tudorcrazy

I am a 56 yr old women from Philadelphia. I have always loved history and have a fascination for the Tudor era and most particularly Q Elizabeth I and Mary Q of Scots. I developed this interest over time, and have read the standards, Margaret George, Antonia Frazier and I love Phillipa Gregory. I studied Philosophy at college, but regret not taking my degree in History. However, I didn't take history as I found the reading overwhelming. Now I am riveted at the longest dense books, and love to read about Scotland. I long to visit Scotland someday, and realize that it would have held no meaning for me as a younger person. If I make it to 63, I would love to audit a BA at one of the local universities, and study British and European history.

I have 3 daughters, my youngest are identical twins who are now 18. They know about my obsession with history, the queens, and Jane Austin, and tease me constantly. I've made them watch Pride and Prejudice 20 times every version, and I laughed when my oldest daughter got her first teaching assignment as a 10th grade English teacher was Pride and Prejudice.
She felt the girls were too young to read it, and she was right. They were clueless, and never understood the importance of the book. In sympathy I reread it and saw the importance of one's age and station in life one brings to reading. When I read it as a girl I was Elizabeth Bennett, as a young woman, I enjoyed the story in general, and as a 56 yr old mother I railed at the injustice of society against women in general. Now I see myself as Mrs. Bennett, trying to make good matches for my daughters, but making sure that they can support themselves without a man as the principle option in their life.
Several years ago our house burned down, and I had the opportunity to rebuild my home. By this time, my obsession with the Tudors was at it's height, and I did my entire bathroom around that theme. I had ceramic tile portraits of Mary and Eliz I, on the walls, and the water closet area hung with portraits as well. I call it the Queen's bathroom!
I was a graduate gemologist in my professional life, and have always loved jewelry. I regret not studying more about jewels in history, and would like to start exploring Tudor period pieces. I long to own a Tudor style dress from the series The Tudors, but I don't know how I could get a copy. Where I would wear it I have no idea, but if anyone has any suggestions of
how to buy reproductions of some of the women's costumes please contact me. I will try to post my inquiry through the sight somehow.
How can one go about writing to the actors from the Tudors?
I would love to know who much research they each did of their characters, and if while portraying these people if they almost became them emotionally. Did they relate to their plights? Please contact me if anyone could be of help.
to be continued...