Seeking Cultural Truths
Since Starz announced this production, I have waffled between anticipation and dread. The former because I appreciate new costume dramas centered on the lesser-known Tudors; and the latter, because I’ve read Philippa Gregory’s book series. She’s a talented enough writer that her “historical slander” passes for the truth – and she maligns reputations, turning decent …
Continue reading "Fact & Fiction: The White Princess, Episode 1"
Dear Readers, It is with utmost regret that I inform you that Charity is currently buried under a mountain of volumes, which she insisted upon piling in an enormous stack to “prove” how much research she is doing on her novels. I warned her of the high probability the pile would collapse on top of …
One of my major pet peeves is literary licenses taken with historical figures in serious historical literature. (I do not consider “speculative fiction” serious historical literature or any story where a historical figure is dealing with zombies, vampires, or magic; these stories are obvious fiction and never confused by a casual reader for the truth.) …
English History in the 1500s was not so different than it is now; we face many of the same issues plaguing the court of Henry VIII. In May 1517, there was a large contingent of French and Italian immigrants in London. They were situated near the city’s financial district and providing many services for the …
“Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this son of York.” —Shakespeare’s Richard The Third In historical research, you look at events from as many sides as possible, and place eyewitness accounts into context by being aware of the circumstances in which the events took place, and who is recording …
Imagine you are a Roman centurion stationed in Judea, tasked with keeping the zealots in line. They were a group of fanatical religious Jews intent on liberating themselves from Roman influence. It does not take much for them to riot, attack Romans in the street, or plan larger-scale battles. Each year, over a hundred thousand …
Henry VII had a problem. He had just taken the throne from Richard III, one of the “sons of York,” and faced uprisings. What did he do? Employ art, of course! Medieval imagery combined history, religion, philosophy, and astrology into dualistic themes intended to cement an agenda. It was common for writers of the period …
Don’t read on unless you’ve seen the film, or don’t care about spoilers. I can’t discuss these themes without revealing the major “shock” moment. One theme often repeated in art has Rebellion by the Son against the Father, with the Son inevitably murdering the Father. Because the Son would not exist without a Father, this …
Continue reading "Star Wars: Tempted by Darkness… or Light?"
READ ONLINE or DOWNLOAD. In this issue: texts from the 1500s, Raphael, Mary I, Ever After, Elizabeth I, Michelangelo, Katharine von Bora, William Shakespeare, The Art & Religion of the Middle Ages. Next issue: Classic Hollywood (Jan/Feb 2016). See upcoming issues. Interested in participating? Let me know. A FREE product of Charity’s Place.
Studying history is as humbling an experience as it is enlightening. It is easy to become convinced of one’s own “superiority” to those living in former centuries, but an in-depth study of their lives, writings, and philosophical and theological points of view often illustrates that while the past may have had its superstitions, it also …
