The historical fiction novel Heretic by Bernard Cornwell is the third and final novel in the Grail Quest Series. For years, Thomas of Hookton has sought the truth of his family and the secrets behind the Holy Grail. It is the time of the Hundred Years War between England and… Read More »Review of Heretic by Bernard Cornwell
On this date, September 4th, in medieval history: 476 – Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus, last Roman Emperor of the Western Empire. 1241 – Alexander III, King of Scotland, is born. 1346 – King Edward of England and the Black Prince lay siege to Calais; Bernard Cornwell describes this battle in his historical… Read More »Medieval Timeline: Today in Medieval History
On this date, September 3rd, in medieval history: 1189 – Richard I (the “Lion-Heart”) crowned King of England 1260 – The Egyptian Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, marking the first time the Mongols had ever been decisively defeated, according to some historians 1346 – Edward… Read More »Medieval Timeline: Today in Medieval History
In my recent short story The Sea-Ghost, I make mention of William de Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury. The following is a brief biographical sketch about him. William de Longespée (also known as “Longsword”) was an English noble born in 1176, and he was the illegitimate son of Henry II,… Read More »William de Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury
On this date, August 29th, in medieval history: 1179 – Castle Chastelet falls to Saladin 1189 – Ban Kulin wrote The Charter of Kulin, which became a symbolic “birth certificate” of Bosnian statehood. 1261 – Election of Pope Urban IV 1350 – Battle of Winchelsea (or Les Espagnols sur Mer):… Read More »Medieval Timeline: Today in Medieval History
The last review I did was on the historical fiction novel The Archer’s Tale by Bernard Cornwell, and I thought I would go ahead and finish out the series before moving on to other books. Vagabond is the second installment in The Grail Quest Series by Bernard Cornwell, and the… Read More »Review of Vagabond by Bernard Cornwell
On this date, August 27th, in medieval history: 1172 – Marguerite married Henry Plantagenet and was crowned Queen of England
The Islesman by Nigel Tranter Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Hodder Headline (June 1, 2003) Comments from the Publisher: “The absorbing tale of Angus Og MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, set in the turbulent days of Robert the Bruce. Angus Mor, Lord of the Isles, had a son, Alexander of Islay.… Read More »Medieval Historical Fiction Novel of the Week
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.