17th Century – Page 2 – Home of the Bluestocking Belles

Joust on the Hofvijver, 1625

October 30th, 1678

Dear Achille,

Many thanks for the boots – you are too generous! Achilles thrives and I doubt it will be long before he can fit into them. He has barely opened his eyes and already seems to have his mother’s serious temperament. He rarely cries and has not smiled; I worry that some dark aspect of the battle will hang over his life. He can have no way of knowing how many good men died as he drew his first breath or how close the cannon fire came to his parents, but I look at him sometimes when I hold him and wonder. Alice swears it is only that he is too young and I’m certain she must be right as she has heretofore been right about nearly everything, but if you could only see him, Achille! It would seem he was born to bear the weight of the world, and that is a fate I would not wish on anyone, least of all my own small son.

Alice is in good spirits, but she has been slow to recover. The birth was not easy, but I thank God for every day she is here with me and Achilles, and I pray for her recovery. We have made it to The Hague and will stay here until Alice is able to travel again. I found us a modest apartment overlooking the square where I am told Johan de Witt and his unfortunate brother were dismembered and eaten by an angry mob not half a dozen years past. My Dutch is improving by leaps and bounds, but stories like that make me wish it was not so good. I could do without knowing the Dutch word for cannibalized (gekannibaliseerd, if you’re wondering), but Alice takes it in stride and tucks the word away in her remarkable mind between other fearful words in half a dozen languages in case we ever have occasion to use it. I pray we never will.

Thank you for the kind offer to stay with you in Paris. When we are mobile again, I should like that very much. I am dismayed to hear of your niece’s fixation on Languedoc as she always struck me as a clever girl. Attraction has little to do with reason, I’ll warrant, but I hope for her sake she directs her attentions toward someone who is free to return them.

I hope you enjoy your journey to London. It has been years since I’ve been back and I miss it dearly. Southwark is a wild place, so do take care to disguise any obvious wealth should you happen to walk down the street. I know this will be difficult for you as your wardrobe puts the King’s to shame, but have a care as my former neighbors are proficient and ruthless thieves and you will be a tempting target. Give my love to my old master, if you will. Mark Virtue lives on Love Lane in a house with the sign of a coffin out front. You may also enjoy meeting his brother and his wife, the Earl and Countess of Somerton. Sally is French and a brilliant baker, so if you find yourself longing for your own language and cuisine, I’m sure you’ll be more than welcome at their table.

As for the Henshawe sisters…bon chance.

Your affectionate friend,

Jack

The Long Way Home
(The Southwark Saga, Book 3)
By Jessica Cale

A paranoid king, a poison plot, and hideous shoes…it’s not easy being Cinderella.

After saving the life of the glamorous Marquise de Harfleur, painfully shy barmaid Alice Henshawe is employed as the lady’s companion and whisked away to Versailles. There, she catches King Louis’ eye and quickly becomes a court favorite as the muse for Charles Perrault’s Cinderella. The palace appears to be heaven itself, but there is danger hidden beneath the façade and Alice soon finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue, murder, and Satanism at the heart of the French court.

Having left his apprenticeship to serve King Charles as a spy, Jack Sharpe is given a mission that may just kill him. In the midst of the Franco-Dutch war, he is to investigate rumors of a poison plot by posing as a courtier, but he has a mission of his own. His childhood friend Alice Henshawe is missing and he will stop at nothing to see her safe. When he finds her in the company of the very people he is meant to be investigating, Jack begins to wonder if the sweet girl he grew up with has a dark side.

When a careless lie finds them accidentally married, Alice and Jack must rely on one another to survive the intrigues of the court. As old affection gives way to new passion, suspicion lingers. Can they trust each other, or is the real danger closer than they suspect?

“Really brilliant writing that’s so engaging with such endearing characters! I especially love the way Jack and Alice are both so devoted to each other! I was totally absorbed in this exciting and fascinating world Jessica Cale created from the very first paragraph to the last! I read this all in one sitting, staying awake late to finish, just had to!” – Romazing Reader

Jessica Cale is the award-winning author of the historical romance series,The Southwark Saga. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Wales for several years where she earned a BA in History and an MFA in Creative Writing while climbing castles and photographing mines for history magazines. She kidnapped (“married”) her very own British prince (close enough) and is enjoying her happily ever after with him in North Carolina. She is the editor of Dirty, Sexy History and a Bluestocking Belle.

Please send money…and Montmartre soup

By Aunt Augusta

On July 4, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Jessica Cale, Teatime Tattler

A letter was recently discovered in the ditch outside His Majesty’s bedchamber. It is said King Louis’ interest in his subjects extends to reading their missives before they are delivered. Given the insalubrious place it was found, one can only assume he did not approve of its contents…

Francoise_Marie_de_Bourbon_par_Caminade_Alexandre-François Dearest Sister,

I’ve run out of money again. I lost ten thousand écus on bassett last night. I know you disapprove of gaming, but His radiant Majesty does not permit us to sit unless we are playing. I was attending Ysabeau, and quite suddenly I suffered a pain to my back so terrible I thought for a moment someone had done me in! I simply had to sit, and once I did, I was quite relieved. Perhaps it was the silver threads in my newest gown. It’s heavy enough to wear into battle, and that may be just as well. One cannot be too careful surrounded by so many rivals.

Could I prevail upon you to send me a little more to get by until I receive the estate? Belchamps lingers, the stubborn old goat, and inheritance powder isn’t cheap, you know. Ysabeau insists on the smallest of doses so as to avoid detection, but as diverting as it is to watch him suffer, I’d prefer to smother him and be done with it. My Chevalier is aware Belchamps is ill, but he does not know his affliction is yours truly. I daresay he would not approve—my sweet, innocent love! Perhaps ever so slightly less innocent as of late.

I would not need much, perhaps another thirty-thousand? I am confident I could recover my losses. I’ve a talent for cards, as you may remember. I will repay you by Christmas, and treat you to half a dozen new gowns, as well. The estate is not insignificant, and once I have his wretched daughter safely confined to a convent, it will all belong to me, and I will be in a better position to contest the possession of St. Croix. Archambault, that insufferable blackamoor, has further disgraced himself by bringing an Englishman into our midst, a certain Jack Sharpe of Southwark, wherever that is.

It is said this Sharpe is related to an earl, but it is plain he is common as dirt. His every thought shows on his face as he fights the King for Cendrillon’s favour—bon chance, cher!—and disdains the rest of us for only the Lord-knows-what. He has no lover nor true patron, and I am convinced he thinks himself above court politics. Ha! Just this week, I saw him enter the chapel with a button in his cuff undone, and he neglected to remove his hat when Marie-Celeste sneezed. Poor, misguided youth.

As for the much celebrated Cendrillon, she will be fortunate to survive the week. His Majesty gifted her with a pair of coveted red-heeled slippers for the tableau tomorrow, and Ysabeau is furious. She is convinced everything the girl has done since her arrival has been part of a great plot against her, but between you and I, Louise, I do not believe Cendrillon is deceptive enough to play so deep a game. Ysabeau is at once my dearest friend and greatest enemy, and is prone to fits of paranoia and insanity. If the King discovers half of what she has done, she will beat Belchamps’ daughter to the convent.

I have enclosed a little love charm to aid you in capturing your neighbor’s affections. Wear it around your neck, but take care not to crack it open–it’s filled with blood and holy oil, and will stain your gown. I am assured its magic is very potent. If you find yourself in Montmartre soon, might I beg you send me more inheritance powder, or some of La Voisin’s infamous soup? I am impatient to be rid of Belchamps, and Ysabeau charges far too much for hers.

Give my love to the children.

Your Affectionate Sister,
Chloe

The Long Way Home
(The Southwark Saga, Book 3)
By Jessica Cale

A paranoid king, a poison plot, and hideous shoes…it’s not easy being Cinderella.

After saving the life of the glamorous Marquise de Harfleur, painfully shy barmaid Alice Henshawe is employed as the lady’s companion and whisked away to Versailles. There, she catches King Louis’ eye and quickly becomes a court favorite as the muse for Charles Perrault’s Cinderella. The palace appears to be heaven itself, but there is danger hidden beneath the façade and Alice soon finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue, murder, and Satanism at the heart of the French court.

Having left his apprenticeship to serve King Charles as a spy, Jack Sharpe is given a mission that may just kill him. In the midst of the Franco-Dutch war, he is to investigate rumors of a poison plot by posing as a courtier, but he has a mission of his own. His childhood friend Alice Henshawe is missing and he will stop at nothing to see her safe. When he finds her in the company of the very people he is meant to be investigating, Jack begins to wonder if the sweet girl he grew up with has a dark side.

When a careless lie finds them accidentally married, Alice and Jack must rely on one another to survive the intrigues of the court. As old affection gives way to new passion, suspicion lingers. Can they trust each other, or is the real danger closer than they suspect?

“Really brilliant writing that’s so engaging with such endearing characters! I especially love the way Jack and Alice are both so devoted to each other! I was totally absorbed in this exciting and fascinating world Jessica Cale created from the very first paragraph to the last! I read this all in one sitting, staying awake late to finish, just had to!” – Romazing Reader

Jessica Cale is the award-winning author of the historical romance series, The Southwark Saga. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Wales for several years where she earned a BA in History and an MFA in Creative Writing while climbing castles and photographing mines for history magazines. She kidnapped (“married”) her very own British prince (close enough) and is enjoying her happily ever after with him in North Carolina.

Jessica is also a Bluestocking Belle. You can visit her page here.

Buying Beauty at the Royal Exchange

By Aunt Augusta

On May 20, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Jessica Cale, Teatime Tattler

Whilst renovating Somerton House in St. James, Lady Somerton discovered this 17th century pamphlet advertising some of the cosmetics available for purchase at the Royal Exchange. As an avid reader of the Tea Time Tattler, Lady Somerton passed it on to us for the amusement of our readers. Many of these are still used today, but others, thankfully, have gone quite out of fashion.

We live in a remarkable age. Once restricted to only the highest echelons of society, cosmetics are now widely available and can be purchased on any income at the newly rebuilt Royal Exchange. While increased trade has improved food and fashion, it has also brought many new beautifying products to London, so even modest ladies and domestic servants can afford to take home a little bit of luxury. Improve your complexion and your prospects with our list of the best cosmetics available at the ‘Change:

Flower Waters–Orange flower water is not the only tonic that will improve your complexion. Erase freckles with a cowslip wash, or turn back the hands of time with May’s first dew, gathered and preserved in fluted glass. Miss Elysabeth Henshawe of Southwark sells rose tonics and salves that it is claimed are the secret to the legendary beauty of the Henshawe sisters. Purchase some for yourself and carry the lush scent of roses with you wherever you tread.

Ceruse–correct imperfections and fill in pockmarks with this miracle powder beloved of royalty and courtesans alike. The Royal Exchange stocks all grades including the much coveted Venetian ceruse that boasts the highest lead content in the known world. Though the Royal Society has noted that people involved in its manufacture tend to suffer cramps and blindness, this should not concern you as the efficacy of this product far outweighs any theoretical risks.

Mouse Skin Eyebrows–Ceruse has a depilatory effect, so if you find yourself in need of eyebrows, purchase some made of mouse skin. Simply affix with a little gum and carry on, and no one will be the wiser.

Depilatories–If ceruse does not eliminate any unwanted hair, a simple depilatory can be made by mixing cat dung and vinegar. Do not have a cat? Never fear! The Royal Exchange stocks many potent alternatives that will suffice.

Top Tip: If your income will not stretch to ceruse, a similar effect can be achieved with a dusting of alabaster powder or starch over oily skin.

Cochineal–Once you have created a flawless complexion, add a rosy flush with cochineal. This can be purchased as a powder or in Spanish paper for simple application to lips or cheeks.

Blue crayon–This product is an essential feature of many ladies’ dressing tables for a reason. Not only can it be used on lids to emphasize a pair of fine eyes, but it can be used to draw veins on the bosom to create the appearance of a pale, translucent complexion.

Alabaster crayons–New arrival from Marseilles. Composed of the finest alabaster, these crayons come in every color that occurs in nature and a fair few that do not. Use on eyes, cheeks, and lips for an effect as bold or demure as you desire.

Belladonna drops–When applied to the eyes, this magical plant dilates pupils and adds shine to mimic the flattering effects of candlelight or attraction. It has the added benefit of unfocusing the eyes, so any unpleasantness melts away into a lovely haze until the product wears off.

Patches–Lady Castlemaine is never without hers. Follow her advice and wear one every day except for when in mourning, of course. Cut from silk and taffeta, they come in an array of shapes from moons and stars to tiny coaches complete with horses. The Royal Exchange receives new deliveries of these daily and they are a refined way to express yourself, your loves, or your loyalties.

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You can read more about cosmetics, shopping, and the intricacies of seventeenth century life in Jessica Cale’s historical romance series, The Southwark Saga.

Website: http://www.dirtysexyhistory.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Cale/e/B00PVDV9EW

Because history is fun and love is worth working for

Tag: 17th Century

The Dutch Word for “Cannibalized”: A Letter From The Hague

Please send money…and Montmartre soup

Buying Beauty at the Royal Exchange

CHRISTMASTIDE KISSES

UNDER THE HARVEST MOON