“And as for fame, it’s just a name…”
Sometimes, in these trying times of crisis and universal brouhaha, we’re presented with evidence that even as the pillars of civilization crumble all around us, medievalism remains a sturdy riverside mill of robust economic growth.
Behold: Charlemagne shower gel.
As the neat Roman blog Eternally Cool points out, Charlemagne is one of the worthies immortalized by the ZIRH Warrior Collection, which includes shower gels inspired by Ulysses, Alexander the Great, Cyrus of Persia, and Julius Caesar. Now, with all due respect to my amici at the eCool team, the “cooling icy scent” of Charlemagne, which offers the natural astringency of chestnut seed, totally conquers the citrusy, skin-softening properties of Caesar.
“But wait,” I hear yon straw man cry, “is Charlemagne shower gel historically accurate?” Frankly—yes, I said “Frank”-ly—the question offends me. Anyone who’s read The Life of Charlemagne ought to remember the passage where the emperor conditions his royal tresses with chestnut-seed extract. It comes right after the concubine asks him “Are all these your guitars?” and then expresses amazement that the royal baths are larger than her whole apartment. It’s in Einhard, people—look it up!
Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 2:46 am
So glad to hear that there’s a bit of historical accuracy in that Charlemagne shower gel! And, we’ll allow you to privilege Charlemagne over Caesar….on this blog. But we still think that those medieval furs were smelly — and though it’s reassuring to know that Charlemagne’s hair glistened with chestnut seed extract, it’s going to be hard to convince us that he smelled good! ciao ciao
Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 7:59 am
Cæsar played a Fender Jaguar, but Charlemagne was a Gibson man I reckon. Though as I recall this is only discussed in Notker…
Friday, September 26, 2008, at 6:57 am
[…] which of the warrior-theme bath gels I’ll take into the tub with me tomorrow morning. Jeff says the Charlemagne gel, which “offers the natural astringency of chestnut seed, totally conquers […]
Friday, September 26, 2008, at 2:30 pm
Well, I don’t recall the bits about the guitar and the chestnut seed extract, must have missed those sections……but ol’ Charles was famous for his bathing abilities….a warrior in battle, a warrior in the bath!
Friday, October 3, 2008, at 9:01 am
Heh, Jonathan, ITA! Had to have been a Les Paul Custom, prolly a yellow one, to match the little yellow rubber ducky with the ruby-red lips and the beady-black eyes, right? Right. Some things just make sense across time and through space. Frank-ly, this must most assuredly be one of them :).
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http://booksinq.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 6, 2008, at 10:17 am
You are too funny! :-)