Amanda McCabe's Blog, page 12
November 17, 2022
Accession Day 1558
I can (almost) see the light of day at the very end of this tunnel of a WIP (due December 1!), but I had to commemorate a very important day in English history. November 17, 1558 marked the accession to the throne of Elizabeth I, and the start of one of the most remarkable periods in history! (At the end of my Elizabethan Mystery, Murder at the Princess's Palace, I loved writing the scene showing the legendary moment when she received the news!).
Queen Mary died early on the morning of November 17, 1558 at St. James's Palace, and members of the Privy Council immediately set out for Elizabeth’s residence at Hatfield House 
to tell her the news. They carried Mary’s betrothal ring from Philip of Spain, to prove to Elizabeth that the queen was dead, so long live the queen. The legend is that they found her sitting under a tree, reading a Bible in Greek. On hearing the news, she proclaimed, “It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Now, I am not at all sure someone would just “happen” to be sitting under a tree reading in November! Maybe she was just out for a stroll, maybe the story is apocryphal, or maybe she heard they were coming and stage-managed the whole thing. She was one of the great stage managers in history). On a side note, the original tree is no longer there, but one was planted in its place by Elizabeth II in 1985. On another side note, when Elizabeth I died in 1603, after a reign of 45 years, she was buried with Mary in Westminster Abbey. The inscription reads, “Partners both in throne and grave, here rest we two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, in the hope of one resurrection.” Kind of ironic, but I admit I got a little emotional when I saw the tomb (or maybe it was jet lag?)
Anyway, thereafter November 17 was a Big Party at court, and around the country. The big event was always a tournament, with a joust and sports where all the men vying for the queen’s attention could show off. Pomp and chivalry were paramount–all the men carried banners and shields adorned with symbolic images of the queen and their devotion to her. (Jousts, of course, were not all Renaissance faire-ish fun–Henri II of France died in one, and there were always injuries at Accession Day tournies. No fatalities that I could find, though).
The jousts would be followed by a banquet and ball, maybe a play or tableau celebrating the glorious reign of Elizabeth. At one banquet, the court polished off an ox, 40 sheep, 12 pigs, 132 capons, 5 swans, several pheasants, partridges, herons, pigeons, peacocks, and calves, not to mention fish, chicken, barrels of wine, vegetables and eggs, and sweets. Subtleties made of sugar and almond paste, shaped into castles and other fanciful things, were great favorites on such occasions.
Some of the best-known Elizabethan dances were: pavanes (a stately processional), usually followed by a lively galliard. There were gavottes (a circle dance to a medium tempo), sophisticated courantes and sarabands from France, and alamains. The Volte was one of the of only dances that allowed couples to closely embrace (the man showed off his strength by lifting the woman high in the air–this is probably why it’s used so often in movies! See Shakespeare in Love, both Elizabeth movies, and probably various Masterpiece Theaters).
Celebrations were not just held at court. There were bonfires, dances (maybe not pavanes, but bransles and Morris dancers), games, lots of wine and ale, and illuminations all across the country.
So, happy Accession Day, everyone! We might not celebrate with a Volte and a barrel of wine, but we can toast Good Queen Bess. And look forward to our own bacchanalia–Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a great one. Any big plans?
November 8, 2022
New Links!
Sorry I haven't been around lately!! Some techno snafus, ugh. But here I am, with some fun links for the week's reading. (And don't forget to vote today!)
Rare furniture from Marie Antoinette up for auction!
Trailer for the fabulous looking new movie Chevalier
New Mary Queen of Scots material at the British Library
Inside the original Shakespeare & Co. (I loved writing a couple of scenes set in the bookshop for A Manhattan Heiress in Paris, out in March!!)
Rare examples of clothing sewn by Elizabeth I!
October 1, 2022
Fun Weekend Links
Happy first day of October!!! This is my very favorite month of the year. To get us started, here's some fun reading for the week...
The coronation of Queen Mary I (on this day in 1553)
A student bought an illuminated manuscript for $75...
Best Halloween candies, ranked
Florence's little wine windows
You can own one of the French crown jewels
Forgotten archive of medieval books and manuscripts
September 17, 2022
Weekend Links
A bit of reading for your weekend fun!
Inside the World of Norman Hartnell, the Queen's Favorite Couturier
Where I'm talking about Flora Flowerdew!
What music to expect at the Queen's funeral
It was Agatha Christie's birthday! (1890)--also National Cozy Mystery Day
I'm also sprucing up my newsletter, so sign up if you'd like to know about upcoming books and fun giveaways! (But iIm still lazy, so it won't be too frequent...)
New Releases!!!
New books out in the last few weeks!
(actually a re-release, but this was one of my favorite books to write! First in the "Daughters of Erin" series, it was a RITA nominee for Best Historical...)
As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.
Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.
When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.
(first in a fun new Victorian mystery series! Ghosts and puppehs!)
Flora Flowerdew has a secret. The former Florrie Gubbins, music hall dancer, is now Madame Flowerdew, one of London’s most renowned spirit mediums. But it’s actually her beloved Pomeranian dog, Chou-Chou, who can see the ghosts.
One of her most lucrative seances, for the wealthy Petrie family whose daughter is about to marry a handsome young duke, goes chaotically awry. The duke’s late, and very irate, grandfather demands Flora and his grandson Benedict find the long-missing family diamonds—even the search becomes littered with mayhem and murder! Can Flora discover the jewels before she loses her career, her sanity—and her heart?
Sparks fly as Flora, Benedict, and Chou-Chou pursue the truth of the diamonds’ disappearance in this lighthearted, cozy historical mystery set in foggy, gas-lit London
(up for pre-order, in case you're feeling holiday-ish! A great low price...)
GAMING HELL CHRISTMAS - VOLUME 2: Mysteries abound at London's most fashionable Hell.
The Thief Who Stole Christmas - Amanda McCabe
A man who has never broken the rules, and a woman who just might break his heart! But Christmas is always a time for second chances...
As one of Miss Greensley's Girls, a member of the exclusive club la Sous Rose, and famous author Lady L, Victoria Lanford moves easily through Society ballrooms. Few people know how her unhappy childhood and anxiety led her to pickpocketing (yet, she did return the jewels)! When she comes face-to-face with old flame Rhys Neville, Earl of Hammond, she knows the kind-hearted, straight-laced, devilishly handsome lord is not for her—especially once the past comes back to haunt them. Why, then, can't she stop thinking about their kisses?
The Kerse Who Saved Christmas - Kathy L Wheeler
Kerse: He, of the no nonsense approach, is stymied by She, a woman considered long past prime marriageability who needs a keeper more than he requires a wife. Yet the dreamy-eyed, impractical, and much too optimistic Philomena still manages to steal his heart despite her unrealistic beliefs and trust in fortune tellers.
September 10, 2022
Weekend Links
Not QUITE so much fun this week, as an era we won't see again has gone with Queen Elizabeth II. I've always adored her, a model of grace, discretion, kindness, morality, duty, and a steadfastness that lasted all her life in a world that is--not usually those things. Not to mention corgis and tiaras, and marmalade sandwiches with Paddington! She worked until two days before she was gone, and now I hope she is riding free on her beloved horse Burmese with her "strength and stay" Prince Philip, her parents and sister, and all those corgis. You did it well, Ma'am, and we will miss you.
A few links about her extraordinary, unique life
Her beloved corgis through the years
Funeral plans from Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth's Iconic Jewels
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret: Photos of Sisterhood
Scenes from a nation in mourning
King Charles III's touching address on the death of his mother
September 3, 2022
Fun Weekend Links
It's September, yay!! Almost my very favorite month of October! I'm excited about getting out the fall wreaths and pumpkins, and looking forward to Halloween. In the meantime, here are a few links to keep you entertained. (And watch this space for another giveaway in a few days! I've been cleaning out books again and found some duplicates...)
Paris's Missing Palace and the Making of the Louvre
Antique Dog Portraits in Photography
Trailblazing Female Artist/Botanist of the 17th Century
Things You Should Know About Zozobra (it's Fiestas time here in Santa Fe!)
Unseen Charles Dickens Letters
New adaptation of "A Gentleman in Moscow"
August 13, 2022
Fun Weekend Links
Happy (almost) middle of August! How is everyone doing in the summer heat? Looking forward to fall, like I am? (sweaters, bonfires, s'mores, Halloween!). In the meantime, here's some fun stuff to look at...
Sleep Next to a Scottish Castle close to whiskey, a music festival, and fairies
Interviews with the costume designer of "Eiffel" (can't wait to see this!)
14 classic book adaptations I'd like to see besides Jane Austen
Ernest Lubitsch Made the Hollywood Comedy Divine
Contest Winner
The winner of the bag of books and movie goodies is--June Calvin!! Congrats, and watch this space for more giveaways soon...
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