Peg Herring's Blog - Posts Tagged "simon"
Speaking Tudor
Amazing News! Modern science has developed the ability to bring people from the past to our time. It's a huge secret, of course, but I have discovered the method and brought four characters from HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER to 2010. In the coming weeks, you'll hear what they have to say about our time, their time, the best of times, and the worst of times.
First to speak is Simon Maldon, apprentice and part-time sleuth for Elizabeth Tudor.
"I am Simon, and there is so much to say about your time that I cannot think where to begin. So much wonder! So much that I would never have believed possible! Yet there are things that trouble me, too. I will write on both as things progress.
"For today, let me tell you of a wonder I enjoy very much: the shower. At first I was reluctant to try it. The little cage seemed confining, and the idea of taking off all my clothing was odd. But once I was assured that I would be alone and that the cage opens easily from the inside, I agreed to try it. What a wonderful feeling! Water of whatever temperature one likes cascades down, washing away dirt and even easing aches and pains.
"I confess that I smell like a woman right now, for the hair-cleaning stuff I was given is quite flowery. Still, it is a wonder to feel so refreshed. I'm not sure I like the feel of 'blue jeans', but the shirt I now wear is quite soft and comfortable. However, I think I will not be allowed to keep it, for it has someone else's name emblazoned on it, someone named Izod. He sounds like a wizard to me, so I will be careful to return it in good condition."
Order HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER on amazon or from any bookseller. [image error]Her Highness' First Murder
First to speak is Simon Maldon, apprentice and part-time sleuth for Elizabeth Tudor.
"I am Simon, and there is so much to say about your time that I cannot think where to begin. So much wonder! So much that I would never have believed possible! Yet there are things that trouble me, too. I will write on both as things progress.
"For today, let me tell you of a wonder I enjoy very much: the shower. At first I was reluctant to try it. The little cage seemed confining, and the idea of taking off all my clothing was odd. But once I was assured that I would be alone and that the cage opens easily from the inside, I agreed to try it. What a wonderful feeling! Water of whatever temperature one likes cascades down, washing away dirt and even easing aches and pains.
"I confess that I smell like a woman right now, for the hair-cleaning stuff I was given is quite flowery. Still, it is a wonder to feel so refreshed. I'm not sure I like the feel of 'blue jeans', but the shirt I now wear is quite soft and comfortable. However, I think I will not be allowed to keep it, for it has someone else's name emblazoned on it, someone named Izod. He sounds like a wizard to me, so I will be careful to return it in good condition."
Order HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER on amazon or from any bookseller. [image error]Her Highness' First Murder
Speaking of Those Tudors
I hope my Tudor friends have entertained and not offended. They do have opinions, which leads me to the subject of "they".
I'm always upset when people say "They used to believe ..." this or that. My response is that no time has a unified "they". I once had a visitor from what was then the USSR who was shocked to find that Americans don't all go clubbing every night or at least every weekend. (In fact, she was shocked that we don't HAVE any clubs where I live.) Folks in the future, watching our television shows, might say that "they" believed in Oprah's choices of what books to read, Simon's judgment of what is talent, and Dr. Phil's wisdom for how to live your life. I'm not criticizing any of those luminaries, since I've yet to watch any of them work their television magic. I'm just saying I am not one of "them", and I know lots of others who aren't either.
So when you hear that people of the Tudor era believed this or that, stop for a moment and think about who might have thought for himself, who might have known better and kept quiet to keep the peace, and who might have said out loud, "That's bollocks!" Just like "us", "they" were a varied and variably gifted lot.
I'm always upset when people say "They used to believe ..." this or that. My response is that no time has a unified "they". I once had a visitor from what was then the USSR who was shocked to find that Americans don't all go clubbing every night or at least every weekend. (In fact, she was shocked that we don't HAVE any clubs where I live.) Folks in the future, watching our television shows, might say that "they" believed in Oprah's choices of what books to read, Simon's judgment of what is talent, and Dr. Phil's wisdom for how to live your life. I'm not criticizing any of those luminaries, since I've yet to watch any of them work their television magic. I'm just saying I am not one of "them", and I know lots of others who aren't either.
So when you hear that people of the Tudor era believed this or that, stop for a moment and think about who might have thought for himself, who might have known better and kept quiet to keep the peace, and who might have said out loud, "That's bollocks!" Just like "us", "they" were a varied and variably gifted lot.
