Royal Weddings and Monarchy, history of today and yesterday!

My last blog I wrote about the book Salaam Bricklane,  the author is Tarquin Hall.   I had spelt the title wrong.

Last night I watched the Royal Wedding.  I had really just wanted the music from the ceremony but got the DVD from the library.   I am a history buff and have just been watching David Starkey's Monarchy series.
It was with particular interest to view Westminister Abbey and see Edward the Confessor's altar.   I am not sure that when I was in the Abbey on my last visit to London that I understood the history of the Abbey.
I did enjoy seeing Elizabeth I and the two Mary's burial sites.   It is difficult without a full knowledge of history to understand who the burial sites in the Abbey belong to other than the fact they were  mostly rulers.  Starkey's Monarchy does give you a better idea.   I have also spent the winter reading about the Tudor era in British history.  At the moment I am half way through a book on Margaret Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster, who was the 14th century ancestor of the Royal family as we know it today.  The author of the book, Mistress of Monarchy is Alison Weir, a very fine historical biographer.   I can't say it is an easy read as it is not a novel but taken from historical fact but worth the challenge.

It does put a new light on history if you move on from history books to historical biographies.  Eventually you get a real sense of the era and the people.

The Royal Wedding of Catherine and William was I think enjoyable on several levels.  It had the wonderful pomp and ceremony fit for a future King and Queen, the Abbey lending itself to creating sense of the English people and their history.  The Church of England with its ability to use the language of people in a cultured and comforting way and still make people aware of its values.  The elegance of the bride and the wedding party.  The two Princes in their household uniforms, Irish guards, William and Household Guards, Harry.   The generations present;  Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles and his Duchess Camilla.

I think it is hard not to love that kind of pageantry.   And respect, the British who have retained their traditions.

The world may move on but the past holds people's hearts.

      

A new Day and a book review, Saleem Bricklane!

My first blog!  I have decided to write a brief book review about a book a friend found and passed on to me.

The book is Saleem Bricklane by Tarquin Hall. Tarquin, a British journalist decides he wants to return to his native England after living in the India.

He gets to London and wants to live where he grew up but can't afford the Barnes area or the area nearby.
He searches around London and the only place he can live is the East End of London.   The East End of London is known for its multicultural immigration over  centuries, always  a tough but possible an accepting area to live.

He gets an attic flat and a hilarious landlord who has spent his formative years growing up in the East End but is from Bangladesh, a fellow tenant a Jewish lady who has spent her life in the area shows him great kindness and her world and a host of other characters in the area.

Tarquin is so concerned when his Indian girlfriend, Anu who has grown up in North Carolina comes to stay and sees his attic but Anu makes the most of the vibrant area and life in London. She discovers she has an Aunty who is willing to 'help'.

The book gives a new outlook on British immigrations and the British spirit and the effect it has on the people who go to the East End.   Best read I have had in a while.  It should be made into a movie.

I would give it a 8 out of 10.

Namaste