There is also the fact that people did not have many choices - they definitely could not marry for love. Hygiene obviously is not high on the to-do list in 1290 as Morwenna scolds a muddy Birdy saying, “I bathed you a fortnight ago!” Birdy mourns all the stillbirths her mother suffers. In the 13th century apart from the gowns and manors, were the very real dangers of childbirth and infant mortality. While some things have been changed around, the spirit of the book has been brought vividly to life. As also is when Lady Aelis (Isis Hainsworth), Birdy’s best friend comes to stay.Īlso Read | New on Amazon Prime Video: ‘Catherine Called Birdy’, ‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’, and moreīased on Karen Cushman’s award-winning Catherine, Called Birdy (1994), the movie has been lovingly adapted by writer-director Lena Dunham. When George (Joe Alwyn), Catherine’s favourite and only uncle is back from the Crusades, there is some scope for excitement. Birdy’s mother, Lady Aislinn (Billie Piper) while empathising with Birdy, tells her, “I’d rather see you settled than seared.”īirdy’s two brothers, the annoying Robert (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Edward (Archie Renaux), the monk Birdy is closer to, are fond of their little sister in their own way.

Birdy is equally determined to sabotage all the proposals. When Birdy’s father, Rollo (Andrew Scott, outstanding) realises to his horror, that his daughter is his only currency to turn the fortunes of Stonebridge Manor around, he invites a string of wealthy suitors, including a wool merchant (Russell Brand). Her long-suffering nurse, Morwenna, (Lesley Sharp) tries to do what she can to make Birdy more biddable. She must learn to spin and sing, be neat and docile, all to land a good match. A lady must have “lady lessons,” Birdy’s least favourite words. However, as Catherine, who is called Birdy for the many birds she keeps, realises, a lady cannot do any of these fun things.

Catherine birdy book