West of Frome in Somerset, England, lies the ruins of the medieval castle of Nunney. Founded by Sir John Delamere, the castle consists of a single courtyard surrounded by a water moat fed by a natural stream. Delamere supposedly funded the construction through ransom money obtained from the wars with… Read More »Nunney Castle
I ordered a few medieval history books online yesterday from Barnes & Noble authorized sellers. Unfortunately, these weren’t books I could just walk into the bookstore and physically look at since they are all used books, so I had to rely on reviews, and the reviews were pretty limited. Has… Read More »Medieval History Books
After securing his hold over majority of England, William the Conqueror invaded Scotland in 1072. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: This year King William led a naval force and a land force to Scotland, and beset that land on the sea-side with ships, whilst he led his land-force in at… Read More »William the Conqueror vs. King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland
Built by Roger de Montgomery on the site of an existing Saxon fortification, the castle of Arundel overlooks the River Arun in West Sussex. William the Conqueror granted Roger de Montgomery the land and charged him with the task of defending the southern coast of England from attack. The oldest… Read More »Arundel Castle
On this day, November 5, in medieval history: 1251 – Dedication ceremony is held for Hailes Abbey in the presence of King Henry III, his brother Richard, and Queen Eleanor. 1439 – Antipope Felix V (Amadeus VIII) is elected by the Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence. The Catholic Encyclopedia actually dates his… Read More »Today in Medieval History
Pendragon’s Banner by Helen Hollick Publisher: Sourcebooks ISBN: 1-4022-1889-3 Pendragon’s Banner is the second book in an Arthurian trilogy by Helen Hollick. The first book, The Kingmaking, shows how Arthur as a young teenager grows and comes to power as the High King of Britain. The second book shows how Arthur… Read More »Review of Pendragon’s Banner by Helen Hollick
A special thanks to Joan Szechtman for allowing me to post her photos of Warwick Castle. Joan is the author of This Time, a novel about Richard III in the 21st century. Her two follow-up novels, Loyalty Binds Me and Strange Times, are already in development. Visit Joan at her… Read More »Photos of Warwick Castle
Constructed around 914AD on the orders of Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, Warwick Castle was at first only an earthen rampart on top of a hill built to protect the citizens of Warwick from Danish invaders. Over the centuries, several additions were made to strengthen the defenses and update… Read More »Warwick Castle
On this day, September 29th, in medieval history: 1227 – Pope Gregory IX excommunicates the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II 1364- The Battle of Auray: English forces, under the command of John Chandos, defeat the French for control of Brittany, ending the Breton War of Succession