Ignorethisrandom - Untitled

Perfect casting!

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“Known in her youth as one of the most beautiful princesses in Europe, Erasmus said of her that "nature never formed anything more beautiful.” (18 March 1496 – 25 June 1533)

“the Queen [Mary] was to cross over to Boulogne, and the King of France would come as far as Abbeville, it was said, to meet her, and there consummate his marriage with this “nymph from heaven” her beauty and affability warranting the expression. ”

[Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519. ]

Mary Tudor ( 1495- 1533) was an English princess who was briefly Queen of France and later progenitor of a family that claimed the English throne. The younger surviving daughter of Henry VII, King of England and Elizabeth of York, Mary became the third wife of Louis XII of France, more than 30 years her senior. Following his death, she married Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The marriage, which was performed secretly in France, took place during the reign of her brother Henry VIII and without his consent. This necessitated the intervention of Thomas Wolsey, and although Henry eventually pardoned the couple, they were forced to pay a large fine.

“Mary died before Charles, Henry and her remaining sister. Mary Rose was the beautiful Tudor Princess, who lived a fairytale life in a nightmare era.”

After half-an-hour the Duke came forth and was accompanied to the Queen’s Chamber, where were also the Princess Mary and many attendants.The Queen (Catherine Parr) danced first with her brother very gracefully; and then the Princess Mary, the Princess of Scotland (Margaret Douglas) danced with other gentlemen and many other ladies also danced. A Venetian of the King’s household danced some gallards with extraordinary agility. After dancing had lasted several hours the Queen returned to her chamber, first causing one of the noblemen who spoke Spanish to offer some presents to the Duke, who kissed her hand. He would have likewise kissed the Princess Mary’s hand, but she offered her lips; and so he saluted her and all the other ladies. The King is said to be a man of great authority and beauty. The Queen has a lively and pleasing appearance and is praised as a virtuous woman. Describes her dress and that of the Princess Mary, who has a pleasing countenance and person and who knows how to conceal her acquirements. She is adored throughout the kingdom.

The Duke of Nagera’s Visit to England, 17th February 1544   (via queenmarytudor)

“He would have likewise kissed the Princess Mary’s hand, but she offered her lips; and so he saluted her and all the other ladies.”

Princess Mary, hoping for some action!

Anti-blackness in 19th century England, why Queen Charlotte wasn’t black, and why it doesn’t matter in Bridgerton

I’d like to start by saying Bridgerton is a very amusing piece of absolute fiction. From the dresses to the music to the fanfic tropes it uses and the books it’s based on. It doesn’t even start to pretend it’s realistic. And being a piece of modern historical fantasy made by a woman born in this age, it is alright for the showrunners to give it a modern vibe. If you want, you can trace the lineage of every duke of Hastings there has ever been and know exactly who they were and what they looked like. Everyone knows there was never a black duke of Hastings, meaning there is no harm nor a deliberate attempt at “changing history” by the showrunners. They’re not pretending they’re portraying real events and real people of 1813. Therefore I accept that in this “alternative reality regency” it is fine for people of all ranks, including Queen Charlotte, to be black. I loved Golda Rosheuvel’s portrayal, I loved her looks, her acting and I tollerate her – indeed, be surprised – half-ishly accurate outdated wardrobe (for those interested in fashion history: look up “regency era court gowns”, old styles were worn but Charlotte would wear normal dresses day-to-day). I’m thrilled to watch her in the second season as well.

However,  I will screech if I see people claiming Charlotte was black in real life. There were black people in Europe during all periods of history. They could be very influential and wealthy, and yes, they could even be nobility in some rare cases. There is a growing field of research tracing the steps of black people in Europe throughout time, revealing the often overlooked presence of black people. However, Queen Charlotte isn’t one of them. And I say this being I believe claiming her to be black, would mean the British Monarchy, way ahead of its time, was accepting of black people, and the British people, who were more than a bit racist, generally accepted a (partially) black woman. Rather than Charlotte being black leading to her being described as black, I believe the confusion about her being black comes from people back in the day using racially ambiguous terms to describe people as being ugly and bad, because of racism and colonialism.

Being a historian, I do believe I have to give evidence for my claim. I’ll be using her ancestry, written descriptions and paintings. However, buckle up because you’ll be getting a lot of side information on other people of colour in art and literature. So if you’re interested in learning a bit about the relationship between the concepts of race and beauty in the 18th and 19th century, here we go. (note: if I use any offensive terms without direct citing someone, do let me know I will change them as soon as possible)

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Some favourite staging moments in productions of Shakespeare plays:

Clarence actually getting drowned in a barrel of wine on stage in Richard III; it was a small barrel, they stuck his head into it as he struggled, pulled him out for an instant as he gasped for air and screamed, his head was wet and sopping, his face all red

Macbeth clutching his empty hands to hold an imaginary child, casting a clawed shadow on the wall

Ophelia ripping out hanks of her hair to give to people during her ‘flowers’ scene (obviously fake hair in real life)

Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing hiding from Claudio, Leonato and Don Pedro, taking a swig from a can of beer that happened to be full of cigarette butts and spit-taking it all over Don Pedro and Leonato

who then awkwardly pretend to check if it’s raining

Angelo in Measure for Measure taking off a bloody cilice belt from around his thigh while saying ‘Blood, thou art blood’ 

Also a really good bit where Angelo shows up in a two way mirror later on when the Duke’s speaking to himself and cursing him; the Duke turns to point at the mirror and there’s Angelo, in the chain of office, pointing back, accusing the Duke as much as the Duke does to him

The moment in Julius Caesar where Brutus asks his servant Strato - who’s been sitting with his back to the audience and wearing a hat with a wide brim - to help him commit suicide; Strato stands while taking off his hat to reveal that he’s played by Caesar’s actor

(a collective gasp went around the theatre; really lent a whole new meaning to ‘Caesar, now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will’)

After a frantic chase scene in The Comedy of Errors which ends with all the cast collapsed across the stage in exhaustion and the scenery itself falling to bits…a pair of underpants falls from the ceiling, and Dromio of Ephesus (who’d tried in vain to retrieve them at the start of the play) crawls over several other characters, seizes them and screams in triumph 

Everyone watching Sanditon: Nothing can replace Charlotte and Sidney!

Me: Will Tom Parker’s plans for Sanditon succeed? Will Georgiana meet more fortune hunters and turn them down with a wicked burn?! Oh and I’m sure Charlotte will turn out fine. She’s a lovely woman who doesn’t need a man to complete her, especially one that marries women for money and changes his mind at the drop of a hat. But really, WHAT ABOUT THE REGATA! I must learn about the Parkers’ latest plans for our Sanditon! 

Bring the tea and cucumber sandwiches cut ever so thin

Sanditon Season 2

I think their first kiss was sweet. He just went for it! It’s Brienne’s first time, of course it’s going to be a little awkward...that’s why I loved it! Brienne’s so cute!

GUYS, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK HAPPENS?!

Really: first of all this horrible kiss scene?! Where is this tenderness between them? Nik and Gwen played it as good as they could, but scenarists just should be burned.

And then, when Jaime left her alone. She begged him to stay, but he left. WHAT?! Is that our honorable Jaime Lannister, who returned to Harrenhall and jumped into the bear pit?! No, this is the Jaime Lannister I want to kill. He made my baby girl cry and I will never forgive it. I will if only Jaime will kill Cercei by himself!

I’m just so disappointed bc of this episode(including Missandey’s death). I really hope they’ll make things better in next two episodes, and we’ll forget about this one as a nightmare.

The four children of Count Fredrik Axel von Fersen and Hedvig Catharina de la Gardie.  All siblings held high positions within the swedish court, due to their father’s position as leader of the aristocratic party.

Hedvig Eleonora (von Klinckowström) von Fersen, 1753 - 1792, was described as reserved and disliked the court life, but accepted a position as lady in waiting to queen Sofia Magdalena for her husband’s sake. She was close friends with king Gustav III, but was one of few who dared to disobey his orders. It’s said that the king demanded everyone at court to partake in the gambling games, but when Hedvig refused he did not object.

Hans Axel von Fersen, 1755 - 1810, is without a doubt the most famous of the siblings. Predestined to inherit his father’s titles and goods, he made a name for himself during his Grand Tour in Europe, as well as during the American Revolution, Gustav III’s Russian War and later, the French Revolution, where he struggled to rescue Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who he is rumoured to have had an affair with. He was brutally murdered by a mob following a false accusation that he assassinated the swedish crown prince.

Eva Sophie (Piper) von Fersen, 1757 - 1816, is perhaps the second most famous of the four. Her affair with the swedish prince Fredrik Adolf was ended by her disapproving parents when she was unhappily married to Adolf Fredrik Piper. Over the years she formed an intimate (perhaps sexual) relationship with queen Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta, who would dedicate her memoirs to her. Sophie was accused for the same assassination as her beloved brother Axel, but was protected from the mob by Charlotta. 

Fabian Reinhold von Fersen, 1762 - 1818, became officer and politician at the swedish court. Just like his brother and sister, Fabian also had an intimate relationship with queen Hedvig Charlotta, and is rumored to have fathered a child which she miscarried. And just like his siblings, he was accused of involvement in the death of Crown Prince Karl August in 1810, but managed to escape the funeral procession where his brother was murdered. He resigned from his court position that same year, most likely in respect to his brother.

The von Fersen- line ended with Fabian’s two children, Axel and Hedvig, in 1839 and 1879. 

Could 8x02 be one of the best episodes of Game of Thrones ever?? More likely than some would think. 

I don’t need big white walker battles or anything else, just sweet intimate (and well written) moments between characters we all know and love. Especially regarding the romantic interactions with Gendry and Arya, Theon and Sansa, Jamie and Brienne.