Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 98

Christiansborg Palace – The heart of the kingdom

Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen is the third palace of its name at the same site – both of the other ones were destroyed by fire. This third palace was built between 1907 and 1928, but while the other two palaces were used as royal residences, this Christianborg Palace is only used for official functions.

The palace consists of the Parliament located in the southern wing and the royal reception rooms, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s office located in the northern wing.

The royal reception rooms are on the ground and on the first floor and are used for things like banquets and audiences. The oval throne is where the monarch meets foreign ambassadors when they present their credentials, and it also gives access to the balcony from where the new monarch is proclaimed.

The Great Hall is the grandest of all the rooms, and it has tapestries recounting the history of Denmark. These tapestries were a gift for Queen Margrethe II’s 50th birthday.

Click to view slideshow.

Christiansborg Palace is partially open to the public. Visitors are provided with an audio tour and shoe covers. There are also plenty of lockers for your belongings and a small gift shop for some royally-themed items.

Plan your visit here.

 

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Review: The Serpent Queen (2022) – Episode 6

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The episode starts with a fatally injured Henry being carried away and Diane de Poitiers being pushed from the palace windows. It turns out to be a dream or nightmare, if you will.

Catherine visits Rahima, who is being held after she was caught snooping through the rooms of Mary, Queen of Scots. Rahima immediately blames Catherine, but Catherine tells her that everyone has a role to play. We return to the past, where Diane undergoes treatment with liquid gold. Ruggeri has been located by Catherine as she seeks to be rid of Diane once and for all. He reminds her that there will always be a price to pay. She tells him of her dream, and he tells her that she already knows the price of Diane’s removal – Henry’s death.

Mary, Queen of Scots, wants to marry as soon as possible and needs Diane to help Henry set a date. Strangely, Diane does not bother even to stand up as Mary comes in. Surely, Mary would have considered this an insult. They offer money for every bell that chimes for the wedding, but Diane claims to hate the bells. Back with Henry and Catherine in the privy council, Catherine waltzes in and conveniently brings up the wedding of Mary and the Dauphin. Someone calls Mary a “deranged convent girl” in her presence, and she does absolutely nothing… weird. Henry becomes angry with Diane and refuses to set a wedding date.

Outside, Henry questions if Diane ever loved him and sees Mary’s influence over their son as the same thing he went through. The wedding preparations are halted by Catherine after she introduces new measures for the national budget. Catherine speaks to Mary, and they discuss Francis’s stutter, and she tells her that she fears that Francis cannot have children. Mary is shocked and leaves in tears. Meanwhile, Diane finds out there is no money for the wedding and raises hell. Once back in her room, she finds a crying Mary who no longer wants to get married if they cannot have children. Diane races over to Catherine’s room to speak her mind.

Catherine plays the fool and blames Henry, which Diane does not believe. Diana treats Catherine with complete disrespect, and it only serves to help Catherine make up her mind to get rid of Diane, even if it means that Henry has to die. Henry and Diane discuss matters as the episode drags on, and it’s clear that Henry is also sick of Diane. Nevertheless, she manages to convince him. The following day, Diane announces that the wedding is set to go ahead. Catherine is visibly disappointed.

The Holy Roman Emperor and his sister Eleanor, the Dowager Queen of France, come to France for the wedding. Mary, Queen of Scots, strangely curtseys deeply for her fellow monarch and is thoroughly impressed by the Emperor. Henry has a heart-to-heart with his son just before his wedding, telling him not to be ruled by any woman. Francis practically laughs at him. As Mary is pulled and tugged into her wedding corset, Diane bathes in liquid gold. Catherine asks Henry to join the after-wedding joust, and he agrees as she hands him the sash she saw in her dream.

We immediately skip the wedding, only to meet “Their Royal Highnesses, the happy couple.” Uh, what? Mary hasn’t been a Royal Highness since she was six days old, and Francis became King consort upon marriage. The joust goes ahead as planned, and nothing happens at first. Henry orders his opponent to play to win, and during the second run, Catherine tries to stop the joust as she has second thoughts. He refuses to stop and does a third run. He is then hit in the face and falls to the ground.

We return to the present as Rahima accuses her of murdering Henry. Catherine orders her rations to be cut in half and leaves the cell. Back in her room, Ruggeri asks her if she is sure that she has picked the right girl.

This episode was a bit boring to me and the main events – the wedding and the joust – were barely in the episode. Let’s hope the next episode will be better.

The Serpent Queen is available now on STARZ and Amazon Prime. You can sign up here for Amazon Prime.

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Shulü Ping – The Empress who cut off her hand to prevent herself from being sacrificed

In the early days of the Liao Dynasty, there was a custom that when a husband died, his widow must be buried alive with her late husband at his funeral. However, one widow did not want to sacrifice herself. To keep herself alive, she cut off her right hand as a substitute for her death. This widow was Empress Dowager Shulü Ping. She was legendary for being a skilled warrior, a brilliant military strategist, and a capable politician. Empress Dowager Shulü Ping proved to be a fighter to the very end.

Empress Dowager Shulü Ping was born on 19 October 879 C.E. On her father’s side, she was of Uighur ancestry.[1] The Uighurs were people of Turkish origins who had lived for centuries in North China.[2] Her father was Po Gu, the leader of the Yaonian clan.[3] Her mother was the daughter of the King Yongdesh of the Khitan kingdom.[4] Shulü Ping’s childhood nickname was Yueliduo.[5]

Shulü Ping was fourteen years old when she was married to Abaoji, who was the great-nephew of her mother and the grandson of King Yongdesh. In 901 C.E., Abaoji was the chief of the Yila tribe. In 903 C.E., Abaoji commanded the Khitan army.[6] In 907 C.E., Abaoji was made King of Khitan and Shulü Ping became queen.[7] However, King Abaoji wanted to adopt Chinese customs in his empire. In 916 C.E., Abaoji declared himself Emperor of the Khitan Empire.[8] He made Shulü Ping Empress and renamed her as Yingtian which meant “Empress of brilliant Earth in response to Heaven.”[9] Because the Khitan did not have last names, he made surnames permanent in Khitan.[10] He made his last name Yelü and Shulü Ping’s last name was Xiao.[11] In 947 C.E., the Khitan Empire was renamed the Liao Dynasty.[12]

Empress Yingtian gave birth to three sons.[13] It was said that she was an excellent fighter and a brilliant military strategist.[14] She often consulted with her husband on military matters.[15] They launched military campaigns against the northwest.[16] Empress Yingtian commanded her own encampment that consisted of two hundred thousand cavalry.[17] She repelled the attack of the Shi Wei tribes.[18] Therefore, Empress Yingtian began to gain respect from people in the northwest.[19]

The Khitan dynasty became a strong and respected nation, and many warlords often sought their alliance.[20] Li Sheng, the Emperor of Southern Tang Dynasty, sent him petroleum that could start fires for his military campaigns.[21] However, Empress Yingtian advised her husband against using petroleum because it was very risky.[22] They also maintained a good relationship with Prince Li Keyoung.[23] However, they became enemies with Prince Li Keyoung’s son, Li Cunxu, the founder of the Later Tang Dynasty (See the article about Empress Liu Jin’gui for more information about Li Cunwu’s background).[24] 

In 922 C.E., Prince Li Cunxu attacked the state of Zhengzhou, in which Emperor Abaoji had a vested interest. Empress Yingtian advised her husband not to go to war for Zhengzhou because of Prince Li Cunxu’s military strength.[25] Emperor Abaoji did not heed his wife’s advice and suffered defeat at the hands of Prince Li Cunxu.[26] Empress Yingtian also recommended Han Yanhui.[27] He became Emperor Abaoji’s most capable minister.[28] Han Yanhui adopted the Tang Dynasty administration system, created an efficient taxation system, and settled disputes among the tribes.[29]

In 926 C.E., Emperor Abaoji suddenly fell ill and died while launching a battle against the Koreans.[30] In Khitan, it was custom for the widow to be buried alive with her deceased husband at his funeral.[31] When the officials requested her to die with her husband, Empress Yingtian protested by saying, “My children are young, and the country has no leader.”[32] Then, she cut off her own right hand and buried it in her husband’s coffin at the funeral.[33] The officials deemed Empress Yingtian’s right hand as a suitable substitute for her sacrifice. She was called the “Empress Dowager With a Missing Hand.”[34] 

After the sacrifice, Empress Dowager Yingtian became regent to her eldest son, Yelü Bei. However, Empress Dowager Yingtian preferred her second son, Yelü Deguang, as the Emperor instead.[35] With the help of the ministers, she successfully deposed Yelü Bei and made Yelü Deguang Emperor in 927 C.E.[36] Yelü Deguang became known as Emperor Taizong. Yelü Bei left the Khitan kingdom and moved to the Later Tang kingdom where he became a famous painter and poet.[37] Emperor Taizong was merely a puppet emperor.[38] Empress Dowager Yingtian was the actual ruler.[39] She made all the decisions on state matters.[40] Empress Dowager Yingtian made her niece marry Emperor Taizong’s son.[41] Empress Dowager Yingtian also advised her son on military matters.[42]

In 947 C.E., Emperor Taizong died after he successfully invaded the Later Jin Dynasty kingdom.[43] He was succeeded by Yelü Bei’s son named Yelü Wuyu, who ascended the throne as Emperor Shizong.[44] Empress Dowager Yingtian was angry that her grandson ascended the throne and wanted her youngest son, Yelü Lihu, to become the Emperor.[45] She waged a civil war against Emperor Shizong in favour of Yelü Lihu but ultimately lost.[46] Emperor Shizong banished her and Yelü Lihu to Zuzhou (modern-day Balingzur in Inner Mongolia).[47] Once she arrived, she was placed under house arrest for seven years until her death on 1 August 953 C.E.[48] She was seventy-four years old. She was buried beside her husband Emperor Abaoji in Zu Mausoleum.[49] 

Even though Empress Dowager Shulü Ping ultimately lost against Emperor Shizong, she was one of the most powerful women of her time. She fought in battles, planned brilliant military campaigns, and even defied the customs of sacrificing herself at her husband’s funeral. Furthermore, she deposed one ruler and installed another one she deemed worthy. She was so powerful during the reign of Emperor Taizong that she was the de facto ruler of the Khitan kingdom. This proved that she was accomplished in both military and state affairs. It is no wonder that Empress Dowager Shulü Ping won the admiration of the Chinese people and why her name has become legendary throughout the nation.

Sources:

Yunhuang, L. (2015). “Xulu Ping”. Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. (B. B. Peterson, Ed., Z. Binzhong, Trans.). London: Routledge. pp. 251-254.

Li, M. (2014). “Shü Ping, Empress of Emperor Taizu of Liao.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 364-367.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Ping, S. (2010). The Feudal Empresses of Ancient China (Imperial Cultures of China Series (English Edition)). Beijing, China: China Intercontinental Press.

[1] Yunhuang, 2015

[2] Li, 2014

[3] Yunhuang, 2015

[4] Yunhuang, 2015

[5] Li, 2014

[6] Li, 2014

[7] Li, 2014

[8] Li, 2014

[9] Li, 2014, p. 364

[10] McMahon, 2013

[11] McMahon, 2013

[12] Li, 2014

[13] McMahon, 2013

[14] Li, 2014

[15] Li, 2014

[16] Yunhuang, 2015

[17] Li, 2014

[18] Yunhuang, 2015

[19] Yunhuang, 2015

[20] Li, 2014

[21] Li, 2014

[22] Li, 2014

[23] Li, 2014

[24] Li, 2014

[25] Li, 2014

[26] Li, 2014

[27] Li, 2014

[28] Li, 2014

[29] Li, 2014

[30] Li, 2014

[31] McMahon, 2013

[32] Li, 2014, p. 366

[33] Li, 2014

[34] Yunhuang, 2015, p. 252

[35] McMahon, 2013

[36] Li, 2014

[37] Li, 2014

[38] Ping, 2010

[39] Ping, 2010

[40] Ping, 2010

[41] Ping, 2010

[42] Li, 2014

[43] Li, 2014

[44] McMahon, 2013

[45] Yunhuang, 2015

[46] McMahon, 2013

[47] Yunhuang, 2015

[48] Li, 2014

[49] Li, 2014

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Royal Jewels – The Greville Peardrop Earrings

The Greville Peardrop Earrings were from the collection of Dame Margaret Greville, the wife of the Hon. Ronald Greville. Margaret and her husband had no children, and she bequeathed all her jewellery to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother upon her death in 1942.

The Peardrop earrings were purchased by Margaret sometime before 19 May 1938 at Cartier, and the completed earrings were recorded at a different branch of Cartier on 31 May 1938. They consist of pentagonal tops, suspending an emerald-cut diamond and pear-shaped drop. The drops are 20.66 and 20.26 metric carats.1

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore them often in combination with the Greville Tiara. The earrings were inherited by her daughter Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. She sometimes wore them for formal occasions, such as state visits.

Embed from Getty Images

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Book Review: The Queen: The Life and Times of Elizabeth II by Catherine Ryan

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This Jubilee year has seen the release of many books about The Queen. The Queen: The Life and Times of Elizabeth II by Catherine Ryan was originally released in 2018 and has been re-released with a few updates in March 2022.

The blurb that accompanied this book referred to The Queen as “Her Royal Highness”, and so my initial expectations were rather low. Luckily, I have not been able to find the mistake in the book itself. There are a few mentions of the factually incorrect “Princess Diana”, though.

The Queen: The Life and Times of Elizabeth II by Catherine Ryan is a hardcover book designed for the popular market. While the cover is aesthetically pleasing enough, the colourful layout reminds me of history books from my school days. The busy layout simply screams at you, making it difficult to focus on the text. However, the text itself flows well and seems well-researched though it doesn’t contain any references. The added text since 2018 focuses mostly on the Sussexes and the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, as expected. I was glad to see that the author decided to stay neutral, as is more fitting for a book like this.

Overall, it is an enjoyable book as an introduction to Queen Elizabeth’s life. The book recognises that a lot more can be said and also offers several titles to expand your knowledge.

The Queen: The Life and Times of Elizabeth II by Catherine Ryan is available now in the US and the UK.

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Salome – The Princess’s infamous dance of death

Salome was one of the Bible’s most notorious femme fatales and has often been depicted as luring men to their deaths.[1] Her infamous seductive dance for her stepfather, Herod Antipas, led to the death of John the Baptist. Yet, did Salome deserve her vile reputation? The Salome in historical accounts is very different from the Salome depicted in the Bible.[2] Unlike the notorious seductress she has been described, she emerges as a successful and competent Queen who ruled her subjects justly.[3] Salome is also the first Jewish Queen to have her name on a coin.[4] 

Salome was the daughter of Herodias and Herod Phillip I.[5] In 27 C.E., her mother divorced her father and married Herod Antipas, the brother of Herod Phillip I and the ruler of Galilee and Perea.[6] Herodias and Herod Antipas faced much opposition against their marriage because Jewish law forbade a man from marrying his brother’s divorced wife.[7] The most outspoken critic was John the Baptist. Herod Antipas had him imprisoned for his criticism.[8]

(public domain)

It is at this point in which the Bible has immortalized Salome forever. She has been seen globally as the notorious seducer of Herod Antipas.[9] Her legend has become so notorious that scholars and historians find it difficult to distinguish between history and legend.[10] According to the Bible, Herodias had wanted John the Baptist’s execution for his criticisms of her marriage, but Herod Antipas was unwilling to carry out his execution.[11] There was nothing Herodias could do to persuade her husband to execute John the Baptist. Her opportunity soon arose on Herod Antipas’s birthday.[12] During the birthday banquet, Salome danced for her stepfather. Salome’s dancing pleased Herod Antipas greatly. As a reward for her services, Herod Antipas told Salome, “Ask me anything, and I will give it to you.” [13] Then, he swore, “I will give you anything you ask, even half the kingdom.” [14] Salome went to her mother to ask what she should ask for, and her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” [15] Then, Salome went to her stepfather and told him that she wanted John the Baptist’s head. Herod Antipas was reluctant to kill him but could not break his promise. He executed John the Baptist, put his head on a silver platter, and gave it to Salome. Salome gave the platter to her mother.[16]

This story has been passed down to us for centuries. Since then, she has been regarded as a femme fatale that lured men to their destruction.[17] Yet, scholars and historians are currently in debate on whether the infamous dance ever took place.[18] Some historians believe that Salome may have been too young to dance for Herod.[19] They believe that women of dishonourable reputation would be the only dancers at Herod Antipas’s banquet.[20] If Salome danced for her stepfather, it would have damaged her reputation in the marriage market.[21] Therefore, some scholars and historians do not believe this dance took place.[22] Other scholars and historians that do believe that the dance had taken place are more sympathetic to Salome.[23] Instead of the notorious femme fatale that has been passed down in legend, she is seen as an innocent pawn to her mother’s ruthless ambitions.[24] They believe that her mother forced her to dance for Herod Antipas and made her ask for John the Baptist’s head.[25] Therefore, Salome is a victim rather than a perpetrator.[26] Regardless of whether Salome danced for her stepfather or not, Herod Antipas executed John the Baptist.

Salome eventually married her uncle, Herod Phillip II, the ruler of Trachonitis.[27] Herod Phillip II was said to be a “good and honourable prince” [28] and administered justice throughout his realm.[29] However, their marriage was childless.[30] Herod Phillip II died in 34 C.E. Salome then married her cousin, Aristobulus, the King of Chalcis and Armenia Minor.[31] Queen Salome was said to have ruled intelligently and capably beside her husband.[32] She bore three sons to King Aristobulus named Herod, Agrippa, and Aristobulus.[33] As a vassal king to the Roman Empire, King Aristobulus represented images of himself and his wife on coinage.[34] Therefore, Queen Salome was the first Jewish Queen to have her name and image on a coin.[35] The coins show Salome as a “middle-aged queen with long, intelligent features” [36]. It is likely that Queen Salome may have died between 54-61 C.E.[37] This is because the last coin that depicts her image was in 54 C.E.[38] The next coinage that was minted in King Aristobulus’s kingdom was in the year of 61 C.E. On that coin, only King Aristobulus’s image was depicted.[39] This most likely meant that Queen Salome had already passed away.[40]

Queen Salome was an intelligent, capable, and dutiful queen. Yet the image that often comes to mind is not the intelligent Queen of history but the notorious femme fatale whose seductive dance killed John the Baptist.[41] No matter how successful her reign may have been, her reputation would always be blackened.[42] Regardless of whether Salome was involved in the death of John the Baptist, historical accounts show a competent queen. [43] Therefore, one must look past the Bible to discover the real Salome. If it were not for the infamous dance that has been described in the Bible, Queen Salome’s reputation would have been very different.[44] Salome would not have gone down in history as a femme fatale, but as a successful queen who ruled her subjects justly.[45]

Sources:

Kraemer, R. S. (2006). “Implicating Herodias and Her Daughter in the Death of John the Baptizer: A (Christian) Theological Strategy?” Journal of Biblical Literature, 125(2). pp. 321-349.

Macurdy, G. Harriet. (1937). Vassal-queens and Some contemporary Women in the Roman Empire. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press.

Schalit, A. (2007). “Herodias.” Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd Edition). (M. Berenbaum, Ed. and F. Skolnik, Ed.), 9, New York: Macmillan Reference USA. p. 39.

Streete, G. P. (2018). The Salome Project: Salome and Her Afterlives. Eugene: Cascade Books.

The New American Bible, Revised Edition (1986th Edition). (2011) Charlotte: Saint Benedict Press, 2011.

Walsh, J. P. M (2003). “Herodias.” New Catholic Encyclopedia (2nd Edition). Gale, 6. p. 804.

[1] Streete, 2018

[2] MacGurdy, 1937

[3] MacGurdy, 1937

[4] MacHurdy, 1937

[5] Walsh, 2003

[6] Walsh, 2003

[7] Schalit, 2007

[8] Schalit, 2007

[9] Streete, 2018

[10] MacGurdy, 1937

[11] Schalit, 2007

[12] Schalit, 2007

[13] Mark 6:22

[14] Mark 6:23

[15] Mark 6:24

[16] Mark 6:28

[17] Streete, 2018

[18] Kraemer, 2006

[19] MacGurdy, 1937; Kraemer, 2006

[20] Kraemer, 2006

[21] Kraemer, 2006

[22] MacGurdy, 1937; Kraemer, 2006

[23] Streete, 2018

[24] Streete, 2018

[25] Streete, 2018

[26] Streete, 2018

[27] MacGurdy, 1937

[28] MacGurdy, 1937, p. 83

[29] MacGurdy, 1937

[30] MacGurdy, 1937

[31] MacGurdy, 1937

[32] MacGurdy, 1937

[33] MacGurdy, 1937

[34] MacGurdy, 1937

[35] MacGurdy, 1937

[36] MacGurdy, 1937, p. 83

[37] MacGurdy, 1937

[38] MacGurdy, 1937

[39] MacGurdy, 1937

[40] MacGurdy, 1937

[41] MacGurdy, 1937

[42] MacGurdy, 1937

[43] MacGurdy, 1937

[44] MacGurdy, 1937

[45] MacGurdy, 1937

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Royal Jewels – Taking a look at Dame Margaret Greville (Part two)

Read part one here.

By 1913, Margaret was almost 50 years old and a wealthy, childless widow. However, she would not retire to the country as was perhaps expected of her. In an attempt to think ahead, she wrote to King George V that she intended to leave Polesden Lacey to someone in the royal family and the chosen one was Prince Albert (later King George VI), as his elder brother would have the Duchy of Cornwall. From then on, Margaret took a special interest in his welfare. They probably met for the first time in person around 1918, though his inheritance was kept a secret from him. Margaret also set out to remodel her father’s old house, as it was bigger than her own so that she could live there.

Margaret moved into the house in 1914 and began to entertain once more. A new home needed beautiful things, and she began to expand her collection of art. She collected all sorts of things, such as furniture, paintings, antique silver and objects from the far east. The start of the First World War began with a shock for Margaret. She was in The Hague at the time of the Belgian invasion and hurried back to Hook of Holland to catch a ferry. It eventually sailed with almost eight times more passengers than usual.

As a true society hostess, Margaret offered her house as a convalescent home. The north and west sides of Polesden Lacey were installed as such. Margaret hosted the King and Queen there in 1915. From London, she tried to help, too, by organising events for visiting servicemen. She later received a medal for her war work. The end of the war came as a relief – the losses had been great.

Meanwhile, Margaret’s goddaughter Sonia wanted to marry the Hon. Roland Cubitt, the fourth son of Henry Cubitt, 2nd Baron Ashcombe. His three elder brothers had all died in the war, and he was now the heir to his father’s titles. However, the Cubitts did not consider Sonia good enough for their son. Margaret drove down to their residence, though she refused to leave her car so that Lord Ashcombe was forced to come down to talk to her. She proudly announced, “I only called to tell you that I do not consider that your son is good enough for my goddaughter.” Then she drove off. It worked, and Sonia and Roland were married on 16 November 1920. Margaret gifted her goddaughter an emerald ring as a wedding gift.

The following year, Margaret headed to Bombay to start a three-month tour in the area. She travelled as a guest of the Viceroy, and her visit coincided with the visit of the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII). Though they were entertained at the same parties, it was unlikely that he felt a great connection to the 58-year-old widow. Meanwhile, Margaret was involved in yet another love match. The lucky couple was Edwina Ashley, a wealthy heiress, and Lord Louis Mountbatten. However, this time Margaret was weary of Louis’s sincerity, and she became a rather reluctant chaperone. By February, they were engaged, much to Margaret’s horror, who wrote, “I have grave misgivings.” She evidently overcame her misgivings and gave a grand dinner party for them upon their return to England. She remained on good terms with them and often invited them over.

In July 1922, Margaret was invested as Dame Commander of the British Empire, though she apparently rarely used the title. Margaret continued to socialise within the circles of the royal family, and her special interest in Prince Albert intensified when he became interested in Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She had invited both of them to a dinner party in December 1920 and continued to invite one if the other was meant to be there. They eventually married on 26 April 1923 and spent their honeymoon at Polesden Lacy. Margaret would spend the majority of the 1920s travelling. In addition to India, she travelled to Sri Lanka, Burma, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. She also continued to entertain and loved the company of young people.

Like many others, Margaret was curious about Nazi Germany and visited the country in the summer of 1933. She returned in September 1934 and “was entertained by Hitler and the Nuremberg festivities last month, and is now enthusiastic over ‘the little brown shirts.'” She travelled to Germany to attend the Olympic Games in 1936 but became ill just a few days before. In London, she entertained German dignitaries and other VIPs. A final visit to Germany came in August 1937, and she slowly began dropping her contacts. However, her association with them damaged her reputation, though not damaged enough not to receive an invitation to the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, whom she had hosted on their honeymoon.

Her love of jewellery, for which she is now perhaps best known, started early in life. She was a regular at Cartier and Boucheron, and she also often had jewellery remade to fit the current fashion. She also enjoyed collecting jewellery that had belonged to famous women in history, such as Marie Antoinette. She acquired Marie Antoinette’s diamond necklace, Catherine the Great’s diamond ring and Empress Josephine’s emeralds and diamonds.

By Christmas 1937, Margaret was largely confined to a wheelchair, and she eventually travelled to Monte Carlo to convalesce. She remained cheerful but was unable to walk. For most of 1938, she was ill and confined to her house. She returned to Monte Carlo the following year but suffered from a bout of pneumonia upon arrival. She had wanted to return to France in 1939, but the Second World War prevented any travelling to the continent. For the next three years, her health continued to decline, much to her annoyance.

Margaret died on 15 September 1942 after suffering a cerebral thrombosis – she was 79 years old. Polesden Lacy, once promised to the future King George VI, was now to go to National Trust, but all of her jewellery (the pieces valued above £100) was willed to Queen Elizabeth. Queen Mary wrote to Elizabeth, “How kind of Mrs Greville to leave you her jewels, and she had some lovely pearls and nice emeralds too, I think… I hope that the jewels will make up for the loss of Polesden Lacey, I am sorry she altered her will, but perhaps it would have been a white elephant to Bertie. I can understand your pleasure about the jewels; you are right not to say anything about them…”

It was some time before the jewellery appeared in public as it was considered bad taste during the war. Before the bequest, Elizabeth actually owned just a limited range of jewellery. Many pieces were still in the possession of Queen Mary. Margaret’s bequest saved Queen Mary from giving up her beloved jewels during her lifetime and gave Queen Elizabeth a wide array of choices.1

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Royal Jewels – Taking a look at Dame Margaret Greville (Part one)

Her name is forever linked to the vast jewellery collection that she left to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. But who was Margaret Greville, and why did she leave her jewels to the British royals?

She was born Margaret Helen Anderson on 20 December 1863 as the daughter of William McEwan and his mistress, Helen Anderson. It is likely that Wiliam Murray Anderson, who worked for William McEwan, was convinced to take responsibility for the unmarried Helen and give some form of legitimacy to the infant Margaret. It does not appear that they were officially married, as he eventually returned to his real wife, Ann, who went on to have two more children after his return. The fact that they already had the same last name appears to be a happy coincidence. For Helen, this now meant she could claim a brief marriage and widowhood.

Helen eventually returned to Edinburgh with Margaret, and with the likely help of William McEwan, she was running a lodging house by 1868. William himself also often lodgings, and he and Helen never lived far away from each other. Payments to Helen were on his books for several years, and these also included school fees from 1878 to 1884. It wasn’t until 1885 that Helen and William finally married. William’s sister had died in 1882, which perhaps freed him from the possible scorn of his family. By then, he was a rich man, and he stood as a Member of Parliament. Although rumours about the family existed for some time, Margaret was referred to as his “stepdaughter” in the press. William took Margaret under his wing and taught her all about his business.

William let it be known that Margaret would be the one to inherit his now considerable fortune, which made her an attractive bride. A suitable husband was soon found in the form of The Hon. Ronald Henry Fulke Greville, the eldest son and heir of the 2nd Baron Greville and part of the social circle around the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. It was a classic trade-off – a respectable title for new money. Nevertheless, the marriage worked well for them.

Margaret and Ronald were married on 25 April 1891 at the church of St Mark’s in Mayfair. Margaret wore a dress of rich white satin, with old Brussels lace, caught up with rosettes of white satin ribbon. Her bodice was trimmed with orange blossom, and her lace veil was held in place with five diamond stars, which were a gift from Ronald. The wedding gifts were so expensive that a guard was placed in the room with them. The most valuable item was estimated to be worth £50,000 – a diamond tiara, which was a gift from her “stepfather.” She would later wear this tiara to be officially presented at court.

Once they had returned from their honeymoon in Paris, they moved into a house in London. They were immediately popular and well-connected. Margaret quickly befriended Alice Keppel, who would become the mistress of the Prince of Wales a few years later. Ronald and Margaret involved themselves in horse racing, and often they spent days attending the races. After Alice had met the Prince of Wales in 1898, she introduced him to Margaret. Margaret and Alice had by now become close friends, and Margaret acted as godmother to Alice’s second daughter Sonia.

The Victorian age came to an end with the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901 and the accession of King Edward VII. As a friend of the new monarch, Margaret found herself a place alongside Alice in the so-called “Loose Box” at his coronation. They were soon caught up in the merry entertainment of the new King – Margaret had made it to the highest social circle.

In 1906, Margaret purchased Polesden Lacey, a grand house overlooking a wooded valley, with a gift of £80,000 from her father, but it needed a lot of work. Margaret told her architects that she wanted “a room I can entertain Maharajs in…” They held true to their word. However, while the work at Polesden Lacey was still ongoing, tragedy struck. First, Margaret’s mother, Helen, died on 3 September 1906. Then at the end of March 1908, Ronald fell ill. The diagnosis was not good – he had cancer of the vocal cords. His larynx was immediately removed, and miraculously Ronald survived the surgery. However, he contracted pneumonia and died a week later, on 5 April 1908. He was only 43 years old. His sudden death shocked everyone. He had predeceased his father, and thus Margaret missed out on becoming Baroness Greville. As Ronald and Margaret had not had any children, her brother-in-law was now the new heir.

Margaret was devastated, and her groom later remarked that “the spark went out of her.” As was expected of her during her year of mourning, she rarely went out. However, the King encouraged her to come out more, though still in line with her new status as a widow. Her first official social engagement after her husband’s death would fittingly be the King’s visit to Polesden Lacey on 5 June 1909. Margaret slowly returned to being a society hostess, although King Edward VII died on 6 May 1910. A few months later, Margaret presented Edward’s widow, Queen Alexandra, with a small Fabergé hardstone sculpture of his favourite terrier, Ceasar. Queen Alexandra was so touched that she sent the real Caesar to live with Margaret.

The new King could not be any different from his father, and it was truly the end of another era. However, Margaret had become friends with the Princess of Wales, now Queen Mary. Margaret began to enjoy life a bit more and often gave dinner parties and went out into society. The death of her father in 1913 was a blow to her. The 85-year-old man had been knocked down by a carriage drawn by four horses. Margaret arranged for him to be buried next to Ronald. Margaret now inherited her father’s fortune, worth approximately £65,000,000 today.1

Part two coming soon.

The post Royal Jewels – Taking a look at Dame Margaret Greville (Part one) appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Lady Huarui – The Royal Consort who was loved by two Emperors

Lady Huarui (also known as Madame Huarui and Consort Xu) was one of China’s most beautiful women.[1] Yet, it is sometimes said that beauty is a curse rather than a blessing. [2] Unfortunately, this phrase happened to be true for Lady Huarui. Because of her beauty, Lady Huarui was loved by two Emperors. However, her beauty attracted jealousy among those around her and caused her to be murdered because of one Emperor’s deep love for her.[3]

Lady Huarui lived during the Ten Kingdoms era.[4] After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, Central and Southern China was split into ten kingdoms.[5] These ten kingdoms would eventually be reunited under Emperor Taizu of Song.[6] This turbulent era would have a direct impact on Lady Huarui’s life.

In 940 C.E., Lady Huarui was born in the Later Shu Dynasty’s kingdom (modern-day Sichuan Province).[7] Her father was Xu Kuang-zhang.[8] Lady Huarui’s real name and early life are unknown. Her father presented her in front of the Emperor Mengchang of Later Shu Dynasty in an effort to curry his favour.[9] She was so charming and beautiful that Emperor Mengchang was immediately smitten and made her his royal consort.[10] He gave her the title of “Lady”[11] and renamed her Huarui, which means “Flower Stamen.”[12]

Emperor Mengcheng deeply loved Lady Huarui and promoted her to a higher rank.[13] One summer night, Emperor Mengchang took Lady Huarui to his summer retreat in Mokechi.[14] He was so enchanted by Lady Huarui’s beauty that he wrote a poem describing her features.[15] The poem went: “White, smooth, sweatless your skin. Its fragrance sweeping the hall with wind.”[16] The poem became so popular with the people that for centuries Lady Huarui’s name had become synonymous with beauty.[17] One day, Lady Huarui and Emperor Mengchang visited the city’s gates. She happened to drop her white fan, which was picked up by a commoner.[18] It was not long until her white fan became fashionable in the city and caused people to create imitations of her white fan.[19]

Emperor Mengchang promoted many literary writers and scholars.[20] He also liked to promote his own literary works.[21] Emperor Mengchang’s love of literature encouraged Lady Huarui to compose her own poetry.[22] She would spend the rest of her life trying to perfect her craft.[23] Therefore, Lady Huarui was not only known for her beauty but also for her poetry.

In 965 C.E., Emperor Taizu of Song attacked the Later Shu Dynasty, and Emperor Mengchang was defeated. Emperor Taizu had heard about Lady Huarui’s beauty and wanted to see her.[24] He sent officials to escort both Lady Huarui and Emperor Mengchang to Kaifeng (the capital of the Song Dynasty).[25] On the way to Kaifeng, she wrote the poem on the hotel wall. It went: “Leaving the conquered homeland, I with broken heart and agony. Long and painful the spring, sad cuckoo on my riding way.”[26]

Once they arrived at Kaifeng, Lady Huarui was made a concubine to Emperor Taizu.[27] However, Emperor Menhchang was executed ten days after his arrival.[28] Lady Huarui mourned the loss of her first husband, Emperor Mengchang. Even though she was a concubine of Emperor Taizu, she never stopped loving Emperor Mengchang.[29] However, she had to conceal her true feelings.[30] She always kept a portrait of Emperor Mengchang.[31] When Emperor Taizu asked her about the portrait, she said it was the Shu god of fertility.[32] She also told him, “Those who pray to this god will have more children.”[33] Therefore, Emperor Taizu never knew her true feelings and always assumed that she always wanted to bear him children.[34]

Lady Huarui continued to write poetry, especially about the fall of the Later Shu dynasty. One of these poems was “Narrating the Fall of the State”.[35] It went:

“The king on the rampart flies the white flag,

Deep within the palace how could I know?[36]

One hundred thousand and forty soldiers put down their arms

And not one of them could be called a true man.”[37]

This poem proved to be so emotional for generations that she has been classified as a patriotic poet.[38] This poem and her other poems were published under The Complete Collection of Tang Dynasty Poetry.[39]

For more than ten years, Lady Huarui remained Emperor Taizu’s concubine.[40] However, she continued to grieve and love Emperor Mengchang.[41] Despite her love for Emperor Mengchang, Emperor Taizu was still madly in love with her.[42] He always wanted her by his side, even when he was sick.[43] However, Emperor Taizu’s younger brother named Zhao Guangyi was jealous of Lady Huarui because of the influence she was wielding on the Emperor.[44] Zhao Guangyi tried to get rid of her by making a false accusation that she was poisoning the Emperor.[45] Emperor Taizu knew the accusation was false and ignored it. Realising nothing could dissuade Emperor Taizu from casting aside his beloved concubine, Zhao Guangyi decided to murder Lady Huarui himself.[46]

In 976 C.E., Lady Huarui accompanied Emperor Taizu and Zhao Guangyi on a hunting trip.[47] Zhao Guangyi aimed his bow at an animal.[48] At the last minute, he suddenly turned his bow at Lady Huarui and shot her instead.[49] Lady Huarui died immediately. This ended the sad life of the legendary beauty. She lost her first husband, whom she deeply loved and died in the most tragic way.

Lady Huarui has become a legendary beauty for centuries.[50] She was so beautiful that even Emperor Taizu’s grandson, Zhao Heng (who would later become Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty), was so captivated by the myth of Lady Huarui’s beauty that he wanted to have a concubine who looked just like her.[51] He even went to Lady Huarui’s kingdom of Shu to find the woman who matched the exact description of Lady Huarui.[52] However, Lady Huarui’s poetry also made her famous. Historians have traditionally credited her as the author of 157 poems.[53] While Lady Huarui has remained legendary for her beauty, it is through her poems that readers get to know her true thoughts. Therefore, Lady Huarui will continue to remain a popular icon because she represents both beauty and intellect.

Sources:

Yu, Z. (2015).“Madame Huarui”. Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. (B. B. Peterson, Ed.). London: Routledge. pp. 254-257.

Ching-Chung, P. (2014). “Fei, Lady Huarui of Northern Song.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp.71-72.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

[1] Yu, 2015

[2] Ching-Chung, 2014

[3] Ching-Chung, 2014

[4] Yu, 2015

[5] Yu, 2015

[6] Yu, 2015

[7] Yu, 2015; Ching-Ching, 2014

[8] Yu, 2015

[9] Yu, 2015

[10]Yu, 2015

[11]Ching-Chung, 2014, p. 71

[12]Ching-Chung, 2014, p. 71

[13] Yu, 2015

[14] Yu, 2015

[15] Yu, 2015

[16] Yu, 2015, p. 255

[17] Yu, 2015

[18] Yu, 2015

[19] Yu, 2015

[20] Yu, 2015

[21] Yu, 2015

[22] Yu, 2015

[23] Yu, 2015

[24] Yu, 2015

[25] Ching-Chung, 2014

[26] Yu, 2015, p. 255

[27] Yu, 2015

[28] Ching-Chung, 2014

[29] McMahon, 2013

[30] Yu, 2015

[31] Yu, 2015

[32] Yu, 2015

[33] Yu, 2015, p. 256

[34] Yu, 2015

[35] Ching-Chung, 2014

[36] Ching-Chung, 2014, p. 72

[37] McMahon, 2013, p. 249

[38] Yu, 2015

[39] Yu, 2015

[40] Yu, 2015

[41] McMahon, 2013

[42] Ching-Chung, 2014

[43] Ching-Chung, 2014

[44] Ching-Chung, 2014

[45] Ching-Chung, 2014

[46] Ching-Chung, 2014

[47] Ching-Chung, 2014

[48] Ching-Chung, 2014

[49] Ching-Chung, 2014

[50] Yu, 2015

[51] Ching-Chung, 2014

[52] Ching-Chung, 2014

[53] Ching-Chung, 2014

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Review: Royals & Trains exhibition at Trainworld

*press visit*

Trainworld in Schaarbeek, Belgium, is a unique site with plenty of history. You can find it right in front of Schaarbeek station in the Brussels region, making it highly accessible by public transport. In addition to its usual trains and train memorabilia, they currently have the Royals & Trains exhibition, which features five of the six Belgian royal carriages in existence. Unfortunately, the so-called sleeper carriage could not be presented in the exhibition due to a lack of space.

The first room you enter is filled with several miniature trains, an old departure board and mannequins. These are part of the permanent collection. Then, after going a short walk outside to another brand-new building, the real fun begins.

Click to view slideshow.

The other items in the exhibition can be found all over and have special Crown markers pointing to them. You’ll find Queen Victoria speaking of her uncle Leopold (King Leopold I of the Belgians) through what can only be described as a horrifying projection with just a moving face. The information in the exhibition is available in several languages, including English.

 

Click to view slideshow.

The Belgian royals often used trains. Archduchess Marie Henriette travelled from Vienna to Belgium by train to marry Crown Prince Leopold (the future King Leopold II). In 1857, Archduke Maximilian travelled to Brussels by train to marry Princess Charlotte of Belgium. After his execution and Charlotte’s breakdown, her mother takes her home to Belgium by train from Triest. Princess Stéphanie married Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria in 1881, and a special train was placed for those wanting to attend the wedding. The future King Albert I married Princess Elisabeth, Duchess in Bavaria, in 1900 in Munich, and they were received by enthusiastic crowds when they returned by train to Brussels-North. Princess Astrid of Sweden received the same welcome 30 years later in Antwerp. Princess Marie-José was picked up by the Italian royal train to take her to Rome for her wedding to the future King Umberto II of Italy.

Trains were also used for sadder occasions. Three of Belgium’s Queens were brought to their final resting place by train. Queen Marie Louise died in Ostend in 1850, and she was taken back to Brussels by train. Queen Marie Henriette died in Spa in 1902 and was also returned to Brussels by train. Queen Astrid was brought home from Switzerland after her tragic death in a car accident in 1935.

Trains are also often used for official and state visits. You may recognise the couch from the photo below.

Goodbye Queen Elizabeth II.

Foto genomen in 1966 door Koning Boudewijn zelf aan boord van de koninklijke trein die hem en Koningin Fabiola naar Brugge bracht tijdens het staatsbezoek van Koningin Elizabeth en de Hertog van Edinburgh.

© Archief van het Koninklijk Paleis. pic.twitter.com/GEIglN1olb

— NMBS (@NMBS) September 19, 2022

Click to view slideshow.

Trainworld also offers an audio tour, which starts in the permanent exhibition. As you may know of my dislike of audio tours, I cannot offer my opinion on this. You can also book a tour, which is available in Dutch, French and English. The exhibition is accompanied by a beautiful hardcover, which is available in Dutch and French.

Overall, Trainworld offers a lovely exhibition with plenty of royal things to see. Some parts were a little difficult to see as the light was quite dimmed there, and the human projections were a little bit scary. Unfortunately, you can only see the royal carriages from the outside, although I can understand why this is. There are a few “normal” carriages which can walk through. I didn’t think I would enjoy the permanent exhibition, but I was surprised to find that I did. The composition of the locomotives was very interesting, and the effects were all great.

Royals & Trains will run until 22 January 2023. You can plan your visit here.

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