In 1496, Princess Juana of Castilla, daughter of their most Catholic majesties Fernando and Isabel, married Philip the Beautiful, son of Maximilan I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, scion of the Hapsburg dynasty. At the time of her marriage, Juana was not expected to inherit the combined kingdoms of Aragón and Castilla. She had
Of inbreeding, royal marriages and their ultimate consequence Read More »
Sometime late in July, the quality of the sunlight changes. As the fields stand ready for harvest, as the fruit trees begin to dip and bow under ripening fruit, the days grow shorter and more golden. Early March sunlight is sharp and clear, like beams filtered through a crystal glass. In April, the light acquires
… is of course impossible. But in general we seem to think we can save time, sort of like putting it in a bank for later use. In particular, we put off trying to realise our dreams. “When I retire I will…” (paint masterpieces, write novels, walk around the Black Sea, learn to play the
The other day, we were driving through the early summer evening. The sun stood low in the sky, to my right extended an expanse of ripe oats, and to my left stood a field of windmills. Not the kind of picturesque windmills that dot the Dutch landscape, nor the type of windmill that Don Quijote
Referring back to a post I wrote some weeks ago (Following your heart – of parents and children), today’s text is about my mother-in-law – certainly no blood relation of mine, but most definitely a constant presence in my heart! The first time we met I was very nervous. I was seriously in love with
On December 18, 1626, the people of Stockholm were treated to a full royal salute. What with the auspicious stars, the populace was expecting a prince. a male heir to their glorious warrior king, Gustavus Adolphus. The child was received with joy; sturdy and lusty, hirsute and strong, it bawled loudly upon being expelled from
I travel a lot in my job. As a consequence, I spend a lot of my time in cars, whizzing from airports to offices, to hotels, to airports. (Business travel is in reality rather boring; it’s not as if there’s a lot of time to do sightseeing…) Most cars will have the radio on. Most
This book is dedicated to all those people who open their hearts to a child not of their blood and take it as their own. Where would the world be without you? This is the dedication in my latest novel, The Prodigal Son, and I’ve had some readers come back to me, curious as to
Today it’s Midsummer’s Eve. Well, if we’re going to be finicky about it, Midsummer’s Eve is on Monday, but due to practicalities and adaptation to the modern times we live in, the powers that be have decided Midsummer’s Eve always falls on a Friday – at least here in Sweden. Midsummer is a BIG thing
Over the recent weeks, I have watched the present development in Turkey with a substantial element of sadness. Up and to a month or so ago, I would have argued that Mr Erdogan had succeeded in bringing financial stability to a country seething with potential, and I guess the majority of Turks would have agreed