Duché de Coeur: Fabulous Fall 2013

We're enjoying another fabulous fall in the Duché de Coeur,

surrounded by blazing colour and ever-deepening piles of leaves.

 

The sunset sky takes on a golden hue,

seeming to reflect the richly coloured trees below.

Renaissance Women: Margaret of Austria

Margaret of Austria, Mary of Burgundy, Maximilian of Austria, Anne of Brittany, Philip the Handsome, Catherine of Aragon, Louise of Savoy, Anne of France

When last we saw Anne Boleyn, our elegant & intrepid guide for these Renaissance ramblings, it was 1513 and she was heading to the court of Margaret of Austria to begin her European education (see Anne Boleyn: The French Connection).  Modern-day references to Margaret are often brief and made in passing to denote her relationships with others.  Frequently appearing in the biographies of others; often tagged as "Aunt of" or "Sister in law of"; Margaret has a fascinating story all of her own.

Born in 1480 to Mary of Burgundy and Maximilian of Austria, Margaret of Austria certainly had a lot of high-powered family connections (both through blood and through marriage) given that her mother was  the Duchess of Burgundy in her own right, her father was the elected Holy Roman Emperor and her parents were the co-sovereigns of the Low Countries.

Anne Boleyn: The French Connection

Anne Boleyn, Margaret of Austria, Claude of France, Marguerite of Navarre

Where would you start if you wanted to blog a bit about the Renaissance?  Would it be easier if you limited your scope to the French Renaissance?  How long would it take and how far would you get before tying yourself up in so many knots that the only sane move would be to cut and run?

 

I recently found myself pondering these questions (and so many more) but before I could be overwhelmed into inaction I decided to just pick a point and begin.  After all it's the journey that counts and since this is purely a pleasure cruise I thought it best to begin with one of my favourite historical personages, Anne Boleyn.
 

Le Jardin Francais: Chateau Montebello

 

I'm excited to announce this brand-new, seaside rental, Chateau Montebello.

Situated between sea and garden on the eastern-most point of le Jardin Francais, this beautiful chateau has every amenity with its generous rooms and two large fireplaces.

Second Life Role-Play & The Queen of Everything

When graphic artist Mary Engelbreit first came out with "The Queen of Everything" I applied for the title.  Turns out I wasn't the only one that felt she was perfectly suited for the position as my older cousin (and part-time babysitter) quickly informed me.  Seems she thought her credentials were a tad better than mine.  She may have been bigger but I was determined.  In the end we decided that there was nothing wrong with having more than one QoE.  After all, good things are often made better when they are shared and there's a lot to be said for inclusiveness and equality.

Adventures w Flat Rod: Languedoc Coeur Chapel

Having serenaded Flat Rod in the Coeur Opera House and danced the minuet with him in the Ballroom (see Adventures w Flat Rod: Rod Humble Crept into my Life) I felt it was time for some quiet reflection so off we went to the Languedoc Coeur Chapel.

Adventures w Flat Rod: Rod Humble Crept into My Life

It's been a while since Rod Humble (aka Rodvik) crept into my life.  Years really.  Truth be told, I wasn't even aware of his arrival at first, that's how stealthy he was.

This oversight on my part only seems fitting as I'm certain that to this day he has no idea that I even exist, except perhaps in the collective sense as a user of one of "his" products.  I'm just one among the many and for the most part I'm very content with our at-arm's-length relationship.