Not sure if this is the place, but Emma, Ethelred's Norman Quean (though really more Viking than "French") deserves mention. In sort of a reverse Elenore of Aquitaine, she managed to marry Cnut, son of Sweyn who had deposed Ethelred.
And "Unred" does not mean "unready" but ill advised, certainty, with Eadric Streona as an advisor, one of history's more understated monikers.
Naval construction history begins with France. French engineers led the wood-to-steel transition and created the battleship race, which was the most expensive arms race the world had ever seen, and then lost said race to Britain.
In typical French fashion, the procurement system of the Marine Nationale turned out a "fleet of samples" that could neither sail nor fight together as a squadron. This became painfully clear in the 1898 Fashoda crisis, after which the French nation entirely gave up on naval competition with the UK -- and shifted their policy towards London.
As I researched this topic, I discovered that the true source of failure: the French naval architechts considered themselves artists, belonging to a school of art, one that had proud Enlightenment roots in its use of mathematical geometry, all producing individual works of art which nevertheless belonged to the same aesthetic tradition. France had started, and lost, the battleship race ... for art.
While we often think of the French as being libertine in amorous matters, it's worth remembering that they have related stereotypes about us. Specifically, they seem to think that British (and Irish) guys and gals will jump into bed with anyone at the drop of a hat once they've downed a few pints. (Their evidence for this is the skimpy dresses and copious drinking our girls like to indulge in on nights out.) They normally keep quiet about this when talking to Anglo-Saxons, out of politeness, but you can perceive it when you listen to them talk among themselves.
For instance, in Katherine Pancol's novel 'La valse lente des tortues', there's a scene where a world-weary middle-aged Frenchman is hanging around, bored, in a London pub. He turns to the 17(!) year-old English girl behind him and asks "Fancy a sh*g?" She brightly replies "Sure! My place or yours?" (N.B. They've never met before.)
Of course, the novel is a chick-lit entertainment of no literary merit. Still, it sold well in France; Mme Pancol is an established writer there. Evidently, many French people imagine that that's how we roll in these islands.
'Specifically, they seem to think that British (and Irish) guys and gals will jump into bed with anyone at the drop of a hat once they've downed a few pints.' Not entirely untrue, TBF, especially if there is a French accent involved...
I read about MItterand consuming the Ortalan at the time. It repulsed me then, like something from a Hammer film about depraved occultists. It repulses me still, for the same reason.
Didn't know about Henriette Caillaux shooting the editor of Le Figaro. Just googled, and found 'She refused to be transported to the police headquarters in a police van, insisting on being driven there by her chauffeur in her own car. The police agreed to this and she was formally charged upon reaching the headquarters.' :-)
I am delighted that the French knocked us out of the World Cup. I was praying for them to win and, for once, my prayers were answered. If England had got through to the semis or, heaven forbid, the actual final (shudder!!) we would have been regaled with sickly, pro-kneeling propaganda. "See, diversity is a winner". But, thanks to our French friends, the kneely-men are heading home. Good. I hope England never win another game of football again.
I used to have a French GF, When she was in primary school. She went to England and saw people in school uniforms and made her parents buy her one, to wear to school. She was terribly left wing but loved Merchant Ivory films, and such.
But I cannot forgive the French for their cruel treatment of Autistic children.
After 5 years here, paradoxically the more settled and socially integrated I become, the more culturally alien I feel as the deep-rooted nuances of French life reveal themselves.
Enjoyable read, Ed. Like seeing mention of Sleepwalkers, which I read almost a decade ago and loved. Have you read any of Clark's other books? Any suggestions?
Great piece, Ed.
thank you!
Agreed! Je vous souhaite un bon weekend!
Nicely balanced, too-- both the good and the bad of France.
We’ve had our version of crime passionnel (delitto d’onore) for a long time as well.
Also interesting- and sinister- that in codice Zanardelli (1890-1930) that also entailed a certain tolerance of infanticide
Not sure if this is the place, but Emma, Ethelred's Norman Quean (though really more Viking than "French") deserves mention. In sort of a reverse Elenore of Aquitaine, she managed to marry Cnut, son of Sweyn who had deposed Ethelred.
And "Unred" does not mean "unready" but ill advised, certainty, with Eadric Streona as an advisor, one of history's more understated monikers.
Naval construction history begins with France. French engineers led the wood-to-steel transition and created the battleship race, which was the most expensive arms race the world had ever seen, and then lost said race to Britain.
In typical French fashion, the procurement system of the Marine Nationale turned out a "fleet of samples" that could neither sail nor fight together as a squadron. This became painfully clear in the 1898 Fashoda crisis, after which the French nation entirely gave up on naval competition with the UK -- and shifted their policy towards London.
As I researched this topic, I discovered that the true source of failure: the French naval architechts considered themselves artists, belonging to a school of art, one that had proud Enlightenment roots in its use of mathematical geometry, all producing individual works of art which nevertheless belonged to the same aesthetic tradition. France had started, and lost, the battleship race ... for art.
While we often think of the French as being libertine in amorous matters, it's worth remembering that they have related stereotypes about us. Specifically, they seem to think that British (and Irish) guys and gals will jump into bed with anyone at the drop of a hat once they've downed a few pints. (Their evidence for this is the skimpy dresses and copious drinking our girls like to indulge in on nights out.) They normally keep quiet about this when talking to Anglo-Saxons, out of politeness, but you can perceive it when you listen to them talk among themselves.
For instance, in Katherine Pancol's novel 'La valse lente des tortues', there's a scene where a world-weary middle-aged Frenchman is hanging around, bored, in a London pub. He turns to the 17(!) year-old English girl behind him and asks "Fancy a sh*g?" She brightly replies "Sure! My place or yours?" (N.B. They've never met before.)
Of course, the novel is a chick-lit entertainment of no literary merit. Still, it sold well in France; Mme Pancol is an established writer there. Evidently, many French people imagine that that's how we roll in these islands.
'Specifically, they seem to think that British (and Irish) guys and gals will jump into bed with anyone at the drop of a hat once they've downed a few pints.' Not entirely untrue, TBF, especially if there is a French accent involved...
Right-- goes with the idea that anglo-saxons have no taste, just appetites.
I read about MItterand consuming the Ortalan at the time. It repulsed me then, like something from a Hammer film about depraved occultists. It repulses me still, for the same reason.
yeah, just so viscerally disgusting, like Peter Jackson's early film Bad Taste.
One of my favorites
Arn't I lucky? I got a chunky bit
Stick all the bits of brain in a plastic bag, Barry.
Didn't know about Henriette Caillaux shooting the editor of Le Figaro. Just googled, and found 'She refused to be transported to the police headquarters in a police van, insisting on being driven there by her chauffeur in her own car. The police agreed to this and she was formally charged upon reaching the headquarters.' :-)
lol
plus you can simulate Mitterrand's ortolan without the need to drown one in Armagnac
https://genomicgastronomy.com/work/2012-2/vegan-ortolan/
I am delighted that the French knocked us out of the World Cup. I was praying for them to win and, for once, my prayers were answered. If England had got through to the semis or, heaven forbid, the actual final (shudder!!) we would have been regaled with sickly, pro-kneeling propaganda. "See, diversity is a winner". But, thanks to our French friends, the kneely-men are heading home. Good. I hope England never win another game of football again.
I used to have a French GF, When she was in primary school. She went to England and saw people in school uniforms and made her parents buy her one, to wear to school. She was terribly left wing but loved Merchant Ivory films, and such.
But I cannot forgive the French for their cruel treatment of Autistic children.
Freud has caused so much harm.
Was anything he said not complete bollocks?
For those who aren't aware...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/france-is-50-years-behind-the-state-scandal-of-french-autism-treatment
"wine-tasting is so important that when the vaccine came along"
Why doesn't the Vaccine get a capital letter, like the Pill, since it is the One everyone recognizes as the type of its kind?
After 5 years here, paradoxically the more settled and socially integrated I become, the more culturally alien I feel as the deep-rooted nuances of French life reveal themselves.
Do the French still see themselves a logical, in opposition to the stodgy English and the romantic, emotional, Germans?
Enjoyable read, Ed. Like seeing mention of Sleepwalkers, which I read almost a decade ago and loved. Have you read any of Clark's other books? Any suggestions?
ive got his latest, which is more like a selection of essays, but haven't actually read it yet.
Sleepwalkers is very good.
Wow - I mean all those facts but especially the last.