history

Trim the Cat

September 11, 2025yggdrasille

While looking for more cat-themed paintings, I came across what is considered to be Australia’s most famous feline: a black-and-white cat called Trim, who accompanied explorer Matthew Flinders on his voyage around the coastline of Australia. Trim was a true seafaring cat, born aboard the ship in 1799 and made a favourite for his grit, intelligence and cheeky personality.

The plaque at the Mitchell Library in Sydney has this moving dedication written by Flinders in memory of his cat:

The best and most illustrious of his race
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers

Love and Louis XIV by Antonia Fraser – Book Review

June 10, 2025yggdrasille

I felt like revisiting one of my favourite historical biographies, exploring the relationships between the greatest monarch of his age and the women in his life.

Dominion by Tom Holland – Book Review

January 2, 2025yggdrasille

An absorbing, ambitious and well-written journey through history of Christianity, its impact on the western culture, and its enduring influence in the modern world.

Epitaph for Margarita the Dog

January 25, 2024June 7, 2024yggdrasille

I’m a cat person first and most, but I was compelled to do a post about dogs for once, after coming across this moving ancient poem. This is the epitaph for Margarita (Latin for Pearl), inscribed on a marble plaque in honour of a beloved lap dog, deceased in second or third century Rome.

Gaul sired me, the shell of the rich sea gave me my name: the honour of that name is becoming to my beauty. Taught to roam unexplored woodlands with courage and to chase hirsute game in the hills, unaccustomed ever to be restrained by heavy harnesses or to endure savage beatings with my snow-white body: for I used to lie in my master’s and my mistress’s lap and mastered the art of resting wearily on a spread-out blanket. Even though I used to be able to express more than I was entitled to with my inarticulate mouth – that of a dog! – no one feared my barking. But I have already met my fate, stricken down during ill-omened whelping – me, whom earth now covers under this little marble plaque.