Reading your post having just started Eric Ives' biography on Anne. While I agree that entertainment is something different, at the same time I dont think it should mistepresent historical figures and what is known to be fact. I mean, Margaret Beaufort's reputation suffered a huge blow due to The White Princess series.
Yes, you’re absolutely right! There’s such a fine line between historical accuracy and entertainment, and I agree that misrepresenting someone’s character can be hugely damaging- especially if the evidence is there to tell us otherwise! Also, enjoy Eric Ives’ book! It’s brilliant!
Although I'm generally a fan of historical fiction, I do have a similar problem with Philippa Gregory's history novels. They do tend to paint real life characters as either 'good' or 'bad' whereas they were likely a mixture of both! 😄
Thanks for this, Leigh! I so agree with your views, however isn't there a point of view which argues that any publicity (for historical subjects, figures etc.), is good publicity because it draws in a new generation potentially? P.S. I'm playing devil's advocate to some extent here! 😊
That’s such a good point, and it definitely works! I for one, really got into the Tudors after watching the drama series. So historical drama can certainly attract new people to the real history. I just hope audiences do delve into the real history behind the drama, and not take everything as fact. I think in the age of documentaries and podcasts etc, it’s thankfully much easier to engage with history in a fun way!
This is 100% how i feel about Anne in six- I went to see it this week and came out p*ssed off with Anne. As you say the portrayals of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard show different sides than we normally see in the media. Katherine Howard's song in particular really gets me every time, its so haunting. But Anne Boleyn is reduced to a coquette, and the line about politics not being her thing REALLY gets my goat because we have so much knowledge about her family and her upbringing- there is no conceivable way she wouldn't have understood politics on both local, national and international stages from a young age. I worry that maybe I read too much into her portrayal as I have a good knowledge, but I have the same knowledge about the others and none of them make me quite so cranky. I still love the musical and the fresh portrayal of the Queens and how their stories are brought centre stage- after all, would we really still be talking about, arguing about, making shows about Henry VIII if it wasn't for his wives? But I think i will always feel like the Anne Boleyn in the show doesn't do her any justice at all. In glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks it 🙂
Reading your post having just started Eric Ives' biography on Anne. While I agree that entertainment is something different, at the same time I dont think it should mistepresent historical figures and what is known to be fact. I mean, Margaret Beaufort's reputation suffered a huge blow due to The White Princess series.
Yes, you’re absolutely right! There’s such a fine line between historical accuracy and entertainment, and I agree that misrepresenting someone’s character can be hugely damaging- especially if the evidence is there to tell us otherwise! Also, enjoy Eric Ives’ book! It’s brilliant!
Although I'm generally a fan of historical fiction, I do have a similar problem with Philippa Gregory's history novels. They do tend to paint real life characters as either 'good' or 'bad' whereas they were likely a mixture of both! 😄
100% agree! Great entertainment, but doesn’t always do the characters justice.
Thanks for this, Leigh! I so agree with your views, however isn't there a point of view which argues that any publicity (for historical subjects, figures etc.), is good publicity because it draws in a new generation potentially? P.S. I'm playing devil's advocate to some extent here! 😊
That’s such a good point, and it definitely works! I for one, really got into the Tudors after watching the drama series. So historical drama can certainly attract new people to the real history. I just hope audiences do delve into the real history behind the drama, and not take everything as fact. I think in the age of documentaries and podcasts etc, it’s thankfully much easier to engage with history in a fun way!
So true! I love a good podcast 😄
This is 100% how i feel about Anne in six- I went to see it this week and came out p*ssed off with Anne. As you say the portrayals of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard show different sides than we normally see in the media. Katherine Howard's song in particular really gets me every time, its so haunting. But Anne Boleyn is reduced to a coquette, and the line about politics not being her thing REALLY gets my goat because we have so much knowledge about her family and her upbringing- there is no conceivable way she wouldn't have understood politics on both local, national and international stages from a young age. I worry that maybe I read too much into her portrayal as I have a good knowledge, but I have the same knowledge about the others and none of them make me quite so cranky. I still love the musical and the fresh portrayal of the Queens and how their stories are brought centre stage- after all, would we really still be talking about, arguing about, making shows about Henry VIII if it wasn't for his wives? But I think i will always feel like the Anne Boleyn in the show doesn't do her any justice at all. In glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks it 🙂