A moment in time: Scotland declares for Charles II

On this day in 1649, following the execution of his father Charles I, the Scots Parliament proclaimed Charles II King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. The catch was that he had to take up the Covenant and declare Presbyterianism as the official religion in Ireland and England. “wee, the estats of parlement of the kingdome of Scotland, doe thairfor most unanimouslie and cheerfullie, in recognisence and acknowledgement of his just right, title and successioun to the croune of these kingdomes, heereby proclaime and declare to all the world that the said lord and prince Charles is by the providence…

Today on the EHFA: The Banqueting House

February 2, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th century · NewsTags: Inigo Jones · King Charles I · King James I · Peter Paul Rubens · The Banqueting House1 Comment

Today I can be found on the English Historical Fiction Authors blog (EHFA) taking you on a tour of Whitehall’s Banqueting House. To access my article, click here! I’ll be back on February 5th with another instalment of A Moment In Time. Stay tuned.

Ann Fanshawe: Memoire of Love

January 12, 2016August 17, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · Ann Fanshawe · English Civil War · Richard Fanshawe · romance5 Comments

I am a romantic at heart and can’t resist a good love story. Combine this with the 17th Century and this girl becomes putty. One of my favourite couples is Ann and Richard Fanshawe. There were perfectly devoted to each other and their relationship was the stuff of romance. The following article was originally written for the English Historical Fiction Authors blog and published March 2015. If you enjoy English history and haven’t visited the blog, check out the EHFA site here. Journaling became fashionable during the 17th century. Well-known diarists, such as Samuel Pepys, and John Evelyn documented the affairs…

The Royalist Highwayman

November 9, 2015November 19, 2020 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · Battle of Worcester · English Historical Fiction Authors · Featured · Highwayman · James HInd · Royalist highwayman7 Comments

One of the 17th century’s most infamous highwayman is Captain James Hind. Broadsheets were written about his exploits and he became a folk legend in his day which continued on after his death. Most was fiction, but all of it was highly entertaining. Not only was Captain Hind a staunch Royalist, he was quick with his wits, avoided violence whenever he could, was celebrated for his courtesy, and he had a reputation for being a Robin Hood character. It should be no surprise that he was the initial inspiration for my highwayman. Who was Captain Hind really? His exploits were…

A Moment in Time: Powick 1642

September 23, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Pictures in history · Powick · Rupert · WorcesterLeave a comment

The first military action of the English Civil War occurred at Powick Bridge, this day on 1642. The victor that day was Prince Rupert. Curious fact: the last battle of the civil war also started at Powick. It didn’t end as well for the Royalists as it had started. And that was a moment in time. Attributions: Featured Picture: By Edgar Wilson “Bill” Nye [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons “Old Powick Bridge over the River Teme – geograph.org.uk – 795873” by John M. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – “Historic Powick Bridge over the river Teme – geograph.org.uk –…