Placed here so I will be reminded

[ritaxis]

I never thought much about "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," but it seems there really is a historical mystery that it addresses: the town chronicles of Hameln begin in 1384 with the statement "It is a hundred years since our children left."

The next historical bit is a stained glass window created somewhat earler (?), described in various documents dating from before its destruction in 1660, showing a motley piper leading away a band of children dressed in white.

The rats appear to be a separate story welded on to try to make sense of the historical scraps.

One of the more plausible explanations for the note in the town chronicles is that the children were young adults who went East to start new villages. I like this one: it fits in well with the not-Poland story (which I apparently can only think about clearly at folk dance class, which is a good reason to never miss a Friday) on which I have made no progress in a long time but which I am still brewing.

Edit: The Pied Piper's House.

And of course my current war on rats resonates nicely.

I guess dogs aren't getting to the beach because it's close to ten, but I'll take them to Meder Street. No. I'll take them to the beach for ten minutes and then go to Meder Street, because the beach means I'll see my friends too.

also, farmer's mafrket and then to the dump to look at free paint.

Comments

[del-c.livejournal.com]

My immediate thought was "crusade," but when I typed "1284 crusade" into Google it turned out other people were way ahead of me.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

The wikipedia article mentions that there's a documented crusade in 1210. The support for the emigration theory is really compelling to me, especially when you get down to the details.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Fascinating! Thanks.

[firecat]

Unrelated comment: I really liked two comments of yours that I read today so I'd like to add you to my friend list.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

Okay. I figure people add me or don't at their pleasure!