h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What about a bit about Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and (at separate times) of England, mother of Richard the Lion Heart and ancestress of a large portion of European royalty?

I think I could write it: I haven't signed on yet with the university. Let me know if you are interested.

Virginia

I have written a rough draft about Eleanor of Aquitaine. It can be found here: http://www.h2g2.com/A420175

I hope someone sees this.

Virginia

Great one Virginia. I got a little bogged down with RL this week or I would ahve got back to you sooner. Love what you've done will forward more stuff to you from my notes on Eleanor when I have time.

DD

RL gets like that often!
I look forward to hearing from you.

Virginia

Gooday Virginia,

Glad to see that someone is writing about Eleanor. Have yo seen the movie 'The Lion in Winter'? It is a fantastic film, with Katherine Hepburn just simply superb as Eleanor, and Peter O'Toole as Henry, and a young and not so well known Anthony Hopkins as Richard. Take care,

Walter.

A great film indeed Walter. I reckon that it has dated a little, but still a moving treatment.

What is this "University" that you referred to Virginia?

Cheers
Bran

P.S. Walter, stop mucking about on this site and write those essays that you have due! I want progress my good fellow!

Gooday bran my cobber,

You are quite right: 8000 words and all due next month ought to preclude me from being distracted and wandering all over h2g2. But there is more to life than regimen and routine. Take care,

walter.

Hi Walter,
Yes, I have heard of "Lion in Winter", in fact I own a video copy. There is also a wonderful book about Eleanor entitled (aptly)"Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Mother Queen", by Desmond Seward. He makes her seem a little more human and perhaps not so mean as she appears in the movie. But it is a facinating movie full of great stars.
Virginia

Hi Bran,

I just meant the "University of Life" here at h2g2. There's a link on the main page, but here it is: http://www.h2g2.com/c573 Interesting place.

Virginia

Gooday Virginia,

Thanks for the tip about Seward's book - I will try to track down a copy. It's odd that Seward is 'kind' to Eleanor, because in some of his other works, like Richard III or The Wars of the Roses, he tends to be quite acerbic, although he is definitely a lively read. And Virginia, that Bran the Explorer shouldn't be asking about the h2g2 University; Bran IS a university. Not an hour ago, on the way to work, I heard his praises as a medieval historian being sung by the Adult Education Director in a radio interview. True! He is also a lecturer in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon history, and for good measure also doubles as a lecturer in management. An all-round genius (says he, green with envy). Take care,

Walter.

Walter my Excellent Good Fellow

My cup runneth ... and all that. Don't be shortchanging yourself here. If theer is any historical question to be answered, odds on your the man to be asked. I am not aware of anyone who has studied, read, lived and breathed more history than your good self.

On the radio you say - 7ZR was it? Well, well. What was the context by the way ... was the Adult Ed person advertising the next term courses?

Your Friend
Bran

Hi Virginia

Thanks for the link. I hadn't realised that there was such a thing on the Guide. I'll check it out.

Cheers
Bran.

Gooday Bran my cobber,

Yes, ZR, talking about forthcoming Ad Ed courses. A little after 7.00am (yes, there is a seven o'clock in the morning too, not that you would be very familiar with it). You were referred to as "Tasmania's leading expert on Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Britain," and as an "incredibly interesting and passionate historian." I'm going to check the 'passionate' bit out with Liane (in an appropriate and tactful manner of course), but the rest of the description sounds pretty right to me. Take care,

Walter.

Walter Old Chap,

Oh My God!!! I wonder what my sainted supervisors would say? I'm mildly embarrassed. Still ... all good PR.

Thanks for the rap.
Cheers
Bran.

Bran,
Do you know a good reference book for looking up unusual english words? I'm plowing through Mallory's Morte de Arthur and I would like to understand some of the obscure words in it. They're not in any dictionary I have. I'm not very connected with the academic world, just have a taste for King Arthur and that sort of thing.

By the way, I read your entry about the shard found at Tintagel: It was very clear and helpful after the news blitz about evidence of Arthur's being real.

Thanks,
Virginia

Hi Virginia

Thanks for reading my article. Good fun this Arthur stuff!

As for your request ... have a look at Terence McCarthy "An Introduction to Malory" Suffolk: D.S. Brewer, 1991. This might be of assistance. I also reckon that any local library should have a decent Middle English dictionary, or something that would be useful.

Hope you enjoy Malory.
Cheers
Bran.

Bran,

Thanks for the information! I am having a great time reading Malory. Nobody writes like that now. (probably a good thing) But I was thinking the other day that some of those stories, especially the ones about the "Holy Sangreal", could be turned into a cool video or computer game with puzzles and beautiful graphics, if one knew how to do it.
Thanks again.
Virginia