I also knew these anecdotes separately but my mind is suitably blown that they were all the same guy. I guess there's just too much to talk about for your average anecdote-telling session.
Brilliant as ever. A tad surprised that with the Ominous Leper you're picturing The Emperor's New Groove instead of the announcement of Princess Buttercup... ;)
The scepter is in fact making a finger gun. We may be looking at an unfortunate consequence of a man the age of a college sophomore taking the reins of power. On the other hand, it might mean that old Burger King ad with the king mascot was surprisingly well-researched.
This is one of the wackier stories you’ve recounted. It’s hard to believe all that stuff actually happened. Especially the dance + fire.
My only issue is, was Charles really a dirtbag? Or was he just a tragic figure who had no idea what was going on more often than not? It’s not like it really matters – sounds like there were plenty of dirtbags around him. Just pondering.
a valid point! these days I'm sort of broadening the definition of dirtbag to include "anyone whose historical story makes me say 'what the actual fuck' at least twice." I definitely don't blame him for anything that happened in this story.
Thanks Alison! I'm the one that suggested good King Charles VI and you did a great job as always. Your description of Isabeau of Bavaria and the painting of the "fire dance" made me laugh hard enough that my co-worker wondered what I was doing.
I love this story, it reminds me that I've meant to look more into Charles's mistress whose name was Odette de Champdivers (all-time great name). As per wikipedia, she introduced "playing cards into France, 'for the amusement of [Charles VI] during his paroxysms of insanity'."
I also knew these anecdotes separately but my mind is suitably blown that they were all the same guy. I guess there's just too much to talk about for your average anecdote-telling session.
Brilliant as ever. A tad surprised that with the Ominous Leper you're picturing The Emperor's New Groove instead of the announcement of Princess Buttercup... ;)
Shaaaaaaaaaame!
The scepter is in fact making a finger gun. We may be looking at an unfortunate consequence of a man the age of a college sophomore taking the reins of power. On the other hand, it might mean that old Burger King ad with the king mascot was surprisingly well-researched.
This is one of the wackier stories you’ve recounted. It’s hard to believe all that stuff actually happened. Especially the dance + fire.
My only issue is, was Charles really a dirtbag? Or was he just a tragic figure who had no idea what was going on more often than not? It’s not like it really matters – sounds like there were plenty of dirtbags around him. Just pondering.
a valid point! these days I'm sort of broadening the definition of dirtbag to include "anyone whose historical story makes me say 'what the actual fuck' at least twice." I definitely don't blame him for anything that happened in this story.
There's a sequel with Kenneth Branagh and Rob Patterson in there somewhere.
I would pay money for this and hate every moment of it.
Hahahaha!
Thanks Alison! I'm the one that suggested good King Charles VI and you did a great job as always. Your description of Isabeau of Bavaria and the painting of the "fire dance" made me laugh hard enough that my co-worker wondered what I was doing.
Ahhhh thank you for reminding me and for the suggestion!! It was a great one!
I’m new to Substack, thanks for the one month gift! Can’t wait for your new book!
Allison, this was an awesome and hilarious and also educational read! Thank you!
I love this story, it reminds me that I've meant to look more into Charles's mistress whose name was Odette de Champdivers (all-time great name). As per wikipedia, she introduced "playing cards into France, 'for the amusement of [Charles VI] during his paroxysms of insanity'."
Poe's horror story "Hop-Frog" contains a similar flammable masquerade gone wrong. Maybe inspired by this real one?
You should do one on Alcibiades
So basically, a prequel to all the dirtbaggedness of Hollywood.