Spotlight: 1066 Turned Upside Down (Part 1)

Have you ever wondered ‘what if’ history turned out a little differently? What if John F. Kennedy wasn’t shot; what if Charles II had a legitimate heir? Historical fiction authors have a great deal of respect for what actually happened in history and will undertake years of research to ensure they get it right. But once in a while, it’s fun to let the imagination loose and contemplate an alternate reality. This is what an illustrious group of historical fiction authors did. In honour of the upcoming 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, when King Harold of England was defeated by William the…

Classicism vs Naturalism: French and Dutch art in the 17th century

April 18, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th century · Author SpotlightsTags: 17th century · 17th century art · Annie Whitehead · art · Claude · Dutch Naturalism · French Classicism · Poussin · Rembrandt · VermeerLeave a comment

As a special treat, I turn my blog over to Annie Whitehead, indieBRAG honouree and author of Alvar the Kingmaker and To Be A Queen. Annie’s novels are set during the Early Medieval period, but her knowledge of history extends centuries beyond her chosen era to include the 17th century. In this article, she illuminates the differences between two opposing artistic traditions of the 17th century, Classicism and Naturalism. Enjoy! Artistically, the period of Richelieu and Mazarin saw the rise of French Classicism. Patronage of the arts was strong; Fouquet (the Superintendent of Finances in France), in particular used his money with exceptional taste. He gathered round…

Casting Light on the 17th Century

August 23, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: NewsTags: 17th century · Annie Whitehead · author spotlight · cavalier · roundhead1 Comment

Today, I’m the guest of Annie Whitehead, author of To be a Queen on her blog Casting Light upon the Shadow. I discuss topics such as Roundhead vs Cavalier and how Royalist men had great hair (well, they did). Don’t be shy. Come on over and say hello!