#bd.goddesses

[ladymegwelles]

& @boleynsrex

Marguerite Welles was in full bloom.

The gaiety and splendor of the evening seemed to have opened her shell completely, launching the usually quite reserved and proper young lady into the depths of spontaneity, and numerous courtiers would remark that such joy suited her. Her costume, more revealing than she had ever dared (though still not able to hold a candle to those of more scandalous ladies at Hampton, English or French), transformed her from a lady in service to the princess to one in her own right, for Cyrene was beloved by her people for her tenacity and loyalty. Meg found every aspect of the evening enchanting, from the eyes focused solely on her as she performed to the sweets rotating through the crowd, from the laughter echoing off of the Great Hall's high ceilings to the sight of lovers embracing tenderly out in the open - for the Greeks did value lust and love as much as the French, did they not?

The king seemed equally enthralled by it all, interacting with members of his court with a grin that seemed to transform his entire countenance - and why should he not? Did this night not declare him the most enviable prince in Christendom, to have a palace filled to the brim with charm, elegance, and prosperity? Emboldened by a bit too much wine and excitement, Meg approached the king as he sat upon a throne decorated to befit a Greek god; she curtsied low, then rose and extended her hand, eyes dancing with merriment. "Will you do me the honor of a dance, Lord Apollo? I should think you must."

[thladyofshalott]

Jane had been absent from court simply due to her husband who had been away either with her own father, or to his own family. At any case, Jane had been secluded to Warwick Castle, where she doted upon her mother when she was not passed to her cousins’ countryside household to act as a companion to Kismet Dudley, or as a caregiver to her cousin’s wife’s children from a previous marriage. Her loneliness had, at least, emboldened her sense of self, her prayers leaving her devout to her moments alone. It had only been upon the pregnancy of Amy Robsart had she been asked to accompany her cousins to court again, more so as their guest than to her husband, who was still far from her side (not that she was against that, for to be without he was only a blessing). 

She remained by Amy’s side then as they entertained the masses with the presence of the Dudley household, ritually checking on her cousins with tender touches or sweetened whispers, straying often to Amy Robsart side when Kismet was not in need of her attention. Passing a cup towards the Countess, Jane sat by her side, arranging her veil over her head to expose the smile towards her cousin-in-law. “How do you feel? Is there anything I may do? Perhaps another cushion, or something sweetened?” She asked, doting on Amy as if she herself felt the kicks of a new life inside of her — the rest of the room then fleeting, for even if the King himself approached, Jane would not overlook her duty. @robsartd

[pcppyy]

𝖌𝖔𝖉𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖊𝖘 𝖆𝖙 𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖕𝖙𝖔𝖓 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙 | penelope walsingham, as  persephone, goddess of spring. 

the attendance of penelope walsingham and her husband, thomas, was well documented in the romance novel ' the spymaster's bride ' written by fledgling fiction author diana suno, inspired heavily by other tudor romance novelists such as jean plaidy and phillipa gregory. it included a very vivid scene that was heavily based on the true events of the pageant of the king's in the year of 1559, where penelope acted out a sorrowful scene of leaving her mother, demeter, to be with the king of the underworld. the two women soon dissolved into giggles once the scene was complete. adorned in mauve silks, it was noted that penelope maintained a higher neckline then some of the other women in attendance, however if the fictional novel is to be believed the fabric was sheer whenever penelope shifted, revealing long dainty legs and bare thighs and glimpse of her breasts if stood in the right position ( one that her husband was notably glued to most of the night as they drank ). historians have remarked in brevity in various writings of thomas walsingham's life that it was unintentional irony for his wife to portray the goddess of spring, growth, and fertility, as according to the timeline it was around this period of time that she became pregnant with their third, and final, child. 

[jancboleyn]

JANE BOLEYN, countess of wiltshire.

draped in gold with stars pinned amongst the dark curls usually concealed by her hood, the countess of wiltshire found the same find delight in such pageantry and extravagance as she did such events in her youth. the château vert had been one of the earliest delights of jane's time at court, where she had attended as a personification of constancy, and it was with that same joy that she joined the court of goddesses. in the stars of night there was renewal to be found, peace and hope looming upon all who sought to look upon them, and in them could be found a great deal of strength. jane walked the halls of court reborn and yet unchanged by each obstacle that had presented itself in the countess' path, reinventing herself whenever necessary to survive much like her goddess counterpart. she was as constant and resilient as the stars themselves, offering a glimpse of hope to all who would look to her; this night and all nights to come.

ASTERIA, goddess of the stars.

[thlachesis]

HÉLÉNE D'HALLUIN as ARIADNE

The consort of Dionysus, the unclaimed hero of Theseus and the Minotaur, Goddess of labyrinths and paths.

There was, in reality, little logic why a maid-of-honour to Caterina de Medici was paired alongside the newest star of the English Court, William Shakespeare. But, there was no denying that they attended the celebration as the hedonistic couple of Greek poetry; Dionysus and his consort, Ariadne. Having rumoured to once shared a bed with the late King of France, the innocence of her marriage and child then put into question upon French soil, there was no denying that Héléne chased the thrill of life to its very end. The same, some would say, could be said for Ariadne; who had betrayed her family for a man who'd later leave her stranded before Dionysus plucked her from obscurity to become a Goddess of her own doing.

Her costume almost matches her sister's in obscenities, her neckline cuts against the swell of her breast, a peach-tinted dress embracing her body where it rises and falls. Red thread, imitating the red string that lead Theseus to the Minotaur, catches around her skirts and bodice, rubies borrowed from the French Queen worn upon a single finger - a locket molded to the shape of a bull, or in this case the Minotaur itself, worn around her throat which presses against the chain. She dances the night away after performing a Cretan traditional routine to honour Ariadne herself when in league with the other procession of talented women. That night, perhaps, was a very scene taken from a Shakespearean play.

[richardofrochford]

Richard Boleyn, Viscount Rochford as Achilles

Richard attends the festivities as the Grecian hero Achilles, and looks every bit the warrior. His clothing is white, covered with a red cloak and wearing a pair of leather armbands, made just for the occasion. The cloak is fastened by a golden brooch at his shoulder, decorated with Tudor roses as an affirmation of his loyalty to his royal family. With him he carries a shield, elaborately painted ahead of the festivities. He will spend the night drinking and making merry, and it will be noted he spends much time with Elinor Fitzroy. It is not lost on Richard, however, that like Achilles, he too suffers following separation from his philtatos.

[thdilettante]

THOMAS WYATT as ZEUS

King of the Gods, God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law and order

Unlike many others, the role of Zeus was assigned to the Dowager's husband because, quite plainly, she had been given the role of Hera. As Queen of the Gods, she ruled the court with the temper of ancient beings, and so in turn, Wyatt stepped into the fray as a willing consort. Having always been theatrical, Thomas adorned himself in red and white, linens and silks draped from his body with a single peacock feather tucked into against his breast in a sign of fidelity to his quasi-Queen. Engorged with pleasure to the evening's burning spirit, Thomas walked around court proclaiming poetry that passed through Ancient lips, throwing quotes from Ovid and Homer between gulps of aged wine with a merriment that would've almost been contagious, if it was not for his blossoming ego. But, he always returned to the Dowager in the same way an adventurous pup would run without thought.

With his chest almost bare, his arms flexed beneath a robe that seemed almost lurid for an older man to wear, Thomas embodied the grandeur that came with his play-acting. But nonetheless, nothing could deter him. Drunk on the ceremony, he applauded with thunderous hurrah, a champion perhaps to the coy maidens who had been pushed into the spotlight - one hand against his wife's, the other busy scrawling snippets of aching poetry. Perhaps, if he was lucky, then he would be allowed to write once more, to publish something not concerning the crown but instead the ever wavering soul. As Zeus, he could not help but feel his own worth.

[lareinamaria]

Mary, Queen of Spain as Nemesis

Mary debates whether she wishes to attend the festivities at all, finding herself unsettled by the prospect of anything relating to the ancient religion. When she is persuaded to attend, she does some research and opts to adopt the guise of Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution. It makes a statement, as Mary is wont to do, as she arrives in a dress of deep black velvet, accentuated well with gold and pearls. From ears dangle a pair of golden swords, a symbol of Nemesis, and embroidery along the shoulders of her gown gives the suggestion of golden wings. One item which is entirely antithetical to her costume, however, is the large cross necklace which hangs around her throat. Eagle-eyed onlookers who are old enough to remember may note that the necklace is familiar, as it once belonged to her mother, a fact which only adds to the statement Mary wishes to make with her appearance.