

Loose Chippings
Or The Unknown Cotswolds
by Nibor Raheb
The Cotswolds – the very name conjures up the epitome of the tranquil English countryside. But how many know its true history? Loose Chippings reveals some of the long-forgotten characters and unusual historical moments that have really made the area what it is today – including
- Gaius Clarkus Rapidus – the fastest Roman charioteer of his generation
- Sir Geofroy “I do the jokes” de Jakes, medieval jousting knight of Stratton
- The inside story of Sir St John (“Sinjer”) Kingdom Falstaff Danglingworthy and his beautiful tenant Gloriana d’Etang de Foie
- The fortuitous chance meeting of Quinnius Titubant Pshaw – the learned 18th century historian – with Nell Flynn, the local earl’s mistress, and, equally significantly, her pug
- How the manor house at Baunton became home to the exotic Schnapsi – daughter of the notorious Count Strahov
- The Tale of Two Slaughters – extreme Viking tax collection
- Crudwell’s very own chainsaw man – Mikhail de Rogate – and his unusual anti-tsunami defences
- The mysterious South American occupant of Winson – Generalissimo Don Moroso Ipiales Mosquito-Urinos
- Marston Meysey’s homes for old soldiers – most notably the Cotswold Bomardier – courageous Colour-Sergeant Ernest Pthoth
- Gryndle Brinscombe-Bussage and strange encounters at Minchinhampton….and many more Cotswold stories.