Thank you so much!! After four years in a school where being academically-invested meant being uncool, this was a wonderful reminder of the vibrancy and joy academia can bring, especially as I head into college. The note about Anne and Da Vinci was absolutely fascinating — somehow I hadn’t considered the Tudors and the Renaissance thinkers contemporaries. I hope you do get to the French archives to look into that more. So interesting, as were your thoughts on the merits of studying history. Best birthday gift ever.

Above and beyond! I realized that I really didn’t word my question accurately and yet you answered it perfectly. The attention you gave my question felt as though I was meeting with one of my professors in an after-hours session. Your answer has made me even more curious about the 16th century which works out perfectly as I’m in Denver and we’re expecting >40 inches of snow over the weekend so I’ll have plenty of time to research and go down a few 16th cen rabbit holes. Can’t wait to read your new book!