Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant”

“It’s no roistering doistering Tudor romp.” – Damian Lewis

Indeed. Be forewarned, in Wolf Hall, viewers will get no heaving bosoms, no bodices ripped by spoiled princes with fickle insatiable appetites. The King’s private life and private matters are very much the subject of this drama, but the King’s chambers are very much off limits to the camera throughout this series.

Wolf Hall is about Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell did all his most significant work during the reign of Henry VIII, thus, Wolf Hall is also about Henry VIII, but only insofar as the King is the patron and leader and provider of opportunity behind Cromwell’s ideas. Lots of things changed in fact and in spirit during this time in English History. Since England was such an expansionist empire, these ideas rippled throughout the world, and, even you, especially you, dear America, were a beneficiary of the ideas born in the time this story is told.

Continue reading “Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant””

Trivia Tuesday on Abbey Road

Abbey Road, London. It’s special. It’s special because it houses the famous zebra crossing that the Beatles walk on the cover of their fantastic album, titled, of course, Abbey Road.

abbeyroadcover

Can you imagine, how many fans, from England and all around the world, speaking all different languages, but sharing the same love for the Beatles, have crossed the street posing like one of the Fab Four?

Now… Did you know that Damian Lewis actually grew up on Abbey Road and not far from the zebra crossing?  Continue reading “Trivia Tuesday on Abbey Road”

Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode One: Three Card Trick

“Perhaps you should teach me your Three Card Trick… in case we both end up on the streets.” -Cardinal Wolsey

source: BBC
source: BBC

“Three-Card Trick” is a slow-burning episode that sets the scene for Wolf Hall. We get to meet our protagonist, Thomas Cromwell, and find out about his personal tragedy — from his humble beginnings as a violent blacksmith’s son to losing his wife and two daughters to “sweating sickness.” Cromwell starts at the bottom, escapes from home at an early age, spends time in Europe, learns trade, fights for France, and is now a pretty affluent lawyer in the service of Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of the King Henry VIII. Still, our Thomas is “Master” Cromwell — or  “a person” as Duke of Norfolk likes to call him — essentially, he doesn’t have a title. Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode One: Three Card Trick”

Meet the “Leading Lady” of Wolf Hall

Oh, no, I am not talking about Claire Foy. She is absolutely a brilliant actress, however it turns out the “leading lady of Wolf Hall” is… Damian Lewis!

How come? Read and find out 🙂

source: BBC
source: BBC

Continue reading “Meet the “Leading Lady” of Wolf Hall”

Why We Talk about Codpiece When We Talk about Wolf Hall

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source: farfarawaysite.com

Well, there has been one single most important controversy about Wolf Hall that got everyone talking about for months now… The codpiece 🙂

It was during the filming of Wolf Hall this past summer that I noticed some unusual interest in the codpiece. Historian Lucy Worsley, who interviewed Damian Lewis on the set of Wolf Hall, tweeted:

lucyworsleycodpiecetweet
source: Lucy Worsley twitter

Codpiece? Now, where did this come from? Continue reading “Why We Talk about Codpiece When We Talk about Wolf Hall”