(no subject)

Departure from book reviews; a film:

The Martian.

I liked it although it didn't quite live up to the book (much less detail, also much less funny I recall the book as being very funny) and obviously quite a bit of it is cut in order to fit into a movie length thing.

(no subject)

Died on this day in 1083 aged 52 Matilda of Flanders (my toy,wikipedia). Wife of William I; the circumstances of their marriage are confusing, allegedly William kidnapped and/or beat her, but then she refused to marry anyone *but* William, then the pope said "no" (they were 4th cousins, the pope came round eventually, after they founded two churches by way of penance). Matilda spent much of William's reign as his regent in Normandy while he was busy in England.

Born on this day in 1470 to King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville, King Edward V of England (my toy,wikipedia). After being made Prince of Wales the young Edward was sent to Ludlow under the supervision of his (maternal) uncle Anthony Rivers. After the death of Edward IV Edward V removed to London, they met Richard (soon to be III) on the way (at Stony Stratford, which is now a part of Milton Keynes but has a long history) Richard arrested Anthony and other members of the young King's party and then installed Edward (and his younger brother Richard) in the Tower of London - which they never left. The death of Edward and Richard were and remain a mystery (of course theories abound). Edward V was never crowned but is nevertheless counted as King.