15th century

A fighting queen and her loyal scribe – a tale of two renaissance woman told by fab Amy Maroney

There is something refreshing about reading a historical novel set in a somewhat unusual place or country. Today’s guest, Amy Maroney, has written several such books (and she and I share a bit of a passion for the long-gone kingdoms that once straddled the Pyrennees) so it isn’t exactly a surpirse to discover The Queen’s …

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From mushrooms to purported murders

After several weeks of radio silence – I took a much-needed break from everything this summer—I am now suffering from severe “post-writing abstinence”. This is a rather grave condition which must of course be addressed by…taa-daa…writing a new post. Fortunately, over these last few weeks I have collected a list of potential subjects. Oddly, none …

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A short and inconsequential life

Not that long ago, I wrote a post about Isabel of Portugal who married Philip the Good of Burgundy. Had it not been for a certain artist, I’d probably not have expended much time on this lady, or on her son and grandchild. Burgundy in the 15th century has mostly been indirectly relevant to me …

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Digging up the Tudor roots

Okay, I’m going to come clean: I am NOT a major Tudor fan. I’ve had it up to here (waves hand around eye level) with novels featuring Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Likewise with Elizabeth I – undoubtedly an intriguing lady – maybe not so much with Mary Tudor. Which is why I surprised myself …

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Of honeymoons and death by starvation

To this day, I blame it all on Sharon K Penman. All. Hubby makes an amused sound and pats me on the bum, reminding me that I did have a thing about castles and medieval history BEFORE reading Here be Dragons. As per hubby, one of the things he found endearing about me. If we’re …

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Condemned as a traitorous witch – but was she?

Today, I’m spot-lighting a book by fellow author Tony Riches. Set in the 15th century, we have here a tale of sorcery and intrigue, of ambition and its consequences. A woman who wanted too much paid a very high price – but was she really a witch? Tony allows Eleanor Cobham – wife of Humphrey, …

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