That show, O that show!
Today was a holiday in France, but since I'm on a training leave, and therefore not dependent on school holidays, I usually don't pay attention to those things...yet I decided to "take the day off" and not work at all on my thesis!
Instead, I read stuff that has nothing to do with Middle Ages,played the piano, watched Rolland Garros tennis games, ( Read more... )
Instead, I read stuff that has nothing to do with Middle Ages,played the piano, watched Rolland Garros tennis games, ( Read more... )
Comments 13
that has nothing to do with Middle Ages
Which, rather randomly and at a total tangent, reminds me of a question I was wondering about the other day. I don't suppose you know what the French-speaking mediaeval kings of England would actually have called themselves, in their own native language?
Modern history books always use the modern English versions of their names (William, Henry, Stephen, Richard, John, Edward) while French Wikipedia (I know, sorry) uses the modern French versions (Guillaume, Henri, Étienne, Richard, Jean, Édouard). But I assume pre-1400 French wasn't exactly the same as modern - I gather, for instance, that 'Jehan' was the most common form of the name John/Jean in those days.
"If only," I thought to myself, "I knew someone who spoke French and was also an expert in mediaeval history... wait." :-)
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Maybe having a look at a charter from the XIIITh or XIVth century will help you, but the habits of the chancelleries don't necessarily mirror the way people speak, even in the king's court, at the time, and I suppose that's what you are after.
My guess is that the kings used an Anglo-Normand name until probably Henry IV.
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From what I gather, the first kings obviously spoke Norman French, but after the Plantagenets came in there was more of a move to speak "proper" French (presumably that means the Parisian dialect) since it was considered more respectable. Then as the Normans assimilated and more of them started speaking English instead, their version of French diverged again
Anyway, thanks for your help. :-)
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Ah, I wondered where I'd seen her before.
Just saw these episodes myself and agree they were very good.
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There's something about John Hawkes anyway, whatever role he plays...
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I think I read somewhere that Jane's "Cocksucker" was put in that scene for the drinking game people reportedly played, but that could be leg-pulling.
Dan is fascinating me as a character these days. I really want to watch each show with my focus on a different character each time. Because it is so good that you could do that and not go mad. I think.
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I love them all, but some are just heartbreaking.
Dan is a bit like Jane, in a way.
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The fight--I love that Al sets it up deliberately to get Bullock re-focused on his role in the camp's future. Al probably being 20 years older and having kidney stones, etc., knowing he was going to be taking a beating, win or lose, and wouldn't let his boys help him. I suspect fear that it was going to end worse than he thought is what made him finally pull the knife.
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Their relationship is fascinating. :- )
When I find the time, I will post a characters study, because there's so much to say about all of them, and the relationship between them.
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You know, you're right...I should have gotten that (I wrote a smutty slash fanfic about them, so it should have more obvious to me in the show).
This show can be mined forever, can't it? :-) Always some new aspect to mull over.
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