Beach Ballet

Beach Ballet  on some beach in Denmark -  Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe- Jacqueline Walcott, Francis Taylor and Lou Camacho 

Belle - True Story of a Mulatto Gentlewoman in 18th Century Britian

Dido and her cousin Elizabeth

Hello Reader

I don’t often go to the cinema but this weekend we went to see the film Belle. It’s a period piece and I love historical drama. The BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice  - the one with Colin Firth -  is one of my favourite dramas and I watch the series at least once a year.  I am a sucker for romance and happy endings.

Back to Belle - the film is inspired by the true story of Dido ( great name) Elizabeth Belle the illegitimate  ‘mulatto’ daughter of a English aristocrat – Admiral Sir John Lindsay and a black female slave named  Maria Belle. 

As slaves could not consent I can only imagine that Dido like so many ‘mulatto’ of the time was the product of rape.

 Belle was raised at Kenwood House by her great uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife. 

Due to her linage Belle enjoyed privileges that other mulatto and black slaves were denied.  In the British Colonies she would have been considered a slave but in England she was given an education and raised as a gentlewoman. However, because of her mother’s ‘race’ Belle’s status within the Mansfield’s household was below that of her cousin Elizabeth and thus prevented her from the traditions of noble social standing. While her cousin Elizabeth could dream of having flirtations and finding a suitable husband, Belle’s ambiguous status left her on the side-lines wondering if she would ever find love, get married and be the mistress of her own household.  

 Belle meets the idealistic son of a vicar who is full of passion and determination to change the world for the better. He and Belle help to shape Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Justice to end Slavery in England.

I enjoyed the film and it was pleasure to see a part of British history – slavery and the black British presence prior to  the Windrush ( 1948) - been depicted in a mainstream film. The Black British presence goes back to Roman times.  By the 18^th Century black people were an integral part of British society:

“They worked in a wide variety of occupations, reacted to atrocities, campaigned to end slavery , became political activists, and had a lively social life"  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/work_community/relationships.htm

Prior to seeing Belle I was familiar with the story of Dido. There is a painting of Dido and her cousin Elizabeth which hangs at Scone Palace in Scotland and is owned by the present Earl of Mansfield. The painting was quite unusual and maybe a little scandalous at the time because Dido and Elizabeth are depicted as equal which was unheard of as people of colour where always portrayed in a subordinate role.

I know some people would consider this a female flick whatever that means but if you are interested in British history, morality, slavery or enjoy  a period drama I suggest you go and see this film. 

What I want to See Next

The next film I want to see is Maleficent Starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. It’s great to see strong female characters on screen. We need more of them.   The film has been the biggest hit of Angelina’s career. To top it off she’s been made an honorary Dame by the Queen for her work to end sexual violence in conflict.  

Thanks for reading.

P.S It’s past midnight and instead of going to bed I’m going to make a lemon drizzle cake. Let’s hope it turns out OK as I’m a little tipsy as I write. So if this post doesn’t make sense blame it on the  To be Merlot. 

Till my next posting

 x

T   

PPS the reason I don't post often is I'm more of a talker and a listener than a writer. I have a love hate relationship with writing. I do find it therapeutic at times  and other times bloody frustrating.