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Karridwyn
Posts:
2
Registered:
10/17/04
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(4 of 4)
Oct 17, 2004 10:57 AM
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I agree with you, Barbara wasn't as bad as they made her out to be. I too have a connection to her thru a Shuttleworth marrying Anna Maria Roper. I have done alot of research on her, her children and her family.
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SevenOfNine
Posts:
7
Registered:
5/31/04
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(3 of 4)
Jun 19, 2004 5:35 PM
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Thank you for the interesting info on Barbara Villiers. Perhaps Villiers was made the villain of the movie to raise the tension between her and Charle's wife Queen Catherine of Braganza.
I think it's neat that your related to Barbara.
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LostHearts
Posts:
74
Registered:
6/10/04
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(2 of 4)
Jun 10, 2004 4:00 PM
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Thank you for the book suggestion on Barbara Villiers. I've been looking for a decent book on her.
You are right about Barbara's character, simply because if she were not interesting, did not have a sense of humor (something Charles really appreciated) she never would have risen to the great heights that she did.
I think many people, including scriptwriters, tend to forget that there were very few ways women could get ahead or make their mark in centuries past. Barbara chose a very popular one, offering her sexuality as a means to an end. In the world of that time, there was nothing wrong with that, and neither should we judge this type of conduct by modern standards.
Barred from politics, women of necessity had to learn to work behind the scenes. Not that many ever succeeded to the extent that Barbara Villiers did, and in reality she was one of the most successful women in history. Her "back door" political maneuverings was the only way a woman could actively influence the government of the day. Her obvious success in this area shows her to have been a woman of great intelligence with striking looks and great personality as well.
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LouiseScarlett
Posts:
1
Registered:
5/7/04
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(1 of 4)
May 7, 2004 9:09 AM
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Barbara was made the villain of the story. As a distant connection of hers I think she should be defended. She was a very striking woman with brains, courage and looks. She had a fantastic sense of humour which was not depicted in the Movie and strongly believed in equal rights for women. A shrewd businness woman Barbara ended up owning much of London and renting it out. Unlike the Movie she actually remained friendly with the King for the rest of his life. During her reign she was seen to be comparing her weight with that of the kings while she was pregnant.
During the Coronation some scaffolding collapsed. Barbara was the only person to go to check on the people and soothe a frightened child.
Coming from poverty and a broken home its not surprising that Barbara developed a passion for jewellery and power.
Barbara loved men and even dragged a handsome Fottman into her bath , reasoning that if Charles could be unfaitful she would return the compliment. For a readable account I recommend Royal Mistress by Patricia Horton
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