Investiture Pronunciation: [in-ves-ti-cher, -choor] Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin investitura, from investitus, past participle of investire The act of formally putting someone into an office or landholding; it was a major occasion of dispute in the eleventh and twelfth centuries when reformers opposed lay rulers who invested clergy… Read More »Medieval Term of the Day: Investiture
Noah Lukeman is the President of Lukeman Literary Management Ltd., founded in 1996, and he is the author of the bestselling books The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile and The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life. He has valuable insight… Read More »Interview with Noah Lukeman, Literary Agent
The year is 877 AD, and the Saxons have just defeated the Danes at Cynuit, though troubles for Alfred and his kingdom of Wessex are far from over. The Danes control three of the four major kingdoms in England — Northumbria, Mercia, and East Anglia — and they are continuing… Read More »Bernard Cornwell – The Pale Horseman (Saxon Chronicles Book 2)
Heriot Pronunciation: \hare-E-et\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English heregeatwe, plural, military equipment, from here army (akin to Old High German heri army) + geatwe equipment a) A payment which a feudal lord may claim from the possessions of a dead serf or other tenant, essentially a death… Read More »Medieval Term of the Day: Heriot
I came across this post on Pick the Brain that discuss George Orwell’s essay Politics and the English Language written in 1946. In the essay, Orwell focuses on how to communicate more effectively as a writer. His rules are quite simple and logical, much like Strunk’s advice on writing in The Elements… Read More »Rules for Effective Writing by George Orwell
This is one of those tough grammar questions in writing that even I have a tough time remembering. When do I use who and when do I use whom? The following is an easy way to remember this distinction. Use who when you could replace it with he or she. Example… Read More »Who versus Whom
Scutage Pronunciation: \?skü-tij, ?skyü-\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin scutagium, from Latin scutum shield Date: 15th century The sum that the holder of a knight’s fee may pay his lord in lieu of military service. Sometimes used as a form of tax.
I came across this article by Mark Schatzker on “How do medieval-themed restaurants get it wrong?” It’s an interesting read concerning the accuracy of food served at such restaurants as Medieval Times. He dispels several myths in regards to the eating habits of medieval people: Myth No. 1: Medieval food… Read More »How Accurate Are Medieval Themed Restaurants?
Here are a few of my recommendations for books dedicated to writing. Please feel free to share your suggestions as well. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. – A classic. This is a must-have reference for all writers. A simple and logical approach to the basic prinicples of… Read More »Recommended Books on Writing