Orders
1) The grades or steps of the Christian ministry; the so-called minor orders were acolyte, lector, exorcist, and doorkeeper; the so-called major orders, which bound their holders to celibacy, were bishop, priest, deacon and subdeacon.
(Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church: A Brief History, 363)
2) Referring either to the grades of clerkship (holy or minor orders) […]
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on February 26th, 2010 | No Comments »
What are your thoughts about authors using pseudonyms in place of their real names?
Also, if you can think of one, list an author who uses a pen name to mask his/her true identity. I’ll go first. Robin Hobb’s real name is Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden. From 1983 to 1992, she actually wrote under the pseudonym […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Authors on February 25th, 2010 | 18 Comments »
If you need help creating a setting for your novel, try these fantasy world building questions. Topics include: The World (Basics, Alternate Earth, Not Earth at All), Physical and Historical Features, Magic and Magicians, Peoples and Customs, Social Organization, Commerce and Trade, Daily Life.
All of the questions may not apply to the story you’re writing, […]
Filed under: Fantasy on February 24th, 2010 | 7 Comments »
From the post: “Of course, in Alabama the Tuscaloosa, but that is entirely irrelephant…”
I went to Alabama, to Tuscaloosa.
Before I left, I was interviewed by Tuscaloosa newspapers. “What do you expect of Alabama?” they asked “What do you know of Alabama?” I was a bit puzzled by that. It’s the kind of question you usually […]
Filed under: Fantasy on February 23rd, 2010 | 2 Comments »
From the BBC News:
The true site of one of the most decisive battles in English history has been revealed.
Bosworth, fought in 1485, which saw the death of Richard III, was believed to have taken place on Ambion Hill, near Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire.
But a study of original documents and archaeological survey of the area has […]
Filed under: Archaeology, Middle Ages History, Medieval History on February 22nd, 2010 | No Comments »
Fee-Farm
1) A fixed sum, usually paid annually, for the right to collect all revenues from land; in effect, rent. Lords may farm land to vassals, receiving a fixed annual rent in place of the normal feudal obligation. Many sheriffs farm out their shires, contracting in advance to pay a fixed annual sum to the crown, […]
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on February 19th, 2010 | No Comments »
Neil Gaiman will be visiting the campus of my alma mater tonight, February 18. According to UA News:
Neil Gaiman, the award-winning author of the fantasy novels “The Graveyard Book,” “Coraline,” “Stardust,” “American Gods” and “Anansi Boys,” will read from his work at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa. The reading […]
Filed under: Fantasy on February 18th, 2010 | No Comments »
From canterbury.ac.uk:
A unique glimpse into 1000 years of Canterbury’s history was unveiled by broadcaster and renowned historian Dr David Starkey at the Sidney Cooper Gallery on Friday 5 February.
Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition Canterbury: England’s Crucible, will bring the City’s history to life in a way that has never been tackled […]
Filed under: Architecture, Archaeology, Middle Ages History, Medieval History on February 18th, 2010 | 2 Comments »
On this day, February 17, in medieval history:
1461 - The Second Battle of St. Albans: One of the battles fought during the Wars of the Roses. On this particular day, the Lancastrian army led by the Queen Margaret of Anjou defeated the Yorkist faction led by the Earl of Warwick. The Lancastrians freed King Henry VI […]
Filed under: Medieval Timeline, Middle Ages History, Medieval History on February 17th, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Sword Song: The Battle for London (Saxon Stories Book #4) by Bernard Cornwell
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (December 23, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0061379743
Sword Song is the fourth book in Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon series. This series is becoming one of my favorites of all time. The third book, Lords of the North, was exceptionally good, but […]
Filed under: Bernard Cornwell, Middle Ages History, Medieval History, Historical Fiction, Book Reviews on February 15th, 2010 | 11 Comments »
