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10:13 am
August 22, 2011
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I must apologize again, and this is not about Philippa, but about “The Tudor Rose” about which I mentioned above. It is Margaret Barnes Campbell. 
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
10:16 am
August 22, 2011
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Or it might be Margaret Campbell Barnes. It was originally published in 1953, but has been revised, and on sale with the new revision.
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
12:25 am
October 28, 2011
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I might give it another go tonight actually, I need a break from the Warnicke book (I tend to read several books at a time) By the way, David Baldwin has a full length biography out on Elizabeth Woodville, I am pretty sure I saw it in the bibliography for The White Queen at first and I have put it on my list. Most of the books she puts in her bibliographies seem quite interesting.
The Queen's Fool, I think that's what it was called, was bloody awful. Horrible. But it got me very interested in court fools. There is one book about them, I think by John Duran, which is out of print and going to cost me a mint so I am saving up for it. I think I can read it online but I prefer actual books for reading, I'd rather wait.
Margaret Campbell Barnes, yes I just looked and there is a 2009 reprint. I'll pop it on my list. Thanks Wiles.
12:36 am
October 28, 2011
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Oh she's done loads more! There is one on Will Somers as well. And Anne Boleyn
10:44 am
August 22, 2011
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Thank you for the warning! I will try and get off my books by mail request list. I usually read several books at one time myself. It depends on what mood I'm in. I know that doesn't sound like an academic reason, but since I've been out of it for a while, I really don't care. I will look up the David Baldwin book, and thank you!
As for Margaret, I know she has several out, but I can't my libraries don't have them, and I could do an interlibrary loan and that takes a while. The bookstores don't seem to have her either, but I got “The Tudor Rose” from “Friends of the Library.
I'm surprised, yet not surprised that Philipp'a book was awful (as I'm sure it was masterminded, and she and her editors bit it down to the kinds she's done in the past), and I hope the professors who helped her make a lot from it, because, if not, they're going to have a hard time, after promotion and all. They knew what they were getting into, and they do have contracts, I'm sure. Maybe David Baldwin can use it as a “hype” for to advertise his next book. Who knows? But when one lies down with dogs, they get up with fleas.
If John Duran's book about court fools or jesters is out of print, I'm sure it's very expensive. Have you tried to go to your library and request an interlibrary loan? They should be able to do this as the OCLC database is worldwide and has the collections of millions of libraries all over the world. I never got to look at her bibs, as I returned all the ones I bought almost immediately.
Would love to know what you think about the others. I'm scared to talk about too many other authors on this forum, but I believe there is a forum to discuss authors. Let me know! Let me look it up. Then I'll send a message from there. Thanks bunches, WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
11:24 am
August 22, 2011
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Olga, I put out a message on the “What are we all reading?” forum, and it occurred to me that you might not be on that forum so I don't suppose you would get the message via email. In retrospect, I don't think it's inappropriate to discuss anything that had “anything” at all that goes on in Philippa's as long as it pertains to anything written in her books (e.g. bibliographies, learned things, writing, now two other authors she's brought into the scene, how or what we get from reading her, what a web she weaves, so to speak, etc.), as long as it comes to how we got to her, etc. So unless, otherwise, let's keep to this. The forum I mentioned is really great, though! Members have read and reviewed so many things I'd like to read that I don't think I could ever keep up. One of the great things about this site is that there are so many intelligent well-read members that I'm always amazed.
Thank you, again. WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:13 pm
August 22, 2011
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Olga, since I brought it up, I did just order “Brief Gaudy Hour,” by Margaret Barnes, the new date on it is, 2008. It was only one of two the libraries had in my county, the other is “Within the Hollow Crown,” about Richard II. Since reading “Richard II,” by Shakespeare, but knowing his history (shhhh! Philippa might write about him next, since there is the mystery of the murders of princes – see now I pulled it into the web Philippa practices [“practices” is the key word in that phrase, after all], and how I got to her) I thought I might let you know. Thank you for reminding me.
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
4:13 pm
October 28, 2011
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Thanks Wiles 
I’ll have a look at the other forum. Australian libraries are hopeless actually, they get rid of books really quickly. It baffles me.
Ah Philippa. I liked the Tudor books, I think Constant Princess and Boleyn Inheritance were good, I liked OBG well enough, it was entertaining.
The Other Queen is probably my favourite as I fell in love with Bess of Hardwick. I was very lucky to pick up a biography by Mary Lovell second hand for a couple of dollars a few weeks ago, so it’s gone on my TBR pile. Bess fascinates me. A few weeks after I read the book I saw Hardwick House on television, which got me even more interested in her. Hardwick House is mentioned briefly at the end of the book.
The Virgins Lover and The Queens Fool were both absolute rubbish. I was very disappointed as Queen’s Fool was about Mary, and the main character Hannah is entirely fictional (she does state the book is fictional and just inspired by events so that should appease you 
) and it’s pretty outrageous, inserting fictional characters into historical events. I would have liked a better book on Mary.
(on another note Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet does this, and I usually hate books that do it, but I enjoyed that book a great deal)
One thing I really do dislike about Gregory is her writing on witchcraft (I am not a firm believer that witches or actual witchcraft existed and I don’t think anyone can sway me on that)I borrowed a copy of the Wise Woman, it was awful. The book was so ridiculous and the protagonist so loathsome I was thrilled when she killed herself at the end. Then I threw the book across the room.
I disliked the White Queen, a lot of “Melusina” talk and Elizabeth casting spells on everyone. Red Queen was not too bad, it was interesting and i think it’s actually difficult to pull off a book where your heroine hasn’t got a single, or at least very few redeeming qualities. I think most people who read it didn’t like Margaret and it may have put them off the book but I thought it was well done.
Lady of the Rivers was the best of the Cousins War so far. I imagine most of it is fictional, after all there is very little information on Jacquetta Rivers, but there was less witchcraft (praise the skies) and she did actually write a great deal on the actual battles etc. The next book is going to be on Anne Neville.
Sorry to go on, but that’s my brief summary of what I think of her books
1:51 am
June 7, 2011
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Witchcraft did exist, much of it came from the religions previous to Christianity, such as the Druids. In fact much of the 'pagan' craft was transferred into Christianity, especially The Roman Catholic's.
witch·craft/ˈwiCHˌkraft/
| Noun: |
|
Is not changing water into wine, bread into flesh a spell in its own way? The invocation of spirits is common practice too. It all stems from one thing, just like the transference of the holidays, Yule for example was changed to Christmas.
"It is however but Justice, & my Duty to declre that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused, of which her Beauty, her Elegance, & her Sprightliness were sufficient proofs..." Jane Austen.
3:20 am
April 11, 2011
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Many professed to practice witchcraft, just as others practiced alchemy. Whether or not anybody thinks that anything was actually achieved in such ancient arts would, of course, depend on one's own beliefs. The bare fact that witchcraft was practiced does not mean that any claims of supernatural or other powers by the practitioner actually existed in fact.
6:03 am
October 28, 2011
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Well put Neil, I agree wholeheartedly.
If Philippa wants to portray herself as a feminist writer in the genre as I have seen her claim, then she would have been better off attributing their survival during those times and any personal victories to using their wits and courage.
12:52 pm
August 22, 2011
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Elliemarianna is absolutely correct, as I have read a little on the Celtics and Druids, and Neil put it very well as Olga says. I agree with both Olga and Neil, but I think that Phillipa has gone way beyond any specialty in European history, now writing about Georgian England. No one can ever be an expert in all those different periods. She has gone from the Beauforts, Woodville's, Tudors, even to the point of Elizabeth I having an illegitimate child (l don't know about the Yorkists or the Stuarts, etc., and I wouldn't know after reading her “stuff” after that, but do look when I am at the bookstores), and now the Georgian. What I am really aware of is that libraries don't carry as much of her as bookstores. As a book store owner, you understand what sells! Philippa does sell; that seems to be an absolute fact. Thank you very much, WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:06 pm
August 22, 2011
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Elliemarianna is absolutely correct, as I have read a little on the Celtics and Druids, and Neil put it very well as Olga says. I agree with both Olga and Neil, but I think that Phillipa has gone way beyond any specialty in European history, now writing about Georgian England. No one can ever be an expert in all those different periods. She has gone from the Beauforts, Woodville's, Tudors, even to the point of Elizabeth I having an illegitimate child (l don't know about the Yorkists or the Stuarts, etc., and I wouldn't know after reading her “stuff” after that, but do look when I am at the bookstores), and now the Georgian. What I am really aware of is that libraries don't carry as much of her as bookstores. As a book store owner, you understand what sells! Philippa does sell; that seems to be an absolute fact. Thank you very much, WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:19 pm
August 22, 2011
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Forgive me, but to agree with Elliemarianna, in another way, I think a lot of us know that Christmas trees come from pagan Germany as well. Just another tidbit on the subject of pagan to not even religious current Christmas practices. Thank you, once again for bearing with me. WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
11:22 am
August 22, 2011
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Check out this site! Most don't believe Elizabeth was ever pregnant, and/or had an illegitimate child. There are some paintings here and a lineage to Sir Francis Bacon's parentage, and others. There is nothing very heavy and after you click on the link, hit the back button and it returns to the main page.
http://www.philippagregory.com…..php?t=1130
I don't think Elizabeth I would have risked her heritage nor the throne by having a child as she stayed single so that whe would be and remain the absolute monarch, and did a grand and great job. Gloriana!
Please also forgive my ignorance in that PG did touch on the Stuarts by doing one on Mary Queen of Scots. I also maintain not to mention Richard II to PG and the princes and his death as spoken earlier, as she would then be a master of English history from the 1300's through the 1700's, and people actually would believer her. I am going to take a break from her for a while, and the more I read, remember, studied, and such are making me just about a sick of this dribbler as we will be of other things coming our ways in the next two months and year! Thank you once again. WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:28 pm
October 28, 2011
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I must have mentally blocked out The Virgin's Lover (absolute tosh) because I don't even remember the illegitimate child plot.
Next book is on Anne Neville Wiley
1:57 pm
August 22, 2011
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Sorry, I discovered I had the wrong book in mind. Very high apologies. The Virgin's Lover was about Sir Walter Raleigh, and the real story is that she dismissed him completely after his wife did fall down the stairs and died in the Raleigh house, and no one could prove that it wasn't suicide. There is still mystery today (although most believe he killed her to be free to marry Elizabeth. Either way, Elizabeth wasn't having it, and that was the end of any thoughts of marriage on her part. Although she had offers after that. I'll have to think of the book I saw and read the back of what the title is. I'll find out, but I don't rule PG out.
Thanks for letting me know! Have fun with Neville! WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
2:04 pm
October 28, 2011
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It would have either been the Queens Fool or the Virgins Lover (about Robert and Amy Dudley actually, sorry to correct you) and that may have been a plot in it, I just don't remember as i disliked both of them and haven't re-read them.
2:24 pm
August 22, 2011
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No problem, if I am ever mistaken, please, I beg of you to call me on and educate me. This is what makes this fun, chatting, and nice, etc. Don't blame you on not remembering either. I don't know and don't care, it's great learning from you about PG's books. I'm glad you let me know as I don't want to go around and make a fool of myself. If I do, I'd like to make the money that PG does. LOL! WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
7:07 pm
November 26, 2011
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TOBG is a good book, honestly. It's just riddled with historical inaccuracies and a bad portrayal of my favorite English Queen. But I have to keep in mind that when I read the book, it was the first I had heard of Anne Boleyn and of course, since Gregory painted her in such a bad light, I grew to despise Anne so much that it grew to hatred. Now of course I have read up on and learned the truth of the amazing Anne Boleyn. I think all Gregory's trying to do is entertain people, although she really is making them lose brain cells as they read. (;
Le Plus Heureux ♥ ~ Anne Boleyn//Toujours la reine
