In an age of contouring, baking, brows and plumped lips, it is difficult to imagine that societies throughout history have been as beauty obsessed as we are today. Certainly, what constituted ‘beauty’ has been redefined almost continually throughout history, but, nevertheless, ideals and expectations have governed the ways in which women especially have felt about…
Best known for her classic crime novels, one of Agatha Christie’s greatest mysteries was not a work of fiction but was rather a real-life enigma which cast Christie herself as the leading lady. On Friday 3rd December 1926, just after 9:30pm, Christie checked to see if her seven-year-old daughter Rosalind was sleeping soundly before making her way…
When most people think about history, they tend to immediately think of the great ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and Near East or even of later happenings in Europe like the Renaissance. That’s great! Those are all fun and exciting (and some of my favorite people/places) but let’s not forget about some of the great…
When you think of women in the Middle Ages/early Renaissance, you probably imagine fair maidens, wives, mothers, nuns and possibly widows. Some people know about a special group of women religious called anchorites, who were literally walled off from the world to pray and devote themselves to God. But very few people have ever heard…
On this day in history one of the worlds most iconic screen goddess’s, Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011), marries for the first time. For the regular folk this is no big deal, but for Elizabeth it would be the start of two lifelong love affairs; one with marriage, the other jewelry….
During my sister’s pregnancies, I came to realise that I was being very annoying; repeatedly saying to them “just be thankful it’s the 21st Century” – not taking into account that for anyone who hasn’t been reading the records I have, this is not exactly a self explanatory statement. I think my sisters took it to mean…
I love a man who’s passionate about principles. From the perspective of a romance novelist, they make the best heroes and it’s Victorian philanthropist Lord Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftsbury who’s the inspiration for the passionate reformist MP hero of my latest Choc Lit release ‘The Maid of Milan’. Lord Anthony Ashley-Cooper. Source: en.wikipedia.org Not only…
The conclusion of Part I introduced Elizabeth Foster into the fold of Georgiana’s already turbulent life. ‘Bess’ Foster quickly became Georgiana’s best friend, making her way into the Duchess’ heart. She also quickly became close to the Duke, making her way into his bed. Georgiana, desperate for companionship, failed to see Bess for what she was –…
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire between 1774 – 1806, is one of history’s most complicated and fascinating characters. Beautiful, intelligent and charismatic, she quickly became the 18th century equivalent of today’s ‘It Girl.’ Despite her widespread popularity with the general public, Georgiana’s private life was a disaster. Drinking, drugs and gambling, illicit love affairs, and a…
In The White Queen TV series, Margaret Beaufort is an overly religious zealot who hates her mother, loves Jasper Tudor, and was obsessed with her son. The real Margaret Beaufort was close to her mother, happiest with Stafford, and there’s no evidence she loved Jasper Tudor. Nonetheless, Margaret was a remarkable woman – indomitable, shrewd, and strategic….