Pomp, Pageantry—and Skullduggery!

Andrea here, finding it hard to believe it’s August! The summer seems to have whizzed by like a Congreve rocket . . .

Now, speaking of Sir William Congreve’s rockets, I’ve decided to start the countdown to the September 27th release of MURDER ON THE SERPENTINE BRIDGE, my new Wrexford & Sloane mystery, by giving you a teaser of the circumstances in which the mystery takes place. Now, there are times when an author gets extraordinarily lucky and history provides a setting for a mystery more perfect than any writer would dare to imagine!

During June of 1814, Britain threw a grand party in London to celebrate the end of nearly twenty years of war against France. It brought together a host of royals and dignitaries from the Allied victors—including Tsar Alexander I, King Frederick William III of Prussia. Prince Metternich and Field Marshal Blücher—for a spectacular fortnight of sumptuous parties, gala outdoor entertainments, horses races at Royal Ascot and a sojourn to Oxford for a banquet and a special awards ceremony, all to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon and his exile to the isle of Elba.

As science says, Nature abhors a vacuum, and with Napoleon gone (or so they thought!) there was all sorts of subtle—and not so subtle—jockeying for power among the erstwhile allies. In that day and age it was very rare to have such a cast of leaders assembled in one place, so it occurred to me that it was only natural that some skullduggery should take place. (More on that in a future blog.) Suffice it to say, that there was plenty of opportunity for intrigue and treachery to take place.

There were real-life kerfuffles going on. Jealous that the British public liked the handsome and charismatic Tsar of Russia better than they did him, the Prince of Wales made a point needling Alexander I with a number small snubs. The Tsar in turn made a point of being late to a number of receptions, so that he stole the show when he entered. Throw into a few more kings, emperors, and military general, and it was a rather volatile mix of personalities rubbing shoulders with each other. It’s a wonder the dueling was only verbal!

As I started doing research it was such fun to discover all the over-the-top entertainments that were designed to impress and astound both the foreign visitors and the British public. The above-mentioned Sir William Congreve, who designed experimental rockets for both the army and the navy during the war, was in charge of creating the fireworks for the two major extravaganzas held in Hyde Park.

The first was a mock naval enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar on the Serpentine, the large lake just north of Rotten Row, with two “fleets” made up of small scale-model war frigates sailing against each other at night. The French and Spanish “fleet” all had gunpowder bombs in their hulls, lit by timed fuses to explode at the same moment. The fireworks were also choreographed to ignite at the same time, filling the sky with colorful bursts of fire Needless to sya , it was a roaring success with the spectators!

Just as impressive was the the Temple of Concord. An elaborate towering structure was built in the park. The outer walls were made of painted canvas to look like a medieval castle. The night of the extravaganza, a troop of cavalry staged a mock attack on the castle, and at a prearranged signal, the canvas fell away, revealing a magnificent Temple of Concord—or Harmony—hidden inside, an homage to the camaraderie of the victorious allies. Again, Congreve’s fireworks lit up the night sky, delighting the massive crowds assembled to watch the show.

Glittering balls, soirees, parades, concerts, pomp and pageantry—London was ablaze with activities every day until the wee hours of the morning. The fortnight ended with a grand naval review in Spithead before the leaders returned to the Continent, some heading home while others journeyed to Vienna to begin a conference on how to build a lasting peace in Europe.

It was quite an international gathering, full of drama and spectacle . . . and for me, provided perfect “color and flash” for a twisty mystery. I wish I could I could have been there to experience some of the fun. Have you ever attended any gala public celebrations? Any there huge celebrations in history that you would have loved to attend. (I wish I had been in London this past June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.)

Comments

[Mary Jo Putney]

Andrea, I would have loved to have seen the re-enacted battle of Trafalgar! But I can't think of any great public celebrations I've attended in real life. This may have something to do with the fact that I had crowded. Luckily these days everything shows up in digital form pretty quickly!

[Mary T]

I remember in 1976 there were huge celebrations for the bi-centennial. I had no desire to mix in with thousands people on a hot day in July. I don't think I'm actually claustrophobic but large crowds make me uncomfortable.

I remember waking up very early for the wedding of princess Di, and likewise for her funeral. I had no desire to actually be there but I was glad I was able to observe it on TV.

And thank you for the interesting tour through the celebrations of the victory over Napoleon.

[Andrea Penrose]

SO true about watching spectacles from the comfort of one's own home!

But I REALLY would have liked to see the mock naval battle on the Serpentine! (The Mayhem Consultant would have been in seventh heaven! )

[Andrea Penrose]

Mary, the royal weddings have all been great fun to watch. There's something to be said for actually being part of a celebration. But I agree with you, it's also really nice to enjoy grand events from the comfort of one's couch! There is a great deal to be said for no pushing and jostling! Plus, one usually sees the action so much better!

[Kareni]

Thank you, Andrea, for an educational and entertaining post.

I happened to be in Amsterdam in 2014 for the first King's Day after King Willem-Alexander took the throne. Seeing all the revelers on boats in the canal was quite a sight. (The overflowing pissoirs was a less pleasant sight!)

[Andrea Penrose]

Kareni, Despite the less-pleasant aspects of a grand celebration, it must have been fun to see canals full of colorful celebrations. especially these days, when we all need some giant feel-good parties. I'm not sure I would have wanted to be squished in the crowds, the the June celebration for Queen Elizabeth looked quite fun and upbeat. There is a certain nice energy in shared good vibes.

Glad you enjoyed the post.

[Karin]

I was overseas for most of 1976 and part of '77, so I missed the U.S. bicentennial celebrations. However I did arrive in Amsterdam on the day of Queen Juliana's birthday, which the Dutch celebrated with lots of food and entertainment around the city, which was lots of fun. I think it was the only time I've seen a real full size calliope being played!

[Janet]

I did go to the Bicentennial celebration. The fireworks were awesome! Then the crowd tried to go home all at once. The buses got out to the suburbs with the first aboard, then couldn't get back into D.C. because the traffic was so bad! We ended up walking from the Mall to Georgetown, where we started from.

[Jeanne Behnke]

Such interesting history! As far as a big event, the one I remember most was Hands Across America. I think 1986. I, my husband & some friends traveled to Washington DC to participate. It was fun & pretty exciting. I don't usually like being in big crowds but this didn't feel anything like that since we were single file holding hands over miles & singing.

[Constance]

In July 1976, "tall ships" from 20 nations sailed into Boston Harbor to help celebrate the US Bicentennial. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to watch from thousands of various viewpoints. Not being a fan of crowds, I was lucky to watch from the roof of my now-husband's apartment building in East Boston as the ships came grandly past, led by the USS Constitution (also known as Old Ironsides). You could see and hear the ooohs and aaahs as each ship appeared. Gives me goosebumps even now! Less happy was being in a crowd to enjoy a July 4th bicentennial concert - turned out over 400,000 people showed up; at the time, it held the world record for the largest outdoor concert ever, and it certainly felt that way to claustrophobic me!

[Annette N]

The Tall Ships were absolutely spectacular in 1976. I was no where near Boston, but the beauty of television helped me enjoy the sight.

I wonder who would have won the jockeying for position if the Tsar and the Prince of Wales had been able to be on network TV. Can't you just see it? That would have demanded color for the uniforms alone.

Thanks for the wonderful post. I think the pageantry must have been wonderful for all those who were able to enjoy it.

[Robin R]

The War of 1812 is of particular significance to Baltimore, Maryland. We've had periodic tall ship celebrations but the one to celebrate the the War of 1812, was wonderful with a large international group of ships and reenactors on land and sea. Your last picture with the sailors standing on the yardarms of the ships reminds me of watching the foreign ships sailing in and out under the enormous Key bridge with their crews at attention on the yards.

[Teresa Broderick]

I'm not one for big crowds either. We had a tall ships weekend here in Waterford back in about 2010. My husband went in to see them, I just watched them on the news.
I don't watch things about the royal family on tv but what I did watch was the burial of Richard 111's bones. It was a lovely ceremony and I've always been interested in Richard.
Would definitely liked to have seen the reenactment of Trafalgar!!!

[Andrea Penrose]

That sounds wonderful, Karin.Amsterdam is always a fun city, and I can imagine with colorful celebration and good food it was quite a spectacle.

[Andrea Penrose]

Jeanne, glad you enjoyed the history. The peace celebration was really quite an amzing gathering for the era.

The hand Across America experience must have been really moving. How fun to have been part of it.

[Andrea Penrose]

On, Annette, what a wonderful comment. Yes, I can just see those two Royals fighting to be the main attraction in their peacock splendor!

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, how wonderful Robin. I love seeing the tall ships with their crews at attention in the yardarms. They would have looked right at home in the naval review at Spithead. Such magnificent ships!

[Andrea Penrose]

Teresa, I didn't realize the Richard III burial was broadcast. (I don't think it was in the States.) I can imagine it was very moving.

Of all the events at the Peace celebration, the reenactment of Trafalgar on the Serpentine is the one I would have most wanted to see too, Imagine the fireworks in the sky and the model ships exploding on the lake. What a spectacle!

[Christina Courtenay]

I have heard about these celebrations and they do sound fantastic, especially that epic naval battle! It must have been an exciting time to be a member of the ton and fascinating to be a spectator when all those dignitaries got together. Can't wait to read your story to see what happens!