The Bloody Tower and The Lost Princes Mystery

The Bloody tower of London was actually named the The Garden Tower before the Princes disappeared from it. Since I have got Elizabeth Woodville (The White Queen) on the brain I thought it would be interesting to bring to light a fascinating report of the discovery of the "supposed" children's remains found in the chapel of The White Tower during the rein of Charles II. I personally can not believe that Elizabeth Woodville even in sanctuary would hand over her young princes to her brother in law Richard III? Once in Richard's custody the two young princes had been seen playing in the Tower gardens at various times. Gradually, they began to appear less and less. The last person to see them alive was Edward V's physician, Dr. Argentine, who had attended him at the Tower and found him in a state of abject melancholy. The whole mystery could be solved with one DNA test, just one test. All requests for further testing have been denied.

"In 1674, workmen employed in demolishing a staircase within the Tower of London, leading to the chapel of the White Tower, made the discovery of the bones of two children in an elm chest, at around a depth of ten feet. They were originally thrown aside with some rubble until their significance as the possible bones of the two princes was recognized. A number of accounts survive relating to the discovery of these bones, the following account, written on evidence presented by John Knight, Chief Surgeon to Charles II, was published in 1677:-

"Upon Friday the ... day of July, An. 1674 ...in order to the rebuilding of the several Offices in the Tower, and to clear the White Tower of all contiguous buildings, digging down the stairs which led from the King's Lodgings, to the chapel in the said Tower, about ten foot in the ground were found the bones of two striplings in (as it seemed) a wooden chest, which upon the survey were found proportionable to ages of those two brothers viz. about thirteen and eleven years. The skull of one bring entire, the other broken, as were indeed many of the other bones, also the chest, by the violence of the labourers, who....cast the rubbish and them away together, wherefore they were caused to sift the rubbish and by that means preserved all the bones. The circumstances of the story being considered and the same often discoursed with Sir Thomas Chichley, Master of the Ordinance, by whose industry the new buildings were then in carrying on, and by whom the matter was reported to the King.''

"Charles II, then the reigning monarch, asked the architect Sir Christopher Wren to design a white marble container and they were reverently placed in the Henry VII chapel at Westminster Abbey, close to the tomb of the Prince's sister, Elizabeth of York.Due to historical controversy which continued to surround the matter of the fate of the Princes in the Tower, George V gave permission for the exhumation of these bones in 1933. An examination was conducted on the bones by Lawrence Tanner MD, OBE, the Abbey archivist, Professor William Wright, President of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Dr George Northcroft, then president of the Dental Association.

Professor Wright concluded that on the evidence of the ossification development of the bones of the vertebrae, he believed these were the bones of two children, the eldest aged twelve to thirteen and the younger nine to eleven. The heights of the two children were calculated to be four feet nine and a half inches and four feet six and a half inches respectively, somewhat taller than their age estimates suggested. (The prince's father, Edward IV, stood at six feet four inches tall). They further stated that a large red stain on the skull of the elder child reaching from below the orbits to the angles of the lower jaw was consistent with death by suffocation, and that congenital missing teeth and certain bilateral Wormian bones (islands of bone) of unusual size and similar shape on both crania were evidence of consanguinity. The lacrimal bone, smallest and most fragile of the face, of one of the boys was abnormal, which suggested, stated Wright, that he had ''cried his eyes out."

Dr. Northcroft, after an examination of the teeth, (the most reliable method for determining age) was in agreement with Wright's findings. Both sides of the lower jaw of the elder child, presumed to be Edward V, exhibited extensive evidence of the bone disease, osteomyelitis, a chronic and in medieval times, incurable condition.

The Tanner and Wright report and accompanying photographs of the bones have been subject to expert scrutiny on many occasions since then. Modern conclusions vary. There is consensus of opinion among modern experts that Wright's determination of the ages of the skeletons and the age differential between the two sets of bones is approximately correct, although great differences of age calculated by the development of bones and teeth has been observed in studies. Later reports claim to be unable to determine the sex of either skeleton. Determination of consanguinity by congenitally missing teeth or bilateral Wormian bones remains disputed although the skull of Anne Mowbray, the younger prince's child bride who died in 1481, a distant relative of the princes, also displayed similar congenital missing teeth. As regards the staining which is present on one of the skulls, without chemical testing it remains unproven that it is actually a blood stain and modern experts deny it being proof of suffocation. In the absence of modern carbon dating or DNA analysis on the forensic evidence of the bones, it is still not possible to say that these are the bones of Edward V and his brother. The Abbey authorities have to date refused a second examination." EnglishMonarch

Sundays Art: Elizabeth Woodville and Richard, Duke of York

Richard, Duke of York, Taking leave of his Mother, Elizabeth Woodville, in the Sanctuary, Westminster by Giovanni Battista Ciaprini (1727–1785)

I just had to put this up since the I have got the giveaway going on for "The White Queen" by Philippa Gregory. I am very interested to see how Philippa takes on the Princes in Tower. The Princes in the Tower is one of histories greatest mysteries. But, I will get more into that later, stay tuned for more.

The White Queen Giveaway, Yes me Too!

I am going to jump on the White Queen band wagon and host a book giveaway courtesy of Kat.
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory giveaway is open to everyone. You get one entry for being or becoming a follower and posting a comment with your email. An extra entry for a small post, twitter or side bar link. Please be sure if its twitter to leave your user name so I can find you. My user name is HObsessed.

I will end the contest at 12pm August 15Th. I will randomly generate TWO winners. Two yes I did write two copies will be up for grabs. I will post the winners on the 16Th and will contact them then through email to obtain shipping information so be on the watch out for me.

"#1 New York Times, Philippa Gregory will delight fans around the world with the
simultaneous global publication of her new novel The White Queen, the first book in the new Cousins War series. Elizabeth Woodville is the first commoner ever to be married for love, to an English King raised in a kingdom at war, driven by her own desire and ambition, and advised by an acknowledged witch. Set amidst the tumult and intrigue of England’s passionate bestselling novelist and author of The other Boleyn Girlfamily feud, The White Queen ushers in a great new era for Philippa Gregory. Visit Philippa Gregory to sign up for contests, quizzes, and a giveaway contest!"

Book Review: THE FOLLIES OF THE KING by Jean Plaidy

Starting this novel was a background read for me even if it is number eight in the Plantagenet series. Since reading "The First Princess of Wales" by Karen Harper I have been dying to know more about the princess of France who became Queen Isabella of England. The notorious queen who with her lover plotted and disposed the king Edward II. He was brutally murdered after being disposed by his wife. I have devolved a tendency to fall back on Plaidy's novels when I want to clear up murky waters I am wading in. Once again she never fails to make sense of nonsense in my mind. Plaidy now has become my "ole reliable" of historical fiction authors.

Rightly titled "The Follies of the King". Edward was oblivious to those around him. The queen being viewed as an outsider. The king had established a boys only club sticking to a exclusive one person membership policy. I believe Edward would not have been with the queen had it not been his duty as king. He was happy with his "brother" and "nephew". Little known to Edward meek Isabella looked at him with contempt and waited bidding her time until she could have her revenge on the king who spent his time frolicking with his pretty male lovers and not her. He would pay.

Plaidy wrote "But perhaps Mortimer was merly a tool. She would have found another lover, another man to lead her armies. She was his real enemy, the She-Wolf of France." Edward's refection of Isabella. A husband and wife at war could never end well for both sides, only one person can win. Edward never had a chance, even he had admitted that he did it to himself. He was even at on point getting fussy and repetitive. I got tired of how he became enamoured with his lover and was like putty in their hands. A woman's scorn is a very scary force to be reckoned with and since Isabella's husbands affairs were so blatant the humiliation became public knowledge. The people of England especially London loved her dearly.

Edward II failures to be a king to England became his down fall and Isabella just helped it along at first and then went head long into her own battle against the King. She offer up her son in replacement of his father with her as regent of course. Changing the course of kings has to come with consequences. Plaidy always has a way of twisting what you think happened to what could more likely have happened. I think Isabella went poking at a bee hive and this book ends before the bees swarm her. The swarm is all for the next book "Vow of the Heron, number nine in the series.

Three muses: Worth reading for more background. Medially recommended. It was good for background, it made sense and was not lacking. The brutality did not bother me so much as it might others. I defiantly would not recommend it to my mother but probably my sister though!

"Edward the Second's first act on coming to the throne is to recall Piers Gaveston from exile, and the new king's devotion to the shrewd and avaricious young man soon becomes a scandal. It is assumed that when Edward marries one of the most beautiful princesses in Europe his inclinations will change, but nothing can make him swerve from his attachment to Gaveston, who is clearly making the most of royal favour. The new Queen Isabella, accustomed to adulation, is bitterly humilated; and she is not a woman to forget or forgive. With the country in turmoil the king is making enemies throughout the land, and he fails to see that the most deadly of these is his queen. "

Pope Joan lovers Help The Movie Release

Hello all! If you have read Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross then you probably know that they have have been working on the movie based on the book. Which I really want to watch since I loved the book so much. With out immediate support you may not see the movie in a theater near you. We all have the power to influence this by going here. I already did mine have you done yours?

"Here’s how. Put yourself on the map of Pope Joan fans and future movie-goers across the U.S. Add your friends -- or ask them to add themselves by forwarding this email.

Even better: in the message section, let the producers know if your vote represents multiple attendees. If your book group means to attend as a whole, say so. If you’ll bring a spouse, daughter, son, friend, wandering passerby, say so! If you think Pope Joan's story has appeal for U.S. audiences, say so! Say anything you think will help, for your words will go straight to the producer. (So please be tactful and upbeat.)"

The Best Give Away EVER! Hurry

Oh holy cow I am in shock I thought books were killer give aways but All Things Royal is having the BEST give away ever. Go, go and go now to her page and see what she is giving away, it is to die for and I know all of you will want it! I want it too!

A hint she was visiting Hever Castle!

The Muse Rating System

Hello everyone hope you all are having a wonderful day. I recently discovered a new blog and I had to share. Allie from Hist-Fic Chick has devised a really cool rating system for her book reviews which I love. She has a rating of the six wives of Henry VIII, instead of stars she uses the wives. I think her idea is really unique and a very smart . Check her page out she has just posted a review for Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex. Thank you, Allie for inspiring me to come up with my own idea for a rating system.

In the past I have not been doing a rating and since Allie has such good taste I am going to follow her lead. I came up with my own system. Now known as The Muse Rating System. I used the muses: Urania, Terpsichore, Clio, Thalia, and Calliope.

Five muses: I loved it and could not leave it alone. A furious page turner and a new favorite.



Four muses: It was a great and enjoyable read but not quite a furious page turner. Highly Recommended.



Three muses: It was a lacking read. Worth reading for more background. Medially recommended.



Two muses: It was not a good read bland and not recommended.



One muse: If it is worthy of a one it is bad and I will not finish it. Not worth the trouble.

My Dreams of Egypt: Nefertiti

My dreams of Egypt, they seem to never go away. Nefertiti one of my favorite historical leading ladies. I had her stuck in my head and she would not leave me alone. I finished her last night and I think my piece does her justice. I made her with color pencils, scanned her into my computer, and thought it would be fun this time to add a digital background. I hope you all love her as much as I do. All of my art is a labor of love. Lately everyone has been giving me such wonderful support that I am beginning to amaze myself. To think I am capable of making such beautiful pieces, I am still in shock, to the point where I sometimes can not believe it. Maybe just like wine it gets better with age but who knows. Mary of Scots is next on my list.

Sundays Art: Elizabeth I of England

Called inaccurately Princess Elizabeth of England, the later Queen Elizabeth of England I, at the age of three (right), at the age of five (left) and at the age of six (middle), daughter of King Henry VIII of England and Anne Boleyn, 16Th century, Elizabeth I. The fashions are of the 17Th century long after Elizabeth died. Artist unknown.

Procession portrait of Elizabeth I of England by artist Robert Peak the Elder.

I love these two works, the first for it showing the phases of Elizabeth's growth as a child, it really helped me visualize her as a child. Long and lanky even as a child. The second shows her in all her glory and it is the softer side of her during the time of her procession. It is no wonder Robert Dudley loved her so much she is so beautiful in this portrait.

Book Review: FLINT by Margaret Redfern

Flint a short read at less than two hundred pages was anything but an easy read in the beginning. A enticingly challenging tale of two deeply bonded brothers named Will and Ned. The first challenge was the dialect of the story: Welsh, at times it was hard for me to follow. I had noticed that around page thirty the story took a turn and I became fully immersed in Ned and Will's trials. The final part I struggled with was each section had a symbol: a swan, cross, shovel, and boat. I had figured that the cross was the narrator, which I presume is Will. The swan was Will throughout the tale. The shovel I am not positive is Ned. The others I could not figure out and it bothersome. Now that is out of the way we can get to the good points.

The favorable points of the book was the relationship between the brothers. The unconditional love between them was moving. Will was the younger brother being about ten, Ned the older in his early teens. Ned was a mute, not really being able to speak except to Will in a special way. Will had all his life taken to looking out for his big brother, which made him exceptionally feisty. Ned reminded me of what we would view as highly intelligent, a savant for music, a whisperer to animals and nature itself. He spent most of his tale being a aloof wanderer, Wills feelings and emotions being more than enough for insight. I think Ned was curious and that would lead to wandering. The brothers wandering beginning is them being commandeered into King Edwards army and marched from their comfortable safe homes in the Fens.

The army was called upon to build the kings new castle. Once in North Wales they went to Flint to start the foundation and dig out the moat. King Edward had ordered them to work, they had no choice, and no where to run to, so they made the best out of the situation. All that mattered was they had each other. Things became cloudy and stormy once the work began, and many suffered. I had to remind myself of what year this was to have taken place, no real convinces. England was was a dark and brutal place under King Edward "Longshanks rein. They called him the "leopard"who attacks it's kill and feasts on its victims still living flesh. During the time at Flint they had learned many brutal life lessons, experiencing many daily trials was the norm. While the men were forced into back breaking labor, their fellow people from the Fens were suffering. Ned being of the mind he was had knowledge of herbs potions and plants. He would use them to help his comrades. When they suffered they began to seek comfort.

Ned was keen to his surroundings, given that any opportunity would arise, he would not hesitate to pounce on it. Which is how he was able to get permission to go to the sacred well of holy water. They were allowed there once but Ned had the taste in his mouth and could not leave it alone. It was famous for its healing powers and he needed more to help his comrades. Ned would end up sneaking off with Will in the dark of night in pursuit of more holy water. Sneaking off would cause ripples of consequences like a pebble does as it is dropped into the water for them both of them.

Ned was always looking for something or was it trouble, or that he was so smart he saw life in a different light. A higher level of understanding is what he craved. Their surroundings changed, people changed, died or ran off, but the brothers stood strong in their love and used it as armor to protect them selves at times. Holding fast to each other making it through the aversion of Flint only to be on the run for their lives. Running from the "bull" that struck sheer terror deep in their hearts. Would the brothers find their way or is that not the right way I wondered.

I enjoyed Flint even if it had a slow start. The unexpected twist ending made up for everything that Will and Ned survived through. I would personally like to challenge anyone interested in Flint to give it a go and see if you can figure out who the shovel and boat are. It also gave me a deeper point of view of how many people suffered building for the king. People forget about the little guys who have to work for everything in an unforgiving environment. It was refreshing from a different point of view. Another wonderful feature of this book is that it is published by Honno books. Honno is a welsh women's press group who help welsh women publish their books. Which get kudos in my book.

"Two brothers, Will and Ned, are on the long march from the Fens to North Wales, commandeered into the army of ditch-diggers heading west towards Flint, to prepare the ground for the foundations of Edward I’s new castle. The English overseers are suspicious of the brothers, for not only is Ned a mute, herbalist and horse-whisperer, but they have been close to the enemy - Ned had been secretly taking lessons in music from an exiled Welsh bard before the ‘recruiters’ came. The boys find themselves besieged on all sides - a long way from home, unsure of their own allegiances, and in grave danger of being thought traitors to the King. Margaret Redfern Margaret Redfern started wandering as soon as she could walk. She was born in Yorkshire and has lived in Dorset, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Turkey, and is now settled in Pembroke. She has been involved in education most of her working life but has also pulled peas, skivvied in restaurant kitchens, worked with the Wildlife Trust and as a journalist".

Lettice's New Up Do

Lettice got a new up do and I thought you all might want to see the new and improved her. I saw that some of you out there would like me to do Mary Queen of Scots. I gave it a go last night and I started with Mary but ended up with something completely different. Figures! I will post the newest one when it is finished which should be Sunday. I love it that everyone loves my art work, it inspires me to do more and lots more. Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments, I really appreciate them.

Today In History, Wedding Bells for Queen Mary of Scots

On July 29Th 1565 Queen Mary of Scots married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnely. He was also her half first cousin.

Mary had fallen head over heels in love with the "long lad" (Queen Elizabeth's words) after he had come to Scotland from England earlier in the year (with the permission of the English). On the other hand, Elizabeth felt threatened by the prospect of such a marriage, because both Mary and Darnley were claimants to the English throne, being direct descendants of Margaret Tudor, the elder sister of Henry VIII. Their children would inherit both parents' claims, and thus, be next in line for the English throne.

Palace. Before long, Darnley became arrogant and demanded power with his courtesy title of "King". Darnley was jealous of Mary's friendship with her private secretary, David Rizzio, and, in March 1566 Darnley entered into a secret conspiracy with the nobles who had rebelled against Mary. On 9 March a group of the lords, accompanied by Darnley, murdered Rizzio in front of the pregnant Mary while the two were in conference at Holyrood, Darnley changed sides again and betrayed the lords, but the murder had made the breakdown of their marriage inevitable.

One night in February 1567, after Mary had left to go to the wedding of one of her maids of honour, an explosion occurred in the house, and Darnley was found dead in the garden, apparently of strangulation.

That was just the beginning for Mary. Later she fled from Scotland to England for her own safety. She was held a prisoner by Queen Elizabeth I and eventually beheaded for treason.

Carolly Erickson's new release "The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots" is due to be released on September 1st 2009. I am so excited I can not wait to see how she plays out Mary's character.

New Blog Award, Queen of Alll Things, Awe-Summm!

Thank you Jo-Jo from Jo-Jo loves to read for bestowing me this wonderful award! Girl you Rock! In the spirit of awards I would love to pass this one onto my two favorite blogs:

Enchanted Josephine

Keep up the good work!

Sundays Art: Fairest Maid in the land Joan of Kent

Hello everyone! I just had to share my new piece I just finished. I was inspired by Karen Harper's "The First Princess of Wales". This is my Joan of Kent on her wedding day. I kept to how Karen described her in the book because it was best fitting.

My media on this was first regular pencil, and then color pencil. I finished her off with some

I am dying to ask if anyone out there has ever met anyone with striking violet eyes?

Sundays Art: What if they were HF dolls?

What if all of our leading HF ladies were made into dolls? Could you picture Joan of Kent? Elizabeth I? I wandered across this wonderful site called Crawford Manor where a wonderful artist named Cheryl Crawford makes Barbie and her friends into exquisite dolls that usually go to a charity auction or to a private collector. I just had to share my favorites:

Joan of Kent, Juliet, Juliet's ghost, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth of York, Elizabeth I, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Nefertari, Elizabeth I, Glorianna, Aosila

Booking through Thursday: Preferences

Which do you prefer? (Quick answers–we’ll do more detail at some later date)

• Reading something frivolous? Or something serious? Both
  
• Paperbacks? Or hardcovers? Paperback
  
• Fiction? Or Nonfiction? Fiction
  
• Poetry? Or Prose? Poetry
  
• Biographies? Or Autobiographies? Biographies
  
• History? Or Historical Fiction? Both
  
• Series? Or Stand-alones? Both
  
• Classics? Or best-sellers? Both
  
• Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose? Lurid
  
• Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness? Both
  
• Long books? Or Short? Short
  
• Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated? Both if lucky
  
• Borrowed? Or Owned? Borrowed
  
• New? Or Used? Both it depends on how bad I want it
  

Book Review: THE FIRST PRINCESS OF WHALES by Karen Harper

Joan of Kent, her paternal grandparents were Edward "longshanks" and his second queen consort Marguerite. Her father Edmund was half brother to Edward II and brother in law to Isabella of France. Isabella was the beautiful French princess in the famous movie "Braveheart". Isabella stirred up all kinds of trouble in the kingdom. Siding with her lover Rodger Mortimer against her husband King Edward II. The mess Isabella had created would directly haunt Joan of Kent for the rest of her life.

In the beginning of Joan's early life she was raised at her family's estate of Lidell. The execution of her father mysteriously and swiftly haunted her family, her mother became a raving recluse and could not stand the sight of her own daughter. Who sadly was a constant reminder of the tragic loss of Joan's father Edmund of Woodstock. She grew up in solitude with her nurse Marta because her mother could not be around her, and her siblings were boys they did not stay at home where she was. She was given free rein to do as she pleased and did not have to awnser to anyone. She had a free spirit of a druid or a nymph of the woods. She constantly reminded me of a myth of the wood nymphs where a man would be lured to the woods and come across a beautiful woman who would run at the sight of a man and if caught would turn into a tree. The men being greatly disappointed would leave the tree and search again for that beautiful face in the woods usually to be lost forever in the forest. She loved to be in nature and it best suited her untamable spirit. Her quite beginning years at Lidell would come to a screeching halt when Queen Philippha sent for her to be raised at court with her cousins. Since her father was uncle to the current king Edward III of Windsor. It was only fitting for her to become the ward of the king and queen.

Upon her arrival at court, Joan being the forcefully independent young woman she was wondered away. In her wandering she by fate stumble upon some noise and went through a private door. Where she happened to see a spectacular site of a glorious man with one of his arms bound practicing his jousting skills. She unknown at the time was mesmerized by him in his full glory. After he took notice of Joan he stopped to ask her what she was doing there, she gave him some tart responses from her lightning quick silver tongue stating she was new to court and the new ward of the king and queen now. They separated not knowing each others names or titles, expecting to meet again at court, under more pleasant circumstances. Not knowing she had just me Edward "the black prince" she instantly felt the magnetic attraction between the two of them. Like a pulling at her soul. The wheel of fortune was turned towards them when they met but, could they make it when it was not?

Joan suffered at court even though she had found a kindred spirit in her sassy cousin the princess Isabella. Those two wild spirits together looked for trouble, and the trouble came from the king and queen. As her relationship with prince Edward deepened, the queen had grown tired of Joan's ways and plotted to keep her away from her son. Joan was secretly married off by the queen and was sent to live far away in France on her new husbands estate. But how doth' the wheel of fortune change bad to good, good to bad, and for Joan it seemed suck in bad.

She also had developed an extreme love and hate relationship between her and the prince. Which was quite amusing to read but at time I just wanted to reach into the book and slap "the fair maid of Kent" for all the brash things she said and did. The mystery's and secrets surrounding her own fathers treason execution would bring Joan to hate the people she loved. Causing fortunes wheel to spin out of control until it finally stopped. Denying her own destiny, she would defy them all even her own heart, until the fortune wheel stopped where it lay.

I gave this one 5/5 muses rating. Defiantly my new favorite. Even if it is defiantly is a chunkster at over 600 pages, which was so long. I loved it and bought it on Amazon.com used for a grand total of $4.81, the cost of shipping was more than the book itself! But it will be mine and it will on on my treasured book shelf where no one is allowed to touch.

"The daughter of a disgraced earl, she matched wits with a prince. It is the fourteenth century, the height of the Medieval Age, and at the court of King Edward III of England, chivalry is loudly praised while treachery runs rampant. When the lovely and high-spirited Joan of Kent is sent to this politically charged court, she is woefully unprepared for the underhanded maneuverings of her peers.

Determined to increase the breadth of his rule, the king will use any means necessary to gain control of France—including manipulating his own son, Edward, Prince of Wales. Joan plots to become involved with the prince to scandalize the royal family, for she has learned they engineered her father’s downfall and death. But what begins as a calculated strategy soon—to Joan’s surprise—grows into love. When Joan learns that Edward returns her feelings, she is soon fighting her own, for how can she love the man that ruined her family? And, if she does, what will be the cost?

Filled with scandal, court intrigue, and prominent figures of the Medieval Age, The First Princess of Wales has at its center a wonderful love story, which is all the more remarkable because it is true. Karen Harper’s compelling, fast-paced novel tells the riveting tale of an innocent girl who marries a prince and gives birth to a king".

New Release, O, Juliet by Robin Maxwell

I am so excited about this one it has had me wriggling in my chair since I read the last page of Signora Da Vinci. Even though it is such a long wait until February 2ND, 2010! I will have to hold back until then but at this point it seems a completely impossible feat to accomplish.

Robin Maxwell was gracious enough to bestow some tidy bits to hold us all over for a while. She has stated: "I set the story of the lovers in Florence, and you'll be happy to know that Lucrezia de' Medici (Lorenzo mama) at age 18, is Juliet's best girlfriend and confident". Lorenzo being one of my favorite characters from Signora Da Vinci, the steamy, intelligent, and hot Italian man.

"Penguin books also is planning a big Valentine's Day promotion, which is fitting, as this is the greatest love story every told. And once the book is on sale, I'm going to run a contest via my website -- asking readers to send in their own love stories. There will be prizes"!

Oh goody goody! I am going to start writing my own love story asap so it will be done when the book finally hits stores. My husband and I defiantly shared a fateful meeting of destiny when we came together. It will be fun to put it to pen and paper. Thank you Robin for all the wonderful information as we all wait patiently for its release.

Thank You Everyone!

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your wonderful comments about my Princess. I had scheduled all of the most recent post some time ago and thank goodness for that! It has made me feel so much better since you all like them so much!

Today In History, Claude Queen Consort of France

On July 20Th, 1524 Queen Claude of France Passed away. She was Queen Consort of France and the Duchess of Brittany in her own right. Being the eldest daughter of Louis XII of France and the Anne Duchess of Brittany. When her husband François became King in 1515, two of Claude's ladies-in-waiting were the English sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, coincidence I think not.

Claude's life was spent in an endless round of annual pregnancies. Which had to be hard on any woman's body. Her husband had many mistresses, but was usually relatively discreet. Claude imposed a strict moral code on her own household, which only a few chose to flout. Her husband was also Henry VIII arch enemy. They even competed in there womanizing skills. Once they even bare brawled. Henry lost and was pissed that he lost to François.