#lady isabel is on the first of may

[random-ask-anon]

sO

Tam Lin is the story of a noblewoman named Janet. She goes to a forest her father gave to her, Carterhaugh (sounds like carterhaw), and plucks a rose, and then appears the faerie knight Tam Lin.

So the legend goes, he takes a price from every maid to pass through Carterhaugh.

(he and Janet umm do the do)

She winds up pregnant, and in my favorite so far version of the song, her father goes "alas my daughter I fear you are with child. And is it to a man of might, or to a man of means? For who among my gentlemen shall give the babe his name?"

Janet goes "There's none among your gentlemen that I would treat so well" and then off to Carterhaugh she goes again, to pick a "poison rose" to induce abortion, because she is not gonna have a kid when the father isn't in the picture. She says as much when Tam Lin asks what tf she's doing, she tells him that if the baby's father were a gentleman and not a "wild shade" she'd be happy to have and care for the little one. But not as things stand.

So Tam Lin tells her that he wasn't born an elf, the faerie queen stole him away. And Fairyland's magic comes with a price: at the end of each seventh year they must pay a tithe to Hell. This year, Tam Lin is the sacrifice.

Tam Lin does not want to be the sacrifice.

So he tells Janet how to free him from the queen. She has to come when the elves ride to sacrifice him, pull him off his horse, then hold him fast no matter what the queen changes him into. (I've seen wolf, lion, bear, eagle, snake, and red-hot iron.) After all the shapes run their course, he turns back into a man and gets to stay with Janet. Yay!

Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight is less well known but still gorgeous. Lady Isabel is sewing one day when she hears/sees an elf knight blowing his horn nearby. She thinks aloud about how hot she thinks he is and how she'd like for him to love her, and next thing she knows he's broken in her window and gone "hey" [weird waggly eyebrow thing] "want to go ride down to the greenwood together?"

She says yes, so they go riding, and then deep in the woods he tells her it's time to get off her horse because he is going to kill her now (and he's killed seven other princesses here already).

She says "hae mercy please" and suggests that he lay his head on her knee and rest awhile. He does this.

Then she says "you murderer, hold still if you know what's good for you" and kills him. With his own blade. Or his hair, in one version.

(There's a slightly different version where he comes courting her and when he gets her to ride off with him he's going to drown her except he tells her to undress so he can save her pretty clothes and sell them. She says "turn around, it's not right for you to look at me naked" and then when he does she throws him into the ocean!)

Also, there's Merida. Conclusion: Scottish women are awesome and very good at dealing with the fae. Thank you for coming to my TED talk

HI do you know the song Tam Lin at all? (related: Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight. my friend sent me a link to a Lady Isabel cover and now I'm deep down the Scottish women triumphing over faeries rabbit hole) -Random @random-ask-anon

I do not, tell me more

[laurasimonsdaughter]

As the first of May crept closer, the latches on the windows were fastened and white-blossomed hawthorn hung above every door. There wasn’t a child that did not have their coat buttoned inside out and no young man, nor young lady either, still dared to go rambling where the roses grew wild. For with the month of May the fair folk would be roaming again, by noonlight and moonlight, wherever they pleased.

So the doors were locked and all the windows were latched by anxious parents everywhere. Except the lord of the manor, who did no such thing. No iron latches, no hawthorn branches graced the noble hall, and Lady Isabel sat at her sewing in the open window. If she heard the fearful whispers, she cared not, and if any wished to voice their suspicions of her father, they dared not. So Isabel sat and sewed, with May’s morning sun kissing her cheeks and the breeze greeting her with birdsong.

But on the third stitch on the third seam, a different sound was carried on the wind. A hunting horn, so rich and clear that it lifted Isabel’s head from her sewing.

Never had she heard so noble, so beautiful a sound, and listening to it she could not help but imagine the noble hunter producing it. Once the horn was blown, and twice, and thrice, and at last Isabel said boldly into the wind:

“Whoever owns that horn could ride up to my window, address me with my Christian name, and he would still receive the welcome of a gentleman.”

Scarcely had she uttered these words, when once again the horn was blown, even more brilliant than before. The sound thrilled and chilled and Isabel smiled and the sound came nearer. Nearer and nearer, until the sound vanished. It vanished to silence, and a song took its place.

Such a fine, strong voice young Isabel had never had the pleasure of hearing, and such a sweet song surely no youth had ever resisted. The silken seam slipped from her grasp, as a figure came riding up to her window. Isabel leaned against the casement, and a bright pair of eyes met her own. A knight as handsome as the stars were bright, with a horn on his belt and a blade at his side.

[Read more on AO3.]

[aletheialed]

also. so okay i added lady baskerville as a muse. i can't help myself (backstory under the cut)

the basic backstory i have for her is that she was raised a noble, but her parents were generally pretty shitty/neglectful to her. she often found herself frustrated with the way she was treated as a woman in society, and was eventually forced into an arranged marriage with a man who was abusive to her. everyone knew the man's true nature, but no-one did anyone to stop it, which led to her becoming bitter and cynical about people.

she was offered a chance to be freed from her marriage if she became an assassin for some high up house or another, and gladly took the chance, feeling it was her only way out and not caring if she had to kill innocents to get it - after all, if no-one had tried to help her, why should she care about them? and since it allowed her to live, she pushed any concerns she may have had aside.

she eventually met a young woman who she actually bonded with, and betrayed the people she was working for when she was ordered to kill her. she basically went solo and chose her own targets after that, but eventually met klint, and slowly started to stop her work as an assassin altogether as she got to know him.

THE PROBLEM IS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE ERA TGAA TAKES PLACE IN OR HOW ASSASSINS WORK/WORKED LMAO so this may be. WAY off/inaccurate and in dire need of changing... i'd love to hear thoughts on what needs changing if you feel that that's the case! but that's mostly what i've got at the moment.

[recycledmoviecostumes]

These amber necklaces made their first appearance in the 1998 film Elizabeth, where they were worn by several ladies-in-waiting, including Kelly Macdonald as Isabel Knollys (pictured) and Emily Mortimer as Kat Ashley. 

Because quite a few were made, all of the necklaces documented here may be "different," though they all clearly come from the same set. Thus, for the purposes of documentation, Recycled Movie Costumes considers them "the same."

In 2003, one of the necklaces appeared on the cover of Philippa Gregory's The Queen's Fool. In 2007, it was seen on another book cover - this time photoshopped red on Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor.

In 2009, the necklace was worn by Carice van Houten as Maria Oldknow in From Time to Time. 

In 2010, one necklace was worn by Joanne King as Jane Boleyn née Parker, Viscountess Rochford in the fourth season of The Tudors, and later that same year, two of the necklaces were worn by Fiona Hampton as Lady Matilda in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

In 2016, Claire Cooper was spotted wearing one of the pieces as Anne Boleyn in Six Wives with Lucy Worsley.

In 2021 it was worn in The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family on an extra playing Margaret of Austria, before being used in 2024's Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, where it was seen around the neck of Lilit Lesser as Princess Mary Tudor. 

[maddiesbookshelves]

A Natural History of Dragons, by Marie Brennan

The memoirs of Lady Trent narrate the life and research of Isabella Trent, world-renowned naturalist now an old woman, whose wit and humor are merciless towards imbeciles. In the first tome, Isabella, first as a young girl and then a young woman, challenges class and period conventions to satisfy her scientific curiosity and accompany her husband on an expedition in search for dragons in Vystrana...

I was scared that the memoirs format was going to be boring to read, but it was actually the best way to tell the life story of a woman who has lived so many adventures, I really liked it. The good thing about memoirs is that it allowed Isabella's personality to shine, especially her humor, and to have some hindsight on what happened. The teases about future events that she reveals later in the series really make you want to read what's next

Volume 1 introduces themes and ideas that I thought were fleshed out better later in the series, and what I considered as small flaws (a lot of things were repeated so many times I started thinking "yeah, okay, I get it") are way less prominent

As for Brennan's worldbuilding, it's deceptively simple at first glance (Victorian era but make it fantasy), but actually had so many details that make it extremely rich. Everything is inspired by countries/cultures from the real world, but Brennan mixed a lot of them and I thought it was really well executed. And the further along you get in the series, the more details sprinkled in the first 3 books come together to form the final picture. When I got to the end of book 4, I wanted to scream because of how delightful and well put together the reveals were

French version under the cut

Les mémoires de lady Trent racontent la vie et les recherches d'Isabelle Trent, naturaliste mondialement connue et désormais vieille dame, dont l'esprit et le style empreints d'humour s'avèrent sans pitié pour les imbéciles. Dans le premier volume, Isabelle, petite fille puis jeune femme, brave les conventions de sa classe et de son temps pour satisfaire sa curiosité scientifique et accompagner son mari lors d'une expédition à la recherche des dragons de Vystranie...

J'avais peur que le format des mémoires soit un peu ennuyant à lire, mais en fait c'était la meilleure façon de raconter la vie d’une femme qui a vécu autant d’aventures, j’ai beaucoup apprécié. L'avantage des mémoires c'est que ça permettait au personnage d'Isabelle de nous dévoiler sa personnalité, notamment son humour, et d'avoir du recul sur certains évènements. Les références à des évènements qu'elle nous dévoile plus tard dans la série donnait vraiment envie de lire la suite

Le tome 1 introduit des thèmes et des idées que j’ai trouvées mieux développées dans les tomes suivants, et ce que je considérais comme de petits défauts (pas mal de choses sont répétées de nombreuses fois donc au bout d’un moment je me disais "oui, c’est bon, j’ai compris") sont beaucoup moins présents

En ce qui concerne le monde créé par Brennan, il paraît relativement simple au premier abord (époque victorienne mais version fantasy), mais en réalité, énormément de détails le rendent extrêmement riche. Tout est inspiré de pays/cultures du monde réel, mais mélange pas mal de trucs et j’ai trouvé que c’était très bien fait. Et au plus on avance dans la série, au plus les détails disséminés dans les ~3 premiers tomes s'emboîtent et le tableau final se précise. Quand je suis arrivée à la fin du tome 4 j'avais envie de hurler tellement les révélations étaient croustillantes et bien amenées

[my-mt-heart]

What's confusing to me after watching the leaks (aside from just having no English subtitles for the French scenes, which was desperately confusing, please watch this when it airs - but it was 6 Carol episodes for my birthday so I watched it anyway) is that Zabel said no Caryl, and this season really felt like Caryl build-up.

I've been a "Carol and Daryl are best friends and soulmates first, and if they go romantic, good, if they don't, fine" stancer since Season 2. So going in, knowing about that interview, I watched for Carol first, expecting nothing further from her and Daryl than what we've had. "Do It For Her" style.

On that note, I was quite satisfied. A good six Carol plot episodes back to back would have been a rare treat in the main series.

Some things she did that made me sigh: lying to Ash, though it appeared impulsive and she almost seemed to try to talk him out of helping her after.

Some things she did that me proud: actually really trying with the ecologist woman who spared her, shouting after those two soldiers chasing civilians so she could gun them down and prevent the civilians they were chasing from getting hurt, showing compassion for Isabelle and stopping her search for her best friend to help her, stopping outside the window when that old lady was getting threatened and going in guns blazing to try to help her even though it would have been safer for her to stealthily exit with Daryl, snorting derisively at gunpoint when Genet tells her she could never understand her loss, telling Ash the truth, staying behind to cover him and avoid separating from Daryl.

Then there was the final scene with her holding the knife to a vision of herself. We know what happened to her in the comics. We know how hard it is for her to keep living after what she's been through. She held the knife to her own throat...and didn't. "Sophia" visited her, and Carol tremulously asks if she can go with her, and Sophia leaves, turns back, but Carol doesn't follow. Twice in as many minutes, Carol chooses to live.

I've heard Melissa McBride had a great deal of say in Carol's arc this season, and I think it shows. That's why I suggest: do it for her. I don't want her copping the blame for the various cringe moments in this season that didn't involve her.

That being said, and what confuses me after that interview, there really does feel like there was a lot of Caryl buildup. She was clearly pained when she was informed, multiple times, that Isabelle and Daryl were a (15 seconds of cringe) thing. Daryl asked her if she had the "hots for" Ash in an apparently-dismissive-but-actually-kind-of-miffed tone. This does not strike me as bestie behavior.

In what fairness I can mete out to Daryl (sigh), he very seriously, very pointedly told Carol he loved her last time they saw each other, and she immediately turned it into a "omg bestie I love you too!!" energy thing because she isn't ready to confront those feelings for him. She says this season while they're at the plane: "If I lose you I couldn't go on" (or something to that effect) and I think she views expressing her feelings to him as a serious risk and potential outlet for losing him.

Anyway, Daryl may have taken that energy switch after he told her he loved her as a very gentle rejection. This is just to try to understand the headspace they're both in.

The brave old lady tells Carol to her face that Daryl loves her (under the impression she's Isabelle, but Carol has quite the face journey) and that true love is rare. The old man remarks they bicker like a married couple. It was at this point I actually became confused, because didn't they say this wasn't going to happen? And I, troubled, thought, "If they're going to do this they need to lay the groundwork now and do it in Season 3," instead of rushing it like Daryl and Isabelle, because if Daryl and Carol are going to go canon, I don't want it to be a long look and 15 seconds smooching.

Carol asks Daryl at one point (regarding losing a child) "What, are you afraid of ending up like me?" in a biting tone (anticipating Daryl's rejection of her, as she often does...and never gets) and he says, very calmly, "No, I'm not afraid of that." He is afraid of losing a child, but not of ending up like her, because he respects and admires her a great deal.

Daryl hears Carol talk about how difficult things are at the Commonwealth without him, and says, "Things will be different. We'll be together this time." Carol chooses to stay behind with him at the plane.

As they go into the tunnel, a man chooses to stay behind with the woman he's in love with instead of separating like they had planned. At the risk of sounding deranged, their gloved and intertwined hands do actually resemble Carol and Daryl's, and it seemed like an intentional parallel.

After Carol chooses to live (twice) and makes her way back to Daryl, he has a hallucination of Isabelle telling him to "bet on hope", before vanishing into a cloud of fireflies a la lover giving lovee the blessing to continue in life without her. He, too, chooses to live, and he had Carol reunite. They put on the only two gas masks in the cavern and say, "Let's go home." As they do, a song lyric that has played in the episode before goes over the scene: "Sometime you don't always get what you want", but this time it continues: "...but what you need."

All told, I don't know where they're taking this next. This frankly does not feel like platonic build up, and I went in knowing of the interview and fully expecting strictly platonic interactions. I am at this point almost willing to believe the statement that Caryl wasn't happening was a very ill-advised troll attempt. Melissa McBride, at least, clearly has her hands in Carol's plotline, and her above anyone else I trust with Carol. That's why, at this point in time, I am cautiously optimistic about season 3, and cautiously appreciative of the focus on Carol and Daryl's relationship this season.

My suggestion would be to, again, do it for her, and watch the series as it airs.

I have a different impression of what happened in S11's "I love you" and how it impacted Caryl's relationship in the spinoff, but that's beside the point. The point is, I agree that there are hints of something romantic between Caryl. My issue is this though. Fans of Carol and Daryl expect a show marketed as a Carol and Daryl show to explore their relationship, so why is that exploration reduced to subtext and parallels while other relationships that we aren't invested in are getting explicit beats? Why are their conversations being interrupted and their chemistry forcibly toned down? Why does Caryl's relationship feel like it's on the periphery and not at the center? You said you're willing to believe that Zabel was trolling, that he may actually be building up to something, but to me, it's very clearly a case of creative differences. At least someone wants Caryl while others don't and we know which way Zabel leans because he explicitly told us so. I think what we see in TBOC is an aggressive attempt to hide what somebody else wants and/or what is mandated. It's almost like watching a procedural drama where things are teased, but the characters and the relationship remain stagnant, always reset to where they started by the end. It's shitty because for over a decade, Carol and Daryl have been anything but stagnant.

I can definitely see where Melissa's influence begins and it's the most exciting element of the show imo because she clearly understands her character's trajectory and how to let her grow, but I can see where her influence ends too. Like everything else, Sophia's arc didn't go anywhere (side note: I hate that they tried to recast Sophia and she looked nothing like the og). Her need for Daryl wasn't reciprocated and her sense of "home" deflated like an old balloon when she had to find out he was preoccupied with his new family. As I said before, I felt like she was carrying more pain with her by the end than she was before she left and the way it was handled felt deeply misogynistic, like she was being punished. It gave me flashbacks to S11 when she was sidelined (literally sent back to the kitchen) and Daryl was being a jerk to her without any clear indication as to why.

I respect your opinion and I will second your advice for anyone who chooses to watch to do so for Melissa because she really is phenomenal all the way through. At the same time, the show and its marketing have raised enough red flags for me to feel uncomfortable encouraging anyone to give AMC their money when they've been mislead to think they were getting a Caryl show (Idk who the fuck the show is targeting, but it certainly isn't Carylers) and then a month out, are basically told by the showrunner to fuck off. Even if you aren't expecting Caryl and just want a strong Carol arc, that's not what this show is either. She gets the sidekick treatment as soon as her arc intersects with Daryl's, her name isn't allowed in the title, and Melissa doesn't get equal billing like the other female leads in the franchise. Ultimately, watching or not watching is a double-edged sword and I think everybody just has to decide for themselves what's best for them. What I think is more important is that regardless of your choice, just make sure AMC knows why you made it. Speak up where they can hear you.

[scotianostra]

Robert the Bruce was born in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire on 11th July 1274.

Well where do we start with this one? I think the majority of us know about Robert and how he led us to victory at Bannockburn so I will put a bit background together of his immediate family.

His mother Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, I think nowadays the term we would use, and it's quite appropriate , is battle-axe. According to what has been written about her she held his father, Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandaleprisoner until he agreed to marry her, it was through his mother that he drew most of his Scottish ancestry. The marriage must have worked for as well as Robert they had 7 more children.

After the Battle of Methven his wee brother Nigel de Brus was captured at Kildrummy Castle and was taken to Berwick to be hanged, drawn and beheaded for high treason, he was protecting Robert's wife, Elizabeth, his daughter Marjorie, his sisters Christina and Mary Bruce, and Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan and helped them escape, although they were later captured by Balliol's army and handed over to Edward I. Nigel was executed for high treason by being hanged, drawn, and quartered in September 1306 at Berwick-upon-Tweed by the English. Two of his other brothers, Alexander and Thomas were also judicially murdered at Carlisle on Februaey 17th 1307 after being captured at Loch Ryan Galloway in 1207, after landing an invasion force consisting of eighteen galleys trying to take land from Dungal MacDouall, who was a supporter of the Comyns,.

Arguably the most famous of his siblings was Edward Bruce, if you have been paying attention you will remember his part in fighting with Robert at Bannockburn, he later went and fought in Ireland and indeed became King for a short time but lost his life in the Battle of Faughart, the, it's said the victor John de Bermingham then took his head to England to be put on display before Edward II.

Robert's sisters, Christina and Mary, as I said earlier were captured after the siege at Kildrummy, along with Isabella MacDuff, now Isabella crowned the Bruce at Scone, it was tradition that the MacDuffs performed the crowning of Scottish monarchs, Isabella arrived the day after Robert had been crowned but the Bruce agreed to second crowning as otherwise some would see the ceremony as irregular, not being performed by a MacDuff.Isabella was imprisoned in cages for four years of Isabella, Edward Longshanks is said to have commanded "Let her be closely confined in an abode of stone and iron made in the shape of a cross, and let her be hung up out of doors in the open air at Berwick, that both in life and after her death, she may be a spectacle and eternal reproach to travellers."

The sisters faired a wee bit better, Isabel Bruce became Queen of Norway as the wife of King Eric II., so escaped the First War of Scottish Independence. Christina and Mary, also captured after Kildrummy, were sent into solitary confinement at a Gilbertine nunnery at Sixhills in Lincolnshire. Mary Bruce was given the same treatment as Isabella MacDuff, but held at Roxburgh Castle.. The sisters sspent eight years as English prisoners, and returned to Scotland in October 1314 as part of the ransom for the Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, who was taken prisoner after the Battle of Bannockburn.

There is not a great deal of detail about the other sisters, Margaret married one Sir William de Cairlyle. Lady Elizabeth Bruce married Sir William Dishington of Ardross, in Fife, and finally Matilda, (Maud) Bruce married Hugh 4th Earl of Ross.

Robert was married twice in his life, first to Isabella of Mar, who died in 1296, , with whom he had a daughter Marjorie, from whom the Stewart dynasty was to trace its lineage. His second wife was Elizabeth de Burgh, with whom he had five children – Margaret, Matilda, David, John (who died in infancy) and Elizabeth. His eldest son succeeded his father as King David II of Scotland.

The photo shows Isabella MacDuff and King Robert I in “The Crowning of Bruce” part of an exhibition at Edinburgh Castle.

[carelessflower]

Trouble was firing down the Lightwood's door, an old submission turned more bitter than the poison the matriarch and her husband had gladly lapped from Morgenstern's palm.

Common folks and nobles alike shook in fear, as the Mad King was back, devilish spawns sprinting with their father's every step. The combined force of Idris's houses had only managed to push him down, not out, never out. With a daughter whose hands draw golden and spirit was more fiery than her hair, and her terrifyingly blond brother, who would wipe the blood of those Morgenstern cheekbones with a smile.

Valentine was still alive. He called for the throne.

Of course, Valentine's insanity had not faded away, but neither had his wits, The Mad Ruler - always three steps prepared. The political landscape of Idris had shifted over the decades he spent in the dark carving ladder from people's flesh. The Clave never gave back their trust in the Lightwood. Valentine could regain fortune for his victory, and punishment for his betrayal.

Maryse the Unmercy tensed when a letter with familiar signs came down her sparrow, commanding words capable of drawing expressions few had seen her displayed. Though burnt, the sentiment stayed.

Maxell Lightwood could stay, for he posed the perfect future pawn in Valentine's army. Lady Isabelle would become Valentine's dear Clarissa's Lady-in-waiting, her hands in marriage awaiting whatever house Valentine deemed suitable to sway over.

And when the gentle spray of she spring came, along her the first bloom of Moon Magnolia, Sir Jonathan Herondale would sweep on his horse, and renounce his love for Valentine's daughter. A family united, at last.

The firstborn, oh how Valentine looked to meet the Lightwood's grace, his son's soon-to-be bed warmer. The most useful hostage in the family. Breaking him would be the perfect jewel on the Morgenstern's crown.

Time spinned. The wheel went on.

Day of tourney returned. Words spread faster than wind, a foreign blade drawn. Prince Magnus Bane was never known to back down from a challenge.

The commoners laughed and cheered, bets in taverns went one thousand, one million. They all heard the tales, and Sir Herondale had run into his tough match. Magic ran through Edom's veins, and as one of The Eldest Curses, Prince Magnus's power rivaled most of his royal peers.

The competition would be unpredictable, many claimed. But some only cared about who would the winner dedicate his history to. Whether the blessed magnolia crown of love and beauty would rest on Morgenstern's flaming curls or the intricate blonde braid of Bane's newest amour.

To say this year's round was the most anticipated in centuries would not be a stretch by any means.

Everyone at the joust recalled the moment of their bated breath, as the Great Destruction knocked their prideful heron off his horse. Sharp as Bane's laughter when he took off his helmet, not letting anyone get in his way- reaching for where noble houses were posing in observance.

His eyes flitted over to the right, where the lady Isabelle abode with her family.

Oh— of course. Others whispered. The one true jewel of Alicante. Lady of the Roses.

What a quaint couple would they make. Most knew Maryse was anticipating her frosty rage.

It didn't matter.

For blue petals bloomed in between Sir Alexander Lightwood's raven locks.

okay so this malec x GoT inspired idea has been haunting me all night I need to get it out of my system may pick up later when I'm feeling lucky 🤭

tag list: @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @ukisteria @hoezier-than-thou @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43 @khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart @raziyekroos @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward @noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks @deliciousdetectivestranger @delightfullyterrible @letsgofortacos @kita-no @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @pocketoffeels @cityofdownwardspirals @stupidfuckindinosaur @i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @kasper-tag @cam-ryt @banesapothecary

[bestoflupiniiipoll]

Lupin III NPC Girl Tournament Matchups

Round 1:

Isabel (Bye Bye Lady Liberty) vs Ofumi (Elusiveness of the Fog)

Misha (Operation Return the Treasure) vs Lara (Secret of the Twilight Gemini)

Ami Enan (Part V) vs Cynthia Fullerton (Missed by a Dollar)

Chieko Kido (Napoleon’s Dictionary) vs Rebecca Rossellini (Part IV)

Ellen (Island of Assassins) vs Clarisse de Cagliostro (Castle of Cagliostro)

Murasaki Suminawa (The Fuma Conspiracy) vs Rosaria (The Columbus Files)

Ole (Dead or Alive) vs Yutika (Princess of the Breeze)

Drew (Sweet Lost Night) vs Yoko (Lupin ZERO)

Laetitia Bresson (The First) vs Rosetta (Legend of the Gold of Babylon)

Maria (Hemingway Papers) vs Michelle (Seven Days Rhapsody)

Judy Scott (From Siberia With Love) vs Maki (Blood Seal of the Eternal Mermaid)

Lorenza (Prison of the Past) vs Poison Sophie (Angel Tactics)

Karen Korinsky (Voyage to Danger) vs Mariya Isshiki (Tokyo Crisis)

Diana (Pursuit of Harimao’s Treasure) vs Asuka Kagurazaka (The Last Job)

Julia (Farewell to Nostradamus) vs Becky Lambert (Swallowtail Tattoo)

Kikyo (Dragon of Doom) vs Lisa Argento (Another Page)

The first 6 matchups will be posted on Friday. Stay tuned and may the best Lupin girl win!

[une-sanz-pluis]

How is the relationship between Margaret of Anjou and Jacqueta of Luxembourg? (Jacquetta was one of the three people who convinced her not to enter London, which made me fantasize about their relationship.)

We simply don't know a lot about their relationship. Jacquetta does seem to be prominent at court during Margaret's time as queen consort but we don't know if this indicates - or led to - any personal closeness between the women. We know the Woodvilles had a close affiliation with the House of Lancaster and Jacquetta was the widow of Henry VI's uncle, John, Duke of Bedford and the dowager Duchess of Bedford so that may well have been the reason for her prominence. Jacquetta could also claim a familial connection with Margaret herself: her sister, Isabel, had married Margaret's uncle, Charles of Anjou, Count of Maine. The idea that Jacquetta and Margaret were especially close seems to have been popularised by Philippa Gregory in her novel, The Lady of the Rivers, and her biography of Jacquetta in The Women of the Cousins' War but historians are more cautious.

Jacquetta and her husband were part of Margaret's escort to England in 1445. According to B. M. Cron, Jacquetta attended Margaret's coronation banquet and was seated on Margaret's right - this is far more likely to be due to her being the first lady in the land after Margaret than an indication of their closeness; Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester was seated on Margaret's left and the idea of Gloucester being a close friend of Margaret is not credible. Cron also claims that Richard Woodville was Margaret's champion in the jousting festivities that followed. Lynda J. Pidgeon claims it is "significant" that Richard Woodville was not created a baron until after Henry VI's marriage to Margaret, but credits it more to Henry's desire to "create a royal family around him" than to any relationship between Margaret and her escort.

Jacquetta's servants were regularly given gifts by Margaret in the New Years celebrations. In 1446, her servants received 53s. 4d. and in 1447, 1449 and 1452, Jacquetta's servants received 66s. 8d. This is on a par with other gifts to ducal servants - in 1446, this was the same amount given to the servants of the Duke of York and Duchesses of Buckingham and Exeter, while in 1447, the same amount was given to the servants of the Duke of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duchess of Buckingham. Jacquetta herself was only given gifts by Margaret in 1447 and 1452 according to Pidgeon but I'm not sure what the source is for that and neither Helen Maurer nor A. R. Myers mention it when discussing Margaret's accounts. Not all of Margaret's accounts survive so we don't have the full picture.

Jacquetta attended Margaret's churching after the birth of Edward of Lancaster in 1453. Jacquetta and her husband were part of Margaret's court during her extended stay in the midlands beginning in 1456, though, according to Pidgeon, they are only rarely mentioned as being present. This is may have been due to the frequency of Jacquetta's pregnancies keeping her away from court.

And yes, Jacquetta was one of three women (the others being Lady Scales and Anne, the dowager Duchess of Buckingham) who accompanied a delegation of London aldermen who convinced Margaret to send her army away. As Helen Maurer says:

Both Jacquetta, the dowager duchess of Bedford, and Ismania, Lady Scales, had been among the women who had escorted Margaret from France, and Lady Scales had remained in her household as a personal attendant. All three ladies had been recipients of New Year's gifts at various times, and Anne, duchess of Buckingham had stood godmother to Prince Edward. Though the personal relationships that existed between Margaret and these women are difficult to assess, it is apparent that the mayor and aldermen believed that they would be received with trust and favor.

Jacquetta's prominence at the Lancastrian court may explain the tradition that her daughter, Elizabeth Woodville, was a lady-in-waiting to Margaret. There is, however, no evidence of that Elizabeth served Margaret and historians have generally poured doubt on the idea. One exception is Susan Higginbotham who suggested that it is still possible that Elizabeth was one of Margaret's damsels, saying if that Elizabeth did serve Margaret , it's "more likely that she did so in the late 1450s, a period for which Margaret's household records do not survive".

There is no evidence to tell us what Margaret thought of the marriage of Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV or the Woodvilles' defection to the House of York. There is no evidence Jacquetta and Elizabeth feared Margaret especially during the Readeption - it would be very, very surprising if they feared her more than Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick (after all, it was in Warwick's attempt to depose Edward IV in favour of George, Duke of Clarence that had seen Jacquetta's husband and son executed, presumably without trial).

Nor do we know if, in the aftermath of the Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury and Margaret's capture by Yorkist forces, whether Jacquetta met with or attempted to advocate for Margaret before her own death in 1472. We do not know if anyone advocated for Margaret's imprisonment to made more bearable, who decided her jailer would be Alice Chaucer, dowager Duchess of Suffolk and an old friend. If anyone did, I suspect it would be Jacquetta or Elizabeth Woodville (possibly in memory of her mother's friendship). It is tempting to speculate that Margaret's entry into the London Skinners’ Fraternity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in c. 1475 came about due to Elizabeth's influence (Elizabeth had entered the fraternity in c. 1472) but there's simply no evidence of it. It makes for a nice story, though.

In contrast to Maurer, Pidgeon is fairly doubtful of the idea that Jacquetta and Margaret were friendly, citing first the lack of mention of their attendance on Margaret and the lack of New Year's years gifts given to Jacquetta, saying:

Margaret’s apparent lack of friendship for Jacquetta might also be explained by Jacquetta’s Burgundian connections. Jacquetta’s father had been responsible for the capture of Margaret’s father at the Battle of Bulgnéville in 1431, following which René had been held prisoner by the Duke of Burgundy for some years until his ransom was paid. Margaret was also concerned to promote French interests to Henry and any reminder of a previous Burgundian policy might have been frowned upon. It was widely believed that it was through Margaret’s prompting that Henry had agreed to surrender Maine to René of Anjou in 1445.

However, Pidgeon bases some of this on the claim that Margaret "probably detested" the English, which we don't know and seems to be drawn from Yorkist and Tudor stereotypes of Margaret. As for the claim that Margaret pushed for Henry VI to surrender Maine to her father, it is true that she was blamed for it but what role, if any, she actually played is unknown. It is more likely that the surrender of both Maine and Anjou was an unofficial promise made by the English delegation in the negotiations that resulted in the Treaty of Tours (1444). Given Margaret was a 14-year-old girl at the time, it is incredibly unlikely she was responsible for that promise. She was urged to intercede with Henry to ensure the fulfilment of that promise but we simply don't know if she did or even what she thought about it. As I say here, she was still in her teens when the handover occurred and we must be wary of the misogyny embedded in the narrative that a teenage girl was responsible for the actions of an adult man - who, after all, was surrounded by experienced and mature advisors.

In short, the answer is that we don't know what the relationship between Margaret and Jacquetta was like. We see Jacquetta given favour in keeping with her status as a duchess and in keeping with her family connections to both Margaret and Henry. If any special relationship grew up between Jacquetta and Margaret, if they became close friends, there is little evidence to show it.

The Woodvilles were loyal to the Lancastrians throughout the resumption of the Hundred Years War until the Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Towton. How much of that can be credited to the Woodvilles' traditional loyalties or Jacquetta's personal ties to Henry VI (who, after all, was her nephew by marriage) versus a (hypothetical) close relationship between Margaret and Jacquetta is unknown.

Philippa Gregory made much of this limited evidence, while Maurer more cautiously suggests that Margaret looked on Jacquetta as someone she could trust. Pidgeon, on the other hand, argues that there was no friendship between the women. I have my suspicions about why Pidgeon argues that (I haven't read her whole book so I can't say for sure).

Personally, I've tended to imagine a connection that dimmed over time due to diverging lives - Jacquetta's frequent pregnancies kept her away from court, Margaret's life became absorbed by the political struggles of the Lancastrian court. The simple fact is that we don't know - there isn't anywhere enough evidence to judge - and you're free to imagine what you like.

Sources

B. M. Cron, Margaret of Anjou and the Men Around Her (History and Heritage Publishing 2021)

Philippa Gregory, David Baldwin and Michael Jones, The Women of the Cousins' War: The Duchess, the Queen, and the King's Mother (Atria Books 2011)

Susan Higginbotham, The Woodvilles (The History Press 2013)

Helen Maurer, Margaret of Anjou: Queenship and Power in Late Medieval England (Boydell Press 2003)

A. R. Myers, "The Jewels of Queen Margaret of Anjou", Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, vol. 42, no. 1 (1959)

Lynda J. Pigdeon, Brought Up Of Nought: A History of the Woodville Family (Fonthill 2019)

[adrianasunderworld]

Brigerton au: Isabelle Rosa-Crewel

Isabelles father remarried into the Crewels after her mother abandoned them. She was formally adopted and recognized as Divus daughter afterwards.

The Crewels own a great deal of businesses relating to textiles and clothing. Such as selling and importing fabrics, owning a number of high end dress shops and sewing stores. Miss Lilith Crewel The matriarch of the family also owns a ladies magazine that does very well for itself and is popular amoung women in various social classes.

In preparation for Isabelles first season out into society, Lilith Crewel had arranged for her old acquaintances, the Ashengrottos, to protect her. Isabelle as the sole heir to a vast fortune also puts her in danger to gentlemen of less honorable intentions. From Fortune Hunters looking to marry her and take advantage of her money to the real possibility of being ransomed, however unlikely it may be. Regardless, Lilith had no intention of taking a risk on her granddaughters well being until an appropriate match can be found.

As such, now Isabelle is under the protection of the Ashengrotto family, with their daughter, Drew as her main protector. Ensuring no such comes to her. Isabelle does not mind Drew's company and the two become good friends.

However, it appears her grandmothers suspicions were correct. Most of the suitors that come to call do not catch her attention and clearly only telling her what she wants to hear and asking questions that mostly pertain to the lifestyle she is able to afford. If not, many are also scared away after the intimidating presence of her grandmother and Drew.

Isabelle as a romantic and lover of romance novels, is hopeful for a love match someday, but so far no man has caught her eyes. Until a mysterious stranger visiting from Briar Valley comes to town for the season.

🌹🎀🌹🎀🌹

"Miss Isabelle Rosa-Crewel was presented this season by her grandmother, Madam Lilith Crewel. Brought into high society as a child, Miss Crewel has been able to blossom like a rose over the years in more ways than one. A sentiment that shows in her reputation as one of the great beauties of The Ton. However, every rose has its thorns, as it appears Miss Crewel must prepare them for the slew of suitors that will undoubtedly be looking at her lofty fortune as the sole heir of her family. Will this rose be plucked from her garden, or will she stay firmly rooted where she is? This author cannot wait to find out." -Lady Whistledown

Drew belongs to @mangacupcake

@marrondrawsalot @writing-heiress @the-weirdos-mind

[adelemadouce]

Swans and Eagles

I think I was more excited about meeting the Emperor than the Empress! Who can blame me - four weeks ago on May 18th, 1804, France was declared an Empire! And for the first time in our history, we got an "Emperor of the French"!...Napoléon 1er...the husband of my dear Aunt Joséphine, she was now Empress Joséphine.

France was in a frenzy of joy! Not since the dark years of the Revolution had our patriotism been so stirring, so hopeful and so auspicious as it was now with our radiant young Emperor!

As a relative of the Empress, I received an invitation to a welcome reception at the Château de Saint Cloud! At this reception (and it must have been one of many because all of France wanted to congratulate the imperial couple!), ...well, at this reception only relatives and friends of Joséphine were invited, especially from the Sugar Islands, Martinique, San Domingo and Guadeloupe. I had never been on these islands, and my relationship to the Empress was difficult to determine, but I was still part of her extensive family and was therefore able to look forward to the imperial reception with my husband and our son Tanguy. It was a hot Sunday in June 1804, when we were supposed to drive to Saint Cloud in our new equipage. My family, Maman, Papa and Dominique and our servants had gathered in the drawing room to admire the three of us. Duchâtel, in his sky-blue satin suit, with lace jabot, decorative sword and white gloves, was sweating like a pig. His lace handkerchief was already soaked, he asked for another one. I wore an isabell-colored silk dress that clung tightly to my belly and felt cool on my skin. I also wore a chasuble made of translucent chiffon with silver embroideries. Long white gloves, a pearl necklace and jasmine flowers in my hair. Simple but beautiful! I liked myself very much. And so does my family! As I slowly walked down the stairs and entered the drawing room, everyone applauded. My Papa cried! He was so proud that his daughter was being received by the Emperor! I kissed him tenderly, then we said au revoir! Our four-in-hand equipage was waiting...

At first I thought the Empress had invited all the inhabitants of the Lesser Antilles! I had never seen so many people in their Sunday best! Among them were aristocrats, in satin skirts, with lace cuffs and powdered wigs! We were led into the magnificent hall of the palace, the atmosphere was cheerful and loud. Music came to us from another hall, Mozart was being played. The guests lined up one behind the other in a queue, refreshments and petit fours were served. Tanguy was well behaved and calm. "It almost looks like these people have just come from Marie Antoinette's court!" said a young lady behind me and smiled. She was also pregnant! "Yes, indeed," I replied and smiled back. "It seems like the old days are coming back!" Next to her stood a man in uniform, he seemed to be her husband. "Family or acquaintance?" the young woman then asked. "Family,...from Martinique," it somehow didn't come easily to my lips. She looked at her husband, then back at me. "My family is close friends with the Taschers, but we are from San Domingo. Oh...pardon!...I'm Félicité de Fodoas, and this is my husband, General Savary!" The man bowed slightly. "I am Adèle Duchâtel,...my husband, and this little rascal is my son Tanguy!" Félicité looked down at my son, who was wearing a light blue suit like his father, a small top hat and a bouquet of violets for the Empress. "What a sweet boy! When are you expecting your second child?" Before I answered I looked at Duchâtel, he was talking to another man, so I could talk freely. Duchâtel hated it when I talked about my pregnancy. "It should be the end of August," I said. "Mine won't keep me waiting that long," she put her hand on her round little belly. We laughed and had a pleasant conversation. Until we entered the Grand Salon and the court chamberlain called our names. "Monsieur et Madame Charles Duchâtel!" I had caught a glimpse of the Emperor a few minutes earlier, but now I lowered my eyes because I didn't want to appear too curious. At Duchâtel's side, I took small steps towards the throne, then we stopped. I let go of Tanguy's little hand, and I sank into a deep curtsy. I kept my lashes lowered for a long moment. It was only when I heard Tanguy rushing towards the Empress that I looked up. He held out the violets to her and Aunt Joséphine was delighted! "Bonjour mon petit prince!" She said in her sweet voice and pulled the boy onto her lap. But my eyes wandered to the left. The Emperor stood next to his throne. I immediately lowered my eyes again. "Please, Madame..." I heard his voice above me and looked up to him. "...rise! You are carrying the life of an unborn child, that requires consideration!" Duchâtel took my arm and carefully pulled me up. But I no longer saw my husband. I looked at the Emperor and I only saw him!

"Your Majesty,...my unborn child will remember Your kindness with deep gratitude for the rest of his life!" His eyes were fixed on me. The Emperor Napoléon was a completely different person from the gloomy, thin General Bonaparte I had once met. Again, I tried not to show too much curiosity. But, God! I was so curious about him! "Why do you wear so little jewelry, Madame?" he then asked me. "I told you...," Duchâtel snapped at me from the side, "...you should wear the large parure...not pearls...I told you!" Duchâtel wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Your Majesty...I beg Your forgiveness....but my wife has a mind of her own...and..." But the Emperor ignored Duchâtel. He looked at me, unfazed. "Well, Madame?" he insisted. I stretched and put my hand on the side of my belly. "Sire, I'm wearing the most beautiful jewelry a woman can wear!" I was now brave enough to meet his gaze, but when our eyes met, something happened that touched me deeply and left me in the greatest confusion! Something had happened in that moment. But I didn't know what it was...I just couldn't take my attention away from him. And he seemed to notice that there was something about him that captivated me. He seemed to want to find out...

It was the friendly voice of the Empress that freed me from this strangely pleasant situation. "Adèle...I've put you on the list of my future ladies-in-waiting. Are you happy?" My heart was pounding. It was the day of miracles!!! I leaned forward, took Aunt Joséphine's hand and pressed it happily to my cheek. "Your Majesty, there is nothing greater for me than serving my Empress!" I smiled at her radiantly. Even my little Tanguy laughed!

Yes, it was the time of miracles that had now begun for me. Just one week after my first meeting with Emperor Napoléon, our paths crossed for the second time. It was another sunny Sunday when I drove early in the morning in my light purple riding dress to the Hippodrôme in Longchamp to go for a ride in the Bois. Andrian, my stable boy, was already waiting for me with my mare Poupette, fully saddled. It was to be the last ride before the birth of my child and, at Duchâtel's request, Adrian was to accompany me with a horse from the stables. It was fine with me because I liked Adrian very much! He was a young lad of fifteen, who dreamed of becoming one day one of the Emperor's hussar. Adrian was very good with horses and an excellent rider. I really hoped his dream would come true! On this sunny summer morning we rode into the woods at a moderate gallop. The air was wonderful, it smelled of fresh greenery. At this early hour there were hardly any people in the Bois. As we came to a crossroads, we heard the hoofbeats of other riders in the distance. My Poupette neighed! I looked in the direction of the hoofbeats and was frightened - it was the Emperor, with a small entourage! I reined in Poupette and my horse stopped. Adrian stared with wide eyes in the direction of the galloping Emperor. Adrian finally jumped off the horse, fell to his knees in the dust and clutched his tricorn hat to his chest. I didn't know where to look first, at the Emperor or at Adrian? My horse pranced restlessly. I pulled on the reins and patted Poupette's neck. The Emperor brought his horse to a halt in front of me. "Your Majesty!" I called out kindly and bowed as much as I could in my saddle. "Madame...to see you here? At this early hour...in your condition?" The Emperor wore a uniform, but no coat because of the heat.

His companions, Grand Marshal Duroc and General Rapp also wore no cloaks. I looked at the Emperor and tried to smile, my heart pounding so loudly I was afraid he might hear it. "Sire, it is my last ride before giving birth!" His spanish stallion pranced restlessly next to my little mare. "Madame, you must promise me that! Turn back immediately! It is truly irresponsible to ride in your condition! If you were my wife, I would not allow you to do so!" He said these words very seriously, but he didn't seem to be really angry. I saw a kindness in his eyes that overwhelmed me. And my heart beat even louder! "Sire, I promise! Your desire is my command!" Did I really say that? The Emperor turned to his companions and the men grinned. The Emperor immediately turned back to me. "What is the name of your horse, Madame?" I patted Poupette's neck again. "Her name is Poupette, Sire!" He nodded. I saw a furtive smile on Grand Marshal Duroc's face. The Emperor, however, did not take his eyes off me. "One day, Madame, you and your....Poupette...will accompany me on a ride in the forests of Fontainebleau! But now, turn back immediately and take care of yourself! Think of your child...for my sake!" I swallowed. Our eyes locked so deeply that I thought I was drowning in his gaze. What a sweet death! I came to my senses and nodded vigorously. "Yes, Your Majesty...I will ride back immediately! I thank Your Majesty! From the bottom of my heart!" He finally smiled. "Good, Madame! We will meet again..." He turned his horse, glanced at Adrian and said: "Stand up, boy!" Then he and his officers galloped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind. Adrian and I looked at each other. But we were too confused to say a word...

[laurasimonsdaughter]

If you could, how would you write Terrible Tales without turning the heroes evil?

I don't think I could! Morality tales really aren't my thing.

When I fully retell existing fairy tales with my own values in mind, they turn into my Fix-It Fairy Tales, which purposefully contain more kindness, consent, and inclusivity:

Go-Lucky Marie (based on Grimms' Hans In Luck)

The Lindworm Prince (based on Asbjörnsen and Moe's King Lindworm)

The Soldier, The Princess and the Tinderbox (based on Andersen's The Tinderbox)

The Stolen Lilac (based on Lang's Prunella)

The Daughter of the Boasting Miller (based on the Grimm's Rumpelstiltskin)

The Singing Princess (inspired by The Shoes That Were Danced To Pieces)

And when I retell existing tales with a "dark twist", this happens:

On the First Morning in May, or "what if Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight was a dark murder romance instead of a cautionary ballad"

Prince Snow White, or "what if Snow White was a prince, the Evil Queen was an absolute jerk of a king and the seven dwarves were seven robbers, so the runaway prince gets to be a highwayman"

And when I edit famous fairy tales so they would fit in a classic Soulmark AU (soulmate's name appears on your wrist on your 16th birthday) this happens:

Perrault's Soulmark Fairy Tales (Cinderella, Blue Beard, Donkey Skin, The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, Riquette with the Tuft)

Grimm's Soulmark Fairy Tales (The Goose Girl, The Six Swans)

But no morality tales, it's not in my repertoire~

[pandoratheprocrasticreator]

Tumblr Sexywoman Poll: Final Roster

Alright folks here's the final roster for my Tumblr sexywoman poll. Other people have done this but I want to see what kind of drama I can stir up this time. This will be a poll on which sexywoman is the most Iconic TM. What that means - if she's actually sexy, if she had cultural impact, if you just like her character, etc - is up to the individual voter.

Polls for each round will be up at 8 AM PST, with round 1 starting on February 7. Rounds 1 and 2 will last for one day each, rounds 3 and 4 will last for 2 days each, and round 5 will last for three days. Just to build dramatic tension. (EDIT: I checked and Tumblr is lame, unfortunately, so my only options are to keep the poll up for a day or a week. I will keep the first three rounds up for a day each. I'll probably have the last two rounds up for a day too but if enough people thing keeping one or both of them up for a week is good for dramatic tension I will do that.) I will also have a one-day buffer between each round to prepare for the next one. (Please bear with me - I'm a student.)

A disclaimer: I don't know almost half the franchises on this roster. I only know them from the sheer volume of horny fanart of said characters that crosses my dash via osmosis. I am aware some characters on here are minors in canon, and there may be more in the franchises that I don't know.

The inclusion of canonically underage characters does not reflect my values, only that I've seen a lot of people on Tumblr sexywoman-ify them. Regardless of whether it was right in the first place, I've seen people on Tumblr be horny about all the characters on this list. To not include them on this poll would be disingenuous.

This post will be pinned and updated with links to the polls for each round. All polls will be tagged "tumblr sexywoman poll" on my blog in case I don't get around to updating the links right after the polls are up. While I LOVE to see people arguing over their blorbos this poll is just one elaborate shitpost on my end so I hope everyone keeps it lighthearted and fun. May the best Tumblr sexywoman win!

Pandora

EDIT #1: Polls for round 1 are linked here. Sorry for the delay, everyone!

Katya Goncharov Vs. Vriska Serket - Winner: Vriska Serket (59%)

Catra Vs. Bowsette - Winner: Catra (61%)

Sally Vs. Queen - Winner: Queen (69%) (nice)

Malfina Vs. Ianthe Tridentarius - Winner: Ianthe Tridentarius (54%)

Loona Vs. GLaDOS - Winner: GLaDOS (77%)

Marceline Vs. Cassandra - Winner: Marceline (74%)

Doc Ock Vs. Princess Luna - Winner: Doc Ock (67%)

Jessie Vs. Riza Hawkeye - Winner: Jessie (54%)

Hornet Vs. Eda Clawthorne - Winner: Eda Clawthorne (58%)

Rouge the Bat Vs. Shego - Winner: Shego (66%)

Zarya Vs. Hatsune Miku - Winner: Hatsune Miku (66%)

Monika Vs. Lord Dominator - Winner: Monika (63%)

Ena Vs. Franziska Von Karma - Winner: Franziska Von Karma (55%)

Isabelle Vs. Lady Dimitrescu - Winner: Lady Dimitrescu (85%)

Lusamine Vs. Junko Enoshima - Winner: Junko Enoshima (69%) (nice)

Lapis Lazuli Vs. Yor Forger - Winner: Yor Forger (68%)

EDIT #2: Roster for round 2. The polls will be up at 8 AM PST on February 9th.

EDIT #3: Round 2 polls are up!

Vriska Serket Vs. Catra - Winner: Catra (56%)

Queen Vs. Ianthe Tridentarius - Winner: Queen (50%) (holy shit)

GLaDOS Vs. Marceline - Winner: GLaDOS (69%) (nice)

Doc Ock Vs. Jessie - Winner: Jessie (58%)

Eda Clawthorne Vs. Shego - Winner: Eda Clawthorne (64%)

Hatsune Miku Vs. Monika - Winner: Hatsune Miku (60%)

Franziska Von Karma Vs. Lady Dimitrescu - Winner: Franziska Von Karma (51%)

Junko Enoshima Vs. Yor Forger - Winner: Yor Forger (73%)

EDIT 4: The age of Junko, Vriska, and Resident Evil big lady ends now! The classic Tumblr sexywomen have been massacred this round. Special shout out the Ace Attorney fans for getting Franziska Von Karma to just barely beat Lady Dimitrescu. It can't have been easy. Also special shout out to Deltarune and Locked Tomb fans. there were 127 votes on that poll and Queen barely just beat out Ianthe. I did the math and if the votes were split 50/50, then Queen only got one more vote than Ianthe. Every vote counts, people!

Roster for round 3. The polls will be up at 8 AM PST on February 11th.

EDIT #4: Round 3 polls are up!

Catra Vs. Queen - Winner: Catra (52%)

Jessie Vs. GLaDOS - Winner: Jessie (59%)

Eda Clawthorne Vs. Hatsune Miku - Winner: Eda Clawthorne (70%)

Yor Forger Vs. Franziska Von Karma - Winner: Yor Forger (53%)

Also, nominate someone for my Vriska poll coming next week!

EDIT #5: Roseter for round 4. Polls will be up at 8 AM PST on February 13th.

It is with a heavy heart that I announced that Franziska Von Karma has been defeated. Kudos to the Ace Attorney fandom. You tried your best. I've been told that since like 50% of my followers followed me for The Owl House, that this poll was rigged. Maybe I should have made this poll on a side blog to distance it from all the TOH stans for a fairer poll. Guess we'll see if Eda likers or Yor likers come out on top this round. On the other side, I didn't expect Catra OR Jessie to make it this far. Props to Catra for defeating Vriska AND Queen holy shit.

EDIT #6: Round 4 guys. Sorry for the delay:

Catra Vs. Jessie - Winner: Jessie (64%)

Eda Clawthorne Vs. Yor Forger - Winner: Eda Clawthorne (52%)

EDIT #7: Roster for round 5. This is the final round, so I'll put the poll up for a full week. The poll will be up at 8 AM PST on February 15th.

EDIT # 8: Final Round! This poll will be up for a week. I'll probably unpin this post in favor of the Vriska poll roster when I have that up. Probably around the 18th. The winner of the sexywoman poll will crown the winner of the Vriska poll when that ends.

Jessie Vs. Eda Clawthorne

Thanks for voting, everyone!

Pandora

[edwardseymour]

How is the relationship between Katherine Howard and her family? Does she have any close friends?

✨ terfs/zionists fuck off ✨

we unfortunately don’t know who katherine was close to. that’s not to say she had no friends, but we don’t have enough surviving information to identify any.

possibly she was close with jane rochford — it is interesting how little the notion of a genuine friendship is considered when examining their relationship. you could make a similar (probably stronger) argument for katherine tilney.

charlotte merton in her chapter ‘women, friendship, & memory’ has pointed to katherine howard as a small case study for the social culture for female friendships: “the women who were to play a crucial role in katherine howard’s fall — alice wilkes, joan ackworth, katherine tilney, and margaret morton — had all been outplaced in the old duchess of norfolk’s household at the same time […] rank trumped kinship, and friendship trumped both. […] once outplaced in the company of other girls, nearness and shared self-interest might lead to friendship, much like the ‘two artificial gods’ helena and hermia, ‘a union in partition’, but equally there might have been fertile ground for abiding hatred”.

i think it’s also reasonable to categorise thomas culpeper here, as a friend — if nothing else.

as for family, well, that’s also difficult to trace. wilkinson points out individuals in katherine’s household who she may have had a positive relationship with: “some of [her household] were family or friends, such as sir edward baynon, vice-chamberlain, and his second wife, her half-sister, isabel; her cousin mary howard, duchess of richmond, daughter of the duke of norfolk; and margaret, lady howard, the wife of lord william howard and katherine’s aunt”. but it’s not actually clear if she had much of a relationship with all these relatives — there’s a good chance she only got to know some of them once at court, and “life in this splendid maze brought katherine into more regular contact with other members of her family” (russell).

we could speculate that her siblings rewarded at the point of her marriage were suggested by katherine, and not exclusively henry — but this could only be speculation. for example, on the eve of katherine’s wedding, her brother charles received five properties in london, and her half-sister isabel got a manor house in wiltshire and all the lands formerly belonging to malmesbury abbey. perhaps katherine assented to this, if not nominating them to henry entirely of her own accord… but no evidence survives to tell us this, and it’s worth remembering that overall katherine’s siblings did not profit hugely from her marriage: “katherine did not possess the influence necessary to promote them into government. a few years later, courtiers agreed that katherine parr’s brother had done better out of his sister’s marriage to the king than the howard brothers had in 1540” (russell). her brothers charles and george obtained positions at court, but her brother henry did not: “henry howard, the brother katherine had spent most of her time with when they had both been attached to the household of the dowager duchess, does not seem to have joined their other brothers at court […] for reasons which are unknown” (russell).

we know that her sister (wilkinson claims mary, taffe claims margaret) originally held the position then taken by jane rochford: “lady jane, however, had not been the first choice for the post of lady of queen katherine’s privy chamber: the position had originally been held by one of katherine’s sisters” (wilkinson). we also know she had a poor relationship with her uncle norfolk — she complained to her ladies about him, he told courtiers he wished she would be burned alive. we can also surmise a lack of closeness with her half-sister, isabel, who waited upon katherine while she languished in syon. this is notable as, while katherine was allowed to select the women she took with her, isabel was the only one imposed upon her at henry’s insistence — she also seems to have been rewarded for this service, receiving a land grant from the king. as russell supposes (and i am inclined to agree): “sir edward’s willingness to assist the council in their investigations of queen anne boleyn in 1536 and his antipathy towards the household he served made him a reliable gaoler and a trustworthy informant. baynton was the one who told cranmer how katherine behaved when the archbishop left her rooms in the first few days of her disgrace. […] henry’s men did not doubt isabel baynton’s innocence, but that he gifted isabella with land in the same month as her half sister was incarcerated and their brother charles was banished from court leads to a conclusion that she had done far more than clear herself of complicity. edward baynton’s appointment to syon and the grant to isabel suggest that they sent the privy council reports on katherine’s behaviour”.

then of course we have her relations from the dowager duchess’ household…

[sonofthesaiyans]

Hitch Wins! On to the Next Poll...

Before any more time passes, let's get things rolling for the next round, guys.

First things first.......the results of the last poll.

First let me just say I was rather disappointed at the lack of votes, guys. A mere 61 this time around. 😞

I expected a better turnout. Especially since it was a poll honoring AOT's forgotten girls, one of the main points of my page. And I heavily suspect it was because I had to repost my original poll that it came up weak.

In my experience, when something is reposted, it generates less views on the second go around. I have seen it on YouTube and elsewhere. And I would appreciate if such a trend didn't repeat itself here. I feel like the vote turnout would have been better if I didn't have to go back and do that due to an error, and I do know the original results played out differently as a consequence.

I just hope for better from now on. And for those who do vote, PLEASE REBLOG as you do. It would help tremendously.

Anyway, as I was saying.....our top three winners. The first with 26% of the vote....

HITCH DREYSE! Not too surprising, she always seemed to be a favorite with most. One of the few members of the Military Police to actually develop a likable personality. And one of the few people to establish any real connection to Annie Leonhart which counts for something. She definitely could have benefitted from a larger role in the story. Seeing how she represents a badly underdeveloped faction within the Walls.

And at second place with just over 21% of the vote....

NANABA! The masculine beauty of Squad Miche. This is a character who continues to grow on me. And as one of the few supporting scouts with any substantial amount of screentime, she is a fascinating character. Cool under pressure, headstrong, and a natural leader. I think we can all agree she deserved better in the long run. Justice for Squad Miche.

And in third with just shy of 20% of the vote...

ISABEL MAGNOLIA! Levi's long lost friend and companion. The third of the main ladies to have an intimate and lasting impact on Levi Ackerman's life. Would have been fascinating to explore more of that unique friendship, seeing the connections he already has with Petra and Hange. She was the initial frontrunner before I had to repost the poll. Wonder how she would have fared otherwise. But she is truly the dark horse here, even in third place. I may have to do an Isabel Deserves Better post one of these days. Who doesn't love an energetic redhead?

Meanwhile.....

Poor Anka is dead last here. Didn't even crack 2% in this poll. 😔 Scoring less than Hannah Diamant And Rico Brzenska. Such a shame, I always thought she was cute and we deserved to see her in action. Please show her some love people. Because she got dealt a raw deal by Isayama. More on THAT one later....... 🔍🤔

To everyone who did vote and reblog, thank you! Let's hope for a stronger turnout this next go around.

Now, this week's poll......

In order to be fair, I am NOT including Levi as he is already plenty powerful. I also will NOT include Erwin Smith, as the controversial choice of giving Armin the serum over him I think speaks for itself. It's enough to assume that yes, there exists a vested interest in him coming back as a Titan Shifter already.

And yes I added Mikasa to the list. Let's pretend there was nothing that prohibited her from becoming a Titan, because frankly the so called Ackerpower is not well explained anyway. Also screw the canon, Isayama's rules don't apply here. Let's use a little imagination I say.

Well that is that. Please have at it people and please, REBLOG!

Let's see who comes out on top. 👍