Early Modern Women protesting with vim and vinegar

I am on the <research> road again. I love the moment of researching for a new book, which will be my fourth. The title shall remain nameless for now. I have learned that if I publicly announce the title, something invariably will arise that would leave me no choice other than to change the title (Writer Murphy’s Law No. 10*), and I really like The Book That Should Not Be Named. [*Side Note: This is why writers use shorthand and just refer to the project as WIP, in case you’re wondering.] But I digress . . . already. But then…

Inspired to write an Irish rebel story

February 22, 2022February 21, 2022 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Éamonn Ó Riain · the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland · The Pogues · Young Ned of the HillLeave a comment

It all started with a song. Music inspires my creative Muse, and the writing doesn’t entirely flow until I’ve settled on a soundtrack. This time, however, it wasn’t a soundtrack that got me dreaming of characters and the story that would become Rebel’s Knot. It was one particular song.

Treaties between the Irish Brigades and English Commonwealth Parliamentary Forces in 1652 #17thcentury #history

January 24, 2022January 15, 2022 Categories: 17th century · War of the Three KingdomsTags: 17th century warfare · Irish Brigades · Irish Tories · Irish treaties with English Commonwealth · the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland · War of the Three Kingdoms6 Comments

After nearly three years fighting the English Parliamentary invaders, the Irish brigades (Tories) began to sue for peace in the early part of 1652. They had very little choice. Neither France nor Spain had come to Ireland’s defence, being more concerned with keeping diplomatic relations with the new English Commonwealth. Aid promised by the Duke of Lorraine had come too little and too late. The Irish brigades had committed themselves well, but the time had come to make terms with the enemy.

Promised supplies for the Irish from the Duke of Lorraine: The relief that fell short

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 Categories: 17th century · Charles Stuart · English Civil WarTags: Duke of Lorraine relief · Irish resistance in the 17th century · Lord Muskerry · Promised relief by the Duke of Lorraine · the Cromwellian conquest of IrelandLeave a comment

In what would be the final months of the Irish resistance against the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the Irish brigades were at a breaking point. Since Oliver Cromwell landed in Dublin with an invading force in August 1649, the Irish forces (at first centralized, then fractured into autonomous brigades) relied on support from local populations. But by the end of 1651, the brigades were desperately short of supplies and faced the prospect of surrender.

Edmund O’Dwyer: Commander of the Irish forces in Waterford and Tipperary

January 10, 2022January 9, 2022 Categories: 17th century · English Civil WarTags: 17th century Ireland · Cromwellian Invasion of Ireland · War of the Three Kingdoms8 Comments

Sometimes a name in history catches my eye. The figure stands out from the other historical players, and before I know it, I’m wading through everything I can to find out about them. This was what happened when I started researching the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland for my novel Rebel’s Knot and came across Edmund O’Dwyer.