A riddle

Poststructural Pub
1

In the 1580’s England and Spain were frequently at loggerheads over possessions in the Americas.
In December 1582 an Englishman was sent to Spain to attempt to gain information on what the Spanish were up to. As a disguise the Englishman, well versed in the Catholic faith, became a priest.

Unfortunately the disguise wasn’t perfect and a Spanish bishop had him brought before him for a test.

The Bishop told the Englishman he hadn’t heard of him before which was unusual since he knew the names of most all the clergy in Spain.

“When were you ordained?” asked the Bishop.

The Englishman thought it wise to indicate that he had only just been ordained.

“October of this year. October 9th”.

At that point the Bishop knew he was lying and subsequently exposed the English spy and had him executed.

How did the Bishop know the spy was lying?

2

The papal bull of February 1582 decreed that 10 days should be dropped from October 1582 so that 15 October should follow immediately after 4 October, and from then on the reformed calendar should be used.

This was observed in Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. Other Catholic countries followed shortly after, but Protestant countries were reluctant to change, and the Greek orthodox countries didn’t change until the start of this century. Note that countries who delayed the change-over beyond 1700 AD had to add eleven days as they had inserted an extra leap year.

3

Thanks to the switchover from Julian to Gregorian calendars, there’s no such day as October 9th 1582 in Spain.

Edit: Heh. Martin got there first!

4

You guys are sharp. I thought about making up a riddle where a Catholic priest was ordained on the 19th and a CoE ordained on the 9th yet they were both ordained on the same day.

5

With your avatar I’d have thought you were used to coming second in riddle competitions. :smiley:

6

:laughing:

7

Wot? What didjoo say?

8

OK then smartass, what have I got in my pocket? :smiley:

9

Feeling cocky is you eh, precious? Well, if fat hobbit has both hands in pocketses, you won’t feel too cocky. No, no you won’t.

10

Have you got a secret camera set up in my office? :astonished:

11

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

It knows a way in [to it’s pocketses], it must know a way out…
(for the rest of our sakes, please, stop feeling cocky! you can feel cocky all you want in the privacy of your own home!)

12

that’s strange. no matter if i have one or two hands in my pocket, i still feel cock.

13

You have pockets full of chickens? :confused: :boggle:

14

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!! :astonished:

15

I’d prefer it if you cock-a-doodle-don’t. :smiley:

16

Sigh amar, it is not the number of hands that is in question. It is in the premise that “both” are in the pockets. It is in the conclusion that number comes into it. Admittedly Gary’s spelling doesn’t really help you out there. And it is an unusual plural.

17

I think we’re all missing the point here, which is that I won.

I won the competition.

I am Alan Partridge, and I won the competition.

Fly, you can put the cheque in the post now, cheers.

18

Does that mean that you get to feel cocky?

(Look out, amar!)

djm

19

And I was second! Yes yes! Second I was!
Better than that fat hobbit who didn’t even finish. Yes!

20

Your prize will be released to you as soon as possible. There are some minor administrative charges to be taken care of, so if you’d just send me your bank account details… :smiley: