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What Are We All Reading?
February 25, 2013
8:50 pm
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Barnettbuff
Murray, Kentucky USA
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I hate to admit, since some people beat up on Philippa Gregory, but I’m almost through “The Virgin’s Lover.” Not too thrilled with some of Gregory’s ideas about the whole incident between Robert Dudley, his wife Amy, and his “friend” QE I. I’m trying to process this whole idea of love affairs, triangles, and MURDER, with the “fall” of Amy. I’d love to hear others’ take on all this “mess”. I just recently finished “The Red Queen”.

I love this site, however; since I have many, many gaps in my knowledge of this period, I sometimes am unable to add comments. But I still love to read what others are saying about different aspects of the lives of these members of Royalty. Keep it up !

February 25, 2013
11:44 pm
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black_mamba
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Barnettbuff said

I hate to admit, since some people beat up on Philippa Gregory, but I’m almost through “The Virgin’s Lover.” Not too thrilled with some of Gregory’s ideas about the whole incident between Robert Dudley, his wife Amy, and his “friend” QE I. I’m trying to process this whole idea of love affairs, triangles, and MURDER, with the “fall” of Amy. I’d love to hear others’ take on all this “mess”. I just recently finished “The Red Queen”.

I love this site, however; since I have many, many gaps in my knowledge of this period, I sometimes am unable to add comments. But I still love to read what others are saying about different aspects of the lives of these members of Royalty. Keep it up !

If your interested in other theories about Amy Dudley death, check out the thread on on Amy Dudley: Murder or Suicide? Here is the link:
http://www.theanneboleynfiles……nt/#p18825

Personally I believe this:
” To account for such oddidities and evidence that she was ill, it was suggested in 1956 by Ian Aird, a professor of medicine, that Amy Dudley might have suffered from breast cancer, which through metastatic cancerous deposits in the spine, could have caused her neck to break under only limited strain, such as a short fall or even just coming down the stairs.” This seems the most likely explanation since she was very ill before her death. I believe she even suffered from a pain in her breast if I remember correctly.
Here’s another good link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Robsart
Another one is: http://www.thehistoryfiles.com…..icide/433/
Here’s another one: http://allthingsrobertdudley.w…..r-suicide/

At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus

February 26, 2013
3:59 pm
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Barnettbuff
Murray, Kentucky USA
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Thanks for the links. I hope they shed some light on the subject.

February 26, 2013
6:21 pm
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Sharon
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Anyanka said

I’m halfway through S&S..and I’m remembering how much I dislike Austin’s writing..I find her female characters very “Mary-Sue”.. I find it hard to empathise with the hard-done-by upper-middle class as I do with Dicken’s suffering poor..

Oh Good! I thought I was the only one who felt like that Anyanka.

February 26, 2013
8:28 pm
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DuchessofBrittany
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Sharon said

Anyanka said

I’m halfway through S&S..and I’m remembering how much I dislike Austin’s writing..I find her female characters very “Mary-Sue”.. I find it hard to empathise with the hard-done-by upper-middle class as I do with Dicken’s suffering poor..

Oh Good! I thought I was the only one who felt like that Anyanka.

I’m on the fence about Austen. I hated Emma and Persuasion. But loved Northanger Abbey. I do understand, though, Anyanka’s original point. I actually find Austen a lot more interesting than her writings. I don’t want to offend any Austen fan out there, though.

"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn

February 26, 2013
10:11 pm
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Bella44
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I have to say I love Austen! I adore her subtle digs of the upper middle classes, especially Emma where the main character is so, um, ‘clueless’ Laugh

February 26, 2013
10:12 pm
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black_mamba
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DuchessofBrittany said

I’m on the fence about Austen. I hated Emma and Persuasion. But loved Northanger Abbey. I do understand, though, Anyanka’s original point. I actually find Austen a lot more interesting than her writings. I don’t want to offend any Austen fan out there, though.

Oh I agree! Austen’s life was more interesting then many of her novels.

Sharon — That’s the reason I started reading the books. I only got to watch a little bit of the miniseries on encore because my two year old thinks he gets to watch “Finding Nemo” whenever he wants! Frown
So I just bought the books on Amazon for my Kindle, and I just fell in love with books. John Jakes is a really good writer, and I look forward to reading more of his books.

At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus

February 27, 2013
8:04 pm
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Anyanka
La Belle Province
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DuchessofBrittany said

Sharon said

Anyanka said

I’m halfway through S&S..and I’m remembering how much I dislike Austin’s writing..I find her female characters very “Mary-Sue”.. I find it hard to empathise with the hard-done-by upper-middle class as I do with Dicken’s suffering poor..

Oh Good! I thought I was the only one who felt like that Anyanka.

I’m on the fence about Austen. I hated Emma and Persuasion. But loved Northanger Abbey. I do understand, though, Anyanka’s original point. I actually find Austen a lot more interesting than her writings. I don’t want to offend any Austen fan out there, though.

If you ever get the chance to read The Mysteries of Uldopho, it’s well worth it.

It's always bunnies.

March 8, 2013
10:34 am
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Bill1978
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I must confess that I haven’t actually read anything since last year. Long story short, my school reshuffled their timetable for 2013 and removed the 20 minutes a day of reading. A beautiful 20 minutes of escape everyday for me, a place where I didn’t have to be working, or marking, or reporting or even disciplining children. I just find when I get home I’m just not focussed enough for a book, even though I want to. I feel so bad I’m not reading every ay. So bad, that I think I am losing knowledge because I’m not reading.

March 8, 2013
12:55 pm
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Boleyn
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Bill1978 said

I must confess that I haven’t actually read anything since last year. Long story short, my school reshuffled their timetable for 2013 and removed the 20 minutes a day of reading. A beautiful 20 minutes of escape everyday for me, a place where I didn’t have to be working, or marking, or reporting or even disciplining children. I just find when I get home I’m just not focussed enough for a book, even though I want to. I feel so bad I’m not reading every ay. So bad, that I think I am losing knowledge because I’m not reading.

I hope the school, inplimented the changes to the timetable at the beggining of the term? Because if they didn’t, they have broken the law. Dinosaur pulled up our local academy on that one, and they basically told him to get stuffed. So we put the fear of christ .. I mean crouch up them. Funny thing is they backed down after a few very blue storm clouds and a massive thunder storm was unleashed on them. The headmaster was most apoligetic, became a bootlicker very quickly..
I think they learnt a very valuable lesson.. “Never mess with a Dinosaur, or you are likely to end up with a dog meat arse.”

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

March 8, 2013
10:11 pm
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black_mamba
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Boleyn said

Bill1978 said

I must confess that I haven’t actually read anything since last year. Long story short, my school reshuffled their timetable for 2013 and removed the 20 minutes a day of reading. A beautiful 20 minutes of escape everyday for me, a place where I didn’t have to be working, or marking, or reporting or even disciplining children. I just find when I get home I’m just not focussed enough for a book, even though I want to. I feel so bad I’m not reading every ay. So bad, that I think I am losing knowledge because I’m not reading.

I hope the school, inplimented the changes to the timetable at the beggining of the term? Because if they didn’t, they have broken the law. Dinosaur pulled up our local academy on that one, and they basically told him to get stuffed. So we put the fear of christ .. I mean crouch up them. Funny thing is they backed down after a few very blue storm clouds and a massive thunder storm was unleashed on them. The headmaster was most apoligetic, became a bootlicker very quickly..
I think they learnt a very valuable lesson.. “Never mess with a Dinosaur, or you are likely to end up with a dog meat arse.”

LOL Boleyn! Laugh

I need to get to reading my books! I’ve been slacking…watching X-Files episodes on my Kindle….Smile
I have an Amazon Prime membership that lets me watch all kinds of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. My husband steals my Kindle at night to watch stupid cr…..stuff. Sometimes I wonder if he hasn’t lost brain cells watching that stuff…

At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus

March 9, 2013
12:19 am
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Boleyn
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black_mamba said

Boleyn said

Bill1978 said

I must confess that I haven’t actually read anything since last year. Long story short, my school reshuffled their timetable for 2013 and removed the 20 minutes a day of reading. A beautiful 20 minutes of escape everyday for me, a place where I didn’t have to be working, or marking, or reporting or even disciplining children. I just find when I get home I’m just not focussed enough for a book, even though I want to. I feel so bad I’m not reading every ay. So bad, that I think I am losing knowledge because I’m not reading.

I hope the school, inplimented the changes to the timetable at the beggining of the term? Because if they didn’t, they have broken the law. Dinosaur pulled up our local academy on that one, and they basically told him to get stuffed. So we put the fear of christ .. I mean crouch up them. Funny thing is they backed down after a few very blue storm clouds and a massive thunder storm was unleashed on them. The headmaster was most apoligetic, became a bootlicker very quickly..
I think they learnt a very valuable lesson.. “Never mess with a Dinosaur, or you are likely to end up with a dog meat arse.”

LOL Boleyn! Laugh

I need to get to reading my books! I’ve been slacking…watching X-Files episodes on my Kindle….Smile
I have an Amazon Prime membership that lets me watch all kinds of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. My husband steals my Kindle at night to watch stupid cr…..stuff. Sometimes I wonder if he hasn’t lost brain cells watching that stuff…

Brain cells? What are they? My brain fell out years ago last time I saw it is was quivering behind the sofa….
I’ve thought about getting a kindle, but you can’t dry them out like you can a book if they get dropped in the bath.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

March 10, 2013
11:06 am
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Bill1978
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I hope the school, inplimented the changes to the timetable at the beggining of the term? Because if they didn’t, they have broken the law.

I don’t think we have that law in Australia boleyn. But even if we did, it was changed at the end of last year, cause apparently the program wasn’t working. Even though my group of students were doing the right thing causse I took the time to ‘train’ them and reinforced my expectations.

I just find that I don’t have time outside of work to read. If I’m not doing work related stuff at home, I’m madly keeping the house in functioning order and after all that I lack the energy to concentrate on reading. I’ve tried, believe me but when you are reading the same sentence for the 10th time, it’s a sign you are too tired. And I want to read so I can find the motivation to write at least one of my plays/musicals even if its never performed.

March 11, 2013
7:03 pm
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KellyMarie
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Ok so I haven’t been reading at all for the last couple of weeks. I was really bored one day when i was off work and started watching an old episode of The Bill. I got really into this storyline theywre showing on the tv so had to go on youtube to find the rest of the episodes since I couldn’t remember what happened when I first watched them as a teenager lol….i lead a dull life.

Anyway back to reading I think….choices choices. Think I might give Elizabeth’s Women a try.

Woohoo I'm normal...gotta go tell the cat!

March 17, 2013
10:40 pm
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DuchessofBrittany
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I too Sharon’s advice and read Elizabeth Chadwick’s A Place Beyond Courage. I loved it! It provided an interesting characterisation of John Marshal, a man I’ve not always seen in a positive light. But, Chadwick presented a man, caught in the middle and needed to survive. I am not moving onto another Chadwick novel The Falcons of Montabard.

"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn

March 18, 2013
5:24 pm
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Sharon
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Duchess, I’m so happy you read it and liked it.
I am re-reading The Sunne In Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. Love her writing, too. After that I have to read Wildish, by Robert Parry.

March 27, 2013
12:18 pm
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Louise
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I’ve recently read Catherine Fletcher’s book on Henry’s divorce from the Vatican’s perspective, which was excellent. I’m currently reading ‘The Secret Rooms’ by Catherine Bailey, which is also very good. It’s a factual account of the life of the 9th Duke of Rutland pieced together from the letters and manuscripts he spent the latter part of his life collating. I know I’ve made it sound awful, but it’s really fascinating.

March 27, 2013
2:10 pm
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DuchessofBrittany
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I finished the Falcons of Montabard; another excellent book by Elizabeth Chadwick. I am now reading Lucy Worsley’s Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court.

"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn

March 27, 2013
2:54 pm
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LadyPrincess
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DuchessofBrittany said

I finished the Falcons of Montabard; another excellent book by Elizabeth Chadwick. I am now reading Lucy Worsley’s Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court.

I just finished watching Lucy Worsley’s documentary on Youtube entitled: “Harlots, Housewives and Heroines”. That chronicles the Reformation era. Has anyone seen it? It’s excellent! You can tell that Worsley has a passion for History. And she really makes learning fun!

“How haps it, Governor, yesterday my Lady Princess, and today but my Lady Elizabeth?"- Elizabeth I

March 27, 2013
5:47 pm
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Boleyn
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My brain has been in sore need of some new reading matter for a few weeks, plus I’ve been busy with a new writing project too. Anyway I’ve just started to read The Queen’s Promise by Lyn Andrews, I can’t make an in depth comment on it yet but, it is a case of so far o good at the moment.. I’ve also got Philipa Gregory’s book The Kingmakers Daughter, no harm in giving it whirl, and if it’s crap it will be whirled right around my head and into oblivion in the Chipmunk cage, they will soon make use of it..

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

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