Talk with Rory Clements
‘Tudor Times’ talk with Rory Clements and Jenny Barden at Nottingham Central Library Nottingham Central Library, Angel Row, Nottingham NG1 6HL 09 Apr 2014 2:00pm Gain an insight into the world of the Tudors with award-winning Elizabethan thriller writer Rory Clements, the author of the John Shakespeare nystery series, and Jenny Barden, author of the epic romantic adventures The Lost Duchess and Mistress of the Sea. Tickets are £2.50, available at the library, on 0115 9152825 or...
Read MoreBedsharing with Elizabeth I…
Bedsharing and Intimacy in the Privy Chamber of Elizabeth I Here’s the main part of an article contributed to Alison Morton’s Roma Nova blog – the text appears in full here The legendary Great Bed of Ware Four hundred and fifty years ago, people in England rarely slept alone. Beds were shared with spouses, siblings, close relatives and servants. Even strangers shared beds such as the Great Bed of Ware which could reputedly accommodate ‘at least four couples’. The sleeping habits of...
Read MoreThe Scent of Death
The Scent of Death by Andrew Taylor is fabulous – an enthralling tale of divided loyalties, illicit passion, and the untangling of a gruesome murder during the American War of Independence when New York was an occupied city under siege, and allegiances were ever shifting. Compellingly written with characters whose voices ring completely true to their time and situation, stepping out from an age when perceptions of world order were on the brink of momentous change, brought to life by a master storyteller. ...
Read MoreSpecial Valentine’s Event
Join me in the illustrious company of the fabulous Essie Fox and the erudite Hallie Rubenhold for a ‘Girls Night In’ at Chiswick Library, Duke’s Avenue, London W4 2AB, on Thursday 13 February 6.45-8.15 p.m. to discuss all things love and romance in times gone by. Essie will be telling some of the tragic tales of love, death and destiny which appear in her gothic novels. Hallie Rubenhold will be drawing back the curtain before Regency prostitutes, and I’ll be revisiting the golden age of...
Read MoreWeapons & Armour
Rather pleased to have taken possession of a few goodies: There are even grooves in the main gauche to let out the blood! The short left handed dagger was used as a parrying weapon in conjunction with the rapier, and together they were the principle side arms carried by any Elizabethan gentleman. The longer rapier blade was used for initial attack and thrust, while the short blade of the main gauche came into its own in close combat when the rapier could no longer be effective. The most common design was like the...
Read MoreResearching HF
I recently had the privilege of contributing a feature on researching historical fiction to the new Catherine Gaskin website. The full text may be found here; what follows is a taster… The tools for research available to historical novelists have changed considerably over recent years with a wealth of data now available online and search engines making access to it appear relatively easy, but basic methods have changed little. Research still requires diligence and patience and the investigative skills...
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