Introduction
22 February 2009
Top News Story:
Fairy Tales: No Longer Fiction, but Fact!
(BBC)-- As many literary aficionados have long surmised, fairy tales are works of fiction to teach a lesson or moral. Unlike Aesop's Fables, fairy tales are often aimed more toward children. Joseph Jacobs, who edited five collections of fairy tales, desired that English children have access to English fairy tales as opposed to the French and German tales they had been previously reading. Jacobs published English Fairy Tales in 1890 and it has been widely circulated ever since. However, recent evidence has been discovered that certain "fairy tales" Jacobs had edited are not really fiction at all. Currently, four are being investigated for their historical significance: "Fairy Ointment," "The Old Witch," "The Peddlar of Swaffham" and "The Rose Tree."It appears that these stories were based on actual events that had taken place in the royal court of King James I, the first ruler of the United Kingdom. Originally King James VI of Scotland, he combined the kingdoms of England and Scotland with his accession to the English throne. A series of documents have been obtained by a young woman by the name of Alexandra Hawkins who has been studying abroad at Cambridge, which prove that these four specific fairy tales are factual. The authenticity having been proven, the BBC has offered Ms. Hawkins a four part interview series that will take place each week for four weeks. Ms. Hawkins will be describing the actual events that led to the creation of the fairy tales, as well as the fairy tales themselves. Readers may be surprised to find that these documents were not intended to be read by children at all. She will be interviewed by BBC's Lydia Frost and will offer the BBC community a rare insight into an exciting new discovery. A brief description of the four events are included below.
"Fairy Ointment: A Midwife Catches a Royal Thief"
An old midwife is summoned to the house of the King James's sister, Margaret. She is to check on Margaret's baby, but accidentally discovers something ominous about Margaret's husband Henry.
"The Old Witch: Two Daughters and One Happy Ending"
Two nieces of the king are secretly put to the test by their father. He hopes to find the one worthy enough to marry his enemy's son and solidify an alliance. An intense competition ensues, with suspense up until the very end!
"The Pedlar of Swaffham: The Arrogant Prince Eats His Words"
A lowly pedlar seeks answers to a riddle he has been told. Searching for a wiser man than he to interpret it, he questions a prince about its meaning. The prince scorns the pedlar, but realizes his mistake too late.
"The Rose Tree: A Best Friend's Revenge"
A murder in King James's court leads to a devious plot for revenge that can only end in more blood.
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