This is a very fine history book. It is well researched, and very readable. It paints an honest picture, allowing the reader to make their own judgment on the man.
Thomas Cromwell. What a man. Certainly a man of ability whom Henry VIII described as 'the most faithful servant he had ever had.' Born in obscurity his hard work and ability raised him to Royal favour, to become the most powerful man in England after the King.
He reshaped the country, making Parliament more prominent, engineered the break with Rome, released the wealth of the monasteries for the benefit of the country, and placed a Bible in English in every parish in the land. A hero of the reformation.
For our generation, brought up on the film 'A Man for All Seasons' and a sympathetic Jean Plaidy novel of Sir Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell was the enemy, a scoundrel without principles and ruthless villain. Hilary Mantel with her 'Wolf Hall' novels and TV adaptation have given us a new equally biased perspective, and Tracy Borman's book presents the facts as they are available to us, and an opportunity to make up our own mind.
The book is clear and well written. It does not zip along like a novel, and takes a bit more commitment than a well written historical novel. Two factors contribute to this; the quotations from source documents that are necessarily of a different style; and the retention of original spellings which require a little more concentration to follow; but the book is certainly the richer for that. I did not, as is sometimes the case, lose momentum and break off to read another book before finishing it.
There are two sets of pages with colour pictures of some of the main characters, which adds to the experience of the book.
My own opinion, having read the book, is that Cromwell was not a hero of the reformation, but paved the way for it. Where religious belief was heading at his death was very finely balanced, and what he did was possibly for more pragmatic reasons.
It was he that arranged for Ann Boleyn's death on largely false charges, and for Margaret Pole's death by Act of Attainder without any trial, which subsequently did for him. It seems he helped to create the bloody times he was part of. It is sad that a lawyer should have eroded individual civil liberties, but that is observed from the luxury of the present day.
It is clear that Cromwell inspired great loyalty from his friends, and Thomas Wyatt, poet and courtier, Ralph Sadler, trustworthy helper and able administrator, stand out as faithful friends who continued to enjoy Royal favour long after Cromwell disappereard from the scene.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Sunday, July 24, 2016
The Hepworth
We greatly enjoyed our visit to The Hepworth in Wakefield.
As you cross the footbridge from the car park, the building looks stark austere and angular, made of large blocks of concrete, not broken up by many windows at all.
Once inside this impression is reversed. The galleries are laid out in a fan shape, and many have large windows, providing a light airy exhibition space, and affording marvelous views over the river Calder and its weir. The building stands on a curve in the river, and so has river on three sides.
The exhibition space is all on the first floor, reached by stairs or lift, while all the facilities - reception, cloakroom, toilets, shop and cafe are on the ground floor.
We were particularly pleased to visit the temporary exhibition while Kettle's Yard in Cambridge is being renovated. We enjoyed our visit there, and were pleased to see again some of the exhibits we had seen before. The statues of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska had passed me by before, but this time I was drawn to their angular lines, and by contrast, a very flowing delicate figure of a dancer.
One temporary exhibition was of the painter Stanley Spencer, and a further one showed many smaller drawings and doodles by David Storey, better known for his novels, and like Hepworth hales from Wakefield.
As you would expect, there were a good few statues, including some by Barbara Hepworth and by Henry Moore. They met at the Leeds School of Art where they both studied, and later they both studied in London at the Royal College of Art. In some ways their styles are quite similar, but the exhibition said that while Henry Moore was most known for his reclining figures, Barbara Hepworth is more associated with standing figures.
There are two galleries dedicated to Barbara Hepworth's work alone. One gave details of her career, her studios, her tools, her way of working, as well as stories about individual pieces. The other was a collection of models used to cast her pieces. Some of these were on a considerable scale, and the room was dominated by the model for Winged Figure, which stands on the side of the John Lweis building in London.
Our Tea and Cake at the cafe was very welcome, and next visit we will choose afternoon tea for two which was priced very reasonably at £15.00. As is often the way, the shop cost us more, but we have books and pictures to enjoy. Entry the the museum and all the exhibitions is free, and the car park cost £5.00.
We will certainly come again, and visit the nearby sculpture park as well.
As you cross the footbridge from the car park, the building looks stark austere and angular, made of large blocks of concrete, not broken up by many windows at all.
Once inside this impression is reversed. The galleries are laid out in a fan shape, and many have large windows, providing a light airy exhibition space, and affording marvelous views over the river Calder and its weir. The building stands on a curve in the river, and so has river on three sides.
The exhibition space is all on the first floor, reached by stairs or lift, while all the facilities - reception, cloakroom, toilets, shop and cafe are on the ground floor.
We were particularly pleased to visit the temporary exhibition while Kettle's Yard in Cambridge is being renovated. We enjoyed our visit there, and were pleased to see again some of the exhibits we had seen before. The statues of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska had passed me by before, but this time I was drawn to their angular lines, and by contrast, a very flowing delicate figure of a dancer.
One temporary exhibition was of the painter Stanley Spencer, and a further one showed many smaller drawings and doodles by David Storey, better known for his novels, and like Hepworth hales from Wakefield.
As you would expect, there were a good few statues, including some by Barbara Hepworth and by Henry Moore. They met at the Leeds School of Art where they both studied, and later they both studied in London at the Royal College of Art. In some ways their styles are quite similar, but the exhibition said that while Henry Moore was most known for his reclining figures, Barbara Hepworth is more associated with standing figures.
There are two galleries dedicated to Barbara Hepworth's work alone. One gave details of her career, her studios, her tools, her way of working, as well as stories about individual pieces. The other was a collection of models used to cast her pieces. Some of these were on a considerable scale, and the room was dominated by the model for Winged Figure, which stands on the side of the John Lweis building in London.
Our Tea and Cake at the cafe was very welcome, and next visit we will choose afternoon tea for two which was priced very reasonably at £15.00. As is often the way, the shop cost us more, but we have books and pictures to enjoy. Entry the the museum and all the exhibitions is free, and the car park cost £5.00.
We will certainly come again, and visit the nearby sculpture park as well.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Sounds and Sweet Airs
The Grade I listed Ullet Road Unitarian Church was a wonderful venue for the latest Liverpool Voice Concert on Friday.
Entitled "Sounds and Sweet Airs" a line from his play "The Tempest", the concert was a celebration of Shakespeare in the 400th anniversary of his death, together with a nod to two other anniversaries. Lesley Bentley, the Artistic Director, dedicated the concert at the start to the people of Nice who were caught up in the tragic events of the previous night.
The concert included some quite dramatic pieces. The most ancient was probably "The Agincourt Carol" a fifteenth century song which is features in the 1944 film of "Henry V" This had a distinct early music sound, quite different from much of the repertoire.
The Vaughan Williams Motet "Valiant for Truth" has been performed by the choir before, but this was the most crisp performance, capturing, for Pilgrim, that moment between life and death, where trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
Most dramatic of all was the powerful "Fanfare for Michaelmas Day" by Sidney Campbell. This sets part of Revelation 12 to music, and portrays the mighty battle in heaven between Michael and the Dragon. It is spine tingling stuff.
Between each piece there was a short reading from Shakespeare's work by different members of the choir, often on a passage that had inspired the music about to be performed. Two longer passages were read not by choir members but by the church minister Philp Waldron, who proved to be quite a performer.
We enjoyed a performance by one choir member despite not understanding a word. Fede recited a poem from Don Quixote, and his son then provided the English translation. This was to mark the author, Cervantes, who like Shakespeare, died in April 1616.
The other anniversary being marked was the continuing 100 years since World War One. Erik Bichard sang two solos composed by authors who fought in the war. The programme included one other solo number, sang by Kim Ford. These, as most of the choir songs were accompanied by John McHugh on the piano.
Some of the music was by contemporaries of Shakespeare, "It was a lover and his lass" by Thomas Morley, and "Hey Ho, to the Greenwood" by William Byrd. Others were modern songs from modern adaptations of his works. This included "Tonight" from "West Side Story" by Bernstein, and "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed. "The Impossible Dream" was the song that followed the Don Quixote reading.
During the later rehearsals, the choir was encouraged to be less choral, some of songs needed to be more gospel, or more folk. Liverpool Voice is perhaps at its best with more choral works, and "Virga Jesse" by Anton Bruckner was an excellent expression of this.
Liverpool Voice rehearses on a Thursday night, and is available to sing at private events. The next events will be concerts at Christmas.
The Ullet Road Unitarian Church web site is Here
The Liverpool Voice Facebook page is Here
Entitled "Sounds and Sweet Airs" a line from his play "The Tempest", the concert was a celebration of Shakespeare in the 400th anniversary of his death, together with a nod to two other anniversaries. Lesley Bentley, the Artistic Director, dedicated the concert at the start to the people of Nice who were caught up in the tragic events of the previous night.
The concert included some quite dramatic pieces. The most ancient was probably "The Agincourt Carol" a fifteenth century song which is features in the 1944 film of "Henry V" This had a distinct early music sound, quite different from much of the repertoire.
The Vaughan Williams Motet "Valiant for Truth" has been performed by the choir before, but this was the most crisp performance, capturing, for Pilgrim, that moment between life and death, where trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
Most dramatic of all was the powerful "Fanfare for Michaelmas Day" by Sidney Campbell. This sets part of Revelation 12 to music, and portrays the mighty battle in heaven between Michael and the Dragon. It is spine tingling stuff.
Between each piece there was a short reading from Shakespeare's work by different members of the choir, often on a passage that had inspired the music about to be performed. Two longer passages were read not by choir members but by the church minister Philp Waldron, who proved to be quite a performer.
We enjoyed a performance by one choir member despite not understanding a word. Fede recited a poem from Don Quixote, and his son then provided the English translation. This was to mark the author, Cervantes, who like Shakespeare, died in April 1616.
The other anniversary being marked was the continuing 100 years since World War One. Erik Bichard sang two solos composed by authors who fought in the war. The programme included one other solo number, sang by Kim Ford. These, as most of the choir songs were accompanied by John McHugh on the piano.
Some of the music was by contemporaries of Shakespeare, "It was a lover and his lass" by Thomas Morley, and "Hey Ho, to the Greenwood" by William Byrd. Others were modern songs from modern adaptations of his works. This included "Tonight" from "West Side Story" by Bernstein, and "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed. "The Impossible Dream" was the song that followed the Don Quixote reading.
During the later rehearsals, the choir was encouraged to be less choral, some of songs needed to be more gospel, or more folk. Liverpool Voice is perhaps at its best with more choral works, and "Virga Jesse" by Anton Bruckner was an excellent expression of this.
Liverpool Voice rehearses on a Thursday night, and is available to sing at private events. The next events will be concerts at Christmas.
The Ullet Road Unitarian Church web site is Here
The Liverpool Voice Facebook page is Here
Friday, July 01, 2016
Ode to Mike
Ode to Mike
Recited by a colleague at my last day of work.
After 32 years of working, taking the pressure and at times being on the wire,
Mike has decided it's now his time to take it easy and just retire.
He's folded up his spreadsheets and packed away his data,
from now his catch phrase will be - I'll do it later!
He has done many a job in his time,
but scraping wax off the wick room floor was when he was at his prime.
His role as accountant for so many years
must have really, really bored him to tears
When Robert left after years of company devotion,
Mike sought his chance and gained that desired promotion.
Mike was elevated to his new post
company secretary a role that's mystery to most.
But Andrew and I know better than all,
his duty and diligence has protected the company from many a potential fall.
He's crossed the t's and dotted the i's, being a happy little soul,
Mike's filled his company secretary role.
We 3 have dealt with some serious stuff in the past,
but there are many happy memories of when we just had a blast.
Come sailing he said to Andrew and me,
you'll be safe, we are on a lake not out on open sea,
I had a vision of sipping wine on the deck,
but I was not the only one squashed into wet suit and left looking like a wreck.
On open water he taught us to jib, jibe and hoist up the main sail,
what my hair looked like at the end of the day, that's completely another tale!
It's not just sailing that Mike tends to like,
he's also keen to take to the roads on his bike.
I think it's a male thing and a lot of palarvour,
but him and Andrew get very competitive when comparing their strava!
We'll miss you Mike I am sure you know,
but need you to solve one final mystery before you go.
This bunch of keys you are responsible for and there's more than just a few,
have you, or any other company secretary over the last 130 years, any idea what they do?
As you are about to leave us now this week,
we want to say in axapta dimensional speak
Cand, wood, meta, wick and vest
Wish you Mike! health, happiness and all the very best!
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