“Newspapers were plentiful during the Regency Era, with most of the stories published centering on politics, crime, fashion, infidelity, or royal doings,” says Geri Walton, author of Marie Antoinette’s Confidante and regular writer on 18th and 19th-century Europe. Crackenthorpe,” a real-life gossip writer from 18th century England. “They knew as much about what was happening in Paris as they did London,” she says. “Besides regularly perusing rumors swirling around Napoleon Bonaparte, his siblings, and their spouses, English journalists also reported on some of the more exciting French divorce cases.”. She was sarcastic, wry, perceptive, and when it mattered, compassionate. In Bridgerton, the characters are hopelessly obsessed with Lady Whistledown and in awe of her expertise: “She knows everything about everyone!” says one. Instead, she calls Whistledown "some silly writer" and tells Eloise that she doesn't care who she is. It was dark when Whistledown approached the printing press in episode eight, but the carriagemen are wearing yellow pants and green jackets — making it look like they work for the Featherington family. Looking startled as she waits for the answer, Penelope asks, "Who is she? Not only does that mean Whistledown is someone close enough to Marina and Colin to know this top-secret information, but it also means she doesn't want to bring shame to Colin or the other Bridgertons. he asks Penelope. The Featherington family members consistently wear loud colors in hues of yellows and greens. “Perhaps I … Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. While this detail doesn't uncover her as Whistledown, the person behind the column is likely well-read and educated. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Regé-Jean Page Will Not Return for Bridgerton S2, You'll Want to Watch This New Royal Drama, The Best Outfits from the Set of Gossip Girl, Everything We Know About the 'Gossip Girl' Reboot, Younger's 7th Season Will Be the Show's Last. • 3rd Document (see 3rd photo) includes the first lines from the Lady Whistledown Society Papers in episode 1. Against Penelope's wishes he reads its contents, where he finds Lady Whistledown's actual last column, which served to shut down her arch nemesis Cressida Twombley's public claim that she was Whistledown. His general drink is barley water, and his food is simply small soup, fish, and salad. "It follows that Lady Featherington is to receive what she has always desired: the season's true incomparable living under her own roof," Whistledown writes, adding, "She must be overjoyed.". #bridgerton #bridgerton spoilers #penelope featherington #colin bridgerton #lady whistledown #text post #that’s my opinion anyway #but yall go ahead and hate on Pen if you want and i’ll be here adoring her for saving Colin from being trapped in an unhealthy relationship But it turns out to be a red herring. “Gossip about him included even the most mundane things. Nancy Bilyeau, a former staff editor at InStyle, Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly, has written a thriller set in the 18th century art and porcelain world titled 'The Blue.' The voice of Lady Whistledown may belong to Julie Andrews, but Penelope is the woman behind the gossip column. The Regency era didn’t offer whole newspapers dedicated to gossip, but many of the papers offered news and columns about the rich and titled and there was plenty of such writing included, and the public’s hungry for it was insatiable, agree Curzon and Walton. 110.2k Likes, 352 Comments - Bridgerton (@bridgertonnetflix) on Instagram: “Surely Lady Whistledown could write an entire column on these dimples.” Walton says that in the early 1800s, French rumors equally fascinated them. These fictional names epitomized common characteristics of the people concerned, so readers could easily identify them — and the author avoids a libel case. It’s a gem of satire, remarkable for being intended for women, and with a primary aim to educate—often through sharp observation—but with an eye for gossip too. Everyone reads the gossip column and quickly realizes that Lady Whistledown knows her stuff, so no one wants to cross her and everyone wants to know who she really is, especially Eloise Bridgerton. My mother swears we are ruined," Penelope says. In addition to her flubbed pedigree (she pretends to be French), her business affords her access to the very people Whistledown writes about in her column. Key to the story is the mysterious Lady Whistledown and her salacious gossip column detailing the courting season of high society. From the series' opening moments, Penelope disagrees with her mother's views on everything from marriage to her treatment of her cousin Marina, so it's a tip-off that Whistledown consistently paints such a negative picture of Portia. In the new series, airing now on Netflix, even the Queen of England follows every syllable written by Lady Whistledown—and she, like the other characters, are often motivated by a desire to triumph over the gossip writer’s barbs or extinguish a smoldering scandal before it reaches quill and paper. He has abstained from butchers' meat and poultry for several months. And while the moment was just another witty exchange at one of the many balls in season one of "Bridgerton," it proves that Penelope is dialed into the town's gossip. Crackenthorpe was the anonymous author behind the Female Tatler, which was published from 1709 to 1710. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Lady Whistledown Tells All! So Penelope may have wanted both Eloise and Charlotte to be distracted while she printed the next day's paper. While it may come off as Penelope vocalizing her nerves in the moment, the short interaction is a clue that Penelope wrote the Whistledown column to get out of her social obligations. The reveal in Whistledown’s column ended the engagement of Colin and Marina, which in itself should be enough of a clue that it was Penelope writing the column. 's "Bridgerton.". This is your last spoiler warning. The True Story of Hollywood's Gas Station Brothel, The Secret History of the Chateau Marmont. And narrating all the dramatic events throughout Season 1 is Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), a mysterious member of London’s high society who writes a regular column … Keep reading to see the clues you might have missed. Lady Whistledown is both the most powerful and most elusive member of society on season one of However, unlike Lady Whistledown, Mrs Crackenthorpe did not use her victims’ real names. Lady Whistledown, the faceless narrator voiced by Julie Andrews, is secretly the villain of Netflix's Bridgerton. In the Regency period, newspaper columns gave ordinary folk a glimpse at all the glitz, glamour, and scandal. There were a number of signs that Penelope was Lady Whistledown all along. "It's lucky the lady produced an heir before the old earl croaked, eh?" Penelope is devastated after hearing that her cousin Marina plans to marry Colin. The newspapers did focus on aristocrats and wealthy socialites.”. Crackenthorpe,’ billed as ‘a Lady that knows everything,’” says Curzon. Portia certainly has a reputation around town, so the opening line could've been written by a number of people. He's both furious, jealous, and impressed with Penelope's secret and agrees to keep it to himself. She's cast as Eloise's sidekick, Colin Bridgerton's admirer, and Marina Thompson's ally. As soon as her mother breaches the topic, Penelope hops up to propose that she push off her debut, telling her: "I should gladly sit this season out.". “Each month, it would choose a celebrity couple—though their names were redacted, they were shown in small portraits—and profile their love lives and associated scandals. From the moment Marina walks into the Featheringtons' household, the matriarch sees her as a burden and a distraction from her own daughters. In case you missed it, the shocking final scene shows a hooded figure riding in a carriage as Julie Andrews narrates Lady Whistledown's latest gossip column. “Both the press and the satirical printmakers referred to them as Perdita and Florizel, which echoed both Robinson’s most celebrated role and the pet names which the prince and his mistress gave to one another in their love notes,” Curzon says. In episode eight, Eloise drags Penelope aside to share some major news: She's found Whistledown. She continues: "But what of Colin? Though anyone at the ball could sense that Marina made quite an impression on the town's suitors, Penelope is fully exposed to her mother's reaction and may have used the column to poke and prod her. Keep reading to see the subtle hints "Bridgerton" writers dropped along the way. Warning: There are major spoilers for season one of "Bridgerton" ahead. It was a quick and easy way to pick up the latest gossip, much like the headlines on gossip magazines at the checkout today, or the sidebar celebrity gossip on news websites.”, "Newspapers were plentiful during the Regency Era... and did focus on aristocrats and socialites.". Netflix Her sobs may have been partially due to sadness of Colin's feelings for Marina, but it's more likely that she feels guilty for sharing her cousin's secret. In the Regency period, newspaper columns gave ordinary folk a glimpse at all the glitz, glamour, and scandal. “The Prince Regent also often found himself a regular topic of the rumor-mongering press,” says Walton. Lady Whistledown shares her wonderfully entertaining … Bridgerton, a new Netflix show, chronicles the aristocratic repercussions of an anonymous gossip column in Regency-era England. Account active Even though Whistledown reveals Marina's secret in her papers, she makes a point to say that her intended, Colin, isn't the father. According to historian Catherine Curzon, author of The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses, Lady Whistledown bears a striking resemblance to “Mrs. '", It was not just gossip about the Royal Family and luxury-loving English aristocrats that caught the attention of readers during the Regency. Society is abuzz when the Season's most promising debutante is jilted by her intended—only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue's dashing older brother—in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn's witty, charming, and heartfelt tale. Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member. When she drops off the column for her publisher to pick up, he realises her secret: Penelope is Lady Whistledown! "We shall talk.". The youngest Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) is overlooked, underestimated, and perhaps the least likely candidate to be behind the society papers or so it may seem. For those who couldn’t afford to purchase a print, there was always the display in the printshop window, where they could enjoy the most shocking and often lewd examples without parting with any coin. To recap: Julie Andrews narrates Whistledown's final gossip column of the season as the hooded writer travels by carriage across the city. But after the writer declines to give coverage to the royal's society luncheon, Charlotte becomes determined to silence her. It turns out that Penelope Featherington was Lady Whistledown all along. To recap: Julie Andrews narrates Whistledown's final gossip column of the season as the hooded writer travels by carriage across the city. However, unlike Lady Whistledown, Mrs Crackenthorpe did not use her victims’ real names. There have been rumblings among fans that this sort of “gossip sheet” comes from a later time than the early 19th century Regency period of Bridgerton, which based on a series of historical romance novels written by Julia Quinn. Though the Female Tatler was short-lived, other magazines flourished.”, According to Curzon, one of the most influential of these magazines was Town and Country Magazine (no relation! When she drops off the column for her publisher to pick up, he realises her secret: Penelope is Lady Whistledown! The winter of 1813-14 was the coldest on record in London, and the Thames really did freeze over. Either way, the fact that Whistledown doesn't write about the luncheon, which was a major society event, hints at the Queen's strained relationship with the Featherington family. The Lady Whistledown columns narrating all four stories were written by me. While introducing Portia's daughters, Whistledown says, "Three misses, foisted upon the marriage market like sorrowful sows by their tasteless, tactless mama.". She usually never pressures her friend into attending events with the understanding that Eloise doesn't wish to enter society, especially when Penelope isn't attending the event herself. Violet's housekeeper, who's also in on the plan, shares the story with Mrs. Varley. Historian Catherine Curzon, author of The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses, says readers could closely follow the comings and goings of the upper classes in the popular “Fashionable World” newspaper columns, which were concerned with clothes, jewels and the general round of court balls and society events. However, Penelope doesn't even let Eloise explain her theory. But do you not think the boy bares a passing resemblance to Lady Trowbridge's footman?". “Now,” she said, smiling, “we’ve each read all three. Is he in pieces from the news?". In history, as in the new Netflix series, such a command of gossip would indeed reign supreme. Instead— as was the custom of all scandal sheets of the time — she used pseudonyms. “Mrs. So when she does encourage Eloise to go, it raises questions about her true motivations. The winter of 1813-14 was the coldest on record in London, and the Thames really did freeze over. When the newcomer snags widespread attention at the season's opening ball at Danbury House, Portia's frustration only grows. Or perhaps Penelope doesn't mention the gathering in Whistledown's paper because she wasn't there to observe what happened. Because while the anonymous gossip columnist (voiced by Julie Andrews) seems to know everything about Regency era London's high society, no one knows a single thing about her. And Whistledown seems to egg her on. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Ahead of her big reveal on the season finale, "Bridgerton" writers dropped subtle hints about Penelope's double life along the way. So while Eloise throws Charlotte off course, Penelope is likely fleeing the ball to drop off the next day's paper at the printing press. Lady Whistledown’s Tech Column: The Exciting Affairs Of r/wallstreetbets. When Eloise checks in on her friend to see how she's faring after Whistledown's column about Marina, Penelope briefly answers her before leaping into questions about Colin's reaction. When she's not attending balls or being sheparded in front of suitors by her mother, Penelope often appears on-screen with her nose in a book. The Featheringtons' housekeeper likely brings the gossip home to her employer, because Whistledown publishes a column exposing Berbrooke the very next day. Spengle’s invitation seems to be the most fervent,” Theresa DePris commented, chuckling as she brushed her fingers across the missive. When the scandalous actions of his beautiful fiancée are recorded in Lady Whistledown's column, a concerned groom- That's right. The column protects her bestfriend, Eloise, from having a tainted reputation and the man she loves, Colin, from being accused of something he never did. But is the character, who’s voiced by Julie Andrews, just a convenient foil for the British aristocrats in the series, or is she based on something more factual? "She knows nothing," Portia says of the writer. According to historian Catherine Curzon, author of The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses, Lady Whistledown bears a striking resemblance to “Mrs. "I'm sure with Whistledown still on the loose, next season will be far more interesting," she says. In real life, the high-society periodicals were even more sordid. “I think any story that might stir up controversy and increase readership was covered by the press at the time. “She does call to mind ‘Mrs. Penelope is present at all the major societal gatherings and the Whistledown column … "Because of her, Colin, no one believes you are the father of Miss Thompson's child," Anthony Bridgerton tells his brother of Whistledown. The opening scene takes place at a ball hosted by Lady Worth, the mother of Arabella Blydon, heroine of Dancing At Midnight. The Lady Whistledown columns narrating all four stories were written by me. Her gossip column, Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, becomes a talking point for every character. Both those criterion describe Penelope, who knows more about Marina's condition than anyone. So Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) set off on a goosechase to unmask her, suspecting everyone from tradespeople to the town modiste. There were a number of signs that Penelope was Lady Whistledown all along. ), published from 1769 to 1796. She even vocalizes her desire to push back her debut in society to continue her studies early in the season. He's both furious, jealous, and impressed with Penelope's secret and agrees to keep it to himself. Instead— as was the custom of all scandal sheets of the time — she used pseudonyms. Despite the fact that Penelope and her sisters may be "ruined," her first thought is Colin. Colin jokes about the fact that the host, an infant that Lady Trowbridge gave birth to before her husband died, was throwing a tantrum. The reveal in Whistledown’s column ended the engagement of Colin and Marina, which in itself should be enough of a clue that it was Penelope writing the column. In retrospect, Penelope not only reacts this way because she's upset, but also because she knows Eloise hasn't unmasked Whistledown's true identity. He then watches her drop off a package in the back of a pew. Throughout season one of Netflix’s period drama “Bridgerton,” an anonymous writer publishes gossip-filled columns under the name Lady Whistledown. since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. However, for two experts in the social customs of the Georgian and Regency period, a chronicler like Lady Whistledown has definite real-life precedents. Interestingly, scandal sheets weren’t limited to the printed word. Though Penelope may be naive and have a tendency to fade into the background, especially during the balls where women are being plucked and ushered toward the dance floor, she's extremely well-positioned to collect information about those around her and publish it when no one's watching. Penelope pushes Eloise to share her new theory that Whistledown is a tradesperson with the Queen at that evening's concert, perhaps as a way of leading the royal down the wrong track. “It was an era in which print shops and printmakers flourished,” Curzon says. "We've not had a caller in three days. The reader is treated to the incomparable, irrepressible Lady Whistledown-the wry, wise and compassionate gossip columnist created by Julia Quinn for her magnificent Bridgerton family series. As Madame Genevieve Delacroix later points out to Eloise in episode seven, everyone in town was at the concert except for the Featheringtons. Slide 1 of 18: Throughout season one of Netflix's period drama "Bridgerton," an anonymous writer publishes gossip-filled columns under the name Lady Whistledown. Her identity is finally revealed in the season one finale, but there were clues about who was behind the articles in earlier episodes. Get it now on Libro.fm using the button below. As for the acerbic Lady Whistledown, Curzon said she sounds somewhat similar to a real-life gossip writer from 18thcentury England. He then watches her drop off a package in the back of a pew. Lady Whistledown Tells All! In the Regency period, newspaper columns gave ordinary folk a glimpse at all the glitz, glamour, and scandal. “It was rare for names to be published, but the codes used to disguise the identity of the subjects were deliberately easy to see through,” says Curzon. “This meant that it was simply a matter of decoding some fairly basic hints about the people involved, so a prince might be referred to as ‘an illustrious gentleman,’ or an actress by the name of her most notorious or celebrated characters.”. Penelope asks Eloise what happened the evening prior, when she stopped the plot to uncover Whistledown. • 2nd Document is similar to the first, but the right columns are right-justified so that the text lines up on the edges of the document. “Perhaps I … Whistledown gives a brief rundown of the main players at the beginning of episode one, including a scathing description of Lady Portia Featherington. “Caricatures of the rich and famous were merciless and they skewered scandals and spread gossip just as ably as any newspaper column, often saying far more in pictures than words could convey. Eloise confirms that she saved the modiste, who she believed to be the writer, and Penelope seems pleased. She’s the hub of gossip and rumours. But when Whistledown publishes a column about Marina's pregnancy the following morning and effectively destroys the engagement, Penelope's reaction can be interpreted quite differently. These fictional names epitomized common characteristics of the people concerned, so readers could easily identify them — and the author avoids a libel case. Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown, ... “It contained the Tête-à-Tête column, one of the first of what we would recognize as gossip columns,” explains Curzon. Eloise idolizes Whistledown, viewing her as an independent, fearless woman rebelling against society. While Penelope is sweet and innocent, it is revealed that she has a snarky and witty side. Society is abuzz when the Season's most promising debutante is jilted by her intended -- only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue's dashing older brother -- in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn's witty, charming, and heartfelt tale.. Your opinions, ladies?” “Mr. The reason Whistledown doesn't mention the event could be because Penelope and her family were uninvited shortly after arriving, so it may be a snipe at Charlotte for embarrassing them. However, no one seems more frustrated by her behavior than her youngest daughter, Penelope. She’s called Lady Whistledown, and her words influence how the community thinks and feels on potential engagements and suitors. For a time, the most chronicled couple in the gossip columns were actress Mary Robinson and her lover, the Prince of Wales, later known as the Prince Regent and finally George IV, says Curzon. Printable Lady Whistledown Society Papers; 1 Column for cards, program, announcements, etc.