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Showing posts from January, 2018

Lord Byron: 'When We Two Parted'

I came across this poem whilst studying it in the GCSE cluster- Love and Relationships earlier this week. I fell in love with it partly due to the rhythm and language but also to do with the mystery behind it.  When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this. The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow-- It felt like the warning Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken, And share in its shame. They name thee before me, A knell to mine ear; A shudder comes o’er me-- Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee, Who knew thee too well-- Long, long shall I rue thee, Too deeply to tell. In secret we met-- In silence I grieve, That thy heart could forget, Thy spirit deceive. If I should meet thee After long years, How should I greet thee?-- With...

Percy Bysshe Shelley Facts

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Percy Bysshe Shelley ·       Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on 4 th August 1792 in Horsham. ·       His mother was Elizabeth Pilford, a Sussex landowner. ·       His father was Sir Timothy Shelley a Whig MP. ·       Percy Shelley was the eldest legitimate son of Sir Timothy. ·       He had four younger sisters and a much younger brother. ·       In 1804, Shelley attended Eton. ·       He was frequently bullied and had his books and clothes torn by the older boys. ·       He was interested in science and decided to blow a tree up with gunpowder. ·       Shelley earnt the nickname: ‘Mad Shelley’. ·       In 1810, Shelley began attending Oxford University. ·       Legend has it that he only attended ...

Lady Jane Rochford, Viscount of Rochford

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She notoriously accused both her husband- George Boleyn, and his sister- Anne Boleyn of incest and treason which sent them both to the executioner's block. She later testified against Anne of Cleves , which could (but didn't) have resulted in the latter's death and then against Catherine Howard , which sent both Lady Rochford and Catherine Howard to their death. This woman is rarely spoken about but she was lady-in-waiting to five of Henry VIII's wives. Lady Jane Rochford was born in Norfolk in circa 1505. Her father was Henry Parker, 10th Baron Morley, a court translator and peer; he was knighted at the coronation of Anne Boleyn. Her mother was Alice St. John and her father was a 1st cousin to Henry VII. Jane had two siblings, the first was Margaret Parker, who married Sir John Shelton and the second was Henry Parker, a politician for Hertfordshire. Probably educated at home, Jane went to court to be a lady-in-waiting to Henry VIII's first wife- Catherine of Ar...

10 Recommended History TV Dramas and Films

In no particular order... Poldark (2015-): Based on a novel, Ross Poldark returns from the war in America to find his whole life has been turned around. At the moment this is my favourite TV show.  Belle: Set during the plight of the Slave Trade, 'Belle' shows how a mixed race woman (Dido Elizabeth Belle), the daughter of a slave and an upper class English gentleman, struggles through life being abused, ignored and shunned because of her heritage.  Victoria : Victoria is an ITV series about the young Queen Victoria. The drama stars Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes and focuses early Victorian politics and royalty.  The Greatest Showman: This film is still in cinemas now and focuses on P.T Barnum's circus in 19th Century America. 'The Greatest Showman' stars Hugh Jackman, Zendaya and Zac Efron.  The King's Speech: The King's Speech is a film about King George VI's stutter and how he overcame it with the help of his speech therapist when he became king....

The Murder of Edward VI's Dog...

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In 1547, Henry VIII died and his nine year old son became King Edward VI of England. As he was not yet an adult, Edward's uncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (brother of the king's dead mother-  Jane Seymour ) became Lord Protector, ruling the country on behalf of Edward VI. He was Lord Protector between 1547 and 1549. Thomas Seymour (young Edward's 'favourite' uncle) had been promoted to Lord High Admiral, this gave him the power to control the royal navy. Seymour took advantage of this power and tried to lead a rebellion on the throne. Now, the officials had there eye on the scheming uncle... Jealous of his brother's high position in the country, Thomas Seymour  snuck into the palace one night in an attempt to kidnap his nephew. Whilst breaking into the palace, one of Edward's favourite pets, a spaniel began barking. Afraid that the dog would alert the guards, Seymour shot it. On 28th March 1549, Thomas Seymour was beheaded for high treason. ...