Lady Jane

As birching is very much a la mode, I thought that I would share a favourite film scene with you. It's one of those early films that made me go 'hmmmmm'.It is the film 'Lady Jane' starring Helena Bonham Carter.

Lady Jane Grey is reluctant to marry Lord Guildford Dudley, so her mother decides to 'persuade her'. When she hears that she is to go to the gallery she tries to escape, but is caught and dragged there by servants. The whipping stool is brought in, and her mother enters, followed by a female servant carrying the birch rod. The rod in question, is the 'bundle of sticks' type. The male servants then leave the gallerry. Jane positions herself on the bench then female servants lift her skirts up and the punishment begins, administered by her mother. The sound of the birch, the facial expressions, the cries and sobs issuing from Jane are nice. Halfway through, a dishevelled looking Jane, hair all out of place remains defiant, so is put back over the bench by servants for more. Unfortunately you don't get a view of her bottom and the scene is truncated, but still, some good 'food for thought' there.

This scene does it for me on so many levels. The force used at the start, the formality of it,the stern demeanor of her mother.......mmmmmm.....

Here it is for your viewing pleasure-good old youtube!