I am more than happy to have Charlene Newcomb as my guest today. Not only is she, like me, something of a medieval history gal, she is also an author I admire and respect – even if at present I’m a bit peeved about the fact that she’s planning NOT to write another book. Hello!!!
Rogues and Kings – Char Newcomb’s take on King John’s last days Read More »
In one of my books about Adam de Guirande (Ah! Almost my favourite hero, this knight so torn between his allegiances to the lord who saved him and raised him, Roger Mortimer, and the young boy-king, Edward III . . . Your favourite? Matthew Graham growls. Aye, what about the rest of us? asks Robert
Dangerous ambitions – of a failed coup and its consequences Read More »
If I hear the word mantua, I think of a garment that originally was some sort of female version of a male banyan – i.e. relax robe – successively became more and more complex, developing into the imposing 18th century robe à la française before further developing into dresses like the one below, worn by
A posy of Eleonoras – or how a portrait led to a LOT of reading! Read More »
It is quite rare that solving a crossword inspires me to write a post, but today it happened! Hubby and I were struggling with a clue varjagsfurste (Swedish, sorry for that) and it took me some time to work out that varjag in Swedish is Varangian in English. Once I got that far, the hitherto
Meet Olga (or is it Helga?), bloody avenger – and saint Read More »
Those of you who follow my blog, know I have written several posts about the Spanish Hapsburgs (I have provided selection at the bottom of this post) Obviously, I am rather fascinated by this family and its penchant for incestous marriages–but I have been stuck on the Spanish branch of the family. Well, beyond casual
Anyone who has a thing about Tudor England will have heard of Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife—the second one he divorced. Some say he felt tricked by Thomas Cromwell (and, I suppose, by Holbein) stating the real-life Anne was a far cry from the beautiful woman in her portrait. Whatever the case, Anne
From portrait to Protestantism – a post about Sibylle of Cleves Read More »
Today, I am hosting Rosemary Griggs and her book Mistress of Dartington Hall as part of her ongoing Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Now, I am not generally a big fan of Tudor England, but I really enjoyed Ms Grigg’s previous book about Dartington–well, more specifically about the female protagonist, Roberda–so when the opportunity came
I was recently in Dresden, which has absolutely no connection to the books I am writing or planning to write. But sometimes, life invites you to stroll down an alternative path, which is why my friend Alison Morton and I took a long weekend in Saxony. Alison, of course, had a reason for wanting to
When Death calls your name – a reflection on the Moritz Monument and a gagged lady Read More »
Recently, I posted about a book dealing with Inés de Castro, a purportedly very beautiful woman who caught the eye (and heart) of Pedro of Portugal. Now, it would seem the de Castro genes were very good genes, because Inés had a younger half-sister named Juana whose beauty also caught the eye (but not the
Hands up those of you who’ve heard of the Battle of Cartagena de las Indias. Hmm, very few, apparently. Now, I had heard of this battle before, because as a child I grew up in Colombia, and on several occasions I had the pleasure of visiting Cartagena de las Indias. And once there, it was
The consequences of Jenkin’s ear – the story of a naval battle Read More »