Tag: #tudors

Historical inaccuracies

Being a bit of a history buff, particularly the Tudor period, I was interested to see Netflix advise me of a series available that is supposedly based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots entitle Reign.  I thought, great, I’ll have a watch of that.  OMG, it drove me insane to the point of nearly switching off.  There were so many inaccuracies throughout it from the costume, to the set designs to the story lines.  For goodness sake, if you are going to base something on actual historical people, at least have some accuracy in what life was actually like at the time.

I’m ok with period dramas that are not based on actual historical characters, for example Bridgeton is not based on any person in history, it’s just set in a particular period of time, and at least the costume, sets and even the language was (mostly) of the right era. 

Reign seems to have so much wrong with it it’s laughable.  I say I nearly switched off because it was one of those things that it was so bad, that I wanted to watch just how bad it would get.  I’ve watched two episodes so far and just about stuck it out.

I remember when the Other Boleyn Girl film came out at the cinema.  I went to see it with my friend and before we got settled she said to me “I’m not sure I want to do this.  You’re going to go off on one when they get it wrong aren’t you”?  I’m sorry, I can’t help it.

I understand a bit of artistic licence with the storyline, but at least get the fundamental basics right.  They did not have carpets in the 1500s.  Nor did the women go around with out hoods, or wearing sleeveless, short dresses. I also get that they won’t necessarily have accents etc correct.  Mary, Queen of Scots, by all accounts had a strong French accent, hardly surprising since she was brought up there from a very young age.

It seems that this American “highly fictionalised” (no kidding) series was cancelled after four seasons as the ratings dropped.  As far as I can tell the end of series four leaves Mary married to Darnley, so it doesn’t quite complete the story of a queen who was brought up abroad, married three times, estranged from her children and forced to flee, hoping for mercy from her English queen cousin, only to be beheaded for plotting to take the English throne.

However sad Mary’s story was, it doesn’t really deserve being hashed in this attempt of storytelling.  I’ll probably stick it out watching the rest of the series, but I won’t be sorry that it didn’t conclude.

Kindling some e-shorts

As I’ve been on annual leave this week, one of the things that I wanted to do was some reading.  Trouble is, I’ve read all the fiction books that I’ve invested in and although I have some non-fiction to wade through, felt that being on “holiday” wasn’t the best time to read those.

I haven’t downloaded a Kindle edition of a book in ages.  I much prefer the physical thing to hold, turn pages and even the smell.  I am also a bit OCD when it comes to collections. If there are a number of books by an author I enjoy, or a series that run together, then I have to buy all of them, and read them in order.

My favourite genre is historical fiction, most specifically Tudor period. I’ve read all the Jean Plaidy, Phillipa Gregory et al.  Having most recently thoroughly enjoyed Alison Weir’s series on the Six Tudor Queens.  I have the final instalment already on pre-order.  I happened to be rummaging around that well known online purchasing site and came across a series of Alison Weir e-shorts.  These seem to be companion stories to the Six Tudor Queens series.  There are 7 e-shorts so far that relate to the first 4 books of the Tudor Queens, so one can assume that there are more to come. For £0.99 each, it was a no brainer to download the lot.

I’ve gone through the precis for each e-short and listed them in order of which main Six Tudor Queens books they sit along side so that I can, as with full series, read them in order.  There appears to be 1 that sits with Katherine of Aragon, 1 that bridges that with Anne Boleyn, 1 that accompanies Anne Boleyn, 1 for Jane Seymour and 2 for Anna of Kleves. 

I have a whole day with no meetings or need to be anywhere else or do anything in particular, that I can give wholeheartedly over to reading these e-shorts.  Give me a nudge when dinner’s ready!

Late to the party

We don’t watch a lot of tv as we’re usually quite busy with virtual #bellringing, meetings or other stuff. We also only have terrestrial tv channels and Netflix. Our knowledge of what’s worth watching is therefore limited and we end up watching repeats of repeats of NCIS or Law and Order.

Despite the fact that we’ve watched most episodes multiple times and its our “go to” viewing, I am now starting to get a bit bored with the same old, same old. I was flicking through channels the other day and came across Travel Man presented by Richard Ayoade. He takes a celebrity on a mini break somewhere and crams in as many touristy things as they can in 48 hours. Richard’s style is quite sardonic but its that that makes the show more entertaining. I think the series was originally aired in 2016.

Our daughter is usually good for a recommendation on Netflix but she has Amazon Prime as well and sometimes forgets that we don’t. She recommended something the other day saying that I would enjoy it because it was based in Henry VIII time. She screenshot a photo and sent it to me. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that actually that style of wig was from 1700s not 1500s. At least she recognised it was historic!

I’d like to watch something different, but just don’t know what’s worth my while on terrestrial TV or Netflix.

Happy to receive recommendations.

Two of my favourite things

With lockdown version 2.0 imminent it seemed rather fortuitous that I have this week off work and we arranged to meet R on her day off, and the weather was on our side too.

A straightforward drive to Surrey, giving R enough time for a bit of a sleep in and to wake up and get ready. We had instructions to deliver a few things. R’s flatmate had to work this afternoon so we only had a brief chance for a hello.

R decided that she would take us for a walk along the Thames Path. They’ve done bits of it between Kingston and Kew but not the whole way. Our plan today was to walk as far as Richmond then decide whether to continue to Kew then get the bus back, or turn around and walk back.

By the time we got to Richmond we decided that is was time for a #latelunch. Having repleated ourselves we agreed to continue on to Kew.

Our journey took us past the Richmond Weir and Teddington Lock. As we were walking back towards the river after lunch we passed the site of Richmond Palace, and I confess to letting out a bit of a squeal whilst taking a photo of the plaque that commemorates the place of so many a Tudor story.

By the time we got to Kew it was dark. We didn’t have to wait long for a bus which stops just around the corner from R’s place.

Given that we may not see her in the flesh again this side of Christmas, I’m so glad that we were able to see her. Thankfulky, she has a protected profession but they are still talking about downsizing during this lockdown, so she’s waiting to hear. Her flatmate will be furloughed again as his job is not protected. Fingers crossed they’ll be OK. I’m glad they have each other and if the tally chart on the fridge was anything to go by, they seem to be good at making their own entertainment. R is winning at hangman, noughts and crosses and pretty much every game they’ve been playing.

My legs are aching but my heart is full, having seen my little girl and seeing for myself that she’s OK.