Episode 19: Madame de Pompadour

We attempt to be as PG13 as possible during this episode’s discussion of a woman who won the favor of a King, and is remembered as one of the most influential mistresses France has ever seen.

But before she could hold such a lofty position, Madame de Pompadour was a fair maiden with an interesting family. Jeanne Antoinette Poisson was born December 29, 1721 to Madeleine de La Motte and Francois Poisson. Or maybe to Madeleine and Paris de Montmartel. Or maybe Madeleine and le Normant de Tournehem.  Ah, yes, Mama got around. But Francois was her husband and the father of record , so we shall call him,Papa. Tournehem was a very important part of Jeanne Antoinette’s life, so we shall call him, Uncle. And de Montmartel? He doesn’t show up much in our tale, so we don’t call him anything (although he was, technically, her Godfather.)

We discuss the education of this young woman. What was life like in this time for a child of a not titled,  but wealthy family? We also discuss various versions of her early years that are floating around. How long did she study with the Urseline’s just outside of Paris?  How much influence did her father have in her life? Did she really visit a fortune teller at the age of nine and what did that woman say?

But this we know: Thanks to a number of people, she got a very fine education despite Papa being sent to Germany for ten years for a financial scheme gone very wrong, and Mama losing most of their fortune in his absence. Hey! She was pulling single mom duty for not only young Jeanne Antoinette but also a younger son, Abel. She did the best she could given her circumstances, connections and, er, talents. Jeanne Antoinette was raised to be a delightful, well spoken, dignified, entertaining and educated young woman who charmed with a beauty from within. Not too shabby for growing up Kardas…Poisson.

Eventually Papa returns to Paris, Mama decorates a new beautiful home, and our girl Jeanne Antoinette is married to the nephew of potential daddy, Le Normant de Tournehem. All is well, although Jeanne Antoinette has set her sights a liiiittle higher than her husband, the father of her child. She wants the King.

And by “wants” we mean…claim his heart and serve France at court.

This is the King she has her sights on. Louis XV

Snares him she does. We go into the juicy details, but basically he just so happened to have an opening for a Maitress en Titre ( the chief mistress to the king), and Jeanne Antoinette (although married…and with a child) is the woman for the job! But she needed a title. He gets his people on it, finds one that wasn’t being used, and voila!  Marquis de Pompadour. A little training in life at Versailles, a presentation to court and she moves into the palace and gets to work. Such as it is.

by Francois Boucher

Hard at work (Boucher)

For the next twenty years she is at the King’s side. Oh, yes, he had a Queen….but Madame de Pompadour understood and inspired the King like no other woman in his history. He listened to her on matters of state, of design, of art, of leisure, of just about anything that he was involved in- so was she. Sometimes the endeavors were successful, sometimes notsomuch.

We try to not get too bogged down with the wars and the politics, but those were just two of the things that Mme de Pompadour’s opinion was sought by Louis. We do name drop a little during the podcast, seriously, when the woman’s bestie is Voltaire, you KNOW there are going to be some A list parties!

She suffers sadness, uncertainty,  a lot of bad press, a loss of sexual abilities but maintains a close, deep friendship and love with Louis for the remainder of her days.  In 1764, at the age of 42, she dies in Versailles (which was forbidden, btw) of either lung cancer or tuberculosis.

Final portrait begun just days before death, finished after it (by Francois Hubert Drouais)

Time Travel With The History Chicks

As always, there is so much more to the life of this woman than we can cover in an hourish. If you are intrigued, we suggest your first stop should be over to Madamedepompadour.com (There really is a dotcom for everything, isn’t there?) Lots and lots of info and links to get you cruising along.

If you are as fascinated with Versailles as we are, or even just a little, here is a direct link to purchase the book we told you to get waaay back when we talked about Marie Antoinette:  Versailles, A Biography Of A Palace, by Tony Spawforth. Get it now, you are going to want it. (And, we do not get paid by Amazon, or anyone else that we recommend in this section, but that’s how much we want you to have this book!)

Get this book.

Not Mme de Pompadour specific, but we also would recommend The Bourbons: A History of a Dynasty by J.H. Shennan

Want some historical fiction to go with your newfound Mme de Pompadour knowledge? The book Beckett recommended is To Dance with Kings, by Rosalind Laker; the book that Susan’s friend Melissa recommended is The Philosopher’s Kiss by Peter Prange.

Here is a link that we promised to l’ecole Royale Militaire, the military school begun by Louis XV, ( with the encouragement of Mme de Pompadour, of course).  L’ecole Militaire.

And finally, what discussion of Madame de Pompadour would not be complete without a TARDIS?

We are not endorsing this product. We don't have one, don't know if it works well, know nothing about it other than...how cool is that?!

Get it here, and tell us if it’s as cool as it looks. Seriously though, Mme Pompadour appeared in the Dr Who storyline…read all about it here.

As always, music comes courtesy of Music Alley. Visit them at Music.mevio.com

Episode 18: Ella Fitzgerald

Once again, you asked and we answered! This week we discuss the other winner in our guaranteed content poll- the inimitable Ella Fitzgerald!

From a rough start on the streets of Harlem, to the Apollo stage, smokey clubs,years on the road  and in recording studios Ella led the  world through the trends and wild ride that was the musical scene during most of the last century. So much has been written about her life, her voice, her contribution to the history of music- it was hard to pick and choose what we were going to discuss. But pick we did!

Ella Jane Fitzgerald’s beginnings were the most humble-  born April 25, 1917 in Newport News,Virginia to William and Tempie Fitzgerald. Of course we talk about her parents, her move to New York, what life was like for a young girl at the time. We talk about her rough beginnings, her family and the fork in the road last minute decision that changed her life. We discuss her loves, losses and her slow  steady and forever upward rise to super star status.

With husband, Ray Brown

It’s a remarkable story of a remarkable woman and at every turn we were afraid that we were sounding cliche–but we couldn’t help it: Ella Fitzgerald rocked past the conventional path that she could so easily have fallen into. She  followed her dreams, always learning and always working to perfect her gifts.

There are so many times in her life that her story weaves into other topics—other people, other musicians,  different styles of music, other stories of the progression of segregation, the history of New York City…the list goes on. We thought we would devote these shownotes to a collage of  sorts: Ella images, sounds of the times, and some ways we can think of that might start you on a journey of discovery via the life of this woman.

Time Travel With The History Chicks

To get a clearer undestanding of the times that Ella was born into, here is a good place to start: We adore NPR

And we are very fond of PBS and Ken Burns, as well…click to learn more about the history of Jazz, and to get hooked up with Jazz a Film by Ken Burns.

You know who else we also adore (in a purely respectful way, we assure you)? The Bowery Boys. Ella’s history intertwines with several of their podcasts, and blog entries. For instance,  Episode #15 Tom and Greg talk about The Apollo Theater, including a chat about the history of Harlem.

Ella got her start at the Apollo Theater. There is so much history surrounding the building- someone could make an entire podcast series about the Apollo. (Apollo Chicks? No…) Here is information on the Apollo today. Click on over and start down a really exciting path..see what happened to Ella when she did? The Apollo Theater

We need you to play this. Close your eyes, and imagine the scene at the Savoy Ballroom, and it’s just before closing time. Everyone has been dancing for hours, exhausted and exhilarated…

…and the battle of the bands is ON! This is Duke Ellington’s “Trombone Buster.”

 

 

Just a little peek of the dancing that took place at the Savoy Ballroom ( which sadly, is no more)

Her first big hit landed her on the silver screen with Abbott and Costello in , Ride ’em Cowboy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9TehG_cqFk

 

This from 1961, she must have carried those Savoy Ballroom memories with her forever!

 

Ella and Ol’ Blue Eyes…one of many times they appeared together:

 

Scat isn’t for everyone, but if you want to see her scat like no other…this is from 1969..6 minutes, full-on scat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU

 

From 1974…We are just getting quite fan girly over here…but check this one out!

 

Really, we could keep embedding videos all day…but , can’t. This is from 1992, four years before her death. Oooweeee, she still had it!

 

 

We know that you like your books! If Beckett’s recommended nerdtacular tome appealed to you, here it is:

First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald by, Geoffry Mark Fidelman

A  little lighter reading but still an excellent biography:

Ella Fitzgerald, A complete biography by Stewart Nicholson

And for some great information in a young adult format ( no shame in reading young adult as an adult,either!)

Ella Fitzgerald: Up Close by Tanya Lee Stone

Based on all the information we gleaned for this podcast, this was one honestly kind woman. EllaFitzgerald.com will give you lots of Ella-tacular information and links- biography, pictures, discography..and a link to this, but we are going to give it to you again so you don’t have to look. The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation

Ok, you’re right! We have to end with Ella…and Count Basie!  We didn’t take your advice, and we are sorry, Ella, but we had to talk about you when you are gone!

 

music courtesy of Music Alley

Episode 17: Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire

You voted and we are pleased to present the first winner of our Guaranteed Content Poll- Georgiana Spencer Cavendish, The Duchess of Devonshire!

This woman wasn’t just another pretty face under a big wig with an unusual home situation… oh, no! She was an author, a mother, a fashion trend setter, and a political powerhouse that altered the landscape of British politics at a time when women should have been seen, but not heard.

If anyone knew anything about being seen- it was Georgiana.

Born in 1757 , she was the first of three children born to the love match of John and the former Margaret Georgiana Poyntz.

Georgiana was, from the get-go, Mama’s favorite. You know us by now, we go into a lot more detail on the podcast, but young Georgiana was raised in a loving home by parents who exposed her to a wide variety of subjects. A series of the finest tutors taught Little G the usual: deportment, and languages, and writing and geography and singing…but also harp , French, Italian Latin. And the lessons that our young Lady excelled in the most: etiquette.  Mama was proud. And also fairly ambitious. And did we forget to mention: wealthy. Daddy would become the 1st Earl of Spencer when Little G was just a child.

Mama and her pride and joy

This family is connected.

And what other family is connected and nearby? The Cavendishes. And their first son, William, was just about the right age for our fair, well bred, charming Georgiana! And what does he bring to the table? Well, um, his dogs? Ok, so he wasn’t as polished as our Little G, but opposites attract, right?

William Cavendish the Duke of Devonshire

She marries up, and becomes the 5th Duchess of Devonshire. He gets a beautiful, graceful bride guaranteed to bring him a male heir.

Ahem… guaranteed to bring him a male heir.

Is this thing on?

Georgiana doesn’t exactly have the easiest time getting pregnant. She partakes in some pretty wacky measures to do so with no success. (And allows us to prattle on about 18th century medicine- which we really enjoy.)

Georgiana, by Thomas Gainsborough

She does use this time to throw quite a few parties, and created an environment where politics can be played. She sets some trends in fashion.  And, oh yeah, she writes a book- The Sylph which is an thinly disguised autobiographical novel with the author credit given to,” a young lady”.  Four editions? Everyone knew who wrote it.

by Matthew Darly, Courtesy British Museum

How DO you ride in a carriage with all that hair? (by Matthew Darly, courtesy British Museum)

She does become a mother…although step-mother would probably be a better description…when one of William’s former mistresses dies, leaving his daughter Charlotte. Georgiana steps up to the plate and not only takes the child into her home, but into her heart.

But  she is still without a male heir of her own production. Her last medicinal attempt at conception was to go to Bath and take the waters- which meant drink or bathe in the hot mineral waters of the area. Also at Bath was a woman a woman who would be a force in their home for the next 25 years: Elizabeth “Bess” Foster.

Lady Elizabeth "Bess" Foster

Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Foster

To put it delicately, Georgiana, William and Bess struck up a relationship for the ages. All three of them. And that’s about all we are going to say here (but gush on and on in the podcast with a little less tact).

But let’s not focus on that, it worked for them, who are we to judge? And to talk about it in detail takes away from the rest of the life of Georgiana. (psst, listen to the podcast for more details) First off she got on the baby train…girl, girl, FINALLY a boy and heir! WOOT! And because she was on a roll, she went and had a baby from an affair with Charles Grey. We tell you all about those children, how she was as a mother, and what a political mover and shaker she was.

by Joshua Reynolds (She sounds like a pretty hands on Mama!)

Really she had smarts, charm, and charisma that she used to advance the politicians that she favored.

And she also had a gambling addiction. And a laundenum addiction. And, quite possibly an eating disorder. She lived a life as big and bold as the ginormous big hair wigs she was famous for!

But all good things come to an end, after a series of medical issues Georgiana dies at the age of 48 in 1806.

Give a listen to the podcast for more juicy details about the life of this amazing woman!

Time Travel With The History Chicks

Of course we only introduce you to her awesomeness, and give you a working knowledge of her life. But you want more, right?  And where can you go for that? PLEASE check out this blog, The Duchess of Devonshires Gossip Guide to the 18th Century. First off, it’s gorgeous. Second it is jam packed with stories and art from the era of this woman. We can’t say enough good things…so, go…http://georgianaduchessofdevonshire.blogspot.com/

The book that we both devoured:

By Amanda Foreman

Amanda Foreman also has a website that is full of intel: http://www.amanda-foreman.com/

And there is a movie, which is visually stunning but has some factual holes in it:

It was, um..pretty.

Yes, we know…some of you have skimmed this post looking for the name of this book by Arthur Calder-Marshall:

The Two Duchesses:The Sexual and Dynastic Intrigues of Two Bewitching Aristocrats in a Time of Unbridled Extravagance and License

And, finally, when you have absorbed everything…take a trip! Visit Althorp! http://www.althorp.com/estate

As always, music comes courtesy of Music Alley. Visit them at  www.music.mevio.com