Quicksilver of Devil’s Spit

Call her Elizabeth. Call off the jousts.

canceljoust
source: BBC

A shadow is cast over the land and over Henry as he proclaims that no celebration will be necessary for his newborn girl child. In addition to this disappointment, Thomas More has refused to budge an inch to acknowledge the King’s marriage as legal and his offspring as rightful heirs. More has resigned as Chancellor, handed over the Seal, so why is what he thinks still important? Because, as Cromwell is ready to tell us, More’s opinion is adding fuel to the fire of opinion against Henry throughout the realm and Europe. No one likes what the King has done in declaring himself the head of the church
in England. No one wants England to separate from Rome. More is just one man who is vocal and adamant. When discontent is already widespread, a kingdom only needs one vocal man to foment a rebellion. And a country girl nun who sees visions (albeit with dubious timelines) and who also won’t budge an inch.

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Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 4: The Devil’s Spit

"I keep you because you're a serpent. Don't be a viper in my bosom." 
-Henry VIII
source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

Have I told you that I’ve been reading Wolf Hall for a second time in parallel? It’s been great fun, and this is really some overdose that would never kill you, but instead nourish you 🙂 And, every time I see a new episode, I am just fascinated by Peter Straughan’s adaptation: The script is wonderfully condensed with most of the conversation coming directly from Hilary Mantel’s pen. What a feeling it is to hear some of the BEST lines I have ever read coming out of Mark Rylance or Damian Lewis’ mouth. Pure brilliance.

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All about the Queen(s)

As Henry VIII was such a notoriously much married monarch, some of the talk about him, his politics, and his reign must focus on his Queen.

Archery2
source: BBC

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Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 3: Anna Regina

"Everything you are, everything you have will come from me."
-Henry VIII
source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

“Anna Regina” is an episode in which happiness peaks for the main trio. Look at Henry’s expression in the pic above — a mix of cheer, pride and hope. And, it’s not just Henry, but Anne and Thomas also get what they have been longing for quite some time in “Anna Regina.” This episode is about HOPE. It’s about “Yes, we can!”  Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 3: Anna Regina”

Wolf Hall 2: Translator of Prophesies

As the episode Entirely Beloved starts, we learn that Cromwell’s beloved Cardinal Wolsey is more ostracized than ever, urged by the King to go further north, further away from the political center of the country. And we see Cromwell holding fast to his mission of getting the Cardinal back in favor with the King.

Meanwhile, Wolsey is destitute, flagellating himself on the advice of monks who visit and likely believe that the suffering he is going thru is the result of a sin that must be expiated with even more suffering. A cat gives birth to a litter of black kittens under Wolsey’s bed. Cromwell promptly translates the dark omen into something optimistic. He doesn’t want the Cardinal to give up hope.

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