Emperor: A New Life Of Charles V

I'm in the middle of reading: Emperor: A New Life Of Charles V by early modern historian, Geoffrey Parker, which was published in 2019, so this isn't my usual book review as I haven't finished the biography yet. However halfway through (on page 332 with 200 pages to go!) I can say it's meticulously researched and compelling to read. The section I'm on is where the Catholic Holy Roman Emperor is intent on wrangling in all those rebellious Lutheran German Princes who have broken away from Rome (and thus labeled Protestants) and taken theirs, as well as, Charles' subjects with them. As you might imagine, Emperor Charles is thinking, "What the hell! Those pesky heretics!!! Not gonna happen on my Christian watch!!!" So he's organizing talks and campaigns to deal with the German problem in his realm.

Charles of Habsburg was born on February 24, 1500, in Ghent, then called the Low Countries in the Netherlands, which today is Belgium. Son of Joanna of Castile and Philip of Habsburg, Charles was the grandson of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragan (present-day Spain), Mary of Burgandy (Belgium and the Netherlands) and Maximillian I of Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, as well as, the elected Holy Roman Emperor of the Germanies before Charles campaigned and won the title in 1519 at age 19 (upon Maximillian's death).

After the death of his grandparents, Charles V ruled over Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as, much of Italy, Central, and South America. He was an Emperor with a capital ''E," conquering, reorganizing, and protecting what the book calls the "world's first and most enduring transatlantic empire."

An artist's images of what Charles and his wife, Isabella would look like if they lived today.

I can't grasp doing the colossal research for this book. The author had to turn to documents and primary sources written in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Burgundian, English, Latin, Hungarian, as well as, the regional dialects in these languages like Castilian in Spain and Flemish in the Low Countries. 

          

Likewise, Charles V had to become proficient in many languages to rule over his vast lands, and of course, he had an overall fine education in philosophy, theology, the arts and was taught jostling, hunting, shooting, fishing, good manners, chivalry, to play music and dancing in his role as heir to the throne. His two closest in age sisters took classes with him. He studied mathematics as an adult to "escape the burden of affairs" of state for a few hours at night.

A lesser ruler with a weaker intellect and will couldn't have held such a diverse and enormous empire together for 40 years. At the time monarchs believed their roles were divinely ordained, and, the grandson of 4 sovereigns carried out his duty with conviction and gratitude to God. Charles worked tirelessly and constantly traveled throughout Europe attending to conflicts and ensuing problems by negotiating, writing up, and signing over 100,000 documents, edicts, and treaties. He asked for what he wanted  -- in point-by-point terms -- and got much of it. He called forth and oversaw major councils and diets of the day, as well as, met privately and publically with townspeople, officials, kings, and Popes. And when talking didn't lead to peace and agreement, he took rulers prisoner until they came around, as Charles was a capable and successful military commander and also lucky since the weather or an advisory's blunder often favored him. Moreover, Charles V strategized and knew how to seize an advantage.

Painted by Peter, Paul Rubens

It's a long, serious detailed biography. The nitty-gritty of the long-ago battles get somewhat tiring, yet you do come away with knowing what a brilliant, comprehensive mind Charles V had and why he came out on top. As Emperor, he appointed smart, capable people as regents during his absences. Regents included his wife, Empress Isabella over Spain; his aunt Margaret of Austria (and later when Margaret died) his sister Maria of Hungry over the Netherlands; and his brother, Ferdinand over Germany. Emperor Charles married his sister, Eleanor to King Francis I of France although the marriage didn't stop the rivalry or wars with France; a sister Isabeau to Christian II of Denmark; and another sister Catalina to the King of Portugal. 

Emperor Charles is a complex historical character. He was dutiful, patient, conscientious, dogmatic (i.e., inclined to lay down principles), a seeker of advice, a good listener, but also selfish, dogmatic (this time meaning opinionated and domineering), and a forceful ruler who always settled scores. Like many leaders and diplomats of a country, he told the truth, but not necessarily all of the truth, nor all of the time.👑

Habsburg siblings: Eleanor, Isabeau, Ferdinand, Maria, and Catalina

It's impossible to overlook how Charles manipulated Joanna I, his mother. She was the Queen of Castile, inheriting the Kingdom jointly with Charles, but he made sure she was left in the dark, and he ruled Spain solo. It's possible he thought she wasn't capable of statesmanship but the ends didn't justify the means. Periodically he visited his mother but kept her secluded from the world and secretly took her treasures for himself and his sister, Catalina's dowery which is appalling!

Eleanor, Charles, and Isabeau were born and raised in the Netherlands and took lessons together, sharing a tutor.

On the other hand, as Emperor, he never demanded more sacrifice or hard work from his family than he was already doing himself. At times he pressed some of his sisters into service to govern as his trusted regents over Habsburg territories when they wanted to step down. He administered hands-on leadership over his armies and subjects. Charles rode into battles and fought alongside his troops. He motivated and spent time with the men ... once staying on his horse in full armor for 21 hours; and to the extent possible he was accessible to his many subjects, those born aristocratic and lowly in his kingdoms whenever he visited. 

A few interesting facts about Charles V on the personal side:

1) He had 4 illegitimate children -- 3 before and 1 after his marriage to Isabella of Portugal (born in 1503). Yet during his marriage, there is no record of the Emperor ever having extra-marital affairs ... rather moral considering his immense power, lots of travels, and what powerful rulers could get away with during the 16th century.

2) The Habsburgs watched each other's backs. Sometimes Emperor Charles appealed to (critics might say shamelessly exploited) his siblings' loyalty and love for him to get them to act as regents for the Habsburg dynasty. The siblings cooperated and even spent time together after Charles abdicated and went into retirement. They managed to stay cohesive and put dynasty above ego, as well as, be close in their later years. 

3) Charles attended mass daily and without fail took a week off to participate fully in Holy Week devotionals every Easter. 

4) As devout as Charles V was to Catholicism (and indeed, he was pious all his life) when the Pope crossed the line into politics by siding with Francis I of France and sent troops against him (1526 - 1527), Charles defeated those armies and took the Pope hostage! It's the reason why Henry VIII of England was not granted his annulment against his popular Queen of 25+ years, Catherine of Aragon, to marry a woman who would have faired better as his mistress. Queen Catherine of England was Charles V's maternal aunt ... and with the pope as his prisoner, Henry was not going to get his divorce. In fact, it was a term the Pope had to agree to in the peace treaty to gain his freedom. Charles' troops had invaded and sacked Rome.

5) Charles had an enlarged lower jaw (mandibular prognathism) a congenital deformity that got worst in later Habsburg generations due to inbreeding.

Charles' and Isabella's surviving children: Philip II of Spain, Maria, and Joanna

6) When his wife, Empress Isabella, died from a fever after childbirth in 1539, Charles was so devastated, he locked himself away in a monastery for 2 months to grieve her. He never remarried and wore black for the rest of his life.

7) I haven't gotten to the part of the book where Charles abdicated as Emperor in 1556, but I find the fact that he knew when to relinquish power interesting, as well as, admirable. Due to acute arthritis (called gout) and his declining health, Charles knew he couldn't travel and reign as effectively as before, and the burden of ruling and traveling non-stop for 40 years exhausted him. The man was tired!!

8) Realizing it was too much for one person, Charles V divided the Habsburg Empire into two parts, giving Spain, the Netherlands, and parts of Italy and America to his son, Philip II to rule ... and Austria, and the German states to his brother, Ferdinand I -- the next elected Holy Roman Emperor. Charles V's daughter, Maria, married her 1st cousin, Maximillian II, who also became the Holy Roman Emperor (= Charles' nephew and brother, Ferdinand I's son). Charles and Isabella's other surviving child, Joanna, married another 1st cousin, Prince (later King) John Manuel of Portugal. Joanna became the Regent of Spain during her brother, Philip II's absence and marriage to Queen Mary Tudor, Philip's 1st cousin. All the family intermarriages occurred for the purpose of keeping the territories in Habsburg hands, but over the generations, it also weaken the dynasty as defects in recessive genes lead to horrible birth defects including the inability to produce healthy heirs in Spain.

Photo by Alonso de Mendoza of His Majesty's bed and the room where he died.

After his public abdication in the Netherlands in October 1556, Charles V left for Spain persuading his two widowed sisters, Eleanor of France and Maria of Hungry to accompany him. He lived in lovely quarters at the Monastery of Yuste from January 1557 until September 21, 1558, dying from malaria at the age of 58 while clutching the same cross that his wife, Isabella, held in her hands when she died.

Pantheon of the Kings

Well, it's back to page 332 for me. I think reading 10 - 15 pages per sitting is about right to keep a myriad of historical details straight. Common sense and intuition tell me Charles isn't done with the Germans, French, or Turks, and none of them are done with him either. What's more, the "taming of America" is coming up in a later chapter. Oh, taming Americans, eh ... I'd like to see him try.😁 

For sure, this biography of a remarkable Emperor, the most powerful man of his time, is a riveting read for a history buff!

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Coach Is An Easy Bag To Love

As readers know, Coach is my bag of choice. I've written 2 blogs featuring the retailer which I'll link below, and I've included Coach in blogs devoted to elite bag roundups as well.

My Foley & Corinna, "liberated" leather purse that I paid less for is starting to wear out, so I thought it was a good time to snatch up the Coach Marlie Top Handle Satchel* I've been ogling for months. Moreover, Coach persistently tempts me by

sending daily emails reminding me to buy it! Finally last night they got me to put it in my online shopping cart by offering the bag in Coach's Early Black Friday Preview Flash Sale -- and I had an additional 15% off promo code plus free shipping. Now leave me, alone Coach, I've taken the bait!

Suffice it to say, Coach sells full-grain leather luxe quality bags without the inflated French designer brand price hikes. The reason the merchant is less expensive than its French counterparts is Coach doesn't market itself as an exclusive, lavish label with the hype and 4-times-per-year price increases. Coach is a straightforward fine leather goods retailer that dates back to 1941. Customers get superior craftsmanship and classic style without the over-the-top markups. What's more, the retailer has a stellar outlet where you'll find true bargains.

So while Coach bags are never dirt cheap, you don't pay for the snobby ballyhoo of its French competitors. Don't get me wrong, I love Hermès, Chanel, and Dior, and will at times write about them. They're such beautiful eye candy how can you not cover them? But if I'm being honest, I just don't want to fork over that many zeros for a handbag, and with Coach we get affordable, well-made fine leather bags. It's the bag for value shoppers who have a fashionista gene.

The Marlie Top Handle Satchel comes in an assortment of leathers, colors, and patterns. It's adorable in red, and often, I gravitate towards pebble leather for its durability. However, I'm choosing black Nappa quilted and smooth leather with gold hardware in order to use the crossover bag as a universal everyday and evening purse. At 9 inches wide, the bag is a tad small for my everyday only bag -- I already know, but I can just make it work on enough days. It's perfect as an evening bag. I hope I don't have chain issues ... but with Coach you seldom do. Moreover, if anything breaks, Coach repairs it over the life of the bag, and to be sure, Couch bags last over a human lifetime plus! (BTW: Coach has a program where they'll buy back their vintage bags.)

The Marlie Tote

Additionally, my lovely readers, I'm showing you the Marlie Tote ... also super chic and on sale, but I dare not grab its image from Coach Outlet's website, or the company will start online stalking me again. Stop it, Coach! Lead me not into temptation -- I can find it all by myself!👜🦖

* Wow, I paid Coach Outlet $130 (including taxes) for my Nappa leather Coach Marlie bag, and now people are trying to resell them for twice and triple the price, which unfortunately is not a deal at all. 

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Speaking Of Christmas

All images: Macy's.

The majority of the people on earth, about 69%, are not Christians. Christianity is followed by only 31% of the world's population, therefore, far from a majority. Can we not accept the world as it is? While we humans have different responses, in life we all ask the same ultimate questions* and try to arrive at the same place.

 

First aiming to live a life of greater purpose, followed by a hope for the best outcome that life doesn't end in death, but we find some ultimate good or meaning in our struggles and beyond our finite lives. Theologians spend years studying the human condition and its connection to the divine -- the world of concrete vs the world of ideas, the infinite vs finite. Believing requires a leap of faith, and for certain, time will tell. It's that simple and complicated.

We have all heard the catchphrase: Let's put Christ back into Christmas, but I like to focus on putting Christ back into Christians. As we move into the Christmas season, is it possible for us to worry less about cookie-cutter conformity and more about understanding and having a tolerance of others? Might we even leap to celebrating our cultural differences, as well as, showing generosity and hospitality to everyone as we embrace our own traditions?

I'm always honored when another culture or religion shows me warmth and goodwill. An invitation to fellowship can be an attempt to connect and share, not usually to convert. What's more, I think savvy modern people can tell the difference and navigate accordingly.

Moreover, when a clerk in a department store wishes me a "Happy Holiday" in lieu of a "Merry Christmas," it's an effort to be gracious from a stranger in society who doesn't know what tradition I practice and nothing more. Why should tolerance and good wishes from friendly strangers upset us? It's misplaced animosity perhaps based on fear and insecurity in a changing world. 

If a history buff like me, you realize the world simultaneously changes and stays the same. Everything we experience has been experienced before in another century or millennium. Times can change, but humans react the same. Life on earth is cyclical. Everything new becomes old and everything old is new again ... this time around "new" to us. Furthermore, when the world is ripe for change, it moves forward. You can't stop change forever.

I hope with the supply chain down this holiday season all people -- especially Christians -- worry less about exchanging material gifts and put their energies into showing more people benevolence, support, compassion, and collaboration. After a challenging pandemic apart, wouldn't it be a meaningful, awesome way to celebrate Christmas?! Let's dole out gifts of human acceptance and kindness beginning today!

The Nativity Scene Christmas decorations are available from Macy's the only major New York department store that seems to still sell them. {You won't find them at Saks or Bloomingdales.} I'm only a customer, and my blog isn't sponsored by the retailer. I do love Macy's however ... a must-stop for tourists and New Yorkers alike during the Christmas season! Starting on November 26th, the North Pole with SantaLand opens. Located on the 9th floor for in-person visits as well as online.

✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰✯𐫰

*The Ultimate Questions in every religion are: Where do we come from? Is human life random or created by an all-powerful God? What is the meaning and purpose of life? What happens after we die? 

In examining the human condition, all religions have a diagnosis ... what went wrong; and a prescription ... here's how to fix it to get back on the right path. All religions offer hope that life, good, bad, or ugly, has intrinsic worth and meaning.

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Pasta e Fagioli

Photo: From America's Test Kitchen - not their recipe below, but it's what the soup resembled in the Time Inc cafeteria. It wasn't as tomato red as I sometimes see it elsewhere.

Years ago I discovered delicious Pasta e Fagioli at work in Time, Inc's cafeteria. I'd love to make it at home but never had a sure-fire recipe. Time's Pasta e Fagioli seemed to have bits of ham or Italian sausage in it, definitely not the ground beef used by a few cooks and closer to bean soup than tomato soup. Although I can't procure the exact recipe, I remember the taste and texture to this day. The following recipe comes close enough for now:

Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients:

1 lb of spicy Italian sausage or Italian bacon (Ham or hot dogs work also, then spice to taste. Drop in a few red pepper flakes. Add some green Italian seasonings.)

2 medium onions, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

4 carrots, diced

1 garlic bulb, minced (or 2 teaspoons of dried garlic)

4 cups water

2 large chicken bouillon cubes (which contain salt, so don't add more until you taste it before serving.)

2-15-ounce cans of Northern white beans (Feel free to use pinto or pink beans, etc., if it's in the panty. It will taste good). 

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried rosemary

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

2 cups macaroni (or similar smallish pasta)

Sprinkles of grated Parmesan cheese - Add a sprinkle when cooking the soup, then garnish with the cheese before serving the soup.

Optional: Olive olive if you need it to grill the meat and vegetables  (see step 1 below).

Directions:

1) In a stockpot, brown the sausage, bacon, (or ham, or hotdogs) as it brings out the flavor. Toss in the onions, celery, and carrots as the sausage is browning. Towards the end, add the fresh garlic if using it. 

2) Next add the water and chicken bouillon cubes. (You can substitute chicken stock and salt to taste if you wish. I rarely buy chicken stock, so use water and bouillon.)

3) Mash one can of beans only. Add both cans of beans and diced tomatoes into the pot.

4). Follow with the dried spices.

5) Finally add your pasta and bring to a boil for about 12 minutes until the noodles are al dante.

My leftovers for the week.

Don't forget to garnish with extra shakes of parmesan cheese. This soup is a balanced meal with your meat, vegetables, and starch in a delicious sauce. I was always delighted to go down to the cafe to see it on the day's menu. Buon Appetitio!

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When Time Marches On Without Us

In Manhattan we walk a lot ... all around town. From its inception, New York City was transient and in flux with businesses opening and closing frequently. Nowadays I notice new businesses seldom have a clock on their walls. Likewise, old clocks are disappearing from public spaces and streets, and I don't like it one bit. I miss having huge historical clocks in prominent places!

I realize everyone, along with their mothers and brothers and grandpas, have cell phones to tell the time, but I'm not one to carry a phone in my palm at all times. I leave it inside my purse, and I'd rather nonchalantly glance up at a big clock to keep track of the day. 

Additionally, I love the charm of seeing old timepieces in strategic places where crowds of people congregate. What will our 21st-century history and relic be for the future? 

As a customer inside an establishment, I like having a clock to look at while waiting for my turn to be served. Lovely and functional decor for customers and employees alike ... no?

My cousin is upset because his kids can't tell time by the hands of a clock as it's not even taught in schools anymore!

Furthermore, it would be disorienting for me to work in an office without a clock. Although at my places of work, I've always had clocks available, I wear my watch to work just in case. While working, I'd never want to give the wrong impression, I'm counting the minutes to leave the office by repeatedly taking out my phone to check the time, but gee whiz, I'd be equally unhappy spending the workday clueless about the hour. I like to know what time it is!

Also if I'm having a coffee, drink, or dinner with a friend, I want to know what time it is without raising an incorrect suspicion that I'm bored or in a hurry to leave. Again, I'd rather nonchalantly look up at the clock on a wall. These days I have to sneak a peek at my wrist.

No mister! No sister!! I don't need to get home soon. I just need to know what time it is  ... at all times!😁

Have you noticed how difficult it has gotten to find a clock in public; or as you pass by its window, the wall of a newly opened business? Where have all the clocks gone? I hope and pray, not long time passing. Say it isn't so!!

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Ametrine The Bicolor Quartz

All photos are from Macy's unless otherwise noted. Find them here.

On THE SAVVY SHOPPER, we've discussed amethyst and citrine, both members of the quartz family of gemstones. Quartz is the chemical compound silicon dioxide, shortened to silica.

 

Mother Nature also makes a bicolor quartz that uniquely combines the purple of amethyst and the golden yellow of citrine. Called Ametrine, a mixture of amethyst and citrine, its defining feature is having both colors in a single stone. 

Like most quartz, ametrine has great clarity, meaning it is transparent with few inclusions. Color gives ametrine its value -- the more intense the purple and yellow are, the more desirable, plus there should be an even split between the 2 hues with a clear boundary. On Moh's Scale of Hardness, this eye-catching quartz rates a 7 just like its quartz siblings, making it suitable to fashion into jewelry.

The reason ametrine has 2 colors is due to different temperatures existing while the crystal was forming in the mine. A lower temperature left the iron within the crystal unoxidized to form amethyst while a higher temperature oxidized the iron within the same crystal to form citrine. {Bracelet linked here.} A gemologist would have to confirm what I envision ... a ray of sunshine hitting or more poetically, kissing the stone to make ametrine.

Nearly all commercially sold ametrine is mined in the Anahi mine in Bolivia, and for this reason, the gemstone is sometimes known as bolivianite. In fact, ametrine is the national stone of Bolivia.

Considering its beauty and rarity on earth, ametrine is surprisingly budget-friendly compared to similar gemstones. Unlike more common gemstones like diamonds that are in higher demand, not everybody knows to want ametrine. 

Often fashioned into emerald or Asscher cuts, the violet and golden gemstone looks lovely set in yellow or rose gold, as well as, complements every skin tone as it has dual cool and warm undertones.

Let's play a game: If you could only have one gemstone in a ring or necklace, would you want an amethyst, citrine, or ametrine?

Photo: Wikipedia to show you ametrine as found in nature.

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The Beauty Products I Use Right Now

 

Once a month I notice YouTubers post their empties to recommend beauty products they enjoy using. Today I'm doing likewise ... but fortunately, my bottles are filled... and they are in my bathroom being used by me right now. As it turns out, I reviewed nearly all of them on THE SAVVY SHOPPER in previous blogs. Still, loving them and for sure, I'd buy each again, as well as, grab them whenever I see them for less:

Skincare - Daytime Routine:

1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - My old tried and true.

2) Art Naturals Vitamin C Advanced Moisture & Brightening Serum - I have the set and use the retinol at night on nights I don't use the Neutrogena retinol oil.

3) Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with SPF 15 

4) Cooking grade coconut oil - As an after-shower body moisturizer. It's cooking grade to simplify gathering -- no need to buy 2 coconut oils. Once gone, I'll switch over to extra virgin olive oil for even more simplicity.

Skincare - Nighttime Routine:

1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - used again before bed.

2) and 3) - Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Oil followed by Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream - They came full-sized as a kit found in the beauty aisle at T.J. Maxx for $16 bucks ... how could I not grab 2 kits -- to use one immediately and put one on deck? Before finding the set, I was already using the retinol cream and after I finish the retinol oil ... do I need both? I'll decide later after I run out.

Hair Care

1) Shea Moisture Peace Rose Oil Shampoo - A stellar overall brand, I buy any formula I see with the Shea Moisture label on it. I've never had a failure with any of the retailer's formulas despite mixing and mismatching the varieties of formulas of their shampoos with their conditioners. I enjoy trying the entire line, but the peace rose smells so AMAZING, I  love it especially!

2) Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo - I don't yet have the matching condition, but if I see it at T.J. Maxx, it's my next beauty buy. After you try Shea Moisture's many hair products, you can find them at drugstores, Walmart, Target, and Amazon, so you'll never go broke using this none-better, excellent brand!

3) Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydrating Shampoo

4) Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Multi-benefit Hair Mosque - As fantastic as the other formulas, I grabbed the mosque as another hair conditioner. It leaves your hair clean, not greasy. Again ... 3rd time saying it, you simply can't go wrong with a Shea Moisture formula!

So these are the beauty products I'm now using, folks, my not-so-empties that I'll buy again and again as needed. In recent years I've tried to switch over to as many organics as I can afford, as well as, to simplify my personal care regime, plus find everything needed in the aisles of a drugstore for less! 

It looks like I have lots of hair shampoos and conditions, doesn't it? My goal is to reduce: I keep 1 shampoo and 2 conditioners in the bathroom open and using ... with one extra shampoo and condition in stock waiting in the wings to replace an empty. I'm nearly at my one + one quantity aspiration. #WorkingThroughMyStash.

Drugstores have stepped up their offerings of quality and clean beauty making it unnecessary to shop anywhere else. So convenient and cost-effective for products that truly work!

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