is until he died.

When Stingy Jack’s soul was ready to be collected- no one wanted him. The devil couldn’t take his soul, and god wasn’t keen on having him in heaven. So Stingy Jack was forced to roam the earth, looking for a place to call home. But the devil wasn’t completely heatless; he left him with a burning piece of coal, which Stingy Jack placed in a hollowed-out turnip to light his way.

Hence the name- “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”

Costumes

The myth that particularly caught my attention when researching the need for costumes was about the Morrigan. This goddess of war and fate had many shapeshifting abilities, some of which included a raven flying over battlefields or a cow, an eel, and even a female wolf. She persuaded her people to harness their self-transformative abilities to rise above their enemies.

This transformation was more than just about being scary; it was a way to empower people to take control of their lives. Nowadays, people dress up as vampires, werewolves, witches, and other ‘frightful’ creatures to show that evil has no power over them. Or they could choose to become kings and queens or dress up like their favorite celebrity, believing – even if only for one night – they can be something more than what they are.

It has been suggested that people in the past used to disguise themselves when bringing gifts for the dead, so as not to be identified by them.

Haunted Houses

Haunted Houses are not a modern invention, but rather an extension of horrifying exhibitions dating back to the early 1800’s.

1802- Marie Tussaud opened her exhibition of wax sculptures of decapitated French nobility- notably, King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Marat, and Robespierre. When she set up a permanent collection, she called it the “Chamber of Horrors.” We will be talking more about Marie Tussaud in a future blog about her inspiration and methods of creating such realistic figures.

In Paris, the Grand Guignol Theater made the newspapers when it featured on-stage performances of graphic dismemberment. It is said that the director, Max Maurey, prided himself on how many of the audience would pass out or leave from shock.

In 1915, Patrick Collins built the first haunted house as a gift for his wife Flora. It was a huge success and it still in operation today in in Liphook, England at Hollycombe Working Steam Museum.

Popularity sky rocked during the Great Depression when families sought a way to entertain children on Halloween and scale back on the ‘mayhem’ they were causing on gardens, homes, and city buildings. Parents band together to create ‘haunted basements’ or rooms, and children would follow the ‘trail’ from one home to another- always under the watchful eye of an adult.

But the cherry to the sundae was came from an unsuspected place. Disneyland. The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland opened in 1969, almost 20 years after Disney gave the green light for the project. The attraction was modeled on Evergreen House and Winchester Mystery House and was an immediate hit. Not long after it opened, over 82,000 people flocked through the gates in a single day.

There are so many more aspects of Halloween that we get to discover during the next 30 days, and I look forward to walking the line between myths, reality, and the frightening with you!

When witches go riding,

And black cats are seen,

The moon laughs and whispers

‘Tis near Halloween.

If tales of legend, myth and fantasy topped with a nice cup of coffee interest you, I suggest taking a look at my book The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Now available on

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store website!

The post Pumpkins, masks, and screams… oh my! appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

I am giddy. I am pumped. I am ready to dig deep into the 31 Days of Halloween.

This is a special time of year. It is a time of year when society can explore myths, legends, and the mythical without judgment. This is the time of year when you can be anyone you want to be for at least one night.

To me, Halloween means so much more than candy and costumes- it means remembering the stories of the dead. The stories I will be sharing are my own tribute to the overwhelming myths and legends found around the world that involve the supernatural and the unbelievable.

Since I was a child I have been intrigued by history. I wanted to know everything about everyone. As the years passed, my focus narrowed to the myths behind the holidays. Especially Halloween.

Imagine with me that myths were once not bedtime stories. They were reality. The supernatural did have powers. The gods did exist. Prayers and sacrifices were daily occurrences.

But over time- that has changed.

Magic was reduced to miracles. The unbelievable shelved away and forgotten. Lives erased. All that is acceptable is now mainstream religion.

Now, this is not to deny anyone their religious beliefs or say that they are wrong.

That’s the beauty of faith. Everyone is allowed to believe in what works for them. My internal compass demands that I find reality in the unbelievable. And I have dedicated my life to understanding the truth behind the inconsistencies of history. I want to know more than just dates and names. I want to know the ‘why’ and ‘how.’

Why was someone charged with witchcraft in 1951 and imprisoned?

Why were mummies dug up and used for medical treatments?

Why were vampires feared?

Why did the giants die out?

Why did the Romans build temples and colosseums to the gods for them to just disappear?

How are myths and legends linked around the world?

So, my friends. I invite you to spend the next 31 days with me, challenging belief systems and understanding the stories behind the people. My goal is not to change your mind but to give you another piece of the puzzle.

Are you excited? Because I am.

If tales of legend, myth and fantasy topped with a nice cup of coffee interest you, I suggest taking a look at my book The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Now available on

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store website!

The post Tomorrow starts the 31 Days of Halloween!!!! appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

It’s been a rough week. I hate to say that I was having an ‘episode’ because when you deal with bipolar or any other mental health issue, it is more than that.

It’s a word that I don’t think exists yet.

I am often asked, ‘What does it feel like?’ And the only thing that I can compare it to is that it is like being a pickle jar lid that can’t be opened. Or the feeling you get when they run out of funnel cakes at the country fair. Or better yet- it’s like when your washing machine breaks down, and you’re out of underwear.

Life becomes background noises to my thoughts.

Here’s the issue I have with the whole thing. No one can see what’s wrong as far as if I had a broken bone or surgery. It’s invisible, with outward effects. I am tired. I can’t engage. My body hurts, but not physically. I don’t want to participate, but it’s forced because of sincere intentions.

And when the ‘episode’ is done, I remember it all. It scares me because I know what I was thinking and feeling- and it is usually something that would end me up in the hospital wearing a white gown and eating pudding through a straw.

I feel bad for my family, which makes the whole thing worse – making me spiral. And then we are off down a metal, broken-down, elementary school slide in summer.

‘What can I do to help?’ I hate that question.

Unless I am moving or cleaning the house- then please, by all means- be helpful. But otherwise, please don’t ask.

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I had an appointment with the doctor- right in the middle of it all. What a horrible time to have an appointment because it’s easy to blame them. Why can’t they fix it? I don’t care if they are stressed, over worked, or dealing with their own issues- compassion is not on my radar. I just want them to shut-up and make it better. I promise I’ll pay you – just wave your magical doctor wand and say the magical words! Like lamotrigine. It sounds like a Harry Potter word… so it should help, right?

Which, 9 times out of 10- they don’t.

Rude!

I guess you’re wondering what snaps people out of their ‘Alice in Wonderland’ moment. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Ice cream. Music. Talking it out. Naps.

This time, it was not doing anything. I was planning on giving up writing. I hadn’t made any progress in the last few weeks. No matter how hard I tried or told myself, it was the economy – not me. I wanted to shut down my website. Disable all social media. Factory reset my computer.

And then sit on the couch and eat chocolate while watching Ultimatum and Sister Wives.

But a couple of weeks ago, my husband said three little words that I have tried to stand by.

One more day.

Just one more day of doing your best. It might not be great, but hold off on giving up one more day. Eventually, the day is done, and you haven’t self-sabotaged your dreams. The next day, even if you don’t want to, wake up saying, “One more day.”

By rule of thumb- if the day you’re going to quit never comes, than you’re on the right path.

It wasn’t easy coming out of the shadows this time- I was quite comfortable hanging out there. But I forced myself to give it another day and crawled myself out of the hole (with the help of my husband and kid).

It’s embarrassing to say that you are having an ‘episode.’ A stigma comes with it that you are not in control or, worse, ‘crazy.’ It took me days to write this blog because I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me or judge me. My shadows make up a part of who I am, and I’m okay with that.

But- if you are having a rough day, week, or even month; I need you to remember:

One More Day!

The post Three little words. 15 letters. And a whole new way to look at life. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

One of the greatest mysteries of all time is the story of the man behind the iron mask.

No one knows who he is. No one can explain why he was imprisoned. There is no explanation for why his existence was written out of the history books.

So, what do we know?

Story spun by writers.

The story first sparked interest in 1850 with Alexandre Dumas’s publication of Le Vicomte de Bragelonne, inspired by a legend that was almost two centuries old. A whisper of a rumor about a man who was arrested and imprisoned in Frace, spending decades in dark and haunted dungeons until his death in the Bastille. Guarded by trusted musketeers, he was not allowed to speak or say his name, punishable by death if he tried.

The French writer Voltaire was also intrigued by the story and surprised to learn it was not a myth. Instead, the man lived during Louis XIV’s, the Sun King’s, reign. Voltaire was one the first to suggest that the man had to be masked because he was the Sun King’s twin and a threat to national security.

Who was the imprisoned man?

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question. However, after swimming through resources and publications, I have come to my own conclusion that it might have been Eustache Dauger. As with most mysteries, we don’t know much about his life before he was brought to his prison cell. However, historians have followed the paper trail between his jailer, Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, and his superiors in Paris.

The first record (dated 1669) was a letter from the Marquis de Louvois, the Sun King’s minister, to Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, governor of the Pignerol prison in Pinerolo, Piedmont. The letter stated that a prisoner, Eustache Dauger, was due to arrive sometime in August of that year.

What was interesting about the letter was not necessarily who. But how? The governor was instructed to prepare a cell with multiple doors, one closing after the other. This was so that no one from outside could hear the prisoner. He was allowed only one visit a day to provide food and other ‘needs’. And… if the prisoner said anything other than conveying his immediate needs, he was to be killed immediately.

The key to Eustache’s case was a letter that stated that the prisoner’s presence shouldn’t be too taxing because he was ‘only a valet.’ At the time of Eustache’s arrival, Nicolas Fouquet, Marquis of Belle-Île, a former superintendent of finances, was also there on embezzlement charges. And records show that Eustache attended the marquis when his main servant, La Rivière, was unwell.

Not necessarily a smoking gun, but enough to say- ‘maybe’.

Who else could it be?

As with most royal intrigue, lineage always plays a key part. One of the more popular legends is that the prisoner was the son of Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin. Therefore, he was an illegitimate half-brother to the Sun King. Not a twin as pop culture would like us to believe, but someone who might have had a claim to the throne. There is no actual proof of this union or the birth of a child between the two, so we will have to chalk this up as a possible nasty rumor.

In the 1800s, Count Ercole Antonio Mattioli was considered a likely prisoner candidate. He was a diplomat and minister of Ferdinand Charles, Duke of Mantua, whose task it was to quietly negotiate the treaty of 1678: surrendering the fortress of Casale in exchange for 100,000 écu. However, as soon as it was signed, he divulged its contents to several foreign courts. The Sun King became enraged and had him charged and held at Pinerolo (1679). Most sources agree that he died in the Îles Sainte-Marguerite in April 1694, so this theory is questionable.

Was there an iron mask?

Most likely not. Most historians agree that a mask was probable. But it was made of black velvet and only used when someone was in the cell. The idea of an iron mask has become popular in books and movies, but nothing points to its use.

What happened to the mysterious man?

Saint-Mars was reassigned to his newly appointed post as governor of the Bastille prison in Paris on September 18, 1698. The man in the mask was brought along for the ride. He was jailed in a pre-furnished solitary cell in the Bertaudière tower and only allowed one visitor a day- the second in charge who brought his meals.

The mysterious man died on November 19, 1703, and was buried the next day under the name of Marchioly, and his age was given as “about 45.” It is reported that all of the man’s furniture and clothing were destroyed, the walls of his cell scraped and whitewashed, and anything he possessed made of metal was melted down.

He was wiped from existence.

Conclusion

This is another mystery that we may never know the truth about. The Man in the Iron Mask did exist. He did live a solitary life for unknown reasons. And he died without a name.

Sad story… but one that will remain firmly in the grasp of intrigue and popularity.

The post Today in History- The Man in the Iron Mask arrives at Pignerol. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

I just wanted to say hi! Nice to meet you.

The post A quick video introduction to me! appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

My whiteboard reminded me that it was time for another ‘Today in History’. And I have a story for you! The famous Cleopatra. The woman who is an icon. A ruler. A leader. And recently sparked a heated debate worldwide.

But as I would like to know the whole story, I decided to dig into Cleopatra and the reality of her history. As with many of my historical blogs, this one will share the good, the bad, and the truth behind the myth.

Was Cleopatra Egyptian?

I almost hesitated bringing this up… it has sparked so many arguments, but in the spirit of the truth, I have to touch on it.

Cleopatra is a classic case of ‘is your identity bound to where you were born or what your ancestry is?’ Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE in Egypt, the 2nd daughter of Ptolemy XII, whose family was of an ancient Greek dynasty that had taken over Egypt in 305 B.C.

As many of us know, royalty tend to keep marriages within the family to preserve bloodlines, so there is not much wiggle room in debating her ancestry. However, in the spirit of those who believe that you are what country you were born in, she was born in Egypt. And she ruled it with a passion and protectiveness of someone who claimed it wholeheartedly.

So, to me, she is both Egyptian and Greek. A mixture of two cultures and traditions – tied into one pretty little box.

Beauty is not skin deep.

Like many powerful women, there will always be an argument that their beauty is what makes them powerful. And in Cleopatra’s case, she was good looking- but maybe not the bombshell she was portrayed as.

And who started this rumor? Why Shakespeare and her enemies of course.

We have to jump around in history to understand how Cleopatras looks come into play with her role as queen and protector.

At the time of Cleopatra’s rule, there was a massive war with three key players (for the purpose of this blog)- Cleopatra, Antony, and Octavius. Antony and Octavius were in a heated battle for Rome’s rule, pitted against each other in a tug of war for power. Antony and Cleopatra had made a pack, two against one. And for a moment, it looked like they would win. But Octavius had an Ace up his sleeve. He used the power of rumors and gossip to undermine their credibility as leaders.

They painted Antony as a weak man who had fallen victim to an enchantress who used sex and looks to get what she wanted. On top of that, she was a foreigner who would ruin the country for everyone. To allow an Egyptian in, as a ruler, would be the beginning of Rome’s fall.

And the rumors worked.

Now, 200 years later, Plutarch, a Greek Platonist philosopher, historian, biographer, and priest at the Temple of Apollo, wrote Life of Mark Antony. According to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), he wrote a conflicting tale about Cleopatra. On the one hand, he acknowledges that she was a linguist and scholar, brave, and an effective ruler- all information he got from memoirs from people who knew her as an Egyptian. But, on the other hand, Roman sources painted her sneaky, cowardly, and frivolous- only interested in furthering herself and her family at Rome’s expense.

Enter stage left – Shakespeare. A remarkable writer. But who pretty much cherry picked the most scandalous parts of Plutarch’s biography to paint a new picture of Cleopatra in his play about the monarch. And his description has stood the test of time.

However, it is an undisputed fact that Cleopatra was a well-educated woman, who knew how to use the power of presentation to make herself a key player in the war for dominance. She spoke at least a dozen languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory and astronomy. Egyptian sources later described her as a ruler “who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company.”

She wasn’t all that innocent.

The Ptolemy family was known for their turbulent rule, and Cleopatra was no exception. When she tried to take the Egyptian throne for herself, her brother-husband, Ptolemy XIII chased her out. The pair later fought a civil war that Cleopatra won with help from Julius Caesar and Ptolemy drowned in the Nile River afterwards. In order to secure her rule, Cleopatra married her younger brother Ptolemy XIV but is believed to have had him killed so that her son could be co-ruler. In 41 B.C., she also saw her sister, Arsinoe, executed, whom she saw as a potential threat to her power.

We don’t know much about the ruler.

Now, there is a lot of information floating around about Cleopatra. However, the truth is that we don’t know much about her except what Plutarch wrote. And this is because Cleopatra’s history was stored in the library of Alexandria, which was destroyed multiple times.

No one knows how she died. The acknowledged fact is she committed suicide, after Antony stabbed himself. But no one knows for sure how. Cleopatra was known to conceal poison in a hair comb and may have used that. Ancient Greek historian and geographer, Strabo, wrote that she may have used a poisonous ointment.

The most logical explanation (but not proven) is that she used a pin dipped in some form of toxin.

Things we do know?

She was a mother: She had one son with Julius Caesar- Carsarion, and three children with Mark Antony: Ptolemy and twins, Cleopatra and Alexander.

She was in Rome when Caesar was murdered: She had been living in Rome as Caesar’s mistress and soon after his death, she had to escape. Now for a moment, she did try to get her son acknowledged as Caesar’s lawful heir, but it didn’t work.

Under her rule, Egypt was considered to be the richest nation in Mediterranean, and the last one to fall to Rome.

The truth about Cleopatra is as mysterious as the myths. But regardless, she was a powerful ruler, an educated woman, and a strategist. She wanted the best for Egypt, her children, and herself. And I don’t fault her for that. Killing your own family may be a stretch for me on the ‘acceptable’ level, but that was the norm of the times. And it happened, so we can’t ignore it.

The truth is, we will probably never know the whole story. But I am hopeful that her history will find a way to reveal itself at some point in the future. And until then, we must honor her as one of the first powerful women monarchs to rule.

The post Today in History- Cleopatra dies. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

Friends,

It has been over a month since I wrote anything for my blog. Not one historical moment. Not one ‘Oh-shit’ moment. Not even a bragging moment to be found.

A whole month.

And it wasn’t from a lack of material. Material surrounds me. I have a mental list of 15 moments in history I would love to share. In the last month I have been to two shows and let me tell you- when you do craft fairs and reptile shows- there is ALWAYS material to talk about. There have been birthdays, college graduation parties, new books, upcoming shows, and a slew of animal moments that I could have written about.

But I couldn’t figure out the words.

A writer with no words. It’s like having ice cream without hot fudge.

Just not good.

So, I did what any middle-aged women who has new wrinkles and strains of grey hair would do.

I bought a white board! Then proceeded to hang it up next to my desk in the most awkward way possible so that it is not easy to write on.

And I don’t want to take it down because its being held up by push pins.

Now before you say anything, I have used the white board. Complete with four different color dry erase markers and horrible handwriting. It makes me feel like I am doing something with my life. It holds me accountable.

What is written on it right now?

8/1/2023- Buy trash bags. Still haven’t gotten around to getting them. I have one left- so this is moving into the ‘tell the kid to go to the store and buy some’ category.

8/2/2023- Write two blogs. One normal and one historical. I am writing this one, so I am going to count it as half a win.

8/2/2023- Buy soap. Decided to wait until the craft fair on 8/5 because my mom was bringing some to sell, and I knew I could get a couple of bars for free.

8/3/2023- Remember to order Nick’s birthday cake. This is I did do and let me tell you that I strolled out of that grocery store feeling like I had just won a prize. I ordered his cake this year- ON TIME!

8/5/2023- Craft Fair. Sell at least 5 copies of both books. I sold 2 of each… and one set was sold to a local musician who kindly told me she would leave a review…. IF it was enjoyable. But then proceeded to look me up and down like she wasn’t sure of my ability. Don’t worry lady. There are days that I question my ability too!

8/8/2023- Wash the firework ink off the truck that has been there since 4 July. It’s going to rain tomorrow, so I think I can cross this off my list.

Looking back at it, I am not really sure if the whiteboard is working for me.

My bestie from Alaska went on vacation to Scotland with her husband recently. I think it’s their first ‘real’ vacation in years. I had hoped my phone would be bombarded with cool photos and ‘you should be here’ texts. But it seems like the two of them enjoyed their peace.

Rude!

I wanted to hang out with my sister more, but since she graduated from college, she has been busier than a beaver getting ready for winter. Hikes, fairs, block parties, yoga, you name it… she does it. And she has never asked me if I want to come.

Not that I would have… but it would have been nice to be asked. I have way too many chores with the book, promotions, hubby’s business, reptile care, and looking for a home within budget.

Now that’s something I can discuss. Nothing like buying a home to make you feel like you can’t afford a three-wall shack while your realtor tries to sell you a castle on a private island with a dragon included.

Now we have found two homes that would have been perfect. Our realtor sent the listing to us- always with the same side note: ‘May be slightly over budget but other than that it’s perfect.‘

Just so you know, my realtor’s idea of ‘a little over budget’ is anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 over.

One house was a dream and only $50,000 over budget… but it was EVERYTHING we wanted. We were in love within 10 minutes.

My realtor got us. He saw the gleam in our eyes and told us that if we wanted to be competitive, we needed to do a home inspection IMMEDIATELY. And within 24 hours, and $750.00 poorer- we had the home inspection done. We were even going to offer $5,000 over asking.

He called us the night the sellers were reviewing offers and asked if we would be willing to offer $20,000 over asking AND cover all closing costs.

Are you shitting me?

Let me tell you how many different languages I can say ‘you’re shitting me right?‘ in. I even have a hand gesture that I can use- but it seems inappropriate.

Needless to say, we didn’t get the house.

All of a sudden, the rental we are in is looking better and better. Wonder if I could get the landlord to sign a 5-year rental agreement?

Anyhoo, that has been the last week of our lives. I made a promise to myself that I would cook every night this week, and so far, I am killing it. Of course, I didn’t plan the rest of the week’s meals. AND I didn’t go grocery shopping, so I might break that promise sooner than I expected.

I hope you all have a great week. Let me know if you have a lead on homes under a half-million in the Pacific Northwest.

The post Whiteboards, craft / reptile shows, and overpriced houses… appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.

The full story below:

It was a hot summer day…

On Thursday, July 6th, 1944, a sultry summer’s day, thousands of people gathered on Barbour Street in Hartford to be entertained by the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. A matinee performance lured them into the 500-foot-long big top tent.

Following a performance by the French lion tamer, Alfred Court, famous trapeze artists, the Great Wallendas, took their positions inside the big top and began their routine. Little did the spectators know, however, that a fire had been ignited – supposedly because of a carelessly discarded cigarette butt.

It will become one of the worst disasters in Connecticut history.

What can go wrong… will go wrong.

When one of the performers saw the fire, they screamed out, “The tent’s on fire!” Merle Evans, the bandleader, then led his musicians in a performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever” – a signal to all circus personnel that something was terribly wrong.

As the flames intensified, patrons scrambled to reach the exit. However, they found themselves blocked by animal cages that were being moved in and out of the tent. Panic spread as patches of burning canvas fell from above, raining down on the screaming circus-goers. People began pushing and shoving their way toward any available exit while others cut holes in the tents to escape. Chaos reached its peak as more and more people fought for survival.

The ushers and other circus staff hurriedly sprinted toward the fire with buckets of water, but there was nothing they could do. In only ten minutes, the blaze had destroyed the poles and support ropes holding up the 19-ton big top, causing it to collapse onto those who did not manage to get out in time.

The death toll was staggering.

When the firefighters managed to put out the fire, the death toll was a staggering 170 people. Many had succumbed to smoke inhalation and flames, but just as many were trampled in the chaos.

Among the many casualties of the terrible fire was an unnamed little girl, identified only as Little Miss 1565 (the number assigned to her at a local morgue). Although numerous people have attempted to claim her, no one has proven she belonged to them. She was buried without a name in Northwood Cemetery in Hartford. Decades later she was exhumed and reburied in Southampton, Massachusetts once identified as Eleanor Emily Cook. However, her identity is still being debated. 

Side note: The exact number of casualties was likely higher than officially recorded. This is because there were many people in attendance who were not residents of Hartford. These people included people from surrounding towns and drifters who got free tickets. In addition, those from outlying areas may have returned to their homes without medical care, leading to an underestimated count of injured individuals.

Who started the fire?

The fire was ruled an unfortunate accident, and no one was held responsible for starting it. However, the people in charge at Ringling Brothers were not exempt from accountability. Four individuals were charged with negligence.

The investigation into the incident showed that circus management had not prepared properly for any possible fire-related incidents. The extinguishers that could have stopped the blaze were tucked away in a storage unit. The fire trucks were located at least a quarter of a mile from the circus grounds. In addition to these oversights, no one alerted the Hartford Fire Department to their arrival and performance.

The four circus authorities entered a plea of no contest and were jailed for nearly twelve months before receiving pardons. The circus was also required to pay over five million dollars to bereaved families.

The story doesn’t end there.

A strange twist surfaced six years after the tragedy. Police in Ohio arrested Robert Dale Segee for several fires he caused in 1950. After a great deal of questioning, Segee, an ex-circus worker who was present at the 1944 Hartford show, admitted to lighting the fire as well as other infernos in Maine and New Hampshire, and even four homicides. Believing him to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, the authorities transferred Segee (who claimed a ghostly Native American riding on a flaming horse ordered him to start these blazes) to a state hospital for treatment.

Years later, though, he recanted his confession, claiming Ohio authorities had simply talked him into believing he was guilty. He died in Columbus, Ohio, in August 1997.

The consequences of the Hartford Circus Fire in 1944 prompted Connecticut to implement stricter fire safety laws for public shows. On July 6, 2005, the 61st anniversary of the fire that claimed so many lives, hundreds of individuals gathered to pay their respects. Survivors of the inferno and loved ones of the victims arrived to attend a solemn dedication ceremony for a memorial. A “center ring” distinguished four granite benches with a bronze plate inscribed with all the victims’ names and their ages. Dogwood trees marked where the tragic tent’s sides and ends once stood and fell.

There are quite a few YouTube videos on this tragedy, and I am going to link a few of them here.

(8) The Day The Clowns Cried – YouTube

(8) The Hartford Circus Fire: The Day The Clowns Cried – YouTube

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The post Today in history- Fire Engulfs Circus Big Top in Hartford, Conn.- Killing 167. appeared first on R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author.