FB&WTFT - A Historical Context

[heidi.h.tandy.c92 at alumni.upenn.edu]

No: HPFGUIDX 14219

Nonspoiler stuff above, real discussion below...

As a recovering British history major, who happens to be married to a 
recovering European history major, I spent part of the time, since 
finishing the schoolbooks, looking for resources on the web about the 
Muggle historical events that were happening in tandem with certain 
events mentioned in the books. 
Among my discoveries were...
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In 1688, William & Mary of Orange became King & Queen, and accepted 
the Declaration of Rights, which incorporated an indictment of James 
II and his transgressions, and a declaration of the rights of 
citizens. http://www.lawsch.uga.edu/~glorious/dor.html Some of the 
rights included no levying taxes or suspending/dispensing of laws 
without approval of Parliament, the abolishment of the Court of High 
Commission (was this the Star Chamber?), the establishment of free 
elections, free speech in Parliament, and an end to excessive bail or 
cruel punishment.
Methinks that some openminded wizards & witches at the Muggle court 
(the descendents of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington?) observed these 
going on with interest, and were determined to discuss a similar 
Declaration of Rights for magical creatures at the International 
Federation of Wizards Council. Of course, it took almost three years 
for the issue to be placed on the agenda, due to the time consuming 
discussions on the thickness of cauldron bottoms, and by the time the 
Federation brought the issue up for consideration, the original 
issues had become extremely muddled.