a meddlesome monk

Well, there is nothing like being asked to be someone named Mary's friend then discover Mary is a 26 year old man. (Remind me of what city I'm living in again?) Unless of course you have prime viewing a King in love with his Arch Bishop: y'know, then that's a bit of all right.

"Will no one rid me of this meddlesome monk?!" And Henry's hounds/barons look at each other before ominously walking off. The King left alone having, literally, kicked out his family looks up and whispers, "Thomas?"

I think Becket was Richard Burton's movie (he was the most colorfully dressed) but Peter certainly gave him a run for the money. I wonder if A Lion in Winter was a natural consequence of Becket? I kept looking at Henry's Queen last night and saying, "There is no way that woman is Eleanor. No. Way." And John, excuse me, Sir John Gielgud as Louis was priceless. I almost went again tonight but didn't.

The excommuniation scene was eerie. Full face shots of Richard Burton seperating Sir Gilford from the body of Mother Church and casting him out into the eternal darkness and pit of hell. Then, as the final gesture, he turned a lit two foot candle upside down (candles represent souls) slammed it into the cathedral floor and threw it aside as he said, "You are ex-communicated!" Then all the monks who were also carrying theses candles followed suit. Brrr!

While watching all the many sequences held in Cathedral settings with Monks chanting and walking around in anonymous robes an aspect of what made the church so popular (way back when) and what makes Jedis and Stormtroopers popular today occurred to me.

It's the magic of group power. I am a member of this special group. We have secret rules and rituals that only our group knows. We are obediant to a higher power, but not to anyone or anything else. Hmmm no self will, what? Freedom of thought much? Didn't think so.

(NB: A very serious question throughout the film: material or spiritual? Thomas always called Henry his Prince never his King.)

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I finished Pagan's Crusade, Cain Saga 4 and Hikaru No Go 9 yesterday. I started the New Policeman today ***CV

Ganymede

Pagan's Scribe, Catherine Jinks (359pp) The fourth in a series of four volumes following the life of Pagan a man who is found in Jerusalem as a young boy, becomes a squire and participates in the defense of Jerusalem with the Templer Knights and eventually becomes an Arch Deacon. Of course I haven't read any of the other volumes: yet. This fourth one is not told from Pagan's viewpoint as I am presuming the other three are. Rather, it is told from the point of Isidore a cleric whom Pagan hires as his Scribe. Isidore is a very bitter young man (with good reason) and much of the tale is told through inner dialogue with lots of heartfelt prayers to the Lord, as I would imagine any text ofthe times would include. Isidore loves to read and this volume makes many references to classical historical texts: Augustine, Livy, Sallust, Cicero, Boethius; and personages. The author is not shy about presenting the Medieval era as a smelly, dirty time but also one in which humanity can rise above its temporal self.

I also have Pagan's Cusade which is the first in the series. I may start it tonight.
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Today I found out Becket is playing down the street from me. I love a Peter O'Toole movie!
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