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.
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