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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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| + | ===Faris=== |
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| + | *"''Faris''" is a more recent form of the original name; "''Farris''", which was documented to have existed prior to the first metioned version. |
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| + | *Faris is also the name of a municipality in Laconia, Greece. It has a population of roughly 5,000. |
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| + | ===Spavin=== |
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| + | *Spavin is a word given to a disorder located in a horse's neck, usually a swelling. |
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| + | *The word has French origins, and comes from the word "''espavin''", meaning "''swelling''". |
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==Appearances== |
==Appearances== |
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Revision as of 17:46, 27 January 2013
Minister Faris "Spout-Hole" Spavin was Minister for Magic from 1865 to 1903.
Biography
Early life
Faris was born to at least one magical parent.
Later life
In 1865, he was appounted Minister for magic, probably replacing Dougal McPhail.
He was most likely[2] the Minister against whom there was an assassination attempt made by a centaur. [3]
Spavin's term was also notable for introducing some reforms to the game of Quidditch (and the commotion they originated): on the night of 21 June, 1884, the Department of Magical Games and Sports decreed the institutionalisation of the Stooging Penalty in Quidditch. This announcement caused widespread discontent among British Quidditch players and fans, who demonstrated profusely at the Ministry of Magic Headquarters: the assembled crowd bombarded a Departmental representative with Quaffles, and threatened to stooge Minister Spavin himself. Wizards from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement were duly dispatched there, and the crowd reluctantly dispersed.[4]
This was not without precedent: just over a year before, another riot had broken out at the Ministry as the Department of Magical Games and Sports had decided to get rid of "goal baskets" in favour of the modern goalposts.[4]
Faris left his post in 1903.
Behind the scenes
- He is known to have served the longest known term as Minister: thirty-eight years.
Etymology
Faris
- The name "Faris" means "knight" in Arabic, but also "stone" in both Greek and English.
- "Faris" is a more recent form of the original name; "Farris", which was documented to have existed prior to the first metioned version.
- Faris is also the name of a municipality in Laconia, Greece. It has a population of roughly 5,000.
Spavin
- Spavin is a word given to a disorder located in a horse's neck, usually a swelling.
- The word has French origins, and comes from the word "espavin", meaning "swelling".
Appearances
- J. K. Rowling's Official Site (First mentioned)
- Quidditch Through the Ages (Indirect mention)
Notes and references
- ↑ According to Pottermore, Nobby Leach (Minister for Magic between 1962 and 1968) was the first Muggle-born wizard ever to be appointed to the office)
- ↑ Although unconfirmed this is the most likely answer to the 6-3 question of the Third W.O.M.B.A.T.; the nickname "Spout-Hole" Spavin seems to suggest that he wasn't a friend of the centaurs. Besides, the rest of his name has equine connotations: on a horse, a spavin is a swelling of the hock joint that results in lameness, while 'Faris' is a Muslim name meaning 'horseman,' or 'knight.'
- ↑ Sixth question of the Third W.O.M.B.A.T. at J. K. Rowling's Official Site.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Quidditch Through the Ages - Chapter 6 (Changes in Quidditch Since the Fourteenth Century)
