I was a bit shocked by Conroy's violence towards the princess. Did this really happen, or was it exaggerated for the sake of the film? If he had treated me that way, I would have taken drastic measures to have him removed from my home. Also, was Conroy romantically involved with Victoria's mother?
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It was rumoured, and probably true, that Conroy and Victoria's mother were lovers.
If you want to make a song more hummy, add a few tiddely poms.
Yes, apparently the part where he tries to force Victoria to sign a document whilst ill is true too. I've come across that several times.
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Conroy assuredly did try to force Victoria to sign the document giving him the permission to be her private secretary, but I don't believe he actually physically "manhandled" her, but rather put harsh emotional pressure on her to sign it.
"My care is like my shadow in the sun, follows me flying, flies when I pursue it..."
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since victoria was seperated from court life, for most of her life. living under something called the "kensington system", leaving her dependent on her mother and Conroy. now stories spead to the king that Conroy was browbeating her into becoming her personal secrety and giving him power in case the king died, the king made it his will, even though he was dying. to live until she turned 18 so there would be no problems. victora got her revenge on him in the end
Thunderbirds Aren't Slow
I believe what we perceive as "violence" toward children in the 1800's was more tolerated then than it is now. Having said that, I think that yes, Conroy probably did manhandle Victoria quite a bit. He was definitely not a kind man. A pretty abusive historical character overall, and very manipulative as we see in the movie.
"Hey guys! Whoa, Big Gulps huh? All right! Well, see ya later!" Dumb & Dumber
I just saw Victoria and Albert and there is a scene where there is a confrontation but he isn't as violent as he was portrayed in Young Victoria. Because it is a scene in both movies I tend to wonder if it really did happen.
...he may be 6-foot-4 and have the physique of a god...
Could Conroy actually have gotten away with physically manhandling the heir to the throne? Yes, he and her motehr kept her isolated fromttheh court. But, seeing as how the King was quite fond of Victoria (at least in the movie) I would think that such actions would have rather severe consequences should William find out.
shareHe tried to treat Victoria as nothing but a pawn, holding on to the fact that her mother was technically able to shield him from prosecution for the sake of "taking care of the realm" and also her young age.
shareDon't forget that in the nineteenth century, women were not valued beyond chattel. Even royal ones. Women were ill educated and expected to breed. Children had no value beyond labor and royal children were not pampered but handed off to nurse to raise till boarding school and then marriage. Victoria's mother was neither shrewd nor protective, why should she be? She was only the King's sister, not meant to rule and she had no power beyond making sure her daughter, the King's niece was delivered to a good marriage intact. Victoria's accession to the throne was beneficial to Conroy whose hold over the mother was manipulative as well as sexual. Women were always expected to defer to the man in all instances that required logic and rational thought. Women were silly, airhead, and relegated to the management of a domestic sphere. For the royal women, that was a virtual useless status. Once they produced a child (male), they could do whatever as long as it was not in the public face and didn't scare the horses. Conroy could be as overbearing and manipulative as he wanted and who would believe Victoria -- she was an ignorant, young girl.
-- If Ewan McGregor were a lollipop I'd be a diabetic strumpet --
I've got no idea on the precise nature of this incident, but i do know that Albert didn't get shot by Edward Oxford.
shareVictoria's mother was neither shrewd nor protective, why should she be? She was only the King's sister, not meant to rule and she had no power beyond making sure her daughter, the King's niece was delivered to a good marriage intact.
It seems quite odd anyone would manhandle a heiress and without facing harsh consequences.
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I found it odd the king could demand his niece appear in court, yet be defied and him not do anything about it.
"Can you keep a secret? Can you know something and never speak of it again?"
Conroy was a real manipulative bastard, but eventually Victoria sent him on his was after she became queen and more confident. Conroy was especially awful in the film Victoria & Albert.
shareI've read several books about Victoria, including her diaries. Conroy was manipulative of Victoria's mother and he did pressure Victoria relentlessly to sign her mother in as regent. Which would have given him control since he had control of the mother. However, in all documents and even her diaries I don't think there server a mention of him being violent. The Kensington system is available to read online.
shareThanks! That was helpful. :)