#The Somerset Sisters 2

[yelenasbraid]

the view between villages pt.1 — joe burrow

mini series summary — it’s been years since you’ve seen your high school & college best friend, joe burrow. you went to high school together, went to ohio state together, but separated when joe transferred. distance wasn’t kind to you, and the total difference in careers stretched you further apart. when you reunite with him unexpectedly, you’re not sure you have an explanation. you’re not sure if he’ll take your explanation. little do you know he’s been ready and he’s been willing.

chapter summary — your sister asks for a pickup from a bar. little did you know you’d step back in time.

warnings — fem!reader, best friends to strangers to lovers, angst

songs that inspired this part — please don’t go home yet by stephen sanchez + the view between villages by noah kahan

note — i’ve had this done for a while and idk how much longer i could have gatekept this from you guys lol. i also have a request i’m working on AND I WILL GET TO IT!! it’s halfway done lol

part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5

YOU SET YOURSELF UP FOR FAILURE, you’ve realized. your living room is set at the perfect temperature, allowing for a blanket to be the only thing keeping you warm. a show played softly in the background and a warm-scented candle was lit on the coffee table. your laptop was perched on your lap, an attempt being made to study for an upcoming exam for your masters degree.

your eyes threatened to close, attempting to pull you into a light sleep.

your phone was the next thing you heard, the incessant buzzing against your thigh shaking you awake. you rubbed your eyes, grabbing your phone to see who was calling you. you groaned, answering the call.

“what?” a hand ran down your face as you annoyance slid off your single word.

“i need a pick up,” the slurred voice of your younger sister, kelsey, was on the other end. she decided to go out with some friends to a bar in downtown cincinnati. they picked her up without plans on who was to take her home.

so that left you.

“which bar are you at?” you grumbled, shutting your laptop and placing it on the coffee table. you blew out the candle while you were at it.

“uh,” there was a pause, and you cursed under your breath as you stood up to grab some shoes.

“kelsey, do you know where you are?” you didn’t mean to snap, but it was 12:30 in the morning; you weren’t in the mood for your sister’s incompetence.

“yes yes i do, geez,” kelsey groaned, “somerset,” she replied. you’ve only been there a handful of times, only because someone invited you. you didn’t go to bars with your own free will. you had too much work to do.

“i’ll be there in 10 minutes,” you told her, grabbing your keys and your wallet. you definitely weren’t dressed to be stepping foot in a bar, sweats and an ohio state crew neck keeping you warm.

“thank youuuuu,” kelsey sang, a hiccup interrupting her. you rolled your eyes as you locked the door to your shared apartment with kelsey.

“just don’t do anything stupid, alright? and no more drinks, drink some water,” you instructed as you got into your car.

“you’re no fun,”

“that’s what older sisters are for, kels,” you reminded her. ever since you were small you looked out for kelsey. your parents weren’t very present; both of them worked long hours. as the oldest, you looked out for kelsey. you often babysat her, fed her, and made sure she stayed out of trouble. you were still that person for her, and you often wondered if it would ever stop.

—

you parked outside of the bar, somehow managing snag a parallel parking spot. as much as you hated parallel parking, you weren’t going to drive around for 20 minutes trying to find a parking spot.

not when it was this late.

you stepped out, locking your car and quickly crossed the street. it wasn’t as crowded as you thought, the lights casting a warm glow on the street. it was peaceful, for the most part. the lights of the skyscrapers casting a beautiful glow onto the streets below them. the moon was out too, making the stars around it sparkle. the air was cool, ushering you into a comforting embrace. you opened the door to the bar, breaking the hold the cool wind and peaceful night had on you.

there were too many people here. every table was occupied, the bar was full, and there were even people standing, well, swaying. your eyes scanned the crowd, picking apart faces and bodies as you tried to find your sister. your fingers absently fiddled with your keys, your anxiety building. was she here? did she lie to you? were you in the right bar? your eyes moved to the sign behind you, and you were in the right place. so, where was kelsey?

you flipped over your phone in your hand, your eyes still searching the crowds. your eyes did find someone, a blonde who’s face was rosy from the warmth of the room. his smile was radiant, laughing along with the guys next to him. he was familiar, his presence filling the room and the hole in your chest. your breath hitched, watching as joe burrow sat a few tables from you. he didn’t notice you, but you noticed him.

he’d changed. his hair was shorter, his arms were fuller, he even looked taller in his seat. he’d grown up, gotten older, and moved on from the things of college. as he should. your heart clenched in your chest, remembering the simpler days when you and joe were close. the days where you couldn’t imagine being apart from each other.

flashback

the door to your car opened as you opened a granola bar. you look over, mid bite, as a shaggy-haired joe burrow gets into your car. morning tea sessions before school were a usual for you, and if you were honest, you liked it. you never admitted it to him and had a hard time admitting it to yourself, but you were starting to like joe. he paid attention to your interests, he geeked out with you over the simplest of things, and he made you laugh. all the time.

joe, on the other hand, felt safe in your car. he wouldn’t admit that to anyone, but he liked sitting in your car with you, talking about everything and anything. he liked how he could joke with you, how he could geek out about something and you’d join right in. he felt safe with you, and being with you was the best part of his day besides football practice.

“well good morning,” you spoke as you swallowed your piece of granola.

“have you seen the new marvel lego set?” he asked you, a boyish sparkle in his eyes.

“i haven’t,”

“dude, look,” he turned his phone to show you, almost as if he’d been waiting to show you. it was a set with your favorite character in it, bucky barnes. you gasped, pointing at his figure.

“it’s got bucky?” you grinned, and he nodded his head eagerly.

“i know! i think i’m gonna buy it, but i just want the captain america mini figure. so i’ll give you bucky,” he shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal.

“wait, really?”

“yeah, he’s your favorite, right?”

end of flashback

your head was in a daze, fogged over with memories. you had to snap out of it, but god you couldn’t. you inhaled deeply, feeling tears sting your eyes. you still had that lego figure, planted in a small display case on your desk. you yearned for the simpler times, but those were past. you didn’t live there anymore.

“hello?” a hand being waved in front of your face interrupted your trance, shocking your bones with embarrassment. you rapidly blinked your eyes, clearing your eyes from tears. your cheeks turned a rosy red color as you focused on your sister.

“where were you?” you scolded, crossing your arms, trying to regain the little composure you had left.

“in the bathroom, wasn’t gonna pee in your car,” she giggled. you rolled your eyes, and instinctively you flicked your eyes over to joe again, except you met his eyes this time. it made your heart skip a beat, shocking you down to your very core. you felt your chest tighten, a prickly feeling spreading across your skin. why did he still do that to you? you quickly flicked your eyes away, focusing again on your sister.

“i’m glad,” you gave a fake smile as you ushered her in front of you and out of the bar. you wanted so badly to cast one, last lonely look at joe, but you didn’t. you sneered to yourself, scolding yourself for allowing a memory to resurface, one that was painfully sweet. it killed you, and even though you lived in the same city, it didn’t mean you wanted to see him yet. you couldn’t.

you didn’t see joe watch you leave. you didn’t see joe inhale, his chest constricting with a newfound urgency. you didn’t see him stand, wanting to go after you. he almost left, wanting to catch you, but you left too quickly. he swallowed, blinking away the memories as he sat down again. his evening wouldn’t be the same, not after he saw you, not after he heard your voice above everyone else’s.

flashback

he’d lost. bad. it was his fault too. if his hands weren’t shaking so bad, he’d have caught the snap. but no, he didn’t. his hands slipped, which derailed him for the rest of the night.

‘butterfingers burrow’ was chanted on the visitors side of the stadium, and he couldn’t have felt worse in that moment. he walked off the field, the heavy feeling in his chest not getting any better. he lifted his head, trying to put on a brave face, when he saw you. you were waiting for him, wrapped up in a puffer and a hat. he allowed himself to smile, just a little.

“hey,” you gently smiled, watching him walk towards you.

“hi,” his voice was hoarse, as it sometimes was after a game. it was even worse considering it was cold and he felt tears stinging his eyes. he stopped short of you, his breath hitching. you weren’t much of a hugger, and he always respected that. always.

“come here,” you opened your arms, and joe just fell into them. you wrapped your arms around him, feeling the eyes on you. you knew this would be talked about tomorrow in the hallways, in classes. joe knew it too, but all he could think about was you. the feeling of your arms around him and your sweet perfume that consoled him.

he parted from you, exhaling a shaky breath.

“you ok?” you asked, and he knew you knew he was far from it. joe swallowed, picking at his cuticles. your hands gently topped his, getting him to stop.

“it’s just high school, i’ll be ok,” he assured you. he watched you, getting lost in the feeling of your warm hands on his. he ducked his head, feeling his cheeks warm with a blush. he wished you both were something more.

“i know you will, but your feelings are important too, joey,” you reminded him. he nodded his head, and offered you to walk with him.

“for the record,” you continued, “you did well. i’m proud of you, and i don’t care what people say at school tomorrow. they’re a bunch of hormonal teenagers,” you joked, and it got a laugh out of him.

“we’re apart of that too, ya know,”

“yeah well, whatever makes you laugh, joey,”

end of flashback

you always had this tendency to make him feel better. you could make the most out of a bad situation, a bad game, anything. you did a lot for him, and he didn’t realize what the emptiness in his chest was until now. until he saw you.

he took out his phone, an idea popping into his head. it’s been a while, he knew that, but he’d try it. he typed in your name into his text messages, and found you. he didn’t delete your conversations, even if it’s been years since you’ve seen or talked to each other. he couldn’t bring himself to remove the last tangible thing he had of you. he opened the messages and typed a message.

you felt your phone buzz as you situated your sister in the passenger seat of the car. you looked at it, seeing a text from none other than joe burrow himself.

‘does this number still work?’

oh this is gonna be an angsty one. it’s part one baby!! i’m hoping i can commit to this series since i’m actually excited about it. if there’s anything you want to see, please let me know! i’ve got a rough outline but of course will hear you out lol.

[queenmarytudor]

BECOMING ELIZABETH REWRITE

I’m so sorry this is like 2 years late lol.

After my re-imagining of The Spanish Princess Series 2 (as well as a proposed series revolving around Mary I’s adolescence) here I am, constructing a more historically accurate version of the Starz series Becoming Elizabeth.

I mixed two rebellions (Kett’s and Prayer Book) together and shortened the episode count, because we did not need six episodes of Thomas Seymour! 

This is Elizabeth learning from a variety of mentors to actually... become Elizabeth, Gloriana! 

Episode One - Replete With Sorrow

In the middle of the night, Lady Elizabeth Tudor and Prince Edward are woken from their sleep and told their father, King Henry VIII is dead. They embrace weeping as the men bow before their now king, Edward VI. 

The pair go to court, which is clad in black for mourning. There, they have an emotional reunion with their step mother Katherine Parr and older sister Mary. 

The three siblings dine together, reminiscing fondly over their father. Edward asks Mary to attend his coronation; she politely refuses, saying she needs to go and oversee the new lands their father’s will granted her. Talk turns to marriages; there is already rumours that Edward is to marry Mary Queen of Scots as their father’s wishes made clear.  

A proud Elizabeth attends Edward’s coronation. At the banquet afterwards, Katherine introduces the newly crowned Edward to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. They discuss expanding his father’s religious policies. Overhearing, and jealous of the dowager queen’s influence, the Duchess of Somerset Anne Seymour begins to argue with Katherine over precedence and jewels. Elizabeth watches on, a careful observer on how to react. Thomas Seymour interrupts, erasing the tension and making the irate King laugh. Katherine casts him a grateful glance. Elizabeth is charmed/smitten by him. 

As the Duchess leaves, Katherine says Elizabeth must pack her things as she is going to live with her away from court if she finds that agreeable. Elizabeth is ecstatic, as is Katherine. 

Weeks pass; it is spring.  

Elizabeth sits with her cousin Lady Jane Grey, being tutored by her schoolmaster William Grindal. The two constantly try to beat the other in languages, etc. There is a fierce rivalry between the pair. 

Elizabeth walks with her governess Kat Ashley and lady Isabella Markham in the gardens, still clad in black. She complains about Lady Jane Grey, who always tries to beat her in lessons. Her father would not have stood for it. It is clear she misses him.

Katherine calls the trio inside, where she is standing with Thomas Seymour. She reveals she secretly married him a few weeks ago, and he is now to live with them. 

At dinner, the pair quiz Elizabeth on what she has learned. They’re impressed; Thomas compliments her and Elizabeth flushes, pleased at his attention. Katherine leaves, claiming she feels sick. 

Thomas talks of grief, saying he knows it well after the death of his sister, her brother Edward’s mother. He says her father wouldn’t want her to grieve him forever, it has been several months now and she shouldn’t feel guilty to be happy again. He reveals he saw her in the garden earlier looking upset; she tells him what had happened. He assures her she is better than Jane in every way. Elizabeth smiles and bids him good night.

In bed, she sighs dreamily to Isabella and Kat about Thomas Seymour; did they know he had commanded her father’s army? They warn her to be careful but she ignores them. 

The next morning, she is woken by Thomas and Katherine tickling her. Winking, Thomas offer his hand. Flushed, Elizabeth smiles and takes it hand eagerly. 

 Episode Two - Noli me Tangere

Katherine and Elizabeth watch as Thomas storms about. He is annoyed over his brother being made Lord Protector of the King and he has nothing. Elizabeth approaches him and asks if he is okay. He says can’t Elizabeth ask her brother for help for him? Elizabeth is uncomfortable. She doesn’t have that much power. He begs jokingly on his knees, kissing her hand then her cheeks, and she laughs giddily, the tension disappeared as they talk. 

Katherine and Grindal tell her and Jane Grey that Edward is releasing a new prayer book in English, not Latin with the help of Archbishop Cranmer. Katherine supports it. As a result, Grindal gives Elizabeth an updated list of work. 

Elizabeth is involved in her studies, avidly reading. She rebuffs Thomas’s playful advances, saying she is busy with work her tutor Grindal gave her. Thomas is peeved.  

Later, Katherine angrily asks Elizabeth if is true what Thomas told her - that she had been embracing her tutor William Grindal. Confused, Elizabeth bursts into tears and refuses it. Katherine apologises and comforts her, blaming her confusion on her current state - she is pregnant.

The next morning Thomas comes alone to Elizabeth’s bedchamber as Katherine feels ill. Elizabeth fears she is avoiding her because of what happened with Grindal. She wonders who would make something like that up. Thomas says someone jealous of such a beautiful and smart girl, hinting at Jane Grey. Elizabeth is incensed. Thomas diverts her with more tickling, then suddenly slaps her behind. She jumps, startled and laughs uncomfortably. Kat orders him away while Elizabeth is dressed. She hears Katherine and Thomas fighting in a room nearby over him going to Elizabeth’s room without her. Miserable, Elizabeth puts her mourning dress back on. 

While walking with Isabella and Kat in the gardens, Thomas appears and says he told her she looked better in colours, not black. He chases her around, with Katherine suddenly appearing and joining in. She holds her down as Thomas slashes Elizabeth’s mourning dress to pieces. The pair of them are laughing but Elizabeth is close to tears. 

Later that night an upset Elizabet talks to Kat, who says tomorrow morning she won’t let Thomas near her into her bedchamber. He protests his way in anyway, shaking the hangings as if he is to get in. She pulls her bedcovers up and Kat tells him to go away in shame as he tries to kiss her. He leaves laughing, saying he will get her when he returns from court. 

An ill and extremely pregnant Katherine writes to her husband, and asks Elizabeth to arrange a messenger to get the letter to him. On the outside of the letter, in Latin, Elizabeth writes  “Thou, touch me not”, then crosses it out and writes instead, “Let him not touch me”. 

She devotes herself to her studies, and when Thomas finds her on his return, she is frightened. He doesn’t see her obvious distress, tossing her book over his shoulder, stroking her cheek and begging him to forgive her for the dress incident. She nods, and he pulls her into a tight hug Thomas Parry witnesses.

She is abruptly dismissed by a cold Katherine to Anthony Denny and his wife, Kat’s sister. Elizabeth is upset, and her stepmother softens a little, assuring her this is the best for all three of them. 

Episode Three - Hope Prevailing

At the Denny’s, Elizabeth is devastated to hear of Katherine’s death in childbirth.

Her new tutor, a French preacher Jean Varon, instructs her in the new doctrine and the French tongue. They talk about the new prayer book; Elizabeth thinks it is a good thing but Varon says there are rumours the common people will revolt.  

Elizabeth returns to her old childhood home of Hatfield House, and has a moment of peace with her ladies and Kat. 

They are interrupted by Thomas Seymour visiting. He seems unhinged. Thomas proposes marriage, but Elizabeth is horrified and refuses. Kat thinks he would make a good match considering his status, but she stands firm. She tells her lady Isabella she will never marry, after seeing what happened to her father and mother. 

While walking in her estates Elizabeth witnesses angry peasants tearing down fences. Her preacher Varon tells Elizabeth the people have rebelled against enclosure laws, but chiefly the new prayer book.

Elizabeth learns Thomas has tried to kidnap Edward VI and shot and killed the king’s dog during the kidnapping attempt. 

As a result, Thomas is arrested for plotting to kill the King, his brother and King’s Protector, the Duke of Somerset, and marry Elizabeth. 

Privy Councillors arrive in Hatfield to question Elizabeth, while Kat is taken to the Tower. 

Elizabeth is interrogated. She denies any knowledge of Thomas Seymour’s actions, saying her reputation is being defamed and she wants a proclamation put out denying rumours of any relationship with him.  

She gets her wish, and writes to Edward Seymour to say thank you for the proclamation as his brother Thomas is executed. She is informed the rebellion has been ruthlessly supressed by John Dudley.

With the threat of an uprising and Thomas Seymour both disappeared, Elizabeth gets an invitation to visit the King for Christmas. She is anxious to please him and declares she will wear white for her innocence from this moment on.  

Episode Four - Christmas

1550 bottle episode focusing on the awkward Christmas dinner with the 3 Tudor siblings! 

Upon her arrival at court, garbed in angelic white, Edward rewards Elizabeth with Kat being returned to her. She embraces her governess lovingly. Elizabeth is invited by Mary’s lady, Susan Clarencius, to play cards. She accepts.

Mary questions Elizabeth, unsure whether to believe the claims issued of her innocence. Mary has also heard about an updated prayer book being released that Edward himself has had a hand in. Elizabeth reiterates her innocence. After, Mary tells Susan privately that Elizabeth is so like her Mother...

Edward is preparing for the feast. John Dudley informs him that Edward Seymour does not have the nerve to tell him, but he will. He has broken the king’s betrothal to Mary, Queen of Scots, who is now engaged to the French Dauphin. Edward is furious.

The table is set for a magnificent feast. The trio begin amicably enough, reminiscing on their shared childhoods with their father. However, soon the tension overwhelms them, with all their emotions coming out. Mary begs Edward not to release his new prayer book, but he replies he is not a child, he is King. Elizabeth tries desperately to keep the peace between the oldest and youngest Tudor siblings. The night ends with Mary leaving, ignoring Edward. King Edward orders her servants to be arrested, and has a furious monologue to Edward Seymour. His brother had taken advantage of his sister and stepmother, and Edward himself had taken him to Windsor - a prison! John Dudley was the one who had the nerve to tell him he has ended up breaking his betrothal to Mary Queen of Scots, who is now engaged to the Dauphin of France. He will look an idiot as her mother Marie of Guise is visiting his court soon! He has obvious and ominous shades of Henry VIII in his behaviour. 

In the aftermath of the evening, Edward Seymour is arrested and beheaded. Edward, backed by the Privy Council, announces John Dudley is to be the Duke of Northumberland and new Protector of the Realm due to the loyalty he had shown him in suppressing the rebels, promoting the new religion and aiding the King. 

Elizabeth congratulates her friend and John Dudley’s son, Robert, who has arrived at court to celebrate the advancement. He is full of joy; he has married a lady, Amy Robsart. 

King Edward, overhearing, is happy for them. He thinks it is time for Elizabeth to marry. 

 Episode Five - Sister Temperance

Several months have passed. Elizabeth and Edward are watching bear baiting. Whilst the beasts fight, Edward goes through a list of various potential suitors for his Sweet Sister Temperance. Elizabeth is non-committal. 

She is saved from further answer by their sister Mary, interrupting the event. She and the large company of people with her all wear prayer beads as Mary begs for her servants to be released. Both Edward and Mary end up crying, and he eventually promises to release them. She leaves, begging him not to think badly of her.

Marie of Guise is to visit court soon, and in the absence of a queen Edward nominates Elizabeth to host her. Jane Grey comes to court as part of the festivities and her and Elizabeth’s old rivalry flares again.

Robert Dudley finds it amusing, especially when the King falls into fervent conversation with their cousin on Protestantism. 

Edward is taking more of a leading role in state, having talks with Archbishop Cranmer about the new and improved prayer book. Some wonder if the Lady Mary and others of the old faith will rebel again; John Dudley says he’s stopped one uprising, he’ll finish another if it happens. 

Marie of Guise visits court. Elizabeth talks with her about the young Scottish queen Mary, her daughter, and her marriage, and the challenges of ruling a country.  

During the festivities, Elizabeth and Robert Dudley are having fun together. Robert says his wife doesn’t like court, and reveals his father is trying to convince King Edward to marry Jane Grey. He laughs, guessing from her sour attitude Elizabeth would not accept her as a queen.   

Episode Six - Troublesome Waves

John Dudley wishes to exchange one of his houses for hers, and Elizabeth is not pleased. She reluctantly agrees when Robert visits, taken by his charm. He says she need not fear, for her brother Guildford is marrying Jane Grey now, not the king, who is ill. 

Elizabeth sets off to see her brother, but is turned away by his guards. 

She is extremely worried about her brother, turning to prayer. 

Elizabeth is asked to relinquish her claim to the crown via a grant of more land and money. She refuses. 

She talks with Kat and Isabella. Because of Mary’s obvious religious differences, she has come to believe she will become queen upon Edward’s death. 

News breaks of Edward’s death/Jane’s accession/Mary’s rebellion. Elizabeth is upset, grieving, incensed with betrayal that her brother has looked her over. She is urged to act by her ladies. John Dudley and Mary both send messengers; she listens to both and plays them against each other then feigns illness, arming her guards for protection as she waits for the outcome.

Mary proves victorious and Elizabeth makes orders to go to London. 

Elizabeth greets Mary, assuring her she was preparing her servants to bring them to help her cause. She watches statues and crosses be put back up with foreboding.

Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley are sentenced to die, while John Dudley is executed. Elizabeth comforts Robert.

At night, she sneaks out in secret to see her old tutor Jean Varon. He wants to leave England, but she orders him to remain, telling him not to leave or abscond, but for he and other followers of Protestantism to show themselves in the streets. They need to fight back against what Mary plans! Varon nods, and tells her now Edward is dead they look to her for guidance and hope for the nation. 

Elizabeth attends Mary coronation. The new French ambassador, Antoine Noailles, introduces himself. He says Marie of Guise spoke highly of her, and that the crown would look good on her head... Elizabeth gazes at it thoughtfully, and merely smiles in response. 

[hotvintagepoll]

Ernest Thesiger—who could forget him camping up the screen as doctor pretorius in bride of frankenstein??? a few years before that legendary role he also appeared as the haughty horace femm in the old dark house, creating another memorable weirdo in another witty horror classic from his friend james whale. thesiger was a seasoned theater actor renowned for his comic abilities who moved in many literary and artistic circles, where he was a notorious eccentric and wit and is said to have made no particular secret of his queerness, and his friends included george bernard shaw, john sargent sargent, somerset maugham, radclyffe hall, and ivy compton-burnett, several of whom based fictional characters on him or wrote parts specifically for him (also if anyone here happens to know the gormenghast books, mervyn peake loosely based doctor prunesquallor on him). when he wasn't acting he occupied himself with many artistic endeavors and was particularly expert at petit point embroidery, exhibiting his work internationally and publishing a book on embroidery; he was also skilled at painting, knitting, crochet, lacelace-making, beadwork, costume and jewelry design, and probably more. his screen appearances are always delightful and i just can't imagine a world where we didn't have his signature flamboyant, comic, and menacing gaunt weirdos enriching cinema (supposedly the studio wanted claude rains for pretorius which would have been a wildly different vibe), so give it up for my man ernest.

ZaSu Pitts (Greed, The Bad Sister, Shopworn, Dames, It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World)—The vocal inspiration for Olive Oyl in the Popeye cartoons! ZaSu Pitts started out doing a variety of roles during the silent era, but audiences couldn't take her seriously after the advent of sound, to the extent that preview audiences laughed at her dramatic performance in All Quiet on the Western Front and the role had to be recast. Her doleful eyes, fretful handwringing and quavery voice brought interest to what might otherwise have been forgettable supporting roles, often as flighty spinster types, and it's that wonderfully cartoonish voice and pathetic demeanour that give her true scrungle quality.

This is round 1 of the contest. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. If you're confused on what a scrungle is, or any of the rules of the contest, click here.

[additional submitted propaganda + scrungly videos under the cut]

Ernest Thesiger:

He just... has the right vibes. He's so eccentric, but he has so much scrungle that goes with that. I don't think he's ever played a "normal" character in his life!

He's the OG queercoded villain to me. He often plays mad scientists or morally dubious eccentrics, so he's got the perfect scrungly combo of being physically non-intimidating and arch yet vaguely threatening in his presentation and behaviour. He is extremely camp.

Just look at him. He looks like a cat became human

ZaSu Pitts:

2:15-5:23 in the film below [editor's note: I haven't watched the whole film, so no content warnings if you choose to watch all of it.]

[townsenddecades]

The Famine of 1315 - 1317: Casualties

TOWNSEND HOUSEHOLD

Helen Townsend (7 years old)

Duncan Townsend (1 year old)

Joan Townsend (2 months old)

Saved: Malcolm Townend

WATMORE HOUSEHOLD

William Watmore (22 years old)

Edith Watmore (23 years old)

NOBILITY

Arthur Dudley (5 years old)

Alicent Dudley (1 month old)

Nigel de Bellefaye (12 years old)

NPC HOUSEHOLDS

Pablo Martinez, Sally Martinez, Mathew Ellesmere, Letitica Arnett, Irene Barnett, Tom Branson, Beatrice Branson, Sister Rosemary Walker, Bernise Merchant, Jeanne Merchant, Maxwell Fisher, Dereck Atkinson, Dorian Barzen, Heathcliff Baker, Celeste Somerset, Pauline Somerset, Susanne Wozny, Shameka Wozny

Saved: Freddie Branson, Sister Adriane Everett, Benjamin Somerset

STATISTICS

Number of Main & Side Household losses: 6/20, 1 saved

Percentage: 30% (25% if saved sim taken out of calculation)

Number of Noble Household losses:  3/17

Percentage: 17,6 %

Number of NPC losses: 24, 3 saved

Percentage: Would be statistically interesting, but I didn’t feel like counting.

Prev: 1317, Day 4, Part 3/3 <--> Next: 1318, Day 1

[boleynqueenes]

Dramatis Personae (spoilers-light and corrections-light) of Nowe Thus, "" descriptions from Hunting the Falcon

Anne Boleyn, daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard; wife of Henry VIII

First Introduction: Chapter 1

Henry VIII, King of England

First Introduction: Chapter 1

Sir Francis Weston, gentleman of the privy chamber

First Introduction: Chapter 1

Elizabeth Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey and 2nd Duke of Norfolk; wife of Sir Thomas Boleyn, mother of Anne Boleyn, Dowager Countess of Wiltshire

First introduction: Chapter 2

Henry Norris, gentleman of the privy chamber, groom of the stool from 1526

First introduction: Chapter 2

Katherine of Aragon, youngest daughter of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon; married (1) Arthur, Prince of Wales; (2) Henry VIII as his first wife sister-in-law

First introduction: Chapter 2

George Boleyn, brother of Anne Boleyn; later Viscount Rochford, Warden of the Cinque Ports, Earl of Wiltshire

First introduction: Chapter 2

Mary Howard, Anne’s cousin, daughter of the 3rd Duke of Norfolk; wife of Henry Fitzroy; lady in-waiting; contributor to the Devonshire Manuscript

First introduction: Chapter 3

Jane Seymour, gentlewoman, third wife of Henry VIII

First Introduction: Chapter 4

Edward Seymour, elder brother to Jane

First Introduction: Chapter 4

Thomas Seymour, elder brother to Jane

First Introduction: Chapter 4

Margaret Douglas, Henry VIII’s niece; only child of Margaret Tudor and Archibald Douglas, and a leading contributor to the Devonshire Manuscript

First Introduction: Chapter 4

Jane Parker, wife of George Boleyn, daughter of Henry Parker, Lord Morley; one of Anne Boleyn’s ladies-in-waiting, Countess of Wiltshire

First Introduction: Chapter 5

Thomas Cranmer, Cambridge scholar and early protégé of the Boleyns; Archbishop of Canterbury from 1532

First Introduction: Chapter 6

Margaret Butler, wife of Sir William Boleyn and grandmother of Anne Boleyn; daughter and co-heir of Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond

First Introduction: Chapter 6

Hugh Latimer, one of Anne’s chaplains; later Bishop of Worcester

First Introduction: Chapter 6

Sir William Paulet, courtier and privy councillor, Master of the Wards, comptroller of the royal household from 1532

First Introduction: Chapter 7

Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon

First Introduction: Chapter 7

Lady Anne Shelton (née Boleyn), Anne Boleyn’s aunt, mother of Mary and Margaret Shelton, custodian of Princess Mary

First Introduction: Chapter 7

Sir Thomas Boleyn, son of Sir William Boleyn and Margaret Butler; father of Anne Boleyn; later Viscount Rochford, Earl of Wiltshire, Lord Privy Seal

First Introduction: Chapter 8

Thomas Cromwell, self-trained lawyer and servant of Wolsey; parliamentary manager, Master of the Jewels and principal secretary to Henry VIII; later Vicar-general and Lord Privy Seal

First Introduction: Chapter 12

William Cavendish, gentleman-usher to Wolsey

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Lorenzo Campeggi, Cardinal and papal legate

First Introduction: Chapter 12

John Husee, court agent to Viscount and Lady Lisle

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Margaret Lee, Thomas Wyatt’s sister and mother of Elizabeth I’s Queen’s Champion, Sir Henry Lee

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, Duke of Somerset, Earl of Nottingham; illegitimate son of Henry VIII by Elizabeth Blount; married Mary Howard

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Sir Nicholas Carew, gentleman of the privy chamber, diplomat, supporter of Princess Mary; brother-in-law to Sir Francis Bryan

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Anne Stanhope, wife of Edward Seymour

First Introduction: Chapter 12

Dr William Butts, royal physician

First Introduction: Chapter 15

Margaret Gamage, gentlewoman; later married Lord William Howard as his second wife

First Introduction: Chapter 18

Mary/Margaret Shelton, Anne’s cousin, gentlewoman, contributor to the Devonshire Manuscript

First Introduction: Chapter 18

Lord Thomas Howard, lover of Margaret Douglas; a leading contributor to the Devonshire Manuscript; younger brother of Lord William Howard; stepbrother of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk

First Introduction: Chapter 18

Elizabeth "Bess" Harvey, gentlewoman, Henry VIII's mistress

First Introduction: Chapter 19

Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn; married (1) William Carey; (2) William Stafford

First Introduction: Chapter 19

Thomas Grey, Yeoman of the Bottles

First Introduction: Chapter 21

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; married (1) Anne Browne, daughter of Sir Anthony Browne; (2) Henry VIII’s younger sister Mary, widow of Louis XII; (3) Lady Katherine Willoughby

First Introduction: Chapter 22

Philippe Chabot, Seigneur de Brion, Admiral of France

First Introduction: Chapter 24

Catherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn

First Introduction: Chapter 24

Philip Calthorpe, vice-chamberlain to the Princess Mary, husband of Jane Calthorpe, sister of Thomas Boleyn

First Introduction: Chapter 27

Elizabeth de Vere, Dowager Countess of Oxford

First Introduction: Chapter 27

Sir Francis Bryan, cousin of Anne Boleyn, gentleman of the privy chamber and diplomat; later known as the ‘Vicar of Hell'

First Introduction: Chapter 27

Henry (or Harry) Algernon Percy, eldest son of 5th Duke of Northumberland; 6th Earl of Northumberland from 1527

First Introduction: Chapter 28

Gertrude Blount, second wife of Henry Courtenay; close friend and lady-in waiting to Katherine of Aragon

First Introduction: Chapter 28

Elizabeth Carew, gentlewoman, sister of Francis Bryan, wife of Nicholas Carew, supporter of Princess Mary

First Introduction: Chapter 28

Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, Anne Boleyn’s uncle, brother of her mother Elizabeth Howard

First Introduction: Chapter 28

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, former governess to Princess Mary

First Introduction: Chapter 30

Edward Neville, cousin to Henry VIII, supporter of the Princess Mary

First Introduction: Chapter 32

[thedudleywomen]

The Death of Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford - 06 April 1621

On This Day (06 Apr) in 1621, Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford, died at his home Netley Abbey, Hampshire, aged 81yo.

Hertford was the eldest surviving son of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and former Lord Protector of England, and his second wife Anne Stanhope; Edward's sister Anne Seymour's first husband John Dudley, later 2nd Earl of Warwick, was granted his wardship following their father's execution in Jan 1552. 

Around Christmas 1560, following a secret courtship, in the presence of another sister Jane, he married Katherine Grey, younger sister of Lady Jane Grey, who soon became pregnant. Once news of the marriage and pregnancy became known, a furious Elizabeth I had a heavily pregnant Katherine imprisoned in the Tower of London, shortly followed by Edward. The couple remained imprisoned for 2 years, although were able to have contact, as another child was also conceived during this time; Katherine gave birth to two sons during this time, Edward (b.1561) and Thomas (b.1563). However, an ecclesiastical court annulled their marriage, and deemed their children illegitimate. 

The couple and their children were released from the Tower following their extended family's pleas, due to the spread of plague in the summer of 1563, but were kept under separate house arrests, never to be reunited, with Katherine dying in Jan 1568. 

Edward went on to marry a further two times, to Frances Howard (sister of Douglas Howard, Lady Sheffield, one time paramour of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester), and thirdly to Frances Purnell (neé Howard). However, he had no further children. 

Following his death, Edward was buried at Salisbury Cathedral; at his request, Katherine Grey's body was reportedly moved from her original burial place at Yoxford, Suffolk, and reinterred with alongside him, her entrails remaining buried at Yoxford. A great monument was erected at Salisbury, with matching tomb effigies of the couple, Katherine's being positioned above Edward's, reflecting her royal status.

[alternatehistoryworlds]

AU House of Tudors: Children Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

Catherine of Aragon(1485 - 1543).In 1501 Catherine of Aragon became the wife of Prince Arthur, but he died half a year later. In 1509 she married Henry VIII. Their married life was happy despite the fact that Catherine was 6 years older than Henry. She also often took an active part in the affairs of state. The marriage produced 6 children. The death of Prince William undermined Catherine's health and because of this she began to have frequent heart aches. She died in 1543 of heart disease.

Elizabeth(1510 - 1582). Queen of Spain and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. Wife of Charles V. The marriage of Elizabeth and Charles was happy. They had 5 children: Joana, Henry V, Catherine, Inigo and Alexandra. She outlived not only her husband but also her sons. In 1560, her eldest son died of illness, and her youngest died while still a child. And in the same year she became regent of Spain under her one-year-old granddaughter Isabella. Her regency was characterized by an era of prosperity and tranquility. Elizabeth, who was well educated, patronized the arts and sciences. Her court was visited by prominent humanists. Elizabeth had a rich library and could play several musical instruments. She loved to write and read books. 3 years before her death, she handed over the rule of the country into the hands of Isabella, and herself withdrew from public affairs and devoted herself to rest and reading.

Henry IX(1511 - 1581). King of England. Husband of 1)Renée of France and 2)Magdalene of Austria. In 1527 he married Louis XII's daughter Renée. Their married life was happy. But in 1542 she was gone. Renée died in childbirth while giving birth to her 8th child. Henry was inconsolable he fell into depression and 3 years mourned his wife. He did not marry a second time until 10 years after her death. During his reign, England became a strong sea power, and the economy grew 2-fold. Under Henry IX, peace and prosperity reigned in the kingdom. In addition, the king paid great attention to the cultural enlightenment of his state.

He became the father of 12 children: Henry X, Edward, Catherine, Anne, William, Jasper, Mary and Margaret - children from his first marriage.

Magdalen, Ferdinand, Arthur and George from his second.

William(1513 - 1536). Duke of York. Husband of Catherine Parr and father of 2 children: Maud and William. William and Catherine's married life was happy, but not long. Henry VIII was against this marriage, as he looked for another bride. But after much persuasion of his wife and son agreed. Soon Catherine and William learned that they would soon become parents. In April 1536, he fell ill with smallpox and died within days, and in May he became the father of a daughter and a son. After her husband's death, Catherine did not marry again. There were many suitors for her hand, but she refused them and said that her heart belonged only to one William.

Edmund(1514 - 1588). Duke of Somerset. Husband of Dorothea of Denmark, father of 6 children: William, Catherine, Henry, Mark, Isabella and Christian. Edmund was not in love with his wife. The first years of their marriage the couple lived amicably and were attached to each other, and when misunderstandings began between them, they were of a financial nature. The duke did not like the excessive spending of his wife. Because of frequent quarrels, they began to distance themselves from each other. And after the birth of the last child Edmund finally turned away from his wife. Edmund, like his older sister, was a patron of culture and art.

Mary(1516 - 1570). Queen of Scots. Wife of James V. She was the favorite daughter of Henry VIII. At first the Scots did not want to recognize Mary as their queen, but later she quickly won the trust of the people. She also enjoyed the trust of her husband, who often left her as regent during his absence. The spouses were an example of family life, the king was never seen for public adultery. The marriage produced 5 children: Margaret, James VI, David, Robert and Catherine.

Isabella(1518 - 1585). Queen of Poland. Wife of Sigismund II and mother of 8 children: Bona, Sigismund III, Casimir, Jadwiga, Wladyslaw, Jagailo, Catherine and Stanislaw. Isabella was famous for her beauty, distinguished by her intelligence and great energy. But there was no happiness in her life. Isabella's marriage was not a happy one. The queen unrequitedly loved her husband, but the king preferred to lead a dissolute lifestyle. The king's mother feared that Isabella would influence her son and turned Sigismund against her. The king and queen had 8 children, but only one boy survived. Isabella tried to exert political influence on her son, but her attempts were unsuccessful. Because of her disagreement with her son, she returned to her homeland.

AU Дом Тюдоров:Дети Генриха VIII и Екатерины Арагонской.

Екатерина Арагонская(1485 - 1543). В 1501 году Екатерина Арагонская стала женой принца Артура, но через пол года он умер. В 1509 она вышла замуж за Генриха VIII. Их супружеская жизнь была счастливой несмотря на то, что Екатерина была старше Генриха на 6 лет. Также она часто принимала активное участие в делах государства. В браке родилось 6 детей. Смерть принца Уильяма подкосило здоровье Екатерины и из-за этого у неё стало часто болеть сердце. Умерла в 1543 году от сердечной болезни.

Елизавета(1510 - 1582). Королева Испании и императрица Священной Римской империи. Жена Карла V. Брак Елизаветы и Карла был счастливым. У них родилось 5 детей: Хуана, Энрике V, Екатерина, Иниго и Алехандра. Пережила не только мужа, но и своих сыновей. В 1560 году от болезни умер ее старший сын, а младший умер ещё в детстве. И в этом же году она стала регентом Испании при своей годовалой внучке Изабелле. Её регенство характерезуится эпохой процветания и спокойствия. Елизавета, получившая хорошее образование покровительствовала искусствам и наукам. Её двор посещали выдающиеся гуманисты. У Елизаветы была богатая библиотека, а также она умела играть на нескольких музыкаль��ых инструментах. Любила писать и читать книги. За 3 года до своей смерти вручила правле��ие страной в руки Изабелле, а сама отошла от государственных дел и посвятила себя отдыху и чтению.

Генрих IX(1511 - 1578). Король Англии. Муж 1)Рене Французской и 2)Магдалины Австрийской. В 1527 году женился на дочери Людовика XII Рене. Их супружеская жизнь была счастливой. Но 1542 году её не стало. Рене умерла при родах, рожая 8 ребёнка. Генрих был безутешен он впал в депрессию и 3 года оплакивал жену. Женился во второй раз только через 10 лет после её смерти. В период его правления Англия стала сильной морской державой, а также в 2 раза увеличился рост экономики. При Генрихе IX в королевстве царил мир и процветание. Кроме этого, король уделял большое внимание культурному просвещению своего государства.

Стал отцом 12 детей: Генрих X, Эдуард, Екатерина, Анна, Уильям, Джаспер, Мария и Маргарита - дети от первого брака.

Магдалена, Фердинанд, Артур и Джордж - от второго.

Уильям(1513 - 1536). Герцог Йоркский. Муж Екатерины Парр и отец 2 детей: Мод и Уильям. Супружеская жизнь Уильяма и Екатерины был счастливой, но не долгой. Генрих VIII был против этого брака, так как подыскал ему другую невесту. Но после долгих уговоров жены и сына согласился. Вскоре Екатерина и Уильям узнали, что скоро станут родителями. В апреле 1536 года он заболел оспой и умер в течение нескольких дней, а в мае стал отцом дочери и сына. После смерти мужа Екатерина больше замуж не вышла. Было много претендентов на её руку, но она им отказывала и говорила, что её сердце принадлежит лишь одному Уияльму.

Эдмунд(1514 - 1588). Герцог Сомерсет. Муж Доротеи Датской, отец 6 детей: Уильям, Екатерина, Генрих, Марк, Изабелла и Кристиан. Эдмунд не был влюблен в свою жену. Первые годы брака супруги жили дружно и были привязаны друг к другу, а когда между ними начались недоразумения, то они носили финансовый характер. Герцогу не нравились чрезмерные расходы жены. Из-за частых ссор они стали отдаляться друг от друга. А после рождения последнего ребёнка Эдмунд окончательно отвернулся от жены. Эдмунд, как и его старшая сестра был покровителем культуры и искусства.

Мария(1516 - 1570). Королева Шотландии. Жена Якова V. Была любимой дочерью Генриха VIII. Поначалу шотландцы не хотели признавать Марию своей королевой, но позже она быстро завоевала доверие народа. Также она пользовалась доверием своего мужа, который часто оставлял её регентом на время своего отсутствия. Супруги были примером семейной жизни, король ни разу не был замечен за публичным изменами. В браке родилось 5 детей: Маргарита, Яков VI, Давид, Роберт и Екатерина.

Изабелла(1518 - 1585). Королева Польши. Жена Сигизмунда II и мать 8 детей: Бона, Сигизмунд III, Казимир, Ядвига, Владислав, Ягайло, Екатерина и Станислав. Изабелла славилась своей красотой, отличалась умом и большой энергией. Но счастья в её жизни не было. Брак Изабеллы был не счастливым. Королева безответно любила своего мужа, но король предпочитал вести разгульный образ жизни. Мать короля опасалась того, что Изабелла будет оказывать влияние на сына и настраивала Сигизмунда против неё. У короля и королевы было 8 детей, но выжил лишь один мальчик. Изабелла пыталась оказывать политическое влияние на своего сына, но её попытки остались без успешны. Из за разногласий с сыном она вернулась на Родину.

[storyofmychoices]

Choices Masterlists: (alphabetical by LI's first name)

💙 Beckett Harrington x Emma Carlyle [The Elementalists] 💜 Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley(OC) [Open Heart] 💙 Ethan Ramsey x Ellie Shepherd [Open Heart] 💜 John Somerset x Christie Hayes [The Unexpected Heiress] 💙 Jun Seong x Emilia Charles [The Deadliest Game] 💜 Justin Mercado x Mari Bishop [Save the Date] 💙 Levi Schuler x Laura Day [Mother of the Year] 💜 Mal Volari x Daenarya [Blades of Light & Shadow] + Mal's Orphanage Series + Blades 2 AU 💙 Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer [Red Carpet Diaries/Hollywood U] 💜 Troy Hassan x Astraea Callen [Wake the Dead] 💙 Trystan Thorne x Lilah Rose [Crimes of Passion] 💜 Assorted Characters (EmoDrake, ROE Bartender, Thomas Mendez, Kate O'Malley) 💖 Geometric Art 💖 My Personal Favorite Fics

✨Recent Posts ✨

Bitten By Love (Vampire AU): Vampire!Daenarya feeds on her favorite human. [Art]

I Dream of [Thomas and] Alex / Second Art

Operations with Drs Lahela (Halloween Art)

Happy Birthday, Bryce (Picta Posts)

Of Leaves and Laughter (Orphanage Series): Mal and the boys are cleaning up around the orphanage when Mal has an idea to make things more interesting.

Autumn's Embrace: Bryce and Olivia find magic in the small moments of autumn.

A Date to Remember: Bryce has a very important question for Olivia. (iykyk)

A Brush of Magic: Emma tracks down a particularly mischievous book, while Beckett gets caught in their path.

Through the Pain: Emilia takes Jun up on his offer to try the punching bag. (A more emotional rewrite of Jun's Chapter 6 diamond scene)

Only Her: Thomas and Alex enjoy a quiet sunset at the beach.

A Late Night Picnic: Mal surprises Daenarya with a late night picnic, but it doesn't go as planned. [with Rayden & Lydo]

Neon Glow: Bryce and Olivia enjoy some fun during laser tag with their friends. 🖊️🎨

Love & Scotch: dx: Friendship & New Beginnings: Hunt and Ethan share a drink before Hunt's wedding. 🖊️

Daenarya and her trophy husband 🎨

Character Profiles: (alphabetically by first name)

💜 Alex Hunt (RCD/HWU F!MC / OC)

💖 Callista Rossi (VoS MC)

💜 Daenarya (Blades F!MC / OC)

💖 Ellie Shepherd (OH F!MC)

💜 Emilia Charles (TDG F!MC)

💖 Guinevere Áine of Carmelide (F!MC)

💜 Iliana Maria Volari (Blades F!OC)

💖 Keiki Lahela

💜 Laura Day (MotY F!MC)

💖 Lilah Rose (CoP F!MC)

💜 Makoa Lahela (OH M!OC)

💖 Mal Volari (coming soon)

Alessia Volari (Mal's sister) < needs to be rewritten with Wren

💜 Nyx Selenastra (Blades NB!OC)

💖 Malia Lahela (OH F!OC)

💜 Olivia Hadley (OH F!OC)

💖 Rayden + Lydo (Blades OCs) (coming soon)

💜 Trystan Thorne

💚 Character Birthday Chart

Reblog Game Masterlists (alphabetically)

💙 MC Monday: Olivia Hadley 💖 Summer Character Challenge : Olivia Hadley 💙 Summer Character Challenge: Lilah Rose 💖 Top 3 Thursday

Yearly Summary Posts

2023

[edwardslovelyelizabeth]

Who are the people attending Elizabeth Woodville's funeral?Are they all her relatives?

Hi! Yes, her three daughters - Anne, Katherine and Bridget as well as her only son Thomas Grey with his wife and their daughter (Elizabeth’s granddaughter), her nieces and nephews, Cecily’s husband - Elizabeth’s son-in-law, Edward IV’s closest male relative Edmund de la Pole.

Mourners were soon arriving, however, three of her unmarried daughters arrived on Tuesday 12 June, Princesses Anne (born 1475), Katherine (born 1479), and Bridget (born 1480) and her daughter-in—law, Cecily Bonville, the wife of her eldest son and marchioness of Dorset. With them was an unmarried niece, Elizabeth, the daughter of Katherine Woodville, sister to the dead queen and dowager duchess of Buckingham, a grand-daughter, one of the daughters of her son the marquess of Dorset and yet another niece, Elizabeth, Lady Herbert in her own right as the only child of William Herbert, Lord Herbert and Earl of Huntingdon and Pembroke; and his first wife, Mary, another sister of the dead queen — the herald-narrator is apparently not aware that the sixteen year-old heiress had just been married in the king's presence on 2 June to his favourite, Sir Charles Somerset. There also arrived Lady Egremont, Dame Katherine Grey, and Dame Guildford, either the wife of Sir John Guildford or his son, Sir Richard, a family closely linked to the Woodvilles and Hautes. Part of the narrative seems to be missing at this point; it probably reported that these ladies knelt around the hearse according to their rank, while Dirige was sung. On Wednesday 13 June a mass of requiem was held while the three daughters knelt at ‘the hed’, their gentlewomen behind them. That same morning arrived Thomas, Marquess Dorset, the queen’s son, and Edmund de La Pole, son of the duke of Suffolk, the closest living male relative of Edward IV, Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, a nephew of the dead queen by her sister, Anne, John, Viscount Welles, who had married Cecily, the second surviving daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, Sir Charles Somerset; the brand-new husband of Elizabeth, Lady Herbert and, last of the seculars, Sir Roger Cotton, Edward Haute, her second cousin through their common grandfather, Richard Woodville, Master Edmund Chaderton also came, once treasurer of Richard III and now chancellor to Queen Elizabeth of York.

from “The Royal Burials of the House of York at Windsor: II. Princess Mary, May 1482, and QueenElizabeth Woodville, June 1492.” by Anne Sutton and Livia Visser-Fuchs

[creatediana]

"The Duke of Somerset" - an extremely simple no. 2 pencil drawing done 1/08/2024, of actor Brian Deacon in Henry VI, Part 2 (1983) directed by Jane Howell for the BBC Television Shakespeare, done in about 10 minutes. Would've been more detailed but my sister said "I'm bored and hungry, come eat with me" and that sounded pretty compelling.

[hklnvgl]

I love getting to ask you about books because you've always got something interesting to talk about!

For the end-of-year book ask: 2, 3, 6, 15 & 18.

omg hiiii i love talking about books with you too! if you think about it it was books that first brought us together ✨

2. Did you reread anything? What?

i did reread volume 4 of mdzs twice before volume 5 came out because i didn't know what to do with myself while i waited. i meant to reread the letter by walter somerset maugham but never got around to it

3. What were your top five books of the year?

hmmm i usually make a list the last days of december but for now i'd say the layover by lacie waldon, the master and margarita by mikhail bulgakov, the makioka sisters by tanizaki junichiro, the mercies by kiran millwood hargrave and of course dial a for aunties by jesse q sutanto. but i also loved here lived nefertiti by mary chubb and love for lydia by h e bates.

6. Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?

yes! tons! to live by yu hua has been sitting in my shelf for a year or so 🫣 last winter i wanted to read doctor zhivago but then i never did. and i bought it last month so i thought somewhere this month i'd fit it in but then i put a hold on war and peace in the library and it's coming next week so i guessed it'd be just too much russian lit all together so i'm waiting a bit on dr zhivago 😅

15. Did you read any books that were nominated for or won awards this year (Booker, Women’s Prize, National Book Award, Pulitzer, Hugo, etc.)? What did you think of them?

i have no idea let me check. i did read half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi adichie, that won the women's prize in 2007, and absolutely loved it (though i had a hard time reading it!)

18. How many books did you buy?

omg too many! counting only physical copies because i've definitely bought lots of ebooks too: 28 i think, though a couple i might have bought in 2022? cant' remember 🙃

end of year book asks

[goodmorningbadday]

I haven’t updated on here in a while and I need to so this can still serve as my diary years later when my memory finally gives out. anyways

went to adjacent fest in may. 10/10 fest. always nice to be recognized and pointed out by the midtown guys :’) rip midtown always in my heart and ready for more shows whenever.

taylor swift in june. haven’t seen her live since she OPENED for keith urban in 2009 where I almost met her after the show at the buses. cried my eyes out sorry guys

TAI/FOB show at wrigley. before the show me & caitlyn had the nicest little talk with mike carden in a coffee shop. he asked if he was a loser for his coffee order. talked about the most random things. he looked so good. show was incredible!!!! I didn’t think it was possible for any other FOB show to be better than the metro show in jan but it was. GINASFS!!!!!!

flew to TX to see FTSK twice. genuinely was like one of the last pieces I needed to like heal teenage me. I walked into the venue of the first show and was there less than 5 minutes when caleb saw me and excused himself from a convo to come up to me. we were smiling so big and hugged and he said to me “I’m so glad you’re here” as we hugged and we had a quick catch up of just asking how the other has been. opening band was on so we couldn’t go in depth and I didn’t get to talk to him the rest of the weekend but that’s honestly okay. cried my fucking eyes out this weekend. breathe carolina was incredible!!!

then to LA for the two FOB shows at BMO, which turned into three FOB shows in 26 hours because a friend was able to get me into the KROQ show. TAI was incredible. FOBx3 was incredible. the KROQ show was so scary because they were so close with like less than 100 people in the room it was so SCARY. almost made my LA trip a full week just because I hadn’t been in a while and wanted more time in LA and my last night was going to be the emo nite that the gabilliam reunion happened at but I decided against it because I’m a MORONNNNN and was trying to be responsible when planning the trip…… had I known what I was going to miss………ugh I can’t even speak about it

THEN FOB at somerset which was still fun despite the almost cancellation. went with my sister who got me into FOB and it had been 17 years since her last FOB show :’) sad it was cut short because a lot of the older songs she was excited for for cut but we still had so much fun.

next on the agenda: FOB in boston & forest hills. movielife in boston. PARADISE FEARS (!!!!!!!!) in chicago & nashville. WWWYF day 1 & 2 in october. some more random shows between now and then, like the jonas brothers 3 times (because I got invited by 3 different groups of people LMAO), TWY, BLG & TSS, jeff rosenstock, the happy fits, idk what else anymore.

very happy w life, very happy I can honor young me by doing things like this and that those things still make me this happy, and that the people I looked up to as a teenager are still just as kind to me as they were 10-15 years ago, or just as kind as I had hoped they’d be as a teenager. turmax forever. midtown saves forever. santi forever. okay that’s all bye

[endlessly-cursed]

WIP List & Upcoming Fics

I. A Small Reminder 

These fics don’t have a date and most of them are simply outlined or just exist in my head because I’m lazy and neurodivergent. Please remember that 

II. The Order 

The order of the fics go through eras and the first is the most likely to be finished/written and the last one is a rough draft 

III. Current Fics 

Primrose Gray’s Legacy: The Younger Years (Somersets 1) 

Outlined: 18/18

Written: 7/18

Published: 6/18

Becoming Primrose 

Outlined: 7/7 

Written: 0/7 

Published: 0/7 

Third of Her Name 

Outlined: 0/12 

Written: 0/12 

Published: 0/12 

Viscountess of Viscountesses 

Outlined: 0/17

Written: 0/17 

Published: 0/17 

Over The Brink of War: A The Phoenix Resistance Story 

Act One: The Fall of the Ministry 

Outlined: 5/5

Written: 3/5 

Published: 3/5 

Act Two: Bound By Destiny 

Outlined: 5/5 

Written: 0/5 

Published: 0/5 

Act Three: The Great War 

Outlined: 28/28 

Written: 0/28 

Published: 0/28 

A Living Dynasty, Somersets Prequel 

Part One: The Beginning of All 

Outlined: 7/7 

Written: 4/7 

Published: 3/7 

Part Two: History In the Making 

Outlined: 5/5 

Written: 0/5 

Published: 0/5 

Part Three: Building A Dynasty 

Outlined: 9/9 

Written: 0/9 

Published: 0/9 

IV. Upcoming Fics 

i. Founders’ Era

Trial By Fire (Brunhilda’s Story) 

Outlined: 7/17

Written: 0/17

Published: 0/17

ii. Victorian Era 

Walking Through Time (Cromwell Siblings)

Outlined: 19/19 

Written: 0/19 

Published: 0/19 

Life Stages (Emmeline Falcon) 

Outlined: 8/8 

Written: 0/8 

Published: 0/8 

Unnamed Ernest di Napoli Fic 

Outlined: TBD 

Written: TBD 

Published: TBD 

iii. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 

Heads & Tails (Albert & Catalina Rosier) 

Outlined: 4/4 

Written: 0/4 

Published: 0/4 

(Not) A Man’s World (Jude Dubois, Dubois 2/3) 

Outlined: 0/?? 

Written: 0/?? 

Published: 0/?? 

When Duty Meets Love (Vincent Somerset, Somersets 2) 

Outlined: 16/16

Written: 0/16 

Published: 0/16 

The Search For Valhalla (Atticus Demiurgos-Kennedy) 

Outlined: 0/?? 

Written: 0/?? 

Published: 0/?? 

iv. Riddle Era 

Impossible (Elodie Dubois, Dubois 3/4) 

Outlined: 0/5 

Written: 0/5 

Published: 0/5 

The Lord’s Tale (Lawrence Somerset, Somersets 3) 

Outlined: 7/7 

Written: 0/7 

Published: 0/7 

v. Marauder’s Era 

Splendour And Decadence (Vixen Twins) 

Outlined: TBD 

Written: TBD 

Published: TBD 

vi. Hogwarts Mystery 

Warring Hearts* (Valentina Somerset, Somersets 4) 

Outlined: 15/15 

Written: 0/15 

Published: 0/15 

vii. Golden Era 

Salvaging the Future (Gallardo Sisters) 

Outlined: TBD 

Written: TBD 

Published: TBD 

viii. Magic Awakened & Next Gen 

The Cousins’ Feud (Yvonne & Lucille, Dubois 4/5) 

Outlined: TBD 

Written: TBD 

Published: TBD 

The Girl Gang Project (Mary Ann Von Deyne & the Girl Gang) 

TBD!! 

V. Trivia 

* - Means it’s a working title 

??- The story and pacing is clear, but the number of chapters/parts is not 

TBD- The story and pacing is there, but there is no written record of outline 

Dubois family- The Dubois and their story have a big book/timeline gap since it starts with Bruna’s story as the clear first book, but Blanche doesn’t have a story 

Ernest Fic- I came up with it this week and it’s in the first stages of planning & outlining 

Somerset Saga- Since each book has spoilers from the book that precedes it, it will be written after the book is done writing 

[silvestromedia]

SAINTS NOVEMBER 02 "There is only one tragedy in this life, not to have been a saint."- Leon Bloy

Bl. John Bodey, 1583 A.D. English martyr and schoolmaster. He was born at Wells, Somerset, and educated at Oxford. Converting to the faith, John studied law at Douai in 1557 and returned to England to become a schoolmaster and to marry. When he repudiated King Henry VIII’s claim of supremacy in spiritual matters, he was arrested in 1550. John was imprisoned at Winchester until 1583, when he was taken on November 2 to Andover where he was hanged. He was beatified in 1929.

St. Maura. Maura, the Irish sister of St. Brigid. There legend is that they were Scottish princesses who were murdered by pagan outlaws while on a pilgrimage to Rome. Their bodies are enshrined there. They are believed to be the same St. Maura and St. Britt who were 5th century soldiers per St. Euphronius and St. Martin of Tours. Also there is another legend of them by St. Baya.

[honeydahlia]

HELLO! i'm dahlia & i'm 22 (no minors). this is an independent, private, semi-selective blog. i focus on mystery, historical, fantasy, & horror plots. i am in the mountain timezone (GMT-6) & i write 1-2 paragraphs without formatting, with biweekly activity. no smut & tumblr only.

guidelines ◇ muses (under construction) ◇ navigation (under construction) ◇ starters

i am waiting for javascript permissions for my pages but for now — i look forward to writing!

THEODORA MARSH | theda, theo, dodie

35–45 years old

5'7" | born 2 february

archaeologist, historian, visiting professor

In her main verse, Theodora is a Deep One hybrid and the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Obed Marsh, a character featured in H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow over Innsmouth. Her arc focuses on discovering this connection and exploring mythos lore. Otherwise, she is a medievalist and a studier of material culture who graduated from Miskatonic University with a doctorate in history and archaeology. In a non-Lovecraft verse, she graduated from Harvard, and is generally interested in the occult.

tag. pinterest.

BEATRICE HUNNISETT | bea, birdie

20–25 years old

5'4" | born 18 october

beekeeper

Beatrice is a Regency era (1795–1820) muse. She reads, writes, and keeps bees in Somerset, and loves bugs of all kinds. A protective friend and someone you can count on to speak up and do the right thing, she always longs for more friends and perhaps something more.

tag. pinterest.

LADY CHARLOTTA WILDEGRAVE OF PESTILENTIA PEAK | lottie

23–30 years old

5'11" | born 7 november

aristocrat

Charlotta is a Swedish aristocrat who can be played between the 1830s and 1890s (slightly alternate history) in any northern/western European country or the United States. Her bloodline is haunted, and she attracts ghosts and other paranormal entities. She is of dubious morality, dabbling in the occult and being concerned only with her own desires. My most wanted plot for her is a doomed romance with a ghost or a werewolf.

tag. pinterest.

DAPHNE HIGHTOWER

21–27 years old

5'3" | born 21 august

chambermaid, thief

Daphne is a chambermaid for a large, fancy hotel. Verses can place her anywhere between 1920 and 1939, in either the United States or England. She steals jewels from those who stay at the hotel, often orchestrating the situation so that the blame falls on other maids. She works with a fence and a jeweler who help her launder the pieces in order to sell them without being caught. She is cunning and detached.

tag. pinterest.

MARGOT CHERRYMAN

25–76 years old

5'5" | born 1 march

malkavian | 10th generation

roadside killer | dementation | obfuscate

Margot is a quirky Malkavian who can communicate with her past lives, and with enough rapport, other people's, too. She can be played anywhere between 1968, when she was Embraced, and modern day (2019).

tag.

WYSTERIA BLUMENTHAL

173 years old

5'10" | born 24 february

moon elf | wizard, school of divination

lawful neutral | noble, duchess

Wysteria is a Forgotten Realms (Dungeons & Dragons) muse who can also be used in a generic fantasy setting. She is a noble from Leuthilspar, Evermeet, and is the eldest of thirteen. Around ten years before present, her father, a member of the Council of Evermeet, died from a mysterious illness, leaving Wysteria to take his seat. Though shocked, she was well-prepared for this role and saw to it that her siblings' positions were well-cared for once she took on the title, and that her mother lived out her remaining some hundred years in luxury.

Some months ago, however, her mother disappeared along with one of her brothers, and no trace of them has been found. Leaving another brother, Ipheion, in charge of their estate, Wysteria took it upon herself to don the identity of her youngest sister Lunaria and leave her city to find out what happened to her mother and brother. On her journey she wishes to also perhaps uncover the truth behind the mysterious disease that took her father's life. No one knows about Wysteria's absence except those inside the family and those close to it, and only the 13 Blumenthal siblings know the truth of it. Everyone else was informed by Ipheion that Wysteria was entering a period of dedicated wizardry training, while they had several "experts" on the case of the disappearances.

tag. pinterest.

image

LYRA APOSTOLOV

22–27 years old

5'6" | born 9 april

ttrpg writer, game & book store worker

bio

tag. pinterest.

MORE MUSES TO COME.

[diamonddaze01]

no such thing as arguing! i like hearing other people’s takes on my character! if your version and your interpretation of a character make sense to you, then i urge you to continue believing in that.

i will say, to your point- the latter is what i was going for when i wrote it. yes, minghao adores and loves his sister and would do anything for her, but the duke of somerset has a legacy to protect - and somewhere along the hallway between the ballroom and the room where he strips his sister of her dignity, minghao dons his role as duke faster than he can control his raging emotions.

i think the reason i went this route, honestly, is because i was bored (LMAO) - i love a good, healthy, sibling relationship, but i wanted some action, some tension in a relationship that had just begun rebuilding.

if you remember chapter 2, there’s a similar conflict when minghao asks seokmin to dance with her - its less that he knew her feelings for seokmin, and more that he assumed this is what she wanted. he assumes (wrongly) that she would be grateful to him for protecting her honor after a bad debut, for protecting her social standing. and he’s wrong! and she calls him out for his shit immediately. and he grows, so we think (see where he tells jeonghan that he knows better than to speak for you). what i wanted to write was a character that was human - one that was at war with his duty as his sister’s brother and his duty as his father’s son. i think what i wanted to show here was that even with all this growth, all the progress that can be made, everything can get ruined in a fit of passion. yn and seokmin is one scenario, but minghao is another - regardless of how good of a brother he may be, he’ll always be the duke first.

i still think minghao is a good brother, and i’m glad you think so too! he does care deeply for his loved ones, which is why i think he protects his sister so fiercely. i wrote him with anthony bridgerton in mind; a man who loves and cherishes his family but is constantly at war with his own duties. and sometimes, his duties lead him astray, force him to make decisions his siblings abhor him for, and he has to convince himself that he is doing the right thing. anthony, like minghao, became the head of the household far too early, and it weighs heavily on them both. both are fantastic brothers, truly. in minghao’s case, i believe his heart is in the right place, but he’s a little too easily swayed by duty.

@diamonddaze01 i've been pondering more on the last chapter and i keep getting stuck on it cuz EUGH 😭 i didn't break it down enough. like it's occurring to me, that minghao low-key finessing the seokyn marriage was like,, the last thing he would ever do for her as her like "caregiver" before she's handed off to another man and leaves her family home. and it's like messed up that this is what thinks will make her happy bc she loves seok and not hannie, BUT IT'S NOT!! her agency has been ripped away from her, and it doesn't matter that she loves seok and not hannie—she was going to be okay, but he DIDN'T KNOW THAT HHHHHH 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭