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
With historical fiction, do you prefer to know the actual history before or after you have read the novel? Or does the history matter to you at all? You don’t care as long as it’s a good story?
Lloyd Alexander was one of the first fantasy authors I can remember reading. Actually, the Prydain Cycle was the series that really got me hooked on the genre. I was in sixth grade and someone handed me The Book of Three (the first book in the series). I need to… Read More »Lloyd Alexander and Welsh Mythology
I started working on my novel again this week. It’s the first time I’ve written something new in months. I’m re-writing the first scene entirely, and this is what I have so far (always subject to change, of course): **** He knows the truth. Cobus held the parchment next to… Read More »Novel Update – Excerpt Included
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
What is the difference between a prologue and first chapter of a novel? I’ve noticed some authors choose to use prologues while others skip right to the first chapter. In terms of an introductory chapter to a novel, what determines if that chapter should be labeled a prologue or simply… Read More »Discussion Topic: Prologues and First Chapters
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