Yours Royally, Amanda, Anne & Meghan
May 19, 2018
Dear Jane,
As a self-proclaimed anglophile, I would be remiss if I did not write about two very important English historic events which occurred/is occurring on this date. The first event dates back quite a few years (four-hundred and eighty-two, to be exact) and the other is happening presently, as I write! But we shall go in order by year.
"It is however...my Duty to declare that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused..."
Miss Austen will, of course, recognize the above quote as being one of her own, but pray, permit me to enlighten my gentle readers. The above quote is from Miss Austen's, The History of England, a delightful parody of Oliver Goldsmith's book of the same title, written when the authoress was around the age of fifteen. It refers to Queen Anne Boleyn and her unfair trial and treatment by King Henry VIII. Jane was a firm believer, as am I, in Anne's innocence and today happens to be the 482nd anniversary of her death. I shall provided a more complete form of the quotation:
"Among these may be ranked ...the reformation in Religion, & the King's riding through the streets of London with Anna Bullen. It is however but Justice, & my Duty to declare 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, not to mention her solemn protestations of Innocence, the weakness of the Charges against her, & the King's Character; all of which add some confirmation, tho' perhaps but slight ones when in comparison with those before alledged in her favour.... The Crimes & Cruelties of this Prince, were too numerous to be mentioned..."
Presently, I am reading a most captivating book on the ill-fated Queen (The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England's Most Notorious Queen by Susan Bordo) and it explores just how Anne Boleyn came to be the cultural phenomenon that she is today. In my humble opinion, the following quote perfectly captures the driving truth behind the lasting legend, myth and popularity of Queen Anne: "In cutting her life so short and then ruthlessly disposing of the body of evidence of her 'real' existence, Henry made it possible for her to live a hundred different lives, forever." Well said, Ms. Bordo.
Now, as many of you well know, today also marks a rather more happy and widely-recognized occasion, and that is of course, the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales to Ms. Rachel Meghan Markle. Happily, Prince Henry (known to the masses as Prince Harry) is reportedly nothing like King Henry VII.
In truth, many commoners in America (such as myself) have been awaiting this momentous Royal occasion since November of the Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and seventeen, so it is quite a relief that the day has finally arrived. I daresay the whole affair has been something of a "media circus," but I do hope that it is smooth sailing for the Royal couple from here on out as they begin this next chapter of their lives together. Cheers!
Speaking of England, I will be journeying there later this summer with my dear sister, Rachael! (We do wish our sister Regina could join, but she has a child now and what not.) We intend on spending a few days in London (where perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the newlyweds?) and then will travel north to the city of York. I am all anticipation when I think of our upcoming holiday!
Now before I leave off, I feel it my duty to share an Austentatiously Royal Wedding fact with you and all of my gentle readers:
It was two days ago announced by Kensington Palace that Prince Harry's father, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, will be walking Ms. Markle down the aisle once she reaches the Quire of St. George's Chapel (*googles Quire*). Now it just so happens, Jane, that Prince Charles walked another Noble Bride down the aisle in recent years. In the Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and sixteen, Prince Charles walked Lady Alexandra Knatchbull down the aisle at her wedding when her own father was unable to do so. Does the last name of Knatchbull sound familiar, Jane? Why of course it does! She is your great-great-great-great-great-great niece (possibly? I look to The Austenblog for the number of "greats" to add) descended from none-other than your beloved Fanny Knight, daughter of your dear brother Edward. Ah, the joys of British ancestry!
It cannot be denied that much has happened between 19 May 1536 and 19 May 2018, so as we celebrate the nuptials of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, may we also remember the trials and tribulations of poor Queen Anne Boleyn!
Yours Faithfully (and Royally),
Amanda, Anne & Meghan
P.S. Before I googled "Quire," I said the word aloud and had a 'Eureka!' moment. Yes, Jane, it is indeed another spelling of 'choir' and is pronounced in exactly the same way. In my defense, it is not only an archaic spelling of the word, but also the physical area in a church or cathedral where the choir is seated. I can only surmise that it's an old-timey British thing and not my fault that its meaning was not immediately known to me. At least, this is what I tell myself so that I don't feel like a simpleton. *Sigh* Excuse me whilst I have another cup of coffee, Jane.
Dear Jane,
As a self-proclaimed anglophile, I would be remiss if I did not write about two very important English historic events which occurred/is occurring on this date. The first event dates back quite a few years (four-hundred and eighty-two, to be exact) and the other is happening presently, as I write! But we shall go in order by year.
"It is however...my Duty to declare that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused..."
Miss Austen will, of course, recognize the above quote as being one of her own, but pray, permit me to enlighten my gentle readers. The above quote is from Miss Austen's, The History of England, a delightful parody of Oliver Goldsmith's book of the same title, written when the authoress was around the age of fifteen. It refers to Queen Anne Boleyn and her unfair trial and treatment by King Henry VIII. Jane was a firm believer, as am I, in Anne's innocence and today happens to be the 482nd anniversary of her death. I shall provided a more complete form of the quotation:
 |
| https://www.npg.org.uk/collections /search/portrait/mw00142/Anne-Boleyn |
Presently, I am reading a most captivating book on the ill-fated Queen (The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England's Most Notorious Queen by Susan Bordo) and it explores just how Anne Boleyn came to be the cultural phenomenon that she is today. In my humble opinion, the following quote perfectly captures the driving truth behind the lasting legend, myth and popularity of Queen Anne: "In cutting her life so short and then ruthlessly disposing of the body of evidence of her 'real' existence, Henry made it possible for her to live a hundred different lives, forever." Well said, Ms. Bordo.
Now, as many of you well know, today also marks a rather more happy and widely-recognized occasion, and that is of course, the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales to Ms. Rachel Meghan Markle. Happily, Prince Henry (known to the masses as Prince Harry) is reportedly nothing like King Henry VII.
 |
| https://www.hellomagazine.com |
Speaking of England, I will be journeying there later this summer with my dear sister, Rachael! (We do wish our sister Regina could join, but she has a child now and what not.) We intend on spending a few days in London (where perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the newlyweds?) and then will travel north to the city of York. I am all anticipation when I think of our upcoming holiday!
Now before I leave off, I feel it my duty to share an Austentatiously Royal Wedding fact with you and all of my gentle readers:
It was two days ago announced by Kensington Palace that Prince Harry's father, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, will be walking Ms. Markle down the aisle once she reaches the Quire of St. George's Chapel (*googles Quire*). Now it just so happens, Jane, that Prince Charles walked another Noble Bride down the aisle in recent years. In the Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and sixteen, Prince Charles walked Lady Alexandra Knatchbull down the aisle at her wedding when her own father was unable to do so. Does the last name of Knatchbull sound familiar, Jane? Why of course it does! She is your great-great-great-great-great-great niece (possibly? I look to The Austenblog for the number of "greats" to add) descended from none-other than your beloved Fanny Knight, daughter of your dear brother Edward. Ah, the joys of British ancestry!
It cannot be denied that much has happened between 19 May 1536 and 19 May 2018, so as we celebrate the nuptials of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, may we also remember the trials and tribulations of poor Queen Anne Boleyn!
Yours Faithfully (and Royally),
Amanda, Anne & Meghan
P.S. Before I googled "Quire," I said the word aloud and had a 'Eureka!' moment. Yes, Jane, it is indeed another spelling of 'choir' and is pronounced in exactly the same way. In my defense, it is not only an archaic spelling of the word, but also the physical area in a church or cathedral where the choir is seated. I can only surmise that it's an old-timey British thing and not my fault that its meaning was not immediately known to me. At least, this is what I tell myself so that I don't feel like a simpleton. *Sigh* Excuse me whilst I have another cup of coffee, Jane.
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