Today's historical note

[angevin2]

On this date in 1649, Charles I was executed in London. Andrew Marvell described it thus in his "Horatian Ode Upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland":

He wove a net of such a scope

Comments

[papilleau]

I've always loved To His Coy Mistress. I got the Rolf Humphries translation of Metamorphoses for Christmas. I bet you'd like Ruled Britannia by Harry Turtledove!

Re:

[angevin2]

I've heard interesting things about it. Had a look at Pavane (another alt-history book in which the Armada wins) a while back, but was somewhat squicked by the first page -- it opens with the assassination of Queen Elizabeth! Clearly I get too into my work. ;) May give it another look when I get a chance.

To His Coy Mistress is one of those poems that, after a while, you start to overlook because it's so famous, but if you look again you remember it's famous for a reason. Good stuff.

Re:

[papilleau]

I've read Pavane and I found it a tad slow. Who I think does a good job at alternate history Elizabethans are John Crowley and Tim Powers. John Dee rocks!

;)