#Pauline Croft

[maximumphilosopheranchor]

There have been attempts, at the time and more recently, to argue that the outcome [of the Armada campaign] was just due to luck, or weather, or more in the nature of a draw, since Spain rebuilt a substantial navy in the early 1590s. Those arguments are unconvincing. The campaign of summer 1588 was an outstanding English victory. It was hard fought, and by the end, the English were almost out of ammunition. However, Drake’s fireships were a brilliant tactical device and Gravelines must count as one of the greatest English naval actions. It is clear from the profusion of pamphlets across Europe that everyone accepted Spain had been resoundingly defeated. Philip II never again considered an invasion of England by combined sea and land forces: the best his rebuilt navy could do was to raid Cornwall. The outcome of 1588 was a European turning point. England’s successful resistance showed that Spain was not invincible, encouraging Protestants in the Netherlands and France to continue their struggle. The Dutch threw off Spanish rule and Henri of Navarre became king of France, bringing religious peace and economic recovery. The young James VI of Scotland, bound to England by the treaty of Berwick in 1586 but alienated by the execution of his mother Mary Queen of Scots in 1587, shrewdly seized the Armada moment to emphasize his claim as Elizabeth’s heir. He wrote at the height of the crisis of summer 1588, assuring her of his support “as your natural son and compatriot of your country”.

Pauline Croft

[girly-media-studio]

Iconic Video Game Females

[sunlightbash]

Bash on Miu Miu's Tiktok

[a-book-of-creatures]

Cover for William Croft Dickinson’s Borrobil (knight charging up the hill on the back cover). Art by Pauline Baynes, who you may know as “the Narnia artist”.

[james-vi-stan-blog]

Do you have any good biography recs on James vi&i?

With an ask like this I feel the pressure… I'm not a historian, not a history major, purely a dude who just really likes James, so I feel nervous about steering you wrong! But…

AFAIK King James by Pauline Croft is still probably "the best one", as in the most thorough, carefully weighed, and even-handed. However, it's more academically than pop oriented, could be more expensive to get, and maybe you don't wanna get that deep into the weeds?

I actually haven't gotten my hands on The Wisest Fool: The Lavish Life of James VI and I by Steven Veerapen yet, but it's from 2023 and it's been praised by people I trust. So even though I haven't read it I think this might be the one to go for.

If you have little time, none money, and your library sucks, I thought this overview on the Tudor Times website was pretty good.

They're not exactly biographies (they focus in on more specific concerns), but I also really liked King James and the History of Homosexuality by Michael B. Young and After Elizabeth by Leanda de Lisle.

[lizziestudieshistory]

Continuing my unhinged reading life from this year - these are all the books I've bought between 1st January to 5th February... I need to sort out my priorities here because I've been TRYING to reduce my physical tbr! The books are:

The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunett

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

Imperium by Robert Harris

The Origins of the English Civil War ed. by Conrad Russell

King James by Pauline Croft (I didn't actually buy this one it was a gift!)

A Court of Thorns and Roses box set by Sarah J. Maas

Lud-In-The-Mist by Hope Mirrlees

The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake

Palaces of Revolution by Simon Thurley

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Finance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading

Ayes: 215 (98.6% Con, 0.9% Ind, 0.5% DUP) Noes: 19 (94.7% SNP, 5.3% PC) Absent: ~416

Likely Referenced Bill: Finance (No. 2) Act 2010

Description: A Bill to grant certain duties, to alter other duties, and to amend the law relating to the National Debt and the Public Revenue, and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Unassigned Bill Stage: Royal Assent

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (211 votes)

Aaron Bell Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alec Shelbrooke Alex Burghart Alex Chalk Alicia Kearns Alok Sharma Amanda Milling Andrew Griffith Andrew Jones Andrew Lewer Andrew Murrison Andrew Percy Andrew Selous Andy Carter Angela Richardson Anna Firth Anne Marie Morris Anne-Marie Trevelyan Anthony Browne Antony Higginbotham Ben Everitt Ben Spencer Ben Wallace Bernard Jenkin Bill Wiggin Bim Afolami Bob Blackman Bob Seely Brandon Lewis Caroline Ansell Caroline Nokes Charles Walker Cherilyn Mackrory Chris Clarkson Chris Grayling Chris Green Chris Philp Conor Burns Craig Tracey Craig Williams Damian Hinds Daniel Kawczynski Danny Kruger David Davis David Duguid David Jones David Rutley David Simmonds Dean Russell Dehenna Davison Derek Thomas Desmond Swayne Duncan Baker Edward Argar Edward Leigh Elizabeth Truss Elliot Colburn Esther McVey Felicity Buchan Fiona Bruce Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gareth Johnson Gary Sambrook Gavin Williamson Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Gillian Keegan Graham Brady Graham Stuart Greg Hands Greg Smith Guy Opperman Harriett Baldwin Heather Wheeler Helen Whately Holly Mumby-Croft Huw Merriman Iain Duncan Smith Iain Stewart Jack Brereton Jack Lopresti Jackie Doyle-Price Jacob Rees-Mogg Jacob Young James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Davies James Duddridge James Sunderland James Wild Jane Hunt Jane Stevenson Jeremy Quin Jerome Mayhew Jo Churchill John Glen John Howell John Lamont Jonathan Djanogly Jonathan Gullis Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Julian Smith Julian Sturdy Justin Tomlinson Katherine Fletcher Kelly Tolhurst Kemi Badenoch Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Laura Farris Laura Trott Lee Rowley Leo Docherty Lia Nici Liam Fox Lisa Cameron Louie French Lucy Frazer Luke Hall Marcus Jones Mark Fletcher Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Logan Martin Vickers Matt Hancock Matt Warman Matthew Offord Mel Stride Michael Ellis Michael Fabricant Michael Gove Michael Tomlinson Mike Freer Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil O'Brien Nick Fletcher Nick Gibb Nicola Richards Nigel Huddleston Paul Beresford Paul Holmes Paul Howell Pauline Latham Penny Mordaunt Peter Aldous Peter Bottomley Philip Dunne Philip Hollobone Priti Patel Ranil Jayawardena Rebecca Harris Rebecca Pow Rehman Chishti Richard Bacon Richard Drax Richard Fuller Rob Butler Robbie Moore Robert Buckland Robert Courts Robert Goodwill Robert Halfon Robert Largan Robert Syms Robin Millar Robin Walker Royston Smith Sajid Javid Sally-Ann Hart Saqib Bhatti Sara Britcliffe Sarah Dines Scott Mann Selaine Saxby Shailesh Vara Sheryll Murray Simon Baynes Simon Clarke Simon Fell Simon Hart Simon Hoare Simon Jupp Stephen Metcalfe Steve Baker Steve Brine Steve Tuckwell Stuart Andrew Suzanne Webb Theo Clarke Theresa May Theresa Villiers Thérèse Coffey Tobias Ellwood Tom Hunt Tom Pursglove Tom Randall Tom Tugendhat Tracey Crouch Vicky Ford Victoria Atkins Victoria Prentis Wendy Morton Will Quince William Cash

Independent (2 votes)

Mark Menzies William Wragg

Democratic Unionist Party (1 vote)

Jim Shannon

Noes

Scottish National Party (18 votes)

Allan Dorans Amy Callaghan Angela Crawley Anne McLaughlin Brendan O'Hara Chris Law Chris Stephens David Linden Deidre Brock Joanna Cherry John Nicolson Kirsty Blackman Marion Fellows Owen Thompson Peter Grant Philippa Whitford Richard Thomson Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Plaid Cymru (1 vote)

Hywel Williams

[katlimeart]

Made in 2016, 2017 + 2018

If you’ve seen this anywhere else, I posted it back on my deviantArt when it was made.

Mario girls cosplaying as various girls

1. Undyne (Undertale) - requested by sonicpal

2. Lara Croft - Gym Outfit (Tomb Raider) - requested by alvarobmk123

3. Alice Elliot (Shadow Hearts) - requested by yuiharunashinozaki

4. Carmen Sandiego - requested by ladytrisha08

5. Shioiri Kanzaki (Kirisame ga furu mori/Forest of the Drizzling Rain) - requested by yuiharunashinozaki

6. Yomika (Yume Graffiti) - requested by yuiharunashinozaki

7. Zola (Blue Dragon) - requested by yurifan17

8. Goddess Arlia (Dragon Spirit) - requested by roseprincessmitia

9. Niralda (Etrian Odyssey Dungeon) - requested by yurifan17

10. Morrigan (Dalkstalkers) - requested by supersonicman9003

[maximumphilosopheranchor]

In August 1589 Cecil married Elizabeth Brooke (1562-1597), daughter of the tenth Lord Cobham. Six months older than Cecil, with a sister already a widow, she was a veteran of the privy chamber, serving her godmother the queen, and well beyond the usual age of first marriage for aristocratic girls. Nevertheless it seems to have been a love match, with Cecil taking the initiative. The ailing Lady Burghley was glad to know of their engagement before she died in April. (..) Cecil’s happy marriage to Elizabeth Brooke produced a son, William Cecil, in 1591 and a daughter, Frances, 1593. In January 1597, pregnant with her third child, Lady Cecil miscarried and died. Often at court after her wedding, she had remained a favourite of the queen, and her supportive influence probably contributed more to her husband’s early career than can now be traced. She undoubtedly reinforced Cecil’s position in the innermost circle of the regime. Elizabeth insisted on having her goddaughter buried at Westminster Abbey with the rank of a baroness. Cecil composed a moving epitaph for her simple tomb in the chapel dominated by the vast monument that Burghley had erected to his wife and elder daughter. Cecil was debilitated with grief, and although his name was to be linked with other women he resisted all future blandishments to remarry.

Croft, Pauline. 2008 “Cecil, Robert, first earl of Salisbury (1563–1612), politician and courtier.” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 

[rockandrollfool]

Stay Beautiful

When one considers representation and inclusion within the arts then it seems there is a huge omission in relation to people with a learning disability. Goddard (2014) argues that people have very little or indeed no say in the in the development of the inclusion agenda when considering the professional arts from a UK perspective. The lack of any real and meaningful engagement with the arts would undermine any notion of being taken seriously as a starting point. The field is highly competitive and success is often based on existing relationships. Menger (2006) asserts that any work or opportunity is generally 'piecemeal' this then links to reputation or standing within the immediate community or group. Accordingly this then serves to magnify the power of differences in talent and work opportunity to increase inequality.

When considering people with a learning disability as a "professional artist" then one could argue that identity and the ability to grow and understand self are the prerequisite within "creative learning" but if as Menger offers the field is limited then how are people going to access the chance to perform on their own terms and equally develop a sense of self value as an artist? Fundamentally if access is the issue then where are the spaces where people can access the arts and contribute on equitable terms? 

I was introduced to the “Nice n Sleazy” festival four years ago and it has been overwhelming watch it grow and develop. The festival is named after The Stranglers hit song from 1978 and has been part of the live music scene for fifteen years. I initially I thought it was a 'punk' festival though defining that term is virtually impossible. Tait Coles (2014) refers to punk as a state of mind" and attitudinal. Danny Baker writing in 1977 in the D.I.Y magazine 'Sniffing Glue' argued it is "something new" and furthermore that confusion is all part of the underlying philosophy of the movement and therefore "f*ck it, you go and figure it out" Baker (2104)

With this in mind then what has been created by the organisers is a music festival. The difference here however is that it is evident that the team have adopted an approach to support equality, diversity and inclusion through their own understanding and definition of punk. If ‘actions speak louder than words’ then one can see the huge push to creating a space that is safe for all. It equally provides opportunities for employment and performance and then sets the scene for four days of music and entertainment.

In 2019 the festival was awarded ‘Disability Confident’ status. The tangible reality of this is that people with learning disabilities both perform and work on site For the full duration of the event. The Disability Confident scheme claims to support employers "to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace" (on-line 2020) Moreover the scheme is seen as a way of addressing how employers engage with people with a disability.

According to the web-site there are 8.1 million people in the UK that have some form of disability. Defining disability can be problematic however Shakespeare and Watson (2001) perceive the term as complex and assert that one cannot reduce a definition to just biological circumstances. Equally important are psychological and socio-political factors”. This seems to capture the idea that a disability could be a social construct, Hiranandani (2005) and here in is the overriding philosophy of the Festival. 

When viewed through this prism 'disability confident' argues that by adopting more inclusive strategies for support then an organisation can change behaviour and cultures within "businesses, networks and communities “on line (2020) The reach is measured way beyond the immediate employer. By embracing inclusivity and by people having a visible and valued presence the potency of the message is magnified. 

Running parallel with this is the notion that whilst exploring and having access to arts people with learning disability have a very real chance to "express themselves through different creative opportunities and media.  According to idonline.org (2020), people can "gain confidence" in terms of self-development. More importantly though is the idea of the person being seen and valued as an artist or performer in their own right. Creating our own selves through the arts reflects Stuart Hall’s concept of identity being understood as identification, that is an evolving process rather than a fixed identity that is often ascribed to us by society and particularly for people with a learning disability (Hall, 1990).

Whilst trying to steer clear of labels, Becker (1963) and being mindful of respecting how people may want to self-define it is noticeable that "Sleazy" has given a platform and equal standing to the following bands 

The Ec-Tix  https://en-gb.facebook.com/ECTIX/

The Positives  https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/ThePositives3/about/

 The Dead Rejects  https://www.facebook.com/deadrejects/

Clan Of Anarchy  https://en-gb.facebook.com/officialclanofanarchy

It is easy to see why the bands sit well within the festival due to their own punk ethos. Aligned with this therefore one could argue that "Sleazy" is a world away from how other festivals organise and promote what they do. There is no fuss and no huge banner proclaiming and asserting inclusivity.This reflects Beresford and Croft’s ‘democratic / citizenship’ approach to inclusion that emphasises people’s rights as citizens (as artists) to create and set their own agenda and identities, rather than as ‘consumers’ or ‘service users’ to be consulted in an often reactive manner to ‘tick the box of inclusivity’ (Beresford & Croft, 2003).

This philosophy is captured perfectly by Pauline Murray lead singer of Penetration who when asked what is it like being a woman in rock offered she never considered her gender an issue. Murray explains "I just thought I was part of the band" in retrospect however "it seems quite revolutionary, the way women were behaving. Females in bands were breaking down stereotypes" PR Intern (2017) Could the same be said of the bands appearing at Sleazy?

If pushed it is doubtful the bands above would describe themselves as having a learning disability. The idea that a group of musicians would want to be categorised in this way seems wholly at odds with my understanding of the rock persona. Joe Strummer of The Clash in defining 'self-awareness suggested it has something to do with 'an ability to trust your own judgement' and more importantly "an ability think for yourself" as cited in Coles (2014)  The chances are the respective bands just want to be musicians, performers and artists and consequently this is how they see themselves.. Doubtless that is exactly how the promoters at "Sleazy" make sense of it all. One is left to ask therefore, is there any other way to see it? 

I wanted to do a piece here about inclusivity within the arts and I have focused on this festival as the yard stick by which others could measure their impact. In considering Sleazy I haven’t spoken about the broad range of opportunities it presents for people (with a learning disability) to work as sound engineers, stage managers, lighting technicians, stage runners and the wealth of talent it embraces to do this. 

I haven’t discussed how the festival supports and promotes the White Ribbon Campaign which was founded in 2005 and is "part of a global movement concerned with ending male violence against women. “Much of the work we do is concerned with engaging men and boys regarding attitudes and behaviours, raising awareness, influencing change and providing resources to make change happen in relation to domestic violence and abuse of women and girls" White Ribbon.org.uk (2020) 

I also would have wanted to raise the work that Sleazy have been doing since 2016 in promoting The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. As part of their developing agenda regarding equality and diversity the organisers have been instrumental in challenging ‘hate crime’. This has allowed a further opportunity to increase and raise awareness and address discrimination and prejudice on an individual basis. Sophie Lancaster was a young woman that was murdered and her death was treated as a Hate Crime by Judge Russell who sentenced the murderers accordingly. Under the current UK Hate Crime Legislation (Section 146), as the motivation behind the murder was hateful, he was able to use his discretion to class it as a "Hate Crime". The work the foundation does focuses on creating respect for and understanding of subcultures in our communities. Where better to do that than at a punk festival?

It is probably worth mentioning that the team also support Morecambe food bank. There is a donation point in the foyer at the festival where food can be left and once the weekend is over the donations are then transported to the charity. Again this evidences how “Nice n Sleazy” has an alternative perspective when considering how to promote and host a music festival.

The tangible reality of this is not only do people with learning disabilities perform and work on site during the weekend, there is a massive emphasis on inclusion, diversity and equality.  This is a world away from how other festivals organise and promote what they do, so in conclusion one could say “Nice and Sleazy does it every time” The Stranglers (1978)

The Rock And Roll Fool

[papermoonloveslucy]

DORIS SINGLETON

September 29, 1919

Dorthea ‘Doris’ Singleton was  born in New York City in 1919. She trained as a ballerina but began her career in show business as a vocalist in the late 1930s. Singleton worked as a guest star and in regular roles on numerous hit radio shows. 

During a guest appearance on the radio show “My Favorite Husband” in 1948 she met Lucille Ball and this began their long professional relationship. 

When she first appeared (in a sweater coveted by Lucy) in “The Club Election” (ILL S2;E19) in 1953, her character was named Lillian Appleby but it was decided that she should go by Caroline Appleby in all future episodes. In “Lucy Gets Into Pictures” (ILL S4;E18), Desi Arnaz made an error and called Caroline Appleby “Lillian” but the error remained in the final print. 

Caroline and Marion Strong (Shirley Mitchell) turn up for the club meeting when “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” (ILL S3;E3).

A game of cards in “Lucy Is Matchmaker” (ILL S2;E27) brings out Caroline and Pauline (Peggy Rea). 

In “The Camping Trip” (ILL S2;E29), the card game has swapped out Pauline for Sally (June Whitely Taylor). 

The card game is moved to the Appleby apartment (Chinese Modern) in “Lucy Tells The Truth” (ILL S3;E6), with ‘cackling’ Marion Strong wearing a statement hat!

Caroline Appleby with her son Stevie (Steven Kaye), one of Little Ricky’s best friends. 

Caroline with her husband, local TV station manager Charlie Appleby (Hy Averback) in “Baby Pictures” (ILL S3;E5) . The next (and last) time we see Charlie Appleby he will be played by George O'Hanlon (inset photo).

The Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League calls an emergency meeting to address the deficit in the budget in “Lucy’s Club Dance” (S3;E25). Caroline Appleby turns up in a black dress with Peter Pan collar and hat!

Visiting Hollywood, Caroline was suddenly near-sighted!  To convince Caroline that she was hob-nobbing with celebrities, Lucy and Ethel scheme to get her glasses off her in two related episodes, “The Dancing Star” (ILL S4;E27) and  , “Lucy Meets Harpo Marx” (ILL S4;E28).  

In 1953, Singleton made her television TV debut as Gloria Harper in the episode "Jungle Devil" on “The Adventures of Superman.” Coincidentally, Singleton's final appearance on “I Love Lucy” was in an episode with Superman (George Reeves), "Lucy and Superman" (ILL S6;E4). 

In 1966, Singleton was teamed again with Ball on “The Lucy Show” in the episode, "Lucy and Art Linkletter", in which she plays Ruth Cosgrove, an actress whom Linkletter hires to help Lucy with a stunt on his television series. Coincidentally, Ruth Cosgrove is the name of Milton Berle’s real-life wife, who will also guest star on “The Lucy Show” as herself. 

Her second appearance on “The Lucy Show” was in “Lucy Gets Her Diploma” (TLS S6;E5) in 1967.  Note: Doris has very little to do with the main plot of this episode.  Her one scene might have been originally meant for Mary Jane Croft but reassigned due to a conflict in Croft’s schedule or illness.

Singleton said that she had originally been hired to be a regular on Ball's third series, “Here's Lucy” in 1968. Ball would have played a dumb secretary and Singleton the more intelligent one, but the premise was dropped when Ball decided to cast her own children in the show. She did, however, appear in the series premiere episode, "Mod, Mod Lucy" (HL S1;E1). 

In 1971, Singleton was featured on an episode of ABC sitcom, “Make Room For Granddaddy” which had Lucille Ball as the guest star. In this installment, titled "Lucy Carter, Houseguest", Singleton played Grace Munson, another character from “I Love Lucy,” although she is listed in the credits as Sylvia. 

In a 1973 Bob Hope Christmas Special, Lucille Ball, Gary Morton, Hope and Doris Singleton all played themselves in a sketch that finds Lucy believing Bob has a secret crush on her and buying her expensive gifts. Singleton is not given a character name but drops by to Ball’s home. 

Her final appearance on “Here's Lucy” was as Lucille Ball's studio secretary in  "Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball" (HL S6;E22) in 1974. Her character was named Doris.  (If Lucy was Lucy and Lucille was Lucille, then why shouldn’t Doris be Doris?)

Singleton and Ball were reunited one last time, again as Ball's studio secretary, in the 1980 special “Lucy Moves to NBC.”  She played Wanda Clark, who was Lucille Ball’s real-life secretary. 

DORIS at DESILU (SANS LUCY)

Singleton did an episode of Desilu’s helicopter series “Whirlybirds” in 1957. She played Jan Revere in an episode titled “Lady Luck.”

In 1954 and 1958 she was at Desilu for two episodes of “The Danny Thomas Show”. In 1958, to symbolize the show’s move to CBS, the Williams family moved into the Ricardo home in Westport. In return, Lucy and Desi guest-starred on “The Danny Thomas Show” as the Ricardos. 

In February 1960, Doris played Mavis on Desilu’s “The Ann Sothern Show” directed by “Lucy’s” James V. Kern. In a 1959 cross-over episode of “The Ann Sothern Show”, Lucille Ball guest starred as Lucy Ricardo.

In 1960, Singleton became a regular character of Desilu’s new series “Angel” about a young woman who has moved to America from France after getting married to her sweetheart, John. Singleton played Susie for 26 of the show’s 33 episodes. It last just one season. Above, Lucille Ball attends a kick-off event featuring Jess Oppenheimer (creator), Annie Fargue (Angel) and Marshall Thopmson (Johnny). Singeton shared the soundstage with “Lucy” alumni Shirley Mitchell, Gale Gordon, Madge Blake, and many others. 

In 1960 and 1962 she was back at Desilu for two episodes of “The Real McCoys”. 

Singleton was in three episodes of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” between 1962 and 1965.  

In Fall 1967, Singleton did a day on “Gomer Pyle: USMC” filmed at Desilu Studios. A year earlier, Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) made a cameo appearances on “The Lucy Show” (TLS S5;E9) in which Lucy Carmichael is mistaken for Lou C. Carmichael and drafted!

“My Three Sons” - on which she played two different characters - was filmed on the Desilu backlot. Her first character was Helen Morrison (two episodes in 1964 and 1965), the mother of Sally Ann (Meredith MacRae)—the woman who married the eldest of the Douglas sons, Mike (Tim Considine), and both left the series shortly after the start of the 1965-66 season. Doris was pressed into service again in the 1970-71 season to play the mother (Margaret) of Polly Williams (Ronnie Troup), a girl who also nabbed herself a Douglas boy—this time eloping with youngest son Chip (Stanley Livingston).  She played the character for six episodes. 

Her final screen appearances was a small role in the ABC TV film Deadly Messages in 1985. 

Singleton married Charles Isaacs in 1941, and they remained married until he died on December 13, 2002. She died in 2012, aged 92, from complications of cancer. She had no children and left no immediate survivors.

[feuillesmortes]

Professor Pauline Croft reviewed John Currin's chapter on the king's diplomacy in 'Who was Henry VII?' (2009), revealing that Henry was far more European-minded than most Tudor historians have allowed, not least because of his upbringing spent away from his native land. Moreover, the fifteenth century saw growing cultural, economic and political contacts between England and the Italian states, so much so that, by 1500, Italian merchants, physicians, scholars, artisans and musicians comprised the second largest alien community in England. The king personally invested large sums of money in the wool trade to Pisa. By joining the Holy League of Venice in 1496, Henry demonstrated his real understanding of Italian affairs, which were certainly of concern to many English merchants.

Terry Breverton, Henry VII: The Maligned Tudor King

[jeremystrele]

An Ultra Stylish Rented Family Home, That Brings A Little NYC Glam to Melbourne

An Ultra Stylish Rented Family Home, That Brings A Little NYC Glam to Melbourne

Homes

by Lucy Feagins, Editor

Custom marble and steel dining table designed by the tenant, interior designer Tali Roth. Painting by Rhys Lee. Plastered candelabra from Bourgeois Boheme Atelier. Rudolph Wolf vintage dining chairs from 1960 re-upholstered in olive mohair. Mario Milano chairs. Brass pendant by De La Espada. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Custom marble and steel dining table designed by Tali. Painting by Rhys Lee. Plastered candelabra from Bourgeois Boheme Atelier. Rudolph Wolf vintage dining chairs from 1960 reupholstered in olive mohair. Mario Milano chairs. Brass pendant by De La Espada. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Tali in front of her epic lounge room salon wall! Sofa from Croft House LA. Crystal From Crystal World gifted by Tali’s dad. Vintage Constantin side table. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Lounge room goals! French lamps by Dominique Pouchain. Lina Bo Bardi leather chairs. Ash NYC steel arched stool. Judith Wright face art and Adam Pyett bottle brush oil painting from Sophie Gannon Gallery. Robert Malherbe via Contemporary Editions. Luke Chisewell skateboard art from Tappan Collective. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Judith Wright face art and Adam Pyett bottle brush oil painting from Sophie Gannon Gallery. Robert Malherbe via Contemporary Editions. Luke Chisewell skateboard art from Tappan Collective. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Vintage Pierre Paulin groovy chair. Sculpture by Kristiina Haataja from Curatorial and Co. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Mirror from Inventory by Rachel. Face vase by Atelier MVM. White vase by John Born. Crystal World crystal gifted to Tali by her dad. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Travertine vintage table. Cane dining chairs from Phantom Hands. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Moebe brass mask hooks from Finnish Design Store. Paul Davies painting from Olsen Gruin NYC. Gustavo Bittencourt bench. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Tall vessel from NY ceramicist Danny Kaplan. White sculpture by Fitzhugh Karol from Uprise. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Vintage brutalist black bar from 60s. Vintage Ardex Minoux lamp. Katarina Wells sculpture from Curatorial+Co. Stools from Jayson Home NYC. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

A Gufram cactus and vintage mushroom chair from 1stDibs. Vintage French coffee table. Glass ‘Yumemiru’ sculpture by Amanda Dziedzic.  ‘Sahara‘ Rug in natural from Armadillo & Co. Ash NYC pillow chair. Photograph by Christopher Makos. Ardeux Minoux ‘Style’ chair from Inventory by Rachel. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Vintage French coffee table. Glass ‘Yumemiru’ sculpture by Amanda Dziedzic. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Tali’s mums childhood desk and chair in pink laminate. Snoopy lamp. Murano glass vase. Atley and Co leather tissue box. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Brown velvet and white piped bed by Heatherly Designs. ‘Proportions of Stone’ side table by Sisan Lee. Gatton lamp from FLOS USA. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Slim Aarons photograph. Vintage oil painting from Chairish. Bzippy planter and a home made wooden top transformed into a side table. Ferm Living tiger rug.  Vintage chair from Etsy that has been reupholstered a couple of times! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

The kids rooms are filled with brighter art, soft furnishings and plush toys. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

2020 (and 2021) was not a good time to be in New York City. 

With up to 6300 cases of COVID-19 recorded daily in the city alone, and travel made near impossible, interior designer Tali Roth decided to permanently return to Melbourne alongside her husband, property developer Marcus Jankie, and children Phoenix (5) years, and Romeo (20 months).

Before the move, Tali lived in New York for seven years, where she established her interior design studio. (Have a look at her practice’s stunning former Flatiron Building office!) 

Tali and Marcus lived in various rental properties whilst in NYC, developing a knack for establishing temporary spaces with style and heart. (Tali does note, however, that renting culture in NYC is very different, affording tenants more flexibility and autonomy over their home. ‘It’s completely acceptable to hang all of your art and paint a few walls,’ she says.)

When the family were quarantining in Sydney, Tali’s grandmother in Melbourne very sadly passed away. When the family completed quarantine and finally returned to Melbourne, the house was offered to Tali and her family to rent while they settled back in to Melbourne. 

The Caulfield North house was actually commissioned by Tali’s grandmother in 1999, where she had lived ever since. ‘She wanted to create a home that was easy for a single elderly woman to live in, so it’s one level with generous living spaces, and heaps of storage,’ Tali says. 

Thanks to her grandma’s initial vision, Tali hasn’t needed to make any changes to the property since moving in. Rather, the designer has simply styled the space with treasured pieces collected over many years – all of which recently arrived from the U.S. in a 40-foot shipping container!

‘We are lucky that we had lots of existing pieces, that when we brought them into the space, completely brought the home to life!’ Tali says. ‘When that GIANT container arrived in December, we were ecstatic and a tad overwhelmed… Once we placed all of our furniture [however], it certainly made this house into a home.’ 

Tali’s favourite items are the armchairs, artworks and lights that have instantly elevated the space. ‘I also snuck a few new pieces into the container for good measure, like the terrazzo vintage coffee table and the Pillow Chair by ASH NYC,’ she says. ‘Aren’t panic purchases the best!?’  

It just goes to show – collecting pieces you love is always a worthy investment, and goes a long way to making you feel at home, no matter where you hang your hat!

If you love Tali’s style as much as we do, make an appointment at her new interiors practice in Windsor! 

[strinak]

i’ve got more stuff now that i’ve got more time!

ok so kindle unlimited is Best Used for selfpub trash (affectionate). so the less mainstream/more niche the genre or trope, the better the ku options are. like, if you’re gonna write the Standard Fantasy Novel, you will try Standard Publishing before doing the work of self-publishing, right? but if what you’ve got is less Standard Fantasy and more “1300 page meditation on the role of the working wizard in a feudal political landscape”, you throw that shit on ku.

so i use ku for m/m, porn, reverse harem, litrpg, portal fantasy, superhero novels, miscellaneous weird stuff.

Richard Roberts: Please Don’t Tell My Parents I’m a Supervillain is genuinely one of my favorite books. Tweens get superpowers - expected, considering their parents - and try to have fun with them for a while before telling anyone and stumble into supervillainy.

Chara Croft: i’ve only read All Dolled Up but immediately after i went and grabbed several of her others. kinky m/m.

Shelly Laurenston only has a few of her books ku-available but you can try her Honey Badger Chronicles. m/f comedic shapeshifter romance. features a lot of entertainingly fucked up hybrid shifters (children of wolves and african wild dogs? people with permanent zoomies.)

Stella Starling does a lot of “what if Hallmark did gay-for-you romcoms?” but with sex. someone’s a small business owner and/or needs a fake date, etc.

Alessandra Hazard is currently doing a space regency a/b/o thing. the 2nd book, Feral, is my favorite. mistaken identities and science crimes and an omega who must Marry Well to Save the Family, oh my.

Marina Vivancos has some novels but i’ve moslty read her shorts. I’ve Walked Where You’ve Been is soulbond trope but make it explicitly not instalove trope.

Jackie May: some of the more readable reverse harem i’ve read (love the genre, it does not love me back).

SJ Himes does good urban fantasy romance.

Terry Mancour: love the Spellmonger series (referenced above), do not read any of his female-pov books. somehow a female character will be fine or good from his main’s pov but then It All Goes Wrong in her solo book.

Lisa Henry does a lot of good kinky m/m in different genres. her current m/m regency series is on my tbr.

Lynn Van Dorn’s Royally Screwed does “arranged marriage resentment” but make it kinky m/m.

JS Harker has an m/m “mortals wandering into different courts of faerie in different seasons” series. enjoyed the halloween one a lot.

Evan Currie: Steam Legion is a fun alt-history set immediately pre-burning of the library at Alexandria. prolific author whose fic i like much more than most of his pro stuff, unfort.

i liked Salem Fitzgerald’s Captivated lots but am finding it very hard to describe. a guy’s kidnapping starts him on a journey of self-discovery?

Pauline M Ross has a whole “complicated family/political drama over multiple countries/generations” fantasy series. for fans of marion zimmer bradley.

Delmire Hart’s The Grumpy Thistle Fairy is GREAT. also liked The Most Eligible Bachelor. fun quick reads.

Dessa Lux has a good a/b/o novella series with a pack dynamics focus (yes, this includes orgies), The Protection of the Pack.

loved Ruby Dixon’s The King’s Spinster Bride (m/f) but the “author” is actually a collective pseudonym so all their other stuff is ymmv. i Know one of the authors is excellent but i don’t know which books they’ve worked on and some of Dixon’s books are heteronormative in such a specific gross way that they are actively My Enemy.

Casey Matthew’s The One Who Eats Monsters is a very cool urban fantasy with f/f that never got continued.

Eileen Glass has a “woke up on an alien planet” culture clash a/b/o series.

Meghan Brunner re-released the reincarnated lesbians at a ren faire trilogy of my high school years on ku. for fans of mercedes lackey’s bardic voices series.

Anna Stone has a bunch of kinky f/f.

Lindsay Buroker does fantasy and urban fantasy (m/f).

I just got kindle unlimited and I was wondering if you have any recs? authors or specific books, maybe search terms? I'm a bit lost and overwhelmed right now lol

--

I love me some KU trash. If you want badwrong erotica, just start searching. If you want something a little more spellchecked and possesed of plot and characterization, I suggest:

E.J. Russell has lots of KU fluffy contemporary mystery/romance set in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon's Mysteries by AJ Sherwood is a series about a police consultant psychic who explodes technology finally getting an anchor and a love interest.

Charlie Cochet is not really my fave, but her contemporary hunky armed forces dudes are popular and she has a lot on KU.

I adored the Lords of the Underworld series by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes. It's Greek gods in the modern day.

A lot of stuff is going to be hard to find because authors only have a few books out and amazon's algorithms don't make them show well in search results unless you have an exact title. If I'm looking for new stuff, I'll often go to Goodreads lists, especially ones with a theme like 'new releases' rather than 'best X'. ("Best" = famous authors who don't use KU because they can afford not to. It also tends to be the same 10 recs over and over.)

For example, a quick search finds me December 2021 MM Releases.

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill: Instruction (No. 3)

Ayes: 323 (69.6% Con, 27.0% Lab, 1.6% Ind, 0.9% DUP, 0.3% WPB, 0.3% RUK, 0.3% LD) Noes: 7 (62.5% Con, 37.5% LD) Absent: ~320

Likely Referenced Bill: High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision for a railway between a junction with Phase 2a of High Speed 2 south of Crewe in Cheshire and Manchester Piccadilly Station; for a railway between Hoo Green in Cheshire and a junction with the West Coast Main Line at Bamfurlong, south of Wigan; and for connected purposes.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: 2nd reading

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (222 votes)

Aaron Bell Adam Afriyie Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alec Shelbrooke Alex Burghart Alexander Stafford Alicia Kearns Alok Sharma Alun Cairns Amanda Milling Amanda Solloway Andrea Leadsom Andrew Bowie Andrew Griffith Andrew Jones Andrew Lewer Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Selous Andy Carter Angela Richardson Anne Marie Morris Anthony Browne Antony Higginbotham Ben Bradley Ben Spencer Bill Wiggin Bim Afolami Bob Blackman Bob Seely Brandon Lewis Brendan Clarke-Smith Caroline Ansell Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charles Walker Cherilyn Mackrory Chloe Smith Chris Clarkson Chris Green Chris Philp Claire Coutinho Damian Collins Damian Green Damian Hinds Danny Kruger David Duguid David Johnston David Jones David Rutley David Simmonds Dean Russell Derek Thomas Desmond Swayne Duncan Baker Eddie Hughes Edward Argar Edward Timpson Elizabeth Truss Fay Jones Felicity Buchan Fiona Bruce Flick Drummond Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gareth Johnson Gary Streeter George Eustice Gillian Keegan Gordon Henderson Graham Stuart Grant Shapps Greg Knight Guy Opperman Harriett Baldwin Heather Wheeler Helen Grant Henry Smith Holly Mumby-Croft Huw Merriman Iain Duncan Smith Iain Stewart Jack Lopresti Jacob Young Jake Berry James Davies James Gray James Grundy James Heappey James Morris James Sunderland James Wild Jane Hunt Jane Stevenson Jerome Mayhew Jesse Norman Jo Churchill Jo Gideon John Glen John Hayes John Howell John Lamont John Penrose John Stevenson John Whittingdale Johnny Mercer Jonathan Djanogly Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Julian Sturdy Julie Marson Justin Tomlinson Karen Bradley Karl McCartney Kate Kniveton Kelly Tolhurst Kevin Foster Kevin Hollinrake Kit Malthouse Laura Farris Lia Nici Liam Fox Lisa Cameron Louie French Lucy Frazer Luke Hall Marco Longhi Marcus Jones Maria Caulfield Maria Miller Mark Fletcher Mark Garnier Mark Harper Mark Logan Mark Pawsey Mark Spencer Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Matt Warman Michael Ellis Michael Tomlinson Mike Freer Mike Penning Mike Wood Mims Davies Miriam Cates Nadhim Zahawi Neil Hudson Neil O'Brien Nick Fletcher Nick Gibb Nickie Aiken Nicola Richards Nigel Huddleston Nigel Mills Paul Beresford Paul Bristow Paul Holmes Paul Howell Paul Maynard Paul Scully Pauline Latham Penny Mordaunt Peter Aldous Peter Bottomley Priti Patel Rachel Maclean Ranil Jayawardena Rebecca Harris Rebecca Pow Richard Bacon Richard Fuller Richard Graham Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Buckland Robert Courts Robert Goodwill Robert Halfon Robert Neill Robert Syms Robin Millar Robin Walker Ruth Edwards Sally-Ann Hart Saqib Bhatti Sara Britcliffe Sarah Dines Scott Mann Selaine Saxby Shailesh Vara Shaun Bailey Sheryll Murray Simon Baynes Simon Fell Simon Hart Simon Hoare Simon Jupp Stephen Crabb Stephen Hammond Stephen McPartland Stephen Metcalfe Steve Barclay Steve Tuckwell Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Suzanne Webb Thérèse Coffey Tobias Ellwood Tom Hunt Tom Pursglove Tom Randall Tracey Crouch Trudy Harrison Vicky Ford Victoria Atkins Victoria Prentis Virginia Crosbie Wendy Morton Will Quince

Labour (86 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Afzal Khan Alan Campbell Alex Davies-Jones Alex Norris Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Andrew Western Andy Slaughter Angela Eagle Anneliese Dodds Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bell Ribeiro-Addy Ben Bradshaw Cat Smith Catherine McKinnell Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Webb Damien Egan Dan Jarvis Dawn Butler Emma Lewell-Buck Fabian Hamilton Gareth Thomas Gen Kitchen George Howarth Gill Furniss Grahame Morris Harriet Harman Helen Hayes Hilary Benn Holly Lynch James Murray Jeff Smith Jim McMahon Jo Stevens John Cryer John McDonnell Judith Cummins Julie Elliott Karl Turner Kate Hollern Kevan Jones Kevin Brennan Kim Leadbeater Liz Twist Lloyd Russell-Moyle Luke Pollard Margaret Beckett Marie Rimmer Mark Hendrick Mark Tami Mary Glindon Matt Western Matthew Pennycook Mick Whitley Natalie Elphicke Naz Shah Neil Coyle Pat McFadden Paul Blomfield Paula Barker Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Hopkins Rebecca Long Bailey Rosena Allin-Khan Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sam Tarry Samantha Dixon Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Simon Lightwood Stephen Doughty Stephen Kinnock Stephen Morgan Stephen Timms Steve McCabe Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Thangam Debbonaire Vicky Foxcroft Wes Streeting

Independent (5 votes)

Bob Stewart Claudia Webbe Conor McGinn Diane Abbott Nicholas Brown

Democratic Unionist Party (3 votes)

Gavin Robinson Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon

Workers Party of Britain (1 vote)

George Galloway

Reform UK (1 vote)

Lee Anderson

Liberal Democrat (1 vote)

Helen Morgan

Noes

Conservative (5 votes)

Adam Holloway Gavin Williamson Jack Brereton Philip Davies William Cash

Liberal Democrat (3 votes)

Helen Morgan Richard Foord Wera Hobhouse

[robynqueenofstuff]

Something I’ve Always Wanted To Say To Those Who Complain About A Lack Of Good Female Characters.

Yes we are just SHORT on good female characters, aren't we?

‘Takes a ginormous breath’

I mean besides Ellen Ripley, The Bride, Katniss Everdeen, Imperator Furiosa, Rey, [insert surname here] Princess Leia, [One of the greatest fucking characters ever] Sarah Connor to just name the most well-known few. We only have Hermione Granger [obviously], Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, Minerva Mcgonagoll, Molly Weasley, Lily Potter, Bellatrix Lestrange, Jyn Erso, Padme Amidala, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Mara Jade, Jaina Solo, Tahiri Veila, Jan Ors, Nomi Sunrider, Lumiya, Juno Eclipse, Bastila Shan, Satele Shan, Ahsoka Tano, Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, Adi Gallia, Shaak Ti, Jaden Korr [Optionally female], Asajj Ventress, Aurra Sing, Zam Wesell, Steela Gerrara, The Seventh Sister, Satine Kryze, Shmi Skywalker, Darth Zannah, Mother Talzin, [The fucking Hapes Consortium places women higher over men] Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana, Jane, Rapunzel, Ariel, Cinderella, Megara, Lilo, Nani, Nala, Vanellope, Lady, Merida, Jessie, Dory, Helen/Elastigirl, EVA, Edna Mode, Joy, Sadness, Anna, Elsa, [Yes i think she's a good character but for different reasons than others do] Kida, Wendy, Alice, Judy Hopps, Kanga, Kala, Captain Amelia, Moana, Esmeralda, Flora, Fauna, Merryweather, Rita, Miss Bianca, Mary Poppins, Eglantine Price, Sally, Audrey Ramirez, Mittens, Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella De Vil, Queen Grimhilde, Yzma, Lady Tremaine, Queen Of Hearts, Madame Medusa, Mother Gothel, Honey Lemon, Go-Go, Chel, Marina, Eris, Tigress, Ginormica, Roxanne, Astrid, Valka, Ginger, Fiona, Fairy Godmother, Tzipporah and Miriam. Chihiro, San, Moro, Lady Eboshi  Sophie, Kiki, Shizuku, Arrietty, Ponyo, Nausicaa, Princess Kushana, Kaguya, Sheeta,  Marnie, Annie, Coraline, Anastasia, Mrs Brisby, Elle Woods, Dorothy, Matilda, Alicia Huberman, Violet, Corky, Alice Creed, Clarice Starling, Mrs Danvers, Janine Melnitz. Kylie Griffin, Junior Ghostbuster Catherine, [yeah there were already female Ghostbusters before that crappy movie] Lisbeth Salander, Mathilda Lando, Marge Gunderson, Judge Cassandra Anderson, Ma-Ma, [Madeline Madrigal] Regina George, Cady Heron, Clementine Kruczynski, M, [the one played by Judi Dench] Moneypenny,, Elle Driver, O-Ren Ishii, Julie Kohler, Yuki Kashima, Amelie Poulain, Lucy, Rose Dewitt Bukater, Joy ‘Ma’ Newsome, Grace Howard, Philomena Lee, Ofelia, Kara, [From Dragonheart] Sarah Williams, Maria von Trapp, Marion Ravenwood, Dr. Elsa Schneider, Evelyn Carnahan, Officer Anne Lewis, Dr Ellie Sattler, Paikea Apirana, Motoko Kusanagi, Carrie White, Arwyn, Eowyn, Galadriel, Yu Shu Lien, Jen Yu, Jackie Brown, Nefretiri,  All the girls from St Trinians, Bliss Cavendar, The girls on the Roller Derby Team, [Maggie Mayhem, Bloody Holly, Rosa Sparks, Smashley Simpson] Sally Albright, Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, Claire Standish. Allison Reynolds, Kim Possible, She-Ra, [Plus the female characters in She-Ra and He-Man] Jem, Synergy, The Holograms, The Misfits, Penny Gadget, Jessica Jones, Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Anya Jenkins, Faith, Cordelia Chase, Drusilla, Emma Swan, Carol Peletier, River Tam, Xena, Lady Penelope, Roseanne, Dana Scully, Morticia Addams, Wednesday Addams, Lily Munster, Vastra and Jenny, Jessica Fletcher, Olivia Benson, Lilly Rush, Korra, Asami Sato, Lin Beifong, Opal Beifong, Suyin Beifong, Kya, Daria Morgendoffer, Jane Lane, Susan Foreman, Barbara Wright, Jo Grant, Donna Noble, River Song, Ace, Nyssa, Romana, Sarah Jane, Clara Oswald, [the majority of the Doctor Who companions are female] Madame Vastra, Jenny, Zoe Washburne, Kaywinnet Lee ‘Kaylee’ Frye, Lagertha Lothbrok, Claire Underwood, Uhura, Nurse Chappell, Nurse Abby, Captain Katherine Janeway,  B’elanna Torres, Seven Of Nine, Kira Nerys, Jadzia Dax,  Deanna Troi,  Penelope Garcia, Kima Greggs, Evelyn Salt, Starbuck, Lois Lane, Katara, Toph, Mai, Azula, Suki, Ty-Lee, June, Serras Victoria, Sir Integra Hellsing, Dr. Girlfriend, Elektra Nachios, Alex Drake, Cameron, [Even if she's a cyborg she counts] Veronica Mars, ALL THREE CHARLIE'S ANGELS, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, The female rangers in Power Rangers,  Sabrina Spellman, The majority of characters from My Little Pony, Mabel Pines, Wendy Corduroy, The Crystal Gems, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline The Vampire Queen, Flame Princess, Princess Allura, Katie ‘Pidge’ Holt, Violet Baudelaire, Lucy Pevensie, Alice, [again] Nancy Drew, Annabeth Chase, Clarisse La Rue, Sally Jackson, Thalia Grace, Piper Mclean, Hazel Levesque, [I AM GOING TO GET SO MUCH SHIT FROM PERCY JACKSON FANS BECAUSE THESE ARE THE ONLY ONES I CAN THINK OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD]  Daenerys, Arya, Margaery, Catelyn, Brienne, Olenna, Sansa, Susan Sto Helit, Liessa Dragonlady, Tiffany Aching, Hannah Wolfe, The female characters in Malazan Book Of The Fallen, Harriet The Spy, Althea Vestrit, Aerin, Sorcha, Daine, Sabriel, Maka Albarn, Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, Liz and Patty Thompson, Meryl Strife, Milly Thompson, Winry Rockbell, Izumi Curtis, Riza Hawkeye,  Mikasa Ackerman, Pepper Potts, Gwen Stacy, Black Cat, Wonder Woman [That’s a fucking no brainer], Batgirl, Batwoman, Supergirl, Raven, Starfire, Huntress, Black Canary, Zatanna, Catwoman, Hawkgirl, Mera, Katana, Talia Al Ghul, Enchantress, Poison Ivy, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Natasha Irons, Storm, Rogue, Ms Marvel, Emma Frost, The Wasp, Invisible Woman, She-Hulk, Gamora, Kitty Pryde, Psylocke, Valkyrie. Mystique, the female Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D, Not to mention the girls from Fables, Rayne, Clementine, Amanda Ripley, Coco Bandicoot, Bayonetta, Ms Pacman, Valna, Yuko, Amu, Lena, Alex, Etna, Flonne, Jennifer, Raspberyl, Vulcanas, Usalia, Maya Amano, Ulala Serizawa, Yukari Takeba, Fuuku Yamagashi, Chie Satonaka, Yukiko Amagi, Rise Kujikawa, Naoto Shirogane, Ann Takamaki, Haru Okumura, Kyoko Kirigiri, Sakura Ogami, Aoi Asahina, Chiaki Nanami, Sonia Nevermind, Akane Owari, Fiora, Melia, Sharla, BB Hood, Morrigan, Felicia, Q-Bee, Lara Croft, Samus Arran, Aya Brea, Elizabeth Comstock, Ellie, Faith, Jill Valentine, Ada Wong, Garnet Til Alexandros XVII, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Gainsborough, Yuffie Kisaragi, Rydia, Rosa Joanna Farrell, Celes Chere, Terra Branford, Relm Arrowny, Rinoa Heartilly, Quistis Trepe, Selphie Tilmitt, Ultimecia, Ashe, Fran, Freya Crecent, Eiko Carol, Yuna, Rikku, Lulu, Aqua, Zelda, Midna, Alice from Mcgee, Odessa Silverburg plus all the females in Fire Emblem, Vocaloid, Touhou  and Sid Meir’s Civilization. Not to mention the option to play as female characters in most of the LEGO games plus the option to play as a female in Mass Effect, Dragon Age: Origins, Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, Fallout, Saints Row, Fable, Terraria, Borderlands, Jade Empire, Neverwinter Nights, Rock Band 2, Tardew Valley, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Fate, Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Town, Guilty Gear, Overwatch,  Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Dynasty and Samurai Warriors plus the enormous roster in League Of Legends, Every last female in Skullgirls, All the female Pokemon trainers, All the females from Magic The Gathering, Hit-Girl, Powergirl, Tigra, Lady Sif, Spider-Woman, Vixen, Witchblade, Lady Death, Stephanie Brown, Jem, Aeon Flux, Gwen, Morgana, Morgause, Nimueh, Maid Marian, Djaq, Lady Isabella Of Gisborne,  Irene Adler, Carolyn Berek, Serena Stevens, Megan Wheeler, Kate Beckett, Nikki Heat, The girls from Women’s Murder Club, Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley, Temperance Daesee Bradley, Brenda Leigh Johnson, Joanne Kilbourn, Josephina ‘Jo’ Lupo, Catherine Willows, Alex Rovias, Alicia Claus, Jennifer Tate, Sarah Kerrigan, Joanna Dark, Catherine 'Ann’ Archer, April Ryan, Claire Redfield, Alis Landale, Alyx Vance, Heather Mason, Elena Fisher, Amaterasu, Shantae, Rosalina, Chrodechild, Chris Lightfellow, Ellen from Folklore, Jade from Beyond Good And Evil, Maya from Septerra Core, Miriam from The Guardian Legend, The female characters from Dead Or Alive, And even if you choose to play as a male character in games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age there are still a number of female characters to choose from such as Liara T,Soni, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Ashley Williams, Miranda Lawson, Kahlee Sanders, Samara, Morinth, Dr Kelly Chambers, Samantha Traynor, Morrigan, Leliana, Wynne, Shale, Flenneth, Cassandra, Even older games have ones like Jill Of The Jungle, Debra Dare, Lady Bug, Kangaroo, The heroine from Secret Of Mana, The female ninja from Ninja Warriors, Princess Rosella from King’s Quest IV. Even Princess Peach and Daisy can count as they kick total amounts of ass in the racing and fighting games Nintendo puts out. Aunt Entity, Sergeant Rita Vrataski, Polgara The Sorceress, Cutie Honey, Vicki Barr, The girls from The Babysitters Club, The ladies from The Sleepover Club, Princess Cimorene, Egwene al Vere, Elizabeth Swann, Tia Dalma, Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil, Kyra/Jack, Carolyn Fry, Mimi Kirogoe, Hana, [The mother from Wolf Children who is now one of my favorite characters ever] The girl from The Fox And The Child, Annalise Keating, Lady Macbeth, Cherry Darling, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel, Cybersix, Elphaba, Samantha Barker, Karen Silkwood, [who was a real person] Meg Altman, Thelma Dickinson, Louise Sawyer, Shoshanna Dreyfus, Trinity, The girls from Charmed, Emma Swan, Regina Mills, Mina Harker from The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Pauline Hargraves, Max Caufield, Jodie Holmes, Samantha Greenbriar, Thea Queen, Squirrel Girl, Beatrix De Costa [Fire], Tora Olafsdotter [Ice], Wondergirl, Dazzler, Black Alice, Dove, Gypsy, Jade Canary, Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Darna, The Boss, Meryl Silverburgh, Mei-Ling, Naomi Hunter, Sunny Gurlukovich, Olga Gurlukovich, Fortune, Quiet, GLADOS, SHODAN, Velma, Daphne, Miss Ernst/Grand High Witch, Sailor Moon and the Sailor Soldiers, [Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Pluto,] Bulma, the majority of the characters in Orange Is The New Black, Leslie Knope, Ann Perkins, April Ludgate, Asuka Langley Soryu, Haruko Haruhara, Nana Komatsu, Nana Osaki, Lucrezia Noin, Lady Une, Dorothy Catalonia, Sally Po, Reyna, Zoe Nightshade, Meg McCaffery, Calypso, The females from The 100, Alicia Melchiott, Isara Gunther, Cosette Coalhearth, Miku Hinasaki, Leah, [from Diablo]  Melody Farklight, The Totally Spies!, Mia Dolan, Kathy Selden,  Vianne Rocher, Princess Ann, [Ann ‘Smitty’ Smith] Margaret Hale, Lauren Olamina, Sara Crewe, Mary Lennox, Jennifer Simpson, Christine Collins, [Who was also a real person] Turanga Leela, Tauriel, The ladies from Steel Magnolias, All the female Transformers, Farah, Annie Sawyer, Nina Pickering, Gabrielle, Saturn Girl, Sage, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, She-Thing, Scorpion, Songbird, Silk Spectre II, Spider Girl, Silver Sable, The ladies of the Wildstorm universe, Fault Zone, Solara, The Wink, Paragon, Lady Deathstrike, Madame Masque, Cheetah, Emerald Empress, All 20 superheroines before Wonder Woman, Alanna of Trebond, The ladies of The Lunar Chronicles, Catti-Brie, Alyx, [From the Adventures Of Alyx books] The ladies from Marvel's Runaways series, Veronica Layton, Marguerite Krux, Mako Mori, Blaze The Cat, Toby 'Kissy' Masuyo, April Ryan, Mona Sax, Fox,  Ninja Princess, Papri, Lady Master Of Kung Fu, Reika Kirishima, The ladies from the Tales series, Noel Vermilian, Shield Knight, Petra from Emerald City Confidential, The ladies from Elsword, Anna Leonowens.[another lady from real-life but perhaps best known from The King And 1] Eliza Doolittle, Ree Dolly, Hushpuppy, Unicorn/Lady Amalthea,  Aeryn Sun, Chiana, Mallory Kane, Pauline Hargraves, Gwen Cooper, Toshiko Sato, Samantha Carter, The Tiger Woman, Barbara Meredith/The Black Whip, Hana Tsu-Vachel, Tessa Alvarado, Jo March, Liesel Meminger, Betty Barrett, Marinette Dupain-Cheng/Ladybug, Shelby Woo, Jaime Sommers, Molly Moon, Torchy Blane, Eliza Maza, Angela, Demona, Fox Xanatos, The girls from W.I.T.C.H, Mona The Vampire, The Worst Witch, Ms Frizzle, Carmen Sandiego, Leslie and Joni from Cluefinders, Ren Stevens, Jules Paxton and Jess Bhamra, [from Bend It Like Beckham] Hazel Grace Lancaster, Mara Of The Acoma, Aerin Dragon-Killer/Firehair, Angharad 'Harry' Crewe, The three sisters from Ballet Shoes, Anne Shirley, Lyra Belacqua, Kerowyn, Dashti, Sadie Kane, Zia Rashid, Samirah-Al-Abbas, Lydia Deetz, Juniper Lee, Gretchen, Spinelli, Alex Mack. Or female characters for really young kids such as Lizzie Mcguire, Andi Mack, Dora, Peppa Pig, Lola, Charlie, Looby Loo, Ramona Quimby, Pippi Longstocking, Star Butterfly,  Meg Murray, Madeline, Angelina Ballerina, The lovely ladies of Balamory, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. Or females from Greek mythology like Gaia, Hestia, Demeter, Nemesis, Medusa, Nyx, Ananke, Rhea, Athena, Demeter, Persephone, Artemis or their Roman counterparts. Or the ladies from Norse, Finnish or Egyptian Mythology. Or historical female figures to look up to such as Elizabeth the 1st, Joan Of Arc, Queen Cordelia, Queen Gwendolen, Ethelfreda, Boudicca, Florence Nightingale, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Catherine The Great and Audrey Hepburn. You play as a female Avatar in Cooking Mama and all of the Imagine series, The Jurassic Park dinosaurs were all female, Minecraft allows female appearance through customized character skins EVEN BARBIE! THERE! I SAID IT!

But besides that entire fucking catalog, I find myself and the rest of the female population well under-represented.....Except of course for the huge fucking roster of female characters available.