While I was in Barnes & Noble Saturday night (yes, I'm a party gal, what can I say?), I heard a little boy nearby say to his father, "But I can't pick just one!" I feel this child's pain.
Also, while driving (or being driven) on the interstate today, I briefly stopped cringing and wishing I'd updated my will long enough to observe that the car ahead of us bore the license plate NIETZSCHE. Nietzsche was driving a nondescript green sedan, too quickly for me to see the make, but it didn't look very new. Not being a student of philosophy, I'm not sure if this was an appropriate car for him to be driving or not. Anyone have any idea?
On the same lines, I've often wondered what type of car various historical figures would drive (or be driven in) if they were alive today. Anne Boleyn, for instance, strikes me as the Lexus sedan sort, whereas Henry VIII might well go for an SUV. I think Hugh le Despenser the younger would be a Hummer man, though he might well disagree. Maybe a Volkswagen Beetle for Catherine Howard, and a sensible minivan for Catharine of Aragon. Edward II might like a beat-up pickup (good for carrying around all that roofing equipment), or maybe an old Volvo. I'm still pondering what car to put Isabella of France in, though I'm leaning toward a bright red Porsche.
Thoughts?
12 comments:
Henry the VIII would drive a Hummer - the biggest one they had. And he would have XM Radio, GPS system and the latest in security alarms. He would instantly have Holbein paint a portrait of the car to send "as a present" for his rival the King of France. Probably only to discover that the French thought Hummers were passe and the truly chic only drive hybrid vehicles. :)
I think Catherine Howard would have a Mini - Cooper. A convertable of course. A wedding present from the King.
Anne Boleyn would drive a Jaguar in platinum with hand tooled leather seats.
That was fun. :)
I can see Anne in her Jag and Harry in his Hummer right now! I was torn between a Beetle and a Mini-Cooper for Catherine Howard, but I think you may be right on the Mini-Cooper for her. (Problem is, I'm the one who wants a Mini-Cooper when I no longer have kids to haul around. I had Mini-Cooper wallpaper for a time.)
Hugh and his Hummer...;) I think he probably had quite a collection of classic cars, 'borrowed' from all those rich widows who obviously didn't need them in their prison, I mean convent.
Unfortunately I don't know anything about cars (I've never even owned one!) so I can't make any suggestions, but I quite agree with Edward's old pick-up, and I can see Isabella in a red Porsche, or some zippy little sports car.
I thought that Henry might have have a Bentley - status and pomp all the way!
Alianor--true, in addition to his own cherished Hummer, Hugh would have had a garageful of cars on "loan" from widows who didn't want to be bothered with maintaining them. I'm sure he'd lend them out to Eleanor and the older kids, though.
Marg, good point about the Bentley. Maybe Henry VIII would have several of them.
And Henry VII being the thrifty sort, I'm sure he'd go for a Toyota or Honda sedan, something very sensible and fuel-efficient.
I can see Jane Seymour driving a Ford Focus. It's small, home-grown, boxy, and sort of generic, but it gets the job done.
And maybe Anne of Cleves would have driven a BMW 3-series from 1995 or so. Perhaps, due to the angle of the photo or simply wishful thinking, Henry VIII may be forgiven for thinking she drove a brand new 7-series with all the bells and whistles. The reality suffers in comparison, but the original's a better car than Henry would have given it credit for. :)
Sarah, the Jane in the book I just reviewed for you would definitely be driving that Ford Focus! Loved your comment about Anne of Cleves and her BMW.
I think that's why I had her in mind. My husband would be proud of me. I don't know much about cars, but we seem to end up at a BMW dealer every couple months, and it's rubbed off.
How about a Saturn sedan for Katherine Parr? Maybe in silver.
During her pre-Queen years, Katherine Parr would drive something sensible and economical. As Queen, she'd drive something a bit fancier, but still sensible. And after Henry died, she'd get a jungle red Lamborghini and drive around with Thomas Seymour really fast!
Those sound like fine wheels for Katherine Parr!
This is a great idea, but I don't know anything about American cars! All the names and models are different over here. I do think Isabella would suit a Porsche convertible, though. How about a Mini Cooper for Catherine Howard - a chic zippy little city girl's car? (Though on second thoughts, perhaps a bit short of space on the back seat...)
Well, there's always the great outdoors for Catherine and her pals. :)
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