Wolf Hall discussion continuation thread

[AKnickerfulOfMenace]

Continuing the thread from Telly Addicts, just in time for episode 4

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/2288038-Damian-Lewis-fans-line-up-for-Wolf-Hall-tonight?msgid=52500336#52500336

I was just about to post about the burning! They were a bloodthirsty lot. But mind you, so were their predecessors.

And of course neither of her parents was known for their easy going, tolerant nature .

Frankel: "Prince Charles has plenty of names to choose from but I suspect George VII is near the top"

I think he's already gone on record as saying he intends to be George VII.

I enjoyed last night's episode a lot. I haven't loved the series quite as much as everyone else (and a lot of the detail is passing me by for some reason) but I'm liking Mark Rylance more and more. The scene where they all thought the king was dead was brilliant.

I shall miss looking at Mark Rylance's pensive face when the series finishes.

I just assumed he would be King Charles, didn't realise he would take another name!

We had a bit of a chat about Lady R on the last thread. The upshot was that she was either a deliberately coniving woman or a people pleaser. It didn't end well for her either way

If the victim was lucky they'd tie a pouch of gunpowder around their neck so by the time the flames started creeping upwards they'd die in an explosion. Horrifically cruel way to kill anyone.

I am still a bit behind and haven't watched this week's episode yet, so trying not to read your comments yet (as though I don't know what happens ).

Enjoyed The Hat Thing in the episode I watched last night after the Countess's comments upthread. Thanks, Countess, I shall watch out for it in future!

I dunno, I'm still not quite getting Mark Rylance. I listened to desert island discs this morning with him on, and I think his voice sounds a bit, sort of, wounded. His face is similar. I don't think he comes across as having a core of iron, as he does in the books.

Yes, whichever way you look at it, it was a horrible way to die. It comes to something when beheading was a privilege.

Just accorded to the posh folk though...

I might be wrong here, but afaik it was standard practice (for those men who had especially umbraged the monarch) for their dicks to be cut off before their heads, and shoved in their mouths

Iirc that's what More feared the most, but Henry let him off at the last knockings, on account of their great friendship

Awwww. What a softy

Yikes, that is fucked up! I can see why that might give someone a sleepless night or two Muddha.

Wikipedia says this:

To be hanged, drawn and quartered was from 1351 a statutory penalty in England for men convicted of high treason, although the ritual was first recorded during the reigns of King Henry III (1216–1272) and his successor, Edward I (1272–1307). Convicts were fastened to a hurdle, or wooden panel, and drawn by horse to the place of execution, where they were hanged (almost to the point of death), emasculated, disembowelled, beheaded and quartered (chopped into four pieces). Their remains were often displayed in prominent places across the country, such as London Bridge. For reasons of public decency, women convicted of high treason were instead burned at the stake.

I remember when I was about 7 going on a school trip to see the head of St Oliver Plunkett who had been hung, drawn and quartered.

Perfectly normal outing for a group of 7 year olds.

Reading about Oliver Plunkett has reminded me about an anecdote I read involving the execution of those involved in Charles I's trial and execution. This happened after the restoration, when they would have been in late middle age or even older.

Apparently one of them (I don't recall who) was being hung drawn and quartered and while being disembowelled punched the executioner in the face. I swear this is true!

I have just finished reading Bring up the Bodies and now I don't know what I am going to do with the rest of my life....

There is a biography of Cromwell by Tracy Boorman out right now. I'm reading it as I gave away my Hilary Mantels. (I now realise decluttering has gone too far!)

Yes, I read that last week. I should have saved it for when Wolf Withdrawal set in.

I enjoyed Fatal Rivalry, Flodden 1513, by George Goodwin. It's an historical account from earlier in Henry's reign and shows Catherine of Aragon in her pomp, running the army while Henry was messing about in France! It explains how the Norfolks came into favour too.

Just watched. Loving the portrayal of Jane. Much less simpering cipher and more a woman who has a plan to survive the various agendas around her.

Thanks for that, funnyosity- I'll get that.

I've been BUSY and haven't watched it yet.

I think I can probably read the thread anyway right?

What's going to happen?

There can't be spoilers - it's all 500 yr old news.

Am I the only one who finds Cromwell in this series far too handsome?

Have been reading Heartstone, one of the Shardlake series. Good if you want a bit more of the brooding Tudor fear of machinations round the court.

chilli- I have found him far too likeable.