Queen Mother

[KimberleyChris]

Hmmm...

They all came to the throne 'unexpectedly'?

(i.e. being married to, or the daughter of the second-eldest prince etc?)

[pacharan]

They were all queen regnants.

Queen Elizabeth II was (obviously) crowned queen. Queen Mary (assuming you mean Mary I rather than Mary of Teck) was the first ruling queen. Empress Matilda was an uncrowned queen regnant, as was Lady Jane Grey.

Yep. You just got in there before me.

Empress Matilda was the only legitimate heir of Henry I after his son Stephen was killed in the White Ship Disaster.

I'm currently reading the excellent "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett which deals with the rebellion against King Stephen, Henry's nephew, by Robert, Earl of Gloucester in an attempt to place Matilda (Maude) on the throne.

[pacharan]

Bet it's not as good as the Brother Cadfael stories by Ellis Peters.

I'm only a third of the way through it but so far no revisionist claptrap.

Which is surprising since Ken Follett is a leading light of the New Labour Literatti.

Then again, the period in which it is set predates all the stuff they're ashamed of.

[Ignis Fatuus]

A little fact garnered from the dinner table discussion last night.....

I always assumed the term Queen Mother referred to the mother of the Queen. In fact, the Queen Mother is a Queen Dowager (widow of a king who reigned in his own right) who is also mother of a reigning sovereign.

Sorry if I'm doing a Godwin, but I am about as interested in the mediaeval title system of those who claim to own us body and soul, as I am in the minutiae of the SS uniforms. The presumption and practice of taking over other people's lives is much more important than the décor.

[pacharan]

Was discussing this with the crew in the pub last night.

We could, in fact, have a Queen Mother sooner than we think: Cadillac.

The scenario is this: Charles becomes king and reigns until he passes on, say for 39 years or so.

Camilla survives him, Wills becomes king and there's our next Queen Mum.
God bless her!

[TheFaQQer]

The scenario is this: Charles becomes king and reigns until he passes on, say for 39 years or so.

Camilla survives him, Wills becomes king and there's our next Queen Mum.
God bless her!

In fact, the Queen Mother is a Queen Dowager (widow of a king who reigned in his own right) who is also mother of a reigning sovereign.

Camilla is William's mother?!?!?

[pacharan]

Camilla is William's mother?!?!?

Shoot. Forgott that tiny detail.

Step Queen Mum?

[OwlHoot]

I'm only a third of the way through it but so far no revisionist claptrap.

Which is surprising since Ken Follett is a leading light of the New Labour Literatti.

Then again, the period in which it is set predates all the stuff they're ashamed of.

Pillars of the Earth is also available on DVD. It's an excellent mini-series. Hmm, might watch it again soon.

I'm surprised someone like Ken Follett hasn't written a historical novel based on William Fitz Osbert, a 12th century agitator and champion of the poor.

Fitz Osbert was a striking figure who held demagogue-like charismatic power over his followers. He had a long beard and was given the nickname "the Bearded". He had a University education, had been on Crusade and held a civic office in London. A contemporary remarked "He was of ready wit, moderately skilled in literature, and eloquent beyond measure; and wishing .. to make himself a great name, he began to scheme .. upon the achievement of mighty plans."

"I am the savior of the poor. Do ye, oh, poor! who have experienced the heaviness of rich men's hands, drink from my wells the waters of the doctrine of salvation, and ye may do this joyfully; for the time of your visitation is at hand. For I will divide the waters from the waters. The people are the waters. I will divide the humble from the haughty and treacherous. I will separate the elect from the reprobate, as light from darkness."

[mudskipper]

Camilla is William's mother?!?!?

That would be an interesting twist on the plot! Although I think he looks a bit too much like Diana for it to be likely.

[NotAllThere]

Which is surprising since Ken Follett is a leading light of the New Labour Literatti....

Yep, and his wife, Babs. And possibly his wife's babs. My dad introduced them to each other (they were both married to other people at the time); they were all members of the same constituency party.