I Surrender meme - Checkmate
Mar. 5th, 2017 11:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dimity_blueIn case you don't know it, the I Surrender meme is a creative writing challenge. You are given a premise and have to create a TV series around that idea.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lost_spook gave me:
Okay, you have all the might of the BBC at your disposal and a brief to make a big historical drama of a period of your choice! (Up to you whether it's well-researched and faithful or bears no real relation to actual historical facts whatsoever.) Only qualifier is - not something that's been done several times already.
(Sorry. Is that too evil?)
With that, I give you:
Checkmate
A historical drama by Dimity Blue
John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, is the most powerful man in England. He has risen through the ranks of his peers and displaced the young Edward VI's uncles to become the King's right hand man and de facto regent. He is the power behind the throne.
But the King is weak and sickly. When he dies, the crown will pass beyond Northumberland's reach to the adult Princess Mary. Staunchly Catholic, she despises Northumberland and the Protestant cause he has championed. With her accession, Northumberland's star will fall. At all cost, Mary must be stopped.
John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland - Intelligent and determined, John Dudley has survived war and politics to become the most powerful man in England. Power he won't surrender easily. If he succeeds, he'll see his son crowned King, consort to the Queen of England. If he fails, the price will be his life.
Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland - Devoted to her husband, Jane will do whatever she can to promote her husband's interests, even if it means treason.
Guildford Dudley - The Dudleys' eldest son, he's been brought up believing that power will be his for the taking.
Robin Dudley - Of all the Dudley children, Robin is the cleverest and the most wily. He may survive and prosper when many others don't.
Katherine Dudley - Katherine may not be as wise as her father, but her sensible and stoic side will take her far.
Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk - Related by marriage to royalty, Henry has played it safe and survived the dangers of Henry VIII's reign. He may regret siding with Northumberland.
Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk - Frances has seen many of her relatives pay a high price for bearing royal blood. And yet, she steps out of the line of succession in order for her daughter to inherit the crown.
Lady Jane Grey - Passionately Protestant, Jane believes it's her duty to protect the country from Catholicism.
Lady Catherine Grey - Second in line to the throne, Catherine may avoid paying the highest price for being royal.
Edward VI - With his health failing him, Edward fears for the future of Protestant England.
Mary I - Deeply religious, Mary is determined to bring the true religion back to England and will risk her life to become Queen.
Princess Elizabeth - The younger daughter of King Henry VIII, Elizabeth may yet be used by one side or another unless she can evade them all.
Earl of Huntingdon - Determined and ambitious, Huntingdon will risk his life and his son in the pursuit of power.
Henry Hastings - Despite being ordered to marry for politics, Henry will do what he can to keep Katherine Dudley safe.
Earl of Pembroke - Despite his hot temper and hasty actions, luck may enable him to survive.
Lord Herbert - Quieter than his father, Herbert will sacrifice anyone to save his own neck.
Episode 1: Merry Month of May
With Edward VI's health weakening, Northumberland makes his first overt move. On the 25th of May 1553, three marriages take place: Northumberland's son marries the Duke of Suffolk's eldest daughter, Lady Jane Grey; Northumberland's daughter Katherine marries Henry Hastings, the Earl of Huntingdon's heir; and Catherine Grey, Suffolk's second daughter, marries Lord Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke's heir.
These marriages unite the most powerful families in the country. Their fates are linked to that of Northumberland; if he falls, they fall.
Episode 2: The King is Dead
As Edward nears death, he writes his own will, overturning that of his father, King Henry VIII. He declares his sisters illegitimate and unable to inherit the throne, and instead leaves the throne and crown to his Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey, Suffolk's daughter.
Step one is complete, but Princess Mary has been warned and evades capture. Worse, Northumberland is faced with a defiant Jane who refuses to have Guildford Dudley named as King and crowned alongside her.
Episode 3: The Shifting Sands
Northumberland is forced to go and arrest the Princess Mary himself. While he is gone, the Privy Council turn against him and declare their support for the true Queen, Mary.
At Cambridge, long before he can reach Mary, Northumberland is arrested for treason.
Episode 4: Long Live the Queen!
With no hope in sight, Northumberland recants his Protestant beliefs and begs to be allowed to serve Queen Mary. To no avail. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, is executed on the 22nd August 1553.
lost_spook gave me:Okay, you have all the might of the BBC at your disposal and a brief to make a big historical drama of a period of your choice! (Up to you whether it's well-researched and faithful or bears no real relation to actual historical facts whatsoever.) Only qualifier is - not something that's been done several times already.
(Sorry. Is that too evil?)
With that, I give you:
Checkmate
A historical drama by Dimity Blue
John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, is the most powerful man in England. He has risen through the ranks of his peers and displaced the young Edward VI's uncles to become the King's right hand man and de facto regent. He is the power behind the throne.
But the King is weak and sickly. When he dies, the crown will pass beyond Northumberland's reach to the adult Princess Mary. Staunchly Catholic, she despises Northumberland and the Protestant cause he has championed. With her accession, Northumberland's star will fall. At all cost, Mary must be stopped.
John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland - Intelligent and determined, John Dudley has survived war and politics to become the most powerful man in England. Power he won't surrender easily. If he succeeds, he'll see his son crowned King, consort to the Queen of England. If he fails, the price will be his life.
Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland - Devoted to her husband, Jane will do whatever she can to promote her husband's interests, even if it means treason.
Guildford Dudley - The Dudleys' eldest son, he's been brought up believing that power will be his for the taking.
Robin Dudley - Of all the Dudley children, Robin is the cleverest and the most wily. He may survive and prosper when many others don't.
Katherine Dudley - Katherine may not be as wise as her father, but her sensible and stoic side will take her far.
Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk - Related by marriage to royalty, Henry has played it safe and survived the dangers of Henry VIII's reign. He may regret siding with Northumberland.
Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk - Frances has seen many of her relatives pay a high price for bearing royal blood. And yet, she steps out of the line of succession in order for her daughter to inherit the crown.
Lady Jane Grey - Passionately Protestant, Jane believes it's her duty to protect the country from Catholicism.
Lady Catherine Grey - Second in line to the throne, Catherine may avoid paying the highest price for being royal.
Edward VI - With his health failing him, Edward fears for the future of Protestant England.
Mary I - Deeply religious, Mary is determined to bring the true religion back to England and will risk her life to become Queen.
Princess Elizabeth - The younger daughter of King Henry VIII, Elizabeth may yet be used by one side or another unless she can evade them all.
Earl of Huntingdon - Determined and ambitious, Huntingdon will risk his life and his son in the pursuit of power.
Henry Hastings - Despite being ordered to marry for politics, Henry will do what he can to keep Katherine Dudley safe.
Earl of Pembroke - Despite his hot temper and hasty actions, luck may enable him to survive.
Lord Herbert - Quieter than his father, Herbert will sacrifice anyone to save his own neck.
Episode 1: Merry Month of May
With Edward VI's health weakening, Northumberland makes his first overt move. On the 25th of May 1553, three marriages take place: Northumberland's son marries the Duke of Suffolk's eldest daughter, Lady Jane Grey; Northumberland's daughter Katherine marries Henry Hastings, the Earl of Huntingdon's heir; and Catherine Grey, Suffolk's second daughter, marries Lord Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke's heir.
These marriages unite the most powerful families in the country. Their fates are linked to that of Northumberland; if he falls, they fall.
Episode 2: The King is Dead
As Edward nears death, he writes his own will, overturning that of his father, King Henry VIII. He declares his sisters illegitimate and unable to inherit the throne, and instead leaves the throne and crown to his Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey, Suffolk's daughter.
Step one is complete, but Princess Mary has been warned and evades capture. Worse, Northumberland is faced with a defiant Jane who refuses to have Guildford Dudley named as King and crowned alongside her.
Episode 3: The Shifting Sands
Northumberland is forced to go and arrest the Princess Mary himself. While he is gone, the Privy Council turn against him and declare their support for the true Queen, Mary.
At Cambridge, long before he can reach Mary, Northumberland is arrested for treason.
Episode 4: Long Live the Queen!
With no hope in sight, Northumberland recants his Protestant beliefs and begs to be allowed to serve Queen Mary. To no avail. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, is executed on the 22nd August 1553.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-05 11:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 12:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-05 01:44 pm (UTC)The only thing I can think of for this meme doesn't fit the rules, as I'd love to see the Sister Fidelma books turned into a TV series! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 12:11 pm (UTC)I'm surprised they haven't already, given how popular Cadfael was.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-05 04:25 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 12:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-05 10:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 12:14 pm (UTC)I hope you're feeling better soon.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-07 01:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-07 05:28 pm (UTC)I don't think Northumberland would be too pleased though. :oD
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 08:31 am (UTC)And I can't believe how quick you are with this! I'm still world-building. Starting casting last night, but there's a way to go yet.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 12:22 pm (UTC)And I can't believe how quick you are with this!
Um... Well... Remember Lost Spook posted this meme about 3 years ago? Um... This is the one she gave me then. She gave me another more recently and that reminded me I really needed to get the first one done.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-06 08:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-03-14 08:23 am (UTC)