King & Conqueror
14 September 2025 10:37 pmI have been watching the BBC's new drama about King Harold and William of Normandy, which to be honest is making me more and more inclined to go and read Georgette Heyer's "The Conqueror" instead (almost certainly, given Heyer's fanatical research ethic, more historically accurate, and easier to empathize with the characters as well).
Whoever did the adaptation on this one obviously had the brief to emphasise as many significant roles for women as possible, but at least it is done plausibly, with women depicted as canny diplomatic advisers or powers behind the throne, rather than being weapons-wielding warriors. King Edward's mother, Emma of Normandy --I'm *assuming* that connection between the realms is historically accurate, because I've never heard of her-- is basically the villain for the first half of the run, until Edward finally snaps and batters her to death with the crown of England (yes, it's that sort of show). Hard to imagine Edward the Confessor murdering anyone, but the scene makes it seem plausible in context.
Gore is definitely a defining factor, and I get the impression a lot of effort has been put into the fight choreography. The sets and buildings -- maybe not so much. ( Read more... )
My favourite character is currently the elegant and slippery Count Baldwin of Flanders, William's completely untrustworthy father-in-law (who actually does fit my memories of Heyer, so is probably drawn from historical record!)
Not a great show, but not sufficiently actively annoying to cause me to stop following it...
Whoever did the adaptation on this one obviously had the brief to emphasise as many significant roles for women as possible, but at least it is done plausibly, with women depicted as canny diplomatic advisers or powers behind the throne, rather than being weapons-wielding warriors. King Edward's mother, Emma of Normandy --I'm *assuming* that connection between the realms is historically accurate, because I've never heard of her-- is basically the villain for the first half of the run, until Edward finally snaps and batters her to death with the crown of England (yes, it's that sort of show). Hard to imagine Edward the Confessor murdering anyone, but the scene makes it seem plausible in context.
Gore is definitely a defining factor, and I get the impression a lot of effort has been put into the fight choreography. The sets and buildings -- maybe not so much. ( Read more... )
My favourite character is currently the elegant and slippery Count Baldwin of Flanders, William's completely untrustworthy father-in-law (who actually does fit my memories of Heyer, so is probably drawn from historical record!)
Not a great show, but not sufficiently actively annoying to cause me to stop following it...