Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Two Roberts

Or those slightly defective gentlemen from the regency era.

Lord Castlereagh, Robert Stewart 2nd Marquess of Londonderry if Brougham was my ideal then Castlereagh would have built in me the sort of anxiety that only has precedence in the weary heroines in the earliest gothic romance novels. He was a misguided, narrow-minded, inflexible and hard-working fellow who devoted himself entirely to the wrong side of every major issue in his age. Castlereagh was also Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House. This was written of him by Lord Bryon and accepted by all but his party as truth.

‘Oh Castlereagh! Thou art a patriot now;
Cato died for his country, so didst thou;
He perished rather than see Rome enslaved,
Thou cutt’st thy throat that Britain may be saved.’


Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool a kindred of sorts to the unfortunate Castlereagh, he was named Prime Minister by the incompetent Prince Regent. Liverpool was a dutiful, pious High Tory and something of a halfwit who at the high of his ineptness in loyalty to the Prinny by then King George IV drew up ‘The Bill of Pains and Penalties,’ against Queen Caroline. The bill was meant to deprive her Majesty of the title, prerogatives, rights, privileges and pretensions of queen consort of the realm and to dissolve the marriage between her and her philandering husband our fat regent-turned-king. The bill failed because Caroline had, as her advocate, my ideal Lord Henry Brougham.

I hope you are all having a lovely week,
Simone

16 comments:

  1. I feel like I am getting an art and history lesson at the same time. I like the way that you give information about history and art at the same time. I am glad that neckware has changed for me those do not look comfortable.

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  2. I always love coming to your blog and reading about historical figures! You've managed yet again to find fascinating stories to share with us!

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  3. I'm finding the gentlemen every bit as interesting as the ladies you've featured. I think it's amazing that you're able to find portraits of these Lords and Ladies as well.

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  4. Interesting post. I always feel a bit more 'cultured' after reading your posts. Happy New Year! I look forward to another wonderful year of following and learning.

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  5. These portraits are so captivating. thank you for giving us a peak of the past!

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  6. The Cato reference reminded me of Iris Murdoch's novel 'Henry and Cato'. Iris would have blown the Regency period to smithereens - but fantastically so, and with so much wit! Steph x

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  7. Inspiring blog! Have a Happy New Year and I hope you have a year of many many many ideas!

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  8. Simone I am seriously getting addicted to these snippets. They are the perfect size.

    xoxoxo

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  9. I'm with Tom. I love this post!

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  10. The first gentleman looks rather like a prototype Bronson Pinchot.

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  11. I'm finding myself thinking...now what does Simone have for us today, what a secret indulgence, (ok, not so secret:))! Your posts fall into the category of, one of life's little pleasures. I look forward to daily treats in 2010! Happy New Year!

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  12. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, what a beautiful blog you have, glad to have discovered you. LOVE your taste in tunes;)

    Happy New Year!
    Jaime

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  13. I love how art filled your blog is, so different from any others I've seen!!
    Happy New Year!
    x
    Maria

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  14. Thank you for your continued love and support.
    All my love,
    Simone

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  15. It's sad to read such a words about Lord Castlereagh. He was a good man and a brilliant diplomat.

    Another portrait of Castlereagh
    http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss250/charles_jm/castlereagh2.jpg

    Best regards,
    Arthur

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