reformation Archives - Anna Belfrage

When Isabella of Austria became Elisabeth of Denmark – the story of a young queen

By Anna Belfrage / May 6, 2023 / Leave a Comment / Historical People, Women in history / 16th century, Denmark, Elisabeth of Denmark, Emperor Charles V, Hapsburgs, Isabella of Austria, Kristian II of Denmark, reformation

In Sweden, Kristian II of Denmark has the not-so-flattering epithet ”the tyrant”. After all, it was because of his duplicity that the streets of Stockholm ran red with blood one cold November night in 1520 as one after another of the Swedish nobles who’d fought against Danish dominion were summarily executed. In Denmark, obviously, he …

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From royal prince to mendicant friar – the story of Jakob of Dacia

By Anna Belfrage / April 5, 2023 / Leave a Comment / faith in history, Historical People, Writing / 16th century, A Danish prince, Conquest of Mexico, Embracing a higher calling, Franciscans, Jakob of Dacia, reformation

In one of my recent posts, I wrote about Hans II of Denmark and his wife, Kristina. Not a marital union that ended all that happily—not after Hans became so infatuated with the fair Edle he forgot that key word discretion, thereby humiliating his loyal wife before the entire court. Well, so thought the queen …

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Rise, wash, convert – 25 of July 1593 was an unusual day in the life of Henri IV

By Anna Belfrage / July 25, 2020 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, Writing / 16th century, Catherine de Medici, Catholic league, Converting for a crown, de Guise, Fanatism, France, Henri IV, Huguenots, Intolerance, Luther, reformation, Religious conflict, Religious wars, St Bartholomew Massacre, The bloody aftermath of a wedding

I am presently taking part in the Historical Writer’s Forum Blog Hop. This year’s theme is “Momentuous events”, and as history is choc-full of momentuous events, it wasn’t exactly easy to whittle things down. But when restricting myself to momentuous events in July, today’s subject leapt out and grabbed me by the throat. Well, figuratively …

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The Silent Man who Founded a Nation

By Anna Belfrage / October 26, 2017 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Human life, Life and death, Writing / 16th century, Dutch history, Gruesome death, Philip II, reformation, religious conflicts, Spanish Netherlands, William the Silent

It is an obvious challenge for someone as vocal as myself to approach the historical gentleman known as William the Silent. Given the times he lived in, holding his tongue was probably a wise move – not that it ultimately helped. Still, let us not get to the end before we’ve even touched upon the …

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Foreswearing your faith – the smart thing to do for a 17th century English Catholic

By Anna Belfrage / June 20, 2015 / 4 Comments / faith in history, Historical People, History, Writing / 17th century, Counter Reformation, Popish plot, recusants, reformation, religion, Test Acts

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to that church door in Wittenberg, he had no idea what he was unleashing on the world. Or maybe he had, hoping that his actions would cause an incendiary debate and reform in all things religious. Well, he succeeded in creating debate, all right, and when he died …

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Behind every successful man…

By Anna Belfrage / March 4, 2015 / 4 Comments / Dreams and goals, Historical People, History, Reflections, Writing / 16th century, escaping nuns, Katarina von Bora, Martin Luther, reformation, Wittenberg

We’ve all heard of Martin Luther, right? And no, I am not talking about that inspiring leader and awesome demagogue who spoke that immortal line “I have a dream” – I am rather referring to the man for whom he was named, a German priest born in 1483. That Martin Luther was one of the …

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… and then there were three.

By Anna Belfrage / July 20, 2013 / 7 Comments / historical fiction, Historical People, Human life, Writing / 17th century, publishing books, reformation, religious conflicts

A year ago, I had published zero books. Today, I have published 3. Gulp, gulp, gulp. By now I should be relaxed about all this, but instead I go around in a somewhat feverish state, peek at amazon to ensure my book is there (it is), stroke the cover a couple of times and soothe …

… and then there were three. Read More »

reformation

When Isabella of Austria became Elisabeth of Denmark – the story of a young queen

From royal prince to mendicant friar – the story of Jakob of Dacia

Rise, wash, convert – 25 of July 1593 was an unusual day in the life of Henri IV

The Silent Man who Founded a Nation

Foreswearing your faith – the smart thing to do for a 17th century English Catholic

Behind every successful man…

… and then there were three.

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