Cinema · London · Monarchies
Contrary to the plot, the real Prince of Wales was not stripped of his status as heir, nor did he renounce the crown in favour of his younger brother, Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence; indeed, he never stepped back from the affairs of the kingdom at all. Nor did
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · People
Was the Youth of Henry V Really So Dissolute? Yet another myth of Shakespeare's making has found flesh, thanks to the efforts of the film crew behind “The King”. Though the prince and his father did indeed have political differences, the future king never renounced his status, nor
Cinema · Monarchies · People
What Did Henry V Look Like? Shakespeare's portrait of Henry is idealised. But the portrait of Henry created by the Australian director David Michôd, with Brad Pitt's company behind him, is almost flawless. Note that Netflix nonetheless files The King under "biographical" and "
Cinema · Books · Museums · Observations
Among the many films about the Middle Ages, The King is neither the most outstanding nor the most contentious, though its makers dusted the museum artefacts so zealously that they shook out a good part of the history. Credit where it is due: the picture has turned out handsome after
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · Observations
Shakespeare's Henry is the ideal national hero, and by showing his imperfection the freewheeling interpreter only brings the ruler closer to the people, so that the reckless drunkard and ne'er-do-well becomes all the more beloved and all the more patrioti. Among the first words
The East · Cinema · Observations
One must never begin with the bad, so let us note at once that the small details cannot fail to impress. Considered and exact, they create not merely a setting but at times a true picture of the age: what of the clockwork toy in the shape of a walking
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Science
Henry V is, for the English, one of the best-loved figures of their history and very nearly the champion of screen adaptations, rivalled only by Richard the Lionheart, Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. But what makes this not especially distinguished, yet so celebrated, ruler so attractive? Talent! And a
Architecture · Faith · Art
Hard to recognise, but this is a pelican, captured on the side panel of one of the wooden pews in Lund Cathedral. A traditional medieval Christian symbol of self-sacrifice, often associated with Jesus, the pelican was frequently depicted tearing open its breast to feed its hungry chicks with its
NB!
Art · Humour
Ah, the eighteenth century: one would sit there thinking, why not pose completely undressed for a talented monkey! Oh là là! Painting by Jean-Baptiste Henri Deshays
Monarchies · Museums · Heritage
The value of the treasures stolen from the Green Vault in Dresden is estimated at a billion dollars. Naturally, the stolen objects have no market price, but this is all the same one of the most audacious museum robberies of recent years. It has already been established that three sets
NB! · In the Press · Museums · Heritage