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 –…

5 Tips for Writing a Series by Barbara Kyle

September 19, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: Author Spotlights · WritingTags: Barbara Kyle · page-turners · Thornleigh Saga · writing tips · writing workshops10 Comments

It is with great pleasure that I welcome guest, Barbara Kyle, author of the Thornleigh Saga series. (Above is a detail from the cover of her latest release, The Traitor’s Daughter). I’ve had the privilege of knowing Barbara for the last few years. Not only is she a bestselling historical fiction author who crafts thrilling page-turners, but she is also an excellent creative writing instructor who is a generous mentor to new writers. The advice I received through working with her has elevated my story to a new level. Writing a series has become a growing trend, expanding beyond science fiction and…

17th Century Author Spotlight: M. J Logue – Uncivil Wars

September 14, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: Author SpotlightsTags: 17th century · Edgehill · English Civil War · Levellers · M J Logue · Rainsborough · Uncivil WarsLeave a comment

The 17th century in historical fiction is starting to come into its own, and one of the authors on the front line of that battle is M.J. Logue, author of the Uncivil War series. This is a series that has been described as the 17th century equivalent of the Sharpe and for good reason. Logue’s character, Captain Hollie Babbitt, is a hard-bitten professional soldier trying to survive a bloody civil war. It has everything you could want in historical fiction: action, rich characterization and historical accuracy. It is my pleasure to welcome M.J Logue to my blog… In historical fiction, there is…

Happy Anniversary, Dear Blog

September 3, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Anniversary · Battle of Dunbar · Battle of Worcester · Charles Stuart · Durham · Oliver Cromwell · Oliver Cromwell's death mask2 Comments

A year ago, I launched this site. Happy Anniversary Blog! We’ve had a lovely year together, exploring 17th Century history while musing about history and storytelling in general. I was a little nervous about how we would get on. Was I taking on too much of a commitment? Would I be shackled to the computer, checking stats and worrying if I could keep up the stream of postings my blog might expect? I didn’t have to worry after all. It’s a been a rewarding year. I want to thank all the visitors to my blog this past year–all 2,000 of you!…

The Battle of Upton

August 28, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: battle of Upton · Edward Massie · General Lambert · King Charles II · Oliver Cromwell · Worcester4 Comments

In the pre-dawn hours of 28 August 1651, eighteen Parliamentary soldiers inched along a narrow board, that was stretched across a broken bridge, while the high waters of the Severn swirled below them. Their mission: to surprise the Royalist forces holding Upton-upon-Severn on the opposite shore and open the way to Worcester where the King’s army was garrisoned. Fourteen months of a Cromwell the Cat and Charles the Mouse game were finally coming to a head. Background Following the execution of his father, King Charles I, by Parliament in 1649, Charles Stuart sought allies to reclaim the throne and found in Scotland a willing partner….