Maybe this isn't the most "China history flavored" topic but The Honorable Company did play a somewhat starring role during the Qing Dynasty starting from about the Jiaqing Emperor.  In this first of a two-part series, I am offering you an overview of who they were, where they came from and how they came to be so hated by so many.  I originally did this series for Cathay Pacific Airways' Inflight Entertainment system as an accompaniment to the "Taboo" miniseries starring Tom Hardy.  And now I'm taking these leftovers out of the fridge, taking the foil off and after sixty seconds in the microwave....here it is....in two easy to digest parts.  Enjoy!