The World's Oldest Obsession

The Royal Family of The United States

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:46:29 +0000

Tonight I would like to take a break from European Royalty to write about the The Royal Family of The United States- The Kennedy’s.

Tonight, Ted Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. He was finally reunited with the two brothers that inspired him and created the vision that he helped carried out as a Senator for 46 years. Personal demons and public tragedies aside, The Kennedy’s have been the most important family in the United States. They have been committed to public service and fought against injustice wherever they saw it. They worked tirelessly in support of helping others. John, Robert, Eunice and Ted were single-handedly responsible for helping immigrants, minorities, the poor and handicapped Americans. I have always loved Robert Kennedy the most but Ted was able to live longer and carry out “The Kennedy Vision”. I can’t imagine the pain that he must have endured in his life. First, when he was a child and his oldest brother and idol, Joe, died and then shortly after, his sister Kathleen died in a plane crash. Then he grew up to lose his two older brothers. They inspired him, they were his best friends and they were taken away too soon.

When they died, Ted was never the same but he went on to take care of the Kennedy family. He also helped take care of their children, he never missed a family party, a holiday, he was even the man that walked his nieces down the aisle. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline Kennedy down the aisle and gave her away at the altar, he received a note from Jacqueline Kennedy that read,

”On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to be spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love.” Since, he passed away from brain cancer a few days ago, I have gone back and reflected on all of the things that he and his family has done.

As United States Senators, The Kennedy brother’s served on the Labor and Human Resources and Judicial Committees. As a result of their efforts, legislation has passed into law that created equal pay for women, increases in the minimum wage, time and a half for overtime work, meals on wheels, parental leave, Head Start, child health insurance, health insurance portability, education funding, teacher training, childhood immunization, Indian education, occupational safety, civil rights for the disabled, consumer protection, the war on cancer, nurses training, legal services, support for people with mental retardation, the Age Discrimination Act, Literacy Corps, fair housing, Satellite Education, and job training programs to name just a few.

As President, John F. Kennedy was the first to call the challenge of civil rights “a moral issue” for the United States of America. Robert and Ted Kennedy lead the way on civil rights legislation from the elimination of the poll tax, and protection of voting rights to the integration of schools and right to public accommodations. Eighteen year-olds gained the right to vote under the sponsorship of Senator Ted Kennedy, and women got an equal right to athletic program funding because of his efforts on behalf of Title IX legislation. To preserve our environment and keep our citizens safer, the Kennedy brothers were on the forefront of the drive to insure clean air and water, and obtain gun control legislation.

Reaching out to the rest of the world President Kennedy created the Peace Corps, which embodied his ethic of public service. Because he looked to the future, he challenged us to go to the moon. And in marshalling all of our resources and talent to accomplish that historic goal, great discoveries were made that benefit our daily life here on earth. Robert Kennedy fought to end the Vietnam War and in South Africa, to end apartheid. Picking up their fallen dreams after they died, it was Ted Kennedy who carried on those efforts and became a champion of human rights around the globe.

The sisters of John, Robert and Ted Kennedy have made significant contributions in the area of public service as well. Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the Special Olympics in her backyard and guided it into becoming a worldwide effort and International Organization that has greatly enhanced the lives of people with mental retardation. President Reagan presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her outstanding work. Eunice just passed away two weeks ago at age 88. Ted was too sick to go to her funeral.

The members of the Kennedy family have always believed in public service, and that there are many ways one can serve one’s country and community without being in elective office. John, Robert and Ted Kennedy have followed the credo that “One person can make a difference and every one should try.” I am going to end this post with a quote that Bobby Kennedy recited at his brother, John’s funeral. Jacqueline Kennedy gave this to him to read from Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet:

and when [he] shall die

Take him and cut him out in little stars

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.

16th Century Cougar- Diane de Poitiers

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:02:35 +0000

Diane de Poitiers (September 3, 1499- April 25, 1566) was a fixture at the French court and became notorious as the mistress of King Henri II. At the age of 15, she married a man 39 years older, Louis de Brézé, seigneur d’Anet and had two daughters with him. Louis de Brézé died in 1531 and Diane took up black as her main color of dress for the rest of her life, adding later some white and grey. Diane was a very unusual woman in her day. She was brilliant, gorgeous and an incredible athlete. Her shrewd knowledge in financial matters and legal issues became apparent after her huband’s death as she fought to retain her late husband’s title of “sénéchale de Normandie” which she accomplished.

She stayed at court after becoming a widow at 35 and was appointed to head the royal nursery. It is here that young eight year old Henri (son of King Francois I) grew attached to Diane. As the years progressed Henri fell madly in love Diane, nearly 20 years older than him and his admiration would grow into one of the most powerful love affairs in history.

Although King Henri II fulfilled his duty by marrying the noble foreigner Catherine de’ Medici, Diane de Poitiers would remain his lifelong true love. They had one daughter born in 1538 Diane, Duchess d’Angoulême (1538-1619).

Diane was a beautiful woman who maintained her looks well into her fifties, Diane possessed an extreme intellect and a political astuteness to the point that the King trusted her to write many of his official letters and to even sign them jointly with the one name: HenriDiane. She was in fact, the “brains behind the throne”. Diane even arranged the marriage between his son Francis and Mary Queen of Scots. Henri gave Diane the Crown Jewels of France, had the Chateau d’Anet built for her, and gave her the Chateau at Chenonceaux, much to the horror of Catherine who had desperately wanted it for herself. Naturally, this did not sit well with the real Queen, who really loved her husband.

In 1559, Henri was critically wounded in a jousting tournament.

Catherine de’ Medici took control, restricting access to him. Although the king called out repeatedly for Diane, she was never summoned, and when he died, they never had a chance to say goodbye. Catherine also banned her from the funeral. Soon after that, Catherine de’ Medici took all of the gifts and jewels that Henri gave Diane and banished her from Chenonceaux. She lived the rest of her life away from court and died on April 22, 1566, when she was 67 years old.

Is Perception Reality?

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:01:13 +0000

I don’t think so. I think perception is only a reality to people who just choose to listen to others. They don’t think for themselves, they just listen. They choose to believe storytellers. They choose NOT to seek the truth. Perception has led to the downfalls of many Royals but the one Queen who suffered a life of gossip was the beautiful Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots).

From the start of her life until the end, various people created stories about Mary and eventually, those perceptions led to her downfall and execution. Mary Queen of Scots was a very beautiful, tragic woman who was born to James V and Marie of Guise. Her father died when she was only a few days and she became the Queen of Scotland when she was a baby. She grew up in France because she was betrothed to the Dauphin, Francis, son of Catharine de Medici and Henri III. When they were teenagers, she and the Dauphin married, but he died when he was a teenager.

So as a childless teenage widow she went home to Scotland to rule it. Since she was brought up in France, she behaved more French than Scottish and faced challenges “fitting in”. Plus, she was a Roman Catholic, so she really stood out. This was the beginning of the stories and the rumors. She had to find someone suitable to marry because she needed to produce an heir. She chose Henry, Lord Darnely who was a cousin, descendent of Henry VII and of his daughter Margaret Tudor by her second marriage. She loved Henry with all of her heart. Whereas her first marriage had been happy, her marriage to Lord Darnley was a disaster. Initially the couple did love each other, but as time went on Darnley’s true nature came out.

He was weak, mean, petty, cowardly, jealous, and a drunk. The marriage completely caved in when Darnley murdered one of Mary’s close friend and secretary, David Rizzio. He murdered him because he thought they were having an affair (false). Mary was pregnant at the time when Rizzio was murdered right before her eyes. In February 1567, Darnley was found dead in the garden of his home, after a huge explosion had taken place in the house.

She soon married James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, who was generally believed to be Darnley’s murderer. Following an uprising against the couple, Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle and forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her one-year-old son, James VI. After an unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne, Mary fled to England seeking protection from her father’s first cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, whose kingdom she hoped to inherit. Elizabeth, however, ordered her arrest, because of the threat presented by Mary, who was considered the rightful ruler of England by many English Catholics.

After a long period of custody in England, she was tried and executed for treason following her alleged involvement in three plots to assassinate Elizabeth and place herself on the English throne.

James, then a young man ruling Scotland had never known his mother and thus didn’t step in to save her. Plus, he wanted to have the English succession, so that was another reason he did nothing. All in all, Mary’s was a sad life full of rumors, stories and bad decisions.

What do you think? Perception or reality?

A Woman that Defied King Henry VIII and Didn’t Lose Her Head!

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:44:47 +0000

Sometimes I dream of being a writer for Showtime’s original series, The Tudors. No because I want to be close to Jonathan Rhys Myers but because I want to fill America in on all of the historical drama that they have left out. They left out the amazing story of Katherine of Valois and they completely butchered the story of the beautiful Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII. For those who haven’t watched The Tudors, the writers decided to combine Henry’s two sisters (Mary and Margaret) into one woman (weird), named Margaret Tudor, who in the series marries the King of Portugal and then later kills him. Not only is this false, but it is really boring. The truth is that these two women and their marriages changed history forever. For this post, I will only write about Princess Mary Tudor.

Princess Mary Tudor was the youngest surviving daughter of Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York. She was on March 18, 1496, and was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in England. She was very similar to her big brother, Henry, and was vivacious, curious and very energetic. She loved clothes, food, dancing and partying. Since her father died when she was five she was basically unchaperoned and did anything that she wanted. Henry used her as a royal pawn (like most Kings and Queens did) and he betrothed her to King Louis XII of France, who was 34 years older than her. Described as “feeble and pock-marked”, he was unattractive, overweight and already buried two wives. Mary refused to wed the French king, weeping and screaming for days. Since Henry adored his little sister, he struck a deal with her: she would do her princess duty and marry the French King. But, if she were to outlive Louis - which was very likely - she wanted her next husband to be one of her own choosing. Henry agreed, quite possibly with the intention of never honoring his promise.

In the meantime, Mary had already fallen in love with the King’s best friend, Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. Charles Brandon was gorgeous, athletic, very popular and in love with Mary too. Even though Brandon was a Duke, marriage to him would still have been considered marrying beneath her. Even though she loved him, a union between the two would have been unthinkable.   So she went to France and was married to the King in the fall of 1514. Three months later, Louis XII died! And guess who King Henry VIII sent to bring Mary back from France? Charles Brandon. Well they didn’t return back to England so quickly because THEY GOT MARRIED IN SECRECY!  Rumors started to spread and Charles had no choice but to write a letter and let King Henry VIII know. Henry flipped out. He was angry because they did this in secrecy and because she lost her dowry. This was considered treason and many members of the royal family wanted Charles to be executed. However, Mary was his favorite sister (he named the famous ship Mary Rose after her, as well as his only legitimate child at the time, the princess Mary) and Charles was an old friend, and the couple was soon forgiven but not without a price. Henry demanded that Charles and Mary repay the treasury the money that was spent for her dowry to France, which amounted to 24,000 pounds, a huge sum at the time but she also had to return all the plate and jewels and all the gifts that Louis XII had given her. After that, all was forgiven and they were married in a quiet, private ceremony.

Their love didn’t last very long though. Mary died very young, when she was in her 30s, and Charles wasted no time in re-marrying. He quickly married Catherine Willoughby, an heiress, who was 14 at the time of their marriage, Suffolk was almost 50.

Mommy Dearest

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:21:16 +0000

All of you English history buffs have heard about the “Two Princes in the Tower” but many people don’t know about their mother, the beautiful Elizabeth Woodville. Like Katherine of Valois, Elizabeth Woodville is a footnote in the history books, but she had a significant impact on English history. And for all of you pop-culture fans, she was also King Henry VIII’s grandmother.

Elizabeth was born in 1437 in Northamptonshire and grew up to be called “the most beautiful woman in the Island of Britain”. For the sake of brevity, I am going to fast forward to when she was married to Edward IV, the King of England, in 1464. Edward IV was known to be a womanizer but that didn’t faze Elizabeth; She loved him. Elizabeth also loved being the Queen of England. The War of the Roses was tearing up England, but life was good for Elizabeth. She had 10 surviving children with Edward, including 3 sons. Since she produced an heir to the throne, she became secure at court, or so she thought. Edward IV died in 1484 and their 12-year-old son, Edward V became King. His father’s brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was entrusted with the role of Protector to Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York. But for some strange reason, Richard ( the Uncle) intercepted Edward and his brother Richard on their return journey from Wales and escorted them to the Tower of London for “their safety”. Then Richard ( the Uncle) breaks the news to Elizabeth that King Edward IV married another woman before her named Lady Eleanor Butler. Since Lady Butler was alive when the King married Elizabeth, her marriage become null and her children became illegitimate. Elizabeth was devastated. She was heartbroken over Ms. Butler and even more devastated that her children became illegitimate. Less than three months later, Richard (the Uncle) took the throne himself. On top of that, she never saw her two sons again; Her sons became the famous “Princes in the Tower”. After the two boys went into the Tower of London, they were never seen in public again. What happened to them is one of the great mysteries of history but it is safe to say that Uncle Richard had something to do with their disappearance. This sounds like a new Angelina Jolie film, but this is all true.

Soon enough, Elizabeth Woodville got her revenge AND her seat in court when her daughter, Elizabeth of York, grew up to marry King Henry VII.

The Real Housewives of London

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:25:46 +0000

My sincerest apologies for taking such a long hiatus. Thank you to all of my fans for your great emails and notes asking about the next post. I have been so busy traveling and working that I haven’t had a chance to post anything. My recent break in writing had me thinking about all of the famous royals who dedicated so much of their time to the arts, especially writing. It takes so much time and dedication to write a story and believe it or not, some royals were excellent storytellers. Especially, Georgiana Cavendish, The Duchess of Devonshire. I know I write about her a lot, but she was a remarkable woman and the movie did not do her justice! She was also an incredible writer and wrote successful plays, poems and books.

Georgiana seemed to have it all however, she disguised her hideous and demeaning private life. Within a few short months of her marriage to the Duke, she became a heavy drinker, drug-taker, and a gambling addict. By the time she realized what had happened to her it was too late. ‘When I first came into the world the novelty of the scene made me like everything,’ she wrote in 1778. “But my heart now feels an emptiness in the beau monde which cannot be filled…nobody can think how much I am tired sometimes which the dissipation I live in.” Feeling trapped by the world she became a part of, Georgiana chose to write about her situation anonymously. The result was a book in 1778 called, The Sylph, by ‘A Young Lady’, a tell-all about high society in general, and the Devonshire House Circle in particular.

The novel was a great success. Part of its allure was the mystery behind the author’s identity. At first, people believed that Fanny Burney was the author, and Burney’s publisher tried to hint as much in order to increase his sales. But soon Georgiana’s friends recognized some of their more intimate details in the book, and the secret was out. Plus, Georgiana didn’t really disguise some names in her book.

The Sylph shocked readers because it portrayed the aristocracy as a collection of drunks, blackmailers, wife beaters and adulterers. Written in a series of letters, the story follows the misadventures of the young and beautiful Julia Stanley, a naïve country girl who has married the cruel and reckless Sir William. Having only known her husband for a short while, Julia discovers too late that Sir William is a terrible man whose only interests are fashion and gambling. But she tries to keep his affections by learning the ways of the Ton (the circle that Georgiana was a part of). At first she is shy and timid, but slowly she becomes adept at living a la mode: she can talk, sing, dance, dress and think like a fashionable person. But during the process she realizes that her soul is being corrupted by the cynicism and heartlessness of her new friends and family.

The heart of the novel is Julia’s struggle to remain true to herself while those around her either submit or are beaten down into embracing an immoral life. The Sylph is a unique, insider’s glimpse of eighteenth-century High Society. Georgiana describes a competitive, vicious world where opportunists, liars and bullies flourish. It is a world that rewards vice and values hypocrisy; where women have few rights and must defend themselves in any way they can. The irony is that even as Georgiana was protesting against this world, she was also its creature. However, with the publication of The Sylph, she had made her first step towards independence. Her own career as the Leader of the Ton would be vastly different from her heroine’s but, after suffering disgrace and exile, Georgiana would eventually emerge as the most successful female politician of her era. What also makes this novel so compelling is that it predates Jane Austen’s masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, by three decades.

Now, if Georgiana could pull of a secret, tell-all novel, can you imagine what her Twitter page would have looked like.

The Bold and the Brilliant

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:54:27 +0000

In 1395, The Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold, was so afraid of the Gamay grape that he banned it. That’s right: a Duke called “the Bold” feared a grape. But this was one of the best decisions in oenology history. He ordered Gamay vineyards to be torn out of Burgundy and banned from ever being planted there again so that it would not compete with Pinot Noir. Good decision.

Pinot Noir is one of my favorites but I feel like Gamay is the Rodney Dangerfield of the grape world, it gets no respect. For centuries, Gamay has struggled to be seen as a serious wine contender (except, in food-savvy Lyon). And I think it is surprising that a beverage so lightly regarded has become one of the world’s most popular wines, with more than 70 million bottles sold annually.

Philip the Bold was also Philip the Brilliant because over the last 600 years, it has become clear that while Gamay might not be suited to Burgundy, it is very much suited to the Beaujolais region. And while Gamay might not produce the world-class age-worthy wines that Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir are capable of, it still makes a juicy and tasty wine.

Gamay grows on the fast side – it is an early budding, flowering and ripening grape which means that although it can be sensitive to frost, it is also capable of ripening in cooler climates. This is one reason why you can find it grown in the Loire and also in Switzerland. Gamay tends to have a fairly crisp level of acid and aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and raspberries. For drinkers looking for a red with fairly soft tannins, Gamay is a great red grape to try. In fact, if you are new to red wines, I recommend that you consider starting out with a red grape like Gamay.

Although Gamay is grown in several different regions, it is practically synonymous with the Beaujolais region. As the Oxford Companion to Wine points out, “no other wine region is so determinedly monocepagiste as Beaujolais…” meaning that no other wine region relies so heavily on just one single grape variety for all of the wines produced in that region. The wines of Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages and the 10 crus of Beaujolais are all made from the Gamay grape.

I don’t know what the Dukes of Burgundy had against the Gamay grape because it turns out that 60 years later, Philip the Good, issued another edict against Gamay in which he stated the reasoning for the ban is that “The Dukes of Burgundy are known as the lords of the best wines in Christendom. We will maintain our reputation”.

Oh and if you are wondering why Philip was called “the Bold”, it has nothing to do with wine. Philip was the founder of the second and last ducal house of Burgundy, the fourth son of John II, King of France and for all of his courageous and bold actions in the Battle of Poitiers (1356); he won the nickname “The Bold”.

The Tudor Telenovela

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:19:29 +0000

If you thought King Henry VIII lived a dramatic life, just wait till you read about his great grandmother, Katherine of Valois. Katherine’s life was filled with neglect, loss, insanity, love and secrecy. Typical of a Tudor.

Katherine (or Catherine) of Valois was a French princess, born in 1401. She was the daughter of King Charles VI, aka Charles “The Mad” and Isabeau de Bavière. Her story is so fascinating and I am shocked that she is nothing more than a footnote in the pages of history. I am going to sum up her life in a few paragraphs but I recommend that you read about her because you will get hooked.

Basically, her father was insane and thought he was made of glass. Her mother took advantage of this and had public affairs left and right; many people believe that her sons were from another man. In fact, her son's legitimacy, the future King of France, was questioned his entire life. While her mother was out having fun, Katherine and her siblings lived in poverty and filth. She loved her father so much and couldn’t bear to see him so ill. She also yearned for her mother’s love and approval but her mother had NO interest in her children, OF COURSE until they became valuable.

Meanwhile, England was at war with France, and the English were conquering more and more land everyday. When she was 19, Katherine was signed over to King Henry V of England as part of the Treaty of Troyes. So not only was she sent away to a country that was at war with her homeland, but she was now married to a man that took the crown away from her father and brother. The English never trusted her because she was French and the French hated her because she was a traitor. She was alone again. Eventually she got pregnant and gave King Henry V an heir. She adored her son and showered him with the love that she never received. Just a few months after her son was born, King Henry V got sick and died.

Soon she was exiled from court and her son was taken away from her to be raised by his uncles. She was sent to live in the English countryside. She was alone again but soon found comfort and friendship with a Welsh man that managed her wardrobe. That’s right, her wardrobe. That man’s name was Owen Tudor and that is how the Tudor dynasty started.

Oh wait, there is more. They fell madly in love, married in secrecy (she was forbidden to marry again) and had 6 children. Eventually people found out about their marriage and she was sent away to live in Bermondsey Abbey, where she died from an illness. After her death, Owen and Katherine's enemies decided to proceed against Owen for violating the law of the remarriage of the Queen. Owen appeared before the Council, acquitting himself of all charges and was released. On his way back to Wales, he was arrested and his possessions seized. Meanwhile, Owen and Katherine's two older sons, Edmund and Jasper, were sent to live with Catherine de la Pole, who was abbess of Barking and sister to the Earl of Suffolk.

Sometime after 1442, King Henry VI (Katherine’s first son with King Henry V) stepped in and took a role in their upbringing and made them both Earls. Edmund would live on to become the father of the future King Henry VII and the grandfather of King Henry VIII. Can you believe that Showtime left this out of The Tudors?

The First Lady of Fashion

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:22:22 +0000

(excerpt from) The Boston Herald

All Eyes Will be on Michelle Obama and her Choice of Inaugural Gown

By Maria Recio / McClatchy Newspapers-Wednesday, January 7, 2009

WASHINGTON - Inauguration Day will belong to President Barack Obama, but that night will be wife Michelle’s turn in the spotlight, as all eyes will be on her - and her choice of ball gown. Throughout U.S. history, and especially in the post-World War II era, first ladies have made statements about themselves and the times they live in with their inaugural wardrobes.

Michelle Obama is creating a fashion frenzy. And even though we think that fashion and politics is a modern phenomenon, it isn’t. The first woman to use fashion for political reasons was the influential and beautiful Georgiana Cavendish, The Duchess of Devonshire.

In the late 1700s, Georgiana created a stir over everything that she wore. She blended her fashion panache with her desire to support politicians and their political ideas. Plus, Georgiana understood and mastered the power of art and symbolism. To support her candidate, Charles Fox, and “The Foxite Whigs”, Georgiana often dressed in fox fur. Soon enough, everyone started to wear fox fur. To boost morale for a war where women had no place as soldiers, Georgiana organized a group of aristocratic women to dress in soldier-like uniforms.

She also used color to rally support for the Whigs, whose hues were blue and buff. Not only did she wear blue and buff during the election but she also created a scene with a giant blue and buff hot air balloon. At a time when women had no place in politics, she rallied women to join her and London’s finest would show up at the rallies with blue and buff uniforms and large foxtails in their hair. The newspapers would always cover it and the Whig party’s message was spread exponentially. Amanda Foreman, author of The Duchess, explains how the Duchess of Devonshire was an innovator in using fashion and message to support the cause: “Georgiana should be credited with being one of the first to refine political messages for mass communication. She was an image-maker who understood the necessity for public relations, and she became adept at the manipulation of political symbols and the dissemination of party propaganda.”

Dominic Cooper AKA Charles Grey and Willoughby

Vivianna Barrera-Blanch — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:46:20 +0000

I don’t really get star struck, but I had to upload this picture of me and Dominic Cooper. He played Charles Grey in The Duchess. He also played Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility.