Note: This chapter contains the second reference to the hidden memory from Cromwell's past. I won't draw attention to it just yet, but it is a fabulous easter egg for re-readers who haven't noticed it before.
Margaret Vernon: 'I shall set up housekeeping with some of my sisters. We shall be unruly women, with no master.' ... 'Folk will pity us and leave apples on our doorstep They will come to us for poultices and lucky charms.'
At least somebody in this chapter will be living the dream. ; )
A couple of wonderfully described but horribly ominous scenes here, with the dismantling of Becket's shrine and the questioning of Geoffrey Pole. I appreciated this portrayal of how contaminating Cromwell's methods are even when they stop short of actual torture:
"He feels he should have changed his own clothes. He feels there might be blood on them, though no blood has been shed at the Tower."
Sat this evening catching up with last week's reading and this post. I enjoy the wee glimpse of Cromwell as a father riding out with Gregory and his mentions of being a grandfather. Jenneke's silence makes me feel sorry for Cromwell, it would be nice if he could some relationship with her. I also always wish for him a second marriage and a quiet existence into old age, but this was one area Mantel could not reimagine differently. I like the idea Mantel plants of Cromwell being a conservationist, and enjoyed the two links to the further reading on beavers. Stealing myself for these last couple of months.
I had forgotten about the beavers! What a splendid metaphor they make for Cromwell's audacity in matters political and religious. Crumb cannot quite foresee the long term effect of so many of his policies. I've read that in recent years, efforts to reintroduce beavers to the wild in Britain have met with mixed reactions.
Thank you for showing us Caravaggio’s “The Card Sharps”! I lived outside of Ft Worth, Texas for thirty years and often went to the Kimbell Museum. This painting was one of my favorites, and it’s so fitting to think that it resides in the city known for cattle trading as the hub of the famous (here, at least!) Chisholm Trail. Crumb would have fit right in with our Wild West!
Note: This chapter contains the second reference to the hidden memory from Cromwell's past. I won't draw attention to it just yet, but it is a fabulous easter egg for re-readers who haven't noticed it before.
I just re-read this chapter as I have some catching up to do on your posts, and thought I spotted something - glad to have it confirmed!
I'm intrigued. Can you remind me what chapter the first reference was in?
The other reference is in Nonsuch.
Ah. Thank you.
Margaret Vernon: 'I shall set up housekeeping with some of my sisters. We shall be unruly women, with no master.' ... 'Folk will pity us and leave apples on our doorstep They will come to us for poultices and lucky charms.'
At least somebody in this chapter will be living the dream. ; )
Give scandal!
Cromwell is like a combined Daedalus and Icarus, the master craftsman and inventor who flies his waxen wings too high.
Hold that thought.
A couple of wonderfully described but horribly ominous scenes here, with the dismantling of Becket's shrine and the questioning of Geoffrey Pole. I appreciated this portrayal of how contaminating Cromwell's methods are even when they stop short of actual torture:
"He feels he should have changed his own clothes. He feels there might be blood on them, though no blood has been shed at the Tower."
Sat this evening catching up with last week's reading and this post. I enjoy the wee glimpse of Cromwell as a father riding out with Gregory and his mentions of being a grandfather. Jenneke's silence makes me feel sorry for Cromwell, it would be nice if he could some relationship with her. I also always wish for him a second marriage and a quiet existence into old age, but this was one area Mantel could not reimagine differently. I like the idea Mantel plants of Cromwell being a conservationist, and enjoyed the two links to the further reading on beavers. Stealing myself for these last couple of months.
I really love Christophe! So loyal!
I had forgotten about the beavers! What a splendid metaphor they make for Cromwell's audacity in matters political and religious. Crumb cannot quite foresee the long term effect of so many of his policies. I've read that in recent years, efforts to reintroduce beavers to the wild in Britain have met with mixed reactions.
"He shrugs. It's always the wrong bits of the past people want back."
I love that Wyatt asks what next, bring back wolves? 'We do not need more predators.' Well, quite.
I love that quote about the wrong bits of the past!
Happy Samhain to all Wolf Crawlers!
It's all dark from here.
Thank you for showing us Caravaggio’s “The Card Sharps”! I lived outside of Ft Worth, Texas for thirty years and often went to the Kimbell Museum. This painting was one of my favorites, and it’s so fitting to think that it resides in the city known for cattle trading as the hub of the famous (here, at least!) Chisholm Trail. Crumb would have fit right in with our Wild West!