did some research on Henry VIII play. all academics discussing religion, state, royalty, Elizabeth etc. I'd love to read a dramatist's view. V, 4 such a brilliant scene. The cause of the rabble not revealed up front. The common man dialect. The offstage mob. just brilliant. #henryviii_2025

From: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦, W. A. Mathieu.

V, 2.Earlier Shakesp plays turmoil around the king is a land, power, money grab. Here, the aristo's are upset about Cranmer's power over the minds of the people. Very new age. Control beliefs, and a new kind of victory is possible. HenryVIII_2025

Just a reminder that Wikipedia is the only remaining reliable source of information that right wing billionaires can't control. (Although they'll never stop trying.) Please donate to them whenever you can. Even a little bit helps. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

“No matter how cynical you become, it’s never enough to keep up.” – Lily Tomlin

You know, Henry kind of a minor player in his own play. It’s the Queens, Wolsey, Suffolk/Norfolk (and nobilities) and all the up-and-comings. #henryviii_2025

My piece in @thespectator1828.bsky.social this week looks back at a lecture I attended this summer where a Cambridge art historian insisted paintings by Stanley Spencer were painted by David Jones. It revealed a weakness that stretches beyond one lecture; how we teach art history is woeful.

In celebration of World Octopus Day, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite cephalopod sightings, the glass octopus — Vitreledonella richardi filmed during a month-long #PhoenixIslandsCoral expedition in 2021.

According to this short history, Wolsey's grave is unknown. He had grand plans which of course collapsed. ( For anyone who knows Wolf Hall, I think you can see the kernel of its inception in these scenes.) #henryviii_2025 ipswichhistory.com/2014/04/19/w...

Outside the Globe, a quote from Henry VIII. #henryviii_2025 youtu.be/D2AQc6qpbZA?...

IV, 2. “For then, and not till then, he felt himself, And found the blessedness of being little.” #henryviii_2025

How does Wolsey’s change of heart come? From pride to understanding the larger truths. I’d love to see this scene performed well. #henryviii_2025

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

III, 2. In the histories we have read thus far, has any character argued their banishment / death / fall from favor as eloquently as Woolsey? Usually they just tromp off to the Tower. #henryviii_2025

III, 2. I actually feel sorry for Woolsey. Hard to be stuck amid boors, bros, royals and hegseths. One mistake and you’re done even if you’re the smartest guy in the room. The Boyz Club aint cool with smarty 👖. #henryviii_2025

yesterday Katherine's meeting with Woolsey and his sidekick is an almost perfect evocation of feminine - masculine discourse. Forget the history and religion: neither side can meet in a middle. Neither side can hear the other. jmho #henryviii_2025

Historically, seems Woolsey did try to sway the Pope re: Henry's annulment, but Pope was reliant on French Emperor Charles V, who wanted Henry to remain without a male heir; so no go with Pope. No wonder Henry and nobles could feel dicked around by Rome and want free. #henryviii_2025

Medicare, as of today, will no longer cover telehealth visits. I can’t imagine a bigger slap in the face to our patients.

He’s Young, Talented and Openly Religious. Is He the Savior Democrats Have Been Waiting for? www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/o...

before and after hegseth's directive

"Orpheus with his Lute" has been arranged and continues to be arranged by many composers including Schumann, Andrew Sullivan (of Gilbert &), and Ralph Vaughan Williams. This is my favorite.I highly recommend listening to other versions. All very different. #henryviii_2025 youtu.be/hVwZCVZ8iks?...

II, 4. I'm confused. I always thought Henry VIII just a philanderer. Wanted what he wanted. But here he seems genuinely conflicted and confused; wants the clergy to tell him what's true. Is an illegal union the cause of his no-heir woe? Must he give up the Queen? #henryviii_2025

II, 4. I love how Henry's words trail her wake. She's gone, but he extols her virtues as if she's still there. So who's the more powerful here? (trick question) #henryviii_2025

4 More Mass Shootings: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Eagle Pass, TX, 2 dead, 7 injured. Keryan Jones in custody. LDS Church in Grand Blanc, MI, 3 dead, 8 injured. ? Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA, 1 dead, 3 injured. ? Waterfront bar, Southport, NC, 3 dead, 5 injured. Nigel Edge in custody.

Two shootings today. Southport NC just a stone's throw from the ferry to Bald Head Island, where my family has rented for summers. And The Lucky Eagle Casino outside Eagle Pass TX where we got VIP treatment when my niece's husband was Head of Security there. This time I can taste the bullets.

II, 4. Katherine walks out on the "consistory." Another meaningful piece of movement as strong, or stronger, than any words. The powerful exit, which dismisses Wolsey, the King, and all assembled. Not in a huff. But as the perfect ending to her perfect speeches. Ever the Queen. #henryviii_2025

II, 4. Woolsey to Katherine: "Unthink your speaking, and to say no more." The story of my life with men. #henryviii_2025

Emptiness is a great feminine secret. It is something absolutely alien to man; the chasm, the unplumbed depths, the yin. ~CG Jung, CW 9i

II, 3. Scene opens mid-dialogue. Very clever. Anne caught in deep conversation with "Old Lady," as if in transit to or from the Queen. Entire scene implies movement. And these unnamed characters are pure and delightful inventions, free from history and perfect for story. #henryviii_2025

My favorite job reminds me that working together is everything.

ROK Again showing us how Democracies behave. The Ministry of Defense will award commendations to soldiers who did not carry out illegal or unjust orders during the December 3 Emergency Martial Law designating them as "individuals who protected constitutional values." www.chosun.com/english/nati...

I house sat Jonathan Lear's Cambridge home many decades ago - nice to be reminded of him and with this wonderful definition of hope!

Happy slow horses night to all who celebrate

Black-Friars a "most convenient place...for such receipt of learning." Seems the Dominican friars were known for their studiousness and their vast, two-storey library housed at Black-Friars. So another snide Henry remark. What a dick. (sorry) #henryviii_2025

II, 2. More surprising stagecraft. 1. Letter read aloud 2. Norfolk and Suffolk get overheard by annoyed Henry. Shakesp characters talk right next to someone in an aside and are never overheard! 3. Henry addresses his conscience. Wavers a tad. Almost comical. #henryviii_2025

Odd, how we can’t afford to give Americans healthcare, but we can afford to drop $200,000,000,000 on Argentina with a moment’s notice.

Love alone is not enough. Without imagination, love stales into sentiment, duty, boredom. Relationships fail not because we have stopped loving but because we first stopped imagining. ~James Hillman

II, 1. This bit feels quite modern. Two unnamed non-historical characters talking about Buckingham and giving us the word on the street. We also get a bit about Norfolk's son. And this is one of Fletcher's purported scenes. #henryviii_2025

Regarding Cauliflower Cheese, a recipe popped up today in The Santa Fe NewMexican, and when I tried to find your post @quizshowguru.bsky.social there were a bazillion Cauliflower Cheese posts on Bsky. So I stand corrected. It is a US thing!

I, 4. Another great scene. This one with an A-list party thrown by a crafty gluttonous churchman, wherein I learn the word "hautboys." #henryviii_2025

If you need a break this morning. A short clip of Homer starring as Henry VIII. Marge as Queen Katherine. #henryviii_2025 youtu.be/Fza1kARNSOg?...

I, 3. Sands is another fun character. And the return of tennis! A great scene to follow the attack on Buckingham. #henryviii_2025.

History out on Buckingham whether he was traitorous or not. I like his character in Shakesp. He sounds a no-BS kinda guy played by Timothy Spall. Crusty,well-born,wealthy enough to speak his mind but sadly ignoring his vulnerability. Did he forget about the Sins of the Fathers? #henryviii_2025

Henryviii_2025

Act I starts with a bang. Buckingham called treasonous and sent to the Tower just like his father in Richard III. Reinforces what I've always felt: hanging around kings is bad for one's health. (Current toadies may regret never studying history.) #henryviii_2025

Crazy thought. All this Shakesp makes me think of our founding fathers. did they read Shakesp? Did his plays reinforce their lived experience of the dangers of royal capriciousness? (and the capriciousness of royal advisors?) #henryviii_2025

What’s really funny is that from my reading 50 years ago I remembered Widmerpool ending up Prime Minister! So much for memory and eye witness testimony. Whew. No wonder I liked the ending. #anthonypowelltogether

Did anyone else find Robert Burton’s words comforting? I often feel I’m living in the Middle Ages, powerless among evil and frightening prospects. But it is a dance… change happens regardless of our fear. #anthonypowelltogether