Episode 45: A Truly Splendid Spectacle

<p>The past months have been strange, difficult and trying. Fancy dress has been worn by people around the world to provide joy during the pandemic. In this week’s episode, Lucy and Ben consider how fancy dress costume performed a similar function in the past as they invite themselves to the first bal costumé hosted by Queen Victoria, a medieval extravaganza celebrating the court of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault. Gold, glitter, silks and furs: what could be more joyous than this…</p> <ul> <li>Follow <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/dressfancypodcast/">@dressfancypodcast on Instagram</a><span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li>Follow <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/mslucyclayton/">@mslucyclayton on Instagram</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li>Follow <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/benjamin__wild/">@benjamin__wild on Instagram</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li><a href= "https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victoria-Life-N-Wilson/dp/184887958X"><em> Victoria: A Life</em>, by A.N. Wilson</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/publications/queen-victorias-buckingham-palace"> <em>Queen Victoria’s Buckingham Palace</em>, by Amanda Foreman and Lucy Peter</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2019-02-08/did-queen-victoria-really-throw-a-costume-ball-to-help-the-spitalfields-silk-makers/"> <em>Radio Times</em> feature on ITV’s <em>Victoria</em> and its reconstruction of the 1842 ball</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.rct.uk/collection/404540/queen-victoria-and-prince-albert-at-the-bal-costume-of-12-may-1842"> Sir Edwin Landseer’s painting of the 1842 ball</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/home.do">UK users can access Queen Victoria’s diaries online</a></li> </ul>