Today has seen two important anniversaries. The first is that of Pope Adrian IV, formerly Nicholas Breakspeare (c.1100-1st September 1159), so far the only English Pope, who died 850 years ago today.
Confessedly, I knew nothing whatsoever of the only English Pope, save the name, until recently. What little we know of him we owe mostly to Cardinal Boso and John of Salisbury, a contemporary of St Thomas Becket. Since, however, I am not competent to write intelligently about the only English Pope, I refer readers instead to the article given in The Catholic Encyclopedia. I am afraid that if I did attempt to write anything, it would only be modelled on that article, and a very poor version of it it would prove. Ridiculous though it may seem for one so ill-instructed to have an opinion on this point in history, but it must have been wonderful to have been Pope during the early days of the Angevin Empire. I wish I'd been alive in the 12th century!
The second anniversary is that of the start of the Second World War. At dawn on 1st September 1939, Germany attacked Poland. Britain sent an ultimatum to Germany to withdraw. British armed forces were mobilized. Blackout was imposed throughout Britain, enforced by Air Raid Patrol wardens: households, shops, and businesses were required to ensure that no light escaped their windows after a designated time of day, by putting up black fabric or paper. Putting up such material, and taking it down again in the morning, must have been a tedious chore for most families.
Do remember Pope Adrian IV in your prayers. We'll be having a High Mass of Requiem with Absolutions at the Catafalque at Blackfen.
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