The web site I found this on claims that it is a medieval Chinese drawing showing the origins of soccer. Works for me.I have not blogged for awhile, since I have actually been working, or trying to work. Discovering that I can watch all World Cup matches on Univision has hindered me a bit, but I have been strong and only let myself become momentarily distracted.
I love the Univision announcers. One of them referred to English team captain David Beckham as "El capitan Spiceman" (let me know if you don't get the reference). I'm very excited to see Spain play as well as they should. I was never crazy about soccer, but the World Cup is something special. Watch a couple matches and it's hard not to be drawn into the excitement of the whole thing. It's amazing that a game that has scores like 0-0, 0-2, 1-2 can be exciting, but soccer is about things almost happening. Much like life, in a way.
Anyway, I must get back to work. I have finished going through the charters of Alfonso VI and now must start on those of Queen Urraca (reigned 1109-1126). Urraca had a difficult and not always successful reign, but she is interesting as she ruled as queen in her own right -- not at consort or regent, but as sole ruler. One can also sing about her to the tune of the 80's hit "Hey Mickey":
Urraca you're so fine,
you're so fine you blow my mind,
Urraca! Urraca!
And with that, I will return to my charters.
5 comments:
Hmmm. So that's it. So much for the Brits having invented it. Marco Polo brought it back to Italy from China along with the pasta...
Then again, if you look very hard at the Shroud of Turin, you might just make out the faint image of a soccer ball next the the feet, and the markings on the torso are reminiscent of a Juventus jersey. Perhaps soccer was of deivne origin, somewhere in the Levant...? :-)
Hmmm ... are you sure that;s not bocce ball they're playing? :-)
If memory serves, this is the time of El Cid, is it not?
Jeff, of all Holy Shroud interpretations I have heard, yours seems to be closest to the truth.
Crystal, I don't think that's bocce -- the guy in the middle is definitely kicking that ball.
Kyle -- Pretty much. El Cid was active during the reign of Urraca's father, Alfonso VI, who comes off badly in the poem but who was actually a pretty remarkable king.
Hehe, I've fallen victim to the soccermania as well. No chance to escape it here in Germany. ;)
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