Time for some of that annoying author bragging.
I'm delighted to report that
has been selected as one of
Booklist's Top Ten Romances of 2010
.
Rex Carolvs means what?
Continuing the illustrated, annotated version of
...
As followers of the
blog are acutely aware, I spend a lot of time on historical trivia that many readers probably don't find all that thrilling. You can imagine my excitement, then, when a reader is sufficiently intrigued to ask me to explain an obscure detail in one of my books.
Today's query relates to this exchange:
~~~
“What have you got there?”
“Dunno. Brass button?”
“Let me see.”
After scraping off dirt, Roy said, “A medal, maybe.” He peered at the object.
“Old medal?” said Jock. “Some of them fetch a good price.”
“Could be.” Roy scraped some more and peered some more. Then he spelled out painfully, “R-E-X. Then a mark, not a letter. Then C-A-R-O-L-V-S.”
Jock, whose reading skills extended to recognizing a tavern sign, said, “What is it?”
Roy looked at him. “Money,” he said.
My alert-to-details reader wanted to know what REX CAROLVS signified.
The reference is to King Charles I, who appears as Rex Carolvs (Rex Carolus) on the coins of his reign. One of the plot elements of the book deals with a legend dating to his reign, the turmoil of the Civil War, and its unfortunate conclusion for him and those who supported him.
These illustrations are by Classical Numismatic Group. You can see more examples
and
, at the Welsh website, Gathering the Jewels. Another fine example is at the
. You can even buy a
reproduction at the Royal Mint
.
The clothes Olivia bought in Paris...
FRENCH FASHIONS
OPERA DRESS. A DRESS composed of rose-coloured
chaly
, a low
corsage
finished by a lappel of a perfectly novel shape, which falls very far over the sleeve, and is embroidered in a light running pattern in white lloize silk. The sleeves are between the
Amadis
and
gigot
shape. The fronts and border of the dress are embroidered
en tunique
in white floize silk. The embroidery, narrow at the waist, becomes progressively broader, and is very rich round the border. The
chemisette
, which falls, en
pelerine
, over the bust of the dress, is trimmed with a double fall of blond lace, set on with very little fulness; it is fastened in front by a richly-chased dead gold brooch. A rose-coloured crape hat; the crown is low, and round; the brim, short at the ears, and rather deep, is ornamented on the inside with
palmettes
of gauze ribbon to correspond: on the outside is a blond lace drapery which falls a little over the left side of the brim, turns hack
en bavolet
, and passes under the right side, where it meets the
palmettes
. This drapery is ornamented with a loose
rouleau
of gauze ribbon, terminated at each end, by a full bow. A
bouquet
of rose-coloured ostrich feathers, is placed near the top of the crown on the right side. The hair is parted on the forehead. Ear-rings, bracelets, and
ceinture
buckle dead gold.
WALKING DRESS. A HIGH dress composed of
gros de Naples
; the colour, a new and extremely rich shade of brown. The corsage, made to sit close to the shape, is ornamented in a very novel style with a row of points lightly embroidered, which forms it in a heart shape before and behind. The sleeves are
à l'Amadis
. The pelerine is made with a standing three-pointed collar, which descends in front in the lappel style. A very broad trimming is set on full round the border of the pelerine: it is surmounted by a row of
pattes
with a gold button in the centre of each. Satin hat of the same colour, lined with white satin, but bordered with the material of the hat round the edge of the brim, the inside of which is trimmed with
coques
of lilac and white striped gauze ribbon. Bands and bows of ribbon arranged in a novel style decorate the crown. Neckknot to correspond with the dress, fastened by a gold clasp.
Bottines
of chocolate coloured
gros des Indes
. A sable boa tippet, or cachemere shawl, should be thrown carelessly round the shoulders.