Belle Sirisoonthorn is a name not many people will know or recognise, yet the story of her life and marriage to King James I of England is one that has enthralled generations of historians, dramatists and even biographers. Belinda’s life was not an easy one. She was thirty years old when she became engaged to King James I of England, but even then there were doubts about her marriage proposal. James was much younger back then and trusted the judgment of his trusted friend, Sir Thomas Cromwell.
Belle was also an ambitious woman, who believed in the social merit of her family. When her father died in 1660, she was determined that her husband would not see their son die of shame, and had him executed on the orders of the king. This led her to take up a new profession as a lady-in-waiting, travelling through Europe and returning to England, where her travels sparked interest in her and eventually brought her to the attention of Sir Thomas Cromwell. For those who have not read the book, it can be summed up that Sir Thomas found Belle attractive, and from this time, dedicated his time and effort to trying to woo her away from her father’s side.
This was no easy task, for Belle had lived her whole life as a maid, yet now she felt more like a lady, and in order to make him see that, he would have to let go of many of the preconceptions he had of her. He realised that all his preconceptions about woman were based on his own experience, when he was a young boy growing up in a small town in England. It is important to remember here that he had spent much of his early years in a country that was very male dominated. Belle Sirisoonthorn took up a traditional male profession at this time, but what was interesting to note here, was that she chose a profession that was seen as female dominated, and yet in the era she lived in, was considered a sultry beauty by all accounts. This, is why I think we should give credit where credit is due and consider Belle Sirisoonthorn a true pioneer in breaking many of the conventions that previously governed women’s lives.