Irish Susan

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Irish Susan has posted 28 annotations/comments since 5 August 2024.

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Third Reading

About Monday 9 May 1664

Irish Susan  •  Link

I think that this is indeed a reference to the cyst, isn’t the groin at the top of the leg, so to speak? Sam may not fear to be indelicate describing his own ailments but this ‘female complaint’ may be different. It’s a little like the Victorians calling a leg a ‘nether limb’, or the Fisher King’s leg injury.

About Saturday 6 February 1663/64

Irish Susan  •  Link

On the subject of childbirth, here is a quotation from ‘The Midnight Court’ by Bryan Merryman. This was a 18th century erotic poem, translated from the Irish language.

“ Oh don’t you know, we’re all the same.
A woman nine months in terror and pain,
The minute that Death has lost the game,
‘Good morrow my love,’ and she’s off again.”

I think this illustrates perfectly the dilemma that women had in having to choose between their needs (and those of their spouses) and the dangers of reproduction.

About Friday 19 June 1663

Irish Susan  •  Link

Somewhat fascinated by Samuel’s reference to Luffe and indeed Mr Ashwell, as little fellows. They must have been little indeed, considering that Samuel himself was only 5‘1“ in height.

About Sunday 12 April 1663

Irish Susan  •  Link

In addition to Moira‘s comment about a new purse being handselled, I heard this phrase too, growing up in Ireland in the 1970s. It was also used in terms of giving a piece of silver to a new baby, in order to handsel them. It had to be put into the baby’s hand first before being given to the parents.

About Saturday 14 February 1662/63

Irish Susan  •  Link

Valentine was not just selected for his name but also for his habit of marrying couples in secret, which had been outlawed by the emperor. He was martyred for the faith on 14th February. Interestingly he’s not only the patron saint of lovers, but also of epileptics and beekeepers.

About Wednesday 14 January 1662/63

Irish Susan  •  Link

With regard to their huge row over the papers, I think Elizabeth is doing as a wife of that time would have done. Remember that she promised, among other things, to obey him. Her status was much lower than his, he may say that he loves her but it is very much on his terms, she’s an adornment, a doll-and one who, it seems, cannot even have children, which is a sore trial to Sam for many reasons apart from the desire to be a happy family. She has no rights when it comes to things like possessions and respect. She is trapped with him, and the fact that she came to him with no dowry means that she is wholly dependent on him for everything. A woman could not go out on her own in those days because her reputation would suffer and she would end up going hungry or having to finance a living through other means which meant depending on other males.
Lady Castlemaine was probably much the same way. Her tenuous relationship with her husband, her tenuous relationship with the King, all these things had to be juggled carefully so that she didn’t end up out on the street.

About Saturday 3 January 1662/63

Irish Susan  •  Link

Me wonders, W.Pen’s indisposition being gout, if he over- indulged during the holiday season, landing himself right back in bed? A venison pasty too many, perhaps?

About Hester Davenport ('Roxalana')

Irish Susan  •  Link

Roxelana was also the original name of the 16th century Sultana and wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, unique in that she was elevated from a Ukrainian Christian slave to favoured concubine to then wife, a hitherto unheard of scenario. She was also known as Hurrem.

I wonder is this the character in the Siege of Rhodes?

About Friday 26 December 1662

Irish Susan  •  Link

I think that joining the Lions skin to the foxes tail means that you should be prudent in anger, and shouldn’t say anything, just like he doesn’t say anything here even though he’s angry.

About Monday 2 June 1662

Irish Susan  •  Link

‘Give me a look, give me a face,
That makes simplicity a grace;
Robes loosely flowing, hair as free;
Such sweet neglect more taketh me
Than all th'adulteries of art.
They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.’

Ben Jonson.

About Tuesday 8 April 1662

Irish Susan  •  Link

I thought that he meant that he couldn’t down his food with the dull and impertinent company. Perhaps it was dull and impertinent because he’s not having any wine!