#bd.event002

[thunyielding]

As the heavy clouds split in the wine-dark sea of the nighttime sky, Elizabeth hitched her skirts up over her feet and broke into a girlish laugh, the noise as well tuned as any lute, before she cast her net wide to embrace the closest of companions. Her hands — her royal, holy hands — took to the shoulders of others as she tried to hop over the blades of grass in fear of ruining the gold brocade created by loving stitches, before she relinquished them of their responsibility upon seeing the shadow of the one she could not help but love. 

Love? Was it that? Of course, it shook her deeply, as if he had set his anchor within her — that with each tug she ran with the pace of the strongest horse. But, then, was it not she who almost always yearned for his presence? Was it not she who etched secret words between lines of careful penmanship for his quick release? 

But who was to question the order of their Princess? A woman sculpted by Tudor blood and Boleyn passion, a figure cast in the shape of a mother yet soaked in the fury of a father. No one, bar perhaps the figure who remained in shadow, could coax Elizabeth from what she wanted, and without further thought she pushed her companions aside to guide her vision of glittering gold towards he — Robin, [i]her[/i] Robin whom she had fallen for in the very first days of their common place friendship. What was she but struck by Cupid’s bow, for beneath the glamour of being holy by birth, she was but a girl with the same desires of any other. 

So, she ignored the suspicion of other courtiers, slipping in line towards Dudley before the rain could draw the line between them in broad, fine strokes. For as soon as she reached his part of the garden, the clouds had spilled upon the earth as heavy as they could've done, falling in fat droplets that lit a chorus against the awaiting canopies. Rushing to him, her heart a-flutter against her chest, Elizabeth threw herself to him with her hands already grasped around his elbows, her body ready to latch onto his in that first second of their long-awaited reunion.

“The heavens! Look!” She cried, holding back joyous laughter before craning her neck back to look above them, to gaze with widened eyes, her hands clutched around his arms, her faith in his safety, all too obvious for anyone to make some vulgar comment. "What an omen..." @leiccsters

[richardofrochford]

Richard Boleyn is dressed finely, as befits his station and wealth. He wears a dark grey doublet with detailed embroidery, as well as an outer coat lined in pale fur. All of the material is finely made to the last detail.

His crest combines the two symbols most associated with the house of Boleyn - a bull, representing the family as a whole, and a falcon, representing the Dowager Queen and displaying fealty to his aunt and cousins. Richard leaves no question as to where his loyalty lies.

[truedevotions]

donning an emerald green grown with a low square neckline and hanging sleeves, isobel had decided to disregard her family’s colours, the famous blue and yellow, forever loyal to style over pride. her gable hood is adorned with pearls and emeralds, made to match her heavy necklace. her rings, however, the three of them to be precise, were crafted with rubies; a subtle nod to her most adored shade.

[philippaed]

though  the  weather  has  not  yet  turned  bitingly  cold,  the  duchess  of  suffolk  can  be  seen  in  a  modest  but  no  less  extravagant  display  with  a  deeply  rich  cloth  of  red  made  from  the  most  expensive  imported  dyes  softened  by  creamy  whites  ─  along  with  emphasizing  the  family  wealth,  the  colors  also  represent  the  grey  family's  coat  of  arms  and  if  one  were  to  see  the  sisters  together,  the  shared  color  palette  upon  different  styles,  cloths  and  patterns  marks  them  as  a  strong  unit.  sporting  a  french  hood  in  similar  shades,  the  red  brocade  can  be  seen  in  her  kirtle,  peeking  out  at  the  neckline,  sleeves  and  skirts,  as  well  as  being  added  to  her  hood,  pulled  back  to  show  a  hint  of  her  bronzed  locks  and  embellished  with  rubies  and  pearls  as  large  as  her  thumbnail.  these  same  embellishments  continue  down  to  her  dress,  sewn  into  the  neckline  and  hems  of  her  sleeves  though  her  fingers  remain  bare  except  for  her  right  thumb  which  sports  the  signet  ring  that  had  belonged  to  her  father.  a  distinctly  masculine  ring,  the  snarling  lion  marks  her  as  one  from  the  royal  bloodline  and  further  calls  back  to  the  lion,  rampant,  on  the  family  coat  of  arms.

[thquldnunc]

As is his place, Thomas Walsingham does not wear a silhouette that widens his posture, but rather attends in a similar garment worn on his every day hours. Draped in black with red highlights, Thomas does not enter with the need to be perceived, but to rather remain in the shadows whilst making note of who is who and where everyone strays.

Whilst stood in his understated aesthetic, Thomas turns to his spies with whispers waxed in English, French and Spanish; who is talking to who? What are they talking about?

He wears no fur, but rather red velvet against his breast with black hose hiding the shape of his legs, duckbill shoes the same shade as the rest of him. Whereas many will enjoy the festivities, Thomas is on the clock, and does not mean to weary in the face of the night sky.

[edmcndd]

in honor of the occasion, edmund percy has elected to don the colors of house percy, yet discussed in depth with the family tailor to alter it to be softer on the eyes of those within court. instead of a garish blue, they selected a steelish blue color for the doublet and matching large coat ( some may say that it is chosen purposefully in a shade that represents the bond he believes he shares with the king ) ; while also entirely forgoing any shades of yellow. rather, the twisting vines of embroidery done on his garment is with ivory shades of white, and while many see it as nothing but a passing design choice - in edmund's mind it is a chaste nod to the his maternal side. a tiny favor he allows himself for courage. the earl percy does not wear any sort of headwear but his hair is carefully combed, and in his left ear sits a intricate golden pearl earring. the jacket he wears is heavy and expensively fur lined. edmund sheds it near immediately when william calls on him to recount their most interesting hunting tales on the stage, acting out the valiant ones of their king killing boars as if they were men, hands gesturing wildly as his family signet ring glints in the light. 

[bloodydayshq]

Bloody Days 'Play in the Park'

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟓𝟓𝟗: Join the King and his Family in the Knot Garden for an open-air viewing of 'The Spanish Tragedy' at Hampton Court. Take in the scenic views of the Thames, enjoy a spectacular firework display, and, most importantly, enjoy the show. Feast, drink, and make merry, but try not to get caught in the sudden storm that drenches the Palace.

As another jade-scented evening settles over Hampton Court Palace, the brash sound of hammering and worker's chatter can be heard from the courtyard. Twinkling stars shed a milky glow over a sea of stages and wooden platforms, constructed for this very purpose, awash with glittering London actors flitting to and fro, and an ample spread of imported wines, seasonable fruits, and sugared delicacies for the court to feast upon – and, if necessary, to toss at lackluster performers.  

His Majesty the King wishes to invite the entirety of court to join His Grace and the Royal Family in the Hampton Court knot garden for an open-air viewing of budding young bard Thomas Kyd’s ‘The Spanish Tragedy.’  At random, members of the court may be summoned to come up on stage and regale the rest of the court with their singing or dancing abilities – but they, too, will be subjected to the cruel tossing of ripe fruit. The night will be cinched with a grandiose firework display over Hampton Court's magnificent towers and a lavish feast of confections and wine by the river, lit by the glow of torches along the banks and a number of royal barges floating over the dark depths of the Thames.

The weather is balmy, but the air swirls with an impending rain, so dress appropriately – and beware the rumbling of the skies above, and the ever-present grumblings of plots and schemes afoot. 

For this special occasion, courtiers have been asked to sport their most glamorous (if not downright ostentatious) garments to impress the foreign guests summoned to join the English court in London. For ease of introduction, each guest present must sport some sort of badge, pendant, or symbol upon their person related to their identity, family, or political sway.

NOTE TO MEMBERS: As the clock strikes midnight (mere minutes after the last blaze of fireworks zing through the smoky sky) a sudden onslaught of rain descends over the court. There is no paucity of places to run to at court, just remember, where – and with whom – you escape to the cloak of safety will be watched by everyone, enemies and allies alike.

OOC Details:

Welcome to our first event, post-revamp! This event will last from Tuesday (noon EST) until Sunday the 5th; however, if you so choose, by Thursday you may begin posting non-event related threads. 'Play in the Park' will take place, in character, at Hampton Court’s Knot Garden. All characters have been asked to participate – so please be sure to join us! Tag all threads and starters with #bd.event002.

[thunyielding]

Elizabeth arrives with an entire bevy of beautiful women in toe, but it is a conscious decision that the awaiting gaze falls upon her first of all. Whilst in conversation with her talented seamstress, they come to an agreement that the first gown of spectacular worth must come in the shade of shimmering gold brocade and the finest lace, decorated only by the splendour of pearls that make it seem, when the light hits her just right, as if she is coated in water, as if she were a daughter of Melusine or a Siren sent to take any unwilling man's soul away.

Of course, it is all for show, for up close you may make out the shape of such delicacies, the gemstone repeated up to her ears where they fall from her lobes in teardrops.

Her bodice remains as stiff as armour itself and ends in a deep point at the front of her lap, her neckline is square and seemingly desires the attention of every onlooker with the slightest angle provokes at the middle against her royal chest, or perhaps that is just your imagination making the most of the situation.

The skirt is worn over layers to resemble wide, round hips with the material pleated to the waist, spreading wide and full by the time you reach her toes, her slight silk slippers hidden beneath the material but be aware, tat they are as delicate as the rest of this immaculate oeuvre.

Her hair is uncovered, sections of the royal head weaved and held up by red-silk so the perfume of rose water that was dabbed behind her ears can be released upon every turn of her head. She is to be consumed, to be judged - so let us throw a volta, and have some fun.