Mastodawn

RE: https://sfba.social/@morgan/115973108567630998

I thought this was a leg-pull but it turns out Clotworthy Skeffington was a REAL PERSON (the 1st earl of Massereene) and now I need an excuse to introduce a minor character named Clotworthy-Skeffington in the current space opera in progress.

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Pete Ashton Jan 28

@cstross I often wonder what happened to all those names that were only a handful of generations ago. Seems they’re still around (his last heir with a Wikipedia page is John David Clotworthy Whyte-Melville Foster Skeffington, died 2024 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Skeffington,_14th_Viscount_Massereene) but just not in public office. More likely in the city, it seems.

John Skeffington, 14th Viscount Massereene - Wikipedia

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Dave Bell Jan 28

@pete @cstross

There is very little info, anywhere, but it may be a "businessman" named Charles Clotworthy Whyte-Melville Foster Skeffington, who sells "clever gift ideas"
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/67341/the-lords-know-who-among-them-are-dishonourable-grifters

The Lords know who among them are dishonourable grifters

Starmer’s House of Lords reform is a good start. Now we should ask them to finish the job

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Dave Bell

@pete @cstross

This "gift business" seems to use X and Facebook, and there are some very low-grade pointers to "Wass" in North Yorkshire, close to Byland Abbey. Maybe the "Fulham FOX" business.