When Puritans made sex illegal

On 10 May 1651, Parliament passed “An Act for suppressing the detestable sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication” which made such acts (forgive the pun) a felony. They made sex outside marriage illegal. “For the suppressing of the abominable and crying sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication, wherewith this Land is much defiled, and Almighty God highly displeased” * But the government did show a little mercy. While the Act was enacted on 10 May, it was to be in effect on 20 June 1651. That was at least thoughtful of the lawmakers to give people fair warning. I can only imagine what was happening…

A moment in time: Scotland declares for Charles II

February 5, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · English Civil War · King Charles II · Proclamation of Charles II · Scottish ParliamentLeave a comment

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…

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…

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…