Britaine’s Firste “Newe Atheiste”?

26 June 2009  

Thanks to a contributor to today’s NSS Newsline, I’ve been made aware of this awesome record of civil proceedings from sometime in the early 17th century.

6 DECEMBER, i CHARLES I. Memorandum of the presentment for recusancy and of the insolence of one Richard Beake of Kentish-towne who (on being duly and lawfully summoned by John Corey, one of the bailiffs of the Sheriff of Middlesex, to appeare at this session at Hickes Hall) answered to the same John Corey “that he cared not a f for the Justices, and that he had not been at church for tenn yeares, nor wold goe to churche for all the Justices could doe, adding further, Lett the Justices kisse his A” S. P. Reg.

Richard Beake of Kentish-towne is now a hero of mine.

I’ve also learned a new word: recusancy. It means “fuck you, churchy”.

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6 Responses to “Britaine’s Firste “Newe Atheiste”?”

  1. Steve on June 26th, 2009 8:28 pm

    Interesting his name was Richard too. Did they use phrases like 'kiss my ass' and 'don't give a fuck' back then? So glad they cut back on the ridiculous over use of letters in words. Lett? goe? doe? churche?

  2. nullifidian on June 26th, 2009 8:47 pm

    I'm guessing they did if this report is an accurate record and the obvious inferences are valid.

  3. SeandBlogonaut on June 27th, 2009 6:22 am

    More specifically it means fuck you Anglican churchy

  4. nullifidian on June 27th, 2009 3:18 pm

    @Sean

    Indeed. I often forget that it’s only one specific sect in power in this country.

  5. godlessgirl on June 30th, 2009 1:25 am

    "that he cared not a f for the Justices … Lett the Justices kisse his A" Can this be for real? I have a dead guy crush now. What a character.

  6. nullifidian on June 30th, 2009 1:35 am

    Yeah, he's certainly on the way to becoming a posthumous mancrush (a new combo for me) here.

There's probably no god.  Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.