And hand in hand on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the moon 

 Edward Lear

Everybody likes a little bit of nonsense every now and then, don’t they?  I for one love to escape from the normality of everyday life and when it comes in the form of a book, it’s even better.  This week I’d like to introduce an artist who was known for nonsense. So without further ado, please make welcome, Edward Lear.

Born in Holloway in 1812, Edward was the 20^th of 21 children and the youngest to survive. He was raised by his sister Ann who was 21 years older than Edward and when he was four, they left the family home and were forced to set up house alone due to the family's failing fortune.

Edward suffered ill health in the combination of bronchitis, asthma and epilepsy, and later in life partial blindness. He felt guilt and shame from his epileptic seizures, but Edward always sensed the onset of them and was able to move out of public places - as in his time, seizures were believed to be associated with demonic possession.

Lear liked to travel and he also painted, but to me he is more known for his nonsense.  I enjoy limericks and I’m happy to report that none of his mention Nantucket. My favourite Lear work is not a limerick but a rhyming story called, ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’.  The poem is classic Lear nonsense with mention of a piggy-wig in the land of Bong-trees and a runcible spoon. It conjures up images that make me smile.

Edward Lear is buried in Foce Cemetery in San Remo, Italy. The centenary of his death in 1988 was marked with a set of Royal Mail stamps and this year when he would have been 200 years old if he had lived that long, Google honoured the date with a depiction of the Owl and the Pussycat dancing.

Edward Lear’s limericks continue to inspire people to write in that fashion, which inspires me to tell you that,

Once upon a time very near

Lived a writer who brought us good cheer

When they asked, “who is he?”

He replied, “can’t you see?”

The nonsensical Edward Lear.

A nice old duck really, when you know her!  - Dorothy L Sayers

I’m not quite sure how this blog idea came about.  I remember when I wrote the first one, I did a lot of research on a few different writers to find any information or landmarks that might be of interest, but I think the original thought process started by accident.  I came out of work one night, went the wrong way and stumbled upon a blue plaque on the outside of a house.  Of course, I was curious to see whose name was on the plaque and it just happened to be one of my favourite writers, so I took a picture. After finding that one, I went hunting for blue plaques and info, and my blog was born.

Naturally, when I stood outside 24 Gt. James Street, I actually wondered if Dorothy Sayers had stood in that very spot talking to a neighbour or the postman or just enjoying the lovely English weather. But that’s enough about the wondering, let’s look at her life.

 Dorothy Leigh Sayers was born in Oxford on the 13^th of June 1893. Sayers was an only child and her father was the Reverend at Christ Church in Oxford. Her father sent her to be educated at a boarding school in Salisbury and she graduated from Somerville College. At that particular time, women were not awarded degrees at graduation – I think they wanted us to stay home and bake scones, however when the position changed a few years later, Dorothy L was one of the first women to receive a degree.

My favourite of Sayers’ books are those centred around the characters Lord Peter Wimsey and his valet Bunter.  What really appeals to me about these books is the proximity to where I am now, and the dashing Lord Peter of course.  As I read the stories, I can almost picture the characters in their surroundings.  Even though they are fictitious, I can imagine them shopping in Fortnum and Masons, or strolling through the Burlington Arcade, both of which are on Piccadilly. When Dorothy Sayers created Lord Peter, she deliberately gave him a large income to compensate for what she was missing out on. But when you write fiction, you can make up for anything that might be just a little out of your reach.

The tower at St Anne's in Soho London

Sayers also wrote within the religious genre.  Religious books don’t really appeal to me so I must admit; I haven’t read any of hers.  I can however tell you that she was offered a Lambeth Doctorate in divinity by the Archbishop of Canterbury which she turned down. As Sayers was a church warden, when she passed away in 1957, she was cremated and her ashes are buried beneath the tower of St Anne’s Church in Soho.

As with any writer, there’s always more to tell, but I’d rather let you find out for yourself.  If you’re one of the curious like me, you may be urged to delve into the world of literature and find a comfortable spot to curl up in.  But before you go let me just say that, Once upon a time in London, a woman from Oxford created an amateur sleuth that would be not only her hero, but mine as well.

As pleased as Punch

I know that Punch and Judy is a puppet show and not a book but while I was out on the weekend doing some research for my blog, I stumbled upon a traditional Punch & Judy booth and there was a show going on.  After watching for a while and taking a few pics, it prompted me to do a little digging to find the origins of the puppet show that’s slightly non PC.

The origin of Mr Punch was developed in Italy in the 16^th century and was known as Pulcinella or in English, Punchinello. Punch’s wife was originally known as Joan and they were marionette puppets.

Punch & Judy pub at Covent Garden Market.

The first Punch & Judy shows in England were recorded in 1662, performed by Italian puppet showman, Pietro Gimonde and were witnessed in Covent Garden London.  As time went by, the puppet shows became too expensive and one man booths were developed to house a glove puppet show. The operator or the puppeteer was known as a Professor or Punchman.  The character of Punch went from a marionette that said comedic things, to a violent and aggressive glove puppet.

The characters in the show, apart from Punch and his wife Judy, include their baby, a crocodile and a hangman would you believe it. My favourite is Joey the clown who is a bit of a trickster and likes to upset Punch with his shenanigans.  Although the Punch and Judy show centres around violence, whether you’re seeing them for the first time or the thirtieth time, you can’t help but laugh.  It’s funny to watch a puppet beat another puppet with a slapstick. After all, it is just a puppet show.

Punch and Judy is normally entertainment found near the seaside so when I stumbled across the booth I was delighted. The shows are timeless and although there are no books, there have been scripts written and published for the puppets.  They have proved to be so popular over the years that many establlishments have borrowed the name Punch.

The Punch Tavern - Fleet Street London.

The squeaky voice of Mr Punch is one of the most recognisable in England and a testament to the traditions that continue to entertain us all. His catch phrase, ‘That’s the way to do it,’ is as recognisable as the voice. Which pleases me once again to let you know that, Once upon a time in Russell Square London, (on the weekend to be precise) I stumbled upon a show that inspired me to find out the origins of a couple of crazy puppets – just in case you wanted to know.

Let every eye negotiate for itself – William Shakespeare

This week I set out on a pilgrimage to Stratford-Upon-Avon to seek out the birthplace of the most famous writer in English history, William Shakespeare. Even if you don't like his plays and sonnets, Stratford-Upon-Avon is worth seeing and once you're there, you kind of get into the whole Shakespeare theme.

Shakespeare's statue at Stratford-Upon-Avon

Birthplace of William Shakespeare

The old river poet was born in 1564, the third child of eight children and the eldest surviving son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. It is likely that he was educated at King’s New School in Stratford, but unlikely that he ever went to university.

Anne Hathaways Cottage

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married 26 year-old Anne Hathaway in a hurried ceremony and history shows us the reason for this; their eldest daughter Susanna was born six months later. 

The year that Shakespeare started writing is somewhat hazy; however, performance records indicate that his plays were on the stage by 1592. The first of his plays were performed in Shoreditch in London by Shakespeare’s own company.  After a dispute with the landlord, the company tore down the theatre and used the timbers to build The Globe theatre, the first playhouse built by actors for actors.

Shakespeare’s time was divided between London and Stratford, but we do know that his final resting place is in the town where he was born.  William Shakespeare was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church and his grave bears a curse which reads,

Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear,
to dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man who spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves my bones.

To this day, William Shakespeare lies where he was buried.

Although William and Anne had three children, there are no surviving relatives.  However, his work continues to be a source of entertainment on both stage and screen. Which brings me to the end of this week’s blog and invites me to tell you that, Once upon a time in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a gentleman put pen to paper and wrote the plays and sonnets that will live on *tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…..

*Macbeth

www.shakespeare.org.uk

www.shakespeareglobe.com