Category Archives: Protestantism + Huguenots

Maillé and Luynes in the Touraine ~ C17th images by Louis Boudan

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Jim McNeill

The commune of Maillé in the Touraine is burned into the minds of many as the place of the Second World War massacre. But, of course, the small town and its surrounding district has more history than that single tragic … Continue reading →

Posted in 13th Century, 14th Century, 15th Century, 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century, 19th Century Touraine, 20th Century, architecture, Artists, Bronze Age, French Revolution, Louis Boudan, Louis XIII, Luynes, Maillé, Maps, Medieval history, Pre-History, Protestantism + Huguenots, Silk Industry, Tours, Transport ~ roal. rail, water, Vineyards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New booklet on the family of Quaker, William Penn ~ it’s on its way

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Jim McNeill

Just to let you know that I have written a shortish (36 page) booklet, “The life and family of William Penn: 260 years of bloody colonial history”. It covers: The Amassing of Wealth by the Penn family; Political Duplicity; Irish … Continue reading →

Posted in Off the wall historical stuff, Protestantism + Huguenots | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marmoutier Abbey of Tours, Loire Valley: wars, popes, wine and women

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Jim McNeill

Marmoutier Abbey was founded by Saint Martin of Tours (316-397), circa 372, after he had been made Bishop of Tours in 371. In 853 the original abbey was pillaged and destroyed by the Normans. Shortly after 1000 AD, the abbey … Continue reading →

Posted in 4th Century, architecture, Catholicism, French Revolution, Medieval history, Protestantism + Huguenots, Tours, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Touraine History Walk ~ Paulmy to Le Chatelier, August 27th 2011

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Jim McNeill

Posted in 16th Century, Catholicism, Le Brignon, Le Chatelier, Paulmy, South Touraine, Protestantism + Huguenots | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

History of the silk industry in the Touraine Region, France

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Jim McNeill

The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm. The lustrous appearance of silk cloth is due to the triangular prism-like structure of its fibre. It is this structure that allows silk … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century, French Revolution, Louis XI, Mulberry Plantations, Protestantism + Huguenots, Silk Industry, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

French Wars of Religion – a quick timeline

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Jim McNeill

Further to my recent post, a few visitors have asked me when the French Wars of Religion occurred. This series of bloody wars came in separate but connected phases and present quite a complicated picture. So, for clarity’s sake I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, 17th Century, Amboise, Catholicism, Protestantism + Huguenots, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Phew! Q, what a rollicking good read!

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Jim McNeill

I recently finished reading ‘Q’ a novel by Luthur Blissett, Arrow Books. It’s a book that blasts you through the religious wars of 16th Century Northern Europe at a cracking pace. The authors (all four of them) are truly steeped … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, Protestantism + Huguenots, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Tours Chapel ~ Daughters of the Christian Union

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Jim McNeill

On the rue de la Préfecture in central Tours there is a curious 17th Century Chaple; Église Réformée de France. The information plaque (below) gives a brief history of the chapel and its earlier life as the Chapel for the … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th Century, Protestantism + Huguenots, Religion + Philosophy, Tours, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daughters of the Christian Union, Tours ~ questions, questions, questions

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jim McNeill

Further to my recent post. I’ve been thinking about the curious 17th Century church; Église Réformée de France on the rue de la Préfecture in central Tours and formally the Chapel for the Daughters of the Christian Union. It has … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th Century, Protestantism + Huguenots, Tours, Wars of Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments