How I've Spent My Time

It has been a very long blogging hiatus, which of course means I've been busy novel-writing and travelling.

In connection to my previous post, so many months ago, I've got more portrait news.

The Royal Collection/Her Majesty the Queen have granted a licence for me to have the Godfrey Kneller portrait of the Duchess (made before she was a duchess) on the cover of my novel. To say I am delighted and thrilled is a huge understatement!

The title of the novel is to be A Pledge of Better Times, which happens to be the Beauclerk family motto.

My next UK trip is in the final stage of planning. I will, as usual, be re-visiting many of the sites that appear in the novel. I expect also to pay my respects to the Duke and the Duchess at their burial sites--which is always emotional for me. I imagine it will be even more so now that I am putting the final touches on their story!

This is not the book cover Kneller portrait. Since discovering the existence of this one and the one mentioned in my prior post, I've found out about one more. Not surprising that a reputed beauty should be such a popular subject for the artist!

Search for a Portrait

Today is the day the duchess died. Because her birth date went unrecorded, this is when I commemorate her. What better time to share my great discovery?

I knew I wanted to write about the duchess and her duke long before the time was right. The idea came to me when I was bound by a multi-book contract. In one of those novels I created a fictional descendant of theirs as heroine. The most intensive period of research and the writing of an early draft took place while I served as an elected official.

An important part of my process, whether writing about historical or fictional characters, is collecting people pictures. For real people, prominent people, I have the advantage of searching out their portraits. And because the duchess was an aristocrat--and a beauty--she was a popular subject. Same for the duke, because his father was a king!

Godfrey Kneller, the popular court portraitist of the late 17th and early 18th century, painted the duchess at least 4 times. First as a child, with her younger sister. Next as maid of honour to Queen Mary II, at Her Majesty's request. Then as a young bride. And another time (I'm trying to find out more.)

The portrait that posed a great mystery was what I refer to as "the wedding portrait," painted in 1694. Kneller licenced John Smith the engraver to make a mezzotint, and copies were sold to the public. The National Portrait Gallery in London has one of the prints, though not on display. I considered myself incredibly lucky to obtain one for myself, which had turned up in a car boot sale!

Staring up at the sepia tones of the engraving, I wondered what had become of the original oil painting. What colour was her dress, her shawl? A little research proved disappointing--the picture's fate was a mystery. I could only theorise about what happened to it. One of the duke's 18th century successors was forced by debt to sell or auction some of his possessions--in Brussels, no less! In the 19th century, a great fire broke out at the family's country estate. And I'm sure there were other dispersals over time.

I assumed it was forever lost...until a week and half ago, when I found it.

The duchess was a victim of misidentification. It was that simple. Her portrait was correctly attributed to Kneller, but someone, somewhere, sometime had decided that she was a French aristocrat rather than an English duchess.

Here she is, in her lovely yellow silk dress and shimmering blue satin shawl.

And here is my engraving. As you see, John Smith felt free to make slight alterations in the shape of her face, and he softened the arrangement of her hair.

My work as a art sleuth isn't over yet. I'm still trying to obtain information--and, I hope, a study print--of that fourth portrait. The only description of it refers to her as wearing a white gown with a red mantle. I'm sure it must be stunning...I hope one day to see it!

All Sorts of News

 

A very Happy 2014 to you. So much has happened since my last post, not all of which is pertinent to my writing.

 

In November I made my annual trip to the UK. As soon as my plane landed, I hastened to the London Historians' monthly pub night, taking place only a short walk from where I was staying. I received a very warm welcome, met people I'd known chiefly via email and Facebook and their blogs, and made new friends.

 

 

Either intentionally or by chance, I'm forever coming upon locations where I've set the action of my novel, or places connected to my characters. The duke, his royal father, his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and some of his children are buried in Westminster Abbey, also the setting for coronations and funerals.

Actress Anne Bracegirdle appears in one scene. I always pay my respects when there.

When meeting a friend for lunch at the Army and Navy Club in St James's Square, as usual I photograph the house in which the duchess lived during childhood, before her father moved their household to Whitehall.

Although I took this photograph in Hyde Park, King Charles II took a personal interest in the fowls in St James's Park, as demonstrated in an early scene in my novel.

This splendid gilded room in the Victoria & Albert Museum was the music room of Norfolk House, also in St James's Square.

On my visit to the V&A I saw the "Pearls" exhibition. Of particular interest to me was Queen Mary II's pearl necklace, as she is such a significant character in the book.

Other exhibitions I visited were "The Cheapside Horde" at the Museum of London (it was a very bling-y trip!), "Georgians Revealed" at the British Library (where I also accessed and transcribed 17th century letters written by the Earl of Oxford), a Victoriana installation at the Guildhall Art Gallery, "Elizabeth I and her People" at the National Portrait Gallery, and the Gillray caricature exhibit at the Bank of England Museum.

It wasn't all museums and research, however. I did lots of my Christmas shopping, saw author and non-author friends, dined in favourite restaurants, and wandered streets and parks.

It was rather a muted Christmas, as my father passed away only days before. In addition to being an unexpected loss, I'm sorry and sad that he'll never have a chance to read this novel. As a military man he'd have particularly appreciated the Siege of Belgrade!

At the start of this week, I solved a mystery that has puzzled me for nearly a decade. I'll share that revelation in an upcoming post . . . .

Final Bequests

 

It has been a long break between posts, due primarily to the move and settling into the new house, as well as recent travels and planning future travels.

 

In the course of creating a novel about real people, I've relied on numerous documents written by various people...a few extant letters, receipts, whatever else I can find.

 

None is as poignant as a last will and testament. Whenever I'm deciphering the curly handwriting in which final bequests were recorded, and translating the legalese, I can't help thinking about the circumstances in which the document was written. The duchess wrote hers during her widowhood, as an elderly woman. In it she refers to "my late most beloved husband."

 



  

 

The duke's will was drawn up only a few weeks after his marriage, and days before he headed off to war. He left his possessions and estate to his "dearly beloved wife Diana" as can be seen below.

  

 

In her case, the will provides details of her jewels, cherished paintings, collections of china and other valuables, and family mementoes, as well as her monetary fortune. In his case, he refers to his sources of income and his "mansion house" in Berkshire.

 

Whenever I read their lists of bequests, it occurs to me that they had no idea when or where or how their lives would end.

 

But I do....

 



The Duke's Birthday

He was born this day 343 years ago, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the illegitimate son of the King of England and London's favourite actress.

He resided at various other addresses during his lifetime. As I prepare for a move myself, from a country house to a house in a nearby city, I envy him all the household officers and servants who must have overseen the many details involved!

Until I'm settled, blogging will be even more sporadic, I suspect.

Opening Up 2013

Activities connected with my alternate alter ego have been incredibly time consuming this very productive winter. A great deal of snow has kept me mostly at home, indoors, and tied to the computer!

I'm dividing my attention between the 17th and the 18th centuries lately...at Valentine's Day I produced a romance novella set in North Wales and Chester, home to other paternal ancestors (different ones than these.)

I recently provided a guest blog for fellow historical fiction author Anita Davison/Seymour.

I'm hoping to wear 17th century dress for this year's Historical Novel Society conference. Meaning I shall be attempting to devise something resembling a fontange, as worn here by the Queen and the Duchess.



I've already got my vizard!

Closing out 2012

I've been remiss for many months, and feel the need to offer up a year-end blog post.

In September and October I was in England. After a few days in Hampshire visiting country estates and historic gardens (all beautifully in bloom) and visiting friends, I settled in London. My reasons for being there were several--attending the Historical Novel Society's UK conference, seeing friends, and visiting several royal palaces.

I began at Hampton Court for the special portrait exhibition in which my novel's female protagonist was featured. I've been gazing at her life-sized image (normally hanging in the King's Dining Room) ever since my schooldays, and never before have I had the advantage of viewing the Duchess at such extremely close range.

The gardens designed by Queen Mary II (also a character in the novel) were looking especially lovely.

On another day I returned to Kensington Palace to explore the new visitors' centre and the current arrangement of the rooms. Here I am taking my own photo in the looking glass. The type of porcelain Queen Mary collected adorns the mantel.

A crucial scene in my story takes place at this very window!

Posing with Queen Mary.

The conference was terrific. I spent time in the Manuscripts Room at the British Library, where I accessed letters referring to the Duke during his time in Vienna before and after his participation in the Siege of Belgrade.

According to some sources, the pudding has been associated with Christmas since about the 1670s, although it contained raisins and other dried fruits rather than plums. Thus, the people in my book would have been familiar with a precursor to this Christmas Day treat in my own household:

More to come in 2013!

Summer Break

During this busy summer, the lack of time and the necessity of devoting my attention to projects connected with my other pen name prevented my blogging here. So, in a deviation from the historical focus, I present illustrations of things I've done--in addition to travelling, writing, editing, and planning more travel.

A recent meet-up with my good friend Tess Gerritsen. She and I and our husbands spent time together when her book tour brought her into our territory.

As vice chair of the committee charged with presenting candidates for diocesan bishop, I rejoiced on the day of his consecration--the culmination of my year and a half of work.

From May until now, the primary setting for my writing and editing work has been our lake cottage. The dogs are very patient while I'm busy on the laptop, and we all enjoy our woodland walks.

Currently I'm planning the next UK trip. I look forward to visiting my novel's heroine, whose portrait graces the exhibition now on view at Hampton Court Palace. In London I'll be researching--and writing--the next novel, and meeting up with other historical novelists. Photos to come!

Historic Roses

As a gardener, I've incorporated many historic and heritage roses in my garden, covering a span of centuries. These are some that my late-17th century characters would have known. Rosa canina, Dog Rose, English hedge rose.



York and Lancaster, a damask rose dating from the 1500's.



Tuscany, a gallica from the 1590's. Also known as The Velvet Rose, and for good reason.



Rosa gallica versicolor, called Rosa mundi or Fair Rosamund's Rose, for supposed associations with Henry II's mistress. It was first identified by this name about 1581 but is likely much older.



Another damask, Quatre Saisons, the fabled Four Seasons Rose, also known as the Autumn Damask for its reblooming ability. The oldest rose I grow, dates to ancient times.



All the varieties shown here bloomed mostly in June--the dog rose might appear a bit earlier--and after a few weeks of flowering, no more blossoms. With the exception of the Autumn Damask. This was the case until late in the 18th century, and the importation of China roses, from which re-blooming varieties were bred.

In a future post, I'll share some 18th century specimens.

Today Historic Royal Palaces released a brief video with information about the current exhibition at Hampton Court. I'm delighted to spot my novel's heroine hovering over Brett Dolman's left shoulder!



Later in the year I will visit Hampton Court to view the exhibit. Looking forward to it very much indeed!

1688

The year 1688 is known as the date of the Glorious Revolution, when Prince William of Orange came to England--at the invitation of Protestant lords and officials, who objected to his father-in-law James II's pro-Catholic policies and flouting of English law. Early in 1689, Parliament designated William and his wife Mary, James's daughter, as King and Queen.

Also in 1688, an ancestor of mine was the warden of this secluded rural church in Worcestershire. Did he welcome William's arrival and James's departure, or oppose the change?



The loyalties of his father, church warden and landowner in this neighbouring parish, are documented--he was a Royalist. During the Civil War he served as Captain of Horse in the King's Army.



When researching and writing historical events, I can't help wondering how my own family members felt about them.

The Duke's Flask

In the vast silver collection of London's Victoria & Albert Museum is a spirits flask that belonged to the duke in my novel. It was made for him around the time that he was fighting in Hungary and was distinguished by his heroism at the Siege of Belgrade. The silversmith who created it engraved the ducal arms, granted by King Charles II.



The crest, showing the bar sinister, evidence of illegitmacy. The duke was one of the King's many bastard sons.



Engraved on the other side of the flask is the duke's monogram set beneath a ducal coronet.

The flask has three pieces. The stopper, the vessel that held the spirits, and the detachable drinking cup.



This luxurious accessory surely accompanied His Grace on many an interesting adventure.

Passion for Passiflora

Ever since I was a child, the passion flower's fragile beauty and intricacy has enchanted. I once lived in a place where it grew wild by the roadside.

Though my current home is inhospitably frigid to grow the species outdoors, I have a large pot in which I can grow passiflora pentafilia (for it's 5-lobed leaves) and overwinter it indoors. Here it is during summertime bloom.



And here is the other variety I grow, passiflora caerulea, with the very deep blue, almost purple fringe.



As seen in this late 17th century botanical print commissioned by the Duchess of Beaufort, both varieties were grown as exotics by aristocratic plant collectors.



The plants were brought to Europe from tropical regions. Jesuit missionaries in Mexico called it the Flower of the Five Wounds for the five stamens, and finding within it other symbols of Christ's crucifixion. Ten petals for the 10 faithful apostles (excluding Judas the Betrayer and Peter the Denier), an inner corona for the Crown of Thorns, three round-headed "nails" and a "hammer" in the center. The flower lasts only a day, and forms a fruit I once knew as a "maypop" because of the noise it made when stepped on.




Over time, additional varieties were discovered, and modern hybrids were created. I used to grow this one, called Lady Margaret. It didn't quite live up to its billing, and the plant didn't thrive like the blue ones. I should give it another chance.



Queen Mary II, an important character in my novel, was known to grow passion flowers in her hothouses or the open air. Which explains why so many of them can be found in the gardens of Het Loo, the palace she and her husband built in Holland--where I photographed the one below.

Historical Background

Dr. Starkey provides the historical basis for parts of my novel, and shows some of the locations. This section of his television series runs 16 minutes, but it's worth viewing if you are interested--and have the time!