The War of Jenkin's Ear

[essayel]

In 1738 England went to war with Spain [again] and the cause was an ear.

The incident that gave its name to the war had occurred in 1731 when the British brig Rebecca was boarded by the Spanish coast guard Ia Isabela, commanded by Julio León Fandiño. After boarding, Fandiño cut off the left ear of the Rebecca's captain, Welshman Robert Jenkins, who had been accused of piracy. Fandiño told Jenkins, "Go, and tell your King that I will do the same, if he dares to do the same." In March 1738, Jenkins was ordered to attend Parliament, presumably to repeat his story before a committee of the House of Commons. According to some accounts, he produced the severed ear when he attended, although no detailed record of the hearing exists. The incident was considered alongside various other cases of "Spanish Depredations upon the British Subjects," and was perceived as an insult to the honour of the nation and a clear casus belli. [Taken from Wikipedia]

More information here.

Reading up on Welsh pirates is SUCH fun.

Also a bit of alternative LOTR - in Finnish!

Comments

[mcgonagalls-cat.livejournal.com]

* snorf *

... he produced the severed ear when he attended, although no detailed record of the hearing exists.

Like Fred said, "With the whole world of ear-related humour before you..."

[metallumai.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I do like the look of the Finnish Hobbits!

[ilmatart.livejournal.com]

Oh this one is great! I saw the whole thing a couple of times when I was a kid. Of course it's obviously quite old and made with a small budget, like most movies in Finland, but it is an enjoyable and definitely an alternative piece!