Some years ago, I read Cathie Dunne’s book, Ascent and was quite fascinated by how she’d described the, to me, unknown Poppa and her marriage to Hrolf. In Sweden, we call him Gångar-Rolf “Walking Rolf” because he went to so many places, but that is neither here nor there. Given how fascinated I was by
Marching through history – Cathie introduces the forgotten Poppa Read More »
We’re leaping a couple of centuries forward today, more precisely to the 4th century. Today’s guest, Alison Morton, has written an excellent book about this tumultuous era – if you’ve not read Exsilium yet, you’re in for a major treat! – so I am more than delighted to have her shed some light on this
Marching through history – today’s protagonist is Galla, daughter and mother of emperors Read More »
I have decided to steal a page from Helen Hollick‘s book and not only send out my newsletter to subscribers, but also share it here on my blog. I must admit I am somewhat irregular with my newsletters – I am hoping this decision will force me to be more disciplined. Not that I necessarily
My newsletter – March 2025, times of turmoil indeed Read More »
Recently, I listened to a pod about a Byzantine princess (oops! Eastern roman princess) called Teophanu who was sent off to wed the future Holy Roman Emperor as a teenager. She would never see her home country again—a fate she had in common with many other women of royal birth, who often found themselves wed
Today, I’ve invited Helen Hollick to talk about ghosts. “Ghosts?” you say, wondering what the historical angle is. Well, there isn’t one – except that generally ghosts are assumed to be the spiritual imprint of people who lived and died long ago. I am not entirely sure I believe in ghosts (sorry, Helen) but I
Ghostly Encounters – chatting with Helen about her upcoming release 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
Today, the limelight is on one of those books that always makes me cry, which is why I leapt at the opportunity to join this Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Helen Hollick paints an unforgettable portrait of Harold Godwinesson, so if you’ve not read Harold the King (I Am the Chosen King in the US)
All hail Harold – shining the light on a great novel! Read More »
St Lucy’s Day – or St Lucia as we say here in Sweden—is a celebration of light when winter is at its darkest. Prior to adopting the Gregorian calendar back in the 18th century, the Swedish calendar had St Lucia falling on the darkest day of the year, the midwinter solstice, and…What? You’ve never heard
In the 1960s. Sweden was swept by the great modernisation fever. Out with the old, in with the new, and in town after town, city after city, old historical quarters were demolished to be replaced by high rises in glittering glass and steel. A lot of what was ripped out was squalid—housing with no indoor
Time stands still for no one – or out with the old, in with the new! Read More »