The Lady Gwyn's Kingdom

RMS Titanic: A Short History

2012-01-20T19:52:00.029-05:00

April 14-15, 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic striking an iceberg and sinking in the North Atlantic. Has it really been that long? My interest (obsession) with the Titanic began when I was really, really young and I happened to watch the National Geographic special on the discovery of the ship by Robert Ballard which my grandparents had on VHS tape. I was hooked. Why I could not tell you! Even now I have no idea how such a show on such a subject appealed to my child's mind. I got my first book on the Titanic in the fourth grade (its actually still at my parents'!). I was thrilled when the James Cameron film came out in 1997; not for the "love story" but for the sets that were created. I was so excited to "see" the interior of the ship which I had only seen in a few black and white photos. I've been wanting to write something about the Titanic and I thought the weeks leading up to the actual anniversary would be a good time to post about my first historical interest. I'll start with the basic story (history) of the ship and we'll see what later posts are about!

Titanic's story begins several years before that fateful April night.

Towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century transatlantic travel was becoming a big business. Companies were competing for the fastest passenger ships and the most luxurious passenger ships. This came at a time when the fabulously wealthy loved to show off their wealth and there was no better way to do this than on a transatlantic cruise which could take a week (from England to New York). According to legend, in 1907 Lord Pirrie, owner of Harland and Wolff, and Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, gave birth to the idea of creating several massive, super luxurious steam liners, the "Olympic class,"of which Titanic would be the second and biggest (behind the Olympic and the Gigantic [later renamed Brittanic]). They decided that instead of going for the fastest liners in the world, they were going to go for the most comfortable and the safest; they were really going to cater to the most elite passengers and no expense would be spared. They put Thomas Andrews in charge of designing the massive ships.

Construction on the Titanic did not begin until March 31,1909 when her keel was laid. All three ships were built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland. This new class of ships was so big that a special gantry and slipway had to be built in the shipyard to house them...before construction on the actual ships could even begin! (New docks also had to be built in Southampton because none of the existing ones were near big enough to house these behemoths!) Her construction lasted 3 years and thousands were employed to put her together. The company also wanted to have the safest ships afloat along with the most luxurious and Titanic's design included numerous state-of-the-art safety features. Leading up to her maiden voyage in 1912, White Star published many claims that the ship was "virtually unsinkable." While Titanic would carry passengers from all walks of life, it was in the first class cabins and public rooms where Titanic's true purpose was crystal clear. Besides sumptuous state rooms, first class passengers would have a swimming pool (the first on any ship), Turkish bath, gymnasium, and squash court in which to get exercise while at sea. There was also a writing room (for the ladies), smoking room (men only!), lounge, reception room, palm courts and cafes, and a restaurant. Titanic really was like a floating 4 star hotel. The opulance of Titanic's first class state rooms and public rooms really outclassed all other ships of the time. Second, and even third, class on the Titanic was better than some first class on other ships. She was launched on May 31, 1911 to begin her "fitting out" (interior painting, decorating, moving in furniture, etc) and to prepare for her maiden voyage.

Titanic was supposed to begin her maiden voyage on March 20, 1912 but her sister ship Olympic collided with another vessel towards the end of 1911 and White Star wanted her repaired and operational before Titanic sailed, thus (fatefully) pushing her maiden voyage back to April 10. Captain Edward J. Smith was in charge and this was to be his last command before retiring from an impressive career as a sea captain. She left the dock at Southampton at noon on April 10, narrowly escaping being hit in the side by a smaller vessel, and sailed across the Channel, docking at Cherbourg, France, after 6 pm. The next day she arrived in Queenstown, Ireland, took on more steerage passengers, and then headed out into the North Atlantic. The voyage was uneventful, with clear skies and calm waters, and Cpt. Smith increased her speed each day despite the fact that she began receiving ice warnings after only two days at sea. There have been reports that he was ordered by Bruce Ismay (who was on board for the maiden voyage) to speed up in order to break the Atlantic crossing record.

The night of April 14 was extremely cold, below freezing by dark, and the sea was unusually calm. The lookouts are advised to watch for icebergs and at 11:40 Titanic collides with her destiny. The berg is spotted directly in front of the ship, the lookouts sound the alarm bell three times, and phone the bridge with the alarming message: "Iceberg right ahead!" First Officer Murdoch is in charge at the time and ordered a "hard-a-starboard" to the man at the wheel, ordered the engines to stop and then full astern, and activated the watertight doors (all that basically means is he told the helmsman to turn the wheel hard to starboard, the engines to stop, and then to put them in reverse, trying to get the ship to turn and slow down). She did begin to turn but it was too late and the iceberg scrapped along her starboard side under the waterline. By 11:50, only 10 minutes after the collision, there is already water 14 feet above the keel in the very forepeak (very front) of the ship and the supposedly "watertight" compartments were beginning to flood. Cpt. Smith returned to the bridge and ordered designer Thomas Andrews (also on board for the maiden voyage) to survey the ship and the damage. He had bad news for the Captain when he returned: the ship was designed to stay afloat with any three of the watertight compartments flooded...five already were. He calculates the ship has about an hour and a half to live. Cpt. Smith orders the lifeboats uncovered, woman and children to be loaded first, and gave orders to the Marconi radio operators to begin sending out distress signals.

The first lifeboat was lowered at 12:45...with only 28 people (it could hold 68). Most of the passengers weren't aware of the trouble they were in for quite a while after the initial collision (they ship was supposed to be unsinkable, right?) and weren't keen on the idea of leaving the brightly lit, warm ship. Even if all the lifeboats had been lowered filled to capacity, they still only had room for about 1,100 of the 2,200 people on board. By about 1:15 Titanic's deck is starting to tilt much more noticeably and the lifeboats begin to leave more fully loaded. The only ship to respond to the distress calls, Carpathia, is on her way but she is over 50 miles away and will not make it to the Titanic in time. At 1:40 most of the lifeboats are away, Ismay makes his famous escape from the sinking ship, and the remaining passengers begin making their way to the stern of the ship which is slowly rising out of the water. The ship's lights finally went out at 2:20, sending the people left on board into a further panic. Cpt. Smith is last seen headed towards the bridge of the ship; Thomas Andrews was last seen staring into space in the smoking room. Titanic slipped beneath the waters of the North Atlantic just after 2:20 am, taking over half the passengers and crew down with her. The 705 survivors in the lifeboats waited in the freezing cold until the Carpathia arrived after 4 am in the morning. The Titanic survivors finally arrived in New York on April 18.

After the sinking there were inquiries on both sides of the Atlantic, trying to determine what happened and who was to blame. As a result of the sinking, new maritime laws were put in place to keep such a disaster from happening again.

Sorry for the lengthy post but there was a lot of information and I can be rather long winded when it comes to something I find interesting. Please be on the look out for further posts about the Titanic covering various topics.

Mailbox Monday - January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

Mailbox Monday is now on tour! It is being hosted this month by At Home With Books. To find out more about the history of Mailbox Monday and a list of future hosts visit the Mailbox Monday site.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists!

A few new books showed up over the past two weeks! Looking forward to getting into these!

Dracula in Love, Karen Essex

I've been working on Stoker's original novel and I won this one from Arleigh's blog a couple of weeks ago. I always enjoy seeing a classic through another character's eyes.

Dark Sovereign, Robert Fripp

I won this one from Arleigh as well! The author has written the play the Bard SHOULD have written about the REAL Richard III.

The Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude, S.B. Breathnach

Okay, so its not historical fiction or Regency related but this is something my best friend suggested (she's been doing it for a couple of years). I'm looking forward to the inspiration.

Recent Search Terms

2012-01-02T10:58:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted any search terms recently (of course, I haven't posted much of anything at all lately!) and I decided to take a peek today and see what words or phrases folks out there used that landed them in my kingdom! There's a few that gave me a good chuckle this morning!

Enjoy!

merry christmas sad cartoon - doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of wishing someone a Merry Christmas?

christmas office humor fact cartoons - not quite sure about this one but apparently, from the looks of the search terms, my blog is now the place to find all kinds of Christmas cartoons...

great medieval battle - could we narrow it down just a bit, please?

lady medieval - as opposed to Lady Regency?

read - yes, please.

royalty free middle battle - so they're looking for a battle that's free of taxes perhaps? Somewhere in the middle?

Mailbox Monday - January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T10:30:00.007-05:00

Mailbox Monday is on tour now! It is being hosted this month by At Home With Books! To find out more about the history of Mailbox Monday and a list of future hosts visit the Mailbox Monday site.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I didn't get any books for Christmas but I got a couple of Barnes and Noble gift cards and that works even better in my opinion! I loaded my boys in the car and ventured out to get some new books...its so hard for me to find any these days! I think I'm going to have to stick to ordering online and from the UK! Lol! Anyway, here's what I picked up...and I still have $10 left!

Cleopatra's Daughter, Michelle Moran

I've been a big fan of Ms. Moran since reading her wonderful novel The Heretic Queen a couple of years ago. I have heard really good things about this novel and can't wait to dive in!

Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen

I love Austen and my copy of this novel has vanished somewhere in this house. So, I picked up a replacement...which means I'll find my original any time.

Venetia, Georgette Heyer

After reading my first Regency novel by this author last year I was hooked! They didn't have much of a select (at all) but this one looked pretty good! Can't wait to see what Ms. Heyer has in store for me between the pages of this one!

My Best of 2011

2011-12-31T09:37:00.025-05:00

Having a baby threw my reading time way off this year but I still managed to get plenty of books read (just not as many as I'd like and I wasn't able to get reviews posted for most of them). Here are some of my top picks from the year!

1. Lady of the English, Elizabeth Chadwick

Ms. Chadwick's latest novel is about Henry II's very strong mother, the Empress Matilda, and her struggle with King Stephen over the English Crown. This was a really good book (but of course, everything Ms. Chadwick writes is awesome!) and you can read my review here. If you like to read books "in order," this one will come before her phenomenal The Greatest Knight which is about William Marshall and his dealings with Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.

2. George Knightley, Esquire: Lend me Leave, Barbara Cornthwaite

I LOVED this novel!! It was book two in the author's retelling of Jane Austen's Emma through the hero George Knightley's eyes. You can see my review of book one here and of this book here. Ms. Cornthwaite really captured the spirit and language of Austen's world and added in some wonderful humor and character description and development. These were fantastically written versions of Austen's original and I highly recommend them to Austen fans!

3. Queen by Right, Anne Easter Smith

This was the author's fourth novel in her York family series though this one comes before the previously published novels. It deals with the life of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, mother of Edward IV and Richard III. It was a really good book and I enjoyed reading more about Cecily, who usually only appears sporadically in novels about this turbulent time period. Check out my review here.

These are just my top 3 but I read many more great books this year! Here are a few others that deserve mention:

Queen of Last Hopes, Susan Higgianbotham
To Be Queen, Christy English
The King's Grey Mare, Rosemary H. Jarman
The Adventures of Alianore Audley, Brian Wainwright
Bath Tangle, Georgette Heyer
Vlad: The Last Confession, C. C. Humphries
Three Maids for the Crown, Ella March Chase

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2012

2011-12-29T22:38:00.003-05:00

I have participated in this challenge for two years and I love it. The first year I blew way, way past the level I was aiming for (the highest, 20 books and reviews in a year) and this year...well, having a baby can eat up A LOT of time! I certainly read enough books to reach my 20 but I couldn't get reviews written and posted.

So, I'm looking forward to a new year and a new set of books to work on and review! You can click the link below to take you to Historical Tapestry for all the details and to sign up!

2012 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T19:48:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Nadolig Llawen!

Frohe Weihnachten!!

I just wanted to pop in (take a quick break from finding homes for all the new toys!) and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! I hope everyone had a wonderful day; I know we did!

And for those wondering...that is Merry Christmas in the three languages that make up my heritage (English, Welsh, and German).

The Richard III Project

2011-12-22T10:32:00.003-05:00

Readers of this blog will know my love and admiration for Richard III. I have longed for a new movie or TV show to be made about this King to "clear the air" and show him more like he might have been - instead of the monster Shakespeare and his Tudor contemporaries have made him.

British actor Richard Armitage has dreamed of making a film about Richard III and needs our help! He has a site set up and a petition to possible financiers to try to turn his dream into a reality. Please click the link below to go to the website and the link to the petition is near the top!

King Richard Armitage

You will find information about Richard Armitage and Richard III (who he is named for) at the site. You can also find information about Richard III here on my blog in several places.

Tudor Giveaway

2011-12-19T11:15:00.002-05:00

The ladies over at Royal Reviews are hosting a Tudor giveaway this Christmas season. Click the badge below to take you to the site for all the info!

Next Philippa Gregory Release Announced!

2011-12-05T10:56:00.003-05:00

Continuing in her "Cousins War" series, Philippa Gregory's next novel The Kingmaker's Daughter will be released August 7, 2012.

For those of you unfamiliar with this time period, the "Kingmaker" was Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. He helped place Edward IV on the throne and then later rebelled against him. The novel will be about his daughters Isabella and Anne. Both sisters married younger brothers of Edward IV: Isabella to George, Duke of Clarance, and Anne to Richard, Duke of Gloucester (future Richard III).

Followers of this blog know my partiality for Richard III and so I will be looking forward to this book, though with a bit of caution. I am always nervous when I don't know how an author is going to portray my favorite King! Richard appeared in the first novel in this series The Winter Queen, which covered the life of Elizabeth Woodville, and she did not make him out to be a horrible monster so I have some hope for this novel!

If you are interested the other novels in this series (in order of release date) are:

The Winter Queen (Elizabeth Woodville, wife to Edward IV)
The Red Queen (Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII)
Lady of the Rivers (Jaquetta Woodville, Elizabeth's mother)

New Novel by Brandy Purdy!

2011-11-14T17:16:00.005-05:00

Brandy Purdy (author of The Boleyn Wife and The Tudor Throne) will be releasing her new novel The Queen's Pleasure in July 2012.

From Brandy Purdy's blog:

When young Robert Dudley, an earl’s son, meets squire’s daughter Amy Robsart, it is love at first sight. They marry despite parental misgivings, but their passion quickly fades, and the ambitious Dudley returns to court.

Swept up in the turmoil of Tudor politics, Dudley is imprisoned in the Tower. Also a prisoner is Dudley’s childhood playmate, the princess Elizabeth. In the shadow of the axe, their passion ignites. When Elizabeth becomes queen, rumors rage that Dudley means to free himself of Amy in order to wed her. And when Amy is found dead in unlikely circumstances, suspicion falls on Dudley—and the Queen…

Still hotly debated amongst scholars—was Amy’s death an accident, suicide, or murder?—the fascinating subject matter makes for an enthralling read for fans of historical fiction.

Please note this book is published in the UK as A Court Affair by Emily Purdy.

Review Update!

2011-10-14T15:30:00.003-04:00

I am behind on the books that I am intending on posting reviews for (having a 4 year old and a 5 month old will do that!). I promise they are coming! Here is what I have read and plan on posting about:

Three Maids for a Crown, Ella March Chase
Chase's latest novel looks into the lives of Lady Jane Grey's younger sisters Katherine and Mary, and how they struggled through the twists and turns of the turbulent times.

Vlad: The Last Confession, C.C. Humphreys
Humphreys' novel about Vlad (the inspiration for Stoker's Dracula) is a very interesting look into the life of the historical and very real Prince.

The Tudor Throne, Brandy Purdy
Purdy's lastest novel focuses on the lives of half sisters Mary and Elizabeth and how they both reacted to the trying events in their lives.

Bath Tangle, Georgette Heyer
Another wonderful Regency novel by one of the masters, this novel tells a fun story of tangled relationships.

Be on the lookout for these reviews!

What Would Shakespeare Do?

2011-10-08T13:39:00.004-04:00

or rather...did Shakespeare do it?

That is the story driving the upcoming movie by Columbia Pictures Anonymous. The movie looks at the old rumor that William Shakespeare did not write all his famous plays; that he was just the front man for another writer who, for reasons to be revealed in the movie (politically based), wanted to remain anonymous.

You can watch a trailer here.

So what is this old rumor? Basically that the Earl of Oxford, not William Shakespeare, wrote all the plays. Who was the Earl of Oxford? A courtier in Queen Elizabeth I's court. What do I think of this old rumor and the movie based on it? I believe Shakespeare probably did write most of the plays and poems but could certainly have had some help along the way. As for the movie, I'll go watch it because it concerns one of my favorite time periods and historical figures (Queen E) and the idea behind it is certainly intriguing. Besides, the sets and costumes look gorgeous and that's reason enough for me to go see it (I'm always dying for a chance to see this time period on the big screen!).

Does it really matter if Shakespeare worked alone on his plays or not? They are still the wonderful masterpieces whether he wrote them or if someone else wrote them.

Coming to theaters 10/28.

Book Review: George Knightley, Esquire: Lend Me Leave

2011-09-05T21:23:00.007-04:00

George Knightley, Esquire: Lend Me Leave, Barbara Cornthwaite
5 roses

This is book 2 in Ms. Cornthwaite's series in which she retells Austen's Emma from the hero, George Knightley's eyes. I read book 1 several months ago (you can read my review here) and I have been anxiously waiting for book 2 to be published! I ordered as soon as it came out, it arrived on a Saturday, I picked it up to start it on Sunday evening (I was trying to finish another book but finally couldn't wait any longer!), and finished it around 1am Monday morning. It was fantastic!

Book 2 picks up right after Frank Churchill leaves Highbury at his aunt's command and the ball is postponed and continues until the end of the novel and we see Mr. Knightley and Emma leave for their wedding trip. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the author continued the story and filled in the gaps that Austen left. We continue to see Mr. Knightley performing his duties as local magistrate (and it is still amazing to me that these gentlemen were expected to do so much with so little training!) and his increasing agony as he feels he has lost Emma to Frank. I could almost feel his panic and despair as he watched the two of them together at the Box Hill party. The side stories that Ms. Cornthwaite weaves in to fill the gaps left in the original (in regards to how Mr. Knightley spends his time away from Hartfield) are quite believable and quite interesting and really throws some light on another side of life in Regency England. The humor is still there as well and I again got some laughs out of Knightley's letters to and from his brother and his talks with Madam Duval. One of my favorite laugh out loud moments was at the very end when John was writing to George and describing what was going on in Highbury in his absence. I won't spoil it for anyone but the last sentence was fantastic (and gives me hope for the author continuing telling Knightley and Emma's story)! In the first book I was thrilled with the humor the author brought to the story; in book two I was thrilled to finally get some of the passion I wanted to see between Mr. Knightley and Emma. Towards the end, once Knightley has declared himself and been accepted we finally see something between the two of them besides a deep and true friendship and I absolutely loved this! I didn't feel any of it was out of place or wrong for something based on Austen. As in the first book the writing style, descriptions, and character dialog are spot on; Ms. Cornthwaite does a fantastic job of recreating Austen's style but yet keeping it from being too wordy and confusing for the reader (which I feel is what some people have a problem with in Austen's works). Her characters are wonderful and seem more developed than Austen's originals. It is obvious that the author took her time and did her research in order to give the reader not only a wonderful story but a very accurate look at the time period. This is where I think she excelled even beyond Austen - she is able to describe the customs, manners, life styles, etc, in such a way to make it very easy for readers to visualize this world of strict etiquette. Austen, of course, did not have to include all the little details because she was writing for people who were living in this almost foreign world - there was no need to describe everything - and I feel that can sometimes make it difficult for readers to understand all the aspects of her stories. Ms. Cornthwaite fills in all those gaps beautifully.

I can, again, highly recommend this novel to any Austen fan. Make sure to read the first in the series so that you can enjoy the author's wonderful story even longer! I sincerely hope that Ms. Cornthwaite will take up her pen again and continue the story; I have yet to be satisfied with any Emma sequel I've come across and I think she is the one to pick up where Jane left off. I truly think Jane would approve!

Mailbox Monday - September 5, 2011

2011-09-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme originally created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (formerly known as The Printed Page) and is now located here. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by Amused by Books.

Treated myself to a couple from Amazon this week! So excited to read these!

George Knightley, Esquire: Lead Me Leave, Barbara Cornthwaite

This is book 2 in Ms. Cornthwaite's retelling of Austen's Emma from the hero, George Knightley's eyes. I absolutely LOVED book 1 and I have been waiting anxiously for book 2 (while reading some of the author's excerpts on her blog!).

Three Maids for a Crown, Ella March Chase

This will be the second book by this author that I have read (the first was The Virgin Queen's Daughter). Ms. Chase again delves into Tudor intrigue as she tells the story of the three Grey sisters. Very much looking forward to getting into this one.

Friday Funny

2011-09-02T16:59:00.001-04:00

I know its not Christmas but this made me chuckle (and forget that the clock at a local church said 102 this afternoon....).

Shameless Self-Promotion!

2011-08-30T20:53:00.007-04:00

Who likes to curl up with a good book?

You? Yes, I thought so! Me too!

And what goes great with a good book?

Correct! A yummy snack and a good drink! Y'all are just so smart!

So where can you find some really yummy food and drinks that are quick and easy to make?

Well I'm glad you asked! I have the perfect solution for you!! Check out my website HERE and see what Tastefully Simple has to offer!

What is Tastefully Simple?

Awesome question! Tastefully Simple is the original home taste-testing company. We offer a wide variety of quick and easy to prepare, gourmet quality foods, helping people spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their friends and family.

What kind of products do you have?

Another great question! I knew I had smart readers! The company's best known products are the Bountiful Beer Bread and the Absolutely Almond Pound Cake. There are also a variety of spices, dips (cold and warm), desserts, meal starters, and drinks. Reading a Jane Austen novel on a cool evening? Stir up a mug of our Malted Cocoa and grab an Orange Cranberry Scone (both products available starting September 1). Need a quick meal? Cook up a batch of the Perfect Parmesan Biscuits and Perfectly Potato Cheddar Soup. How does a glass of Samba Sangria Slush sound?

If any of these sound tempting to you, please check out my website and consider ordering something; everything is shipped directly to you (I'm sorry but the company can not ship internationally at this time). There are over 60 products and gift ideas in the catalog so I'm sure you can find something you'd love to have on your table!

Click here to be taken to my site!

Thank you for your support!

Sorry for the moment of shameless self promotion! ;)

Friday Funny

2011-08-26T15:50:00.002-04:00

Oh yes...this was so me in high school! I can't say college because in college you can leave when you are finished (and go back to your dorm and read!).

Book Review: To Die For

2011-08-25T07:00:00.006-04:00

To Die For, Sandra Byrd
4 roses

I was honored to receive this novel for an early review and to participate in the author's virtual book tour (details here). Sandra Byrd has written an interesting story about the life of Meg Wyatt, sister of Thomas Wyatt and close friend to Anne Boleyn.

Having read novels covering the tumultuous years of the Tudors it is always refreshing to read a novel that comes from the view point of a person that is little known to history, thus giving an old story new life. That is the case with Ms. Byrd's newest work. In To Die For the author follows the life of Margaret Wyatt, a person rarely mentioned in Tudor novels. The Boleyns and the Wyatts grew up "next door" to each other and Anne and Meg became very close friends. Meg watched Anne's fabulous rise to power and her ultimate downfall all the while having to navigate the tricky and devious ways of the Tudor Court in order to survive.

I found the book an interesting read, though not a very in depth or heavy book. As I have read countless novels covering all aspects of this time period there weren't any new historical details introduced to me but Ms Byrd did a good job of not butchering history either. However, I think this novel's strength is in showing the reader what life was really like for a courtier in Henry VIII's court - and it wasn't always pleasant. Meg has to constantly watch her step as everyone was out for personal gain and would do anything to achieve more power or money or position. I liked Meg's character as she actually had personality; she was a true and faithful friend, a strong woman, and selfless. She had to overcome quite a bit throughout the course of the story - an abusive father, a very vindictive brother, the loss of her true love to the priesthood, and the eventual loss of her friend - but these trials really helped shape her into a strong and honorable woman who I was rooting for throughout. The author's characterization of other players in this novel were wonderful as well; I honestly felt my skin crawl every time Simon or Meg's brother appeared on the page. The writing is just very well done and will carry the reader along. Ms. Byrd's wonderful details of meals and fashion and the palaces will really immerse the reader in the time period, which to me is a sign of an author who has done their homework. She blends fact and fiction together beautifully and I never had a moment where I thought something that was spoken or described seemed untrue to the times.

I can easily recommend this novel to lovers of the Tudor time period. It would be an easy and informative read for anyone just beginning to delve into the intricacies of the period. Ms. Byrd's writing is easy to read and her details and historical information will not bog a reader down.

Eavesdroppers at Hampton Court Palace - A Guest Post by Sandra Byrd

2011-08-25T07:00:00.004-04:00

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours is celebrating the new release by Sandra Byrd To Die For and I was honored to have the author supply a guest post on a secret world at Hampton Court Palace.

Henry VIII had a famously acquisitive nature – and it wasn't limited to women. The man also had a passion for real estate. As king, he inherited many castles and palaces owned by the crown, but throughout his reign he added others by purchase, trade or payment of debt; through reclamation to the crown due to attainder; "recovering" property through the dissolution of assets formerly owned by the Roman Catholic church; and by "gift." A primary advisor in the early years of Henry's sovereignty was Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a man with tastes as extravagant as the King's and who also had the means to indulge them. When the King saw Hampton Court Palace, Cardinal Wolsey’s sumptuous, Thames-side property, he envied him of it. Knowing that he was on uncertain terms with the king, Wolsey offered Hampton Court Palace to him. Henry accepted the generous gift but did not reinstate Wolsey in his favor.

Once he owned the palace, Henry set about remodeling. One of the most beautiful reconstructions was to the Great Hall. The Great Hall was a large chamber where the king dined in public and where entertainments were often held. The hall, like everything else in Henry's court, was to be well-appointed to represent his power and glory. Historian Neville Williams claimed that masons worked round the clock for five years to complete the rebuilding of the hall to Henry's showy satisfaction. The room would have been overpowering to the senses, the tastes and smells of rich foods and spices, the feel of lush wood paneling and tightly woven tapestries, the music of players, the courtly flirtations. But high above the heads of the guests, tucked into the dark corners of the roof beams, lurked one of the Great Hall's most interesting features of all.

Fine embellishments had been carved into the ceiling beams, among them an HA crest for Henry and Anne Boleyn which remains to this day, but especially intriguing are the Eavesdroppers. The word eavesdropper has been in circulation since at least the 900s, coming from the old English, yfesdrype. It meant then just what it means now - someone listening to conversations in secret, watching and hearing without the permission or knowledge of the speakers. The cherubic, courtier faces would have smiled down upon guests, reminding all that Henry was aware of everything at his court through courtiers and servants. Even while at play there was never a time for loose tongues among long ears, as those who spoke freely often did to perilous consequence. At the Tudor Court, it was better to see nothing, hear nothing, and say nothing till you were in private chambers where eavesdroppers, one hoped, did not lurk.

Thank you again Sandra Byrd for this fabulous guest post! Below you will find information that will direct you to Ms. Bryd's website, blog, and Facebook page. Make sure to read my review of this newest Tudor novel!

Author Website/Ladies in Waiting Web Page Here
Sandra Byrd's Blog Here
Sandra Byrd's FB Page Here

Rest in Peace Richard

2011-08-22T09:45:00.006-04:00

Richard III (Oct 2, 1452 - Aug 22, 1485)

On this day in 1485, the most maligned King in English history was killed at the Battle of Bosworth field. He was betrayed by some of his lords and was "piteously slain and murdered" (as is recorded in the York City records), paving the way for the usurper Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (Henry VII). Thus began the Tudor Dynasty, based on a very weak and illegitimate claim to the throne, and the complete destruction of Richard's reputation.

The battle was mainly a hand-to-hand encounter (which was typical of the times), with the Stanley family (who had promised Tudor that they would desert Richard) keeping away from the fight until, at a critical moment when it was obvious which way the victory was headed, they joined Tudor. Richard, realizing that he was betrayed, cried out, "Treason, treason!" He knew he'd either leave as the King of England or dead and refused to leave the field until, overpowered by numbers, he fell dead in the middle of his enemies. He came very close to dispatching his enemy, Henry Tudor, killing his standard barer, William Brandon (the father of Henry VIII's close friend, Charles Brandon). The crown was supposedly picked up on the field of battle and placed by Sir William Stanley on the head of Tudor, who was at once proclaimed king by the whole army. After the battle Richard's body was carried to Leicester, carried naked across a horse's back, and buried without honor in the church of the Greyfriars. His death was the end of the Plantagenet Dynasty which had ruled England since the succession of Henry II in 1154.

Richard was not the villain that his enemies made him out to appear. He had good qualities, both as a man and a ruler, and seemed to have a sound judgment of political needs (he had been able to keep the North of England in peace for his brother). However, it is impossible to clear him of the crime, the popular belief that was mostly likely the chief cause of his ruin - the death of his nephews, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, in the Tower of London. He was not a monster but a typical man in an age of strange contradictions of character, an age of refined (for the day) culture mixed with horrible cruelty, and he possessed an emotional temper that was capable of anything (he was a Plantagenet after all). Tradition represents Richard as deformed but this has never been proven. After his defeat at Bosworth, Tudor and his supporters needed to solidify his claim to the throne and what better way to do that than to make the English people think that the King he replaced was a deformed, evil monster who killed his own nephews? No one did more to cement that belief than William Shakespeare with his play Richard III (who was undoubtedly writing to please the Tudors). They were hugely successful in their endeavors and, unfortunately, this view of Richard stuck until probably the 20th century when scholars really began to study him.

Loyaulte me lie

Mailbox Monday - August 15, 2011

2011-08-15T14:50:00.007-04:00

George Knightley, Esquire Book Two Release Announced!

2011-08-08T18:42:00.004-04:00

I am so excited! Barbara Cornthwaite has announced that Book Two in her retelling of Jane Austen's Emma from the wonderful Mr. Knightley's point of view will be released AUGUST 25!!

If you have not read Ms. Cornthwaite's wonderful telling of Mr. Knightley's story then you are really missing out! The author has a wonderful command of the language and culture of Regency England and Mr. Knightley is brought to life in incredible detail. It is truly a wonderful read, probably the best Austen spin-off or sequel I have read to date.

I posted a review about Book One (Charity Envieth Not) several months ago. You can read it here.

Visit Barbara Cornthwaite's blog here.

Visit her at the Crownhill Writers' website here.

To Die For Virtual Book Tour

2011-08-06T15:09:00.002-04:00

Sandra Byrd Virtual Book Tour
To Die For

Join Amy from Passages to the Past and fellow bloggers for this event to celebrate the release of Ms. Byrd's new novel To Die For! Reviews of the novel and special author guest posts are scheduled across several different blogs.

Make sure to keep an eye on my blog as well! My review will be posted on August 25 and I will have a guest post from the author on August 26.

Friday Funny

2011-08-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Another wonderful one from Bookfessions!

Book Review: Lady of the English

2011-08-04T22:52:00.001-04:00

Lady of the English, Elizabeth Chadwick
4 roses

I love Elizabeth Chadwick's novels and was super excited to get her newest for review. While all her novels can be read alone, this novel precedes her phenomenal The Greatest Knight which, while about the early life of William Marshal, also covers the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. Lady of the English is an amazing look into the life of Henry II's formidable mother Matilda, Empress of Germany and heir to the crown of England.

For those not familiar with the history, Henry I (son of William the Conqueror) lost his only son and heir in a ship wreck, leaving his daughter Matilda (one time Empress of Germany) his only heir. When he died Matilda's cousin Stephen usurped the crown thus beginning a horrible period of war and strife in England. I was immediately drawn into Matilda's story - her sadness at loosing her first husband, the frustration of knowing she would be forced into another marriage to suite her father's plans, the anger after realizing the English barons were not going to support her just claim simply because she was a woman. Ms. Chadwick paints a picture of a very strong and passionate woman who is determined to gain her birthright - first for herself and then for her son - and does whatever is necessary. History seems to imply that Matilda was disliked for her pride and arrogance, that she didn't treat the barons with the respect they thought they deserved, and that she wouldn't listen to sound advice when it was given. While you certainly see some pride on Matilda's part in this novel I didn't feel that she was portrayed as overly proud or as having treated anyone in particular in a demeaning way. I found it very interesting to see how her relationship with her husband Geoffrey matured and developed throughout the novel - evolving from nothing but scorn and passion to (grudging) acceptance and the knowledge that they worked well together. I also liked seeing how the two of them raised Henry (future King of England, husband to Eleanor of Aquitaine) to be strong and proud and very well equipped to handle the quagmire of English politics. You will get glimpses of King Stephen and some of his favorites along with tantalizing scenes with John Marshal (father of the wonderful William Marshal and will make you want to read the author's novel about him!). Their characters, I felt, were not as deeply developed as some would like but I had no problem getting a feel for what their personalities were like. Alongside Matilda's story is that of her stepmother Adeliza. I really liked her character. She was quiet and obedient, did what was expected of her as a wife and mother but underneath the quiet was a woman with strength and opinions of her own. Make sure to have a tissue handy towards the end of the novel as Adeliza's story is quite sad. As with all of Ms. Chadwick's novels, she has blended fiction and superb research beautifully, creating a world that is easy for the reader to visualize. Her writing will make the reader feel like they could reach out and touch these people that lived hundreds of years ago; they become that real.

Every historical fiction fan (and even those that aren't fans) should read Ms. Chadwick's novels. They are always exceptionally researched and written and will transport you to a different time period. This novel is a great read and I highly recommend it. This author has other novels about this time period covering many of the different players and all can be read as stand alone novels or can be read in chronological order.

Friday Funny

2011-07-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

Thank you Bookfessions for this one!

Book Review: Queen By Right

2011-07-28T22:49:00.000-04:00

Queen by Right, Anne Easter Smith
4 roses

I absolutely LOVED this author's novel about Richard III, A Rose for the Crown, and thoroughly enjoyed her novel about Richard's sister Margaret (Daughter of York) and Edward IV's illegitimate daughter Grace (The King's Grace). When I heard Ms. Smith was publishing another novel in her York series I was thrilled and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! I was not disappointed.

This novel steps back in time (before the events of her other three novels) and tells the fascinating story of Cecily Neville, wife to Richard, Duke of York, and mother to Edward IV and Richard III. Readers familiar with Edward and Richard's stories know who their mother is but she usually only appears for a brief time in most novels. Her tale begins as the Duchess, mourning the death of her husband, looks back on her life, starting with when she was only nine and first met Richard Plantagenet. Through her reflections we see not only how she manages to make her way through this incredibly turbulent time in English history but also the true and deep love she and Richard shared throughout their lives. I really enjoyed Cecily's character and felt drawn into her story. As a child she was outspoken and headstrong, two traits she never really grew out of but was able to control in later years. As a woman she was beautiful and proud but much loved for her kindness. I enjoyed how the author showed the many trying events and people that caused Cecily to become very pious later in her life (having just had a baby myself my heart ached for Cecily when she lost her first children). It was fascinating to watch not only Cecily's character develop and grow because of what she was dealing with but her husband Richard's as well. Theirs was a unique relationship in a time when men generally did not discuss business or politics with their wives. Richard not only discussed issues with Cecily but (sometimes) listened to her advice. Richard, Duke of York, was another character that I genuinely enjoyed learning about since, as with Cecily, his character and personality is usually not developed in novels covering this time period as most authors prefer to focus on their sons. Beyond the wonderful character development, Ms. Smith has created a very realistic and believable medieval world for the reader. There is not an abundance of action in this novel but I did not expect much considering it is based on the life of a woman; much of the information comes from word of mouth or letters. This does not detract from the story in my opinion and I had no problem with the way the novel was laid out.

I have no problems recommending this novel to any reader. Yorkists will enjoy this look into the life of the family matriarch and those just beginning to delve into this very chaotic time period will not find themselves overwhelmed with the story. Queen by Right is intended to be the first of the author's York series but it certainly can be read as a stand alone novel. Bravo to Anne Easter Smith for another beautiful and fantastic look at the York family.

Mailbox Monday - July 25, 2011

2011-07-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme originally created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (formerly known as The Printed Page) and is now located here. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by A Sea of Books.

I got a couple that I can't wait to read; gotta get through a couple of others and post reviews first.

The King's Grey Mare, Rosemary Hawley Jarman

Ms. Jarman's novels have come highly recommended so I'm looking forward to getting into this novel about Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV's wife. This came from Paperbackswap.com.

We Speak No Treason: The White Rose Turned to Blood, R. H. Jarman

Another Jarman novel from Paperbackswap.com. Unfortunately I do not have the first in this series so I am going to have to wait to read this one!

Friday Funny

2011-07-22T19:57:00.002-04:00

Thank you to Bookfessions for this one!!! Love it!!

Mailbox Monday

2011-07-04T07:00:00.001-04:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme originally created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (formerly known as The Printed Page) and is now located here. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by A Sea of Books.

The Adventures of Alianore Audley, Brian Wainwright

This came from Paperbackswap.com. Looking forward to reading it as I've heard its a delightful romp through the Wars of the Roses!

Bath Tangle, Georgette Heyer

This will be my first time reading anything by Ms. Heyer (besides the unfinished My Lord John) and I'm excited! Thank you to Sourcebooks for the copy to review!

Friday Funny

2011-07-01T22:13:00.002-04:00

Oh so very true!!

Book Review: The Virgin Widow

2011-06-23T19:42:00.016-04:00

The Virgin Widow, Anne O'Brien
3.5 roses

Being the die hard Ricardian that I am, this book about his wife Anne Neville caught my eye and I had to see how this author treated my favorite historical male. While there are almost an unending supply of novels focusing on the Wars of the Roses and Richard III, I know of only one that focuses on Anne and her life (Plaidy's The Reluctant Queen). Ms. O'Brien's novel focuses on Anne's early years and her relationships with the various (and major) players in the Wars of the Roses. I was not disappointed but I wasn't blown away by any stretch.

I am not going to rehash the ins and outs of the Wars of the Roses here (if anyone wants to know there is endless information available on the internet). The narrator of the novel is Anne Neville, a figure well known to readers of historical fiction: daughter of the Earl of Warwick (the Kingmaker), widow of Edward of Lancaster, and wife of Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III). However, that is pretty much all that is known about the daughter of the most powerful Earl in England and one time Queen of England. We follow her through her youth at Middleham where she meets Richard, her father's quarrels with Edward IV, their exile to France and her disastrous marriage to Edward of Lancaster (son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou), the drama surrounding the issue of her inheritance, and her marriage to Richard. Ms. O'Brien has attempted to "fill in the gaps" and has created a voice for Anne which I did not find too unbelievable. Whereas in many novels about Richard, Anne comes across rather quiet, sickly, and insignificant, Ms. O'Brien's Anne is feisty, opinionated, and passionate; this Anne has a backbone which most other interpretations lack. Women during this time period are usually seen as being quite passive with little to no say so in what happens to them and while O'Brien's Anne is well aware that she has no choice and must do as she is told, she certainly has a strong opinion on what is happening to her and to those around her. I found this look at Anne rather interesting. I have to admit that my heart went out to her during the marriage to Edward of Lancaster as she endured all the humiliation heaped upon her. All that being said I did find the fact that she usually called her mother and father "the Earl" or "the Countess" a bit puzzling and her constant instance that Richard needed to declare his true feelings for her got annoying.

The author's treatment of other characters is pretty much in line with what you would expect in a novel about the time period. I did like her Richard as he was, without a doubt, Anne's "knight in shining armor" but he certainly had his flaws and ambitions. While I don't mind a "saintly" Richard, it is much easier to believe that he was a good man, with imperfections of course, and merely doing what needed to be done to survive in a very violent and ruthless time period. I am (obviously) not a fan of Margaret of Anjou or her son but the strange twist the author threw in concerning these two characters really seemed odd and just doesn't fit with history. George, Duke of Clarance, and Anne's sister Isabel, really come across as villains in the story and their behavior throughout the novel made my skin crawl. We don't see that much of Edward IV or Elizabeth Woodville and the personalities of Anne's parents aren't illuminated in much detail either (though the Earl certainly comes across as extremely ambitious).

As for the writing itself, some will not like the fact that it is told completely from Anne's point of view, restricting the author in what she could tell in the story. While I am not a huge fan of historical fiction being told in the first person (because it is so restrictive) I didn't really have a problem with it here, though that could be because I am already very familiar with the history of the period and didn't need to be told what all was happening. As in any historical fiction novel, the author has taken some liberties with known history but there wasn't really anything that made me cringe (the Margaret of Anjou/Edward of Lancaster twist the exception) or that ruined the novel for me. The narrative stops at the birth of Richard and Anne's son so a reader expecting to see Anne's thoughts on Richard's governance of the North and the drama of his reign will be disappointed (though the way it was left leaves it open for the author to continue their story in another novel). This is not a very deep novel and does not bring anything new to the table in regards to information about Anne Neville. It probably could be considered a bit more of a "historical romance" than a "historical fiction" as the main emphasis seems to be Anne and Richard's relationship.

This certainly is not a bad novel and I can easily recommend it to those unfamiliar with the Wars of the Roses and Richard III's story. It is very easy to read and you won't get bogged down in tons of details. Readers who want something more in depth will most likely be a bit disappointed. I still consider Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour as THE book on Richard.

Mailbox Monday

2011-06-22T17:03:00.004-04:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme originally created by Marcia at The Printed Page and is now located here. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by The Bluestocking Guide.

Since my birthday was Sunday, I treated myself to an afternoon at the mall and dinner with a close friend. Of course, both of us being book junkies, we had to have a lengthy layover in Barnes and Noble. Here are my two purchases!

The Virgin Widow, Anne O'Brien

Being a Richard III fan I was immediately interested in reading this tale of his wife, Anne Neville. I haven't ever read anything by this author but it looked like an interesting read, especially since I don't know of any books from Anne's point of view (besides Plaidy's The Reluctant Queen).

Vlad: The Last Confession, C.C. Humphreys

This is a tale based on the life of Vlad Dracul, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. I have never read anything about Vlad but I have seen a show on the History Channel about his life and thought this might be a very interesting read.

Mailbox Monday

2011-06-13T15:52:00.004-04:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme created by Marcia at The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by The Bluestocking Guide.

I haven't posted one of these in a while but I've been super busy lately (having a baby will do that!). Nevertheless, here is the one that showed up on my doorstep this afternoon!

Lady of the English, Elizabeth Chadwick

I was so stoked when I opened the package left on my doorstep to find EC's latest novel, due out in September! This is part of a familiar story that is rarely mentioned in historical fiction - the tale of Empress Matilda, heir to the English throne and mother of the future Henry II. Can't wait to dive into this one!!

Thank you Sourcebooks for the review copy.

Cecily Neville - A Guest Post by Anne Easter Smith

2011-05-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours is celebrating the new release by Anne Easter Smith Queen by Right and I was honored to have the author supply a guest post on the main character in this novel, Cecily Neville!

I have been intrigued by Cecily Neville since enjoying Sharon Kay Penman’s Sunne in Splendour almost twenty years ago. She never appeared in my first book, A Rose for the Crown, but you could almost imagine her imposing presence every time I mentioned her. Some of my favorite scenes in Daughter of York were between Margaret and her mother, and it occurred to me that after three books describing the lives of her children and grandchildren, that I should go back to the beginning of the York family in the Wars of the Roses and tell their parents’ story.

The Hundred Years War between England and France was still raging when Cecily Neville was born at Raby Castle in County Durham. Dubbed “the Rose of Raby,” Cecily is the twenty-second and youngest child of Ralph Neville, the powerful Earl of Westmorland, and also cousin to the boy king, Henry VI. Cecily’s fate becomes entwined with the king’s when she is betrothed to her father’s ward, Richard Plantagenet, the orphaned duke of York, whose claim to the throne is arguably stronger than young Henry’s.

Believe it or not, there is very little written about Cecily that is not incorporated in biographies of the men of the period, but most of those portray her as proud, intelligent, and strong-willed. The second nickname that has come to be associated with her is Proud Cis. She was known for her reclusiveness and piety in the last 20 years of her life, and so I have tried to imagine what caused her to shut herself away. True, it was quite common for widows to retire to an abbey (like Elizabeth Woodville), but I chose to use a few life-changing experiences of Cecily’s that might have made her turn to God later in her life. I hope I have been true to the information we have about her.

I never did find the origin of either of her nicknames, but they are everywhere in the secondary sources down the centuries. It told me that Cecily must have been very beautiful, and it also told me she was not someone who suffered fools gladly. I have tried to show that she had a public side where she maintained a cool and aloof exterior and a softer yet passionate side when she was with her family. Unfortunately the personal feelings of most of historical people from that time are not recorded anywhere, except in letters, and even those are stilted and formal to our way of thinking. But it is believed by historians that Cecily and Richard had one of the few love matches among the nobility of the 15th century, and I tried to find reasons for this in my research. The fact that Cecily did insist on following Richard around so much instead of staying meekly at home with the children told me that they enjoyed being together. I also thought it was unusual for a wife to plead personally on behalf of her husband to the king on two occasions, which showed me how devoted she was. And when Richard landed in Wales after almost a year of exile in Ireland in1460, he immediately called for Cecily to join him even though the king’s forces were attempting to thwart Richard’s progress towards London and it could have been dangerous. It seemed to me husband and wife could not bear to be parted a moment longer, and Cecily joined him only a few days later leaving her children in London.

I try and stay true to those known facts about a character, and it is known Cecily was quite pious especially later in life. However, it is fair to say most medieval people of any learning did a lot of praying and were always concerned for their immortal souls. A man might commit adultery or order a murder one moment but be at the confessional the next being given a penance and telling his rosary. Religious ritual was a daily part of everyone’s life. Because it is a known fact about Cecily, I used the spiritual side of her life as a theme in the book.

For more information please visit Anne Easter Smith’s WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE.

Thank you again to Anne Easter Smith for her post! I can not wait to read this newest story about the York family!

Most Influential Monarchs in British History (to 1603)

2011-04-27T11:46:00.019-04:00

While awaiting the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, many have wondered what kind of King and Queen these two will become and how their reign will impact Britain. I have thought the same thing but I have also thought back on the many monarchs who have already left their mark on the kingdom. Thus the idea for this post was born and below are the monarchs (up to 1603) who I feel made the biggest impact on England - for good or bad.

1. William the Conqueror
Obviously we need to start at the beginning (or close to it anyway!) and that means the Norman Conquest of 1066. One of the most well known of William's contributions is the Tower of London. He originally built it to show the native English that he was now in charge and he was there to stay. Another of William's contributions to history, and one that may be more important historically, is the Doomsday Book, which was a very complete survey of England at the time (names of towns, who lived there, what they owned, etc, etc). Many customs, especially in the royal court, were formed during William's reign. The Anglo-Saxon ways were slowly erased. The coming of the Normans changed much in England and many of those changes remained through the years.

2. John
This youngest son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II is usually seen as one of the worst kings in English history but there is one legacy from his reign that made a huge impact on the country and its future - Magna Carta. Because of the lack of trust between John and his barons, Magna Carta was eventually forced on John as a way of controlling some of the monarch's powers. While bits and pieces of this were whittled away over the years, some of the laws set down in the 13th century remain to this day. Some view Magna Carta as a "great constitutional document," the beginnings of the freedoms so many enjoy today.

3. Edward I
This warrior king changed the boundaries of England as no king before him had done. He accomplished what no king before him had managed - the conquest of Wales and Scotland. Granted, England's control of Scotland turned out to be temporary, but Edward did manage to expand England's boundaries and much of that remains in "English" hands to this day. In order to hang on to England's new territory and fill the local populaces with awe, Edward went on a building spree of massive proportions, building many castles along the Welsh border, most of which can be visited today (Caernarfon Castle for example).

4. Henry V
Another of England's warrior kings set quite a bit in motion for England's future, though at the time most of it could not have been imagined. His victory in France gave Englishmen a strong sense of pride, not to mention the desire continue the country's military successes for several generations. After his victory over France and claiming of the French crown (which many English monarchs tried to actually wear), he married the French King's daughter, who in turn gave birth to the future Henry VI, whose reign would be the main battle ground of the Wars of the Roses.

5. Henry VII
While I am not overly fond of the man, I add Henry VII to this list mainly for the fact that had he not been victorious on Bosworth Field, the next two powerful monarchs on my list would not have existed. It is hard to image British history without the presence of this king's son and granddaughter, not to mention the huge changes that occurred during their reigns.

6. Henry VIII
When talking about changes in England we can't overlook Henry's break from the Catholic Church in his quest for a divorce. One could say that, aside from the Norman Conquest in 1066, the break with the Church during Henry's reign is the most significant change in England's history. It certainly was momentous and fueled tension in the country for many years to come. Henry VIII also began the building up of England's Navy, seeing it as a way to help build and secure the empire he so desperately wanted to create.

7. Elizabeth I
Henry VIII's daughter had an equally important impact on England and its future - politically and culturally. The big triumph of Elizabeth's reign is the triumph of the English over the Spanish Armada. There is no way of knowing what England would be like today if Elizabeth and her small navy had not over come the much more powerful Spanish forces. However, Elizabeth's reign is particularly known for the achievements of artists, poets, and playwrights (does the name William Shakespeare ring any bells?); so many achievements and advancements were made during her reign that this literary time period is called the Elizabethan era.

I am well aware that these are not the only monarchs who have made an impact on England throughout its long history. I am also aware that these are just short little bits of information and many of these monarchs did much more than I have mentioned above. I simply wanted to highlight some of the kings (and queen) whose influence can still be seen through the country to this day.

Book Review: To Be Queen

2011-04-27T10:06:00.006-04:00

To Be Queen, Christy English
4 roses

I was honored to get an early copy to review from the author. This is Ms. English's second novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine (it can be seen as a prequel to her original novel The Queen's Pawn) and focuses on her earlier years as Queen of France. Once again, the author's true love of her subject comes shining through, making for a good read.

In a refreshing change from what seems to have been the trend this past year where Eleanor is concerned, Christy English has written a novel about Eleanor's time as Queen of France and time on Crusade without turning it into a sordid tale full of the lady's "numerous" affairs. She portrays Eleanor in the beginning as determined and ambitious yet knowing she is young and in need of help and protection as Duchess of Aquitaine. Throughout the novel we see her grow and mature and at the end we can see the beginnings of the strong Queen who is willing to take chances to get what she wants. I really enjoyed her character in this novel; it was a refreshing change to see her before she had become hardened by her life with Henry. Most of her development seems to happen while she is on Crusade and it was rather fascinating to see how the author showed the changes she went through during this time. Ms. English's wonderful characterization didn't stop with Eleanor. We see her first husband, King Louis, in much more detail here than in most novels and while he is weak and overly pious, he obviously loves Eleanor and you can feel bad for him when it becomes obvious that the marriage is not going to work. We also get more detail concerning Eleanor's younger sister Petra, showing that the strength in the family didn't stop with the more famous sister. Of course, towards the end, the powerful and extremely ambitious Henry of Normandy appears and Eleanor begins to take the reins of her life into her own hands. Ms. English also does an outstanding job of helping the reader imagine what life would have been like for during this very volatile time period; her descriptions of Eleanor's experiences while on Crusade are wonderful and really make it easy to picture what sights, sounds, and smells the Crusaders would have encountered in this very foreign land.

So much of what I have read concerning this famous lady really focuses on her passionate and tumultuous marriage to Henry II, glazing over her early years as Queen of France, and so I found this take on her story quite refreshing. The author has managed to balance historical fact with fiction, keeping it within the bounds of believability while at the same time making it an entertaining and interesting read. Her love of Eleanor and her life really shows in her writing; it is obvious that she wants to show a much more believable and realistic Eleanor to the world. This is not a "heavy" read and I think it would be a great starting point for those who want to read about Eleanor of Aquitaine but aren't ready for some of the more epic sized renditions. I really enjoyed this novel and I am looking forward to this author's next episode on this very famous Queen.

*Thank you to Christy English for providing me with the advanced copy!

Book Review: The Queen's Rival

2011-03-24T09:03:00.006-04:00

The Queen's Rival, Diane Haeger
4 roses

I was honored and excited to receive this a couple months ago to review. As this newest novel by Diane Haeger is about the life of a character that is mentioned mostly in passing in most historical fiction about the time period, I was even more intrigued to dive into its pages. I am happy to say I was not disappointed.

The story Ms. Haeger focuses on in her newest novel is that of Elizabeth (or Bessie) Blount, King Henry VIII's first "well known" mistress and mother of his first, though illegitimate, son, Henry Fitzroy. The story follows her life from her early years at Henry's court, to which she arrived when she was fourteen, through her short time as Henry's mistress, the birth of their son, and her following years of a new marriage and forced separation from her child, ending with her returning to visit Henry upon the death of Fitzroy. What intrigued me most about this novel was the fact that though it is set in a time period that I am extremely familiar with, it focused on a person who I am NOT overly familiar with and gave me a version of a familiar story from a new and much different view point. Most Tudor readers know who Bessie Blount is and why she was, for a short time, so important to Henry VIII. However, in the majority of Tudor historical fiction she is only going to be mentioned in passing with absolutely no time devoted to her, her life, or who she really was. She wasn't Henry's first mistress while married to Katherine of Aragon but she was (I believe) the first that was publicly known and acknowledged as such. The fact that she gave Henry his first living son gave her a very special position of (potential) power, though she never used it. In fact, despite her surroundings, she managed to maintain a certain innocence and kindness while still becoming a strong female character who could handle the ups and downs of her life. I found it interesting to follow Bess as she struggled in the court environment with all its backstabbing and mystery and her relationship with the King. Compared to some of his other well known mistresses, Bessie's "reign" was quite brief, cut short by her pregnancy and being sent away from court to have the child; she never returned to Henry's court. After Henry Fitzroy's birth the novel focuses on her life in the country with a new husband and family and her thoughts and reactions to all the news and gossip surrounding the Tudors.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I have not read much by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was well written with good characters and good description of details of life in the middle of the Tudor court. There are appearances from much more familiar figures in Tudor history and I never felt that their characters seemed "out of character" but the story really does focus on Bessie and her life, which I really liked. I am so familiar with this time period that it was very refreshing to read about someone knew and not really read the same old story once again. I enjoyed Ms. Haeger's portrayal of Bessie, never feeling that she was too sweet or too innocent and I really did find her story interesting. I do have to say that I almost cried when she realized, after sending their son to him for a visit when he was just a few years old, that Henry was going to keep Fitzroy with him and give him his own household. As my review copy did not include author notes I have no idea how much of Bessie's life is actually recorded in history for authors to use as reference and how much of this story is the author's creation; I would be interested to find out though. That aside, I really enjoyed reading this novel and its high rating is mainly because it gave me a fresh look at this time period. I would highly recommend this novel to any fan of Tudor historical fiction, especially those who are tired of reading the same old story over again!

Recent Search Terms!

2011-02-19T21:21:00.002-05:00

I know I haven't posted much lately and I apologize. Looks like folks are still finding their way over here (thank you!). Here's how they found me:

gwyn movie

Oh yay! I'm so flattered!

jan austin

Not to be confused with Jan from Austin.

William the Conqueror blogger

You heard it here first, folks! I gotta find this blog!

Jane Austen bilder

I'm not quite sure on this one?

Book Review: The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy

2011-01-29T08:37:00.005-05:00

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy, Mary Lydon Simonsen
2.5 roses

After (finally) reading Austen's Pride and Prejudice, I was interested to see how some of the multitudes of "sequels," spin-offs, etc handled the story. I was lucky to receive Ms. Simonsen's book for review from Sourcebooks. In it, she tells the P&P story from different points of view.

There is no need to rehash the story line of P&P; the back cover of this story implies that this novel is going to be told from the viewpoint of Darcy's younger sister Georgiana. That is what really tweaked my interest as I love seeing different views of the same story. However, this one wasn't exactly what I expected. Considering what was mentioned on the back cover I thought the entire novel would be told from Georgiana's point of view with possible some insight from her cousin Anne de Bourgh but that is not really what we get. While there is quite a bit from Georgiana's viewpoint there are numerous chapters that are told from various other characters' points of view. I was rather disappointed with this. While the story was familiar and the chapters told by other characters were entertaining (especially the ones told by snobbish Caroline Bingley!) I was really hoping for a real insight into Georgiana and her personality, her thoughts on her brother, etc, and I just didn't feel that there was much of that here. I didn't really feel like I knew too much more about Darcy's younger sister than I did at the end of P&P. As for Georgiana and Anne's matchmaking, it pretty much consisted of what you would expect from young girls (but I won't spoil the fun by mentioning what they are here!).

I know it seems like I did not enjoy the book at all but I did, it just wasn't exactly what I was expecting (or hoping) it would be. There are some beautifully written scenes and some that really had me chuckling (like the observations made by Miss. Bingley). I just feel there was so much more potential here in telling the story from the viewpoint of a character that is not described in very much detail in the original. All that aside, it is a fun read and I do always enjoy seeing a well known story told from a completely different perspective.

2010 in Review!!

2011-01-05T10:33:00.012-05:00

In total I read 47 books last year which is down from the previous year (but I wasn't dealing with as much sickness in the house or a pregnancy!). As expected, the majority of those were historical fiction but I did throw in some others for variety! Here is a rundown of my tally:

Historical Fiction: 33 (mainly British)

Austen: 7 (including "sequels")

Nonfiction: 6

Contemporary Fiction: 1

Of course there were some books that I absolutely loved and there were those that really fell short. Here are my top 5 picks for 2010:

Honorable Mentions would have to go to:

Hugh and Bess, Susan Higginbotham
The Seventh Son, Reay Tannahill
Virgin: Prelude to the Throne, Robin Maxwell
The Founding, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen

I can't wait to see what will be on my 2011 list!

*I borrowed the "Best of" image from Historical Tapestry.

Book Review: The Queen of Last Hopes

2011-01-05T09:47:00.013-05:00

The Queen of Last Hopes, Susan Higginbotham
4 roses

I was honored to receive this early for review (and I'm ashamed it's taken me this long to put my review up) but I was a bit hesitant because Margaret of Anjou is not one of my favorite people in history. However, as it is written by the wonderful Susan Higginbotham, I knew it couldn't be anything but good and I was right.

I am not going to rehash the plot line of the novel as many folks are familiar with the twists and turns of the Wars of the Roses. The story follows Margaret's life from the time of her betrothal to Henry VI in 1444, through all the ups and downs as Queen of England, and ends with her death in 1482. Being a Yorkist myself I was wondering how I would get through a book about a Lancastrian Queen but I found it was a very good and informative read. Most mentions of Margaret in other novels of the time are quite scathing and make her into a she-wolf. Her reputation down through history has not been painted in a favorable light. Higginbotham shows us that there certainly could have been a much different side to this Queen. Here Margaret is shown as being extremely loyal and ambitious but also loving and courageous. Not knowing much on Margaret's life beyond what is barely mentioned in other novels, it was very interesting to see Higginbotham's take on how Margaret dealt with a husband who went "mad," the rumors floating throughout the country concerning her son Edward, the people's dislike for their French Queen, and her constant struggle to retain her husband and son's birthright - the throne of England. Most of the story is told from Margaret's point of view though there are some chapters told from the view point of Henry VI, their son Edward, and a few of the Beauforts. In some novels this can muddle the storyline and make it a bit difficult to follow but not here; the other viewpoints will really help the reader understand the turmoil of the time period. The novel follows historical events in order without any confusing flashbacks (which in many other novels can muddle the story) and each chapter begins with the date so it is really easy to follow. The characters are carefully written, their own personalities fleshed out, and their actions and feelings are quite believable (there are many, many characters in this novel but there is a handy list at the front of the book that should be helpful!). There are wonderful descriptions and details of life in England in the 15th century and Higginbotham's writing can transport you back in time.

As usual, Higginbotham's wonderful writing and attention to historical detail weave a very intriguing story. As a Yorkist, I was worried about how the players on that side of the line would be shown and while they are obviously not supposed to be the "good" guys in this novel, in no way are they painted as horrible monsters. I also really liked the prologue and epilogue Higginbotham included; they really make an impact. This is a novel I would highly recommend to all readers interested in the Wars of the Roses as it gives a refreshing new look at a woman who, when mentioned in history, is usually maligned.

*I received this novel for review from Sourcebooks.

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-26T11:26:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year! We got SNOW here in Georgia! That's big news since we haven't had a white Christmas since 1882!!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year!

Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

2010-12-23T11:20:00.004-05:00

This wonderful challenge is being hosted in 2011 by Historical Tapestry. I finished the challenge this year by May I believe so I don't think I'll have too much trouble finishing it next year (though I will have a baby arriving in May!).

There are, as usual, different levels you can join at and I am, again, going for the biggest (I do love to read even though its been difficult lately!). I am going to join up at the Severe Bookaholism level which means I'll need to read 20 book from January to December. Easy. :)

Head on over to their blog to check it out and join up if interested!

Author Guest Post: Stephanie Dray

2010-12-21T19:45:00.007-05:00

I was privileged to receive an advance copy of Stephanie Dray's new novel Lily of the Nile for review and Ms. Dray wrote a guest post for my blog to discuss the main character of her novel, Cleopatra Selene, Cleopatra's daughter.

How Cleopatra Selene Saved Isis
by Stephanie Dray

The heroine of my forthcoming debut novel,Lily of the Nile, is Cleopatra Selene, daughter of the much more famous Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Only ten years old when her parents committed suicide, Selene was taken prisoner by the Romans and marched through the streets in chains. Her life was spared, however, and Augustus, Rome’s first emperor [1], took her into his household, where she had to curry favor to survive.

Like her mother before her, Selene was a worshipper of Isis, the all-powerful sorceress and mother-goddess of the Nile. Unlike her mother, however, Selene practiced her faith in a time during which it was politically disadvantageous, and perhaps dangerous, for her to do so.

Generally speaking, the Romans employed a liberal philosophy when it came to religion. If a conquered nation submitted to Roman civil authority, they were free to worship their native gods. There were notable exceptions to this policy, however. The early Roman hostility towards Christianity is well-documented. Druids were persecuted and effectively wiped out. During the Augustan Age, Rome was also particularly antagonistic to the worshippers of Isis.

Augustus had a special enmity for the Isiac faith, no doubt owing to the fact that Isis was the patron deity of his arch rival, Cleopatra. Like the Ptolemaic queens before her, Cleopatra embraced Isis, presenting herself as a veritable living incarnation of the powerful mother-goddess. The worship of Isis often eclipsed that of her husband Osiris and her son Horus, such that she made a perfect symbol for queens seeking to rule on their own. Cleopatra knew this and made great political use of the Isiac priesthood to further her political aims.

By the time Rome declared war upon Cleopatra, Isis worship had spread throughout the Mediterranean world, so Cleopatra’s religious influence was a genuine threat. However, Augustus remained hostile towards Isiacism even after Cleopatra’s death [2]

This was almost certainly because the Isiac temples promoted values antithetical to the “back to family values” political campaign that Augustus was waging to consolidate his power base. In short, Isiacism wasn’t simply the worship of some foreign goddess, nor even simply posthumous support for his conquered enemy, but the promotion of a set of political and religious philosophies that Augustus did not want to spread.

For the Romans, religion was typically public business. Roman temples were generally open and visible to the street, and their private chambers were generally limited to an inner sanctum for the cult statue. By contrast, Isiac temples typically fostered a more intimate atmosphere by enclosing the temple by walls so as to preserve the privacy of the worshippers. This sense of privacy was greeted with mistrust by some Romans who considered Isiac temples a hotbed of conspiracy where the disaffected could gather and secretly plot against the state.

Perhaps they were not entirely wrong. Isiac temples admitted freedmen, women, and even slaves to their community, not just to foster a more personal relationship with the goddess, but also to help promote the cause of social justice. That Isis was a goddess of mercy who allegedly frowned upon slavery and other social ills may not have been half as dangerous as the notion that a great goddess like Isis might take the part of a lowly slave over the cause of his master. Or that she might take interest in a slave at all. After all, this was still an age of orthopraxy versus orthodoxy, where the emphasis was upon correct ritual toward the gods rather than any intense personal relationship with the realm of the divine. As a forerunner of Christianity, Isiacism was starting to change the very idea of religion.

Moreover, during the Augustan Age, Isis worship promoted a more egalitarian relationship between the sexes and admitted both men and women into the priesthood. While there is evidence that Isiacism promoted chastity and periods of abstinence, Isis was a great favorite amongst prostitutes and was also associated with sexual license and mysterious fertility rites.

All this ran counter to Augustus’ policy of preserving the social hierarchy and his place as the religious leader of the state. At a time when he was regulating sex, marriage, and the role of women [3] to conform with traditional values--or what he imagined those traditional values to be--Isiacism was an obstacle. That it was a popular religion made it only worse; he closed Isiac temples, forbade the worship of Isis within the old sacred boundary of Rome, and eventually sent his second-in-command, Agrippa, to put down an Isiac rebellion of some sort [4] and prohibit the worship of Isis in Rome and her surrounds.

That this assault on Isis worship happened during Selene’s lifetime--much of it while she was actually living in Rome--is nothing short of astonishing when we recall that she was, like her mother, an important figure to Isiacs. For her mother’s partisans, she represented a chance to return to power and for Isis worship to flourish where Augustus tried to stamp it out. As Cleopatra’s daughter, a surviving Ptolemy, and an heir to that dynasty, Selene was also, undoubtedly, the faith’s most prominent adherent.

Under the circumstances, especially considering that her survival depended upon Augustus’ good will, one might have expected Selene to renounce her patron’s least favorite goddess. But if the numismatic evidence of her reign is any indication, Selene never wavered in her faith. This little captive princess eventually became Queen of Mauretania where she explicitly adopted Isis as her goddess. Selene’s coins--the currency of her realm, all but guaranteed to be seen by Augustus himself--repeatedly would display Isis symbols. Moreover, Selene and her husband Juba II would go on to establish in Mauretania a giant temple of Isis where sacred crocodiles were kept.

As the most prominent client queen of the Augustan Age, Selene’s actions would have made her an influential religious dissident. Whether she paid a political price for this is unknown, but if Augustus ever considered returning her to the throne of Egypt, this may have tipped the scales against the idea. With apparent determination, Selene expanded the reach of Isiacism into Western Africa [5] and created a safe-haven for Isis worshippers at a time when their cult was imperiled. What’s more, Selene’s spiritual influence may have reached into Augustus’ own household.

Though Augustus’ successor, Tiberius, was also hostile toward the Isiacs to the point of crucifying some of them, the other emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty gave Isis an elevated status in the Roman world that would last for hundreds of years. Claudius, Nero, and Caligula all descended from Selene’s half sisters, the Antonias, leading one to speculate whether or not these women were receptive to Selene’s religious ideas and passed them on to their sons. Moreover, Selene’s beliefs may have influenced Augustus’ daughter, Julia, whose villa featured a painting of flamboyant priestesses of Isis wearing high headdresses and shaking rattles. One can only speculate what her father may have thought of that.

It is possible that the persecution of Isiacs only made her worshippers stronger in their faith and that the religion would have grown even without Selene’s active participation. However, the Queen of Mauretania’s unambiguous support of Isiacism must have encouraged worshippers throughout the Mediterranean and may well have protected the faith during the Augustan Age so that it could later flourish. This is especially relevant since Isis is a living faith even today and Cleopatra Selene is one of its unsung heroines.

[1] Some might argue that Augustus was not Rome’s first emperor, but given the outcome of his climb to power ended the Roman Republic, I always refer to him as such.
[2] In spite of this hostility, he appears to have allowed himself to be portrayed in reverence to Isis in carvings throughout Egypt. Historian Diana E. E. Kleiner suggests that this is because the power of Isis iconography was so influential in Egypt that it was easier for Augustus to portray himself as Cleopatra’s successor in Egypt than her conqueror. In the rest of the empire, the political situation differed, and Augustus marked the Isiacs as his enemies accordingly.
[3] One of the ironies of the Augustan Age is that while Rome’s first emperor apparently held deeply misogynistic ideas that would be used to oppress women for the next two thousand years, his wife Livia was one of the most powerful women in history.
[4] Why Agrippa needed to restore order by suppressing the Isiacs isn’t well understood. Whether Isiacs were protesting their treatment or involving themselves in intrigues against the state isn’t known, but it is significant to note that this occurred in 22 B.C. following a period of famine and food riots. Perhaps the Isiacs were agitating for charity. Or perhaps they had involved themselves in the Murena-Caepio conspiracies surrounding Augustus’ new regime. They may even have been angry or emboldened by the invasion of Egypt that year by the Kandake of Meroe.
[5] While the worship of Isis was not unknown in the amorphous area then known as “Libya,” the dominant goddess was Carthaginian Tanit. That Selene clung to Egyptian Isis even while trying to win over her new Mauretanian subjects is a testament both to her faith and her intention to re-found her mother’s dynasty.

I would like to thank Stephanie Dray for this extremely interesting post about a little known, but fascinating, figure in history. I hope everyone will look for my review of her debut novel, which should be posted tomorrow.

Apologies!!

2010-12-21T11:29:00.002-05:00

Hello all!

I know I have been absent from my blog for stretches here lately and I want to apologize for that. There have been many things I've wanted to post but have not been able to sit at my computer.

From about September to November I was dealing with the exhaustion and quesiness of a difficult pregnancy (they say each is different and I didn't have a moment's problem with the first one!) and finally shook off that ick around Thanksgiving. Since then I have been in bed almost the entire month of December with either upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, or horrible colds. Needless to say it has really interfered with my computer time (and has made this Christmas not so fun).

I promise I have NOT forgotten you and I do have some wonderful reviews up coming (Susan Higginbotham's new novel Queen of Last Hopes is one!).

This Week in History...

2010-11-27T08:48:00.000-05:00

November 20, 1591 - Christopher Hatton, a favorite of Elizabeth I, died at Ely Palace, penniless and childless.

1947 - The future Elizabeth II and Philip of Greece married at Westminster Abbey.

November 21, 1272 - Edward I is crowned King of England. He had been on his way home from crusade when his father, Henry III, died.

1620 - The colonists sign the Mayflower Compact.

November 22, 1428 - Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, is born. Warwick would become known as the "Kingmaker" for his role in helping Edward IV gain the English throne.

1515 – Marie of Guise, wife of James V of Scotland and mother to Mary, Queen of Scots, was born.

November 23, 1499 - Henry VII hanged Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be the younger of the Princes in the Tower, Richard, Duke of York, at the Tower of London.

1503 – Margaret of York, wife of Charles I, Duke of Burgundy and sister to Edward IV and Richard III, died in Burgundy.

November 24, 1273 - Alfonso, Earl of Chester, son of Edward I, was born in France. At the time, he was his father's only surviving son.

1541 - Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, sister of Henry VIII, and wife to James IV of Scotland, died of a stroke in Scotland.

1859 - Darwin publishes his On the Origin of the Species.

November 25, 1120 - William the Aetheling, Duke of Normandy, son and heir of Henry I, died when the White Ship sunk off the coast of Normandy. This death resulted in the succession crisis between his sister Matilda and their cousin Stephen.

November 26, 1326 - Hugh le Despenser (the Younger) was tried and executed for treason by Queen Isabella (wife of Edward II, mother of Edward III) and her lover Roger Mortimer.

1504 - Isabella I of Castile, wife of Ferdinand of Aragon and mother of Catherine of Aragon, died in Spain.

A Tale of Two Emmas

2010-11-23T15:16:00.003-05:00

I have fallen in love with Jane Austen's novel Emma and ever since reading it I have watched two versions of the story: the 1996 Miramax movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma and Jeremy Northam (sigh) as Mr. Knightley and the 2009 TV mini-series starring Romola Garai as Emma and Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley. Both had their good points and both are a joy to watch but I have to say that my favorite is probably the 1996 version (mostly likely because of Northam's presence!). That being said, both movies had things I really liked, making it difficult to say for certain which was the better movie. Here is a run down...

Emma - The title character is played in the 96 version by Gwyneth Paltrow and by Romola Garai in the 09 mini-series. I can't say that I feel either of them are the "perfect" Emma Woodhouse. While Paltrow had the easy grace and dignity I would have expected from a lady of Emma's situation, I found myself liking Garai's personality a bit more. Paltrow just came across as a bit too haughty for the part and I have never felt Emma was haughty. Neither really "looked" like I have always pictured Emma, either; Garai didn't seem quite good looking enough and Paltrow seemed a bit too ... ethereal. Though in the end I think I'd pick Paltrow's Emma because, on occasion, Garai's seemed a bit ... clownish.

Mr. Knightley - I'm sorry but for me there can be no other Knightley except Jeremy Northam. Johnny Lee Miller played the role in the 09 series and he did a fine job but for me, Northam IS Knightley. Everything about his performance says "Regency British Gentleman." The manners and behaviors of a 19th century English gentleman come so easily to him that you would think he was born in the time period. Miller's portrayal, while good, seemed a bit too rough and stiff for my taste.

Harriet Smith - This was really a toss up for me. Toni Collette played the part in the 96 movie and Louise Dylan had the role in the 09 mini series. I actually liked both of these ladies but for different reasons. Dylan's Harriet looked more like the Harriet I envision from Austen's description but I positively LOVE Collette's portrayal of the character. Dylan's portrayal just got on my nerves occasionally and Collette just didn't LOOK like Harriet. If I could mesh the two I think we'd have the perfect Harriet Smith.

Jane Fairfax - Again, this was a bit of a toss up for me but I think in the end I actually prefer Polly Walker's Jane in the 96 movie over Laura Pyper's portrayal in the 09 version. To me, Walker had the beauty and grace that Jane is said to have had (over and over and over), though she seems a bit old for the role. Pyper's personality was very sweet and genteel, like I would expect from Jane, but she just didn't have the beauty that Jane was supposed to possess.

Miss. Bates - Hands down I prefer Sophie Thompson's (did you know she's Emma Thompson's sister?) Miss. Bates in the 96 movie over Tamsin Greig's in the 09 series. Thompson's portrayal was spot on in my opinion. She had the sweetness and silliness of the character down perfectly. Greig's version did not have the lightness about it and it really left me a bit cold. In fact, in the famous scene where Emma insults her at the Box Hill picnic, my heart aches for Thompson's Miss. Bates while I feel absolutely nothing for Greig's.

Frank Churchill - Chalk one up for the 09 series here! While I like Ewan McGregor, his portrayal of Frank in the 96 movie is almost so bad it hurts. I don't know if was just the way the part was written but it really was laughable (though there are some scenes that I really loved). And what in the world did they do to his hair?? Rupert Evans did a good job with the part in the series. He looked the part for one and his personality seemed to fit, and while there were a few times when his attitude really annoyed me, he had the charm I'd expect from Frank.

Mrs. Weston - I really can't say which of the two I liked more. Greta Scacchi's version in the 96 movie really had the "motherly" aspect I see in Mrs. Weston and her age seemed more appropriate, though I do think she may have been a bit too good looking to have been "just a governess." She also had a grace and dignity I would expect from a lady who had been paid to teach a young girl how to be a lady. Jodhi May did a fantastic job and she looked much more like I envisioned Mrs. Weston but to me she seemed a bit too young to have been a governess for seventeen years.

Mr. Elton - I think to pick a favorite here will depend on the type of Mr. Elton you envision. If you like a slightly arrogant but slightly comical Mr. Elton, then Alan Cumming's portrayal in the 96 movie will be to your liking. Cumming did a wonderful job with the role though his version is much more humorous and you can't quite take him seriously sometimes (I LOVE the scene where he sits between Emma and Knightley at the Christmas party). However, if you would prefer Mr. Elton to be oozing arrogance and come across as almost creepy, then Blake Ritson's version in the 09 series is right up your alley. I honestly think I prefer Alan Cumming's Mr. Elton for the main reason that I find Ritson's just too creepy to watch! His arrogance is sickening while Cumming can make you laugh at him.

Mrs. Elton - While both actresses did a fine job with the role, I'm going to have to go with Christina Cole's version in the 09 series over Juliet Stevenson's more comical portrayal in the 96 movie. While I LOVED Stevenson's comical Mrs. Elton I think Cole's portrayal is much more accurate in her arrogance and bossiness. She does a splendid job as coming across as an overbearing, arrogant, selfish Mrs. Elton, which I always envisioned when I read the novel (I could use a much more colorful adjective to describe how she appears in the movie, which is spot on for Mrs. Elton, but I never know who might be reading my blog!). Cole's Mrs. Elton also has the look and age I would expect.

Scenery - This goes to the 09 series because it just shows so much more. The scenery in the 96 version were beautiful - what little you actually saw - but there is just so much more included in the 09 series. I really loved seeing more of the homes where the different characters lived; Donwell Abbey in the 09 version is exactly what I would have pictured (though I did prefer the Hartfield that is shown in the 96 movie). I think showing more helps a modern audience grasp the times so much better.

Storyline - I believe I have to give this to the 09 series simply because it shows so much more of the story than the 96 movie. Yes, I know the 96 movie had to fit the whole story into two hours, and they did a fine job with it, but there was so much that was left out that is just fun to read in the novel. The mini-series was able to include so much more of Austen's original story and gave some characters (which had been virtually left out of the 96 movie) new life, namely John and Isabella Knightley. I do have to say that some of the individual lines from the 96 movie were fantastic (Northam's wonderful and powerful "Badly done, Emma! Badly done" for one). I also liked the opening of the series where they show how the three "children" (Emma, Frank, and Jane) came to be in their respective situations.

So there you have it. My run down of the two versions I have seen. Looking at it, it seems that I prefer more of the actors and actresses in the 96 version but I like the actual storyline and scenery from the 09 version. I'd say its pretty much a draw for me, though I do think I like the 96 movie better overall. Both movies had good points and bad points and in the end, each viewer is going to have their own reasons for liking or disliking one or the other.

This Week in History...

2010-11-19T20:33:00.007-05:00

November 13, 1002 - English King Æthelred (the Unready) ordered the killing of all the Danes in England.

November 13, 1312 - Edward III is born at Windsor.

November 14, 1060 – Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou, died.

November 14, 1501 - Arthur, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VII, and Katherine of Aragon were married at St. Paul's Cathedral.

November 14, 1948 - Prince Charles, son of Queen Elizabeth II, was born at Buckingham Palace.

November 15, 1515 - Thomas Wolsey is invested as a Cardinal.

November 16, 1272 - Henry III died at the Palace of Westminster.

November 16, 2010 - Prince William, son of the Prince of Wales, announces he is going to marry his longtime girl friend.

November 17, 1326 - Edmund FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, is executed by Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, after their invasion of England and the capture of Edward II.

November 17, 1534 - Parliament passes the Act of Supremacy which make Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

November 17, 1558 - Mary I died at St. James Palace. Her half sister Elizabeth became Queen.

November 17, 1558 - Reginald Pole, the last Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, died from an illness only a few hours after his Queen.

November 17, 1796 - Catherine the Great of Russia died in St. Petersburg.

November 18, 1590 - George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, died at home. He is probably best known as Mary, Queen of Scots' long time jailer. She was in his custody for eighteen years.

November 19, 1600 - The future Charles I was born at Dunfermline Palace in Scotland. His father would become King of England in 3 years.

November 19, 1620 - The Mayflower arrived at Cape Cod.

November 19, 1703 - The Man in the Iron Mask, a mysterious French prisoner, dies.

This Week in History...

2010-11-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

November 6, 1429 - Henry VI was crowned King of England seven years after acceding to the throne when he was only eight months old. He was crowned King of France two years later.

November 6, 1479 – Juana of Castile was born to Ferdinand and Isabella. She was Katherine of Aragon's older sister and gained a reputation for being "mad" later in life.

November 7, 1485 - Henry VII's succession is confirmed when Parliament passes an Act of Succession.

November 8, 2003 - The author of this blog got married!

November 9, 1384 – Isabella of Valois, second wife of Richard II, was born in France.

November 9, 1841 - The future Edward VII, eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, was born.

November 10, 1480 - Bridget of York, daughter of Edward IV, was born. Bridget would eventually become a nun.

November 10, 1483 - Martin Luther was born.

November 11, 1100 - Henry I married Matilda of Scotland at Westminster Abbey.

November 11, 1620 - The Mayflower Compact is signed near Cape Cod.

November 12, 1035 - Canute, King of England, Denmark and Norway died.

November 12, 1094 – Duncan II of Scotland died.

This Week in History...

2010-11-05T12:42:00.000-04:00

October 30, 1460 - Henry VI is again King of England after the Earl of Warwick defeats the Yorkists. He wouldn't remain king for more than a few months.

October 30, 1485 - Henry VII is officially crowned King of England.

October 30, 1938 - Orson Welles's radio broadcast of H.G. Wells's "The War of the Worlds" causing panic in the US. Many thought the broadcast was real.

October 30, 1944 - Anne Frank and her sister Margot are transported from Auschwitz to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

October 31, 1795 - English romantic poet John Keats was born.

November 1, 1396 - Richard II and Isabella of France married in France.

November 1, 1604 - Shakespeare's Othello is presented for the first time at Whitehall.

November 1, 1611 - Shakespeare's The Tempest is presented for the first time at Whitehall.

November 1, 1765 - The British government enacts the Stamp Act.

November 1, 1894 - Nicholas II becomes the new (and last) Czar of Russia upon the death of his father Alexander III.

November 2, 1083 – Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, died in Normandy.

November 2, 1160 – Henry the Young King, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Marguerite of France, daughter of King Louis VII, were married in Normandy.

November 2, 1483 – Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for treason by Richard III.

November 3, 1783 - Highwayman John Austin is the last person to be publicly hanged at Tyburn in London.

November 4, 1470 - Edward V, son of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, is born in sanctuary at Westminster Abbey.

November 5, 1605 - Guy Fawkes was arrested when his plan to blow up Parliament and James I was discovered.

This Week in History...

2010-10-29T12:43:00.000-04:00

October 24, 1537 - Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife, died from complications from childbirth at Hampton Court Palace. She is buried in St. George's Chapel.

October 25, 1154 - England's King Stephen died at Dover Castle. Henry II, son of the Empress Matilda, became the first of the Angevin kings.

October 25, 1400 - Geoffrey Chaucer, famous for his Canterbury Tales, died.

October 25, 1415 - Henry V's English army defeated a vastly superior French army at the Battle of Agincourt.

October 26, 899 - Alfred the Great is believed to have died on this day. He was a Saxon King of Wessex (south west England).

October 26, 1760 - George III was crowned. His is one of the longest reigns in history (60 years).

October 26, 1989 - The Globe Theatre reopened for the first time in 350 years.

October 27, 1401 – Catherine of Valois, future wife of Henry V, was born.

October 28, 1216 - Henry III was crowned King of England.

October 29, 1618 - Sir Walter Raleigh, English seafarer, courtier, writer and once a favorite of Elizabeth I was beheaded at Whitehall. Having been falsely accused of treason and sentenced to death under James I, he was released after 13 years to try and find the legendary gold of El Dorado. He failed and returned to an undeserved fate.

Recent Search Terms!

2010-10-28T09:54:00.003-04:00

I know I'm horribly behind in posting but things are really crazy at home these days. Here are some of the recent search terms used to find my blog...some of them have me scratching my head!

gwyn's cancer fight

Wow...I guess I should have taken that call from the doc...

reading books

No, I really don't. I just like the way they look lined up on my bookshelf.

johnny kingdom talking about lady who died

Oh yes, THAT lady.

find a mistress in kalispell, montana

What? I don't know whether to laugh or be worried that this searcher was directed to my site...

Roger Bigod time of singing virgin?

I don't think he'd appreciate it if we asked.

Susan Kay Penman scottish history

I must have missed this book?

This Day in History...

2010-10-22T14:26:00.002-04:00

October 22, 1071 - William IX, Duke of Aquitaine and Eleanor of Aquitaine's grandfather, was born.
He is sometimes considered to be the first troubadour.

October 22, 1734 - Famous American pioneer Daniel Boone was born.

* TDIH is going to become This Week in History starting next week. There are so many things going on in my life at the moment that I have a hard time getting to the computer each day. I haven't decided if I'll post at the beginning of the week or at the end so keep an eye out! *

This Day in History...

2010-10-21T11:31:00.002-04:00

October 21, 1449 - George, Duke of Clarence, son of Richard, Duke of York and brother of Edward IV and Richard III, was born in Dublin, Ireland.

October 21, 1772 - English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born.

October 21, 1805 - The British fleet defeats the combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. Admiral Nelson was killed in the battle.

This Day in History...

2010-10-20T12:27:00.002-04:00

October 20, 1632 - English architect Christopher Wren is born. He was responsible for rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London.

October 20, 1714 - George I is crowned King of England.

October 20, 1803 - The US government ratified the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the country.

October 20, 1910 - The hull of the RMS Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic) was launched at the shipyard in Belfast, Ireland.

This Day in History...

2010-10-19T09:52:00.003-04:00

October 19. 1216 - King John died of dysentery at Newark Castle in the midst of a rebellion which was the result of his refusal to recognize the Magna Carta signed the previous year.His nine year old son Henry succeeded him as King of England.

October 19, 1745 - Irish author Jonathan Swift, best known for his tale Gulliver's Travels, died in Dublin.

This Day in History...

2010-10-18T09:30:00.002-04:00

October 18, 1469 - Ferdinand II of Aragon married Isabella I of Castile.

October 18, 1541 - Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, wife of James IV of Scotland, and sister of Henry VIII, died in Scotland.

October 18, 1851 - Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick is first published (under the name The Whale) in London.

This Day in History...

2010-10-15T09:17:00.002-04:00

October 15, 1582 - After the Pope implemented the Gregorian calendar, this day followed October 4 in Europe.

October 15, 1793 - Marie-Antoinette is tried and condemned to death in a swift, pre-determined trial.

October 15, 1815 - Napoleon begins his exile on Saint Helena.

October 15, 1959 - Sarah Ferguson, one time Duchess of York, was born in London.

This Day in History...

2010-10-14T09:49:00.004-04:00

October 14, 1066 - Harold, the last Saxon king of England, is defeated and killed by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.

October 14, 1217 – Isabella of Gloucester, the first wife of King John (their marriage was annulled) died and is buried at Canterbury Cathedral.

October 14, 1586 - Mary, Queen of Scots goes on trial for her part in the plot against Elizabeth I.

This Day in History...

2010-10-13T09:44:00.002-04:00

October 13, 54 - Nero becomes the Emperor of Rome.

October 13, 1362 - For the first time, Parliament is opened with a speech in English.

October 13, 1399 - The House of Lancaster was begun when Henry IV was crowned King of England.

October 13, 1453 - Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VI, was born at Westminster Palace.

October 13, 1884 - Greenwich is established as the Universal Time Meridian of longitude.

Book Review: The Princeling

2010-10-12T16:49:00.000-04:00

The Princeling, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
3 roses

In the third book of the epic Morland family saga, Elizabeth I is on the throne and the very Catholic Morlands are having to adapt to the Protestant wave sweeping over England. Having not read the second book yet (oops) I was afraid I might be missing some vital points in the family story but I found I had no problem understanding where the family was at this point. That being said there were a few family issues that I think I would have understood better if I had read the second book in the series but I can still say that its not completely necessary to read all the books to keep up with the family.

The novel covers many years, starting at the beginning of Elizabeth I's reign. Being Catholic, many of the Morlands have issues with the New Religion that has come to England and that ends up causing some problems as some family members are more open to the new ideas. As in the first book, the issue of continuing the Morland name, power, and estate is the main thread that flows through the story and you see various matches and marriages made (or attempted) in order to secure the family fortune. Throughout all the dynasty issues the Morlands have various interactions with the English and Scottish courts, thus throwing them into the dangerous politics of the time.

This was a good read but I have to be honest when I say I enjoyed the first novel much better. To me, the characters here just were not as interesting or engaging as the original Morlands and I found that I really didn't care what happened to most of them. I liked the "matriarch" in this novel, Nanette, even though her own storyline wasn't really all that exciting. The entire situation involving the heir, John, and his time in Northumberland just seemed a bit far fetched and a bit unbelievable to me. Then there is the big mystery surrounding the birth of Nanette's adopted son, Jan, which is never entirely made clear for the reader (though you can pretty much figure it out by the end of the story). I actually liked Jan throughout most of the story, until he let his greedy wife Mary talk him into trying to steal the Morland inheritance. As for the rest of the family, they all kind of blend together (with a couple of exceptions), nothing really setting them apart or making their individual story lines that interesting. There is also more than one storyline that just seems way too far fetched for me. The surrounding historical parts of the story were not very attention grabbing either (though compared to the highly volatile Wars of the Roses that is the backdrop of the first novel, most will pale in comparison!). In the first novel the family's fortune and success was intimately tied with the monarch and so the historical part of the story and the fictional, family part of the story were closely entwined. You don't get that feeling in this novel. While the family is concerned what a new Protestant Queen will mean for their business and future, you just don't get the feeling that the two are closely connected. Perhaps if we had seen more of the family involved with the Queen and the interesting events at court there would have been more excitement to the story. One thing I did enjoy about this novel was how uncertain the family's future was; at some points it looked like the family dynasty was going to end. Of course we know it doesn't end (or there wouldn't be over thirty more books in the family series!) but it does add some nice tension to the story which keeps it from being somewhat boring.

It may sound like I didn't like this novel but I did enjoy my read and if I hadn't read the first novel (which I think was really wonderful) I most likely would not have had any issues with anything in this story. It was an easy and fast read and I am certainly still interested in reading on about this family and seeing how they evolve as England evolves and changes around them. I would recommend this novel to any readers but be warned: you will most likely not be able to just read one book about this family!

*Thank you to Sourcebooks for the advanced readers copy to review.

This Day in History...

2010-10-12T10:21:00.003-04:00

October 12, 1459 – The Lancastrians score a victory over the Yorkist at the Battle of Ludford Bridge.

October 12, 1537 - Jane Seymour gives birth to the future Edward VI, Henry VIII's only son. Jane died 13 days later from complications.

October 12, 1692 - A letter from Massachusetts Governor Williams Phips ends the Salem Witch Trials.

October 12, 1989 - The remains of Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre were found on London's Bankside.

This Day in History...

2010-10-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

October 11, 1216 - While crossing 'The Wash' King John lost his crown and jewels and most of his possessions.

October 11, 1521 - The Pope gave Henry VIII the title of 'Defender of the Faith' for his book supporting Catholic principles.

October 11, 1727 - George II was crowned King of England.

October 11, 1982 - Henry VIII's flag ship, the Mary Rose, is raised near Portsmouth, England.

Sorry!

2010-10-09T19:34:00.002-04:00

Hello all!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days. Besides being overwhelmed with personal issues our internet connection randomly disconnects itself many, many times during an online session thus preventing me from being able to do anything online.

I'm hoping to have the connection fixed by Monday so hopefully I'll be able to start my daily posts again and get some reviews up that are DUE!!

Happy weekend!

This Day in History...

2010-10-07T10:24:00.002-04:00

Hmm...so far not much seems to be happening in October!

October 7, 1363 - Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence and son of Edward III, died in Italy.

October 7, 1765 - Delegates from nine of the American colonies protested against the British Stamp Act.

This Day in History...

2010-10-06T10:51:00.002-04:00

October 6, 1536 - William Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake for heresy. He translated the New Testament into English.

October 6, 1542 - English "poet" Thomas Wyatt died. He is sometimes rumored to have been one of Anne Boleyn's lovers.

October 6, 1847 - Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre was published.

October 6, 1892 - England's 'Poet Laureate' Alfred Tennyson died.

This Day in History...

2010-10-05T09:57:00.002-04:00

Can't find anything for today!

October 5, 1930 - The British Airship R101 crashed in France while en route to India on its maiden voyage. It is thought the crash was caused by overloading.

October 5, 1962 - The Beatles release their first hit record "Love Me Do."

October 5, 1962 - The first James Bond film "Dr. No" is released.

Book Review: Elizabeth, Captive Princess

2010-10-04T17:05:00.004-04:00

Elizabeth, Captive Princess, Margaret Irwin
3 roses

After reading and reviewing the first novel in this trilogy, Young Bess, I was looking forward to the second. This is not a "new" trilogy but a wonderful reissue from Sourcebooks. This was a very easy and pleasant read.

Picking up at the very beginning of her half-sister Mary's reign, this novel follows Elizabeth through the first couple of years of Mary's dangerous time as England's Queen. We see her through Mary's triumphant entrance into London, her gradual slide from favor, and her time as Mary's prisoner in the Tower. The novel ends with Elizabeth's first meeting with her sister's new husband, Philip of Spain and that is where the last book in the series will pick up.

This novel was originally published by Ms. Irwin in the late 1940s and so many historical fiction readers today could be a bit surprised by some of the ideas put forth here but as the author was writing with what was known at the time that is completely acceptable to this reviewer. Even keeping that in mind, there really was nothing glaringly inaccurate that made me scratch my head and wonder "Did they actually believe that when this was written?" Ms. Irwin presents a very elegantly written story that is full of emotion and I feel that is the real draw to this book and this author. While there were no "new" ideas or information introduced here, the portrayal of Elizabeth and her way of dealing with the extremely dangerous and stressful years she lived through are brilliantly displayed. It is very easy to feel the stress, tension, and fear she probably suffered while Mary was on the throne. Ms. Irwin does a marvelous job of showing just how intelligent and quick witted Elizabeth was as she navigated the traps of Mary's reign and kept her head quite literally on her shoulders. The story shifts between Elizabeth and Mary's perspectives at points during the novel but I didn't feel that this interrupted the flow of the narrative and actually did a good job at showing the very powerful emotions and tensions that both sisters endured. Some novels focused on Elizabeth will portray Mary in such a way that you can't help but dislike her and feel that she should never have been Queen, but Ms. Irwin does a good job of showing Mary as very human. While she did make some wrong decisions, in this novel you can easily see the stress she was under and her reasoning behind her choices and she does come across more sympathetic. There are some lovely descriptions that make it easy for a reader to picture the scene they are reading about (especially the scene where Elizabeth is holding a dance in her rooms right across the courtyard from Mary's windows!) and this author is not going to overwhelm you with tons of facts and dates. The characters were all true to form and none of them really did anything that seemed unbelievable or "out of character." I felt the ending was wonderful and very full of suspense as Elizabeth meets her brother-in-law Philip for the first time and the instant attraction between the two is recognizable.

This was a good read and one I enjoyed. While I was not blown away it was certainly a nice Tudor historical fiction to pick up and loose one's self in for a few hours. I would recommend this to any reader interested in Elizabeth's earlier years. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain.

*Thank you to Sourcebooks for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to review this book!

This Day in History...

2010-10-04T10:02:00.003-04:00

Catching up on a few days over the weekend!

October 2, 1452 - The future Richard III is born at Fotheringay Castle.

October 3, 1283 - Welsh prince (brother to Llywelyn the Last) Dafydd ap Gruffydd is executed by Edward I. He is probably the first person to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

October 4, 1160 - Princess Alys of France, daughter of Louis VII, was born. She would be betrothed to Prince Richard (Richard the Lionheart) for almost twenty years and possibly was his father Henry II's mistress at one point.

October 4, 1535 - Miles Coverdale, a London printer, published his English version of the Bible.

October 4, 1582 - Pope Gregory XIII implements the Gregorian calendar. In several European countries this day is followed by October 15.

This Day in History...

2010-10-01T08:06:00.003-04:00

October 1, 1207 - The future Henry III was born to King John and his wife Isabella.

October 1, 1935 - Actress and singer Julie Andrews was born.

October 1, 1947 - Nazi leaders are sentenced at the Nuremburg Trials.

This Day in History...

2010-09-30T09:53:00.002-04:00

September 30, 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England after deposing his cousin.

September 30, 1630 - John Billington, one of the original pilgrims, was the first man executed in the colonies. He was hanged for shooting another man in a quarrel.

This Day in History...

2010-09-29T10:28:00.001-04:00

September 29, 1328 – Joan of Kent, wife of Edward, the Black Prince, and mother of Richard II was born. She would be called the "Fair Maid of Kent" during her life.

September 29, 1399 - Richard II was the first English monarch to abdicate. He was replaced by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV.

September 29, 1938 - England, France, Germany and Italy signed the Munich Pact in which the Sudetenland was given to Nazi Germany. In return, Hitler promised not to make any further territorial demands in Europe.

This Day in History...

2010-09-28T09:55:00.002-04:00

September 28, 1066 - William, Duke of Normandy began his invasion of England, landing at Pevensey in East Sussex after claiming his right to the English throne.

September 28, 1663 - Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, was born. He was the illegitimate son of Charles II and Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine.

This Day in History...

2010-09-27T12:33:00.004-04:00

Really couldn't find much of interest today!

September 27, 1722 - One of the leaders of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams, was born in Boston.

September 27, 1888 - The name 'Jack the Ripper' is used for the first time in an anonymous letter to the Central News Agency. This anonymous man killed five women and is suspected in the deaths of four more. His identity has never been discovered.

This Day in History...

2010-09-25T08:41:00.002-04:00

September 25, 1066 - England's Harold II defeated the King of Norway at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

September 25, 1506 – Philip the Handsome, husband of Juana I (Katherine of Aragon's sister), died in Castile.

The Alphabet in Historical Fiction Challenge: S

2010-09-24T18:11:00.000-04:00

Each fortnight the ladies at Historical Tapestry will post a new letter of the alphabet and you do a blog post about a work of historical fiction that has that letter:

as the first letter in the title
as the first letter of the author's first or last name
the first letter of a character's first or last name
the first letter of a place where an historical event took place

So here is my post for the next letter of this challenge: S

The Sunne in Splendour, Sharon Kay Penman

From the back cover: In this beautifully rendered modern classic, Sharon Kay Penman redeems Richard III - vilified as the bitter, twisted, scheming hunchback who murdered his nephews, the princes in the Tower - from his maligned place in history with a dazzling combination of research and story telling.

Born into the treacherous courts of fifteenth-century England, in the midst of what history has called the War of the Roses, Richard was raised in the shadow of his charismatic brother, King Edward IV. Loyal to his friends and passionately in love with the one woman who was denied him, Richard emerges as a gifted man far more sinned against than sinning.

I honestly don't know where to start with this one! I can say that it is probably the best book I have ever read. The story begins when Richard is about seven years old and witnesses the Lancastrian sacking of Ludlow and ends a few years after his death with Elizabeth of York reminiscing. Ms. Penman does an absolutely fantastic job of refuting the generally accepted version (from Shakespeare's play) of Richard's life and personality. She gives us a human Richard, one who had fears and doubts but was unfailingly honorable and loyal. One of the things that stand out in this novel is the way Ms. Penman shows how events and people around him while he was growing up really helped shape the man Richard would ultimately become. As in all her books, her impeccable research is beyond compare and her knowledge of her subject really shows; you can tell she did her homework before writing her novel. She blends history with her storytelling so beautifully that the reader is transported to another time and place effortlessly. All of the characters in the story are wonderfully written and developed, making it seem like you are old acquaintances and could reach out and touch them. While full of detail and description, the narrative does not get weighed down or feel like you're plowing through an encyclopedia; everything is relevant, helping the story move along and giving the reader a deeper insight to not only Richard's life and personality but to the world around him which helped make him who he was. She also (thankfully) does not twist the history completely out of shape simply to fit the story she is trying to tell or include all manner of rumors just because they are sensational. She will mention in her author's note the places where she did make some changes to help the story along as well as how she developed her theories on Richard. There just is no one else who can write like Ms. Penman and tell such a remarkable story.

This is a large book but don't let that keep you from it; you will not regret the time you spend between its covers! Once you begin reading I promise you will not want to put it down. Every time I immerse myself in Penman's world I find it very difficult to pull myself away. Please look for a more in depth review on my blog in the next week.

This Day in History...

2010-09-24T09:15:00.002-04:00

September 24, 1645 - The Parliamentarian army was victorious over the Royalist army led by Charles I at the Battle of Rowton Heath.

September 24, 1842 - Bramwell Bronte, the Bronte sisters' brother, died of drugs and drink. His sister used him as the model for the drunkard Hindley Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights.

This Day in History...

2010-09-23T10:11:00.002-04:00

September 23, 1158 - Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany and third son of Henry II, was born.

September 23, 1459 - The Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle in the 'Wars of the Roses,' results in a Yorkist victory over the Lancastrians.

September 23, 1909 - French writer Gaston Leroux published The Phantom of the Opera.

This Day in History...

2010-09-22T08:58:00.002-04:00

September 22, 1515 - Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife, was born.

September 22, 1761 - George III and his wife Charlotte of Mecklenburg were crowned King and Queen of Great Britain.

This Day in History...

2010-09-21T14:28:00.002-04:00

September 21, 1327 - The deposed Edward II was murdered in Berkeley Castle, some say by order of his wife, to ensure the succession of his son Edward III.

September 21, 1411 – Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, was born. The Duke was a claimant to the English throne and father of Edward IV and Richard III.

September 21, 1937 - J.R.R. Tolkien publishes The Hobbit.

This Day in History...

2010-09-20T08:53:00.003-04:00

September 20, 1258 - Salisbury Cathedral is consecrated.

September 20,1486 - Arthur, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VII, was born in Winchester.

This Day in History...

2010-09-17T08:17:00.002-04:00

September 17, 480 BC - Leonidas and his 300 Spartans begin the Battle of Thermopylae.

September 17, 1701 - James II died while in exile in France.

September 17, 1745 - The Jacobite supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied Edinburgh.

This Day in History...

2010-09-16T11:16:00.002-04:00

September 16, 1387 - The future Henry V was born at Monmouth.

September 16, 1400 - Owen Glyndŵr was declared Prince of Wales by his supporters.

September 16, 1485 - The Yeoman of the Guard, the bodyguard of the English Crown (or the 'Beefeaters') - was established by Henry VII.

September 16, 1620 - The Mayflower began her journey to America from Southampton.

September 16, 1701 - James Stuart, the "Old Pretender," becomes the Jacobite claimant to the English throne.

This Day in History...

2010-09-15T09:24:00.003-04:00

September 15, 1500 - John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, died at his home in Kent. He was a strong opponent of Richard III and some believe he may be the originator of Thomas More's History of King Richard III (which Shakespeare's play is based on).

September 15, 1789 - James Fenimore Cooper, popular American novelist, is born.

September 15, 1890 - World famous English detective novelist Agatha Christie was born.

September 15, 1984 - Prince Harry, 3rd in succession to the throne, was born to Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

This Day in History...

2010-09-14T09:51:00.003-04:00

Can't find too much today!

September 14, 1435 - John, Duke of Bedford, younger brother of Henry V and at one point Regent of England for his nephew Henry VI, died in Normandy.

September 14, 1752 - The 3rd of September became the 14th when the Gregorian Calendar was introduced into Britain.

September 14, 1851 - American author, James Fenimore Cooper, died. He is best known for his Leatherstocking Tales featuring Natty Bumppo (Last of the Mohicans).

September 14, 1852 - The Duke of Wellington, victor of Waterloo, died at age 83.

This Day in History...

2010-09-13T08:25:00.002-04:00

September 13, 122 - Work begins on Hadrian's Wall.

September 13, 1410 – Isabella of Valois, second wife of Richard II, died in France.

September 13, 1475 - Cesare Borgia is born.

September 13, 1520 - William Cecil, Elizabeth I's closest and dearest adviser, was born.

September 13, 1940 - A German bomb fell on Buckingham Palace while George VI is in residence.

Where Were You?

2010-09-11T20:24:00.007-04:00

Where were you on September 11, 2001? Do you remember? Is it still so clear in your mind it could have been yesterday? I certainly hope so. What happened MUST be remembered. The innocent victims MUST never be forgotten. If we forget, we give those cowards a victory.

I was in Kalispell, Montana. My cousin had been married on the 8th. My mom and I arrived at the tiny airport early in the morning on September 11. Our flight was to leave at 8ish mountain time. I had talked to Johnny the night before - the flight was wide open, we'd have no problem getting on (we were flying standby). We got to the gate ... and the flight was suddenly full. This was a bit of a problem as the next flight out of this tiny airport to Salt Lake City wasn't until after 1pm. Sigh.

We went back to the main area of the terminal. Mom walked to the windows on the opposite side to contact our family to see if we could get a ride back to their house. I sat down at a table in the small "cafe" to wait and see what we'd be doing. I remember an airport worker coming up to the lady in the cafe and telling her that there had been a plane crash and to turn on the news. The first thing that popped in my head was "Oh my stars! The plane we were just supposed to be on has crashed!" So the cafe lady turned the little TV mounted on the wall on and flipped through the channels; I recall it went past a station and there was a picture of the Twin Towers there, smoking, but we didn't notice it, we were looking for plane crash coverage. The first worker told her," No, no. Go back. That was it!" Horrible reality set in.

I sat there in my little chair staring at those building with smoke pouring out of them. The two ladies stood there staring. I kept trying to get my mom's attention across the room. Slowly, people in the airport gathered around in silence. My mom came back to the table. This airport is really small (REALLY small) and its not going to be noisy like Hartsfield here in Atlanta but it was dead silent. Dead silent. I remember glancing around at the people gathered around us, maybe a dozen or so, and everyone had the same expression: shock, horror, sadness.

Then there came the report that another plane had been flown into the Pentagon in DC (and I think I remember there was a mention of a fire or explosion on The Mall). I looked at my mom and said, feeling like I was 5 and not 22, "Mom, what in the world is going on?" She just looked at me, tears in her eyes, and shook her head. I have never felt so young or helpless or confused or scared in my life. This was America. Things like this didn't happen here! We hadn't been attacked since 1941 and even then there was a war going on (even if we weren't in it then).

Suddenly, there was more smoke pouring from one of the Towers and a gentleman to my left said there had been another explosion. I stared at what was on the screen and knew that was no explosion and cried, "No! The building is collapsing!!" They didn't want to believe me. Nerd that I am, I have watched those shows where they show building demolition and I recognized the sight of a building collapsing. It was soon apparent I had been right. I remember glancing kind of behind me and to my left. There was an elderly couple standing there, the gentleman had a cowboy hat on, and I can still see the expression on his face. We probably all looked like that. There was no sound; we all watched in silence as the second Tower fell.

We heard the flights had been canceled. We went to the Delta desk to ask what we should do? When would there be another flight? I'll never forget the poor girl behind the counter in tears just shaking her head and saying over and over "I don't know, I don't know."

I have never been so glad to see someone as I was when my cousin walked in to pick us up and take us back to their house in town. We would be stuck there for another week as there were no open seats once flights resumed (standby remember?); there weren't even any rental cars left in town. I am just glad that we were with family.

When we were finally able to get on a plane home a week later, the flight from Salt Lake City to Atlanta was....interesting. After dinner, while they were serving us ice cream sundaes we hit some turbulence. Not really bad but enough to bounce the plane around pretty good for a couple minutes. Needless to say, everyone on the plane was pretty freaked out. We had been lucky enough to get seats in first class for that trip and I remember the stewardess looking pretty freaked out herself.

We can never forget what happened to this country. There are people out there that just want to wipe us off this planet. They will try again.

Never Forget...

2010-09-11T09:54:00.004-04:00

It seems like only yesterday that I was stuck in an airport in Kalispell, Montana, watching the cowardly attacks on our country.

Make sure you NEVER forget what was done to our country.

Friday Funny

2010-09-10T10:38:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone can read the print on this! I can't figure out how to make it any bigger!

This Day in History...

2010-09-10T10:27:00.002-04:00

September 10, 1167 - Empress Maud, daughter of Henry I and mother of Henry II, died at the Abbey of Notre Dame in France.

September 10, 1547 - The English defeated the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. The battle was sparked by demands that Edward VI, aged 10, should marry 5 year-old Mary, Queen of Scots.

September 10, 1608 - John Smith is elected council president in Jamestown, Virginia.

September 10, 1669 – Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, died in Paris, France.

This Day in History...

2010-09-09T14:31:00.000-04:00

September 9, 1087 - William the Conqueror died in France from injuries he sustained in a fall from his horse. His son Robert became Duke of Normandy and his son William (Rufus) became King of England.

September 9, 1513 - The Scots were defeated by the English at the Battle of Flodden Field. James IV was killed along with all his nobles.

September 9, 1543 - Mary Stuart is crowned Queen of Scots at the age of nine months.

This Day in History...

2010-09-09T12:15:00.003-04:00

September 8, 1157 - The future Richard I was born in Oxford, England.

September 8, 1397 - Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester and son of Edward III died in France.

September 8, 1560 - Amy Robsart, wife of Robert Dudley, is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Her death is considered highly suspicious.

Book Review: George Knightley, Esquire

2010-09-08T07:00:00.003-04:00

George Knightley, Esquire, Barbara Cornthwaite
5 roses

I am not totally against the recent trend of writing sequels and Austen spin-offs (the weird monster mash trend is the exception there...shudder) and some of them are fairly good and enjoyable though of course there are some that fall short of the brilliance that was Jane Austen, never quite hitting on that Austen feeling. However, Barbara Cornthwaite's retelling of Emma from Mr. Knightley's view point is absolutely brilliant. I am so glad I came across this one!

As this is a re-telling of Emma there is no need to go through a brief summary of the story. This is book one of a two part series in which we see the events from the original novel through the eyes of the hero, George Knightley. The narrative picks up as Knightley is walking to Hartfield after Miss. Taylor's wedding and ends after Frank Churchill leaves Highbury (which postpones the ball). Something I like about these re-tellings is the fact that you will sometimes get a glimpse of what "could have been" happening off screen, so to speak, and you get that with this novel. Besides the original scenes where Mr. Knightley appears, you get a glimpse of his life beyond what Austen wrote and Ms. Cornthwaite does a fantastic job of creating a voice and distinctive personality for Mr. Knightley that is in no way contradictory to how Austen created him. I have no problem envisioning him engaged in the conversations and activities that Ms. Cornthwaite creates for him; his personality here is entirely believable and really a joy to read. He is still the true Regency English Gentleman. Something the author does here that I feel even goes beyond Austen's wonderful portrayal is the humor she gives to Mr. Knightley. There are some priceless moments in this story: the scenes with Mr. Knightley and "the cat" are wonderful and if those don't give you a laugh the letters between Knightley and his younger brother John will certainly have you laughing out loud. I thought these letters between the brothers one of the highlights of Ms. Cornthwaite's narrative. The way in which Knightley comes to realize his true feelings for Emma is very well written and very believable (you're not going to find the annoying "for some reason" phrase used over and over here). There are some very sweet scenes between the two. As the author had to find some way for Knightley to fill his time in those moments when he wasn't "on stage" in the original, we see him at Donwell performing his duties as local magistrate and top landowner in the parish and I found it fascinating the things that were required of these gentlemen. There are some wonderful descriptions of more everyday things like clothing, homes, taxes, etc, that Austen did not include in her novels (but of course she had no need to include these things as her readers did not need this information!) and it is a fascinating look into the Regency world. Ms. Cornthwaite also creates a few new characters to help fill Knightley's time and I especially enjoyed the addition of Mr. Spencer.

I heartily recommend this book to any Austen fan. It is a wonderfully written and thought out novel, furthering our knowledge of the delightful Mr. Knightley. Some might enjoy reading it along side the original just to see how they compare. It is in no way a tedious read and you will fly through it in no time! I couldn't put it down once I started! My only negative comment is the fact that the second book has not been published yet and I am absolutely on pins and needles to see what Ms. Cornthwaite does with the second half of the story. Give this one a try; I do not think you will be disappointed in any way! Jane Austen would be proud!

Why Do I Read...What I Read?

2010-09-07T10:50:00.011-04:00

I get asked that question quite frequently. People see all my books and wonder why I read them (or how I manage to read so many). Personal preference is my answer and I think most avid readers of a specific genre(s) will give you the same response. We read what interests us, what stimulates our mind, what makes us want to know more (in some cases anyway). That is certainly why I pretty much stick to my preferred genres. It also helps that I truely love to read; I always have. There is nothing better than curling up under a soft blanket with a yummy drink near by and loosing yourself in a totally different time.

I read historical fiction. I can be more specific than that even: I read mainly medieval British historical fiction (with some stories from earlier times and of course Tudor material as well). I also dearly love Jane Austen (and even some of the numerous sequels that have become all the rage). That is not to say that I don't occasionally read something from another time period (or even another genre) from time to time - though you will never see me with any of that vampire nonsense in my hands. I just prefer historical fiction and the information it brings me. I love to learn and some authors have a wonderful way of teaching me new facts and details; I can't gobble it up quick enough sometimes. There is just something magical in feeling like you're being transported to a time very distant and strange from your own and reading about people who lived, loved, laughed, hundreds of years ago. As I dearly love British history, these novels help in my constant quest for more knowledge. Yes, yes, I know they are technically fiction but my favorite authors (Sharon Kay Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Susan Higginbotham, to name three) are very meticulous and detailed in their research; I know they are not going to lead me astray by filling their pages with junk merely to appeal to the masses and to sell their book. I think it takes a very talented writer to be able to take a person who has been dead for hundreds of years and create a life for them out of the small bits of historical fact that has survived ... and to make that story not only believable but very enjoyable to read. Historical fiction can also give you many different sides to known history. History is, after all, written by the victors and we are not likely to get a very truthful look at the losers. That is such a fascinating aspect to historical fiction - it can really show you the "could have beens." Some authors do an absolutely brilliant job of bringing these distant times to life for their readers and make it incredibly easy to envision the landscape, the food, the clothes, the daily lives, the weather, etc. What is equally wonderful about these books is after finishing them I usually want to know more about the people, events, and time period, leading me to do research on my own and discover more interesting facts. In many instances I have come across another historical figure or event while researching on my own which in turn makes me want to find some historical fiction about that person. It is a never ending cycle...thankfully! Historical fiction has also opened up a whole new world to me - the blogging world! I have really enjoyed getting to know other HF bloggers, authors, and blogging on my favorite topics!

As I stated at the beginning I also love Jane Austen. There is something so peaceful about reading her novels. I find the Regency period fascinating with their strict codes of etiquette, elegance, and beautiful clothing. Her wit and sarcasm is wonderful and I love the fact that in many cases she is poking fun at the very class she writes about. She obviously went about the world with her eyes open and saw things for what they really were. I think what really attracts me to Austen's novels - besides the fact that they are brilliantly written with some fantastic story lines and very memorable characters - is the respect and honor and dignity that guided every aspect of their lives. We are sadly lacking in anything near respect and honor in today's society and it is refreshing to loose myself in a time when people had manners, respected and honored each other, and had morals. How can you not adore a period of such elegance? When men respected ladies? I am glad that a new era of readers is being introduced to Austen's writings and her world via the new fad of publishing Austen sequels and prequels and spins offs.

I do read other things from time to time - a non-fiction book on a topic that has captured my interest, random chick lit (I do enjoy Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts for instance), the occasional bodice ripper type romance (when I feel like indulging myself in something that doesn't require a ton of thinking!), and I still will pick up my copies of the Anne of Green Gables series or the Little House on the Prairie books if the mood hits me. Like I said, I LOVE to read and in a pinch I will read almost (almost) anything. My books of choice, though, will remain historical fiction and Jane Austen.

Why do you read what you do?

This Day in History...

2010-09-07T08:17:00.000-04:00

September 7, 1151 – Geoffrey V (the Handsome), Count of Anjou, died.

September 7, 1533 - Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is born at Greenwich Palace.

September 7, 1534 - Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, married his ward Lady Catherine Willoughby.She was 35 years his junior and the marriage created a bit of a scandal.

Book Review: The King's Mistress

2010-09-07T07:00:00.002-04:00

The King's Mistress, Emma Campion
3 roses

I had been eying this one for a while, waiting for it to be released in the US. Once I finally got a copy I dove right in, eager to read about this enigma of a woman. While the novel was well written and fairly interesting, I wasn't overly impressed with it. For me, there just seemed to be something missing.

Alice Perrers was a tradesman's daughter and married a tradesman. However, after only a couple of years of wedded bliss, Alice's world is turned upside down when her husband disappears and she is forced to live at the court of Edward III as a handmaiden to Queen Philippa. She catches the king's eye and ends up in his bed and from that moment on she is a target for the royal family and commoners. After the king dies and she looses his protection, Alice must struggle to regain her life.

The novel had great potential. The catalyst that drives the action early in the story is the fact that Alice's husband and his family have a secret agreement with the king's mother, Isabella, and are being pursued by someone who wants their information. There really is a mystery here and I feel if this story line had persisted the novel would have been much better. However, that mystery soon gets lost in the world of silks and dresses and fashion once Alice is forced to Court. We never find out who "they" are (the people that are after the Perrers family) and it is really frustrating not to have a conclusion to that mystery. To be honest, that really was the only interesting thing throughout the story. While the author has obviously made a very good attempt to redefine Alice, to me the story was just ... boring. In history Alice has been portrayed as nothing but a harlot and a scheming gold-digger and Campion has attempted to give her story new life. She was apparently reviled in her own time and the author has tried to rehabilitate that reputation but the product of her labor is really a weak, very naive, almost goody-goody Alice who seems only concerned with fabrics. While I am doubtful that the real Alice was as horrible as history has portrayed her (history is, after all, written by the powerful and the powerful at this time hated her) I do not think she was as goody-goody as she comes across here. I think that is probably my biggest beef with the novel - the protagonist is not all that believable, thus making her hard to like and follow. The line that seems to drive Campion's narrative is Alice's "When had I a choice to be other than I was?" I can see the author's attempt to show the reader that perhaps Alice had no choice in what happened to her (which is entirely possible; royal ladies rarely had much say in their own lives and a commoner would have even less) but it really didn't come across as all that believable. I think it would have worked better for me if she wasn't constantly saying, after asking and receiving good, sound advice from various people, that she would take their advice to heart but then never attempting to change and just saying "well, I have no choice!" As the novel headed towards it conclusion and Alice was forced into an undesirable marriage and attempted to regain her property, I could feel some sympathy for her. She really was dealt a bad hand and was powerless to receive justice and you could almost feel the helplessness of her situation.

All in all the story was not badly written and it had great potential. The other characters in the book really did not grab my attention or make me care what happened to them; they just seemed to be there in order to move the story along. The relationship between Alice and Edward wasn't all that interesting either which was a disappointment. The descriptions of fabrics and fashions of the time were amazing and obviously well researched but they seemed to take up way too much space in the story. I thought this story did do a wonderful job of showing how a person's reputation can be completely twisted by history one way or another and how a commoner really was at the mercy of the royal family. I am certainly not sorry I read this book as it showed me that Alice might not have been the gold-digger she has always appeared to be but I thought the author could have done much more with certain aspects of the story. I think most readers will not have a problem with it but those who crave a bit more substance to a plot might come away disappointed.

This Day in History...

2010-09-06T09:21:00.001-04:00

September 6, 1620 - 149 Pilgrims set sail from England in the Mayflower bound for America.

September 6, 1666 - The Great Fire of London was finally put out after burning for four days. It destroyed more than 13,000 houses and almost 100 churches - including St Paul's Cathedral.

September 6, 1847 - Henry David Thoreau leaves Walden Pond and moves in with Emerson.

September 6, 1997 - The funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales, was held at Westminister Abbey.

Mailbox Monday

2010-09-06T09:19:00.000-04:00