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inky-duchess · 2 years

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Fantasy Guide to Regents and Regencies

A Regency is a period of time where another party rules of behalf of a monarch who is either too young, too ill or absent. A Regency can either be the monarch's own choice or a decision made for them on their behalf by a third part, usually government. Either way, a Regent is selected to act as temporary Head of State whilst the monarch is incapable of ruling.

Who can be a Regent?

A Regent is an important office, even though its a temporary one. Regencies of child monarchs generally either go to the Consort, though there are all sorts of reasons why this can be blocked. Sometimes governments and kingdoms are uncomfortable with foreign consorts with uncertain allegiances ruling the kingdom or sometimes the government just doesn't approve on the basis that they doubt the Consort's skill set. Other candidates for Regencies are nearly always family members such as uncles, aunts, cousins and even children of the monarch (especially if they are absent from the country or ill). But a Regent doesn't have to be a royal. They could just be a noble elected to the position (Sir William Marshall) or even one that siezes power for themselves (Richard of York) or even a council made up of Regents, headed by a Lord Protector.

Who makes a Regent?

As I mentioned before, monarchs can appoint the Regent that will replace them in certain cases. For instance, a monarch would chose the Regent if they were voluntarily leaving the country or they might designate a chosen Regent on their deathbed or just in case of emergency. But they wouldn't chose a Regent if they were ruled mentally incompetent. In those cases, the government would chose.

The Powers and Responsibilities of a Regent

A Regent is the acting head of state but they are not the monarch. They do not have the right to wear crowns or have a coronation and are not granted the hall pass of divine right. A Regent is referred to as their own title, say for example Duke of X, Regent of Y or Prince Regent. They are merely there to fill in for the monarch. A Regent would meet with the government, make decisions with the approval by government and sign offical documents. In cases of an absent monarch, a Regent may need the approval of the monarch themselves. Regents of child monarchs would usually include their charges in the country's running, either as spectator or student. A Regent, being temporary Head of State, would also have the responsibility of ensuring a natural cessation of their power to their monarch when their term is over. Some regents are better than others at handing over power.

Notable Regents of History

George IV, Richard III, Anne of Austria, Katheryn Parr, Richard of York, Margaret of York, Katherine of Aragon, Catherine de Medici, Louise of Savoy, Phillippe duc de Orléans, Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset, Sir William Marshall, John Duke of Bedford, Humphrey Duke of Gloucestershire, John Dudley Duke of Northumberland.

#Fantasy Guide to Regents and Regencies #Regent #Royal guide #Fantasy Guide #Writing guide #writers resources #writing #writeblr #writing resources #writing reference #writing advice #writer #writer's problems #spilled words #writer's life #Writer's reference #Reference #nanowrimo

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wonder-worker · 2 months

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"Anne Stanhope was a devoted and loyal wife and mother. She was also a politician, a committed religious reformer, and a survivor of Tudor intrigue. It was her actions and her connections at court that saved the Seymour family from ruin throughout the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Her activities as a patroness of religious literature distinguished her from many of her contemporaries. Anne also worked with both of her husbands – but with Edward Seymour in particular – to form influential political partnerships. Like many of her female contemporaries, she was a major force in politics and religion. The Duke and Duchess of Somerset’s struggle with Thomas Seymour in the late 1540s, however, set the groundwork for Anne’s unfortunate historical image. Almost immediately, writers and historians slandered her reputation. She became a stereotypical “bad wife” – proud, nagging, vengeful. By looking beyond this image, however, scholars may now view Anne Stanhope’s story in a more balanced light."

-Caroline Elizabeth Armbruster, '"A woman for many imperfections intolerable": Anne Stanhope, the Seymour family, and the Tudor court', (MA thesis, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, 2013)

#This thesis is online if anyone wants to read it!#historicwomendaily #anne stanhope #edward seymour #seymours #tudors #ngl I didn't know much about Anne Stanhope (or the Seymours - sans Jane - in general) so this was an interesting read!#I think it may have misunderstoodsome stuff about Edward Seymour's first marriage to Catherine Filliol though #as it claimed that Edward repudiated her which I'm not sure happened (and that she entered a nunnery which I'm not sure we have #solid evidence for either)#though admittedly like I said I don't know much about the Seymours so I could be wrong #my post #this has been in my drafts for months adkjsksks #tudor era #16th century #anne seymour #anne seymour duchess of Somerset #anne stanhope duchess of Somerset

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oldsardens · 6 months

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Joshua Reynolds - Portrait of Edward Seymour (1717-1792), 9th Duke of Somerset, in peer's robes, holding a coronet

#Joshua Reynolds

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penneferofvenerburg · 1 year

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Honour and Glory (Chapter One)

Taglist: @marytudorbrandon @littlefreya @hertzwritings @blazingmoon62442 @penneferofvenerburg @henrycavillfanfics etc:)

Westminster Palace London England - 1553

It was certainly true that the the Tudor Court could be a little disappointing at times but on the hand it also can be rather thrilling to.

Lady Anne Boleyn was at Court as Lady in waiting to the Real Queen Katherine whom Lady Somerset had deeply attached to Lady Anne had been so heartless towards the Queen that Lady Somerset felt compelled to help.

Honour was one of the things that many of the King's men stood for within the Royal Court of Henry VIII, Lady Somerset was no different she was the cousin of the King and a rival for Anne to gloat over at Suppers with his majesty.

" Charles! May I introduce Lady Y/n Somerset My Irish Cousin"? She was certainly very beautiful. " my Lady! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance here at Court I have not seen a finer beauty at Court for a while"! Charles smiled as he kissed her hand.

" Your Grace! I hear you're a great favourite of His majesty ... I Thankyou for being there for him"! You reply.

" please my dear lady I am only doing what any old friend would do being there when he should call upon me"! Came his reply.

" Come my Lady"! Charles offered his arm and lead her to the top table to where Lady Anne was sitting at the left hand side of the King, Lady Somerset made her sentiments clear where she was concerned. " you need not look at her ... shes a mere no nobody ... talk with me instead I have some stories to tell you"! Charles chuckled.

Charles gallantly showed Lady Somerset to her chair and poured a goblet of wine. " I Thankyou Your Grace"! Came Lady y/n's reply.

" Charles you must dance with my cousin she is the most accomplished dancer I know"! His majesty said with a smile.

Just then Lady Anne looked at across at Lady Y/n and gave her the evils evidently she was doing a much better job at handling the situation. Lady Jane Seymour was old friend of Lady Somersets.

" Lady Jane! Its wonderful to see you! How is your brother Edward? Is he well"? Lady Y/n asked.

" Why yes his married now ... perhaps you know her Lady Anne Seymour everyone calls nan Stanhope"! Came Jane's reply.

Charles watched Lady Y/n as she caught up lady Jane, with a smile presently on his lips he could not hide it for when he was near he felt his passion for her grow almost immediately. " You have to have Charles"! His majesty jested smiling at him.

" A Dance .... Music"! Ordered his Majesty.

" My Lady.... May I have this dance"? Charles smiled widely, " you may Your Grace"! Came your reply with a degree of more grace than the Kings Mistress ever had.

The Duke lead her onto the dance floor her skirt rustling as she begun to dance with Charles.

" Goodness my Lady! You are the most ampolished dancer I've ever seen"! Charles complimented you.

Lady Anne was whispering to Lady Somersets couin The King " Suffolk seems taken with Lady Somerset"! She whispered.

As th music continued, Anne was becoming increasingly jealous over the newest member of the Court. " Take care my love for she my steal you from me"! Anne Boleyn then whispers to his majesty.

Lady Jane Seymour was also the prettiest at Court, she was very with everyone.

•••••••••••••••••••

That evening Supper was over, and Charles Duke of Suffolk escorted Lady Somerset back to her Chambers in the palace on the Western side. Queen Katherine was suffering grievously for sins that Lady Anne had done to her robbing her of a home she had built with her husband for their daughter Princess Mary to grow up in.

" May i escort you my Lady"! Charles smiled as she took hi arm an begun to walk toward her apartment. " I do not think it is wise for you to be here at such a time when his majesty is umm .... focused on her"!, you repiled " Why your grace! Do you suppose they I am too feeble to stand up for myself"? Charles chuckled " Hevens no my lady I just mean that heaven forbid if you were hurt in some way by her I do not trust them"!, " Your Grace you mustn't dislike her surely the King will banish you if you speak against his marriage to Lady Anne"! They walked darkened corridors and you both came to a stop Charles pulled you into a secret part of the palace where often people kiss or make love secretly without anyone noticing.

" Charles what heavens name are you doing"? You asked him aghast. " For the love god! You are truly beautiful and I cannot go another second without kissing you my Lady"! He confessed.

" charles please stop"! You begged

Your plea went unheard and he continued to come toward you, " Your Grace I cannot do this"! You pleaded with him pushing him off. " my lady! I meant what I said I'm sorry if I've caused any harm to you ..... that was not my intention"!

" Goodnight Your Grace"! You curtised before turning to leave.

♧♧♧♧♧

The next morning Charles was out walking the gardens alone, when his eye caught sight of Lady Somerset in the Window of her bedchamber.

Lady Y/n Somerset made her way out into the royal gardens where there was a great space of lawn to roam with her book quietly reading.

As she roamed the lawn she heard a deep voice behind her.

" Lady Somerset! You should not be out here alone"! Charles chided her gently with a smile.

" Why ever not Your Grace I'm a grown woman"! You retorted.

" that us true my good Lady but I'm afraid you maybe in moral danger of attracting young men"! Charles smirked.

It seems Lady Somerset could not hold her guard up much longer her own feelings were coming out now.

" Your Grace! If youd excuse me I have to finish my book"! Charles took the book from her hands and sat next to her.

Her inner Goddess was telling her that Charles was the only one within the Court to single her out and she was reacting to him .... to his voice. " Allow me to read it to you"! Charles smiled offering to read the book.

The King and Lady Anne were also walking the gardens discussing their wedding when his majesty caught sight of his best friend and his Cousin getting comfortable with each other.

" It seems The Duke of Suffolk is falling in love once more"! Henry observed. " What if he asks for her hand will you object"? Anne asked him. Henry laughed " not at all! He is an honourable man and I believe everything will turn out the way it should in the end,"! His majesty went on.

The weather begun to turn, it was thundering with rain Charles shut the book and escorted Lady y/n back inside.

" We shall continue inside I do not wish for you to catch a chill"! Charles smiled.

" You're my cousins best friend I'd hate for you to be executed because you've betrayed him"! Lady Somerset replied. " my dear lady! The King is an honourable man he'll see this what it really is"! Charles told her. By that same counter they walked the corridors in companipnable silence, Lady Anne was about the halls and so Charles wished to avoid her, " perhaps we should find another way"! Charles suggested kindly, he hated the Boleyns and norfolk though he was older and wiser than Charles was.

" You are not afraid of Mistress boleyn surely charles"? Lady Somerset replied incredulous, " No I'm afraid at what she might do to you my lady"! Came the Duke's reply.

A court as lively as this, was full of rumours scandalous false hope that no one about it enjoyed. " There is no way round my lord"! Lady Amelia smiled, Charles puffed out his cheeks and carried on past Mistress boleyn whom scowled at him behind his back.

" what hard scowl that Mistress boleyn has"! Lady Amelia commented, the herald announced them into the presence chamber where Boleyn Earl of Wiltshire was there and Lord Rochford thry both scowled at Lady Amelia.

Indeed she quite the innocent young woman and pious too, she prayed daily just as Her Majesty had done when she tended chapel, Amelia namely felt she should do so, she prayed to god to keep Charles safe and fir his majesties health, and for the lives of the future Children produced by lady Anne when she marries his majesty The King.

To Charles she was the most pure of all the maidens he had had within the Court, though they were for pleasure and sport, but Charles more for Lady Somerset than for any of his other courtly conquests she was not that she was a learned girl with intelligent thinking and manners she was wise too, his majesty was reminded of the importance of family whenever Lady Amelia was about the Court. " Charles! My lady! How do you find yourself here do you like it"? His majesty asked her, she reverently curtised to his majesty and repiled looking across at Charles giving a secret smile of support " Yes your majesty I believe I am quite pleased with my position here"! , the King proceeded to ask, " Is his Grace taking good care of you? Is he behaving himself"? Henry smirked and winked at Charles, Amelia catching on to the banter between the two men, she laughed " haha! Yes youd majesty he is ... he has been the most kind and gallant gentlemen I've had the pleasure to know at Court"! , " Good excellent! Charles you may escort my Lady Somerset back to her apartments"! Charles bowed deeply and accepted that he take his leave with Lady Amelia.

The King, Compton and Sir Anthony Knivert all went haunting, while Charles tended Lady Amelia, Sir William was most kind and considerate as was Sir Anthony Knivert but they were not Lady Amelia's tastes.

" In you go my Lady"! Charles escorted Amelia into her chambers, " I shall return presently I have to speak with his majesty as matter of great urgency"! Charles told her kissing her fingers lightly before he left, Amelia guesed as to what had caused this sudden change in Charles's behaviour, when Charles had gotten to the presence chamber he found that his majesty had gone. Feeling helpless he hurried back to his charge Lady Amelia.

Amelia stalked about her chambers awaiting anxiously for news of Charles, he came into the chamber breathless " I'm sorry my dear it's no use his majesties gone your haunting with other Courtiers"! Charles apologies. Amelia stalks toward him now, " My Dearest Charles you tried that's all that matters! I'm sure whatever it was that you were fretting over has now abated"! Amelia smiled kindly.

To be continued .......

#henry cavill #henry cavill fanfic #charles brandon #the tudors #henry cavill fanfiction

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scotianostra · 11 months

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July 1st 1543 saw the Treaty of Greenwich, between Henry VIII and Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland, agreeing betrothal of Mary Queen of Scots and Henry’s son Edward Prince of Wales

Following the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss the previous year, England and Scotland signed the treaty of Greenwich on 1st July, 1543. Coming at a time of frequent conflict between the countries, a key clause of the treaties was that Mary Queen of Scots, then aged one, was betrothed to Prince Edward Tudor, then aged five.

At this time protestant England found itself in a tactically precarious position. The Auld Alliance between Scotland and France meant that England was surrounded by enemies. A particular concern was that the French could use Scotland as a base to launch an invasion of England from the north. Both England and France viewed marriage of a member of their royal family to the recently born Queen Mary as a vital diplomatic, political and tactical tool, and as such made moves to try and form a treaty to do so. Even at 6 months old, Mary was a politic pawn.

Going back to Solway Moss, the death toll at the battle itself was not especially high, the English captured 1200 Scottish soldiers, including important figures such as Earls, Lords, and 500 landowners and noblemen, this gave them a big bargaining chip. With a substantial swathe of the country’s nobility imprisoned in the Tower of London and the Scottish military out fought on the battlefield, the Scottish representative, the Earl of Arran, was forced into accepting the terms of the treaties of Greenwich.

The Scottish Parliament ultimately cancelled the treaty in December 1543, with the English insistence that Scotland dissolve the Auld Alliance having caused particular anger. Henry’s retaliation was shockingly brutal, even by the standards already established in the long conflict between England and Scotland. English armies were sent north with the only intention being for them to cause destruction and fear until the Scottish Parliament agreed to the marriage between Mary and Edward. Henry’s orders to his troops were clear: “…Put all to fyre and swoorde, burne Edinborough towne, so rased and defaced when you have sacked and gotten what ye can of it, as there may remayn forever a perpetual memory of the vengeaunce of God lightened upon them for their faulsehode and disloyailtye.”

For two years English armies, under the command of the Earl of Hertford, waged a campaign of destruction and terror in Scotland, destroying whole towns such as Dunbar and Leith. Henry died in 1547, but the campaign continued under the leadership of the regent, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset. The Scots suffered a particularly devastating defeat at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, when a bombardment from English artillery, longbow men and naval forces led to a shocking death toll, and highlighted the arrival of modern military techniques to the British Isles.

George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly is attributed as saying “I lyke not thys wooyng.” giving us the term we know today for the period “The Rough Wooing” it was popularised many years later by Sir Walter Scott

Ultimately, Mary’s mother secured her daughter’s safe escape to France, where it was agreed she would marry the Dauphin Francis, the son of the French king. Despite the bloody retaliation for breaking them, the treaty of Greenwich had failed to achieve their main aim. The official treaty for this will be covered in a post next Wednesday.

#scotland #scottish #the stuarts #royalty #england #english #history

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quietparanoiac · 2 years

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I thought I could stop her, I thought I could scare her.

I will not fright easy.

Mary I Tudor in Becoming Elizabeth (2022)

#Becoming Elizabeth #Mary Tudor #Mary I Tudor #Mary I #Pedro (Becoming Elizabeth)#Edward Seymour #Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset #John Dudley #John Dudley Duke of Northumberland #Romola Garai #period drama #becomingelizabethedit #perioddramaedit #gifshistorical #periodedits #tudoredit #my gifs #my collages

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itskubay · 2 years

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Becoming Elizabeth memes 2/?

Edward VI vs Lord Somerset

Sit and learn sir! Or listen his opinions.

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mametupa · 2 years

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#Becoming Elizabeth #becomingelizabethedit #Princess Elizabeth #Edward Seymour #Queen Elizabeth I #Duke of Somerset #BES1E8

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kingedwardvi · 1 year

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Curiously enough, I’ve only recently watched “Becoming Elizabeth” as I’ve concomitantly read Edward VI’s biography.

It is hardly a surprise to observe there were great differences between the show and the book, specially concerning Katheryn Parr and Thomas Seymour’s own relationship.

Admittedly, though I know little of this matter myself, came across the excerpt below which gave me a lot to think about. For those who are little familiar with the first Dowager Queen of England in an almost a century (the last being Queen Elizabeth Wideville), the following content might actually come a surprise—or not.

What matters here is to promote not only a healthy discussion about their union, but showing that whereas Katheryn did love the man, she was not his first option to marry and she was not a “fool” completely blinded by her affection for him: she hesitated at first, unwilling to remarry in at least two years before becoming Lady Seymour out of respect for the king of England. However, Lord Thomas was a persuasive man, writing as far as a poem to claim the dowager queen’s heart—and he eventually succeeded it, as we are seeing next.

“Katherine moved into her dower house at Chelsea - away from the eyes at court, it was the ideal setting for Seymour to pay secret visits by night. Letters were sent and received, their contents, upon Katherine's urging, were quickly burnt: 'Your letter being finished ... I remembered your commandment to me’, Seymour wrote, ‘wherewith I threw it into the fire, be minding to keep your requests and desires’, yet the survival of both their letters suggest that neither was quite so willing to part with these tokens of love and affection.

Katherine confided her feelings to her friend Lady Paget, who urged marriage. But Katherine was hesitant. She wished 'it had been her fate to have him for a husband' but she was mindful of her position as queen. She had even kept the affair secret from her sister Anne who, when Katherine finally revealed the news, 'did not a little rejoice'.

As a growing number of friends discovered the secret of the affair, it became increasingly difficult to keep it hidden and rumours soon abounded. Meeting Seymour in St James's Park, Princess Elizabeth's servant Katherine Ashley challenged him over his marriage plans. Seymour boasted 'he would prove to have the queen', to which Ashley retorted that she thought this 'was past proof as I had heard he was already married to her'.

Ashley was right, for sometime between mid May and the beginning of June the couple had wed in secret, with one commentator believing the marriage had taken place as early as thirty-four days after Henry's death.

If this was true, then Katherine was playing a dangerous game - if she had become pregnant, there would have been no certainty that the child was Seymour's or Henry's. Katherine remained unwilling to commit herself, having doubts to the last.

She claimed she was his 'loving wife in her heart' but was determined 'never to marry, and break it when I have done, if I live two years'. Nevertheless, Seymour got his way. News of their marriage could not stay secret for long.

'I wish the world was as well pleased with our meaning as lam well assured [of ] the goodness of God's’, Katherine had lamented, 'but the world is so wicked that it cannot be contented with good things’. Instead she suggested that they find support for their union amongst the most powerful members of the council and court.

Seymour tested Princess Mary's reaction. It was not good. Mary considered it 'strange news', writing that if Katherine was keen, there was little she could do. In any case, 'being a maid' she was 'nothing cunning' about 'wooing matters'.

Instead, Mary appealed to her dead father's memory: if Katherine was not willing, certainly she would not 'persuade her to forget the loss of him, who is as yet very ripe in mine own remembrance’. Privately Mary was horrified at the prospect, and blamed Katherine for the affair. She possibly even appealed to Elizabeth to discourage the queen, but her half-sister, not wishing to stir up trouble, told her that they lacked any influence at court and should suffer with patience what was impossible to prevent.

Seymour would have to look elsewhere for support and he knew precisely whom to turn to. His confidence rested in the fact that he had managed to remain in regular contact with Edward through John Fowler, a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, whom Seymour gave a bribe of £10 (£3,000) shortly after the coronation and before long was in his regular pay. Despite being almost continually in the presence of other gentlemen of the chamber, Fowler was soon able to converse with Edward and soon struck up a close friendship with the king, speaking to him alone.

It was not long before Seymour was calling in the favours. At the end of February he had met with Fowler over a drink and asked whether Edward had mentioned him - and in particular whether the king had ever wondered why he had remained unmarried. Would Edward be happy for him to marry? And who should he take as his bride?

Without asking too many questions, Fowler approached Edward a few days later, somewhat unsubtly repeating Seymour's queries. Edward's first reply was to suggest Anne of Cleves, but then, giving the matter more serious attention, answered that he thought Mary to be the best choice, if only 'to change her opinions'.

When Seymour heard, he laughed. 'I pray you, Mr Fowler, if you may soon, ask his Grace if he could be contented I should marry the Queen.’ He also wanted to know if Edward would write a letter on his behalf in support of the marriage.

It was at this time that Seymour, without Fowler's knowledge, began to visit Edward in private. It was not long before he had persuaded him to write a letter to Katherine, dated 25 June. Despite Edward writing to Katherine at the end of May urging her to 'continue to love my father', now the king seemingly endorsed her relationship with Seymour, since the letter ingeniously made their marriage appear as Edward's personal request to Katherine.

Moreover, it gave specific assurance that Edward would safeguard Katherine against any reaction from Somerset, who the couple knew would be furious at their secret union: 'Wherefore ye shall not need to fear any grief to come, or to suspect lack of aid in need; seeing that he, being mine uncle, is so good in nature that he will not be troublesome ... if any grief shall befall, I shall be a sufficient succour.'

The entire letter was no doubt composed by Seymour, who probably dictated it to the king.(…) When news of his brother's marriage leaked out, Somerset was furious. Edward's blessing made Somerset all the more enraged, and the king was not immune from the brunt of his anger, noting in his journal that 'the Lord Protector was much offended’.

But it was his wife Anne, the Duchess of Somerset, who took the greatest offence to the union. Described as 'a woman for many imperfections intolerable, and for pride monstrous, subtle and violent' who held Somerset under her sway 'by persuasions cunningly intermixed with tears', she detested Katherine.”

SKIDMORE, C. “Edward VI: The Lost King of England”.

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opulcnccs · 3 months

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♙ ⸻ · 。… [ natalie dormer + 35 + cis female + she/her ] the city of new york welcomes agnes seymour to the social season of 1887, the fiancée of alistair arundel. known to be sophisticated and shrewd, their rumored self-important and temporal tendencies might prove to be their unmaking. the street musicians often string along a tune that sounds like red wine supernova by chappell roan whenever they are near, hoping for a coin or two as a reward. unbeknown to their peers, agnes views the social season as something akin to circe's eternal exile but when holding a secret such as having been caught in a scandalous affair with another aristocratic lady, resulting in her hasty engagement to a lesser noble and banishment to america , it would be best to keep their opinions to themselves. ⸻ [ xan + 24 + est + n/a ]

basic statistics :

full name : agnes josephine seymour

nicknames or aliases : she was once tenderly called 'aggie' by her father, who is now too old and too scorned to remember her

age : thirty - five

date of birth : 7 january 1852

position : lady seymour, daughter of the duke of somerset

parents : father : edward adolphus seymour, 12th duke of somerset (b. 1804) prev. m. susan margaret seymour, duchess of somerset (b. 1808 d. 1850) mother : jane georgiana seymour, duchess of somerset (b. 1824 d. 1859)

siblings : lady margaret helen seymour (elder half-sister, b. 1831 d. 1850) angus ferdinand seymour, earl of st. maur (twin brother, b. 1852) margery beatrice paulet (née seymour), marchioness of winchester (younger sister, b. 1854) lord edward percy seymour (younger brother, b. 1856) eleanor guendolen kearley (née seymour), viscountess devonport (younger sister, b. 1859)

marital status : betrothed to alistair arundel

sexuality : homosexual

the secret :

he was not the one to discover them, but the duke of somerset could picture the scene. his most favored daughter entangled in lavender sheets, exposed milky skin reddened not with shame but pleasure. he now saw that agnes had played him for a fool. she'd dodged suitors for years, all in the name of the love of a woman. what's worse, he'd been blinded by his favor for her and allowed it. her lover's family threatened to cry scandal; the lady's advantageous engagement now seemed precarious. somerset scrambled to find the nearest man in need of a wife, and offered agnes alongside a thousand pounds. and while alistair arundel was not a british peer, as a rather wealthy member of the gentry it was appropriate enough to not stir too much suspicion. the family's venture to new york city sweetened the deal all the more. had the cost of his intact reputation been worth it? he could not say.

thoughts on high society :

agnes had once reveled in society. the season delighted her with its parties and its drama— she'd happily participate in the former, but never the latter. she delighted in fashion, and wielded her feminine wiles to leave many cards opponents with empty pockets. but such a world was gone now. new york society came with a new hierarchy, one she hadn't been born into, one she hadn't had centuries of ancestors' shoulders to stand upon. she is determined, however, to rise from the ashes. even if that means gritting her teeth and dragging her lead-filled feet down the aisle.

introduction (tw: death //// tldr: gay nepo baby!):

"i am the descendant of edward seymour, first duke of somerset and brother to jane seymour, queen of england, lord protector for his nephew, king edward vi. are you familiar with him— no?" agnes's eyes rolled over them once, unsurprised at their ignorance. "all you need to know is that he reveled in power and influence; and just as quickly do the mighty rise do they fall." the apple does not fall far from the ancestral tree, she thought grimly. "i will not bore you with accounts of my upbringing, as it is nearly identical to my peers. nor do you need to know the logic behind grape scissors or the science of calling cards. the bright spots of my childhood were perhaps my father teaching me to play cards at an age at which i should not have been playing cards...emptying my brother's pocket of sweets at said game of cards...learning to ride horses...and perhaps any time i was with all of my siblings." "you see, the duke and his second wife, my mother, were quite...prolific. let's see: my twin brother and i are the oldest. agnus is the earl of st. maur, and my father's heir." for the first time in this conversation, her voice falters. "then there is margery, now the marchioness of winchester. then edward, who last year was married to the daughter of the 2nd baron methuen. and last, my most dearest, is eleanor, now the newly minted viscountess devonport. you'll notice that all of my siblings are in marriages so advantageous and respectable it is almost vulgar." she almost makes a remark upon her own upcoming nuptials, but as soon as her mouth opens it shuts once more. "shortly before my debut in society, i traveled to the continent with the dowager duchess of northumberland. i and the daughter of a welsh earl were to accompany her travels, and expand our knowledge of art history, architecture, fashion...essentially all of the things well-bred ladies ought to be an expert in. she became my best friend in that short year," agnes said, her breath choking on her memory. she would not allow her countenance to betray her... "a bond made over greek poets, french philosophers, italian wine and dealing with the duchess' snoring is quite an unbreakable one." ...and yet her eyes trembled with longing. "we, of course, kept in touch after. but her father adores the country while i was practically raised in london, so we only ever saw each other during the season." she omitted how in between she'd practically exhausted nearly all of sappho's known fragments in her letters, and sealed each missive with a lavender sprig. "in the years that transpired after my coming out, i was miraculously able to avoid immediate marriage," she continues nonchalantly, taking a sip of her whiskey. she nearly chokes on it at the sound of the scandalized gasp that escapes her counterpart. "indeed, i hold quite controversial opinions about many things, but especially marriage. i cannot elaborate now, for while this is america, i must retain some sense of propriety. admittedly, i also have the privilege of my status in addition to my beautiful — docile — younger sisters who are more than willing to go to the altar and what's more, there's no relentless mama spending her life trying to force me down the aisle. my papa also once believed that no man was a match for me." "but you are now engaged to alastair arundel, are you not?" "an astute observation." she glances across the room at her intended. agnes was sure that she was as perplexing to him as he was to her. while untitled, the arundel's vast wealth rivaled that of any aristocrat. it was rumored that royal norwegian blood flowed through their veins, but officially, they were but landed gentry. he was not unattractive — strictly objectively speaking — and he seemed well-mannered. why had he not yet married? she did not know. she did, however, know this: he would have his secrets, and so would she.

connections :

old money adversaries / new money allies : any newcomer that threatens the delicate ecosystem of new york high society is bound to garner attention, both positive and negative. agnes herself is acquainted with longstanding families, their daughters having been unceremoniously thrown at her brother last season. she's unsure of how they'll react to her fall from grace, the details however obscured. but it's from the newcomers that she finds inspiration, her ambitions renewed.

infatuation : agnes still has not yet moved on from her first love, but she can't deny that someone has caught her eye. usually bold in her actions, her scandalous past has made her timid. very much so_hot_you're_hurting_my_feelings_ by_caroline_polachek.mp3

fellow londoners : hailing from an influential family, agnes knows positively everyone in london town. her opinions of them? likely less than sunny, but who knows?

can u guys tell my brain is fried from writing that mammoth intro lol tbh i'm better at one on one plotting than putting out wanted connections, so hmu <3

#i had this really slay idea to write her intro in first person #i fear i may have slayed too close to the sun #gildedintro #by xan.#(gifs by me lolz)

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outrowingss · 2 years

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What’s the real history with Thomas Seymour proposing marriage to Elizabeth after Catherine’s death?

I’m confused seeing people say real life Elizabeth didn’t (or wouldn’t have) accepted Seymour’s proposal like in Becoming Elizabeth because she was deliberately ambiguous with her answers about him wanting to marry her. Is that from her saying she would never marry without permission from the Privy Council? I assumed that was from the Tyrwhitt interviews and she meant ‘obviously I wasn’t planning a marriage with him cause if he’d suggested it I’d have said we had to ask the council’. Because why would she need to give some kind of ambiguous or cautious answer so as to not incriminate herself by admitting knowledge that he wanted to marry, unless she had at the least entertained the idea in some way.

Hello anon - first of all i'm sorry for taking to long to reply, i've been at work and i wanted to try and give a proper answer rather than just giving you a short one.

Theres belief that Thomas Seymour originally had asked Elizabeth to marry him in February 1547 which she rejected him claiming she was still in mourning for her father - however this comes from a 17th Century historian and not a contemporary so therefore we can't verify that this actually happened.

After Catherine Parr's death in 1548, Seymour doesn't immediately dissolve her household and decides that they should now attend Lady Jane Grey, but suspision began to grow he may be looking for a new wife. Kat Ashley, Elizabeth's governess, also encourages Elizabeth to write to Seymour to give her condolences on the death of Catherine, however Elizabeth declined to do so, believing that he didn't need them, she probably also wanted to avoid anymore rumours spreading.

Now unlike in the show, Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour do not see each other again after she leaves Chelsea for Cheshunt. When she comes to London for Christmas 1548, she finds her residence of Durham Palace had been turned into a mint by the Duke of Somerset, Seymour loaned her Seymour Palace and met Elizabeth's cofferer, Thomas Parry (quick note - where is he in BE?). In this meeting, Seymour begins asking Parry about Elizabeth's finances. When Henry VIII died, he left his Mary and Elizabeth a £10,000 dowry if they married. Parry answered his questions as much as he could and then reported to Elizabeth what Seymour was asking. During this conversation, Parry outright asks Elizabeth if she would marry Seymour if the council did not object, and before answering she is said to have looked visibly displeased. Here we get her first ambiguous answer when she says; 'When the time comes to pass i will do as God shall put in my mind.'

On New Years 1548/9 Thomas Parry and Kat Ashley begin to gossip on the subject of Elizabeth and Seymour, here Kat tells Parry why Elizabeth was sent away from Chelsea to the Denny's at Cheshunt. Kat Ashley also began encouraging Elizabeth to consider marrying Seymour and she was pretty persistent on the matter, but Elizabeth again did not give a straight answer, saying that; 'Though he himself would preadventure have me, yet i think the council will not consent to it.'

Soon rumour began to spread of Seymour's plans and he ended up having a confrontation with a member of the Privy Council, John Russell, Earl of Bedford (not Henry Grey as shown in BE), who told Seymour that if he went through with them it could be his 'utter undoing'.

Now we know what happens next, Seymour breaks into Edward VI's chambers, shoots his dog and is arrested and sent to the Tower. Kat Ashley and Thomas Parry are also arrested and sent to the Tower. Elizabeth is questioned by Sir Robert Tyrwhitt about her involvement with Seymour and any possible plans for marriage. In defense of Kat Ashley, although admitting that she had acted irresponsibly, she says that Kat would; 'never have me marry, neither in or out of England, without the consent of the King's Majesty and the Council's'.

During her interrogation, she writes to the Duke of Somerset concerning rumours of her also being imprisoned in the Tower and that she is pregnant with Seymour's child. She refers to these rumours as 'shameful slanders', and asks to come to court so that she may, 'show myself there as i am'. She also asked Somerset to take actions against rumours, which he agreed to do, if she could name those who spread them.

Now the ambiguous answers, her rebuff of Kat's persistance, looking displeased when Parry mentions marrying Seymour and her calling the rumours 'slanders' to me does not seem like she actually wanted to marry Thomas Seymour. Not to mention, there is also evidence that she was made uncomfortable by Seymour's advances, including getting up early to avoid him and writing 'thou touch me not' on a letter.

People do like to say that Elizabeth may have had a crush on Seymour, and blushed at his name being mentioned, she could very well have, but this would not have made her any less of a victim. On the other hand, blushing does not always mean having a crush on someone, it could have been because of discomfort or shame as well.

The ambiguous answers were also something Elizabeth always gave towards the question of marriage, especially after she becomes queen and the council begin pressuring her to marry to secure the succession. It may have been because she did not want to marry at all, which is something she first says to Robert Dudley when she was just eight years old. I don't personally think her ambiguous answers were to avoid her incriminating herself. She was cautious, something the show truly failed to show and did a big injustice to her.

I'm so sorry for the long answer but i wanted to answer as best as i could! If i have made any mistakes/incorrect statements please feel free to correct me!

Sources: Elizabeth The Great, Elizabeth Jenkins (1958) Elizabeth I, Anne Somerset (1991) Elizabeth: Apprenticeship, David Starkey (2000) Elizabeth and Leicester, Sarah Gristwood (2008)

#answers #im also sorry for citing david starkey #but unfortunately his account of the seymour incident is one of the better ones #elizabeth i #tw: csa #becoming elizabeth #thomas seymour #elizabeth tudor

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