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SemperEadem |
your knowledge
 tudorcrazy |
your knowledge
Jul 4 2008, 12:26 AM EDT I have been following your threads on the wiki, and find you very informed. I assume you are a grad student. I am only obsessed with a topic, but The Tudors series has opened a new world for me. I find that after reading all the standards, and almost all the books suggested by all. I am brought to a new subject, one I know nothing at all about. I am a huge fan of Susan Howatch, a best selling author with many fine books to her credit. However, my Favorite writing of hers is a novel called "The Wheel of Fortune," which is a family saga set in the 18th and 19th century. It is full of celtic philosophy, and At the end, Ms. Howatch says she was inspired by John of Gaunt, and that this work is attributed to his story. I have read this book maybe 8 times. As if out of the blue, I realized that I knew nothing of John of Gaunt, and that perhaps this is the direction my reading should take. I bought several books on Amazon, and have now submerged myself in the war of the Roses, and what a horrific time that was for all. I am presently starting Kendell's renowned biography of Richard lll. Do you find this direction worthwhile? are you also interested in it? I am asking you, as you have contributed much to the discusion. Thanks Do you find this valuable? |
 SemperEadem |
RE: your knowledge
Jul 5 2008, 10:48 PM EDT I believe Kendall's book is a good place to begin in biography of Richard III. Of course, along the way you are going to find yourself torn between two camps: those who believe whole-heartedly in Richard III's innocence and those who believe he was a cold-blooded, deformed killer, and Kendall's book fits in the pro-Ricardian camp. Some may not agree with me, but I've always believed it is good to read Shakespeare's "RIchard III", too. Granted, it is a hard piece of ridiculous propaganda, but you are not going to get more badly biased than that. It will also give you an idea of what common people believed about Richard III only one-hundred years after his death. If you want to avoid the late 16th/early 17th century prose, go for an edition that has the modern translation on the corresponding page. Additionally, I would suggest Allison Weir's "The Princes in the Tower" as another book to read. Granted, she is more of a popular writer, but she is not in the pro-Ricardian camp, and she is a modern writer. Please don't think I am suggesting to you (by suggesting Shakespeare and Weir to you) that I am anti-Ricardian; I just believe it is good to get everyone's ideas. Start with Kendall, read Weir, and then tackle Shakespeare. That way, you have two different opinions, and then you have something 100 years close to the time period. I don't agree with Shakespeare's interpretation, but it will give you an idea of what the Tudor monarchs wanted you to believe, and what most of the public then did believe. Do you find this valuable? |
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tudorcrazy |
RE: your knowledge
Jul 6 2008, 8:56 PM EDT thank you so much. That's exactly the order of the books I will read. I know this sounds incredible, But I have never read Shakespeare except Romeo and Juliet (my daughter is named Juliet!) Although i am ashamed of such an admission, in a way it gives me an unbiased, and mature outlook when I start. Of course I bought the Norton anthology, which is so overwhelming, but I thought that it would be the proper Shakespeare for my Tudor Library. I think I mentioned I am building a library. I have the room, just not the furniture and bookcases. However, I have invested in quite a number of Tudor selections, and I thank the wiki members, you in particular, in helping to guide my reading. Thank you for all your suggestions. Presently, I am reading Katherine by Anya Seton, and am enjoying it, although I find I am a bit depressed by these stories/ I have to garden, and do other things to bring me back into this world. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for JRM, and Natalie Dormer to do this for months. Do you know if they did a lot of historical research to prepare for these roles? Do you find this valuable? |
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tudorcrazy |
RE: your knowledge
Aug 13 2008, 10:54 AM EDT Semper, This a.m. I am going through google looking for info about Susan Howatch, and up pops your name! OMG, I've been telling Everyone on the wiki my love for Susan Howatch, and you never even said you knew her writing. See last post. I am DEVOTED to her and have read and reread everything she has written throughout my life since the 70's. I just read The Heartbreaker, last week, and 'Wheel of Fortune' the week before, as the historical significance of the characters was lost on me until the Tudors. Please write me and tell me about your experience with her writing. Is WOF your favorite book, as it is mine? It holds a significance to me that is part of this reincarnation thing. Also, my obsession with Wales. However, the Rich are Different, and Sins are in the running. I started reading Cashelmara last night, again. When I read WoF 2 weeks ago I could only get through John, as it beat me to my knees. I had to stop, as I had such a profound sense of grief. I told you I was back tracking to the war of the roses, because WOF is based on John of Gaunt, and Katherine Swynford. Had a rough go, but am soldering on. I have been looking for a discussion group or wiki about her, and although I joined this Yahoo thing, it's not nearly as good as our wiki here.The discussions are not lively, and there is no moderator. I can't find out much about her except what we already know, and I have been trying to write her for years. This is HUGE to me. Maybe I should go back and redo my profile again Jan Do you find this valuable? |
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tudorcrazy |
RE: your knowledge
Aug 13 2008, 10:56 AM EDT Although I have looked at your profile I still don't know if your are a grad student, or/ historian. I would love to know more about you. Do you find this valuable? |
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tudorcrazy |
RE: your knowledge
Aug 13 2008, 11:05 AM EDT OK, I t5hink your a grad student. Would you tell me where your are studying and if your getting a masters or PHD? I am amazing anyone could have so many interests so close to mine. Would it be rude to ask your age? You know quite a bit about me, and I am fascinated as to your extended knowledge and education if your a young person. (Being an old person)! I love to read your messages. Took the Tudor fan Quiz today, and messed up on 2 question, the about Lady Bryan, and the one about the oath of supremacy. Mad at myself but it's only a little thing. Do you find this valuable? |
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SemperEadem |
RE: your knowledge
Thursday, 10:32 AM EDT Hmm, that is odd as I do not personally know Susan Howatch. You said my name popped up? Are you sure you do not have me confused for someone else on here, because I never list my full name on the internet (too dangerous!). Maybe it was someone else? I have conversed with some Tudor authors, but most of these are historians located at various universities in the US and Britain. I do LOVE Wales, however, and will hopefully be at there in a few years to work on a research project there. But for now I am at my university in the US. I didn't know you were fascinated by Wales! I have a very deep passion for that land, and am probably the only American in a 100 mile radius who is working on learning Welsh! Please forgive me for not being able to tell you my exact university. I'm always very careful to keep the details of my life mum on the internet, as you never know who might read these posts! However, I can tell you that I am a young grad student, and that I am working towards a doctorate degree in history. But I'm always more than happy to discuss my passions about Tudors history or Wales with you, as you know! Do you find this valuable? |
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tudorcrazy |
RE: your knowledge
Monday, 6:47 PM EDT Your proper name did not come up but semper eadem did. However it was in conjunction to Susan Howatche's novels. How very strange. I m ust retrace my steps, but I erase all my history and searches everyday hoping to get more memory out of my computer. You're right about the internet, and I have been nervous about my profile on the wiki for some time, as I told a great deal about myself. I thin I might delete it all now, as most of the peeps on the Tudors know me. Anyway, if you are obsessed with Wales, do read Wheel of Fortune, as you will love it. I feel I know enough about your reading tastes to recommend it with confidence.It is fashioned after the love of John of Gaunt, and Katherine swynford, but so much better. You might find her helpful in your thesis. Ms Howatch hold a million dollar chair at Cambridge is an author and lawyer. Lately she has become a theologian who is a born again anglo catholic. Her "church series" is very famous, and compelling, but I don't recommend it as your first read. Do you find this valuable? |
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SemperEadem |
RE: your knowledge
Yesterday, 2:00 PM EDT Thanks so much for the recommendation! I've been gobbling up reading material on Wales for the past year now, and new recommendations are always welcome. :-) I did not mean to cause you worry about your profile. I've just known instances where people have let too much information out and they have regretted it. Usually that involves people giving out their name, phone number, state, work location, etc. I consider it no problem to list interests, age, the fact of having a husband/wife, children, or grandchildren. Many people have those characteristics! :-D Do you find this valuable? |
