I was reading a History of Murder (from the middle ages at the present) and ran across the information that (in the 19th century) "banditry continued to be rampant in southern Italy, Greece, and many parts of Spain."

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 177):

In southern Italy it's something of a political issue, because the brigandage of the time became tangled with military resistance against the new government of unified Italy.

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 178):

Hey! I have an ancestor who fought alongside Garibaldi in Sicily & Naples. The people loved him!  The brigandage was against the oppressive landlords.

The people loved Vlad the impaler but not by a lot of other people.  :)

In reply to Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett (msg # 179):

Indeed they did; when Garibaldi marches to Naples much of the opposing Neapolitan army switches sides or falls apart because he was so popular. But he moves on after the war to campaign against Rome, and resistance begins to appear against the new government, mixed with pure banditry. Carmine Crocco, for example, a very successful bandit chief who also fought for the former King of the Two Sicilies.

On a side note, I was always curious what would have happened if Garibaldi had accepted the offer of a Major General's commission in the US Army during the Civil War. Really big armies weren't his style, but the Union Army really could have used someone with his experience and sense of daring

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 181):

That's true. You never know about history. Fidel Castro almost was a professional baseball player.

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 182):

Somebody wrote an alternate history story in which Castro did become a ballplayer. I forget who. Apparently he was a really good pitcher.

I will be at the Medieval Congress in Kalamazoo from this afternoon (Wed.) to Sunday afternoon (May 13). It is supposed to have computer access and wifi, but in my experience reliability varies.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 184):

I hope you have fun!

Thank you. The first session was interesting. My wifi does not seem to work, but there is some computer access if I am in the right building at the right time.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Mon 14 May 2018.

I am back home now, and should be normal until next weekend when I go to AEthelmearc War Practice (SCA).

Are the bad guys out of derringer range?

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 187):

I should have noted last night that I am back from AE War Practice.

I've been sick for the past two weeks, so my brain has been functioning all that well, particularly for posting.

Starting to feel better. Hope to get back into the swing of things in another day or two.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 190):

Get well soon. We are here for you.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 190):

Very sorry you have been so sick. I take it you mean "my brain has not been functioning all that well." it is a great pity, but we will hope you recover soon.

Apologizes for not posting for awhile, but I fell off the page due to having the flu for the past three weeks (almost 4) and I just did not have the energy or brain power to think straight or be creative.

Hope everyone is still around as I get back on track.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 193):

I am very glad you are better. I am still here and I hope the others are.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 193):

I'm here!

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 193):

Still here. Glad your feeling better.

Working on a post, but I'm rather slow because my brother's getting married.

Shouldn't that make him slow?

No, men don't do much, we woman have far more to do.

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 199):

Because if a Man even tried to do something he wasn't told to do for a wedding he'd have his head handed to him!

In a pretty basket!

Wrapped in lavender cellophane!

But you all rent your tuxes and the grooms is normally free. Where as we woman have so many issue with picking a dress, getting it fitted, getting accessories and then having to pay for it. Then all the other stuff we have to decide on.