Category Archives: Royalty

Hatshepsut: Nearly Erased From History, But Why?

This question started out at the airport. But it started with the Internet search, “pharaoh during Moses’ time.” I’m still wondering what Moses’ time in Egypt was like, and I was surprised that Hatshepsut was mentioned in a possible timeline.

She was included in the article, “Who Were the Egyptian Pharaohs During the Time of Moses?” The article discusses Alfred J Hoerth’s book Archaeology and the Old Testament where he presents an interesting timeline, and Rameses II–a pharaoh usually included in Moses’ story–isn’t that present. Instead, the article talks about the possibility that the pharaoh that eventually let the slaves go was Thutmose III, the stepson/nephew of Hatshepsut.  

It’s said Thutmose III was responsible for making Hatshepsut disappear from history.

What I mean by “disappear” is that it was him who tore down her monuments, hid her achievements, and had her pictures scratched out from the wall art.

Back to the airport, I went to YouTube to a Horrible Histories’ sketch I vaguely remember watching about Hatshepsut.

If the video is taken off the Internet, the history you “learn” from it is that Hatshepsut ruled for nearly 22 years, but was probably murdered by her stepson, and then he erased her from history. He was super mad.

It’s a great story, and I love Horrible Histories. But I decided to do a more thorough search.

Well, it was a quick search. My plane was boarding shortly. I scanned some information, and the only information I remembered was she made her stepson head of the army.

I thought about that fact for the whole flight.

Taking a Dig?

So, after I got to my destination and during some free time, I watched a documentary titled Hatshepsut: Secrets of Egypt’s Lost Queen. It’s a about archeologists and other historians examining her life and mummy candidates to see if they could find her.

What stood out to me most was the excitement of those involved in the project. I totally get it. You want to meet a person in history so badly, and this is chance to get close! There were discovered, little trinkets probably owned by Hatshepsut, and I would love to get my hands on something owned my one of my historical heroes!

And of course I was impressed how they narrowed the mummies to one candidate.

If you accept that candidate to be her, then Hatshepsut wasn’t murdered. (Sorry, Horrible Histories.) The documentary reports she died from a tooth infection/disease. Other reports showed diabetes or bone cancer. Whatever the case, she wasn’t killed by someone else.

Then the documentary shifts to a team also looking at certain wall art where they discovered where her images had been. But the images had been scratched away, and they had been replaced with images of Amenhotep II, who happened to be the son of Thutmose III.

The commentators said this action was probably taken for Amenhotep II to have a stronger claim to the throne, and that the throne is usually passed down from father to son.

Plus, Thutmose III didn’t go on a rampage right after her death to destroy Hatshepsut’s legacy. He removed her from history when he got older. Like two decades later. There’s a good chance that Thutmose III wasn’t taking a dig at his stepmother.

She wasn’t the only ruler carved out of Egyptian history–even men were. It was a strategic move to avoid future conflicts. It is sad, but that’s the way it was.

If the documentary was right in their claims, I’d like to imagine she celebrated when found.

Wrapping It Up

Gathering other information, Hatshepsut prepared her stepson very well to rule. I’ve concluded that Hatshepsut practically gift-wrapped Egypt for him.

To Thutmose III With Love, Hatshepsut

Ancient Egypt rulers were unlikely to predict the way good technology that was to come. (I’m always surprised with new tech that comes out myself.) Maybe Thutmose III meant to do a sloppy job. But that’s just a speculation.

I believe Hatshepsut and Thutmose III were more of a team than enemies.

Other Thoughts

In one of Simon Whistler’s videos on Hatshepsut, he reflects on remembering Hatshepsut, and how she was unsure how or if she would be remembered.

In case you didn’t make it through this whole video, Mr. Whistler quotes the female phaoroh saying:

“Now my heart turns this way and that, as I think what the people will say. Those who see my monuments in years to come, and who shall speak of what I have done.”

Hatshepsut

I think Hatshepsut’s story offers hope people who think they’ll be forgotten.

But the forgotten part can be temporary…even if thousands of years go by!

The Royal Stuart Men and Their Wives

Two brothers.

The elder married a queen in the making. The other married mistress material.

Their great-great-great…great grandpa, Charles II, wouldn’t have missed the irony. What is he thinking now?

Charles married a woman named Catherine. The elder brother married a woman named Catherine. I think that would have pleased Charles II’s queen.

Among Charles II girlfriends was an actress. The younger brother married an actress. Are Charles’ mistresses doing a victory dance? Only time will tell on that one, I’m afraid.

How much family/secular history do the brothers know? Did anyone see the coincidence when an actress married into the royal family? Come on, princes, you should have made some connection.

I just really, really know what everyone mentioned knows and feels!

 

To Two Royals

Dear Duke and Duchess,

I usually don’t write about this sort of thing, but some of your recent comments and actions haven’t sat well with me.

I know you want two children max due to climate change—but I say hogwash. Do you think, Your Highnesses, that you’re preventing less damage by having less children? Actually less damage can occur if there are more people. Of course, you have to love people. People hold more value than things.

I’m not saying you should continue to have kids. That’s a spiritual and personal matter between yourselves and the Lord. What I am saying is that it’s important to realize the worth of individuals and be more welcoming to others who come to earth—and those who should be closest to you.

I also want to quote the psalm: “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3).

Whatever you chose, Your Highnesses, I hope you’ll be able to see the importance of families—especially your present families. Our loved ones are far more important than expensive trips and glamour.

Sincerely,

A Concerned American

Photo from pixabay.com

The Money King

A few days ago, I posted a poem from Anne Neville’s point of view. Today this poem has to do with her husband. This is from my point of view. I’m viewing how people think Richard III is a cash grab.

 The Money King

Let’s have peace
Let’s agree
He’s good
For your economy.
Richard 3—
England’s Money King!

©Sarah Patten, 2019

Portrait of Richard III of England (Public domain)

Portrait of Richard III of England
(Public domain)

Anne Neville’s Wedding Vows to Richard

We are blessed to lots of information—true and false—about England’s most controversial monarch, Richard III. Way less is known about his queen, Anne Neville. I personally believe he would have never sat on the throne if they hadn’t married. I think she definitely provided encouragement. Anyway, since we don’t have tons of information about her, I like to wonder what she would have us know. Then I write some of those parodies. (Click here to read her inspirational pamphlet.)

Here’s a poem I wrote about her possible feelings when she got married to Richard, who was then the Duke of Gloucester.

Lady Anne’s Sweet Vows to Her Husband, Duke of Gloucester

From all that I’ve seen,
You’ve treated me like a queen.
Now as your wife,
I want you to have the best life.
I will be encouraging
I will do anything
To make you a king!

©Sarah Patten, 2019

yorkshire-rose-2365926_960_720

Arranged: Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI

If their lives had crossed paths, would there have been any chance that they’d get together? Yes, yes, YES!

First of all they were the same religion. I’ve concluded that in all marriages—you better have the same standards.

Marie-Antoinette and Louis remind me of the couples that knew each other in high school and went to some of the same church functions, but hooked up after graduation. They became adults, noticed, and took a strong interest in each other.

 

Click here to read a more detailed analysis of this couple.

 

Featured image:Marie Antoinette, Emperor Maximilian and Louis XVI by Josef Hauzinger  Josef Hauzinger public domain.

 

Arranged: Catherine of Braganza and Charles II

Catherine and Charles’ marriage didn’t end in divorce, but it wasn’t exactly a success. The man had many mistresses before and during their marriage, but the couple stayed on somewhat good terms.

Would Charles’ character had been different if he hadn’t had access to so many women? If he lived today, would he had signed up for an addiction recovery program?

Catherine had admirers herself. One man got fired from her service for getting too close with her. After Charles’ death, there were rumors she had a relationship with a Frenchman who had served her for years.

Maybe the mothers would still have played an important part in matchmaking; only this time it would be for everyday life, not making alliances between two countries. The mothers of this couple were both Catholics. Charles’ mother was happy when her decided to marry a good, Catholic girl.

Once again, religion is an important factor. Charles declared himself a Catholic at the end of his life, which is what Catherine had been her whole life.

I don’t know if they would have picked each at an ordinary party, but their marriage probably would have been better if they hadn’t been in high positions where they had opportunities to interact with questionable characters and temptations.

 

 

Featured Image: Charles II of England and Queen Catherine of Braganza (Dutch engraving, 3rd quarter of the 17th century)

Arranged: Michal and David

Michal and David were both at the royal court, and David was working his way to have power—for which Michal was used. But what if Israel hadn’t wanted kings—would they have gotten married? It’s hard to say since they were from different tribes, and usually tribes of Israel stuck with their own. However, marrying into other tribes still occurred.
When it came to martial rules, though, Israel’s number one was “marry in the covenant.” They had the same religion, and that’s huge. Say that somehow they got “arranged.” Would the marriage have worked?

If they weren’t royal there would have been more privacy. Michal and David would have spent more time together. There wouldn’t have been much competition—if any—with other wives. The two would have had a better chance of having a family together.

Let’s fast-forward to today. There’s still much controversy around royal marriages. I will tie in Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew. The couple divorced, but Sarah still gives flowing reviews of her ex in public. In one interview, she said their marriage would have worked out if they had been “in normal life.”

Let’s say Michal and David had lived in a “normal life”—would their marriage have worked? I strongly believe it would have.

 

Featured image: David and Michal by Virginio Grana, 1865

Anne Neville’s Guide to Success

Here’s a little tongue and cheek about how King Richard III’s wife, Anne Neville, got to the top.

Get Your Dream Career

By Anne Neville Queen Anne, Beloved Consort of King Richard III

I grew up an heiress and was temporarily Princess of Wales. After my first husband and father died in battle,  I lost everything. I know I should be grateful that the king let me live with my sister and brother-in-law, (who’s the king’s little brother). So, see I was trapped by powerful men and family. It was impossible to break away. But I knew I had to in order to fulfill my dreams as an heiress who would have it all.

  1. Know Your Goals
    Even after I became a complete nobody, I still had the mindset as a queen. That mindset led me to fight for dreams. I wasn’t about to let my brother-in-law send me to a convent so he could take my inheritance. I had to accomplish my goals and went about doing research. I discovered my best ally would be the little brother of my brother-in-law, Richard Gloucester. His status was high. Plus, his relationship status was single.
  2. Network
    However you want to do it, get the word out. Be on the lookout! Whenever I was with my sister in public, I looked presentable. Yet, she and my brother-in-law kept a close watch on me.
    My prayers were answered during the holiday celebrations of 1471-72. I had made official contact with Richard. After shortly recounting celebrations we shared as children, I stopped small talk so we could just talk business. I told him I knew he needed money and would be happy to help if he signed a marital contact. He said he was relieved because he had been too shy to ask about the monetary/matrimony contact. On his part he said he would have the King invite my sister and brother-in-law to a mandatory banquet and he would personally deliver me out of the house where I had been a well-dressed prisoner.
  3. Follow- Through
    You’ll know you’ve picked the right business partner if he is as motivated as you are. Richard picked me up, and there was family drama that followed within the next couple months. I got some of my wealth back, and as a bonus, got a baby.
  4. Repeat Steps 1-3
    I still had the queen mindset after I married Richard. When the king died, Richard and I researched through many channels, and found the king’s children were not allowed to rule. After the tedious paperwork, Richard and I finally had our joint coronation.

Sincerely,
Your Majesty Queen Anne

©Sarah Patten, 2019

 

Featured Image: Richard III and Anne Neville stained glass image in Cardiff Castle, UK.

King David’s Biography, A Poem

Some think I’m too harsh on King David. It’s heartbreaking for sure when researching people that associated with him. His victims didn’t get that much justice during their lives. Here’s my biography about the man:

“King David’s Biography, A Poem”

King David gloried in his life and times
But tried to cover up his crimes.
He got caught in his lies
And his family cut ties.
He took too many wives
And destroyed many lives.

King David’s Biography, a Poem ©Sarah Patten, 2019