At the beginning of the 21st Century monsters still roam the remote, and sometimes not so remote, corners of our planet. It is our job to search for them. The Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is - we believe - the largest professional, scientific and full-time organisation in the world dedicated to cryptozoology - the study of unknown animals. Since 1992 the CFZ has carried out an unparalleled programme of research and investigation all over the world. Since 2009 we have been running the increasingly popular CFZ Blog Network, and although there has been an American branch of the CFZ for over ten years now, it is only now that it has a dedicated blog.

Friday 26 December 2014

FEAST OF STEPHEN

Today, 26th December, is the feast of St Stephen, the first recorded martyr of the Christian Church.  It is a public holiday in Ireland and Catalunya.  People often remember it, however, as the setting of the carol Good King Wenceslaus.

The Wenceslaus is question was the Duke of Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic.  In the Czech language his name was Vaclav.  He lived in the 10th Century and was murdered.  The Christmas carol does not contain historical material.  It was published in 1853.  It may have been based on an original poem by V.A. Svoboda.  When it appeared in English, critics said it would not last long.

There is a tradition that knights are sleeping under Mount Blanik in the Czech Republic.  It is said they will awaken and defend the Czechs when the need arises.  In Wenceslaus Square, Prague, there is a statue of Wenceslaus and it is said this will come to life and lead the Czechs.


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