#daintyhippie

[tedkennedyswife]

Are there any books out about Joan Kennedy? There’s so much out there about Jackie (who I’m honestly not fond of) and hardly anything about Joan from what I’ve seen.

In regards to her relationship with Ted, do you think they were forced to marry? Did Ted ever love her? Did he ever apologize for how he treated her?

Hi !

So sorry for the late reply.

Yes you can check out the available books in my book tag https://tedkennedyswife.tumblr.com/tagged/book

For your second question, I've made a post in 2022 that I think answers it for the most part: https://tedkennedyswife.tumblr.com/day/2022/05/03

I'm pretty sure he never apologized. I mean, it's Ted. He was the baby of the family and pretty much everyone excused his behavior or enabled him.

Thank you for your question!

[thereadersmuse]

Hello! I found your profile through your stories on AOOO. I was wondering if you could write another story on Robert the Bruce and Elizabeth de Burch. There isn’t enough out there on them.

I am glad you enjoy my stories! Thank you for your message. Feel free to shoot me a prompt and I will see what I can do. 😊

[callmethehunter]

@0-flowers-for-ophelia-0

@daintyhippie you asked about images of Robert in the little blue shirt. It was his signature outfit on stage for 1973 😁🥹

[streets-in-paradise]

A Man of Honor -Odysseus x Trojan Princess!Reader Part 2

Troy (2004) Oneshot

Requested by @alysinwonderland-at-tea

Warnings: war captive x enemy king, age gap ( incluiding a young girl attempting to seduce a man significantly older than her).

Summary: The greek enemies of Agamemnon gather arround the task of protecting you. While your original captors show you their most friendly side, Odysseus has to admit he had grown too close with you.

Struggling with the contradictions between his needs of king and man, the time comes for him to take a definitve choice.

Note: I couldn't finish the story completely in this one, so it's most likely I will release a third part that will serve as end for it.

Tags: @yerevasunclair @daintyhippie

After being submitted to the worst of the greeks, you found a chance to discover there were still good people among them to be discovered in the most unexpected of places. Your presence, although welcomed, brought Odysseus a problem of practical order.

During most of the day, he had to be away to lead his army. With him would go his most trusted men, possibly leaving you to an uncertain fate. He didn't want to keep you tied to a headpost of his tent like a slave, but allowing you to roam free through the camp was a risk for your safety if no one of his trust could be watching over you. By any means necesary, he had to prevent another brutal attack to happen while he would be too far to help you.

As precaution, he started sending you to the tents of the myrmidons. Not like their prize, but as a favor that their leader was doing to his friend on his time of inaction on the war. Odysseus trusted Achilles and, despite knowing you hated him, he begged you to behave for your own good.

So you did, only because he said it and you trusted his word. It could have been a recipe for disaster, but you ended greatly surprised. The man who received you didn't act at all like the arrogant brute you once meet. Alongside him, there was always a young lad you didn't got to meet before. His presence seemed to soften the warrior, who treated him like his little brother.

Patroclus, younger cousin of the myrmidon leader, couldn't trust any of his senses when you told him you were a Princess of Troy. He had never meet a princess before, so his harmless curiosity became a bonding point for you. Spending time with him was quite fun. As he gained your trust, you became less wary of his countrymen thanks to his interventions.

When your defensive attitude stopped being a problem, Achilles finally asked you about the significant spectacle you gave to his soldiers fighting for your freedoom back in the temple. He made you explain yourself as if he knew that his cousin was going to love your answer, yet incapable of predicting the chaos he had unleashed through that interrogation. As you admitted to have been learning from your eldest brother, Patroclus' excitement knew no limits. He practically begged you to duel against him with his teacher as witness.

You, being the only known student of Hector, were his perfect match for a combat training session. His sweet insistence managed to flatter you, since he seemed very convinced to have found in you the best rival available. Finding yourself dragged by his entusiasm, you accepted as if was an autentical challenge. Instants later, Achilles watched you get into it like if you were two children playing with wooden swords.

Most likely, that was the image he had of you.

Back in the moment he saw you entering the tent of Agamemnon, he was grossed by the situation and intended to protect you. The reaction was strange and you didn't got to understand it on time. Getting to know him a bit better showed you that being of a similar age to Patroclus meant he saw you as a little girl and felt inclined to treat you as such.

It could sometimes be a bit frustrating, specially arround Odysseus.

In that oportunity he had came back earlier than expected, when the sun wasn't yet going down. The happy noises of your playfull battle let him know you were having a good time and that was a comfort for his heavy heart carrying the burden of yet another defeat.

" Enough swordplay! " Achilles was instructing, childishly invested. " Come on, Patroclus! The family honor is at risk! "

You raised your arm with the wooden sword in hand, heroic gesture of your charge into battle.

" FOR TROY!! "

By the instant Odysseus got a clear sight of the scene, the clash had turned out in your favor. The lad was on the ground and you had threw yourself over him to proceed the fight weaponless. Mutual laughter on the start of your friendly wrestling, but the fight ended when he stopped moving because you were straddling his lap.

" Turns out you do quite good when the fight is fair, little one. " Odysseus commented, making you aware of his presence. " Now, where are your manners? "

You smiled and quickly raised up to rush on his encounter.

" Don't ruin their fun, Odysseus. " Achilles mocked him, noticing you had tossed your victory aside for the newcomer. " Let them discover their bodies the way I did. "

Patroclus avoided to raise fast just to hide the shame as you did hidding on the embrace of the ithacan king.

" How was the fighting? " You asked him, trying to ignore what had just happened. " Did you saw my brother? How is he? "

He could still see excitement in your eyes and tried to respond accordingly.

" Bleeding out the open wound he inflicted in the heart of Greece ... We ended sooner today because he decided he had enough. Honorable man, he could have just destroyed us all. "

For drastically different reasons, you were one with Achilles in the celebration.

" YES!! " You exclaimed, releasing Odysseus to make a gesture of victory with your arms up, only to later remember he was on the loosing side. " I mean, I'm sorry. "

Achilles raised from the comfortable sitting spot from where he had been watching your fights.

" Don't be, princess. That old drunk is getting what he deserves for attacking our honor. Agamemnon insulted my pride and didn't stop there. If of me depended, I would have marked every single one of the pigs he sent to do his dirty work for him just so it would be easier for Hector to find them. "

Angry allways escalated, slowly and insidiously, everytime he spoke of the mycenaean king.

" Thank you for your insight, my friend. " Odysseus tried to calm him, then gave him a pat on the shoulder. " ... but I could use your arm over your advice. "

Achilles chuckled, then mercielessly teased him.

" I'm having fun looking after the children ... In fact, I haven't finish my lesson. "

He paced arround Patroclus and dragged him up in a playfull way.

" Can you tell me what went wrong? "

The young man incorporated and attempted to perform a serious reply.

" I tried to play her untill she would get too tired, but underestimated her resistance. "

Achilles correctly placed the shoulder coverage of his messy tunic.

" Winning the first one got you too cocky, so you started bragging. She fought to defeat you, but you fought to impress her. We know the princess is pretty, but you have to keep the head cold because my child can't be beated by Hector's. "

The outspoken assumption brought some awakwardness between you that Patroclus attempted to bury inmediately.

" Forgive him, your highness. He is clearly out of his mind. "

You smiled for him and, despite the shyness, that worked as enough encouragement for him to approach you.

" You are a fierce opponent and fighting you has been my honor. "

He extended his hand and you took it for a handshake.

" As is mine, Patroclus. Awareness of your respectfull admiration won't make me misunderstand you like your cousin believes. "

Reassurance made him feel more comfident, so he finished the gesture shyly kissing the dorse of your hand.

Things were calm again, but his cousin won't stop messing with you.

" The grown ups want to have a conversation ... Why don't you go somewhere else and finish what you started? "

" ACHILLES! STOP BEING DISGUSTING!! " Patroclus complained, then returned his attention at you. " Your majesty, I believe you told me once that trojans are famous horse breeders ... Would you like to see the best horses of the greeks? "

The offer was great, but you reconsidered for an instant.

" ... Only if that would be fine for Odysseus. "

The king didn't expected you would care to ask, happy as you were going everywhere with the young man.

" Go ahead, princess. Have fun, I trust the strong arm of Patroclus to defend you in case of need. "

He made you smile and before leaving, you saluted him with one sweet peck on the cheek.

" Don't miss me, I'll be right back! "

Once you dissapeared from their sight, Achilles poured wine for two and invited his friend to sit with him.

" Even since you brought back that girl my cousin has postponed his resentment towards me. I get to keep my good spot to watch Agamemnon's downfall without having to deal with his concience … I don't understand why you choose to keep her, but i appreciate. "

Odysseus smirked and joined him on a silent toast. If he had to be honest, the answer he had to give wasn't as clear as usual.

" I think I didn't mean to, but it happened. " Was all he could admit. " Even my men adore her. Can you believe she made Eurylochus giggle ? I can't imagine the amount of suitors she must have in Troy. "

The myrmidon raised an eyebrow.

" Better you not be thinking on making her your little princess bride, I think Patroclus has a crush on her. "

Odysseus felt annoyed of being exposed to the obvious.

" You call that a crush? He practically worships the ground she stands … And I don't blame him. Sometimes she makes me wish I could be a lad again with her sweet ways towards me. "

Achilles took one more sip of his drink before frankly presenting him his opinion.

" A troop was making line to get their turns with her, it's normal she will feel a bit impressed after you saved her from that. She may insist that she is woman, but to me she is still a kid. And I can tell she respects me only because I am your friend, she is so thankfull of you that is almost like a devotion. "

He made a brief pause, unsure of his words, ríght before his conclussion.

" … If she was just a couple of years older, I wouldn't mind her retributions. "

Odysseus laughed with him, not wishing to unveil the undertones of that claim.

" Are you coming to the council tonight? " He abruptly changed the topic. " The fate of the war is uncertain, Hector's push could end up reaching the camp and some claim he threatens with burning down the ships. "

Achilles looked at the sea as if he searched for divine inspiration.

" I'll calm my wrath the day you release her. Do you think my absence from the battlefield is the only encouragement of Hector? The man I once meet in the ruins of that temple was a warrior of duty protecting his country, but we turned him into an angry brother in search for his taken sister. "

The unflatering comparison turned the king a bit defensive.

" So you won't do nothing because you simpatize with his reasons. "

Achilles carelessly threw the rest of his wine on the sand, gesture of self restrain against a criticism he judged hipocrite.

" You are as selfish as me, just can't admit it because you are a king. "

In very sporadical ocassions, the myrmidon warlord was capable of showing true wisdown through his brutal honesty.

On his role of King, Odysseus pretended to be a ruler granting you a kind of protection that wasn't supposed to be different from what Priam did for Helen. As a man, he allowed himself to enjoy the comfort of his blooming flower in a sort of way that was drastically different from them. Never considering to do any advances, he still liked the care perhaps too íntimate of your attentions. Your intempestive hugs, the moments you would spend in confident talks away from everybody, your sweet glances in public and those lovely welcomes from the battle.

The fire in your eyes became for him like the warm flame of home. Calid, but not threatening to consume the surroundings anymore. Ironically, the threat of fire was coming from a fairly concerned Hector seeking for justice.

Keeping you for himself was selfish, no different from what Paris did or perhaps even worse. Helen had a chance of choosing to leave willingly, but you never asked to be taken away from your family.

It was going to be a matter of time untill Agamemnon would use that argument against him on the war council. The deliberation space have become the center of increasing tensions because his act of saving the captive was taken as an insolence that started to affect his credibility.

" Hector wants the girl back and his demmand is currently stronger than ours. " Nestor was pointing out for both. " After the death of her ríghtfull husband, Helen belongs to Paris already, but the daughter of Priam still belongs to her father's home. "

He looked suspiciously at Agamemnon, aware of his ways.

" I haven't touch her! " The mycenaean king defended himself, comedically showing off his hands to emphasize his innocence. " I can't assure the same about Odysseus, he has probably charmed his way into her little hole already. "

His despicable accusations were away from any tolerance measuring. Used as he was to put up with him, Odysseus simply couldn't stand it.

" You gave her away to the soldiers like a common whore, YOU COULD HAVE DOOMED US ALL!!! "

He cleared his throat, self calming his wrath, before proceeding.

" In my tent she has remained untouched, I keep her under strict surveilance and have warned all my men. She ocassionally fools arround with the cousin of Achilles, but that lad won't lay a finger on her. He keeps distance and treats her like the unattainable royal she should be for him. If I would be asked to do it, I would swear that she remains virgin. "

Agamemnon chuckled loudly and disgustingly, but Nestor stopped him with a reprehensive look.

" That solves it all: under our own laws, she still belongs to her home in Troy if no man has claimed her his. "

" Odysseus will not return her: he wanted her from the moment that he saw her. " Agamemnon interrupted, provoking him in an accusatory tone. " He waited for his proper moment to steal her, he won't mind to get us all killed to keep her. "

The Ithacan king raised from his seat.

" You don't know what you are talking about. "

The mycenaean smirked with satisfaction.

" Prove it, prove that you are still loyal to me. Take that girl back to Troy by yourself, and once you are there, offer a sacrifice to Apollo for the crimes of the temple. That should be enough to calm the animosity of Hector. "

For as much as he hated it, Odysseus understood he spoke on point. It was clear that he intended to punish him, but in practical terms that worked as wise advice.

He had to prove all the commanders he was still thinking as a king and not as a man.

" If that's the will of the council, I'm gladly accepting the mission … Protecting Greece remains my priority, and I do can leave my pride aside. "

The walk back to his tents was the longest ever wondering how would you react to the news. He knew that going back to your family would make you happy, but he couldn't help dreaming you would show even a tiny bit of sadness about leaving him. At his arrival he found out you have fallen asleep waiting for him and doubted about waking you up to talk. He needed some time to think, so he just laid beside you. Distant enough to not touch you, facing up so he won't be looking at you.

He had to get used, he needed to be ready.

Ríght after he managed to fall asleep, something other than his thoughts woke him up.

Like some sort of divine vision, he opened his eyes to find your sweet face. Your eyes focused on him with a singular curiosity and the sound of your giggling as you noticed he was waking up made him wary. Clarity of mind made him realize that the reason for your mischievous demeanour was the weigth of your body being pushed against his.

You were straddling his lap, in the exact same position you have discovered while fighting Patroclus that afternoon.

" What do you think you are doing? Is this funny to you? "

You smiled innocently, creating contrast with the act itself.

" I'm not trying to be funny … I'm just trying something else. "

It was an authentical torture for him, precisely because of how good it felt.

" You have no excuse for this, young lady. " He called you out in a hesitant tone. " You are already aware of the effect you have in men and I have proven I'm not a threat for you … Why submitting me to such cruel test? "

The slightest movement you made was only making things worse.

" Patroclus stopped fighting because I made him. I didn't mean to, but I think I made him … feel things. He got shy, surprise made him stay still under me. "

Odysseus closed his fist strongly to avoid the temptation of grabbing your hips.

" That's a matter of you and him. If you want to tell him that you like him, I can think of plenty of safer scenarios I can help you practice … Why are you doing this to me?"

More of your sweet giggling confused him, but the explanation you had for him actually shocked him.

" I don't like Patroclus, I like you. And i wanted to see if it would be easier to show you like this."

Before you could reach down to kiss him, he flipped you arround so you would be back to your original position.

Your hurted expression was breaking his heart.

" This isn't fair for you, I need you to understand. " He attempted to explain himself. " Any other man would be taking advantage on a girl going through her first infatuation, specially one as beautifull as you. I'll not be that man, I can't be that man. "

" So is it normal for other men to want me, but not for you? " You inquirred, fighting tears. " Odysseus, you are nothing like those bastards. Accepting my affections won't turn you into one of them."

" It won't be a noble act either, not when you deserve so much better than an old king ruler of a small greek Island where you can't even raise horses. In my Ithaca you would feel small, daughter of greater kings, and you could regret your youthfull impulse for the rest of your life. "

He stared deeply into your eyes to deliver his conclussion.

" When you are a king, very few choices are simple. For your own good, and the good of my people, we can't have this. "

Unable to speak, you close your then tearfull eyes and he gave one peck to each as he held you in his arms.

" It's alright, little one. You will feel better tomorrow. It's your great day, the council has opted for your liberation. You will see how once you will start living again you won't get chances to remember me. "

You nodded negatively.

" You don't know what you are saying … "

" Think of the good things, of everything you will be getting back. " He cutted you off. " Of your father, your brothers and your beloved cousin. Soon you will be back with them and I will go with you. "

The remembrance of your family made you smile, but his clarification made it even better.

" Will you? "

" Agamemnon wants me to be the one returning you as a loyalty gesture to him. "

The answer was an inminent dissapointment.

" Why are you still obbeying that horrible man ? "

Odysseus kissed your forehead, as he had done the first time you stayed with him.

" Because I am the King of Ithaca and I am aware the King of Mycenae is a pridefull man who doesn't forget offenses easily. My Island can't afford an enemy like him, we aren't powerfull like your Troy. "

You managed to understand at least the political aspect of his choice. Still, the mixed feelings weren't doing the situation any favors. In some extent, his rejectment was his way of making things easier for you.

Despite you were aware of it, you were resistant to giving up.

The morning after you insisted on taking your time saluting the bunch of men you recalled were nice to you. When it got to the turn of Patroclus, you gave him a strong hug and admitted you considered him like a friend. The statement made him feel good anyways and he was happy about you, only regretted you wouldn't be able to see each other again while the war would still be on going.

Once you got in the charriot of Odysseus and the journey back home started, you realized you weren't feeling like a captive returning from a life scarring experience to your grieveing family. The situation made you feel more like a soon to be betrothed maiden presenting them to her favorite suitor.

A herald was sent to arrange a previous truce with the city to fascilitate the exchange. Your relatives were aware you were coming, but the conditions of your arrival surprised them.

No visible scars, wearing a beautifull new dress and smiling for them as if you would have been absent in a diplomatical trip.

From all of them, Paris rushed towards you first despite his leg was still dealing with side consequences of his first fíght.

" Beloved sister, I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you. " He welcomed you, full of sorrow for thinking he had failed you, as he held you thight. " I can't imagine what you must have endured. "

You giggled lightly and caressed his cheek.

" Don't worry, Achilles is not as bad as he wants the rest of the world to see him … Agamemnon, in the other hand? Most evil man I have ever meet. And his brother was a pig, I'm proud of Helen for escaping him. "

She got to hear that you still supported her and it made her smile. She was observing the scene at a prudential distance, ríght next to Andromache, and you smiled back for both of them.

" What does that exactly mean? " Hector interrupted, concern raising in his voice. " Is there anything he did to you that should make me regret the fast, mercifull death I gave him? "

Odysseus found his reaction very relatable and attempted to calm him down.

" Her virtue remains unspoiled. The sons of Atreus were against the idea, but I took some liberties from the for the sake of the wisest proceeding. That's why Agamemnon has finally made me the man in charge of returning your sister and answering your doubts. "

Freshly released by Paris, you faced your eldest brother with a pridefull smile.

" It's all thanks to you! They realized they have gone too far without walls that could protect them from you. "

Your usual admiration was the only intervention trully managing to soften him. Hector smiled back and you inmediately clinged to him in comforting embarace.

It didn't last long, since a sweet calling of your name interrupted you and you saw Briseis arriving with your father.

" Cousin!!!! " You cheered back. " I'm back, dear cousin!!! I'm back!!! "

Odysseus avoided any commentary as he observed your reunion with her, but he couldn't help thinking of just one thing.

Achilles claiming he would have found interest on a slightly older version of yourself, which was precisely what could be found in the woman that was saluting you.

The fleeting thought abandoned him quickly, when witnessing the warm welcome of your father made it all worthy.

" My dear child! " Priam cheered, open arms already inviting you to hug him, as you inmediately did. " No proper words can describe my pride over your brave sacrifice, or the sorrow it brought to me. "

He kissed your forehead and you smiled before replying.

" Father! I don't need your praise, all I wanted was for Briseis to be safe. "

Your modesty still moved him.

" The city is aware of what happened, i'm not the onlyone honoring your courage … Although I am the most insistent. "

You laughed together for a brief instant, untill you seemed to have remembered of something important you needed to expose.

" I want you to meet someone. "

Giving a few steps back, you directed towards your solitary greek escolt and took his hand.

" This is my savior, King Odysseus of Ithaca. Without him, I would have found a fate worst than death in that camp. "

Priam took a moment to observe him, then mischievously glanced at you.

" Savior, you say? From what Helen has commented me, the son of Laertes would never save someone without a previously calculated benefict in sight. "

Odysseus released from your grip and proceeded to explain himself, aware of how rational those doubts were.

" I risked an argument with my commander in chief because looking after her was what my honor demmanded me. My infamous trickery worked only on the service of returning your daughter without compromising my loyalties. "

The speech seemed to have pleased the trojan king.

" I'm glad to see there are still leaders of the greeks willing to do the ríght thing. "

Helen and Hector were sharing furtive glances of disdain, giving each other the push to present an objection. Following one imperceptible nod from her, he took the iniciative separating you from the greek.

" Father, you can't trust his word. This man is famous among his kind for being a wolf in sheep's clothing. "

The happiness of having you back mattered more to your father than any wise seeming warning.

" If your sister trusts him, he deserves my doubt."

Hector had a precise reason to be skeptical and he didn't hide it.

" Men like him know how to trick innocent girls into trusting them."

" He couldn't have tricked Agamemnon into doing something nice for us. " Helen corrected, supporting him. " My old brother in law would never allow such thing, … unless he would believe to be punishing him. "

That idea never crossed your mind, but it gave you hope.

If Odysseus felt having to leave you as a personal punishment, maybe you could still convince him. You could make him feel fond of your country so he wouldn't want it to be destroyed, tempting him into staying with you.

[acciofrary]

Historically, did Mary love her other two husbands? I've heard her second was political and rumors that her third was forced. Do you know anything about that? I'm pretty sure she loved Francis for the rest of her life. Why did she marry after him? Was it just for an heir?

A lot of people debate all that stuff. There are a lot of opinions.

I believe she was infatuated with her second husband, Darnley, but marrying him also posed a political advantage because he also had a claim to the English Throne. Plus, Elizabeth did not very much like the match so it only made Mary more eager to marry the asshole. Well, before they were married, he wasn’t an asshole so much. But not long after they got married, his true colours came out and their relationship soured. They did have one child together, James, who would become James VI of Scotland and I of England and Ireland.

With her third husband, some believe she was assaulted by Bothwell and, therefore, married him out of honour in a pretty pitiful setting. She may have been pregnant with twins, too, as it is said she miscarried them later. Others believe that Bothwell and Mary had something going on before Darnley died and actually plotted to have him murdered together. Either way, it was doomed. A lot of people turned on Mary because of this marriage and whatnot and it ultimately led to her escape to England and imprisonment for the next 18+ years.

Whatever you believe though, I believe Mary did love Francis for the rest of her life, in some way, shape or form, based on numerous things throughout her life after his death. There’s nothing to suggest that she harboured anything but love and fondness for him. Their relationship certainly never went haywire like the two above. The poor thing merely died from ill health. :’(

[harritudur]

What was Elizabeths relationship with Margaret like? Was Elizabeth respected as Queen?

basically, it was respectful and good. they were not BFF but they worked together… i will copy-paste a text by Olga Hughes explaining their relationship. it’s under a cut because it’s quuite long :)

The propaganda surrounding Margaret Beaufort serves two purposes, it brings another villain into the mix in the mystery of the fate of the “Princes in the Tower” and it emasculates Henry VII. Fictional representations of Margaret show an unhealthy and obsessive love for her son in which she rivals her daughter-in-law for his affections. The most recent depiction of Margaret on television is maniacal, fanatical and outrageously sexist, for how better to denigrate a female than showing her as a hysterical woman constantly on the verge of tears, when not of course being devious and underhanded?

Henry and Margaret certainly were close. He was Margaret’s only child, born when she was merely thirteen, a difficult birth that nearly killed both of them. Margaret would never give birth to another child and was parted from Henry for most of his young life. Their affection for each other when they were finally reunited is plain in the surviving records of gifts and letters. Henry honoured his mother, she was the greatest landowner in the kingdom only after the King and Queen, declaring her femme sole, which gave her complete control over her own wealth. Margaret certainly was a constant presence at court, and was far more involved in Henry and Elizabeth’s affairs than most Kings’ mothers had been, but then Cecily Neville, mother of Edward IV, was also a constant presence during the early years of her son’s rule. Cecily even revised her coat of arms to include the royal arms of England, hinting that her husband, Richard Duke of York, had been a rightful king and that she was effectively Queen Dowager. When Edward married Elizabeth Woodville, he built new queen’s quarters for her and let his mother remain in the queen’s quarters in which she had been living.

Cecily Neville and Margaret Beaufort, in fact, held each other in great esteem. Considering Cecily was almost thirty years older than her and it is not inconceivable that Cecily’s influential role at court left an impression on a younger Margaret. Both had active political roles in the early years of their sons’ reigns. Both were afforded semi-regal status by their sons. Many observations have been made of Margaret Beaufort appearing in similar attire to her daughter-in-law the Queen, taking precedence just a step behind her. A miniature from the Lutton Guild Book (c 1475) shows Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville kneeling before an image of the Trinity. Cecily is depicted in royal robes, placed immediately behind the queen.  As Amy Licence points out, on key occasions such as Twelfth Day Elizabeth and Margaret appeared in “like mantle and surcoat” but then Margaret tended to her daughter-in-law’s crown as Elizabeth feasted.

The difference between Margaret Beaufort and Cecily Neville is that Cecily was outraged at her son marrying the commoner Elizabeth Woodville. Margaret, however, had actively worked towards her son’s marriage to Elizabeth of York and may have been cherishing the idea long before Richard III took the throne. Her husband Stanley would recall that “long before communing was had between the said lord Henry and lady Elizabeth about contracting marriage, the said sworn [witness] heard Richard, earl of Salisbury, and the lady Margaret, wife of this sworn [witness], mother of the said king that now is, and divers other noble and illustrious persons saying that the said king Henry and lady Elizabeth were related in the fourth and fifth degrees of kindred, and reciting the degrees aforesaid, and affirming that they were true degrees lineally drawn from the said duke of Lancaster.”. Margaret had been negotiating with Edward IV to bring Henry out of exile for years and was Edward was perhaps considering marrying Henry to one of his daughters to reign him in, he was after all the Lancastrian heir and still a threat.  A draft of pardon (undated) from Edward IV to Henry Tudor is written on the back of the patent of creation of Edmund Tudor as Earl of Richmond on 23 November 1452 suggest he may have been considering granting him his former title again.

So did Elizabeth of York resent her mother-in-law’s dominant presence at court? That Margaret was commanding and imperious cannot be denied, but then nor can her affection for both her son and daughter-in-law. There is no evidence Henry favoured his mother over his wife. A letter from Pope Alexander warned Margaret that Henry had already promised Elizabeth that he would appoint her candidate as the next bishop of Worcester, therefore Margaret’s candidate had to be dropped.  The most oft-repeated accounts of Margaret’s alleged dominance over her daughter-in-law are from the Spanish ambassadors. The first from Pedro de Ayala is usually repeated in this fashion “The King is much influenced by his mother…the Queen, as is generally the case, does not like it.” These two sentences are most often chosen to represent what he said, yet looking at the entire portion of the letter gives it a slightly different context.

“The King is much influenced by his mother and his followers in affairs of personal interest and in others. The Queen, as is generally the case, does not like it. There are other persons who have much influence in the government, as, for instance, the Lord Privy Seal, the Bishop of Durham, the Chamberlain, and many others.“

de Ayala is in fact speaking of several persons who had a strong influence over the King, including his mother. That “The Queen, as is generally the case, does not like it” means, quite obviously, he is making a generalisation. It is not sound evidence of Elizabeth’s actual feelings nor that Henry would only listen to his mother in matters of state.

More telling perhaps is the letter from the sub-prior Of Santa Cruz to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, the parents of Prince Arthur’s betrothed, Katherine of Aragon. “The Queen is a “very noble woman,” and much beloved.” he wrote “She is kept in subjection by the mother of the King. It would be a good thing to write often to her, and to show her a little love.” This rather touching note on the end may indicate the sub-prior suspected Elizabeth could use a little more respect and attention, but this is purely speculative, on both his part and ours.

Another more obscure account is of John Hewyk of Nottingham, who was seeking a position in the Queen’s household “that he had spoken with the Queen’s Grace, and should have spoken more with her said Grace, had [it] not been for that strong whore the King’s mother.” It appears Margaret intervened on this occasion, yet again this is not indicative that Margaret was being domineering, she may have in fact intervened to get rid of an intrusive man, if his manners indeed are anything to go by. Publicly the two women put on a united front and collaborated on many projects together. It is unlikely that the Queen would let her frustration at her mother-in-law show in front of strangers. Elizabeth had a lifetime of royal training, she would have borne her mother-in-law’s less desirable qualities with her famous good grace.

It was Margaret who intervened for Elizabeth’s younger sister Cecily when she angered Henry with her marriage to a commoner, Margaret who gave Cecily and her husband shelter and negotiated with Henry on Cecily’s behalf so Elizabeth would not be placed in a difficult position. It was Margaret who looked after Elizabeth in the aftermath of Bosworth, newly renovating her rooms to keep her comfortable and allowing her the privacy to get to know her future husband. Margaret kept a permanent suite of rooms entirely for Elizabeth’s disposal at her estate in Collyweston. It was to Margaret’s house that Elizabeth fled with Prince Henry during the Cornish uprising of 1497. It was Margaret to whom Elizabeth turned when she was anxious about her daughter being sent to Scotland. Margaret had, after all, also experienced a dangerous childbirth at a tender age. Henry told the Spanish ambassadors-

“Besides my own doubts, the Queen and my mother are very much against this marriage. They say if the marriage were concluded we should be obliged to send the Princess directly to Scotland, in which case they fear the King of Scots would not wait, but injure her, and endanger her health.”

[tiny-librarian]

Do you have any more screencaps of Madeline Astor in Titanic?

There's not really a whole lot of screencaps of her period, but let me take a look and see what I can dig up :D

[overrunbyscots]

Where was Greer sent when she was forced to leave and where did she go?

We still don’t know! But there’s a new episode this thursday, maybe we’ll find out. 

[historyofromanovs]

What was Olga Feodorovna's life like after she left Russia? I think she died poor in Canada......

Even though the later years of her life were not overly luxurious like her childhood and early adulthood, Olga lived happily with her husband and family in Canada. She made a living off her sublime talent in art and painting. She sold over 2,000 works of art and used the money to support her family and charities. She and her husband also kept a farm. Her life in Canada might been very simple but she preferred it to living in a palace. I think her brother, Tsar Nicholas II, would’ve loved this quiet life as well.

[groupiesoutrageously]

Do you think John Lennon love May Pang? Why did he go back to Yoko? Do you believe Yoko's story or May's?

we believe that john was in love with may, but his soulmate was yoko. john and yoko completed each other. both may and yoko’s stories should be taken into account to formulate an opinion.

[-frary]

Is there an expiration for the frary theme download? I can't download it until I get home. Is it safe to download?

I don’t think there should be an expiration for the frary theme download, but you might want to check with acciofrary who uploaded it. And I downloaded it a while ago and had no problem so its safe to download :)

[phfanfic-againstheodds]

I can't believe I forgot to say happy birthday!

Awww no worries! Thank you so much! :)

[vanessamina]

Do you have any more on Mina and possibly dracula? I'm so excited for them to come on! Is Mina a vampire already? What is her relationship like with dracula?

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any more information about the Mina Harker in Penny Dreadful’s canon. I’ve compiled most of the edits and clips in the Mina Harker tag here. But it’s not a lot. :/ Thankfully, we should know a lot more about her next week.

The character, Mina Harker, has been in Dracula canon for quite some time. Here’s a quick excerpt from the Wikipedia article about her:

“…[Dracula] takes revenge by visiting — and biting — Mina at least three times. Dracula also feeds Mina his blood, destining her to become a vampire at her death. The rest of the novel deals with the group’s efforts to spare her this fate by killing Dracula. Mina slowly succumbs to the blood of the vampire that flows through her veins, switching back and forth from a state of consciousness to a state of semi-trance during which she is telepathically connected with Dracula. Mina then uses her inherent telepathic abilities to track Dracula’s movements.

Dracula flees back to his castle in Transylvania, followed by Van Helsing’s gang, who kill him just before sunset. As a result, Dracula’s spell is lifted and Mina freed from the curse.”

I think it’s safe to assume that Penny Dreadful will adopt a lot of this rhetoric, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they burn the canon down to the ground and dance on its ashes. Anyway, here are some other Mina Harker appearances in pop culture, if you haven’t checked them out already!

Dracula (novel) | Mina’s very first appearance in any type of Dracula canon.Dracula (1931 film) | Mina is portrayed by Helen Chandler.Count Dracula (1977 BBC film) | Mina is played by Judi Bowker.Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992 film) | Mina is played by Winona Ryder.The League of Extraordinary Men (2003 film) | Mina is portrayed by Peta Wilson (and kicks Dorian Gray’s ass).Does anyone else have more information/notes about Mina Murray/Harker? :)

[streets-in-paradise]

Troy (2004) 20th Anniversary Celebration / May 13-14th 2024

Hi, everyone!

This will be the very first time I will be doing an event in my blog and I decided to do it in honor of the underrated special interest that turned me into a fanfict writer.

Troy (2004) turns 20 years and I want to give it love in this particular birthday. Unfortunately, sickness limited the amount of activities i could plan, so I will be doing a reduced one from my original list incluíding things i can deliver for you from bed on my phone.

What will i offer you for this special event:

-Movie Talk

Drop an ask and just let's discuss the film in whatever form you prefer. What are your favorite scenes/characters? Anything you want to revisit about the movie?

I will be open to (respectfull) myths and history vs film talks too, as long as it is not started in bad faith. The point of the event is to celebrate: we can laugh of the llama in the trojan market and other mistakes, but I won't accept hate.

-Drabbles

As the ones who know my blog are already aware of, I mostly write reader inserts fics for the movie. For so, writing will be a big part of this.

Pick a character and a prompt from any of the lists linked here and I will write a short thing for you.

In all cases for writing activities, both platonical or romantical requests are welcome.

-Headcanons

Character headcanons: can be x reader oriented or just about the character, it's up to the participant's choice.

You can also ask for headcanons centered on my fic series ( or its still in process AU)

-Match ups/special requests

Personalized writing.

Send me a brief description of yourself in the way you prefer and I will match you with one of the heroes or heroines of the movie.

Alternatively, you can also send a customized plot for me to write you a short fic.

-Playlists

Send me a character, ship or situation of the film and I'll share you songs I associate to it.

- Crossovers

Inspired by an ask i answered once to @xgoddessoffandomsx imagining a Legolas/Paris/Will meeting that I had so much fun with, i invite you to try a similiar thing.

Out of context, no explanation required, fun crossover ideas for interactions of characters for the sake of it.

During the event, I will also reblog/post general content about the film.

I'm looking foward having fun with you 💕

Tagging some of my lovely troy mutuals/followers: @mysticaldeanvoidhorse @yerevasunclair @helie-brain @zoegarfield @spideyanakin @lavender-at-heart @alysinwonderland-at-tea @daintyhippie

[acciofrary]

Is there anyplace I can download the season 2 version of Mary and Francis's theme? Thank you so much for providing it!

Right here: ✿

And it’s no problem! :)

[yensunicorn]

Did Queen Gorgo ever remarry? (Wife of King Leonidas?)

uhmm wow idk tbh :/ maybe this can help you