Tag: answered

what historic figures do you wish you knew more about not related to the tudors or wotr?

Frida Kahlo! I am ~fake fan~; I’ve only read a few articles about her and listened to a few podcasts. I hope to read a full biography one day; she is fascinating to me and I feel such a kinship with her as someone who is also ‘strange’/weird and considered unattractive (was bullied about my appearance on similar traits, my eyebrows and facial hair etc, when I was a kid). Also as someone else who has physical health issues, as well as anxiety and depression, I relate to her a lot. 

Beyond that; I’m interested in women primarily– famous mistresses tend to be interesting to me. 

And authors, would love to learn more about Christine de Pizan, for instance.

Would like to learn more about Charles II, there aren’t many documentaries about him…it’s been hard to read, I might try to read Fraser’s book on him if I ever get a chance. 

I also only probably watch Poldark for Heida Reed as Elizabeth! She’s honestly one of the best acted characters on the show, and her costuming is always gorgeous. I love your blog, so I just had to send you an ask.

Aw, thanks!

I love her, and hate that she’s so hated by the fandom so I don’t really get involved tbh, lol…

Yeah I don’t uuuhh…care for Ross? If they wanted him to be the romantic hero to a 21st century audience I think they needed to do more to make him different from his character in the book tbh.

I think my favorite costumes ever are from Poldark, of Caroline or Elizabeth from season 3. My least favorite costumes would have to be the ones from The White Princess. I mean, some of them were ~fine~ (tho not in a historical sense), but most of them used fabric that was supposed to look “lavish” and “lush” but actually just looked really cheap and crappy. And I have so many issues with the “French hoods” in The Tudors, that either look like visors, headbands, or ???

Oh I love Elizabeth’s costuming on Poldark!! Some of the best imo. (I kind of…mainly just watched Poldark for Heida Reed & Elizabeth if I’m bein’ honest shshsh but her costuming certainly didn’t hurt!!)

They were pretty hit or miss for sure on TWP…budgeting, maybe? 

And yes, a lot of them were very bad. I remember the one we see Jane Seymour wear in her first scene is like…a pencil-thin headband quite literally, just why:

image

What is this?? Degrassi?? One Tree fuckin’ Hill?? I hate. 

what are your thoughts on costumes in the tudors in general? do you like that they sort of modernised the style a bit? or would you have rather they used historically accurate costumes?

I mean I would have preferred historically accurate costumes, but they were at least colorful/fashionable imo…or the women’s were, at least, for the most part. 

Idk why they’re so afraid to cover women’s hair in period dramas in general, tbh?? Tudors isn’t the only one guilty of that but like…the skinny little headbands instead of French hoods…are y’all even trying?? I think the hoods of the Tudor era were beautiful; esp. with the veils, it would be nice to see more of them in general. 

Would’ve also liked to see some clothes mentioned in primary sources if it was ever possible… Anne Boleyn’s nightgown, for instance, which I’ve wanted to see in an adaptation since reading about it in Ives’ bio!

What was Henry VIII’s relationship with his siblings like? I’ve noticed a general assumption that he felt overshadowed by Arthur, but idk if that’s true

Hm, sadly this is an aspect of his life that’s missing or at least very light in many of his biographies (his relationships with his siblings/family, that is)! Perhaps there’s just not that much information in regards to it; or perhaps it’s not one historians/biographers/authors don’t find interesting…personally I find historic family dynamics fascinating, so I wish more would!

Not sure where the Arthur thing comes from, but it’s a common vein in fiction…maybe it’s that Henry threw his jacket off during dancing at his wedding? But I kind of doubt that was Henry trying to ~overshadow~ him, more likely him just like….being himself, dfskdjafks?

There’s a story of Henry throwing a tantrum when he found out Margaret Tudor would outrank him mentioned in Game of Queens by Gristwood, but no source mentioned. Later in their lives he wrote to her that “Divorce is Bad” basically ssksksk at her own marital woes…idk what her reaction was to that; I assume smth along the lines of “don’t throw stones at glass houses”. 

It’s repeated that Mary was his favorite– perhaps he felt protective of her as a younger sibling; but his affection wasn’t greater than his ambition as he married her off to the much-older Louis XII when she was 18 years old. He forgave her eventually after marrying Charles Brandon without royal permission; found himself unable to do the same when she was against him re: the Great Matter and her animosity towards Anne Boleyn caused a great rift in their relationship, from what I can gather. Her last words to him, before her death in 1533, certainly suggest this:

Has been very sick “and ele ates” (ill at ease). Has been fain to send for Master Peter the physician, but is rather worse than better. Trusts shortly to come to London with her husband. Is sure, if she tarries here, that she will never “asperre the sekenys.” Will be glad to see the King, as she has been a great while out of his sight, and hopes not to be so long again.

here’s a story!: so when my family traveled to Spain some years ago, I was very much into art/art history (still am!). At the Museo del Prado, we didn’t do a tour as I sort of acted as my fam’s guide throughout the museum. I guess I did a good job, because multiple small groups of other tourists came up to me wanting to join my tour thinking I was an official guide!! (I seriously should’ve said yes and started charging 💸)

Ah, that is also so cool! You should have for sure~ 💸