medieval spirits

e l l e 

[serfsupdude]

High Tea at the Savoy, or, possibly the most boujee thing I have ever done

I arrived at the hotel with Maddy, Bianca, and Sky for our 3:30 reservation for high tea with Jenn. Aside from finger sandwiches and tea, I cannot say I knew what I was in store for, except for the fact that I needed to look my best. Everything about the hotel is exquisite which only confirmed my belief that this would be an experience to remember. 

We were greeted by our server, Charlie, who could not have been sweeter. He asked us if we were celebrating anything special, to which Sky responded, “our anniversary,” as he wrapped his arm around Bianca in a loving embrace. 

We began our high tea with a glass of champagne and a variety of five finger sandwiches. 

From left to right: cucumber, egg, curry chicken, steak, and lox. 

I don’t think it’s possibly to have a favorite, though I’m partial to the lox.

Our second course was a salmon dish with a salmon skin “crisp” and artichokes. Honestly, this picture makes me hungry. It was absolutely incredible. 

As we were close to finishing our second course, Charlie had another server drop off cheesecake for the love birds. The plate read “Happy Anniversary” in chocolate. They also wrote out a card for Sky and Bianca wishing them many more happy anniversaries. There’s nothing better than someone with a sense of humor, and boy, Charlie really outdid himself. 

I couldn’t possibly describe this dessert, but I’ll eat just about anything with gold flakes on it. 

Obligatory high tea photo with my Jade Sword green tea and our final course: pastries and biscuits accompanied with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd. 

As we enjoyed each other’s company and conversation, a woman played piano in the indoor gazebo (I’m not sure if there’s a better word or way to describe it). The setting could not have been more perfect; the same goes for the champagne, food, service, and of course the people I shared this lovely experience with. 

In 2012 Stuart McAlpine Miller was commissioned to create several paintings featuring notable guests who stayed at the Savoy. Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, and Katharine Hepburn (featured above) to name a few were hung about in the room where high tea was held. The soft yet bright colors and overlap of celebrity and setting created a mesh of history, beauty, and modernity. 

[serfsupdude]

The Tower of London or the Terror of London?

Mostly everyone is aware of my RI Chapter of the Richard III Society. The first time I traveled to the Tower, I’ll be honest, I was jaded. William Shakespeare’s play really had me going. However, after hours upon hours of research, I have finally seen the light, which led me to motioning for a local chapter to support a truly misinterpreted King. If you really want to come at me for the murder of those two young princes, I might argue those spoiled boys could have grown up to be far worse than most attribute Richard to be. So, even if Richard had the boys murdered, perhaps he was doing the throne a favor. Who can say?

Can you even fathom the discovery of our dear Richard? I cannot. A parking lot? Joni Mitchell’s lyrics “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot” have never meant more to me. 

Moving on from Richard III, my experience visiting the Tower this time was much different. My first visit included a blue badge tour guide. He provided an extensive description of Anne Boleyn’s execution, which to my surprise left me feeling emotional. Unfortunately, we did not have a guide this time around, which definitely changed the experience. API Anna provided us with headsets, which I politely declined. I don’t think there is anything less interesting when touring than to listen to a recorded report-- there’s just no life to it. Also, I find it generally awkward to walk around with a large plastic device pressed to my head-- but maybe that’s just me. 

Touching on the previous tour, the guide also informed us about the pet polar bear who lived at the Tower. They would walk him/her (who knows) to the Thames so the bear could fish for sustenance. It’s the small details that create actual life to the history that otherwise seems so distant and out of reach. The stories of humanity make it real. 

I was not able to see the crown jewels the first time, so being able to see the enormous jewels. However, I found the anointing spoon to be possibly the most interesting out of everything. It is noted as being the oldest surviving piece. To imagine the kings and queens who were anointed with that one spoon blows my mind. The history and ritual of coronation has been respected and honored for hundreds and hundreds of years. The spoon has existed since the 12th century, and will likely outlive all of us. 

[serfsupdude]

Buckingham Palace

Timing is everything. So, for this girl, I unfortunately missed the changing of the guard. That is not to say I feel a loss of experience (ok, maybe a little). 

Just, wow. 

I am fascinated by the uniforms of the Guard. The bearskins, which I imagine take time to adjust to the balance, and vibrant red coats are perfectly tailored to each officer. Though they are known for their lack of movement, and often mocked to attempt to elicit a reaction, it is their stillness that creates reverence. 

The Queen Victoria Monument, resides by the Palace, and compliments it quite nicely. The surrounding statues on the monument represent: courage, constancy, victory, charity, truth, and motherhood. Reminders of what is valued in not only England, but what should be valued everywhere. England’s woman commander-in-chief, none other than Queen Elizabeth II, reflects the principles of this monument well. Though the monarchy really just represents another time, ultimately it is all a performance. Will the changing of the guard continue forever? Who can say? 

[serfsupdude]

The London Wall

Throughout most of the trip, many of us discussed the mystery of architecture. Sure, there’s certainly a science to it, but before one can even determine how to build anything, one must imagine it first. The grandiosity of just about every site we visited was breathtakingly impressive. Furthermore, not only do these spaces exist, they have also withstood hundreds of years of weather, battle, and simply time. 

The London Wall, built by the Romans, resides by the Tower of London which is nearly 1,000 years old. However, The London Wall was erected circa 2nd/3rd century, which is just about beyond comprehension. How does something so old last? Though there is not much information regarding the wall, like the specifics of why it was built in the first place, I don’t think it necessarily matters. Though it would be interesting to know exactly why these walls were built, it is relatively assumed for protection and defense. Meaning and reason eventually become fluid and ever-changing. It really stands and remains as a piece of history, a reminder, of how much exists and has existed, and how life will carry on without an indication of what or who will be remembered, it just happens with time.

[serfsupdude]

Borough Market

Maybe it’s because I work in a (moderately) nice restaurant, or maybe it’s because I love food, but walking into Borough Market had my eyes wide and my mouth salivating. Although I can’t imagine anyone walking through Borough Market without feeling hungry. 

I wish I had taken more pictures of the market, but in my defense, my hands were preoccupied with pad thai and lemon and mint iced tea. The size of the market is overwhelming the in the best possible way. You really cannot complain when your biggest problem is deciding what stand to go to for dessert-- the options truly seem endless. In comparison to the Hope Street Farmers Market in Providence... well it really cannot be compared. Of course to compare one of London’s many markets with one of Providence’s only farmers markets would be unfair considering the sizes of each city. However, there was so much produce I had never laid eyes on before. The newness of types of mushrooms and eggplant was remarkable. The colors were vibrant to the point some vegetables seemed almost supernatural. 

Also, I have NEVER seen oyster mushrooms like this before. Pink oyster mushrooms... jaw dropping. Man, nature is cool. 

Overall, the market was a fun, albeit overwhelming, experience... and certainly satisfying. 

[serfsupdude]

1 Henry IV  (4 stars???)

The Globe is special. The thrust stage and elements due to the open roof provide both an intimacy with the actors and with the city, or more specifically the heavens (both the sky and the stage’s roof). The grandiosity of Shakespeare’s Globe insists a grandiose performance, though that is an impossible expectation. However, as our class toured the Globe the morning before 1 Henry IV we witnessed the actors’ vocal warm-ups. Their instructor had the actors experiment with the power of their own voice through the utilization of the acoustics of the theatre itself. Vocal range and volume is imperative to good theatre as that is how tone and climax are often achieved. 

Hours later, we entered the theatre again hoping to experience what even non-theatre goers expect: an outstanding performance. Expectations are dangers, however. But, it’s the Globe... 

Two years ago we saw Twelfth Night, and though the plays differ in genre, they are still both funny... or have the potential to be. Twelfth Night was colorful, dazzled in sequins and song, the audience was engaged. So, though I knew 1 Henry IV would obviously be quite different, that did not effect my hopes for the staging and performances of Harry and Harry (and obviously Falstaff). 

Walking through the pit to my seat, I was enveloped by the brightly colored flags which circled the entirety of the theatre. Aside from the flags, the set was nearly bare. Perhaps a minimal stage is a turn-off for some. The art of set design can be mind-blowing, but perhaps the near absence of a set yields a similar response-- though I would guess not necessarily for the same reasons. It really all depends on how the actors utilize the stage and their words and voice.

Sadly, I cannot say the space and atmosphere were utilized to their full potential.. or in Hotspur’s case, too much. Having witnessed the vocal warm-ups earlier in the day, it was clear there is an art to projecting one’s voice so the audience can not only hear the actors, but also an art to establishing a range of emotions. Yes, Hotspur is pissed. But, incessant shouting diminishes any possibility of emotional range. Rage and yelling are not exclusively synonymous. For Hotspur, they were. Once an actor reaches their greatest volume, especially early on, there is no space for anything more. 

This performance utilized gender play, but not to its advantage. There really was not any reason to “queer” the genders. Maybe that is the point? Though I found it blasé and perhaps I might go as far to say unimaginative. 

Falstaff, played by a woman, might be described as a caricature. He is known for his exaggerated attempts to appear put-together, but he will comically never achieve the sprezzatura he thinks he embodies. The relationship between Falstaff and Hal went through the motions without enough emotion and dynamic between the two. The false robbery scene reads hilarious on paper alone... which begs me to wonder how it is even possibly a Globe performance could drag such a scene to utter dullness. 

Moving on to the actual comedy, the fight scenes were unintentionally humorous. I have taken stage fighting classes which I’ll recognize were incredibly basic. However, I am aware of the true art of stage fighting. It is a dance in which all actors involved must be especially aware of every minute detail of movement. The aforementioned flag set came full circle (maybe?) during the fight scenes. However, they were brief and insincere. And considering Hotspur’s rage, the emotions did not match the lackluster battles. 

All in all, the performance was disappointing. Following the play, we gathered at The Swan for food and drink to lament our misguided high hopes of the play. Surprisingly, the play has been reviewed pleasantly. However, I find four stars a reach, and do not agree with the praise it has received. 

[serfsupdude]

murder cont.

touching on both “walking in the city” and the murder map, it’s terrifying to consider the possibility (and maybe likeliness) of passing by a murderer. most of the murders on the map were committed by regular people. 

as someone who was introduced to the unsolved murder of jonbenet ramsey, i cant help but love a good mystery. the two murdered princes in the tower of london is also “unsolved,” though Shakespeare really put the heat on Richard III. london is also home to jack the ripper, the infamous unidentified serial killer. we also have the murder of marlowe... a bar fight gone awry.

(fun fact, I catfished the president of the Richard III Society in Conn. and almost started a RI chapter.)

[serfsupdude]

Valentine’s Day Crime of Passion or Premeditation?

This headline reads: Jealous Priest Kills Man He Finds with Lover

In the parish of St. Lawrence Jewry in the Cheap Ward, an unassuming man was putting on the ritz for his lover, Alice de York. It was the night before the feast of Valentine, so you can imagine the magic occuring in the bedroom between Alice and Walter de Anne. However, Alice had a secret. In addition to seeing Walter, she was also seeing Alan de Hacford, a priest. 

On Monday, February 13, 1326, Alan crept into Walter’s bedroom and finding him with Alice, killed him. Perhaps shock caused him to grab a nearby sword and destroy his insides. Or perhaps Alan and Alice planned this attack. Alice’s compliance and even assistance during the stabbing, seems peculiar. Unless she really prefered Alan to Walter. I mean, why was Alan even going into Walter’s room in the first place? Honestly, they were probably hooking up too. Anyway, following the stabbing, Alan and Alice fled to an unknown location leaving all of their belongings behind. They were never caught. As for Walter, he  was discovered bloodied, but still alive the following morning...Valentine’s Day. Sadly, his wounds were far too severe to survive and he died the following Monday. 

[serfsupdude]

babbling

It just doesn’t seem like a positive story. Isn’t divine intervention supposed to be a good thing? 

[serfsupdude]

performance a la phatic topoi

de Certeau’s Walking in the City, though pretentious, observes the malleability and subjectivity of communication of the individual in everyday life in a city. The individual is offered any and all paths, yet we abide by the structure of the phatic topoi. There is a fluidity to these paths, as nothing ever remains the same. Over time, communication and reputation of a person/place will change, and with that change, our reactions adjust accordingly. 

Verbal and non-verbal forms of communication require two individuals. There is the expectation (”hi”, “hello”, a nod, a smile) and an action followed by a response.  The general exchanges people have with each other on the city streets is based on not the physical human, but how that person presents themself. One might be a bit friendlier to a well-dressed passby than someone more rugged looking. Still, oftentimes, the street can offer a neutralizing situation where two people, complete strangers, are simply cordial. It isn’t until we know a person’s background or more specifically, their occupation that our mannerisms change or adjust to curtail the “appropriate” phatic topoi. 

Similarly, there is a language to a city with a suggested set of rules to follow. We profile the neighborhoods of a city the same way we might profile a person. It is not necessarily a bad thing-- though it can create limitations of one’s path. de Certeau refers to walking as “a space of enunciation” (98). The relationship between self and city is limitless but conditional depending on location. As we read people walking down the street, we must read the street before we even began the trek. A neighborhood, or even simply a street, has a reputation. However, as nothing stays the same, the location has the potential to change. Gentrification puts lipstick on the neighborhood, eventually giving the illusion of a “nicer” space, until, eventually, that space is a “nicer” space. What was once considered an unsafe neighborhood becomes the up-and-coming part of town. 

[shitpostpriest]

anyway here’s wonderwall