We’re living in interesting times just now as we try to come to terms with the results of the Brexit vote – a decision taken by referendum as to whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. This blog is not a political post and it’s not full of in depth analysis or […]
Find out moreGeoffrey le Bel Count of Anjou 24th August 1113 – September 7th 1151 Geoffrey Le Bel, Count of Anjou and briefly Duke of Normandy, has featured in several of my novels as a secondary character. He has a strong supporting role in LADY OF THE ENGLISH, and has his part to play in THE SUMMER […]
Find out moreIn the recent wake of the celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta in 1215, it’s inevitable that the movers and shakers of that particular period will step into the spotlight, and perhaps none more so than the great William Marshal. Largely unknown outside the circles of medievalists and re-eanactors […]
Find out moreMy UK publishers LittleBrown are repackaging and republishing my first three published novels – THE WILD HUNT, THE RUNNING VIXEN and THE LEOPARD UNLEASHED. The story of a Welsh Marcher family during the reigns of William Rufus, Henry I and King Stephen. I’ll be blogging about the novels in more detail on another occasion soon, […]
Find out moreThe 14th of May marks the anniversary of the death of William Marshal, who departed this world at noon in the year 1219 at his manor of Caversham near Reading, surrounded by friends in the clergy and his grieving family. It was a sad occasion as all such are, but for William, it was also […]
Find out moreI have in my possession the Feet of Fines for Norfolk 1201-1215 and for Suffolk 1199-1214. It’s a list of cases brought before judges on the travelling circuit at this time and much of it is concerned with property law and small business that gives us the names of the local populace. East Anglia was […]
Find out moreHaving watched a Timewatch programme some time ago on William Marshal’s career as a tourney knight, I was surprised that not more was said about his horses. Without a horse (or three) a nobleman making his way in the tourneys was somewhat stumped after all. (here’s the youtube url for anyone interested. Click on this […]
Find out moreIt has been 26 years since David Crouch brought out the first edition of his biography of the great William Marshal. I have that book, and the second edition too, published in 2002. Even before I took up writing my series of novels about the Marshals, David Crouch’s biography was essential reading for an […]
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