I’m assuming static.html is an existing file. If so, it shouldn’t be routed through index.php, because of the line RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f which says “Don’t execute the following RewriteRule if the requested file actually exists”.
Some other pointers though:
get rid of the <IfModule …> and </IfModule>; once you’ve established that mod_rewrite works, you don’t need those any more, and you’re just putting a strain on the server for nothing
get rid of RewriteBase /. In 99 out of 100 hosts you don’t need it, and it can actually do more harm then good.
(yes, I realize the .htaccess is wordpress generated; I’m not criticising you, I’m criticising the code)
Thanks a lot for the reply, of and you can criticize away, that’s how I will learn.
Yes, static.html exists.
Ok, I’ve been through the .htaccess file and found some more rewrite rules (I’m using the html5boilerplate .htaccess, and I’ve pasted the wordpress code at the top of it).
Here are all the rules (they were spread around). I haven’t yet altered the code so I don’t accidentally “hide” an important bit…