#home capet

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

photography by Eloise Capet

* * * *

My beloved became an Upper West Side New Yorker. At age fifty-eight she retired. She did finally study Shakespeare, putting herself through four years of a BA at Sarah Lawrence. All the other students in her classes were nearly forty years her junior. In the Shakespeare class, when it was her turn to recite a memorized passage, she chose Othello.

She told me that, as she spoke the lines,

When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,  speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,  nor set down aught in malice:  then must you speak of one that lov’d not wisely,  but too well, 

tears rolled down her cheeks. She had a whole lifetime to know the truth of that great playwright’s words. The students, in their twenties in desks around her, mostly theater majors fulfilling a course requirement, stared at her. One called out, “Wow, you really feel this, don’t you?”

Let the Whole Thundering World Come Home: A Memoir Natalie Goldberg

[from "Alive On All Channels"]

[thestressedsimmer]

In Memory of All Those Who Died in 1316

Ealusaid Paorach

1281 - February 7th, 1316

Ealusaid Paorach was a servile woman who served the lands of Baron John Comyn III. By all accounts, she was a loving mother, claiming that her children were her lifeblood. She was known to sing a little too loudly and argue her point slightly too passionately. Her husband could often be found sitting on the outside of his home, joking to the neighbors that his wife would not let him in once again.

She had five children with her husband. Four of them were biological and out of that, they had one living son, Odart. Her fifth child was a "miracle child" that was left on her doorstep in 1312 - but if you asked her, Malise was her blood just as much as any of her children had been.

In 1314 she was widowed, but she kept her head held high and cared for her boys through her grief. And then again through over a year of the Great Famine. Unfortunately, she was murdered by an unknown assailant and her life was cut short at 35 years old.

She is survived by her two sons, Odart and Malise Paorach.

Isaie Picard

June 10th, 1315 - April 7th, 1316

Isaie was born the first son of Éduin Picard and his wife Edelinne. They had desperately been trying for children for their entire marriage and were only blessed once the Great Famine came and ravaged their homeland.

By all accounts, he was a happy and energetic baby who enjoyed being in his mother's back carrier and trying to 'help' her clean even though he could not do such a thing. He also enjoyed sounds and would often soothe himself when his parents were too busy to tend to him.

His is survived by his parents and his older sister, Mabile Picard.

Mademoiselle Genevote Capet

July 7th, 1315 - May 6th, 1316

Genevote was born a lady of the court to her parents, Duke Robert and Duchess Elizabeth of Willow Creek. She was born a twin, however her brother was born sleeping and she was the only one out of all three of them to survive the birth.

While she was beloved by her father, she spent most of her life crying or sleeping. Unfortunately for the babe, she was born during a time of famine and none of her wetnurses were eating enough to nourish her.

She joined her brother and mother in the arms of the Watcher after only nine months of life.

She is survived by her father, His Royal Highness Prince Robert, Duke of Willow Creek.

Adamuccio Ezzo

1282 - June 14th, 1316

Adamuccio was a servile man in the Tartosian countryside who made a living farming the lands of the Holy Tartosian Empire. He was a quiet man - originally married to a woman named Odierna and they created a thriving farm. Unfortunately, his first wife passed away and he was left with no children and with the entire farm to himself.

Thusly, he married a woman named Vanna in 1314 and together, they had a son in 1315 and she fell pregnant again in 1316. While their farm had been thriving, they were unlucky enough to be just in the path of the Great Famine, even as surrounding farms were unaffected, and as such they had to ration their supplies. Seeing as he had an infant son and pregnant wife, Adamuccio sacrificed for the two of them. The stubborn man he was, he didn't express when his health started to fail and he finally collapsed one day when trying to lighten his wife's workload.

He's survived by his wife Vanna Ezzo, his son Neri Ezzo, and his daughter (born after his death) Junipera Ezzo.

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Frederick of Tartosa

1286 - August 1st, 1316

Frederick was born the second son to a king from a faraway land, his childhood was rather unremarkable in those aspects. After his father's death in 1308, he became the head of his family house and a duke - eventually succeeding him as king.

Eventually, in the year 1314, he was elected the Holy Tartosian Emperor and was crowned shortly afterwards. Of course, that in itself wasn't without its difficulties because there was a dispute over who was the true emperor and another man was crowned at the same time.

Frederick wasted no time making political moves. He invited the royal family of Henford on Bagley to his keep for Christmas and managed to warm himself to both the queen and the queen mother, ending that holiday with a betrothal. He also started to raise his army.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, he never got a chance to realize his plans and he died of an illness that was ravaging the nearby countryside due to the great famine.

[sansterreurnivertu]

Why didn't LRF have Gabrielle pregnant or giving birth when she died? In a scene in January 1793 (just before the trial of Louis Capet), she does not appear to be pregnant. Also, in the scene where Danton is informed of her death, Camille tells him that her death is so sudden that no one knows what happened. (He doesn't mention the pregnancy at all).

But I don't think it's because the filmmakers avoided making her pregnant. Even though they sometimes distort historical facts, they repeatedly show her as a pregnant woman.

For example, when she greets Danton when he returns home after meeting with Mirabeau and others, her belly is quite large. This scene must have taken place in the spring of 1789, since Mirabeau tells him that he has won the election for the Estate-General. However, the Dantons' first son was born in May 1788, and she was not pregnant at the time.

In addition, in the scene where the Declaration of Human Rights is read, she is shown with a rather large bump. Considering their 2nd child Antoine Danton's date of birth (June 18, 1790), it's historically (and medically) inaccurate for her belly to be that big around August 1789 (but if they say this is a symbolic scene and not necessarily chronological, I can't argue anymore).

It's strange that they pretend that Gabrielle didn't have a (probably) historical conception while having her have fictional ones. Since she is carefully portrayed as one of the main characters in the film, I don't believe it is simply a lack of research. Did the directors think that her sudden (and unrelated to pregnancy) death would be more tragic?

I know that LRF has been noted for historical inaccuracy and bias in its description of the characters. Many of the scenes in which Gabrielle appears are probably also fictional. However, I don't think a film must always be 100% historically accurate at all times, and there are some scenes where the interest of the story should take precedence. The scene of her death is very heartbreaking, which means it's a good one (too sad to watch back. But I believe Georges should have dug her up from the grave himself and it could have been in a more gothic mood). And I think the suddenness of the death amplifies the sadness, and this change succeeds in a narrative sense. So this is not a complaint, just a question.

[thykingdomrp7]

*The following characters are no longer available to be played.

Eammon of Breifne. He remains in the kingdom but he is no longer playable.

Louis of Capet. Prince Louis returned back home.

Alena of Hohenzollern. Princess Alena lives outside of the kingdom due to some unexpected circumstances surrounding their family and occupation.

Lukas of Hohenzollern. Prince Lukas lives outside of the kingdom due to some unexpected circumstances surrounding their family and occupation.

Lucien of Brie. Lucien remains in town but is no longer playable.

Malaya Lakandula. Malaya returned home to Spain. 

Michael Williams. Michael feared being punished for working undercover to gather information on the Hohenzollern Kingdom that he left Germany never to return.

Isabelle of Hohenzollern. Princess Isabelle is traveling the world. 

Viktor of Obrenović. Viktor finished his training and was sent back home to Serbia.

Katrin of Vasa. Princess Katrin left for Sweden to be with her family.

Ina Panganiban. Slave who was murdered in her own home.

Charlie Dupont. An undercover photographer who skipped town after realizing her friend and partner-in-crime had left the kingdom to avoid punishment for the crimes he committed [imitating a royalty.]

Frederika of Grimaldo. Princess Frederika finally returned to Monaco to be with her family after his cousin, Prince Annis, paid for her freedom and remaining in the kingdom to participate in the Queen’s tradition.

Breana Shiloh of Guise. The princess left Hohenzollern to return home due to a family emergency.

Vanessa of Hohenzollern. The princess left Hohenzollern to return to home.

Marko of Obrenović. The prince left Hohenzollern after the hunt incident.

Suzanne Michaux. Remains in the castle, unavailable.

Anna Camilla of Iturbide. The Princess returned to her kingdom after the incident at the Queen’s birthday.

Alan of Bourbon. Prince Alan returned to France after the incident at the hunt.

[jandrcleaning]

Are there any carpets that cannot be cleaned?

Introduction

Carpets are a popular choice for flooring, adding warmth, comfort, and style to homes and offices. However, maintaining their cleanliness and appearance can be challenging. Have you ever wondered if there are carpets that simply cannot be cleaned? At J & R CLEANING Company, we’ve encountered various carpet types and stains, and we're here to share our insights on which carpets pose the most significant cleaning challenges and why.

Understanding Carpet Materials

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the different materials used in carpet manufacturing. The material composition plays a crucial role in determining the cleanability of a carpet. Capet Cleaning Fort McMurray highlights that carpets can be broadly categorized into natural fibers and synthetic fibers, each with unique characteristics.

Natural Fiber Carpets

Wool

Wool is a luxurious natural fiber known for its softness and durability. However, it is highly absorbent, making it susceptible to staining and damage from excessive moisture.

Sisal

Sisal is a natural fiber derived from the agave plant. It is durable and environmentally friendly but can be challenging to clean due to its coarse texture and sensitivity to water.

Jute

Jute is another natural fiber that offers a rustic charm. It is softer than sisal but equally sensitive to moisture, making it prone to mold and mildew if not properly cared for.

Synthetic Fiber Carpets

Nylon

Nylon is one of the most popular synthetic fibers used in carpets. It is known for its resilience and stain resistance, although it can be susceptible to oil-based stains.

Polyester

Polyester carpets are valued for their vibrant colors and resistance to fading. However, they can attract oily stains, which can be difficult to remove.

Olefin

Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is highly resistant to moisture and staining. However, it is less resilient than nylon and can be crushed under heavy foot traffic.

Factors Affecting Cleanability

Several factors influence how easily a carpet can be cleaned, including its material composition, the type of stains it encounters, and its age. Carpet Cleaning Services Fort McMurray often finds that older carpets with worn fibers are more challenging to clean than newer ones.

Challenges with Natural Fiber Carpets

Sensitivity to Moisture

Natural fibers like wool, sisal, and jute are highly absorbent and can be damaged by excessive moisture. This sensitivity makes them more challenging to clean, especially with water-based methods.

Risk of Shrinking and Discoloration

Improper cleaning techniques can cause natural fiber carpets to shrink or discolor. For instance, using hot water on wool can cause it to shrink, while harsh chemicals can lead to discoloration.

 

Professional Cleaning Techniques

Hot Water Extraction

Also known as steam cleaning, this method involves injecting hot water and cleaning solution into the carpet fibers and then extracting it along with dirt and debris. It’s highly effective for deep cleaning but must be done carefully to avoid over-wetting.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning uses minimal water and relies on specialized cleaning compounds. This method is suitable for delicate carpets and those sensitive to moisture.

Bonnet Cleaning

Bonnet cleaning involves using a rotating pad soaked in cleaning solution to scrub the carpet’s surface. It’s effective for routine maintenance but may not remove deeply embedded dirt.

Special Considerations for Delicate Carpets

Antique and Vintage Carpets

Antique and vintage carpets require special care due to their age and delicate materials. Professional cleaners with experience in handling such carpets are essential to prevent damage.

Handmade and Hand-Knotted Carpets

Handmade and hand-knotted carpets are often valuable and intricately designed. They need gentle cleaning techniques to preserve their beauty and structural integrity.

The Role of Carpet Protection Treatments

Benefits of Stain-Resistant Treatments

Applying stain-resistant treatments can help protect carpets from spills and stains, making them easier to clean and maintain over time.

Application and Maintenance

Regular reapplication of stain-resistant treatments is necessary to ensure continued protection. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for best results.

When to Consider Carpet Replacement

Signs That a Carpet Is Beyond Cleaning

If a carpet is heavily stained, worn, or damaged, cleaning may not be enough to restore it. Indicators such as persistent odors, significant discoloration, and frayed fibers suggest it’s time for replacement.

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

Consider the cost of repeated professional cleanings versus the expense of replacing the carpet. In some cases, investing in a new carpet may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Tips for Maintaining Carpet Longevity

Regular Maintenance Routines

Regular vacuuming, prompt stain removal, and periodic professional cleanings can significantly extend the life of your carpet.

Preventative Measures

Using doormats, removing shoes indoors, and rearranging furniture periodically can help reduce wear and tear on your carpets.

Conclusion

Maintaining clean and beautiful carpets is a task that requires attention to detail and an understanding of the materials involved. While most carpets can be cleaned effectively with the right techniques and professional help, certain types and stains pose unique challenges. If you're searching for a "Carpet Cleaning Company near me," look no further than J & R CLEANING Company. We are committed to providing top-notch carpet cleaning services tailored to your needs, ensuring your carpets stay fresh and vibrant for years to come.

Read Also...How do you handle special requests or additional cleaning needs?

[prestigerefresh]

Prestigerefresh.co.uk

Prestige Refresh is dedicated to creating healthier, cleaner environments for all. Our comprehensive services include carpet, upholstery, and commercial cleaning, pet stain treatment, leather care, rug cleaning, and hard floor maintenance, all designed to ensure safe, efficient spaces for families and businesses.  We stand out with our Golden Guarantee of 100% satisfaction, offering safe, certified cleaning solutions, same-day emergency bookings, and flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs. As your trusted partner, Prestige Refresh commits to not just cleaning, but enhancing the well-being of your home or office. Click here for more Capet Cleaners.

[carpetshopdubai]

Capet Shop Near You in Dubai

Make Your Home Cosy With Fancy Carpets From Carpet Shop Dubai. Nothing says 'warmth' more than a carpet in your room.our Shop in just a call away call us now @+971 56584 7696 or visit https://www.carpetshopdubai.com/

[rrinteriorjaipur-blog]

Why keep your floor just simple when you have options to make it a part of your interior design to your house. Why do people have a craze for decorating their house on their own? Simply they put their love for things in visual and it becomes a part of the decoration. Decorating your house is not that difficult as it just way of reflection of your personality. All the decor items might not be in the usage to the people and those are bought just by the matter of their interest. But talking about the necessary items that are usable if that is also bought with the standard design, it simply can become a part of interior design to the house. Carpet is such an item which can considered as decor items as well as useful to the house to keep your floor safe from any damages. The shop on carpet flooring in Jaipur let the people choose their types to make the simple floor look beautiful.

[robespapier]

Most women were naturally leaning towards clemency, even Robespierre’s fiancé, it seems, Eleonore Duplay; when he came back home he didn’t dare tell her how he’d voted. (source)

Suuuure XD. 

Idk what kind of relationship Robespierre and Eleonore had exactly, but he didn’t just vote for Capet’s death, he actively advocated for it — for a death sentence without trial even! It was no secret and Eleonore was not a sheltered ingenue;  according to Barras (or whoever wrote his Memoirs) she had strong opinions and was not afraid to voice them; I’m sure she was on board with him being a regicide. 

[a-sleepyblackcatyawning]

Struck with a thought in the shower. What if Yoichi was transmigrated into Louis XVI, well-known for his love of lock-making and machines?

Yoichi looked at his…friend? Could he consider Claude-Renee his friend? The man helped him dress this morning, entirely unprompted in a way that suggested he helped Louis XVI dress every morning. Surely if a man had helped another man dress, those two men were friends. That was the bro code! If Claude-Renee ever needed it, Yoichi would help Claude-Renee dress, if the other man wanted him to help and would not feel embarrassed at wearing his stockings inside-out.

Yoichi looked at his friend and decided to do his duty as king and future hero to the French people even though he longed to go back to bed and hide under the covers. “What’s lined up for today?”

“You have an appointment with Dr. Guillotin and Dr. Louis after breakfast to discuss issues with that English decapitation machine,” Claude-Renee promptly said.

Yoichi paused. What? “What?” He asked.

“Yes, after you gave your support for the creation of a more humane and equal form of execution, they found that the blade didn’t consistently behead. They were hoping you, with your knowledge of mechanisms, would offer some advice,” was the matter of fact explanation given.

Yoichi glanced into the mirror, hoping that he didn’t look as horrified as he felt. Poor old Louis Capet looked possibly even more horrified than he felt. Fair enough; he had a good face for looking horrified. Yoichi gulped. “Any…other matters?” He asked, sweating bullets.

“Ah, well, Marquis de Laborde wanted your thoughts on the creation of a pick-proof lock for his home bank vault. Something about-“

Claude-Renee continued to speak. Yoichi didn’t hear anything over the sound of his own internal screams.

[thestressedsimmer]

IN MEMORY OF ALL THOSE WHO DIED IN 1315.

Ulric Elwyne

1286 - February 2nd, 1315

Ulric was a serf farmer who was a beloved father. He had three children throughout his lifetime before his wife, Blossom, passed away during childbirth. Instead of remarrying, he focused on raising his children to the best of his ability.

When the Great Famine struck, the man decided to go without so his growing children could eat. This eventually took a toll on his body and he collapsed in his home. Despite his children's best efforts to care for him, he eventually succumbed and joined his wife and youngest son in the Watcher's embrace.

He is survived by his two children, Volkivia and Kid Elwyne.

Her Majesty Queen Joan of Willow Creek

1293 - June 14th, 1315

Queen Joan was actually born Joan Comyn, a noble lady in Henford on Bagley. As the oldest daughter in a noble family, her goal in life was to marry well, even though being away from her family would be hard since she was extremely close to her brothers and sisters - especially her younger sister Elizabeth.

Thanks to her close relationship with Queen Marjory, having been raised side-by-side as sisters after the death of King Robert, she wound up married to the future King of Willow Creek, Louis X. Her marriage with him had its share of ups and downs, seeing as his father died shortly after they were wed, but they were a team at the end of the day. Nobles would joke that if you want Louis to see your side, you need to convince his "heart," aka his wife. She convinced him of much; including securing marriages for two of her siblings - Lord John Comyn IV and Duchess Elizabeth Capet (nee Comyn) - who were both married to Louis' siblings.

Queen Joan had two children, both boys, Prince John of Willow Creek and Prince Adomar of Willow Creek. She passed shortly after giving birth to her second son, probably out of exhaustion.

She is survived by her parents, Baron John Comyn III & Baroness Joan Comyn, her 6 living siblings, her two nieces, and her son, la Dauphin Adomar of Willow Creek.

Lord Gilbert Capet of Willow Creek

July 7th, 1315 - July 7th, 1315

Lord Gilbert was the first (and only) son of Prince Robert of Willow Creek and Duchess Elizabeth Capet.

Unfortunately, the boy was not meant to be and was born sleeping. He is survived by his twin sister, Lady Genevote Capet, and his father Prince Robert.

Her Royal Highness Duchess Elizabeth Capet of Willow Creek

1299 - July 7th, 1315

Duchess Elizabeth Capet was born Elizabeth Comyn in Henford-on-Bagley to Baron John Comyn III and Baroness Joan Comyn as the second daughter. An adventurous girl from her earliest days, she was known for causing trouble and creating elaborate games with her brothers and sisters in which she was the knight that saved people. While this was a dream that couldn't come true, she enjoyed living out her fantasies.

By the time she had outgrown this, her sister had been married to the (then) Dauphin of Willow Creek. It had been hard for Elizabeth to say goodbye to her big sister and closest friend, but she busied herself with her own adventures; she could be found hiding in the nearby forests with her little book of fairytales.

With her sister's political maneuverings, Elizabeth was betrothed to Prince Robert; a sure fire way for her to travel and live out part of her childhood dream. Elizabeth fell in love with her husband-to-be and even got in trouble for getting a little too close before their wedding day!

Not long after her brother-in-law and sister were crowned the king and queen of Willow Creek, Elizabeth married Prince Robert in a grand ceremony and became the duchess of Willow Creek. She fell pregnant on their wedding night.

The duchess gave birth to twins, Lord Gilbert Capet and Lady Genevote Capet. Unfortunately one of the twins was stillborn, but she adored her daughter in the brief time she knew her. She hemorrhaged later that day and was once again reunited with her big sister and closest friend.

Elizabeth is survived by her parents, her 6 living siblings, her nephew Dauphin Adomar, her niece Deredere, her husband Prince Robert, and her daughter Lady Genevote.

[minervacasterly]

Eleanor, by the Grace of God, Queen of the English, Duchess of the Normans & Duchess of the Aquitanians and Countess of the Angevins

“… the young heiress was fair enough to content any king … “Charming,” “welcoming” and “lively” (avenante, vailante, courtoise) are the words used by the chroniclers to portray her … Her education had not of course furnished her with the orderly intellectual baggage fit for an abbess. Though doubtless, like all the heirs of her race, she had her tutors, her real school had been a varied experience …” (Amy Ruth Kelly, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings)

The END OF THE EAGLETS’ REBELLION AND ELEANOR’S CAPTIVITY:

“Henry had no need of trumpets to tell him that sedition in Poitou had not been quenched by the imprisonment of Eleanor. He had suppressed the rebellion that had threatened the Angevin empire with a success so signal that it was popularly attributed to the miraculous intervention of Saint Thomas. But to the prescient Angevin the conclusion had less the character of finale than of omnious prelude. The whole uprising had revealed, not only to him, but to his enemies, the extent of a many-sided discontent that needed only coherence to be overwhelming. The queen, though in his hands, remained the object of intrigue, the inspiration of her rival foot-loose sons and of the turbulent fortune seekers who found their profit in war and rapine. The king turned over in his mind the problem of what to do with his captive … To divorce her might be tempting; the grounds were excellent –treason and two more degrees of consanguinity than had been sufficient in Louis’s case- but he could not set her free in her own estates to make some new alliance of her own. Capable as he was of reading the lessons of history, he had no mind to repeat Louis’s fatal blunder. He needed legates to suggest to him how scrupulous the King of France would be in the interest of his vassal, if once she were at liberty. To keep her in custody (forever?) might hinder new intrigues … In the court there remained alone of the famous coterie of the Plantagenets the Capetian princess Alais. In 1176 she was sixteen. No fault was found with her person. She was comely, gifted, nobly dowered, and she too had been polished for her role in the school of Marie of Champagne [Louis VII’s third wife]. Why was the Frankish princess alone of all that noble company of dames choises left unwed in the palaces of the Plantagenet king? Why had other marriages been proposed for the Count of Poitou? The world made these inquiries and the Capets pressed them home. In 1177, in extreme agitation, Louis appealed to Rome to enforce the marriage of Alais to the Count of Poitou [Richard] on pain of interdict on all the lands of Henry Fitz-Empress on both sides of the channel … Giraldus relates that Henry, confident of his prospect of getting rid of the queen through his appeal to the Pope, intended to take the Capetian princess for himself, disinherit the fierce eaglets of Poitou as the bastard of a consanguineous marriage, and rear a new progeny to possess the Angevin empire. Giraldus, never more piously enthusiastic than when exposing Henry’s vices, declares that after his separation from the queen, the king turned openly to the evil courses he had long secretly pursued. Briefly he flaunted the beautiful Clifford, and when she had vanished from the scene, he made a mistress of his precious hostage, the daughter of his overlord, the bride affianced to his son.  Did the Angevin mean to erase from his life story the chapter of his union with the disastrous Poitevin and go back to his earlier plan for a primary alliance with his overlord? It was recalled that before he had sold his birthright for Poitou and Aquitaine, he had sought a marriage with Louis’s eldest daughter, the Countess of Champagne …” (Kelly, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings)

Henry II of England’s relationship and ultimate goal with Alice of France is still being debated. Whether or not he intended to divorce his wife (a woman who had given him plenty of sons) and who in spite of their rebellion, were of a fighting age to defend their respective dominions and perpetuate the new Plantagenet dynasty, is immaterial. Louis VII of France was against the match and so were most of the clergy. Following the death of their eldest son, the young King Henry; Eleanor and Henry II seemed to reach a peace of sorts.When Henry died, he was mourned by his subjects. Whatever his personal flaws, he had governed the country well and restored order to the anarchy caused by the civil war that erupted as a result of his cousin Stephen being chosen over his grandfather’s chosen heir, Henry II’s mother, Matilda. In spite of this, he left a strong inheritance to his surviving male heirs, among them his wife’s favorite, Richard who became the new King of England

“… he had left his inedible stamp on all of France and the British Isles. Until his last years he had mastered every king, duke, and count who had tested him. He was perhaps the most famous man in Christendom. And his fame burned across the ages to follow. For Henry II, king of England, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, count of Anjou, Maine, and Touraine, and lord of Ireland, had begun a dynasty that shaped the future of Europe for more than two centuries.” (Dan Jones, The Plantagenet Warrior Kings and Queens who made England)

Despite their quarrels, Eleanor was well aware of the big shoes her favorite son would have to fill. And more importantly whom he’d choose to look after England when he went seeking glory in the Holy land and elsewhere.

“Richard processed to Westminster behind ranks of bishops and abbots, barons, knights, and the solemn officers of England ... Perhaps the proudest of them all was Eleanor of Aquitaine. To see Richard crowned king of England represented the apogee of his mother’s ambition, fulfilling as it did a famous prophecy of Merlin: “The eagle of the broken covenant will rejoice in [her] third nesting.” Immediately on Henry’s death, her beloved son had released her form captivity and restored the lands and revenues that had been taken from her as punishment for the rebellion of 1173; even before he had arrived in England, Richard had sent a command that his mother, now aged sixty-six, should occupy a preeminent place in English government. She had spent the weeks preceding the coronation traveling around the country, holding court, and extracting oaths of allegiance from the great and good of the realm …” (Jones, The Plantagenet Warrior Kings and Queens who made England)

When Richard I of England died, a part of Eleanor died. But she remained resilient as ever, doing what had to be done to safeguard the new king of England (her youngest son, John “Lackland”) throne. As a result, John came to her aid when she was about to be captured by her grandson, Arthur of Brittany, son of her late second son, Geoffrey. Since war had broken out between Philip II of France and John I of England, the former believed he could gain the upper hand by showing his first ace under his sleeve in the form of Eleanor’s grandson. The teen (arguably) had a better claim than his uncle. John was the youngest of the eaglets, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s brood while Arthur was the son of their second son. Angered by Eleanor’s decision to support his uncle, Arthur pushed back by laying siege to the Castle of Mirebeau, where she was staying, in Aquitaine (modern day Western France).

Eleanor had been through all sorts of adventures and survived all kinds of treacherous plots and court intrigues. Her determination, wit, ambition as well as her struggle to preserve the courts of love and other knightly romantic culture through her granddaughter Blanche of Castile, are a testament to the incredible woman that she was. After that foiled attempt though, Eleanor opted for a rest that was long overdue. Like many aristocratic women of the medieval world, she took the veil and became a nun. She died three years later in 1204 and was entombed Fontevrault Abbey in the county of Anjou next to Henry II.

[pacificlupineangel]

The Gang as things I've said to my cat

Robespierre: "Stop being NAUGHTY!!"

Danton: "1-800-R-U-Slappin"

Marat: "No rats allowed in the kitchen."

Desmoulins: "Be niCE TO MEEEE-"

Couthon: "The void screams?? Why does the void scream? The void wishes to be let loose."

Saint-Just: "Mother cares nOT FOR US-"

Brissot: "Do you crave violence, my child?"

Louis Capet: "No thoughts. Head empty. The lights are on but no one is home."

[brachylagus-fandom]

12 Days of WIPmas - Day 4

Honor Harrington, the one where there are treecats on Haven

With fic excerpts this time!

Okay, so this is not an AU where treecats are native to Haven; they’re still to Sphinx.

Long ago, back when there were still normal diplomatic relations between Manticore and Grayson, there were ambassadors.

And one of those ambassadors got adopted.

And that treecat made a bunch of baby treecats.

So now there’s a bunch of treecats living in Napoleon Park, which we are going to pretend is a chunk of protected woodland large enough to sustain a treecat colony for the purposes of this fic.

Let’s call them the Fast Falls Clan

This also technically originated as a tangent of an AU where the treecat-snatching plot in the Star Kindgom prequels was successful and a Havenite ship stumbles upon (part of) what the SFS has termed the Lost Colony, but I’m not writing that right now!

Suffice to say, it makes for a great Harrington Family Vacation (including Harrington Cousin In the SFS).

Being adopted is still a huge honor, but Legislaturists also try to capture them as a status symbol.

You can technically declaw a treecat, but like with normal cats, it’s not great for them. (But it does save your fancy Legislaturist furniture.)

So far, I have three adoptees: Theisman, Foraker, and (sorta) Pritchart

Theisman:

With bonus Tourville backstory, oops

Makes Honor trust him more initially, also ideally the “Dreams of Peace“ reveal happens right after treecat sign is developed (while they’re still at war).

When he entered Napoleon Park as part of his Naval survival training, Thomas Theisman wasn't expecting to see a treecat, let alone bond with one. But, as soon as he had found a nice, dry spot to spend the night, Jeanne was there, perched nobly on top of his pop-up tent. The second he laid eyes on her, the moment her startlingly green eyes flicked up to meet his, the instant she began to purr in recognition, Theisman knew they were bonded; he was hers and she was his.

Then, in attempting to leap off the tent, she brought it down, and Theisman thought, this is going to ground me planetside forever, isn't it.

It wasn't that the Havenite navy didn't have a protocol for servicemembers with treecats; it had happened a handful of times over the years, mostly through trapping. It was just that that policy was "give treecat to a good Legislaturist owner"; if (when, in the case of most adoption bonds) that failed, the human was drummed out of the military or sent to a nice, safe, dull, unrewarding posting like Pegasus or Tambourin or, if Theisman was really lucky, Gaston, where there were still insurgents, scattered in asteroid belts and in remote parts of the system's inhabited planets, fighting a war lost before he was even born.

(Theisman was not lucky; he did not help Lester Tourville crush a revolt on Vedastus, the most populous planet of the Gaston system. He did not smell burning flesh and taste blood and watch as nine marines - nine kids, half of them barely sixteen and none of them even twenty-one - were executed for refusing to destroy a hospital. He did not see Lester Tourville break down and rebuild himself behind an outrageous facade. Instead, Theisman was sent to Barnett to manage DuQuesne Base's traffic and combat readiness and, sporadically, participate in some simulation exercises. Not nearly as boring as doing the Navy recruitment pitches and serving as some Legislaturist's aide back on Haven, but still dreadfully safe. At least, safe until Barnett became a staging ground for the invasion of Trevor's Star and Theisman gained enough combat experience to be assigned to convoys in Silesia like a proper midshipman.)

Foraker:

In this one, Shannon’s from the Refuge System because Trauma and I think it’d be interesting to have the Havenite characters not all be from one of the many planets in the republic.

This also makes the stuff in In Enemy Hands more personal and less conjecture (and means that Nimitz’s lack of telepathy is discovered much sooner).

Shannon Foraker had often been told that she was lucky. She was lucky to have been born on Sanctuary less than two years before The Expedition arrived, young enough to be recruited to the Cultural Adjustment Program once the Treaty of Incorporation was signed. She was lucky to have been given the gifts of a proper Dolist education on Haven itself - a far cry from whatever schooling her inegalitarian and isolated home planet could have cobbled together - and a career in the Navy and a promise of citizenship after ten years' service and everything else the Program had given her, and she was lucky to have been invited to Mrs. Harris' commencement party. It was a privilege granted to precious few ensigns every year, most from well-known Legislaturist families, and a girl with nothing from nowhere must be very lucky indeed.

(Not that Shannon considered herself very lucky; the other invitees were some of the same people who had yanked her pigtails and had stolen her scrounged circuit parts and still said "you're so lucky" the second words came out of her stupid mouth in her stupid Refuge accent and had ripped her last picture of Mom to shreds and had shot at the wall behind her just to make her jump and-)

Shannon Foraker was very lucky to attend Mrs. Harris' party, to sip the only drink she knew hadn't been tampered with and make awkward small talk with people who sneered at every accent that wasn't Haven Standard and pet Mrs. Harris' treecat and get told that she was very lucky. She was very lucky because, an hour before it would be acceptable for her to leave, a gray-and-cream blur leaped over the stair railing. Shannon felt something warm pool in her gut as the second 'cat landed neatly on six feet and then bounded towards her; before she could blink, he had leaped onto her lap and was purring against her cheek. Cat, the treecat that had been downstairs to begin with, looked mildly offended, so Shannon set her drink down and swept a hand between his ears as she cradled the other to her chest.

"Deux!" Mrs. Harris shrieked. "There are guests here! Here, Fourrier-"

"Foraker-" Shannon whispered into Deux' ear. (She was very lucky Mrs. Harris had gotten the first sound right; half a dozen teachers had told her that to ask for more would be ungrateful.)

"-Let Mrs. Capet take the mongrel back to where he's supposed to be." As the maid grew closer, Deux rose up on his back legs and hissed at her, then laid himself around Shannon's shoulders like a blanket when she backed off. Cat jumped off the couch with a disdainful sniff and stalked off to find someone else to pet him as Deux purred into Shannon's neck, his solid, warm weight the closest thing she'd had to a hug in years. She closed her eyes, hoping to forget Mrs. Harris' indignation, forget the party, forget everything that had happened to her in the last decade, forget that she wasn't at home with Mom, forget…

"Did Shannie just get adopted?" Her fellow ensigns gathered to gawk at her and the treecat on her shoulders, elbowing each other to get closer even as Deux hissed at them.

"Cool!"

"No way she got adopted! I bet that 'cat lets anyone pet - motherf-"

"You're so lucky, Forester!"

And as she left with Deux in her arms, Shannon felt that she was.

Pritchart/Glory to the People’s Republic

Obviously, if treecats are a status symbol, the Hereditary President needs one. Glory is the last of a long line of cats with that name.

This particular Glory is all black, a rare trait in treecats and probably also a sign of the bottlenecked gene pool of the Fast Falls clan, and has survived longer than any of the others of his name. He was captured as a kitten, and his teeth were filed down and claws removed to shape him for the role.

It turns out that when removed of their natural weapons, ‘cats get inventive with how they try to maim owners they dislike. Harris wears an eyepatch, and when Glory makes an appearance, he is always drugged.

Glory’s probably from the same litter Mrs. Harris’ Cat is from, which explains how the latter is so well-socialized.

Just after Glory reaches adulthood, the Harris assassination occurs, and he disappears from official newscasts. There are rumors, though, of a pitch-black ‘cat brought out at Committee Parties, rarely awake and barely touchable when it is.

When Theisman shoots Saint-Just in his office, he finds a cage beneath the desk full of a snarling, spitting thing more fur than animal. He gives it e-rats and opens the cage; in gratitude, Glory doesn’t claw Theisman’s eyes out.

No one sees the treecat again for another two weeks, when Pritchart wakes up from an unplanned nap to see him, slightly less ragged, staring at her with bright green eyes. He rapidly scampers off.

Some days, he naps in the sunbeam of Pritchart’s office, and recieves only the skritches and celery he desires. Things are good.

[thvndring]

For all the reasons revolutionaries hated Marie Antoinette, that is precisely why the modern Parisians adore the Dauphin. Through calculated friendships, aloofness, and impeccable wardrobe- Henri has established himself firmly in French & foreign public eye. Those close to him know him to be an intelligent man with no shortage of stories to tell, but publicly, he has a reputation of being, at best, described as cold.

B A S I C S

NAME: Henri de France FULL NAME: Henri Louis Anton Josef de France TITLE & STYLE: His Royal Highness The Dauphin of France HOUSE: House of Capet AGE: 21 HOME: Versailles, France MARITAL STATUS: Single SEXUALITY: Bisexual LANGUAGE(S): French, English, Latin, Spanish POLITICS: Very Liberal

P H Y S I C A L

FACECLAIM: Hero Fiennes-Tiffin HAIR COLOR: Brown EYE COLOR: Green HEIGHT: 5′10″ BUILD: Slender

P E R S O N A L

POSITIVE TRAITS: Persuasive, Analytical, Diplomatic NEGATIVE TRAITS: Ostentatious, Vindictive, Promiscuous GOALS/DESIRES: Be More Famous than the UK Monarchy FEARS : Gamophobia (Fear of Commitment) HOBBIES: Public Appearances, Nightlife, Hosting Parties MUSIC: Martin Solveig, David Guetta, Gesaffelstein MOVIES: The Devil Wears Prada, At Eternity’s Gate, Cold War FOOD: Coq Au Vin BEVERAGE: Amosu’s Taste of Diamonds

F A M I L Y

FATHER: His Most Royal Highness, Louis XX King of France MOTHER: Her Majesty, Sofia Queen of France BROTHER: Antoine, Duc d'Angoulême SISTER: Yvette, Princess of France

F R A N C E

There are few places in the world with monarchical histories as complicated as France. One of the first & most powerful monarchies in Europe taken down by a violent Revolution, followed by a horrible reign of terror, then a dictator, an Emperor, another monarchy, a second Emperor, a short lived republic, and then finally, as of 1900, another lasting reign under the House of Capet.