Sleeves-in-Waiting
The problem with reading historical novels in the middle of a dreary winter, is that the mind so thoroughly takes on the imagination of the author.
You are what you eat mentally, so to speak.
Fill your head with sonnets and you might start spouting poetry. Immerse yourself in a Tudor Romance Novel and all of a sudden you want to DANCE and wear JEWELS and glance coyly at the Bus Driver when you give him your fare…
I’ve been reading “the Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory, which is a historical novel about Mary, the sister of Anne Boleyn, first beheaded wife of Henry VIII. Now, why an unfettered independent female like myself would be totally engrossed in this period of time is a mystery to me. I’ll just say I enjoy history but hate slogging through actual history books. Reading this one (and “the Queen’s Fool” also by Gregory) has been an enjoyable glimpse into the Tudor Court with all of its excess and folly.
And boy oh boy do I need FOLLY! It is cold and grey and seems like a season without end at this time. I know, I know, it’s WINTER, just what did I expect?!
HENCE, the Royal Blue you see on the table above. It is destined, pre-arranged to be married before it’s a year old, joined in dowered bliss to the Revamped Shell from last week.
COLOR, like a last minute reprieve from the King when one’s head is already on the chopping block will save me! Will I be sent to a Nunnery for my folly? NAY, it will be back on the Bus for me and this brilliant hue, spreading joy like sunlit SKY along the way…
Hey, has anyone seen the BBC MiniSeries (directed by another Philippa, Lowthorpe, that is) of this book in the UK? Is it coming to America?
Richard Vine writes: “Mary’s story is bound up with Anne’s, giving us a fresh perspective on the Tudor court: a woman, who, even though she’s given the king the male heir he so desperately wants (albeit an illegitimate one), is marginalised after he’s bored with her, and forced to become her own sister’s chaperone and handmaiden. Though it doesn’t have the epic sweep of A History Of Britain, or indeed The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, the focus on the day-to-day machinations of court life is just as illuminating. In the margins of history, The Other Boleyn Girl is a story that allows the greater picture to breathe.”
HOT from the Photoshop Presses: The Tudor Queens and others had Badges and Mottos for banners and such. Spy my new personal logo and motto (a wise (wo)man can rule the stars) at upper right. This is supposedly the family motto of my Irish Kin……
Think about it…would we have gay Episcopalian bishops now if it weren’t for Anne Boleyn?
Bonnie Marie,
Since you are enjoying these novels, I think you should pick up another series written by Robin Maxwell (if you haven’t already). The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, The Queen’s Bastard & Virgin. All fantastic reads my mom and I swapped back and forth over the holidays.
Stay warm!
I saw some of this when it was on but in the middle of the move didn’t catch the whole thing. I couldn’t find anywhere that showed when it was being repeated in the UK or the US but I’ll keep my eyes open for it..
I am DIGGIN’ the new logo/shield! And I love the black/blue combo ~ a pair of pants thus colored inspired my black/blue/white kitchen. How did you find the motto?
I’m with you, Bonne Marie – except those wacky Tudors nabbed me thirty years ago and have yet to let go! From the first episode of “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” I was hooked.
And, as much as I love Cate Blanchett, her Elizabeth I was a pale, whiny thing compared to Glenda Jackson’s. If you haven’t seen “Elizabeth R”, do yourself a favor – rent it!
Too cool that you have immersed yourself in the life of your book so thoroughly. I love the motto…definitely one to live by…
i enjoyed that book as well. sorry i can’t make KIP tonight. i’m working. :( just logged on a few minutes ago.
Love the new logo. What brilliant ideas you have.
I also loved this book. I loved how each of the sisters alternately became “The Other Boleyn Girl”. I really enjoy your site, too, by the way.
Elizabeth R – I’ve been spying this on amazon for awhile!!!
I’m waiting for it to hit a certain *price point* then I’ll pounce…
Also on the hit list: The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir
I love it. It’s like going to the South to see relatives over the Christmas break and coming back home to discover (to my abject, Southern-girl horror) that my children had so loved the region of my humble origins that they now have Southern accents! Bad ones! I’m assuming you’ve already read everyone’s favorite accurate-but-sleazy historical novel, Forever Amber. I just love that book. Can we assume that another ChicKnits original pattern will be conceived from this foray into Tudor England?