танцевальное

[viona]

Гыгы. Хэнсдон Хаус?:)

Hunsdon House

Due to the Reformation much of the Blackfriars' monastery had been destroyed but certain sections survived. One of these had been converted into a pleasant dwelling owned by Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, the place soon became known as Hunsdon House. In 1623, the house was owned by the French ambassador who allowed Catholics to use the house to hold secret meetings.

On Sunday November 23, an estimated 300 Catholics entered the house and congregated in an upstairs room to worship. The room was just 40 feet wide by 17 feet long so it must have been an incredibly tight squeeze! Half way through the sermon a small creaking sound was heard, this became progressively louder. Before the men, women and children had time to react, the main support beam gave way. Thus sending the screaming throng crashing to the next floor. The house had long been in a state of disrepair and the next floor also gave way sending the hapless worshippers plummeting further to the ground. Those lucky enough to have been standing at the edge frantically cut holes in the walls using knives and pieces of rubble so as to escape down the side of the house. A third of the assembled mass lost their lives and many more suffered broken bones and other horrific injuries.

The Protestants claimed it was an act of God and showed them no sympathy. On the other hand, the Catholics accused the Protestants of sawing through the timbers before hand. For the place had been used many times before without a problem. Whatever the truth the event must hace been a truly awful sight for its witnesses.