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A. G. Maisey · Yesterday, 12:12 AM

Jim, it saddens me to see that you have altered the name of Henry Charles William Malevolti/Angelo from your initial use of "Harry" to "Henry". Harry was baptised with his Italian father's family name, "Malevolti", but his father later adopted the name "Angelo" as his family name, and young Harry followed suit.

In fact, taking into account the time & place where Harry Angelo lived, your use of "Harry" was quite correct and it reflects correct historical use of the English Language. Harry Angelo was born in the mid-18th century.

Now fast forward to our beloved & well known Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales. When Prince Harry was born to Charles & Diana, he was baptised as I have noted, however Charles & Diana adopted the very ancient English royal practice of using the name "Harry" rather than the baptismal name of "Henry".

The use of "Harry", rather than "Henry" reflects the pronunciation of "Henry" in Middle English, it has been English Royal practice to use "Harry" for princes & monarchs for a very long time. Other English nobles followed the royal lead.

Harry Angelo attended Eton, & later, as a master of fence, his clients were mostly English upper & ruling class, any "Henry" that Harry Angelo came in contact with would have been addressed as "Harry". The use of "Harry" in the written form simply reflected the pronunciation of "Henry", & followed the royal lead in this respect.

In Shakespeare's England the use of "Harry" rather than "Henry" in the written form was usual. In fact, at that time, "Harry" was very often abbreviated to "Hal".

The Oxford English dictionary advises that "Harry" is the familiar form of "Henry". English coinage issued under Henry VIII was referred to as a Harry groat, or a Harry sovereign or a Harry (some other coin).

If you had been face to face with Harry Angelo & you addressed him as Henry, I rather feel that he might not have recognised that you were indeed addressing him.

I think I will continue to think of this fencing master as Harry, Henry seems a little bit unrealistic.

Yesterday, 12:12 AM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,053	Jim, it saddens me to see that you have altered the name of Henry Charles William Malevolti/Angelo from your initial use of "Harry" to "Henry". Harry was baptised with his Italian father's family name, "Malevolti", but his father later adopted the name "Angelo" as his family name, and young Harry followed suit. In fact, taking into account the time & place where Harry Angelo lived, your use of "Harry" was quite correct and it reflects correct historical use of the English Language. Harry Angelo was born in the mid-18th century. Now fast forward to our beloved & well known Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales. When Prince Harry was born to Charles & Diana, he was baptised as I have noted, however Charles & Diana adopted the very ancient English royal practice of using the name "Harry" rather than the baptismal name of "Henry". The use of "Harry", rather than "Henry" reflects the pronunciation of "Henry" in Middle English, it has been English Royal practice to use "Harry" for princes & monarchs for a very long time. Other English nobles followed the royal lead. Harry Angelo attended Eton, & later, as a master of fence, his clients were mostly English upper & ruling class, any "Henry" that Harry Angelo came in contact with would have been addressed as "Harry". The use of "Harry" in the written form simply reflected the pronunciation of "Henry", & followed the royal lead in this respect. In Shakespeare's England the use of "Harry" rather than "Henry" in the written form was usual. In fact, at that time, "Harry" was very often abbreviated to "Hal". The Oxford English dictionary advises that "Harry" is the familiar form of "Henry". English coinage issued under Henry VIII was referred to as a Harry groat, or a Harry sovereign or a Harry (some other coin). If you had been face to face with Harry Angelo & you addressed him as Henry, I rather feel that he might not have recognised that you were indeed addressing him. I think I will continue to think of this fencing master as Harry, Henry seems a little bit unrealistic.