King John: illegitimate issue

[Greensleeves]

"The Lion in Winter" is a cracking film about the family :-)

Have to agree with you wholeheartedly.  Great depiction of a totally dysfunctional family,  historically relatively accurate, and some great acting.

[Viktoria]

I was living abroad when the film was released,I have never seen it but would like to very much especially after reading Eleanor of Aquitaine`s biography.
Am I correct when I say Peter O`Toole played Henry II and Katherine Hepburn Eleanor?
Henry was a short, stocky rather bandy legged man nicknamed Henry Curtmantel.,ie Shortcoat.Not at all like Peter O`Toole( Oh those blue eyes in Laurence of Arabia).
Almost all Eleanor`s dowry was lost by  her son John,--vast lands throughout France.
Eventually only Calais was still  ours.
She was a very educated woman ,banished for many years by Henry.
A stormy tempestuous marriage by all accounts.
She lived until her 80`s.
                                 Viktoria.

[Zen rabbit]

You are correct. It is one of my all time favourite films :-)

[jaybelnz]

While reading through this interesting thread, I remember doing this poem at school!  The poem (and more)come up on the link below.

http://thereview2014.blogspot.com/2015/06/magna-carta-week-magna-carta-childhood.html

'King John'

John was a tyrant, John was a tartar
John put his name to the Great Big Charter.
Every baron from Thames to Tweed
Followed the road to Runnymede.
Every baron had something to say
To poor perplexed King John that day.
"Pray sign your name," said Guy de Gaunt,
"It's easily done and it's all we want."
"A J and an O and an N" said Hugo, Baron of Harpenden.
Quietly spoke the Lord Ranbure,
"Oblige Lord King with your signature."
"Your name my liege, be writ just here,
A mere formality," laughed de Bere.
"A stroke of the pen and the thing is done,"
Murmured Sir Roger of Trumpington.
"Done in a twinkling," sniffed de Guise.
Said Stephen Langton, "Sign if you please!"
So many people egging him on
I can't help feeling sorry for John.

(There is an alternative ending...)

Too many people he did wrong
We have no cause to pity John.

[TropiConsul]

You are correct. It is one of my all time favourite films :-)

The film was extraordinary both for its screenplay and its acting performances.  However, I am intrigued by the fact that Robert Preston, who brilliantly starred in the film "The Music Man", was the original Henry II when "The Lion in Winter" was produced on Broadway!
 http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/21407%7C0/The-Lion-in-Winter.html

[Mowsehowse]

Henry was a short, stocky rather bandy legged man nicknamed Henry Curtmantel.,ie Shortcoat.
                                 Viktoria.

I think all that family were somewhat short and bandy.
The Conqueror's oldest son Robert (died 1135) was known as Curthose; i.e. Short trousers/stockings.

Astonishingly, (to me,) I know someone whose maiden name was Curthose - I gasped when she told me that, and after I explained my interest she shrugged in a way that showed marked disinterest.
I still can't believe she really didn't give a damn. 

[Maiden Stone]

I’ve just started reading a very interesting book by John Ashdown Hill called ‘The Private Life of Edward IV’.

John Ashdown Hill died a month ago.
https://www.johnashdownhill.com/johns-blog/

[River Tyne Lass]

Great poem Jaybelnz.  I remember reading a Jean Plaidy book about King John years ago.  Not a nice man.