I have not seen that new "Roses" movie, but I intend to. However, this isn't about that.
Coincidentally, I have been reading a book called The Wars of the Roses: The fall of the Plantagenets and the rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones. It is a history, not a novel. I have a sincere interest in history, especially concerning Europe. Why? I dunno. Maybe that should be a separate post.
Jones writes compellingly for nosy civilians like me. The book is action-packed, revealing the nature, intention, and driving force behind actions of flawed yet formidable rulers. Men, and a few women, who knew few (if any) limits to their egos and lust for power. The world benefited from the best of them. Not just in Europe, but across the world we survived the worst of them, but not without historical regression and decreased virtue.
Sounds modern, doesn't it? Why don't we evolve into wise and just people? The human race could get by making mistakes in the past. Now, I'm not so sure.
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| "Plucking the Red and White Roses in the Old Temple Gardens" after the original 1910 fresco painting by Henry Albert Payne (British, 1868-1940) based upon a scene in Shakespeare's Henry VI, the original in the Palace of Westminster and a later similar painting by Payne in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, this print marked "copyright 1912 in London & Washington by "The Fine Art Publishing Co., Ltd. London" |
It feels like the motto of the entire world right now is "Burn It All Down".
ReplyDeleteThankfully there are some people who do evolve into wise and thoughtful persons. Never give up.
ReplyDeleteThat chapter of history, the Plantagenets and the Tudors etc. was not part of my education and maybe that's why I watched Wolf Hall twice. I may watch it a third time.
By the time of Henry VIII, the Plantagents were few and far between and the Tudors were firmly in charge. The War of the Roses was between Henry V and Henry VIII. Think Henry VI, Edward IV, Richard III and that lot. You might enjoy the BBC series starting with The White Queen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Queen_(TV_series). Really good!
DeleteRemember the 1950's? We weren't rich but most people had plenty to eat. Folks smiled and were friendly. When he moved here my son was amazed that people were nice. It is not like it used to be but it's closer. I sound like an old woman remembering the good old days I know. I just wish people would be nicer.
ReplyDeleteI think people seemed nice if you were the same color, social class, and grew up in the same town. However, within those restrictions people did seem to have better manners. I also wish people would be nice.
DeleteNone of my neighbors are of the same ethnic group as I. Some are of different colors. Some are of different religions. Some have different political beliefs. All are nice. It can be done.
DeleteOf course it can. I just don't think it was done in the 1950s anymore than it is done now.
DeleteI don't know much about the War of the Roses. I do know that men in power are messing things up right now.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing about history is that you find men in power are often messing things up. Women in power were rare, but power corrupts us, too.
DeleteI read a lot of historical novels, going back to B.C., and the same story of power and corruption just keeps regurgitating itself. A person uses their 60-80 years of life to gain power and/or wealth while making life miserable for thousands of others, and then they die. I will never understand the point.
ReplyDeleteI have read a few of Sharon Kay Penman's books about the War of the Roses - all excellent.
I love her books.
DeleteI wonder how historians will depict these tumultuous times, especially in light of the feverish desire to erase, rewrite, and ignore history to date.
ReplyDeleteTry as they might, you can't erase, rewrite, or ignore history for long. The truth always comes out. I would think historians would have a lot of fun sorting through all the lies because the lies simply don't and will never hold up.
DeleteFair point. Oh, to be on the other side of these moments. (Presuming, of course, that the other side is better. )
DeleteAs 8thday says, the same story of power and corruption just keeps regurgitating itself. It doesn't take long for those gaining power to realise they can abuse that power and usually get away with it.
ReplyDeleteSad, but true.
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