Category: Royalty

Miniseries, Recap, Royalty

The White Queen: Life and Death

p01cyznpPreviously on The White Queen: Margaret of Anjou was finally defeated, Anne was made a widow, and Edward rid himself of Henry VI.

As Richard promised, Anne has been brought to court and now she’s being presented to the king and queen, under the watchful eye of…everyone, really, including Isabel. Elizabeth’s giving off such an extreme chill I suddenly feel compelled to get a hot water bottle, which seems a bit unfair. Elizabeth has to know that Anne really had no say in her own fate here. I mean, we can’t all have witchy mothers who control the future with little charms, right?

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Miniseries, Recap, Royalty

The White Queen: Social Climbing

Rebecca Ferguson and Max Irons in episode 1 of The White QueenI may as well say it: the opening credits kinda suck. I think I’ve been spoiled.

Sorry, now for the actual show.

A soldier stumbles through the snow, pursued by his enemies, one wearing a helmet with a crown. The soldier’s wounded, and they trap him up against a tree. He screams as the crowned one swings his sword, and then he transforms into a pretty blonde woman who wakes from her nightmare, gasping.

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Royalty

The Decorated Duchess

A very happy birthday to Sarah Churchill, first Duchess of Marlborough, and one of the most influential women in English history. She was born Sarah Jennings on June 5, 1660. Sarah’s father, Richard, was a Member of Parliament who was friendly with the Duke of York (the future James II). As a result of the friendship, Sarah was appointed a maid of honor to James’s … Continue reading The Decorated Duchess

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Royalty, Tudor Period

Third Time’s a Charm

Halfway there! On May 30, 1536, Henry VIII married his third wife, Jane Seymour, a mere 13 days after the execution of Anne Boleyn on trumped-up charges of adultery, treason, and incest. Oh, Henry. You were such an asshole. Jane was no stranger to the court, having served as a maid-of-honour to both Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Henry began paying her attention when … Continue reading Third Time’s a Charm

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Game of Thrones, Recap, Royalty, Series

Game of Thrones: BFFs

Game-of-Thrones-S3E7-02-e1368427519542Previously on Game of Thrones: Robb agreed to have his uncle Edmure marry one of the Frey girls, the Brotherhood without Banners handed Gendry over to Melisandre and let the Hound go, Sansa was forcibly engaged to Tyrion, and Jon Snow scaled the Wall.

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Renaissance, Royalty, Tudor Period

Princess Bride

On May 13, 1515, Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor, Queen of France, were officially married at Greenwich Palace, more than two months after marrying in secret in France following the death of Mary’s first husband, the French King Louis XII. Mary, who was extremely close to her elder brother, Henry VIII, was reputed to be one of the most beautiful princesses in Europe. Her marriage … Continue reading Princess Bride

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Royalty

Absolute Monarch

On 27 March 1625, one of England’s less successful monarchs, Charles I, ascended the throne after the death of his father, James I and VI. As we all know, the match between king and country was not to be a happy marriage. One of the biggest problems was that Charles was an extreme believer in the Divine Right of Kings, which he took to mean … Continue reading Absolute Monarch

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Royalty

Veto

On 11 March 1708, a piece of legislation known as the Scottish Militia Bill found its way to the desk of Queen Anne, having already been passed by both the Commons and the House of Lords. Anne, however, acted on the advice of her ministers and withheld Royal Assent, effectively killing the bill where it stood. Apparently, she worried that the proposed militia would be … Continue reading Veto

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Royalty

The Eleven Years’ Tyranny

On March 10, 1629 Charles I decided he’d had quite enough of this whole “Parliament” thing and dissolved it, beginning an 11-year period known politely as the Personal Rule and less politely as the Eleven Years’ Tyranny. It did not end well for him. Charles’s father, James, was something of a spendthrift during his reign and found himself frequently begging Parliament for money—a fact Parliament … Continue reading The Eleven Years’ Tyranny

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Elizabethan Period, Royalty

Dinner Party Fail

On 9 March 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, though it’d be nice to have a little dinner party with David Rizzio, a singer and musician whom she’d made secretary for relations with France. Unfortunately, Rizzio’s Catholic religion and close relationship with Mary had made him unpopular with some of the more insane noblemen at court, who decided Rizzio had to go. While Mary and David … Continue reading Dinner Party Fail

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