Alfonso X Archives - Anna Belfrage

Much Medieval Mayhem – or how a tossed bloody cucumber brought a medieval legend to life

By Anna Belfrage / December 15, 2020 / 4 Comments / authors, historical fiction, Medieval times, new release / Alfonso X, historical fiction, historical fiction inspired by medieval times, J.K. Knauss, Jessica Knauss, medieval historical fiction, medieval Spain, Much Medieval Mayhem, Seven Noble Knights

Some years ago, I was a member of a retweet group. One of the other members was today’s guest, Jessica Knauss, and I very soon discovered she and I had a lot in common, starting with a love of all things medieval—especially if set in Spain. Having discovered Jessica’s blog—because seriously, how can one NOT …

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A surfeit of brothers doth a spicy soup make

By Anna Belfrage / May 18, 2020 / Leave a Comment / Historical People, Relationships, Writing / Alfonso X, Bro-hate, Edward II, Enrique of Castile, King John, Medieval brothers, Medieval Castile, medieval England, Medieval Sweden, Richard the Lionheart, Sancho of Castile, Usurping uncle

Back in the good old days, men wanted sons. Well, OK: back in the really, really old good old days, mothers wanted daughters as most early societies seem to have been matrilineal—but that all changed when our nomadic ancestors settled down and started amassing belongings. Once you have things that belong to you, it becomes …

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Is she Violent? No, she’s Violante

By Anna Belfrage / March 16, 2018 / 1 Comment / Historical People, History, Human life, Medieval times, Women in history, Writing / 13th century, 14th century, Alfonso X, England, Galeazzo Visconti, Italy, Lionel of Antwerp, Spain, Violant of Aragon, Violante Visconti

Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder what our dear ancestors might have been high on when naming their children. Take, for example, the royal custom in medieval Castile of naming their little princesses Urraca. Urraca is Spanish for magpie, and my main objection to the name is how harsh it sounds. Urraca is an onomatopoeic …

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The Rule of a Woman – of Maria de Molina, the Wise Queen of Castile

By Anna Belfrage / August 8, 2017 / 4 Comments / Historical People, History, Medieval times, Women in history, Writing / 13th century, 14th century, Alfonso X, Family feud, Maria de Molina, medieval women, Sancho IV, Spain

It’s been ages since I dropped by medieval Spain for a visit. Long enough that I’ve missed all my Alfonsos and my Fernandos, no matter how confusing it may be to keep tabs on so many peeps with the same name. Today, I thought we’d focus on a Spanish lady, but before we get to …

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