1601: Conversation, as it was by the Social Fireside, in the Time of the Tudors

Mark Twain

Read by LibriVox Volunteers

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Please note: this recording contains strong language.

"1601," wrote Mark Twain, "is a supposititious conversation which takes place in Queen Elizabeth's closet in that year, between the Queen, Ben Jonson, Beaumont, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Duchess of Bilgewater, and one or two others ... If there is a decent word findable in it, it is because I overlooked it." 1601 depicts a highfalutin and earthy discussion between the Queen and her court about farting and a variety of sexual peccadillos, narrated disapprovingly and sanctimoniously by the Queen's Cup-Bearer, an eyewitness at "the Social Fireside." [Summary by Denny Sayers]

Cast:
Introduction — Denny Sayers
Narrator — Jonathan Horniblow
The Queen — miette
Beaumonte — David Lawrence
Lady Margery Boothy — Kristin Hughes
Lady Alice Dilberry, Ben Jonson, Lord Bacon — Ruth Golding
Lady Helen — Philippa
Sir Walter Ralegh — Mark F. Smith
Shaxpur — Andy Minter (0 hr 19 min)