faith in history Archives

Rise, wash, convert – 25 of July 1593 was an unusual day in the life of Henri IV

By Anna Belfrage / July 25, 2020 July 23, 2020 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, Writing / 16th century, Catherine de Medici, Catholic league, Converting for a crown, de Guise, Fanatism, France, Henri IV, Huguenots, Intolerance, Luther, reformation, Religious conflict, Religious wars, St Bartholomew Massacre, The bloody aftermath of a wedding

I am presently taking part in the Historical Writer’s Forum Blog Hop. This year’s theme is “Momentuous events”, and as history is choc-full of momentuous events, it wasn’t exactly easy to whittle things down. But when restricting myself to momentuous events in July, today’s subject leapt out and grabbed me by the throat. Well, figuratively …

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The life and loves of Felipe II

By Anna Belfrage / February 1, 2018 April 28, 2018 / 7 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Writing / 16th century Spain, Black legend, Carlos V, Felipe II, Philip II, Spanish Armada, Spanish Hapsburgs, Tudor England

If you ask a Spanish person who Felipe II was, they’ll likely tell you he was a great and learned king who rebuilt the Escorial, had major issues with his insane eldest son but managed to do his duty and father a (relatively) healthy heir, Felipe III. In passing, they may mutter something about constant …

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The Silent Man who Founded a Nation

By Anna Belfrage / October 26, 2017 April 28, 2018 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Human life, Life and death, Writing / 16th century, Dutch history, Gruesome death, Philip II, reformation, religious conflicts, Spanish Netherlands, William the Silent

It is an obvious challenge for someone as vocal as myself to approach the historical gentleman known as William the Silent. Given the times he lived in, holding his tongue was probably a wise move – not that it ultimately helped. Still, let us not get to the end before we’ve even touched upon the …

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When a Spanish señorita set an English princely heart aflutter

By Anna Belfrage / September 22, 2017 July 1, 2020 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Writing / A royal mismatch, A Spanish wooing, Charles I, Infanta María Ana, Spanish Hapsburgs, Stuart, Thirty Years' War

There are many things one can say about Charles, James I’s second son, the rather uninteresting and sickly spare that was destined to live forever in the shadow of his beloved and admired older brother Henry Fredrick. One could call him lucky, seeing as big brother died in typhoid fever, thereby making Charles the heir. …

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Crusading in Finland – or how to use God as an excuse

By Anna Belfrage / October 7, 2016 April 28, 2018 / 5 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Medieval times, Writing / Expanding the Swedish dominions, Finland, Murdered bishops, Swedish Crusaders

Back in the good old days, any Christian king worth his name would at least consider going on a Crusade. For some, it was mostly lip-service. As an example, I seriously doubt Henry II of England had any desire to gallop off to the Holy Land, given just how much he had on his plate …

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From humiliated divorcee to ruling queen

By Anna Belfrage / June 21, 2016 April 28, 2018 / 12 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Medieval times, Writing / 13th century, All those Alfonsos, Annulled marriages, Berenguela of Castile, Medieval power lady, Spain

I recently purchased a book about Eleanor of Castile. (I am toying with the idea of writing a novel in which she plays a bit part, together with her larger-than-life hubby, Edward I) I started reading, and after a couple of pages, I felt Ms Inspiration leaning over my shoulder. “Did you know about her?” …

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Foreswearing your faith – the smart thing to do for a 17th century English Catholic

By Anna Belfrage / June 20, 2015 July 1, 2020 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Writing / 17th century, Counter Reformation, Popish plot, recusants, reformation, religion, Test Acts

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to that church door in Wittenberg, he had no idea what he was unleashing on the world. Or maybe he had, hoping that his actions would cause an incendiary debate and reform in all things religious. Well, he succeeded in creating debate, all right, and when he died …

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faith in history

Rise, wash, convert – 25 of July 1593 was an unusual day in the life of Henri IV

The life and loves of Felipe II

The Silent Man who Founded a Nation

When a Spanish señorita set an English princely heart aflutter

Crusading in Finland – or how to use God as an excuse

From humiliated divorcee to ruling queen

Foreswearing your faith – the smart thing to do for a 17th century English Catholic

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