The Battle of Hamilton (or Hieton)

June 13, 2018August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 11th Lord Somerville · Battle at Cadzow Burn · Battle of Hamilton · Battle of Hieton · Charles II · Colonel Gilbert Ker · Colonel Strachan · Lord Somerville · Oliver Cromwell's Scottish invasion · Young Cambusnethen6 Comments

One of the best aspects of being a historical fiction writer is learning about the lesser known events in history. This is often the by-product of our historical research. In some cases, it could be a small footnote that serves as the invitation down the rabbit hole, or it could be that you’re leading your characters into an arena that you need to know more about. My interest in Hamilton came as a result of needing to know what my character, James Hart, was specifically walking into on his journey to join the king in Scotland. Quite a bit, as…

Seventeenth Century Lady: Charles II Scottish Coronation

March 23, 2018August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th century · Guest BlogTags: Charles II · Charles II's Scottish Coronation · English Civil War · King Charles II · Kirk on Moot Hill · Palace of Scone · The Seventeenth Century Lady · Traitor's Knot1 Comment

I’m pleased to be a guest of the Seventeenth Century Lady with an article I wrote about Charles II’s Scottish coronation. This occurred on January 1, 1651 in the Kirk of Scone. It occurred against the backdrop of Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland and has the distinction of being the last coronation to be held in Scotland. To read the article, click on the link: Charles II’s Scottish Coronation. Featured pictures: Charles II Coronation at Westminster: [By John Michael Wright – http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page92.asp, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Kirk of Scone (Moot Hill): I, Calgacus [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Palace of…

Author Spotlight: Helen Reynolds

March 7, 2018August 19, 2019 Categories: Author SpotlightsTags: 17th century · 17th century enthusiast · 17th Century history · best spy adventure · best thriller · Charles II · Conspiratessa · H. J Reynolds · Helen Reynolds · Horrible Histories · Interregnum · spies and intrigueLeave a comment

It is my great pleasure to introduce to you historical fiction author, Helen Reynolds. Helen not only scores points for writing about the 17th century, she gets bonus points for focusing on the Interregnum. This period of history, between the execution of the King and the Restoration of the monarchy is dominated by Oliver Cromwell, and is rife with spies and intrigue. Helen’s debut novel CONSPIRATESSA (still yet to be published), is an action adventure about a fledgling female spy who works for the English Resistance to help Charles II reclaim his throne. This is one novel that I can’t…

Highwaymen of the 17th century

October 23, 2017August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · Captain James Hind · Charles Duval · Charles II · clever thieves · Highwayman · highwaymen · Traitor's Knot · William Nevis8 Comments

I do have an obsession for highwaymen, especially the 17th century variety. It’s possibly because the most famous of this collection were closely associated with the English Civil War and had fought for the king. Many soldiers returned from the war to impoverished conditions and some turned to highway robbery. Others continued to war against the enemy on the highway instead of a battlefield; and still others just took advantage of the upheaval to make a ‘living’. Let me introduce to you three of my favourite 17th century highwaymen. Without a doubt, Captain James Hind tops my list. Also…