Bodiam Castle

We just learned about the Balmoral Castle.

Another famous castle is Bodiam Castle in Sussex England, built in 1385 AD.

In the old days of England, if you were the oldest son in the family, you were the one who got all the money and lands from your parents.
Second or third sons, or any daughters didn't really get anything, and had to work harder to make their own way.

Sir Edward Dalyngrigge was a son of a royal person, but not the first born son so he had to go get a job.
He spent some time as a knight, and he also worked as part of a "Free Company" which was a group of soldiers who would work for money. Sometimes these people are also called mercenaries.

After working as a soldier for a long time and saving up his money, he married a woman who owned a bunch of land, and together they built this big castle on the land surrounded by a big moat of water.

The castle towers are three stories tall, and they have a big courtyard in the middle.
There is only the one entrance on a bridge, and inside the castle there are places for guards to sit and shoot arrows out of little holes at anyone trying to attack the castle.




(from: wikipedia - bodiam castle)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Central Appalachain Mountains

Nicolaus

We just learned about Parmenas, one of the seventy disciples.

Another of the seventy was Nicolaus.

Just like Parmenas, Timon, Nicanor, Prochorus and Stephen, Timon was one of the seven people that the Apostles chose to help watch over the poor people of Jerusalem.

Nicholas was from Antioch, which today would be in the country of Turkey.


(from: wikipedia - antioch)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Psalm 23

Six Ritual Jades - Bi

We just learned about the Houmuwu Ding.

Another part of ancient Chinese art is the Six Ritual Jades.

Long ago in China there were six jade things that important people like kings or emperors would keep to show that they were powerful and important.

The first of these was called a "Bi", which was a round disc with patterns on it and a hole in the middle.

Some people believe that the six ritual jade things each had a different meaning, and "Bi" was for heaven or sky.



(from: wikipedia - bi (jade))


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Bamberg Horseman

Greek - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Let's learn the days of the week in Greek!

Monday - Δευτέρα (Deftéra) - Sounds like day-f-TAY-dah
Tuesday - Τρίτη (Tríti) - Sounds like t-DEE-tee
Wednesday - Τετάρτη (Tetárti) - Sounds like tay-TAH-d-tee


(from: wikipedia - center for the greek language)

ASL: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Italian: Lunedi, Martedì, Mercoledì

German: Montag, Dienstag, Mittwoch

Spanish: Lunes, Martes, Miercoles

French: Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi

Rocket Propellant Tank

We just learned about the Rocket Engine Nozzle.

Another part of a rocket is the Propellant Tank.

This is where the rocket fuel goes, and is usually very large.
The tank used for the space shuttle rocket was over 150 feet tall, and weighed over 58,000 pounds empty, but over 1,680,000 pounds when filled up.


(from: wikipedia - space shuttle external tank)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Drilling

Lituites Nautilus

We just learned about the Argonaut Octopus.

Another type of cephalopod is the Lituites Nautilus.

This is an extinct type of nautilus from long ago that we know about because of fossils found in the ocean.

Just like the Chambered Nautilus it has a coiled body like a type of snail shell, but then it straightens out at the end like the ancient Orthoceras Nautilus we learned about.


(from: wikipedia - lituites)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Poison Dart Frogs

Interphalangeal Ligaments

We just learned about the Metatarsal Ligaments.

Another set of connective tissue is the Interphalangeal Ligaments.

These are the ligaments that go underneath (plantar) and on the sides (collateral) of each toe.


(from: wikipedia - interphalangeal joints of foot)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Hair