wedding gowns in period dramas [2/?]

natalie portman as anne boleyn in the other boleyn girl (2008) phoebe dynevor as daphne bridgerton in bridgerton (2020-) jenna coleman as queen victoria in victoria (2016-2019) kirsten dunst as marie antoinette in marie antoinette (2006)

“…eyes always most attractive Which she knew well how to use with effect, Sometimes leaving them at rest, And at others, sending a message To carry the secret witness of the heart. And truth to tell, such was their power That many surrendered to their obedience.” -Lancelot de Carles

“Those eyes of yours are like dark hooks for the soul.” -Thomas Boleyn, The Tudors season 1, episode 2

"Anne's gowns were made of richly ornamented silks, brocades, and velvets, frequently embroidered with gold and silver thread, and garnished with pearls, jewels, and precious stones." - Retha M. Warnicke, "The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn"

Anne was known for her exquisite sense of fashion and style. She was a trendsetter in her time, and her clothing choices were often imitated by the ladies of the court. One of Anne's signature fashion statements was her French hood, which was a headdress worn by women in the 16th century. Her French hood was often decorated with jewels, beads, and gold embroidery. Anne also wore gowns with wide sleeves, which were known as "French sleeves."

Her gowns were often made of luxurious fabrics such as velvet, silk, and satin, and were adorned with intricate embroidery, lace, and beading. She also favored vibrant colors, such as deep blues, greens, and reds.

Anne's fashion sense was not just about dressing up, but it was also about conveying her status and power. As a queen, she had to maintain a certain level of grandeur and sophistication, and her wardrobe reflected that. She also used fashion as a tool to express her individuality and assert her authority, which was unusual for a woman of her time.

However, her fashion sense also played a role in her downfall. Some of her detractors criticized her for dressing too provocatively and accused her of using her clothing to seduce the king. Her French hood, in particular, was considered by some to be too risqué and suggestive.

Despite the controversy surrounding her fashion choices, Anne Boleyn's legacy as a fashion icon has endured. Her influence can be seen in the clothing of her time, as well as in modern interpretations of Tudor-era fashion.

"Anne's clothing was an outward sign of her power, and her style was emulated by women throughout England." - Antonia Fraser, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII"

Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn | the other boleyn 2008

Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl

"It was probably William Cornish who produced the pageant and played the role of Ardent Desire: Hall makes it very clear that it was not the King. This was Cornish’s last major pageant: he died in 1523, and was succeeded as deviser of court revels by John Rightwise, who continued in the same tradition. Rightwise, a clever Latinist, succeeded William Lily that same year as High Master of St. Paul’s School. Mary Tudor, Duchess of Suffolk, led the dancers as Beauty; the Countess of Devon played the role of Honour; Mary Boleyn was Kindness; Jane Parker, the daughter of Lord Morley and shortly to be betrothed to Mary’s brother George Boleyn, was Constancy; and Anne Boleyn, Mary’s younger sister, recently recalled from the French court because of the deteriorating political situation, was Perseverence. Anne Boleyn was just embarking on her spectacular but ultimately disastrous career, and this was her public debut at the English court. Born around 1501, she had spent her formative years first at the brilliant court of Margaret of Austria, then in the household of Mary Tudor during her brief reign as Queen of France, and later as a maid of honour to the pious Queen Claude. At the Burgundian and French courts, Anne had gained a fine education and learned every sophisticated accomplishment and on her return to England, her father—or possibly her sister’s influence—was able to secure her a place in Queen Katherine’s household. Anne stood out among the ladies at the English court because she was so French in her manners and style of dress, and therefore at the forefront of fashion. Anne was then about twenty-one, rather old to be unmarried. For two years now, her father had been negotiating to wed her to Sir James Butler, heir to the Earl of Ormonde, to settle a dispute over the Ormonde inheritance; but the matter was dropped for reasons that are not clear. Thanks not only to Sir Thomas Boleyn’s talents as a diplomat and courtier, but also no doubt to his daughter Mary’s occasional occupancy of the royal bed, the Boleyns were in the ascendant and becoming very influential." - Alison Weir, The king and his court.

"One final act of mercy for the woman he still loved,but who had betrayed him so deeply. However, in situations like this, acts of mercy for someone you were supposedly once hopelessly in love with might include hearing their defence against the accusations, giving them a lesser sentence, letting them live. Not once during the investigation was Anne Boleyn herself ever questioned or asked to explain what had happened, so we can’t now turn round and claim that the manner in which she was to be brutally murdered was a sign of Henry’s everlasting love for her. Death by sword was no act of mercy. As a sociopath, he was devoid of any feelings of compassion, remorse or conscience. The fact that he was betrothed to Jane Seymour the very day after Anne’s death should tell you just how much her fate was playing on his mind."- Haylay Nolan:" Anne Boleyn 500 years of lies"