Tenby equals?

Ok people lets get the controversy of tonight's blip out of the way first. Today I went to Tenby, Saundersfoot and Amroth, so if you're expecting the obligatory Tenby harbour shot or beautiful views across the bay, then I'm sorry you're going to be disappointed. That's been done and you're probably fed up of it by now, what? No you're not, oh well as the song used to go "it's my journal and I'll blip what I want to."

To appease those people who wanted to see those beautiful shots, I'm afraid you'll have to look at my Twitter feed. Because today I wanted to do something different, something that you never knew about Tenby before, something that would make you say "next time we go to Tenby, let's check that out." So the problem was now, what to blip? Well there's East Rock House where Admiral Lord Nelson stayed with his mistress Lady Hamilton in 1802, couldn't do that this time because there was scaffolding and stuff outside. Or there is the monastery on Caldey Island; well I never took the trip out there today so that was never on. So where did I go?

St. Mary's Church, Tenby that's where! It's in the centre of Tenby and is amazing, so much history in one place. For example they have a list of vicars there going back to 1210, that's over 800 years people, that is staggering. So back to tonight's blip, tucked away in a corner is where you find this gentleman, Robert Recorde. So who is he? And why is he so important?

Ladies and Gentlemen he gave you the = sign! Quite simply without this man our understanding of mathematics may never have been the same, and he is Welsh! Born in 1510 in Tenby he led a very eventful life, aged just 15 years old he was enrolled into Oxford University and 6 years later was elected a Fellow of All Souls. It seems he also went to Cambridge University, this time studying medicine, graduating in 1545 with an MD. A number of jobs followed including, controller of the Royal Mint, overseeing the Royal mines in Ireland and Royal Physician, it is said that during this time he was to make enemies which proved to be his downfall.

It appears that mathematics was his main love with a number of his works being published, key works included the introduction of Algebra to the UK and of course the ultimate mathematical symbol of =, of which he said "because noe 2 thynges can be moare equalle". It is said that all his works were written in English, and not Latin, thereby opening up a new audience to mathematics, and it was also in a style which helped people to understand the theory in a clear and concise manner.

But poor Robert had made his enemies and despite his success they were to get their revenge. Robert tried to get the Earl of Pembroke arrested but failed, in revenge the Earl sued Robert for defamation of character and Robert was fined £1,000, a staggering amount in those days. It is unclear as to whether he was able to pay this fine, but he did end up in a Debtor's prison and never saw the light of day again, dying in 1558 just 48 years old. He left four sons and five daughters but due to the fine, he probably didn't leave them with a lot.

So there we have it ladies and gentlemen, in a small corner of a Wales a mathematical genius was born who would change the face of the world forever with just one simple sign, the =. Next time you use it, remember it was born in Wales, and if you're ever down Tenby pop into the church and pay your respects to good old Robert Recorde!