Hubby and I are on a hiking holiday. First time ever for that, and just to make sure we did not get lost, we’ve chosen to walk along the Thames in England. It’s called the Thames Path, and from source to sea it is almost 300 km. We’re going to walk about 110 – 120 […]
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 »
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 »
Some weeks ago, I finally—FINALLY!—made it to Cádiz. This is considered to be one of the oldest city in Europe, and for those who know their history, it is probably best known for being the port Christopher Columbus set off from for his second and fourth journey. And it is as a port that Cádiz
Exploring a European cradle – say hello to ancient Cádiz Read More »
Today, Paula Lofting has popped by with a post about Swegn Godwinson. I can hear you go “Swegn? Wasn’t his name Harold Godwinson?” And yes, it was Harold Godwinson – and for those interested in HIM, check out Paula’s recent release Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King – but today’s protagonist is Harold’s older brother,
An Anglo-Saxon Bad Boy – guest post by Paula Lofting Read More »
In November of the year 1700, that gallant warrior king Karl XII of Sweden, hastened to defend the city of Narva (in present day Estonia) from the besieging Russian army. The Great Northern War had kicked off some months earlier when an alliance between Denmark, Russia and Saxony/Poland had initiated an attack on Sweden’s Baltic
The enslaved child – of Lovisa von Burghausen and her travails in 18th century Russia Read More »
History is like a wide, sweeping river, it’s source lost in a past so distant we know very little about it. Humankind rose on two legs in that long-ago past, hesitantly peering out over the endless expanses around them. The river of history was as yet a trickle, and these our ancestors have left scant
Beginning the March – a Woman’s History Month endeavour Read More »
Some of the sadder stories in history are about children who are caught up in the wars of their elders. Take, for example, the sad story of Manfred of Hohenstaufen’s very young children, who were locked up (and purportedly blinded) by Charles of Anjou in 1266 after he killed Manfred and claimed Sicily as his
In 1311, a very young Castilian infanta (princess) was betrothed to Jaime, heir to the Aragonese throne. Jaume did not want a wife. His father, however, was adamant. Aragon would benefit from a Castilian marriage. I guess Jaume would have sneered at that, reminding his father of his Castilian bride, little Isabel, whom he returned
I had the pleasure of visiting a magnificent renaissance palace earlier this year, the Casa de Pilatos in Sevilla. There, on a wall, I found the quartered royal arms of France and Castile. As you all know by now, I am something of a history nerd, so I immediately started casting my mind back to