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A Canonical Date

The year 1644 appears in the Canon. What is the year in reference to and where does it appear and who is speaking?

5 Replies to “A Canonical Date”

  1. After searching 4+ online versions and sending an email to a friend, I found it. (and then of course my friend found it right after) “”…But when I tell you that there is some account of the taking of the place by a parliamentary colonel in 1644, of the concealment of Charles for several days in the course of the Civil War, and finally of a visit there by the second George, you will …””(VALL, chapter VII) Holmes to Mr. Mac.

  2. Holmes is telling Inspector MacDonald about the history of Birlstone Manor at the conclusion of “The Valley of Fear.”

    “Tut, tut, Mr. Mac! – the first sign of temper I have detected in you. Well, I won’t read it verbatim, since you feel so strongly upon the subject. But when I tell you that there is some account of the taking of the place by a Parliamentary colonel in 1644, of the concealment of Charles for several days in the course of the Civil War, and finally of a visit there by the second George, you will admit that there are various associations of interest connected with this ancient house.”

  3. Just as an historical aside, Antonio Stradivari was born in 1644. Holmes could “prattled away about Cremona fiddles, and the difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati” [STUD]; “We had a pleasant little meal together, during which Holmes would talk about nothing but violins, narrating with great exultation how he had purchased his own Stradivarius, which was worth at least five hundred guineas, at a Jew broker’s in Tottenham Court Road for fifty-five shillings. This led him to Paganini, and we sat for an hour over a bottle of claret while he told me anecdote after anecdote of that extraordinary man.” [CARD] It may be possible that the date 1644 came up in those animated talks of Holmes’ but…”Well, well, I don’t insist upon it.”

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