Great British Traditions

Shakespeare, Englands most famous literary son, was a persecuted Catholic? Well no not actually but possibly. Now I am not good on religeon or history but I was surprised to learn that good old Will lived at a time post reformation when to be a Catholic was considered unholy and many were actually hanged for practising the faith here in London. The reason apparently is that good old Queenie (Elizabeth 1) was sired by a post divorce Henry VIII. So whilst leaning towards believing in the Catholic Faith if she converted then that would be to accept that Henry (daddy) conceived her out of wedlock. ie that the Queen was a bastard. This may also have had some impact on her claim for the throne. In consequence she continued the tradition of persecution out of a sense of self preservation.



Anyway Billy Shakespeare roamed around at the time and records identify that he had associations with an illicit mass that was regualrly celebrated in an old Gate House of the City of London. Not only did he know the owner and count him as a freind but he also subsequently bought the building and owned it when he passed away. In fact it was his most valuable property. So now we come to the present day and minor royals (Princess Annes son) has to renounce his claim to the throne in order to marry a catholic. presumably for the same reason as Elizabeth the first. If catholicism is accepted by any member of the Royal Family then weinstantly go way back to Elizabeth the first and under English law the Royal Family wouldnt be the Royal Family anymore as there line of descent would be broken. Now who actually would be the Royal Family and would own all of their assets woould be an interesting excercise.

Needless to say none of this really matters but it is interesting to note that the persecution of the Catholics in this country, despite what the Church of England would have you understand is based in no more theological or indeed moral or principled position than self preservation of Elizabeth I's Royal claim.