1740 and All That

Hanna Smith and Stephen Taylor: Hephaestion and Alexander: Lord Hervey, Frederick, Prince of Wales, and the Royal Favourite in England in the 1730s.

Which is an excellent, highly readable essay of about 30 pages succeeding in what sets out to do, put the Hervey/FoW relationship into context and drawing conclusion. The authors always make it clear when they're speculating, but also on what grounds they do so.

( On Good and Bad Royal Favourites )

The other important context the authors establish is that of the changing attitude towards same sex relationships.

( Old School Libertinism versus 300 Men on Trial for Sodomy )

Yet another context in which the Hervey and Fritz of Wales relationship plays out is that of the Royal Family.

( Why it's a bad idea to get tight with a mother and son at the same time )

( So why did they break up, and why did Hervey never get over it? )

Lastly: when they were close, how close where they?

( The warm Orestes to his dear Pylades )

In conclusion: how an erastes and eromenos relationship can go truly, badly wrong, even if it remained subtextual between them.