tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45056509372490851912024-03-12T20:16:48.922-07:00Loyalty Binds MeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-133185019258013552014-05-15T04:57:00.002-07:002014-05-15T04:57:34.236-07:00The blog has movedYou can now find me at<br />
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<a href="http://www.theborgiabull.wordpress.com/">www.theborgiabull.wordpress.com</a><br />
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Twitter and facebook will be updated shortly.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-74903617046002861602014-04-15T07:28:00.000-07:002014-04-15T07:28:10.324-07:00Not historical....This is something very unlike my normal posts. But given a few things I've been through these past weeks I think it's important I take the time to say something.<br />
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If any of my readers are going through any form of depression or mental illness, in the words of the bloggess - depression lies. It truly is a horrid thing to go through and trust me I've been there. Hell, I'm there right now dealing with a mixture of drugs to help me through whatever the hell my brain thinks it's up to these days.<br />
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Depression is horrible. It makes you feel worthless. It makes you feel that you don't deserve anything but let me tell you. You are worth it. And you are beautiful.<br />
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If I can get through this - although with myself the struggle is very much ongoing - then so can you.<br />
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Depression tells you lies about yourself. Please try to remember that you aren't useless like your head says, that you are worth it and that you are beautiful. You're worth everything.<br />
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I am hoping to return to more historical based blog posts soon but there will also be some non historical stuff coming up. I'd say I'm sorry. But I'm really not.<br />
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Have a picture of a hamster.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-79619577181404187502014-04-10T14:51:00.002-07:002014-04-10T14:51:29.849-07:00I swear I'm still alive...I must apologise for my horribly long absence recently. Rest assured I haven't forgotten any of you and will be back posting historical awesomeness soon.<br />
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~ SamUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-32231830216487156302014-02-12T06:44:00.000-08:002014-04-11T02:40:49.372-07:00"A Cup Of Champagne Prior To Victory" Interview with Ana Ularu from "The Borgias"<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">I am incredly honoured to host an interview with Ana Ularu whio played Charlotte D'Albret in "The Borgias". The interview was conducted by my dear friend Dragos </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Moldoveanu of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Asociaţia „Institutul pentru Studii Renascentiste” (The Institute of Renaissance Studies Association – AISR) and kindly translated into English for Loyalty Binds Me. </span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Romanian actress Ana Ularu (born in
1985) portrays Charlotte d` Albret in the third season of the
historical-fiction television series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Borgias</i> (2011). She had the kindness to answer a couple of our questions.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cinema lovers know Ana Ularu from the
award-winning drama <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Periferic</i> (“Outbound”),
directed by Bogdan Apetri, as well as from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O
var</i></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ă foarte instabilă</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> (“A Very Unsettled Summer”) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sunt o babă comunistă</i> (“I'm an Old Communist
Hag”), both having the premiere in 2013. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This year, Ana will be seen in the
upcoming drama <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Serena</i>, starring
Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, and also in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thursday</i>, along with François Arnaud, her partner from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Borgias</i>` television series. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">First, thank you for accepting the
invitation of Asociaţia “Institutul pentru Studii Renascentiste” (The Institute
for Renaissance Studies Association) to talk about your supporting part as
Cesare Borgia's wife. It is a privilege to have you as an interviewee.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Both
yours and historical television series fans enjoyed watching you in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Borgias</i>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> The </span>Borgia<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>dynasty, whose fascinating saga<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is depicted<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the
series produced by Showtime,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is
one of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> most </span>illustrious<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>families<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of the Renaissance Age.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Prior to television broadcasting,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>what was your information about the
Borgia family?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As a Cervantes High School graduate, I studied extensively
the history of Spain and I came tangential to a short discussion about the two Popes
the Borgia family gave to the Vatican. But, obviously, the pop culture chronicled
rather the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>bloody facts and the fascinating
figure of Lucrezia. What I had read about them disappeared somehow under a whole
lot of other information gathered from other readings, so, it was very nice
when I started to do my documentation to find out all sorts of information
about them and especially about Charlotte d'Albret. I found out<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that Her Majesty<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Queen Anne<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is one of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the descendants of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the marriage<span class="apple-converted-space"> between Cesare </span>and Charlotte,<span class="apple-converted-space"> the </span>House<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Bourbon-Parma...
I hope I'm not mistaken.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif";"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You anticipated my next question concerning
the historical information. You portrayed the Duchess Charlotte d'Albret, wife
of Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI. Therefore, how did you document for
the role?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>read everything I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>could find about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Charlotte, I searched for her
portraits,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I worked with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>choreographer<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the
Ball<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Scene<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and I discussed some small<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>costume wearing technicalities with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Gabriella Pescucci, the series'
brilliant costume designer. I also had a very short meeting with a dialect
coach for the accent. Speaking French, I found it quite simple to include items
of musicality and specific phrasing in her accent.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You said, some time ago, that “nothing
is more depressing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for an actor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>than<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to
sit at home<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and not be called”.
How did you react when you got the call about a role in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Borgias</i> series?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
story<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was much more<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>enjoyable<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>than a simple phone<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>call. I went to London to have an audition
for another project, when I received an email with a few text pages for another
one. After lengthy preparations for the first, I had only a few hours before I
begin the journey for the latter that proved to be the Ball Scene from my
episode. I was very happy to find out that I got the part. Then it came the training
period, travels to Budapest for costume fitting… and all the beautiful rituals in
the life of an actor.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How would you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>depict<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the relationship between<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>historical characters Charlotte<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>d'Albret<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Cesare<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Borgia, as it was described in the
episode entitled “The Wolf and the Lamb”?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I decided along with François (who
plays Cesare Borgia) and Kari Skoglund, the Director, that, although it is a
marriage of convenience that serves Cesare for getting an army for a
counterattack, it would be very interesting that, between the two, there is an
attraction between two young, powerful, intelligent and<span class="apple-converted-space"> with a sense of humor people</span>. Already it settled
that young noble women can experience<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>absolutely<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>disastrous<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>arranged<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>marriages, so Charlotte is fortunate
to have destined a handsome and intelligent young man, and with whom she can negotiate<span class="apple-converted-space"> very </span>clear and open her preferences.
She refuses to live in Rome, she detests the excessive idealization of love and
she somehow understands his affection towards someone else, even though she
doesn't know who is the object of this affection. It is decided in my episode
that the Vatican can grant the Papal Bull for divorce, and the two remained
married until Cesare's death (despite the impressive number of his illegitimate
children). So, we created a relationship with humor and fireworks, Charlotte being
like a cup<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of champagne prior to
victory.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drago</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Most of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>scenes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>were filmed<span class="apple-converted-space"> along </span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>François<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Arnaud, the Canadian actor who<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>played the famous Cesare Borgia.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Personally, I was<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>impressed by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the interpretation of the scene of
their last night together. How would you describe the collaboration you had with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>François<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Arnaud? What actors you also met on
the set?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">François<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>very
talented<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>actor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>wonderful partner, and, after two
projects together, I can say that I won a beautiful friendship. We are born a
few days apart from each other, we have a similar sense of humor, we always had
either a tacit understanding about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the
direction that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>we want to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>offer<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for a scene, either very interesting<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>discussions<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>about the dynamics of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>our characters (in both movies). I
love playing with François,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I
feel very<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>free to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>improvise, to discover interesting
aspects in a scene. It was also nice because, on the set, I once again met with
Sean Harris (Micheletto character)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with
whom I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>became friends<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>collaborated
on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Serena<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, Susanne Bier's film, an excellent actor,
with David Johnson, a DOP (Director of Photography) with whom I worked three
times in videos directed by Wiz (</i>Magnetic Man<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and </i>The Hurts<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">), with Thure
Lindhardt (Rufio character), who was a member of the jury for Shooting Stars in
2012.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>left with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>very pleasant memory, I worked<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>wonderful team<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I
felt<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>appreciated and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>spoiled<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>even if<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my presence<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>there<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was brief.</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What was the most enjoyable time you
lived on the set?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ana ULARU:</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> The whole experience was excellent.
The Ball Scene remains a very difficult scene, logistically first, but very
pleasant, it</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">`s </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">a negotiation
and a very interesting exploration<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>to
play. The first night after wedding scene was again a very nice moment, a scene
so simple and gentle, a discussion, a relaxing time for the characters. I think
the most fun I`ve had was during the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>choreography
lessons.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drago</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ș Moldoveanu:</span></b><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thank you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>once again<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for your kindness and look eagerly the
movies that will occur this year. I hope your phone to ring more often and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>conquer the Romanian<span class="apple-converted-space"> and European </span>public<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with as many<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>roles!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">This interview was conducted by Drago</span><span lang="RO" style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ansi-language: RO;">ş
Moldoveanu, President of Asociaţia „Institutul pentru Studii Renascentiste”
(The Institute of Renaissance Studies Association – AISR). </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-24783096450258380922014-01-27T14:06:00.002-08:002014-01-27T14:06:58.028-08:00The Witch's Heart ~ Kings Lynn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I was visiting family this past weekend and wandering the high street of King's Lynn, I was reminded of a local legend. One of the main areas of interest in Kings Lynn is the Tuesday Market Place and the buildings that surround the square these days are Georgian, many of which house museums and places of interest. One of the houses is a particular talking point.<br />
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If you look up whilst walking past number 15-16 Tuesday Market Place, you will see a crude black diamond carved into red brick. Within the diamond is a black heart. There are two commonly told stories that explain just why this heart is carved above the window of this house both of which are equally as morbid as the other.<br />
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The Tuesday Market Place was used as Lynn's place of execution for centuries, and was the site of hangings as well as a number of burnings, in particular the burning of witches. Both stories link to gruesome executions conducted in the market square.<br />
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The first involves the execution of Margaret Read in 1590. Margaret was found guilty of witchcraft and sentanced to burn within the market place, and as the flames engulfed her body it is said that her heart burst from her chest and smashed into the spot above the window where the diamond is now carved. The organ is then said to have fallen to the ground and rolled away where it sunk into the river Ouse. Gnarly eh?<br />
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The second tale involves treachery and is particularly heartbreaking. No pun intended. A housemaid let slip to her lover that her recently widowed mistress had agreed to leave her the entire family fortune. Said lover agreed to marry the young housemaid and she wrote her own will entirely in his favour. Shortly after the mistress was conveniently murdered and the housemaid was found guilty of treachery - the crime of petty treachery involved a woman murdering her husband or a female servant murdering her master or mistress, and the punishment for such a crime was being burned at the stake. The maidservant kept on insisting that she was innocent, right up until the moment the flames were lit and as she began to burn foretold that as a symbol of her innocence her heart would burst from her chest. As her body was consumed by the flames it did just that and smashed into the site of the heart in the diamond. The diamond was carved in the very spot where the heart hit and left it's gory blood stains.<br />
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Quite a sordid tale is it not? There are various versions of the story, all using different methods of execution but all with the same end. A heart bursting from the chest of a condemned woman. I have no idea whether any of these legends are true, indeed the only information I could find online was regarding the legend, and the tales I had heard growing up. A brief search online for the "Witch's Heart of Kings Lynn" should give you more information, or indeed a trip to Lynn if you ever get the chance. True or not, the story is particularly gruesome whichever way you look at it, and one that has stuck with me since I was a little girl.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-7879252257091062412014-01-16T14:11:00.001-08:002014-01-16T14:11:42.655-08:00[Review] Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gp6LXmV1MWc/UthPxvZKqZI/AAAAAAAAG4U/3dB0VSIRXQE/s1600/blood+abd+beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gp6LXmV1MWc/UthPxvZKqZI/AAAAAAAAG4U/3dB0VSIRXQE/s1600/blood+abd+beauty.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
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<i>"The more outrage the better. That way people will fear us while we are alive and never -ever- forget us when we are dead"</i></div>
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I think it's a well known fact amongst my readers that I am very picky when it comes to novels about the Borgia family. Given the research I have put into this family and the absolute awe I hold for Cesare - I say again, how many have his personal motto tattooed? - I tend to avoid historical fiction about the Renaissance and in particular the Borgia family. I blame this in part for the travesty that was Kologridis' "The Borgia Bride" and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed Jean Plaidy's novels about Lucrezia, I found them to be somewhat dry towards the end. So it was somewhat hesitantly that I picked up Dunant's latest offering.</div>
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And I have to say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.</div>
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From the outset you can tell that Dunant has really put the effort into her research. As I read, I found myself slap bang in the middle of the Borgia apartments in Rome, in the Room of Mysteries with the Pope, with Cesare as he stood before the walls of Ravaldino. And whilst I am aware that this is a work of fiction, I couldn't have been more pleased to see the placing in there of actual historical events. More so the LACK of incest in there pleased me no end. You will all know how against that theory I am, and how I am a firm believer that Cesare and Lucrezia were close, that he loved his sister more than any woman he had ever met but that they never crossed the line. I found this was portrayed excellently in this novel with stolen glances, the odd lingering touch and one kiss that may have gone a bit too far. The awkwardness between the two siblings after that kiss just seeped from the words so I felt as if I felt as physically awkward as Lucrezia did. </div>
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The characterisation of Cesare has to be one of the best that I have ever read. It is well known that Cesare Borgia was temperamental, or "famously bipolar" as I like to call him and this comes across wonderfully in Dunant's writing. From his overly inflated ego to his need from power, to his cold and calculating manner when plotting the downfall of those who had become useless to the family. There were moments when I sat there with a knot in my stomach, hearing Cesare's rants as if I were stood there in the very same room as him. I felt his need for power, his egotistical nature. And there are not many novels that have ever made me feel like that. And if I am honest it was the same with all of the characters in this novel. Particular favourites included Lucrezia (it was SO nice to see her written as she would have been, rather than a scheming poisoning adulteress), Juan and Pope Alexander VI. The work went into the characterisation of these men and women who actually lived all of those years ago. And you could honestly tell.</div>
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The only issue I really had was how the ending of the book seemed a little rushed. It would have been nice if more time could have been spent on Cesare's military campaigns in the Romagna. Unfortunately the story ended with Lucrezia leaving to go to Ferrara. We all know that the story goes on and we see the death of Pope Alexander, Cesare's downfall and his heartbreakingly lonely death in Viana, finishing with Lucrezia's death in Ferrara. I can't help but wonder whether Dunant will be writing a follow up to cover these events? I have to say I would love to read a novelisation about Cesare's last years. That really is my only gripe if I am honest. It just left me wanting MORE!</div>
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If you are a lover of Renaissance and Borgia history then I urge you to pick up this book. Fantastically written, excellent characterisation and a complete page turner. I shall certainly be picking up more of Dunant's works!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-5729905870034222692014-01-01T10:44:00.003-08:002014-01-01T10:44:48.378-08:00On This Day In History - Rodrigo Borgia Is Born<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Starting off the year as I mean to go on, I thought I'd drop in with a little "On This Day In History" post for you all.<br />
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On 1st January 1431, Rodrigo Borgia was born in Xatvia Spain. His birth name wasn't actually "Borgia" but "Lanzol", and only took his mother's surname in 1455 after the elevation of his maternal uncle to the Papacy (Calixtus III).<br />
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As we know, Rodrigo Borgia would go down in history as one of history's most depraved Popes (Alexander VI) and as the father of history's most infamous individuals; Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Was he that bad? No, not really. He was simply a man of his time and actually less depraved than many of his predecessors.<br />
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Happy birthday Rodrigo Borgia. I'll be writing a lot more about you in the coming months.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-82753928566889602392013-12-31T10:26:00.003-08:002013-12-31T10:26:59.117-08:00Dropping In Briefly To Say "Happy New Year"So. It's the end of the year and I thought I'd drop in and leave you all a little something.<br />
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It's been a tremendous year for Loyalty Binds Me, with lots of Renaissance ramblings, an interview from the lovely Isolda Dychauk and we even hit the quarter of a million page views mark! I know that I have been rather lax in posting things of late and it is one of my New Year's Resolutions to post more for you all!<br />
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I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for supporting LBM throughout 2013. Here's to an even better 2014.<br />
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Happy New Year, guys!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-32009350518293037962013-12-25T06:00:00.001-08:002013-12-25T06:01:50.248-08:00Merry Christmas!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Just swinging in to wish all my followers and readers a very merry Christmas. I hope you are all having a wonderful time. Please don't mind the shortness of this post, I'm still getting to grips with the new tablet I'm posting it from.<br />
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I will be back properly over the next few days with more historical fun and games.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-47453181913632013142013-11-15T13:43:00.001-08:002013-11-15T13:43:09.024-08:00Quarter Of A Million! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've only gone and bloody done it!<br />
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A quarter of a million hapless souls have stumbled across this blog since I first started it back in August 2011. Honestly, I never ever thought I would get to such a massive milestone and without all of you? I wouldn't have made it this far.<br />
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A huge thank you to each and every one of my readers. You're all brilliant!<br />
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Here's to the next quarter of a million!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-74945682941940701112013-11-12T04:58:00.000-08:002013-11-12T04:58:12.031-08:00A Visit To Salisbury Cathedral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's taken me a bit of time to get this post done, and for that I apologise. I was going to write this when I got home last Monday, but given the news about my dear friend I am sure you can understand why I put it off. At any rate, last Monday (4th Nov), I took myself off for a morning in Salisbury. I have always loved Salisbury, and when I was younger I used to go to gigs at the arts centre there and the little pub named "The Winchester Gate". Of course, the history of the city is utterly fascinating, and I am in love with the cathedral.</div>
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So I hopped on a train and toddled off to Salisbury Cathedral. A building so full of history.</div>
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Briefly, the original cathedral was on the site of Old Sarum. I was planning on heading up there during my trip but couldn't really be bothered to walk the two miles through the city, or find a bus. Yes, I'm lazy. At any rate, there is a wonderful story that an archer stood upon Old Sarum and fired an arrow. Where the arrow landed it was decided the new cathedral would be built. The cathedral we see today was started in 1220, and the tower and spire were completed during the 1330's.</div>
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Random fact: If any of you have seen "Pillars of the Earth" you will recognise the front face. Simply, the cathedral in the show was based on Salisbury Cathedral.</div>
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Random fact No 2: David Oakes who plays William Hamleigh is from Salisbury, and his father works for Salisury cathedral.</div>
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Once I had rambled around the cathedral and visited the shop (I ALWAYS make sure I visit the shops in places like this, and picked up a Bernard Cornwell novel - he's my friend on Facebook. True story!) I made my over to the museum.</div>
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I was slightly disappointed to find that the archaeology sections were closed off due to a lot of work going on at the museum. However it was still nice to wander around this small museum. As I wandered around there were particular displays on dress throughout the years and as I wandered through that gallery? Christ, the dummies scared the hell out of me. There was also a display on ceramics. I had a wander through, paying particular attention to the older stuff i.e. the samian ware, as well as the medieval stuff. But as it got more modern I found myself growing bored and took myself for a wander elsewhere.</div>
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Little disappointed I didn't get to see the Amesbury archer...</div>
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This guy dates to the bronze age and was found near Stonehenge during a housing development. It's morbid, but I have a bit of a thing for human bones...</div>
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At any rate, I couldn't see him and a lot of the archaeological stuff. Still, the museum itself is a wonderful place and I recommend visiting. I brought a wonderful book from their shop on the archaeology of death and burial. Morbid reading, but incredibly interesting. </div>
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In all, an interesting morning. A shame I couldn't stay longer, but I am planning on going back on my next day off to spend a whole day there looking back around the Cathedral, the museums in the close and heading up to Old Sarum. Keep your eyes peeled for further posts on Salisbury.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-36384147613487551142013-11-11T07:10:00.000-08:002013-11-11T07:10:06.309-08:00We Will Remember Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,</div>
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England mourns for her dead across the sea.</div>
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Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,</div>
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Fallen in the cause of the free.</div>
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Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal</div>
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Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,</div>
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There is music in the midst of desolation</div>
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And a glory that shines upon our tears.</div>
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They went with songs to the battle, they were young,</div>
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Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.</div>
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They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;</div>
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They fell with their faces to the foe.</div>
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<b><i style="background-image: none; display: inline;">They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:</i></b></div>
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<b><i style="background-image: none; display: inline;">At the going down of the sun and in the morning</i></b></div>
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They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;</div>
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They sit no more at familiar tables of home;</div>
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They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;</div>
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They sleep beyond England's foam.</div>
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But where our desires are and our hopes profound,</div>
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Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,</div>
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To the innermost heart of their own land they are known</div>
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As the stars are known to the Night;</div>
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As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,</div>
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Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;</div>
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As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,</div>
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To the end, to the end, they remain.</div>
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Here's to all those who lost their lives in past conflict, and recent conflict. To those who died protecting their country. On 11th November, at 11am 1918 the armistice was signed and ever since we have taken two minutes silence at 11am to remember the fallen of past and present conflict. I myself have had family fight in both world wars, as well as the recent Afghanistan conflict, so personally I believe that today should be a day of thought and reflection.</div>
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Thank you.</div>
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Les We Forget.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-76291906981037417172013-11-04T04:20:00.001-08:002013-11-04T04:26:27.040-08:00In Memory Of Hasan - Art Historian Extraordinaire and Fantastic Friend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is with a heavy heart that I write today's post. I came online this morning only to find out that my dear friend Hasan Niyazi, author of the fantastic Renaissance and Art History blog "Three Pipe Problem" has sadly passed away. This was a huge shock, as I was only talking with him on twitter last week about my plans for my week off and he was looking forward to seeing photographs of the places I had planned to visit.<br />
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Hasan's blog was one of the first I found when I started LBM, and we connected through our love of Renaissance history and our "mythbusting" over The Borgias. He was a delight to speak to, and his research spoke volumes of his passion and love for the Renaissance and all things art history. Truth be told, Hasan was, and still is, a complete inspiration to me and I shall continue to use his blog and his work not only for my own research but to keep his memory alive. It was clear from the moment that I first started talking to Hasan that his passion lay in the Renaissance, and I remember him commenting on my photo of me next to Raphael's tomb. We often discussed Italian art, and I was always in awe over his love and passion for Raphael. His story of how his tour guide in Rome let him in the Pantheon on his own to save the rest of the group his flailing always made me crack up. </div>
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Hasan, my dear friend. You will be sorely missed not only by me but by your friends and readers. My heart goes out to your family. I wish we had been able to speak more, although when we did it was always a pleasure. Thank you for inspiring me to keep this blog going, thank you for being such a good friend. I will miss you and will always remember you.</div>
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I may never have had the chance to meet Hasan, and despite the fact that we lived half a world apart I considered him (and still do) an amazing friend, a colleague and an inspiration.</div>
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May you rest in peace, my friend. Next time I'm in Italy? The trip shall be dedicated to you.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-49269400817220082872013-09-29T08:51:00.000-07:002013-09-29T08:51:36.881-07:00Cesare Borgia's Marriage to Charlotte D'Albret<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Charlotte in "Borgia"</div>
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After Cesare Borgia finally got rid of his Cardinal's robes, it was down to him to continue on the Borgia dynasty. Since the death of his brother Juan in 1497, there was no male descended destined to carry on the Borgia name and had Cesare remained in the church then there would be no chance of the name continuing. And so, with that in mind, Cesare Borgia left Rome in October 1498 bound for France. His own mission was clear. He wanted to marry Carlotta of Aragon, and the new French King, Louis XII had agreed to support their marriage wholeheartedly as long as Cesare helped get him a divorce from his wife, Queen Anne. </div>
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On Fridat 17th August 1498, Cesare Borgia formally announced his decision to leave the College of Cardinal's. By 21st August, he had his way. Pope Alexander had demanded that the cardinal's voted in Cesare's favour. Indeed on the very day of the first consistory in which Cesare announced his decision, the French envoy had arrived with letters patent stating that he now had the right to call himself the Duc de Valentinois. The famous "Valentino" had arrived. </div>
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In the months leading up to his departure for France in October 1498, Cesare spent money wildly. He was to determined to impress the French people upon arrival and made sure he would be magnificently attired at all times. This would soon change after spending time there, and Cesare would end up being the black clad dressed young man that would come to be epitomised throughout history. Not only that but he worked on his physical preparation too. He was after all to become a soldier. His preparations included bullfighting on horseback, a feat which amazed contemporary Italians at the time. Indeed it was once reported by Cattaneo that on 18th August 1498 Cesare killed 8 bulls in one sitting. There were times however when his physical prowess failed him, with one occasion ending up with him being knocked out when kicked in the ribs, head and chest after trying to jump onto the back of a mule. At the same time, Cesare was suffering with serious worries over his appearance. The early physical signs of secondary syphilis were beginning to manifest upon his face, which was disastrous for a man who was so intent on stunning the French court with his dashing good looks. It should be noted that Cesare was just twenty three years old at this point, so it must have been devastating for him. He couldn't have known that this would clear itself up within two or three months and would have been more worried about his matrimonial prospects being affected due to his handsome face being blotched by syphilis. And whilst he showed outward confidence, he revealed his insecurities at the last moment by continuing to sign himself as Cardinal Valentinus. A precaution in case Carlotta refused him to the unsightly rash upon his face?</div>
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On 1st October 1498, Cesare took formal leave of his father and travelled to Ostia where he boarded a ship for France. And upon the day he left Rome, the diarist Cattaneo wrote:</div>
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<i>"The ruin of Italy is confirmed...given the plans which father and son have made: but many believe the Holy Spirit has no part in them".</i></div>
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Cesare arrived in France in late October, departing from the shrine of Marseilles and making his way to Avignon where he met up with Giuliano della Roverre. This was a man who had always been a thorn in Cesare's side, and whilst seemingly working with him in friendship during Cesare's months in France was actually working in league with Ludovico 'Il Moro' Sforza. Della Roverre met Cesare two miles outside the city and rode into the city seemingly in complete amity. Yet they held off moving to the French court and Cesare grew restless, very likely suspicious of Della Roverre and waiting for news from Rome that would allow him to present Louis with the dispensation to allow his marriage to be dissolved. He certainly wouldn't be welcome at the French court without it. He slowly made his way northward from Avignon slowly and visited Valence, the capital of his new duchy and on 7th November made a solemn entry into Lyon. But the French were unimpressed with his ostentatiousness and people found his manner brusk and rude. When the King's envoy tried to present him with the Order of St Michael, Cesare brushed him aside and stated that he would only accept it from the King himself. </div>
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When news of the King's divorce arrived, it was arranged that Cesare should meet the King at Chinon and on 17th December Cesare arrived in the local area. The day after Cesare's arrival, the King went hunting and met Cesare two miles outside of town. And later that day, Cesare entered the town and Castle with the King. It was the moment he had been waiting for. He could now impress the French Court and get his hands on Carlotta of Aragon. </div>
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Cesare meeting Carlotta of Aragon in "Borgia"</div>
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The court did not stay at Chinon for long. They moved from Chinon to Blois and elsewhere. It was during his time with the moving court that he met Carlotta of Aragon for the first time. She was a lady in waiting to Queen Anne, and the meeting with Cesare can't have put him in very high spirits. She was a determined young lady and detested the idea of marrying Cesare and openly declared to the court that she had no intention of becoming known as "La Cardinala". But whilst he failed to win over his intended bride, he won over the French court and the King considered him an asset to the court. Indeed, Louis tried to convince Carlotta to marry Cesare but she remained steadfast, saying she would not marry Cesare Borgia unless her father willed it. </div>
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When the Neopolitan envoy arrived and the issue of the marriage was pressed, the envoy replied:</div>
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<i>"To a bastard son of the Pope, the King not only would not give his legitimate daughter, but not even a bastard child"</i></div>
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The King made one last effort to persuade Carlotta to marry Cesare he invited her to dine alone with him. His efforts failed and Cesare talked of leaving France to return to Rome, although this could potentially have been a way of placing pressure upon the King to find him a new bride. And find him a new bride the King did. In the early months of 1499, Louis suggested Charlotte D'Albret to Cesare and indeed Cesare wrote that she 'pleased him' greatly. He had every right to be pleased as she was said to be incredibly beautiful. Charlotte's own feelings on the matter are not recorded, but she wouldn't have had much choice in the matter after considering pressure was placed upon her by both her Father and the King. </div>
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Charlotte in "Borgia"</div>
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Negotiations went on for over 6 weeks. Charlotte's father was determined to get as much out of the marriage as possible and demanded to see the dispensation that allowed Cesare to marry as well at the 100,00 livres promised as a dowry to be paid in ducats. By the end of April 1499 negotiations were brought to a successful end, and on 10th May the agreement was signed in front of both the King and Queen, with the King formally giving his consent to the marriage.</div>
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Cesare and Charlotte in "Borgia"</div>
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Two days later, Cesare and Charlotte were married in the Chapel of the Queen's apartments at Blois. It was followed by a huge wedding breakfast in the fields surrounding the chateau. The marriage was consummated that afternoon, and again in the afternoon. As was usual for the time there was no privacy when this happened. According to reports from the time, Charlotte's ladies spied on them through the keyhole of the bedroom door and reported a rather embarrassing incident for poor Cesare. Robert de la Marck wrote in his diary:</div>
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"To tell you of the Duke of Valentinois' wedding night, he asked the apothecary for some pills to pleasure his lady, from whom he received a bad turn for, instead of giving him what he asked for, he gave him laxative pills, to such an effect that he never ceased going to the privy the whole night, as the ladies reported in the morning"</div>
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But between running to the toilet, he did his duty and it was reported to his father in a letter that the couple consummated their marriage EIGHT times. They spent their honeymoon with the court at Blois and Cesare lavished gifts upon Charlotte. All of these gifts had been intended for Carlotta, </div>
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Yet their time together was coming to an end. Events were taking place in Italy that needed taking care of, and Cesare wanted to hurry up with his soldierly exploits. Cesare was indeed due to accompany Louis to Italy commanding a squadron of heavy cavalry, with plans to attack Milan. At the end of July he left his wife and made to return to Italy.</div>
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Charlotte never saw her husband again. She did however bear him an heir, a little girl named Louise. And when Charlotte learned of Cesare's death in 1507 she spend the remainder of her life in mourning. Did she love him? Personally, I believe that her "love" was simply infatuation. She knew him for such a little time that he must have seemed, to use a modern comparison, like a rockstar to her. And did he return that? I do not believe he loved her, as he never made the effort to go back to her and honestly? Cesare Borgia married Charlotte D'Albret more for political reasons and to help along the relations between France and Rome. After all, if he loved her, surely he would have made more of an effort to see her once he learned she was pregnant? His efforts (there were a few) to try and persuade her were in vain. The few letters he sent to persuade her to Italy fell on deaf ears, and the King even tried to convince her. Yet she herself stayed in France, having heard stories of his exploits in Italy and not wanting to go to her husband. She died in 1514 having only spent a few months in her husband's presence, probably preferring to remember the handsome young man she had known back in 1499 rather than the impious warrior she had heard stories of. At the age of 32, she died at the Chaeau de la Motte Feuilly having spent seven years in heavy mourning for the memory of her husband.</div>
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<b><u>Further Reading</u></b></div>
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<b>Cesare Borgia: His Life & Times - Sarah Bradford</b></div>
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<b>The Borgias And Their Enemies - Christopher Hibbert.</b></div>
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<b>The Borgias; History's Most Notorious Dynasty - Mary Hollingsworth.</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-30395319985322732632013-09-20T18:45:00.002-07:002013-09-20T18:45:42.267-07:00FYIJust a quick FYI. As has always been the policy here on LBM - any hateful comments will be removed without warning. I have better things to do with my time than deal with hate, so please if you have nothing better to say than something constructive then don't say a thing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-87337948357985817822013-09-19T22:26:00.003-07:002013-09-19T22:26:55.166-07:00Why Do I Love History...?I am quite often asked "Why do you like history so much?", and I end up launching into a twenty five minute rant about the importance of history and all my very favourite characters throughout the ages. But I've never really sat down and thought about it properly until now. So this post is probably going to be entirely useless and have no purpose other than allowing me to rant and ramble away about nothing in particular. So please feel free to ignore this and get on with the rest of your day.<br />
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So how did it all begin? The answer is really very simple. My aunt introduced me to Ancient Egypt, and brought me a special set of hieroglyphic stamps. They were awesome, and I had loads of fun printing out people's names as they would (or very likely wouldn't, it was a kids play set after all) have been in hieroglyphics. At any rate, it made me want more. So I began to take books out of the library, and my aunt brought me loads of books about life in Ancient Egypt. Very simply, I was in love with the era. I clearly remember the first time I ever saw the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. I was in absolute awe of the thing, this massive slab that helped us to understand just how to read Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Now, I always make a point to visit it if I'm in London and spend a few minutes just gazing at this amazing piece of history.<br />
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It was only a matter of time after then that I would begin to become interested in other eras of history. I absolutely adored history at school, and it was always my favourite subject. No word of a lie though, I struggled with it at A-Level. No idea why, probably because I was so damned fed up of the Tudors that I just lost interest. At any rate, it was during my A-Levels that I began to develop a huge interest in the Seventeenth Century and particularly the English Civil War. We studied the reign of Charles I, and how he ended up making a massive mess of things and screwing himself over. Many in the class hated ole Charlie. I however found his derpiness adorable. And I fell completely head over heels in love.</div>
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Would you believe when I saw this portrait of Charlie boy at Hampton Court, I burst into tears? Yes, I am that much of a Charlie fangirl. The staff looked at me as if I was crazy. I was even worse in front of the massive portrait of Charles II. Honestly, a gross sobbing mess doesn't even begin to cover it. </div>
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My interest in the Seventeenth Century filtered through to University. I toddled off from my cosy little sixth form in Wiltshire, all the way to Winchester where I began a degree in History and Archaeology. After my first year, I dropped history (which I now believe is the biggest mistake I ever made) and studied single honours archaeology. My final year dissertation ended up being on the landscape archaeology of a lesser known English Civil War battlefield. Cheriton, in fact. This little village and its surrounding fields now have a special place in my heart and I visit as often as I am able, just to walk around the fields in which the Royalists and Parliamentarians fought on 29th March 1644.</div>
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To many of you, that will look just like a field. To me, it is where men fought and died for what they believed in. Those fields have a very special place in my heart. Particularly as my work on them earned me an award for the best Final Year Project, which I was given at graduation in 2009 (God, that is SO long ago. I feel so OLD now!)</div>
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When I graduated Uni, I was lucky enough to gain a contract with my local archaeology unit. That was awesome, probably the best job I have ever had. At any rate, the contract ended and I was unable to get work with any other units. It was then that I realised I should probably have gone down the history route. I began to get back into my history books. I began reading more around the ECW and expanded beyond the usual Tudor crap that I had on my shelf. I had always been somewhat interested in the Renaissance, but it was then that I really started reading about it and my interest in and around the history of the Roman Catholic grew, and my obsession with the Borgia family grew beyond sensible bounds. I have spoken enough of my love of Cesare Borgia for you all to know about it, but there is something about that era that just speaks to me. I was a mess in front of the Charlie portrait? You should have seen me in the Borgia apartments in the Vatican. I have never been such a mess in my life. Just all that passion and adoration pouring out in what I can only call "liquid feels". The same happened when I saw Cesare's sword scabbard at the V&A. Nothing can really describe the passion I have for that family. Except that it has gotten so bad I now have Cesare's motto tattooed on my arm. Now THAT is love...</div>
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My love of history has taken me to some amazing places over the past few years. From places right on my doorstep, to the heat of Rome. And I am planning on going to many more places to expand my love, to expand my learning...</div>
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And there we have it. A bit of a fangirly post all about where my love of history came from.</div>
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My apologies...</div>
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I will let you get back to your day now...........</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-27212915655140553362013-09-13T10:15:00.001-07:002013-09-13T10:15:20.721-07:00Happy Birthday Cesare Borgia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBXwhaHJOV0/UjNCO4ESnYI/AAAAAAAAGxU/XKgCBpBgpo4/s1600/marksword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBXwhaHJOV0/UjNCO4ESnYI/AAAAAAAAGxU/XKgCBpBgpo4/s320/marksword.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Mark Ryder as Cesare</div>
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It seems that many consider today to be the birthday of the great Cesare Borgia. And so, I thought I would do a very little post today just to say...</div>
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Happy Birthday Cesare! </div>
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Whilst his exact date of birth is not known, only that it is at some point between September 1475 and April 1476, today is as good a day as any to celebrate. Tonight, I shall be raising a glass of vino rosso in his honour, and watching an episode of Borgia!</div>
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Check out that super pissed off look.</div>
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For more information on Cesare's early life, <a href="http://www.loyaltybindsme.org/2012/05/cesare-borgia-part-1-early-life.html">please have a look at this post.</a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-29265289511385352442013-08-28T00:31:00.000-07:002013-08-28T00:31:03.118-07:00ArtFund<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very brief post this morning as I'm not feeling too well. But this post has been a long time coming. Earlier this year I was given a National Art Pass from ArtFund to use and review and I have to say, it's utterly fantastic! The pass itself allows you access to hundreds of historical sites, museums and art galleries across the UK at discounted prices. Benefits of this fantastic pass include 50% off many major exhibitions, special events such as lectures and private parties, a monthly magazine as well as access to an exclusive shop. And if you buy one of these passes you are also helping Art Fund to help museums and galleries across the country buy art to go on display.</div>
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It really is a fantastic little card and one I intend to make good use of! Especially since there are many museums included in the list of sites that accept this card around my area! And when I do eventually get to one of these places I shall be doing a little review here!</div>
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I would highly recommend getting yourself one of these passes <a href="http://www.artfund.org/get-involved/buy-a-national-art-pass">here</a></div>
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For more information on the National Art Pass and ArtFund please do visit their <a href="http://www.artfund.org/">website</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-10047913191430081232013-08-13T07:00:00.001-07:002013-08-13T07:00:54.223-07:00[Looking Back] An Interview With Isolda Dychauk<i>Looking back again today. Not long ago, the lovely Isolda Dychauk did an interview with me about her role in the second season of Borgia: Faith & Fear. Here is is again!</i><br />
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Isolda as Lucrezia in Borgia: Faith & Fear</div>
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First of all Isolda, thank you so much for agreeing to do to this interview for me, it’s an absolute honour to have you here. What was it that attracted you to the role of Lucrezia in Canal +’s “Borgia: Faith & Fear”? "<i><br />
The are a lot of things I love about the interpretation of Lucrezia. First of all it is an incredible honor to breathe life into a character, who really existed It also is a great challenge to create this amazing development from a little girl to a liberated, strong women."</i></div>
<i><br /></i>Before you auditioned for the role, and even after you got the role and began to prepare, what were your initial thoughts on the historical character of Lucrezia Borgia?<br />
<i>"There are a lot of rumors about the Borgia family, especially Lucrezia. Most people think of her as the wife, which poisoned her husband or as the daughter, which slept with her father and her brother. Therefore in the beginning, I was trying to find some of the the 'good sides' of Lucrezia."</i><br />
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Isolda as Lucrezia and John Doman as Pope Alexander VI (screencap from Season 1)</div>
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How did you prepare to play Lucrezia? Are there any particular books that you would recommend?<br />
<i>"To be honest, I didn't read many books about the Borgias, partly because of all these rumors. For the first episodes my preparation has been the directions of Tom Fontana and Oliver Hirschbiegel."</i><br />
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There are many rumours that have come down to us about the Borgia family. The one that sticks in most people's minds is that there was a lot of incest going on between Lucrezia and the male members of her family. In the show we see these rumours taking shape - what are your thoughts on these rumours and do you think there was any truth in them?<br />
<i>"I certainly don't think all of them are true. The Borgia has been a powerful and successful family, with many enemies. Therefore many rumors has been created only for the sake of harming them. I believe Lucrezia and Cesare had a very close relationship, I am not sure about the incest, though." </i><br />
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What particular moment of Borgia history particularly interests you?<br />
<i>"I don't have any particular moments which I find more interesting than others. After filming for 2 years I love more or less everything about this period of time. Even though I'm glad I don't have to struggle with the problems they had back then..."</i><br />
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Isolda (Lucrezia) and Mark Ryder (Cesare) - photo manipulation by me.</div>
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As I watch watching Season 1 of Borgia, I could tell just how close all of the cast were. What was it like working with such distinguished actors as Stanley Weber, Assumpta Serna and Marta Gastini?<br />
<i>"Working with this cast and crew has been a blessing. Each of them is wonderful in their own way. Marta and I are like sisters by now, I trust her with every thought I have, she has always the right words to help."</i><br />
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In history, Lucrezia was described as an innocent pawn in the politics of her family. What are your thoughts on this, and how did you bring this into your portrayal of her?<br />
<i>"Season 1 is focused on Lucrezia becoming a woman, therefore there was not much politics involved. In season 2, she becomes Governor of Spoleto, which is her first step into politics. It was a huge challenge for her but she trusted her intuition and made the right decisions."</i><br />
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If you could play any other character in history, who would you play and why?<br />
<i>"There are so many fascinating characters in history, I don't think I can focus on just one."</i><br />
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Promotional photo of Lucrezia in Season 2 of Borgia</div>
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Are there any other projects that you’re taking part in, that we can look forward to?<br />
<i>"There are a few films coming up, after we finish filming season 3, but it's not official yet."</i><br />
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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I can’t wait to see Season 2!<br />
<i>"Thanks to you, it's been a pleasure."</i><br />
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Season 1 of "Borgia" is available to buy on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Borgia-Complete-Season-One-Blu-ray/dp/B008DCXZEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367585282&sr=8-1&keywords=borgia%3A+faith+%26+fear">Amazon</a>, and Season 2 is now available to purchase from <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Borgia-Saison-2-John-Doman/dp/B00B1COIM2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367585311&sr=8-1&keywords=borgia">Amazon.fr</a> (with English audio). Please do check them out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-50309941888014142062013-08-09T03:28:00.000-07:002013-08-09T03:28:06.573-07:00[Looking Back] The Borgia Apartments, The Vatican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Due to a bit of writers block I thought I would share a post I did a while ago, all about my trip to the Borgia apartments at the Vatican.</i></div>
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The Disputation of St Catherine - Pinturicchio</div>
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After Rodrigo Borgia became Pope in 1492, he planned a whole new set of rooms for his personal use. These rooms still exist today, and in them survive a fascinating insight into the Borgia mindset. The walls are covered in frescoes of the Borgia bull, and the entire set of apartments show the Spanish roots of the new Pope - the floor tiles were imported especially from Spain, giving the rooms a completely Spanish look, and mixed in with the frescoes of the Borgia bull are are representations of the Aragonese double crown, to which they added sun rays or flames mixed in a grazing bull.</div>
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The Borgia Bull, Borgia Apartments (picture by me)</div>
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The Borgia Bull and the Aragonese Crown, Borgia Apartments (picture by me)</div>
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Spanish Tiles, Borgia Apartments (picture by me)</div>
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Borgia Coat of Arms, Borgia Apartments (picture by me)</div>
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As can be seen from the pictures above, Pope Alexander made sure the family device was everywhere - gilded Borgia bulls on the ceiling in a repeated pattern with the Aragonese arms, Spanish tiles all over the floors as well as gilded stucco frames around the frescoes. The entire space was created to reflect the pride Alexander felt in his family name, pride at their Spanish origins and the huge ambition that he had for himself and his family.</div>
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Quite possibly, the most impressive monument to the Borgia family surviving in those set of rooms hidden away in the Vatican (and used to house a contemporary art gallery, I wasn't too impressed with that!) are the frescoes that surround the walls of the main room.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ5YYoOTFUA/UQpeq_LSy-I/AAAAAAAAF-c/wjNkXa3VdBE/s1600/100_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ5YYoOTFUA/UQpeq_LSy-I/AAAAAAAAF-c/wjNkXa3VdBE/s400/100_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Disputation of St Catherine, Pinturicchio (Picture by me)</div>
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After his election to the Chair of St Peter in 1492, Pope Alexander hired Bernadino di Betto di Biagio (better known as Pinturicchio) to paint his new apartments. Pinturicchio was an incredibly talented artist from Sienna, and one of the most sought after artists in his day and had even assisted in the painting of the Sistine Chapel. And whilst some weren't all that impressed with his works, the Pope certainly was.</div>
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The most famous fresco is the one shown above: The Disputation of St Catherine. And it is the biggest testament to the Borgia family in the room, simply because it contains images of the Borgia family. Most are dressed in the Turkish fashion whilst St Catherine (Said to be an image of Lucrezia, and I have to say I agree wholeheartedly) argues against the Pagan emperor. </div>
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The entire image is full of imagery - in the centre stands a triumphal arch based on the Arch of Constantine and sat atop it is the Borgia bull. The arch of Constantine is an incredible monument to Christianity - the arch itself (still standing outside the Colosseum) was built as a celebration of Constantine's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge which established Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. In essence, it's place in the painting is saying that the Borgia family are as important to Christianity as Constantine was - reinforced by the Borgia bull sat right on top of said arch. And not only are members of Alexander's family depicted (Lucrezia, Cesare, Juan, Joffre and Sancia) but also other members of the papal entourage and it is said, though I haven't yet found a source for this and will update as and when I do, that the man sat in the chair is actually a self portrait of Pinturicchio himself.</div>
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As for the imagery of the family, the main figure in the painting is St Catherine. She is portrayed as blonde, the known hair colour of Lucrezia Borgia, and this image has long been traditionally held as an image of Lucrezia although there is, of course, no certainty of this.</div>
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Detail of St Catherine showing the supposed figures of Lucrezia and Cesare (Picture by me)</div>
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The figure behind her, dressed in Turkish robes and glaring out, is said to be an image of Cesare Borgia while the figure on the left hand side (the right as we look at it) is traditionally held to be an image of Juan Borgia, second Duke of Gandia.</div>
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Detail of the figure said to be Juan Borgia in The Disputation of St Catherine</div>
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The two diminutive figures at the front of the painting are said to be of Joffre Borgia and his wife, Sancia of Aragon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzWq43M00ig/UQpvbdj_0ZI/AAAAAAAAGAU/IfhUx6EnswE/s1600/rsz_pinturicchio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzWq43M00ig/UQpvbdj_0ZI/AAAAAAAAGAU/IfhUx6EnswE/s200/rsz_pinturicchio.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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Figures said to be of Jofre Borgia and Sancia of Aragon from The Disputation of St Catherine</div>
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Pope Alexander himself is not shown in the Disputation of St Catherine. He is however shown in the fresco "Resurrection", in which he witnesses the Resurrection of Christ during a moment of prayer. He has his hands clasped in prayer, dressed in embroidered robes and his papal tiara on the floor before him. Pinturicchio also painted another portrait of Alexander above a doorway adoring a beautiful virgin who, according to Vasari was given the face of Giulia Farnese. This portrait however was destroyed when the room it was in, was destroyed for other building works.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku2n2bIWQGA/UQp5PjjZCCI/AAAAAAAAGB8/DgAFJ1da5NI/s1600/pinturicchio9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku2n2bIWQGA/UQp5PjjZCCI/AAAAAAAAGB8/DgAFJ1da5NI/s400/pinturicchio9.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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The Resurrection by Pinturicchio</div>
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Detail of Pope Alexander VI, Pinturicchio</div>
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In all then, the Borgia apartments are a testament to the sheer self belief of the Borgia family, their belief in unbridled power and the pride that Alexander felt in his family origins. </div>
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And one last picture from my visit last year, though this could have been carved at an point throughout the room's history - a gaming board carved into a windowsill which I found to be incredibly interesting. I have no idea how the game was played but it certainly looks interesting!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pqrvwysklw/UQp-OOOzW7I/AAAAAAAAGDs/Q44iF4TTCeM/s1600/100_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pqrvwysklw/UQp-OOOzW7I/AAAAAAAAGDs/Q44iF4TTCeM/s400/100_0336.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Random gaming board in the Borgia Apartments (Picture by me)</div>
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Further reading</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Borgias-Historys-Notorious-Dynasty/dp/0857389165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359642339&sr=8-1">Mary Hollingsworth - The Borgias: Histoy's Most Notorious Dynasty</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Borgias-Their-Enemies-1431-1519/dp/0547247818/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359642358&sr=1-1">Christopher Hibbert - The Borgias and Their Enemies</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cesare-Borgia-His-Life-Times/dp/0297771248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359642378&sr=1-1">Sarah Bradford - Cesare Borgia: His Life & Times</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucrezia-Borgia-Death-Renaissance-Italy/dp/014101413X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359642451&sr=1-1">Sarah Bradford - Lucrezia Borgia</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-86131023968943969992013-08-02T14:51:00.000-07:002013-08-02T14:51:51.376-07:00[Review] Borgia Faith & Fear - Episode 2: Ash Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to keep today's review short and sweet, given that I'm exhausted and feeling somewhat worn down. Episode 2 of Borgia's second season is named "Ash Wednesday" and based around the symbolism of Ash Wednesday. For those not entirely sure of what Ash Wednesday actually is, it is the first day of Lent and the name itself comes from the practise of placing an ash cross shape upon the forehead of the worshipper in a gesture of moaning and repentance to God. This is shown very clearly at the beginning of the show when Cesare is taking mass. He places ash crosses upon the congregation's forehead, except on Carlotta. He places an ash 'C' upon her forehead, and states it means "Christ". Come on Cesare, we all know you are marking her as your own.<br />
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We see Cesare continue his mission to get Carlotta. Of course it fails and Cesare angrily stomps off to see the wounded Guy de Leval in his bedchambers. Cesare offers him wine, which Guy refuses to drink thinking that the wine is poisoned. Of course Cesare loses his temper and tells Guy that he isn't worthy to drink his wine, and nor is he worthy of Carlotta. We also see yet more of Cesare's instability. When Sancia is told to seduce Cesare so he will marry her and be able to take the crown of Naples she goes to his rooms. Cesare then attacks her with a fire poker, branding her forehead with the sign of the cross. This scene is particularly shocking as you see the range of emotions in Cesare's eyes only for them to disappear and be replaced with a cold indifference.<br />
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We have another character introduced in this episode: Isabella Metuzzi. She arrives as Lucrezia is approaching the time for her child to be born. Isabella is brought in to try and convince Lucrezia that the best option would be for her to give her child over to Giulia Farnese. The reasoning behind this is so that Lucrezia isn't tainted with having a bastard child, and so she can move on and get married. Isabella is actually Lucrezia's half sister who has been shunned by Rodrigo for years - she says it is because Rodrigo disliked how she was unable to bare her husband children, that she was barren. We find out that this is a lie and that she has a son, but the only reason she told Lucrezia she was barren was to win the argument. Lucrezia is convinced, and as she gives birth to her child - a boy named Giovanni (the famous Infans Romanus who will get his very own post at some point) he is taken away from her straight away, leaving her completely hysterical.<br />
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This episode also deals with the attitudes of the Roman Catholic Church towards sodomy. We see a man publicly executed for the crime of sodomy, the Pope saying that as God punished the townspeople of Sodom for their crimes, so should they as sodomy is "the most grievous of sins". The man in question is then executed with something known in the show as "The Pope's Pear". This was an actual method of torture and execution used during the Renaissance and even before, and known as the Pear of Anguish...<br />
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The Pear was inserted up the offenders anus and opened. This would rupture the lower intestine and cause a very very slow and painful death. The execution scene in this episode using this device made me shudder, and even though you don't see much, you really get the idea of what was happening. You hear the man screaming, and the last shot is of blood dripping from his body. Nasty stuff. Following this we then see the cardinals sorting out the perfect way to get rid of Gacet. Gacet is accused of sodomy in front of the Pope and a large crowd. Gacet is arrested, but Bishop Flores (the man who accuses him) ends up digging himself into a hole and admitting that actually he lied about it. Gacet is freed, and Flores placed in prison in his stead. We then find out that actually Gacet is homosexual and has been having liaisons with Della Roverre. But we then find out that Gacet believes he is homosexual due to the thoughts he has been having, and Pope Alexander is all "oh well". </div>
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One of the final scenes of this episode involves Cesare having it out with the King of Naples over the agreed marriage between Lucrezia and Alfonso, Duke of Calabria. Cesare states that only a prince is good enough for his sister and the episode ends with the King agreeing to make his nephew a Prince, and Cesare departing for Rome as well as a shot of Giulia Farnese looking upon a distant Castel Sant Angelo, vowing that she will never stray so far from Rome again.</div>
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Another top notch episode. Amazing sets, beautiful costumes and fantastic acting from the entire cast. Standout this episode has to be Mark Ryder for the sheer fact that we are slowly starting to see him unravel to the malicious Valentino that is so well known.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-69560472273825511362013-07-31T10:59:00.000-07:002013-07-31T10:59:12.549-07:00A Birthday Wish From Cesare BorgiaYou will all know by now just how much I respect Cesare Borgia, and how much time I spend reading and researching the man. For a very long time I have wanted his personal motto "Aut Caesar, Aut Nihil" done as a tattoo, and today I finally had it done. We'll call it a birthday present to myself, because today is the day I turn 25 years old!<div>
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I am so pleased with it it's unreal! My own personal way of showing just how much I respect Cesare Borgia. Awesome! Now, I'm off to eat Chinese and drink birthday wine. Expect another Borgia review tomorrow (if I'm not too hungover).</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-89550047995318889322013-07-30T15:05:00.000-07:002013-07-30T15:05:04.210-07:00[Review] Borgia: Faith & Fear ~ Season 2 Episode 1: "The Time Of Sweet Desires"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCqliNVs0ZA/Uff8lM8dzJI/AAAAAAAAGq8/INM73Bj9zsI/s1600/s2borgia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCqliNVs0ZA/Uff8lM8dzJI/AAAAAAAAGq8/INM73Bj9zsI/s400/s2borgia1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm sure you will all remember my <a href="http://www.loyaltybindsme.org/2012/11/borgia-season-1.html">review of Borgia: Faith & Fear's first season</a> and that I was rather impressed with it. I found it much more riveting, and much more accurate than the equivalent Showtime series "The Borgias". And so when I had the second season of Borgia arrive through my door back in April, I couldn't help my excitement. I probably should have reviewed them all sooner, but I'm getting a bit lax with updating this blog. So, given that I have two weeks off work, I thought I would rewatch Season 2 of Borgia and do a daily (except tomorrow because it's my birthday) review of the episodes.</div>
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The first episode, named "The Time of Sweet Desires" is set in 1494. Right at the very beginning we see an event that actually happened in history (although at the moment I am unable to find an actual date, I will work on that). We see Rome in the middle of a huge storm, and a bolt of lightning strikes the statue of Michael the Archangel and it explodes into pieces. It was seen as a bad omen, pointing towards the overthrow of the Papacy of Pope Alexander VI (John Doman in this series). As the storm rages we see Pope Alexander VI praying before the alter in St Peter's basilica. As he does so he is approached by two individuals. As he turns he sees that the men are his sons Juan and Pedro-Luis. They accuse him of besmirching the name of Borgia, that he is bringing the papacy to its knees. Rodrigo ends up stabbing his sons, only to be stopped by his friend and manservant Gacet. As Rodrigo comes to his senses he sees that the two men were in fact travelling monks, and he leaves the basilica with a scream. Later on we see that he has been affected by "melancholia" or depression, which has been making him hallucinate, and he ends up being given a concoction by the name of "vitriola" which will apparently cure him. The importance of this is seen much later in the series.</div>
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This episode is set 8 months after the end of the last season, and Cesare is in the Kingdom of Naples trying to avoid being sent to Valencia and to win the heart of Carlotta D'Aragona. This is another part of Cesare's story which is true to the history. Cesare became obsessed with Carlotta and believed himself to be truly in love with her. Yet she spurned him. Even in the first episode we can see the obsession that Cesare has built up over this woman, and the jealousy that he faces over the man she is in love with Guy de Leval. Our first sight of Cesare is in a room with a lady by the name of Maria Diaz Garlon (known here as Contessa). Three guesses what they were up to...</div>
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Just when things are about to get incredibly steamy, Cesare's eyes fall upon a map of the Romagna. He picks the map up, saying that he is a poor imitation of his dead brother Juan (don't make me laugh, Cesare!) and that he wants to be King of Italy, that he doesn't simply want to be Cesare Borgia now...he wants to be Caesar! This is a nice throw forward to the motto that Cesare will eventually take for himself: "Aut Caesar, Aut Nihil" - "Either Caesar, Or Nothing". As he is studying his maps, he is burst in on by the Prince of Naples and told he is wanted at mass.</div>
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The Mass scene has to be one of my favourites in the entire episode. This is one of the first times we see Cesare's full out atheism come to the fore. The Mass is to celebrate the feast of St Valentinus, and as Cardinal Caraffa is telling the congregation the story Cesare begins to make snarky comments about how we don't even know if this Saint existed, and how the Christian church actually stole the Saints day from the Pagans, that it was originally a Pagan fertility festival and an "excuse for fucking". He then leaves the service in a huff, leaving a shocked silence behind him. In history, Cesare was the biggest atheist you could ever meet, despite growing up within the Catholic Church. And as he grows throughout the series we will see him come to believe more in the Goddess Fortuna, rather than any Christian God.</div>
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Not a screencap from Episode 1, I just felt like putting it in...</div>
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In the meantime, Lucrezia Borgia is holed up in Rome. She is heavily pregnant with the child of Perotto (the guy who was stabbed by Cesare at the end of Season One), grieving for Perotto and dealing with the guilt of killing her own brother. She refuses to let anyone in her room, even her own mother. When Vanozza de Cattanei can't even get Lucrezia to open the door she seeks out the help of the famous poet and musician Pietro Bembo (after randomly meeting him when she goes to see her grandson)</div>
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Well, Bembo does the trick. After being a creeper and playing his lute outside of her window, she invites him over and they begin a very strange friendship. Lucrezia seems to fall head over heels in love with him from the start, and asks him for a kiss. He refuses, saying they are better off with a platonic sort of love. Yet before he leaves, they spend their time playing music together and she grows to trust him; even going so far as to show him the daggers that were used to kill Juan. This bit of the story is way off the historical record however. Lucrezia didn't meet Bembo until she was Duchess of Ferrara many years later. It seems as if Fontana may have been struggling with ideas for Lucrezia's storyline and so pushed Bembo's part in the story forward. However, as with everything Fontana does, it really works. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rn4j8OqvPAc/UfgyRWMX3iI/AAAAAAAAGtY/NtoqY9Rfon8/s1600/S201BemboCrezia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rn4j8OqvPAc/UfgyRWMX3iI/AAAAAAAAGtY/NtoqY9Rfon8/s400/S201BemboCrezia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bembo & Lucrezia</div>
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Another rather excellent story arc I found within the first episode was how the consistory was trying to make use of Pope Alexander's weakness. They all seemed to have an ultimate agenda so that they would be the power behind the papal chair, and Alexander would be a puppet Pope. Ultimately it is Giuliano della Roverre and Cardinal Riario Sansoni who are the ones heading the plot to try and find the dirty secrets behind Gacet. They end up convincing young Alessandro Farnese to help them, but in the end Farnese's loyalty to the Borgia wins him over particularly after he is given a sword lesson from General De Cordova and told that in the end, loyalty should win above all. One of the main aims of both the conspiring Cardinals AND Pope Alexander is to get De Cordova and his Spanish troops out of Rome. The Pope comes up with a very interesting approach to this, saying that he had a dream in which a lion was eaten by a green camel, yet de Cordova slew the camel and saved the lion. Farnese interprets the dream as the Turks attacking Venice (which is precisely what the Turks are planning to do) and de Cordova immediately leaves Rome with his troops. Mission accomplished for both sides. Yet the cardinals are irritated that Farnese took part in the "fine piece of theatre". </div>
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Of course the majority of this episode circulates around Cesare in Naples. I particularly enjoyed the jealousy and hatred between him and Guy de Leval over Carlotta. Indeed it gets so bad that Cesare pulls Leval into a very clever trap, talking him into a bullfight. Of course, as a native Spaniard, Cesare was brilliant at bullfighting and never lost a fight. Leval willingly walks into it, ending up with Carlotta trying desperately to call the whole thing up, saying that if Cesare really loved her then he would back out even if it meant embarrassment for him.</div>
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Cesare & Carlotta</div>
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One of the final scenes in this episode is Cesare practising for said bullfight. After successfully stabbing the fake bull in the side, Leval appears and begins to taunt Cesare. He has heard that Cesare has withdrawn from the fight. Cesare mentions that yes, he has withdrawn for personal reasons. And Leval begins to taunt him even more, calling him a coward and half a man. Cesare warns; "careful monsieur, I have killed men for saying less". Yet Leval keeps on and we see our very first glimpse of the man who will become the famous Valentino. He proceeds to beat Leval to a bloody pulp before tearing the head from the fake bull and stabbing Leval with one of the horns. The icing on the cake is when Cesare takes hold of Leval's arm and twisting it so hard you hear the bone snap. </div>
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I have to say I was highly impressed with the first episode of Season 2. They have really stepped up their game after Season 1, and you can tell that the cast have really grown into their roles. Stand out performances from Mark Ryder as Cesare Borgia and Diarmuid Noyes as Alessandro Farnese, although of course the entire cast did a marvellous job! Here's to episode 2!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-53329194522966844852013-06-29T08:44:00.002-07:002013-06-29T08:44:27.290-07:00Remembering Mick AstonIt was with a very heavy heart that I heard the news of Mick Aston's death the other day. As someone who grew up watching Time Team (don't judge me, I'm not ashamed), I will freely admit that it was the work of Mick and his team that made me want to get into archaeology in the first place.<br />
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I was lucky enough to meet Professor Mick Aston whilst I was studying archaeology at University. It was during a two week excavation at a Roman villa deep in the Somerset countryside that Mick Aston came up to the site for the day. I had a lovely chat with him, he signed my trowel and allowed me to have a photograph with him. Just FYI, I'd spent the better part of 2 weeks knee deep in mud, living in a tent and getting drunk on a nightly basis...<br />
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Professor Aston really helped bring archaeology to the masses, and many households would sit down on a Sunday afternoon to watch the team conduct an archaeological excavation within three days. Whilst some of the methods have been questioned by archaeologists, you can't fault them for making archaeology more popular with the public. Mick Aston was one of a kind, a very friendly man who really knew his stuff and someone who has always had my respect.<br />
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Rest in Peace, Mick Aston. You will be sorely missed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505650937249085191.post-20840349861941978922013-06-26T05:00:00.000-07:002013-06-26T05:00:01.659-07:00It Seems I Took An Impromtu HiatusAs it's been well over a month since I last updated here, I thought I should swing in and give you all a massive apology for my impromptu hiatus. There are many reasons why I haven't updated here and all of them relate to my personal life unfortunately.<div>
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At the end of the day a mix of writers block as well as recurring illness has kept me away from updating here, which is a massive pain. Due to being on new medication I've found myself sleeping more than being awake and in truth my concentration is often shot to pieces. As such, I haven't picked up a history book in well over a month, and have been spending my days reading poorly written fiction (and not historical either! Shock horror).</div>
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Whilst I am starting to feel a little more like myself, I'm not sure how much longer I will be "away" from here. I am planning on reviewing Season 2 of Borgia at some point, and that post is being worked on at a snails pace. Until then, please do find me over on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Loyalty-Binds-Me/267419103292382">facebook</a> page and on <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyDEste">twitter</a>.</div>
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Once again, my apologies and I'm hoping to be back here properly soon. In the meantime, have a pretty picture of Mark Ryder as Cesare Borgia...</div>
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