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Bob Hope turns 1000 years old today.
Born May 29, 1003, Hope lived a life of obscurity until fortuitously meeting William the Conqueror in 1065, the same year William uniting England under one crown. Impressed with Hope's one-liners and wit, King William named him a court jester later that year.
But Hope was not content to remain in one place for long. Just thirty years later, after having successfully ingratiated himself to Pope Urban II, volunteered to provide morale-lifting jokes to troops in the first of the Catholic crusades in 1096. Thus, his association and fascination with war. This association would last for some 250-300 years. While never wielding power of his own, he was able to, for the better part of a millenium, cling to those with power. He has been at the side of some 50 popes, 30 king and queens, and all of the American presidents, just to name a few. But he has also been with the common man. During the hottest years of the Black Plague, from 1347-1352, when 25 million Europeans died, Bob Hope fearlessly (or stupidly) mingled among the sick and dying, easing their suffering through stage acts and song. It was during these years that he gained the respect of the common person. During the Exploration Age, many expeditions were taken to discover new lands. In his travels, Bob Hope had come to know Amerigo Vespucci, the man whose name was later given to America. He also was present in Queen Isabella's court as a secret advisor, since by this time he had had centuries of experience in politics, war and espionage. It was he who convinced her to endorse Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World. And the rest, as they say, is history. It has been said that he did more than advise Isabella in politics. The same allegations were made between he and Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette and even Queen Victoria. Hope continues to deny any of these allegations.
Suddenly, Hope went back into the obscurity from which he originally came. He disappeared from public life shortly after his 500th birthday in 1503 for nearly 275 years. To this day he only talks about that time reluctantly, occasionally saying something about "those damned priests" and "whip me Father, for I have sinned". Somehow, Hope resurfaced just in time for the American Revolution, quietly whipping the colonists into a frenzy that would give birth to one of the most powerful and consumerist nations ever seen. Since then, he has encouraged American soldiers, holding concerts and shows in far off places such as Canada and Vietnam. During the American Civil War, however, he had to take a leave of absence, because, as sources say, he could not openly go against the wishes of the American President, being a confederate sympathizer. Of that time he says grimly, "Those were some tough years." This tradition has only recently stopped this century, when old age finally caught up to him. Here's to you, Bob. Happy 1000th birthday!
The look: silly The feel: The taste: ________________________ |
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