Leicester Castle, Parliament of Bats

I called at the site of Leicester castle this winter. Little is left: the old motte is worth the little climb and offers reasonable views, and the Great Hall remains, though largely rebuilt. Once a place of royal power, it was where John of Gaunt, protector of John Wycliffe died, as well as the location for the famous 1426 Parliament of Bats. This referred not to flittermice which dared interrupt the proceedings, but the clubs carried by its Members. As swords were banned, and tensions between the different groupings ran high, alternative weaponry was sought as a way of circumventing the rules. Later Parliaments would proceed to ban bats, too.

We sometimes speak of the 'letter' and 'spirit' of a law or rule. Keeping the letter but contravening the spirit is often a useful way of doing evil but feeling morally justified at the same time. One may heed the Commandment not to steal, but may justify a ‘long term loan’ of someone else’s property, with or without their consent.

God sees through our tricks.

A  D