quaker invents tongue piercing

In December 1656, Quaker James Naylor, grew tired of his drab puritan life-style and decided to, as James himself said, " Jazz things up a bit.."


Maybe it had something to do with the appraching festive season and as a Puritan feeling excluded from the fun or maybe he was tired of being mocked for wearing a puritan uniform You know the uniform of which I speak, the plain black pants, tucked into white leggings, black shoes with buckles , a black linen coat , topped- off by an austere , plain black hat, similar to a cowboy hat except it looked sillier.

Oliver Cromwell , Lord Protector ( meaning Lord protect us from Oliver Cromwell) was the leader for this time period and Oliver , for the sake of the nation had to deport the Puritans because no one could get any work done because people were laughing so hard at them. Mind you , the rest of the country who weren't Puritans took the sting out of their daily grind by dressing to the other extreme meaning they were a bunch of fancy pants. This of course led to many wars; the 1st English Civil War, the 2nd English Civil War & the 3rd English Civil War.

It was in this time period of history that brave James Naylor decided to accessorize his tongue. It was a brilliant idea of course because the puncture would be hidden in his mouth and although he was by trade a preacher , he figured that English people mumble any way so career- wise it was no great loss. Conveniently, the red hot iron poker had been specially modified for the sole -purpose of creating the hole- in- tongue by the good folks over in the Tower of London which was a stones throw away from where James lived anyway.

James was taking a huge risk because the reason he wanted a hole in his mouth was so he could put in a tongue ring. Wearing a ring anywhere on his body was frowned upon by fellow Puritans so he took the risk of being shunned by his fellow travellers. Again , really, thought James, " no great loss. "

Like my friend Kevin Shute said, " I bet that hurt like hell!!!"

I bet it did too, but again if you're the Geek of the Renaissance your used to great pain anyway. just getting up every day and putting on that stupid outfit day would be torture enough for most people; not to mention being mocked, and crowds trying to stone you to death at every turn! Again, no great loss...