Sundays Art: Ahhh For the Love of Books

Finally got Computer Fixed! Thank You Honey!

Ha. Thank goodness I finally got the new fan to my computer and I am now free to roam! My husband the love of my life found a new fan off eBay and even put it in! As I watched him put it in he closed up my mac g4, all the mean while I am fidgeting with excitement, he said to me "are you going to blog about it?" I love him he gets it, and knows how much I love "my books", even though he literally owns every Star Wars book ever written, including the whole novel series. Thank You Honey!

Book Review: MISTRESS OF THE SUN by Sandra Gulland

As we all know they always say "don't judge a book by it's cover" well I did and this was not the story I expected with this cover. This book was made for me, it had everything I love all rolled into one story. Who could ever go wrong with the drama filed french court of the lively Sun King, black magic, and my most favorite a mystic white horse. The only hang up I had was wondering what was wrong with petite, the main character. She was a good character but she seemed off, through out reading I had come to my own conclusion of what was really going on with her. I had guessed that she had MS because of her spells of unhealthiness. Low and behold when I read the authors notes at the end, it stated that recently it is speculated that she did have MS.

Petite a adventurous child who wandered from home to see the traveling show of a warrior woman who stood on the back of a thunderous stallion as it ran full speed. She already had given her heart to horses but something had pulled her there that day in particular. A pure white wild stallion, angry and untamed. She had managed to convince her father to buy him for her even though he was untamed, wild at heart, and just like her. After a turn of events the horse could not be swayed even with a gentler and an exorcism. Her father had decided the burden was to great and decided to put him down. Petite being only six years old could not let that happen. She snuck into her fathers library and read about "Bone Magic" for horses. The bone magic worked but at what cost? Did she let in the devil when she did it? Or was it just fate that sorrow followed her from then on.

Petite was a different type of character for me . She was completely lacking of ambition, and she did not really listen to her heart for instruction in her life. A mysterious person who did not even gossip with her maid and actually kept a lot of things from her. She reminded me of the type of person to be inclined to stay with the animals rather than people. A whisperer who gentled animals.

I will be buying this one when it comes out in paperback. A book that I would whole heartedly recommend for any animal. Even though the book was not what I expected and it proved better than any expectation I ever had.

"A novel of Louise de la Vallière, mistress of the Sun King. As a girl, she won the trust of the wildest of horses; as a woman, she would win the love of the most charismatic of kings."

Thank You Alabama! Blog Award, Enchanting

Ahhh! Thanks So much I love it! My now second award, which I absolutely love From Alabama Book Worm! I could not be more proud!

I would also like to pass this one onto Royal Intrigue for having the best Plaidy info ever and I love the Pic's of Her, she is Beautiful! But I still can not figure out why I can not post a comment on her site, I know it is my fault, it has to be some dumb reason but I did figure it out yesterday and now can not manage to do it again

Thanks all for hanging in there with me my computer fan is still broken but a new one on the way. I also wanted everyone who has posted comments to know, I haven't forgotten about you but I just was not able to figure out how to be able to post comments, until yesterday I had not been able to because of my pop up blocked and malware setting but I think I got it all fixed finally and can now post comments! Or maybe not, I will have to tinker around.

One lovley blog award from Ms. Lucy at Royal Intrigue

I am so excited! I got my First award today from Ms. Lucy over at Royal Intrigue, Reliving the past through the writings of Jean Plaidy. If you love Plaidy you will love this blog! Check it out Royal Intrigue. Thank You again Lucy I could not be more grateful! I would like also to pass this award onto: Jo-Jo loves to read & Alabama Book Worm
Keep up the good blogging!

New Release, The Sisters who would be Queen Mary, Katherine, and Jane Grey: A Tudor Tragedy By Leanda de Lisle

Releasing October 13, 2009 a long wait but looks like it will be worth it!
Mary, Katherine, and Jane Grey—sisters whose mere existence nearly toppled a dynasty and altered a nation’s destiny—are the captivating subjects of Leanda de Lisle’s new book. The Sisters Who Would Be Queen breathes fresh life into these three young women, who were players and victims in the violent and vicious world of Tudor power politics and whose heirs could otherwise be ruling England today. Born into aristocracy, the Grey sisters were the great-granddaughters of Henry VII, grandnieces to Henry VIII, legitimate successors to the English throne, and rivals to Henry VIII’s daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Lady Jane, the eldest, was thrust center stage by uncompromising religious politics when she briefly succeeded Henry’s son, the young Edward VI. Dubbed “the Nine Days Queen” after her short, tragic reign from the Tower of London, Jane has over the centuries earned a special place in the affections of the English people as an abused child and a “queen of the public heart.” But as de Lisle reveals, Jane was actually more rebel than victim, more leader than pawn, and Mary and Katherine Grey would have to tread carefully in order to avoid sharing their elder sister’s violent fate. Navigating the politics of the Tudor court after Jane’s death was a precarious challenge. Katherine Grey earned the trust of Mary I, only to risk her future with a love marriage that threatened Queen Elizabeth’s throne. Mary Grey, considered too petite and plain to be significant, looked for her own escape from the burden of her royal blood—an impossible task after she followed her heart and also incurred the queen’s envy, fear, and wrath. Exploding the many myths of Lady Jane Grey’s life, unearthing the details of Katherine’s and Mary’s dramatic stories, and casting new light on Elizabeth’s reign, Leanda de Lisle gives voice and resonance to the lives of the Greys and offers perspective on their place in history and on a time when a royal marriage could gain you a kingdom or cost you everything.

Happy Mothers Day, A very Special Day

Happy Mother Day to all my Hard working Mama's out there! I thought I would share some of my personal blog from Mothers Day last year, it is about my now 3 year old son who was released from the hospital last mothers day after having surgery. It is amazing how things can change just in 1 year, He is now healthy and has fought it all off and grown over 4 inches since then.

Sunday, May 11, 2008
yesturday was not so much fun. It has been hard on the little guy but he has been a trooper. Yesterday morning they removed almost all his tubes which was painful. He has being on pain management because of the surgery to remove the TB mass. It was a hard few days on him they shifted his lung and gave him a pretty big cut on his back, right where you hands would go to lift his up. Yesterday he was in pain, until a funny thing happened. He had a chest drainage tube taken out and a bandage was placed over it. I tried to calm him by putting him in the hospital wagon & when the nurse helped me we noticed the bad age had a big air bubble & was really puffy. The nurse opened it to let the air out. Instantly his whole attitude changed, he was happy again. So 5 x- rays in one day later with J squealing all the way down the hallways. He is fine Dr said extra air escaping. He was him again & breathing so so much better! He was upset when we left because he thought he had to stay with his Iv in. They gave him the splint to keep and he wore it home. Just now did I finally get it off him & his arm tremor ed. He has a long road to recovery. We wont find out what type of TB he has for 3 weeks and every strand has a diff rent treatment to none to 9 months of antibiotics. Either way lots of X-rays in the future. Next week we will go back for x-ray, exam, & consult a TB specialist. But he is happy to finally be home & comfortable at home. I have gotten the best mothers day gift ever! I realize just how precious life is, and some things happen for a reason. It was a journey that test our limitations and pushed us to the edge but, we made it back and it made us a stronger family

Friday, May 09, 2008
HI ALL! STATUS REPORT! YESTERDAY WAS A CRAZY DAY, WE WENT BACK IN FOR THE BIOPSY. WHEN WE GOT THERE THEY WANTED TO CHECK HIS TUBERCULOUS TEST RIGHT WHEN WE GOT THERE. THE TEST TO COME BACK POSITIVE MAKES THE SKIN HAVE A REACTION. HE HAD A REACTION. SO NATURALLY THEY FREAKED OUT, PUT US IN ISOLATION AND PUSH BACK THE BIOPSY UNTIL 6PM. BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE TB. I HAD TO GET AN X-RAY TO SEE IF I HAD IT TOO & SO DID MY MOTHER IN LAW BECAUSE SHE IS FROM KOREA & IT CAN LAY DORMANT FOR MANY YEARS. LONG STORY SHORT IT WAS A GOD AWFUL DAY NO FOOD FOR HIM ALL DAY, THAT WAS REALLY HARD. SPEAKING TO MORE SPECIALIST & MORE DR'S. MY MOTHER IN LAW DID NOT HAVE IT, I DID NOT HAVE IT SO IT WAS KINDA LIKE NO ONE KNEW FOR SURE. THEY STILL WANTED THE BIOPSY DR'S SAID ONCE THEY GET IN THERE & LOOK AT IT WE WILL KNOW WHICH DIRECTION WE ARE GOING EITHER CANCER OR INFECTION. THEY MADE SURE HE WAS THE LAST SURGERY OF THE DAY BECAUSE CERTAIN TYPES OF TB ARE AIR BORNE & COULD NOT TAKE SUCH A BIG RISK. HE WENT IN AT ABOUT 6:30 PM. WE WERE ANXIOUSLY WAITING ANY INFO WHEN WE THOUGHT IT WAS TAKING LONGER THAN THEY SAID IT WOULD WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE NURSE CAME IN AND SAID "THEY GOT MOST OF IT OUT & HE IS IN RECOVERY". WE DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE IT OUT IT WAS JUST SUPPOSE TO BE A BIOPSY. WE COLLAPSED WITH JOY! THEN A AWHILE LATER HIS SURGEON CAME IN AND TOLD US IT WAS A BACTERIAL COUSIN OF TB, NOT AIRBORNE. THE TB CAUSED THE MASS AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET MOST OF IT OUT! THE SURGERY ENDED UP BEING THE SOLUTION WITH ANTIBIOTIC WE WILL MAKE A FULL RECOVERY. WHEN TOLD US ALL THAT THEN SAID HE MIGHT GO HOME SATURDAY WE WERE IN SHOCK WITH OUR JAWS ON THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT THEY SAID HE WILL BE OKAY! THEN THE DR WAS LIKE OKAY REACT BECAUSE WE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WE WERE IN SHOCK, HE TOLD US TO HUG EACH OTHER AND OH MY GOD A HUGE WEIGHT WAS LIFTED OFF OF US! NOW HE IS IN RECOVERY , WHICH IS HARD FOR SUCH A LITTLE GUY BUT HE'S A TROOPER & IS GOING TO BE FINE! I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM EVERYONE! WHO KNOWS MAYBE AFTER THIS WE WILL HAVE A DR SON IN THE FAMILY. I WILL POST AGAIN WHEN WE GO HOME!

Today in History, Castles, Palaces, Beethoven, Joan of Arc

1429 – Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans, pulling an arrow from her own shoulder and returning, wounded, to lead the final charge.

1697 – Stockholm's royal castle (dating back to medieval times) is destroyed by fire. It is replaced by the current Royal Palace in the eighteenth century.

1664 – Louis XIV of France inaugurates The Palace of Versailles.

1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the deaf composer's supervision.

Book Review: THE OTHER QUEEN by Philippa Gregory

My Favorite & best fitting character description of the Queen of Scots, from Bess "the face of an angel, with teeth like a kitten". I had always been confused about Mary Queen of Scots, and Gregory made clear for me the many mix ups I had in my mind. The constant uprisings and Mary’s dramatic past in France and Scotland. Mary was interlaced with so many of the head honchos of Europe it was hard to keep it straight. Until I read this book I did not really get Mary or the logic of her case but I get it now. Gregory made it crystal clear the events that led up to Mary's ultimate demise. I enjoyed that the book was written from the point of view of three main characters. It was able to give a beginning, middle, and end from all necessary point of views. Mary defiantly occupies the villain role in Bess's life, Bess being the countess of Shrewsbury and her lord husband George Talbot were charged with the "other queens" guardianship. Mary being courageous and unrelenting in her plotting that never ended. She was a treasonous disaster for all who had contact with her. Elizabeth was quick to cut down all men who came under Mary’s spell. The secret under workings of Cecil, Elizabeth's top advisor will intimately end the cat and mouse game and Mary will try unsuccessfully for her freedom one more time too many. Bess was very intriguing for the fact she was a self made woman born a farmers daughter who become a countess. She was a relatable character, Mary the being the unrelatable other woman. I might buy this book. Especially if the new cover looks as good as I hope it will be in paperback that will be released on July 14th. I enjoyed reading this book and clearing up Mary’s juicy story in my mind. Defiantly not a re read for me but still enjoyable.

“Two women competing for a man's heart
Two queens fighting to the death for dominance
The untold story of Mary, Queen of Scots

This dazzling novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a new and unique view of one of history's most intriguing, romantic, and maddening heroines. Biographers often neglect the captive years of Mary, Queen of Scots, who trusted Queen Elizabeth's promise of sanctuary when she fled from rebels in Scotland and then found herself imprisoned as the "guest" of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick.
The newly married couple welcome the doomed queen into their home, certain that serving as her hosts and jailers will bring them an advantage in the cutthroat world of the Elizabethan court. To their horror, they find that the task will bankrupt them, and as their home becomes the epicenter of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treachery and treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the headsman.
Philippa Gregory uses new research and her passion for historical accuracy to place a well-known heroine in a completely new tale full of suspense, passion, and political intrigue. For years, readers have clamored for Gregory to tell Mary's story, and The Other Queen is the result of her determination to present a novel worthy of this extraordinary heroine”.

Tudors, show time, Death of Jane Seymour Spoiler

I just finished watching the most recent episode of Tudor's and I have to say I cried when Jane died. We all knew it was coming but it ended up being a lot more heart wrenching than I thought it would. When she was on the decline the doctors brought Henry to her and he said "it is child bed fever, my mother died from it" I think that was the first time he has spoke of her. I am going to watch it again. I can not get enough of that show even though it can be very raunchy, but I like that they are stating to show Henry more of the heartless person he was, finally.

Book Review: THE SECRET LIFE OF JOSEPHINE by Carolly Erickson

Far away lands, lost and found loves, conquests and defeats, and leaving a lingering dream of a lost paradise. Historical entertainment would not even begin to scratch the surface of this richly exotic story. Saucey Josephine was born on the Caribbean island of Martinique a colony of France, complete with plantations and sugar cane fields. A creole seductress with a heart of gold. It was for seen by the local oracle, her future lay across the water, she must go to find her destiny. For me the most enjoyable aspect was the profound depiction of historical events, it made the book very enticing. From Josephine's fight for survival during the bloody french revolution to Napoleons rise, to become ultimately emperor and Josephine empress. To Italy, Egypt, Russia, and many more places. Josephine seeks her destiny, being led by her unbiased heart. She crossed many invisible lines society laid down. She loved openly, being saucey, and smart had many advantages & disadvantages. A very exotic lovable realist who never lost her mind sight of her fight to survive. Motivated as she was to get what she needed she used men and at times was considered a scandal. I could not help but love her. She had a kind heart who always meant good but not all things ended up good and when it got bad it got really bad. This absolutely goes on my "to buy list" since I devoured every dramatic and climactic second. Unlike my last book this was a filling book through to the end.

"The bestselling author of The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette and The Last Wife of Henry VIII returns with an enchanting novel about the ambitious, amoral, vulnerable woman who became the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Fashion icon, leader of France’s society in the turbulent years of the guillotine and the bloody Napoleonic Wars, the alluring Josephine was a tough survivor—yet she also had a gentle, haunting quality that made her irresistible to her contemporaries, especially to the mysterious, compelling stranger from Martinique who captured her heart."

Today in History, The vote that started it all French Revolutionary Wars

April 20Th, 1792 with the assembly voting for war, France declared war on Austria. Even though they were already at war with Great Brittan. During the French Revolutionary Wars where the monarchs of Europe bickered, France was renounced by revolutionist. Following the declaration of war, French soldiers deserted en masse and, in one case, murdered their general. But it only gets worse later with the storming of the Tuileries and execution of the King Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette.

Book Review: THE RELUCTANT QUEEN by Jean Plaidy

Sweet and good natured Anne Neville was extraordinary woman. As documented she truly was vegetarian. A woman born centuries before before her time. She was born during the height of the bitter rival of family house feuds known as the War of the Roses. Her father had had the power to influence many key players in the war including kings of England. Anne was House of York, daughter of the Earl of Warwick the known king maker. In the end of the war her father changed his allegiance after the new king Edward VI married Elizabeth Woodville in secret and he sided with the enemy. Betrothing his daughter Anne to the much despised heir of the Lancasterian French Queen Margaret and King Henry IV, Edward of Westminster. Anne was thrust into Margaret's care as betrothed to her son being her future daughter in law. Her father Warwick intended to replace Edward VI with Anne's newly betrothed. As I have come to conclude about this time period is that all the events that happened were because nothing went ever according to plan and too many people died before they finished their plotting and scheming. Leaving many needy messes that need resolution. I had always been interested in the story of how Anne of York was hidden from Richard as a servant girl in a cook house. Many other books I have read have made reference to the story as a dramatic love story to which young girls day dream about. When Richard storms the cook shop to swoop in and save her it was the high point of the whole book. Jean put a logically interesting spin on a fragmented true story of love conquering all, including your own family who can do the most harm. In the end I find myself left feeling a mix of feelings. The whole book was very detailed about the politics's of court. I feel disappointed that the book trailed of into Richard's rein. Anne faded into the background and events were missed or never even touched upon that I had kind of expected to be there. It was a short good read but I am left with unresolved feelings. Maybe I have it wrong and it belongs in a series but I am starting to notice a trend of that with books set during the war of he roses.

"In 1470, a reluctant Lady Anne Neville is betrothed by her father, the politically ambitious Earl of Warwick, to Edward, Prince of Wales. A gentle yet fiercely intelligent woman, Anne has already given her heart to the prince’s younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Unable to oppose her father’s will, she finds herself in line for the throne of England—an obligation that she does not want. Yet fate intervenes when Edward is killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Anne suddenly finds herself free to marry the man she loves—and who loves her in return. The ceremony is held at Westminster Abbey, and the duke and duchess make a happy home at
Middleham Castle, where both spent much of their childhood. Their life is idyllic, until the reigning king dies and a whirlwind of dynastic maneuvering leads to his children being declared illegitimate. Richard inherits the throne as King Richard III, and Anne is crowned queen consort, a destiny she thought she had successfully avoided. Her husband’s reign lasts two years, two months, and two days—and in that short time Anne witnesses the true toll that wearing the crown takes on Richard, the last king from the House of York."

New Release, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury by Hazel Pierce

"In this first biography of a significant female figure in the male-dominated world of British Tudor politics, Hazel Pierce reconsiders the life and martyrdom of Catholic duchess Margaret Pole against the changing social and political landscape of her times. Pole, niece of both Edward IV and Richard III, was the only woman apart from Anne Boleyn to hold a peerage in her own right during the sixteenth century, and this important contribution to medieval scholarship provides a matchless understanding of aristocratic women during that time period, as well as new interpretations of Henry VIII and his relationship with the nobility."

Available April 28Th in paperback, I can not wait!

Today in History, Joanna of Castile the "Mad Queen"

On April 12, 1555 Isabella passed from this realm to the next. The daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Together her parents laid the foundation for the political unification of Spain. Joanna of Castile more commonly referred to as Juana the Mad, Queen of Castile, Leon, and Queen of Aragon. She was the older sister of Catherine of Aragon who married the notorious king Henry VIII. In the end she was locked up by her son who later became Charles V The holy roman emperor. Held in a windowless room in the castle of Tordesillas. She died at the ripe age of 75 on good Sunday. Many believed she suffered from schizophrenia or manic depression.

It was only that easy to dismiss a sick queen and have legitimate reasoning for her life long imprisonment. First by her husband, then by her father, and later on by her own son. However she only showed signs of manic behavior and clinical depression when she was in under duress by her treatment from her husband and father. The men in her life just wanted her out of the way so they could take her rightful crown.

Joanna was married to the Archduke Philip the Handsome. Joanna and Philip's marriage was filled with obsessive jealousy and later they had separated when Philip left her in Spain to go home with out her. She was in Spain to be become sworn heir to the Castile kingdom. After Philips death it is rumored that Joanna went mad some accounts claim that she took her husband's corpse with her to Tordesillas to keep it close to her.

She gave birth to six children two emporers and four queens. Her youngest Catherine became Queen of Portugal. Catherine was kept with her mother in her prison cell during her grandfather's time as regent. Nobody would dare take Catherine off her mad mother so Catherine stayed with Joanna. She remained with her disturbed mother until the arrival in Spain of her eldest siblings Eleanor and Charles.One key point is that whether it was the rebels or her family after her, she never signed away her rights to her queenship, she would live as regent queen until her death.

I am very passionate about Joanna because of a recommended read to me by my absolute favorite author Robin Maxwell. C.W. Gortner's The Last Queen is one of the best books I have ever read. It is a really eye opening point of view, with complete raw emotions of a vivid what if real life novel. A doomed Queen. Never allowed to rule.

"Juana of Castile, the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne, is an enigmatic figure, shrouded in lurid myth. Was she the bereft widow of legend who was driven mad by her loss, or has history misjudged a woman who was ahead of her time?"

New Release, Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France, Queen of England

Soon, May 26Th 2009

"Eleanor of Aquitaine’s extraordinary life seems more likely to be found in the pages of fiction. Proud daughter of a distinguished French dynasty, she married the king of France, Louis VII, then the king of England, Henry II, and gave birth to two sons who rose to take the English throne—Richard the Lionheart and John. Renowned for her beauty, hungry for power, headstrong, and unconventional, Eleanor traveled on crusades, acted as regent for Henry II and later for Richard, incited rebellion, endured a fifteen-year imprisonment, and as an elderly widow still wielded political power with energy and enthusiasm."

Book Review: THE PERFECT ROYAL MISTRESS by Diane Haeger

A classic Cinderella slash rags to riches story except with out the happily ever after marriage at the end. I found myself pondering in the first few pages how Nell who emerged from the great fire of London as a orange seller would come to earn the title of "the perfect royal mistress". It panned out for me as a daytime soap opera, with one lucky girl thrust into the middle by chance. All be it was a good soap opera I thoroughly enjoyed it, just as much as gossip mags. It had it all from the one who cried, the one who lies, and the one who gets revenge. With Nell being the center focal point, she never let her emotions cloud her judgement especially if she is to keep her place she had worked so hard for. Nell's quick wit & tongue makes her infectious and contagious to everyone she comes into contact with including the reader. Being a natural thing for a king to take "A" mistress. Charles II took it to the extreme with his lust for women. Frankly he went over board and he could have drowned in a sea of women. You want Nell to win but, what happens if there is no winning at the end of the race. Nels winnings were the unconditional love she felt not just for her lover but for the other special people in her life. I will be adding this book to my library because it is an amazingly upside down love story filled with a exuberant amount of drama.

"Welcome to Nell Gwynne's world and the deliciously complicated triangle in which she learned to live and thrive! From the poverty stricken depths of Coal Yark Alley to the licentious and glittering court of England, Nell was the ultimate survivor. With her beauty and bawdy sense of humor, she not only became the most celebrated actress of her time but the one true love of the powerful King of England and The Perfect Royal Mistress!"

Today in History, Richard I "Richard the Lion Heart"

Richard I died on Tuesday, 6 April 1199 in the arms of his mother from an infection after removing an arrow from his shoulder. Son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II, house of Plantagenet. In a time of bitter rivals, long standing feuds, and crusades. In a weird twist of fate a young boy had shot him while he was walking in the castle grounds. He pardoned the boy because he said that King Richard had killed the his father and two brothers. The king gave him money and sent him on his way. After he died his captain Mercadier found the boy and murdered him for the loss of the king. I soon will be getting more into this era with Eleanor of Aquitaine by Ralph Turner as soon as it comes out.

Today in History, Edward the Confessor Crowned King

Edward the Confessor was crowned king on April 3, 1043. He was the last king of the House of Wessex. The power shift from the royals to the earls continued through his rein. In 1161 Edward was canonized by Roman Catholic church, church of England, Anglican churches. He is regarded as the patron saint of of kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses. Saint George replaced him as the patron saint of England but he remains patron saint of the Royal Family

Today in History, Loss of Authur Tudor

Today in History the loss of Arthur Tudor, prince of Whales. Arthur was the first born son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, heir to the throne of England and Whales. His younger brother Henry was to be entered into the church. At fifteen he was married to Catherine of Aragon. After the marriage the couple went to Ludlow on the Welsh border. A short time after arriving he got the "sweating sickness" and it would become fatal. Leaving a big question of "was the marriage consumated". Catherine was to fend for herself alone for years ahead. Younger brother Henry would no longer be entering the church after all and would later become Henry VIII King of England and Whales. The new king Henry never forgot about the fair haired Spanish princess, even though his father forbid him to marring her. They married anyways and headed for a future of death, lost love, and terrible heart ache. To read more on Catherine and Arthur read The constant princess by Philippa Gregory.