Susan here, arriving a little late with today's blog and bringing a question for you all – we’ve all heard this one before, but it’s a classic question well worth repeating. The answers constantly change. Time for the Dinner Party!
What five historical people would you invite to have dinner together? Or change the number of guests depending on how many seats you want to fill at the dinner table. We can handle twelve to fourteen at our table, but that’s too many and I’ve no desire to cook on that scale. Over the years, every time I think about this, my list changes. This was a game my family used to play when I was growing up, after a Thanksgiving or Easter dinner, when we all sat around the table with dessert. It got pretty lively—one year my very Catholic dad, who could be adorably funny, said “I’d invite Jesus! He was a helluva guy!” and we all laughed ‘til we cried.
What would your invitation list be? Has it changed since the last time you considered it? My choices change depending on what historical research mode I’m in. Here goes:
Joan of Arc – Always on my special list, she has been important to me since I was a little girl listening to the stories my great-grandmother told of growing up in a little village in Lorraine just a few miles from the village famous as the home of Jehanne d’Arc – and like her, my grandmother worked in the fields and fell to her knees as the bells rang out for prayers. I heard many stories of life in that area of France, and I would love to talk to Joan about it. I’d also show her the many books I’ve collected about her. I was able to include her as a background character in my novel, The Sword Maiden (now on sale in e-book for .99!), set in 15th century Scotland, the story of a soldier returned from the war in France . . .
Sir Walter Scott – I’d love to have dinner or a long leisurely tea with this lovely man, in hopes of discussing Scottish history and the origins of historical fiction. And we could talk about Abbotsford, his beautiful home, which I’ve visited more than once (and my friends nearly had to drag me out of there).
Mary, Queen of Scots – She has always had my sympathy, a beautiful young woman who was raised in a royal bubble in France and sent back to Scotland, little more than a teenager, to rule over some rough, ruthless, conniving men who did their best to bring her down, destroying her idealism. She was spoiled, naïve, too easily influenced, and by the time she gained the maturity of a wiser woman, it was too late. I’d like to ask her the truth about Bothwell and Darnley, who was blown up in the garden. I think she would get on gangbusters with Joan of Arc.
Mark Twain – He would liven up the conversation with his wit and insights, and I know he would particularly want to meet Joan of Arc, who was something of an obsession for him and the subject of one of his novels. Years ago I was lucky enough to see Hal Holbrook’s onstage performance as Mark Twain, entertaining and unforgettable, and I would love to meet the real guy.
I’d also invite Robert Burns, the lusty, rowdy poet of 18th century Scotland, perhaps seated beside Caravaggio, the lusty, rowdy painter and rascal of the Italian Baroque. Caravaggio was arrested a few times with an ancestor of mine for drunken carousing -- and I've done a few Burns Night addresses -- so we’d have something to talk about. They'd have a lively conversation, if the language barrier could be bridged. We’d have to move the whisky far away from those two, though!
As to the menu, I could go with a typical Scottish dinner, though I’m not too fond of haggis (it's quite tasty, I hear – I just don’t eat red meat). But I’d offer a cock-a-leekie soup to start (chicken and leeks), then fresh salmon, neeps ‘n tatties (potatoes and turnips), a veggie or two, and a nice fresh fruit, custard and whipped cream trifle for dessert, followed by tea, coffee, and a finish of a good whisky to keep the mood warm and happy at the table.
And at this point, I should mention that Drunk History has become one of our favorite shows in this house – it’s hilariously funny, surprisingly endearing, and very creative. I’m a bit sorry some of them get so wasted, but they know what they’re in for, and the result is a fascinating, wacky turn on history.
How about you? Who would you invite to your table?
~Susan
You could get vegetarian haggis (I'd recommend Macsweens') and see if any of the guests noticed the difference. And to keep the dinner really Scottish, why not have cranachan instead of trifle? It's pretty similar.
Posted by: Laura Vivanco | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 03:35 AM
I've tried the veggie haggis, and pretty much decided I didn't like any sort of haggis. ;) Cranachan would be a lovely choice, with the raspberries and all. I chose trifle because a Scottish friend who lives near us makes it on Burns Night, and her version is delish!
Posted by: Susan King | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 05:00 AM
I've never had haggis but would love to try it. I'd probably like it as my husband says I have a stomach like an old horse and would literally eat anything:-)
My five dinner companions would be; Jane Austen, that's a given. Georgette Heyer, I adore her books and would like to know a bit more about the person. Winston Churchill, simply because without him during World War 2 I don't think the Homefront would have survived. He was spectacular in keeping up morale. Wilfred Owen because I love his poetry and his depiction of the First World War through this medium and he's always intrigued me.
Lastly, but definitely not least, my own Great-Grandmother. She was one tough cookie by all accounts. She had an incredibly tough life. She reared half the county and could shoot as good as any man. She hid the soldiers and saved them from capture during the Irish Civil War. I would LOVE a chat with her. Great post Susan.
Posted by: Teresa Broderick | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 05:51 AM
This is always a fascinating topic, and my answers vary with my mood. My sister actually got a variation on this theme as a question on a history final in high school She was given a list of people and told to seat them at a dinner table and discuss their conversation. I remember that one of them was Nenderthal Man. She put him at a separate table because his table manners were so bad.
Today I think I would invite a group of people from the Romantic period—Charles and Mary Lamb, William Hazlitt, John Keats, and Leigh Hunt. That should make for great conversation, mostly about poetry and literature but also with a bit of radical politics for seasoning. And I want Mary Lamb there partly to hear her views and partly because she was frequently present so the men won’t be uncomfortable talking with women present.
Posted by: Lillian Marek | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 06:37 AM
I've been hanging around various medieval history pages so my choices would centre around that one of that era's family dramas: I'd like to hear the family conversation (or arguments) of Eleanor of Castile, Edward I, her husband, Edward II, his son, Isabelle of France, wife of Ed2, and for fun the alleged lover(s), Piers Gaveston and Roger Mortimer. I know that's six, not five. I don't know whether I want to hear more about the politics of the day, such as Wales and Scotland, the deep affection between the various couples. (Eleanor and Longshank's romance is one of those love matches of the ages), or the competition for the throne.
Posted by: Shannon Arthur | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 06:59 AM
A fascinating post. I like all the choices displayed above.
My maternal grandfather was a great fan of Mark Twain, so I read many of his books that children of that age aren't likely to read. (I live within 50 miles of his birthplace and about 150 miles from his home town of Hannibal.
I can't contribute a list for you. I just get super awed when I think of serving a meal to people of this character.
Posted by: Sue McCormick | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 07:59 AM
Sir Thomas Moore, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain and Dr. Martin Luther King.
Thomas Moore because he was someone (a politician) who was true to his beliefs (rare today). Ben Franklin because he was so brilliant and humorous. Mark Twain also mainly for his humor. Thomas Jefferson because he was so brilliant and had such great ideals, yet did not really seem to consider all men and women worthy of freedom. And Dr. Martin Luther King because of all who have lived in my lifetime, I think I respect him more than anyone else.
Posted by: Mary T | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 08:42 AM
The Laird Maxwell and his wife. He escaped the Tower of London disguised as one of her ladies and one side of my family is from that clan. I want to hear about the discussion they must have had to convince him it was a good idea. Elizabeth Peters, because she has made me laugh out loud for years. Robin Williams, because I loved him and would like to convince him how well loved he still is. Abigail Adams, I think she would be interesting. Benjamin Franklin because I think he could make all of us laugh. Winston Churchill, because someone has to smoke those cigars after dinner. I realize that is too many, counting me 8. But, it is an even number, and I remember from long ago, that when one has an even number around the table the talk is very interesting and never dull.
Posted by: Annette N | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 09:05 AM
Years ago Steve Allen hosted a TV show that brought various figures in history to a round table discussion. Audible Books has three seasons worth of them available and they are as interesting now as they were when they were shown. It was called "Meeting of the Minds" and I am happy to say I have them on my MP3 player. The scripting of their "discussions" and reactions were fantastic.
Posted by: Leslie Knowles | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 10:15 AM
I think I would have a ladies only dinner party, just for fun! My guest list would include, Annie Oakley(a favorite of mine since childhood),Florence Nightingale,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Maria Von Trapp and Princess Diana.
Posted by: Maryellen Webber | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 11:27 AM
I remember that series. Allen brought in a great number of fantastic character actors to play the other "minds".
Posted by: Janice | Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 02:34 PM