Tag Archives: 17th Century

The Death of Antonio Cifra

Antonio Cifra, Italian Baroque & Late Renaissance composer, died on this day the 2nd of October, 1629. Cifra is important in Early Music because he straddled the Late Renaissance and the Early Baroque movements and made beautiful music in both. So, in honour of Antonio Cifra, here is “Era la Notte:” Links about Antonio Cifra: http://www.hoasm.org/VG/Cifra.html http://www.last.fm/music/Antonio+Cifra http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Cifra (I normally don’t like to link… Read on

Lamenti – Le Concert d`Astrée

I received this beautiful, luscious album for my birthday recently and it has blown me away! “Lamenti” performed by many of today’s greatest opera singers and Le Concert d`Astrée under the direction of harpsichordist Emmanuelle Haim is a moving compilation of various works of Baroque. I have been a big fan of Philippe Jaroussky‘s albums since I heard him… Read on

La Rochefoucauld’s Birthday

Today we mark the birth of one of the 17th century’s most influential French philosophers, François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marcillac, who was born on this day, 15th of September, 1613 in Paris, France. My husband, who graduated from Durham University with a First in Philosophy (I’m not boasting, just proud of him) has a few very… Read on

Don’t Miss the Last Free Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace!

I can’t believe it. We are almost at the end of the second summer of doing the Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace. It’s been exceptionally rewarding yet again. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many nice people from around the world and it’s been great fun to talk about the rich history of the palace’s… Read on

Lady Frances Cavendish at Bolsover Castle

My lovely friend Matthew (famous on Twitter as @HistoryNeedsYou) asked if I’d come along and participate in a 2 day Bank Holiday living history event at Bolsover Castle. As Bolsover is in Derbyshire that was not too far away for me in Lancashire, so my husband very kindly drove me there. I was able to finally use the… Read on

The Glorious Revolution – A Forgotten Revolution?

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked a profound change in the history of England, and therefore, the United Kingdom. Most of the people who are reading this now – if not all- know of this revolution and its ramifications upon the history of this nation, but what I find quite disheartening is the fact that most people one encounters do… Read on

Paleis Het Loo, The Netherlands

Het Loo – Home of William & Mary The Palace is quite easily reached from Amsterdam via train to Apeldoorn, then a short, comfortable bus ride to the palace. From there, one walks into a heavily-forested area, with a path leading up to the ticket office. I met my friend, writer Patric Aalders here with my husband and… Read on

Kensington Palace Garden History Tours

This is the first time Kensington Palace has offered Garden History Tours! They will be free of charge and last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. All you need to do is sign up at either the Queen’s Entrance or the hub area inside the palace. Please be aware these tours are only for the summer months, from… Read on

A Trip to Shakespeare’s Birthplace

I recently went to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of my favourite writer William Shakespeare. The building is located in very close proximity to the town centre, which boasts several good pubs and shops. Upon entering and paying the entry fee, we walked through to a dark room which had a very good video about Shakespeare and the… Read on

Sonnet 3 by William Shakespeare

Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest Now is the time that face should form another; Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest, Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother. For where is she so fair whose unear’d womb Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry? Or who is he so fond will be… Read on

Ham House & Gardens, Ham

Here I am at the amazing Ham House in Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames. This magnificent home was built by a courter for James I, and extensively renovated for the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale and is a fine example of 17th century architecture. Lucky for all of us visiting on that day, it was a beautiful, sunny summer’s day… Read on