I’ve updated my bookshelf with more fiction titles (mostly medieval historical fiction and fantasy titles though others are included), more medieval non-fiction resources, and more writing resources. Please send me your recommendations as well. I’m always eager to read authors I’ve never read before.
I’ve posted a new short story in the writing section of my site. The Sea-Ghost is historical fiction set in early 13th century medieval England. The story follows a knight and his squire in route to Wales by boat. They are traveling to Wales in order to join their lord, Earl William de Longespée, and King John’s army in the fight against the Welsh. While sailing around the Welsh coast, they run into a great storm.
A historical note: Earl William de Longespée (1176 - 1226) was the 3rd Earl of Salisbury. Longespée held various offices, including warden of the Welsh marches, and he was also a commander in King John’s army during the Welsh and Irish expeditions of 1210 - 1212. He is the only true historical character in this story. The rest of the characters and storyline are entirely fictional, though the historical medieval backdrop is accurate for that time period.
Thanks to everyone at Critique Circle who read and critiqued my story.
Also, please feel free to provide feedback on my story. All comments and suggestions are much appreciated.
I have also set up an area where you can submit feedback on my other short story, “The Ravens Beneath the Ash.” Scroll to the bottom of the story to find the link to the discussion area.
Exchequer
[eks-chek-er]
Etymology: Middle English escheker, from Anglo-French, chessboard, counting table, exchequer
1) The financial department of the royal government. The chief officers of the Exchequer are the Treasurer, the Chancellor and the Justiciar. Sheriffs, in their role as regional chief accountants, present reports to the exchequer at Easter and Michaelmas. (MEDIEV-L. Medieval Terms)
2) A) Department for receiving and auditing Crown revenues; B) Court of law, dealing particularly with actions involving such revenues. (Sayles, George O. The King’s Parliament of England, 144)
*term definitions retrieved from Netserf’s Medieval Glossary (http://www.netserf.org/Glossary)
David Anthony Durham had a post on his blog last week about the new Web site Suvudu, so I thought I’d check it out. Suvudu is basically a Web site for all things Science Fiction and Fantasy. Suvudu has only been around for a little less than a month, but it has attracted a lot of attention in its short life on the Web.
A description from the Web site:
“Suvudu is a new website catering to news from all sci-fi and fantasy creative media—books, audiobooks, gaming, manga, comic books and movies! Content will include podcasts, videos, reviews, interviews and original blog posts, all brought to you by some of the best talents in the sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novel and gaming industries.
Sci-fi and fantasy fans will also play a role in Suvudu. Visitors are encouraged to comment on the posted content, contribute information they deem pertinent, and send in suggestions to make Suvudu the best it can be. Links to offsite blog and website content will be highlighted. As a community sharing and growing with one another, every relevant bit of news will have benefit—given voice on Suvudu for those who would hear it.
Suvudu will grow over time. In the coming months Suvudu will not only be a news blog but will evolve to include a library of free science fiction and fantasy books, advanced reads of forthcoming projects, exclusive looks inside the creative process of the publishing world, and incorporate a forum for like-minded fans to converse with one another.”
My first impressions of Suvudu. It has a clean, fresh look to it that makes it graphically appealing, though the various items on both sides of the page do tend to clutter it up a bit, but they are not too distracting. The content seems interesting, and I like the overall concept of the site; I haven’t found too many great sci-fi and fantasy community/news Web sites, so I’m hoping this one will work out and gain strong community support. For what it’s worth, I’m a subscriber now.
Has anyone else tried Suvudu? What are your thoughts?
The Winter Mantle by Elizabeth Chadwick
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press; 1st edition (April 8, 2003)
Average Customer Review on Amazon: 4.5 stars
Editorial Review from Booklist:
With a practiced hand, Chadwick spins an irresistible historical romp that spans two generations. In 1067, William the Conqueror has successfully crushed the English at the Battle of Hastings. Compelling an array of British nobles to accompany him back to Normandy as his enforced guests, he unwittingly sets into motion a series of events that will ultimately lead to passion and betrayal. When Lady Judith, William’s niece, catches the eye of Waltheof Siwardsson, earl of Huntingdon, he vows to make her his bride. Equally taken with the robust earl, Judith wages a private war between self-preservation and lust. Eventually convincing William to allow them to wed, Waltheof pledges his allegiance to the Norman king. Finding his pledge increasingly difficult to honor, he becomes involved in an ill-fated rebellion against Norman rule, a decision that has profound consequences for the futures of both his wife and his daughter. History, romance, and suspense are interwoven in a heartrending tale of love and loss on an appropriately grand scale. Margaret Flanagan
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