Because it happened: How not to write historical fiction

When I started writing the first dirty draft of Traitor’s Knot, I was so focused on the details of the events, that I often neglected the human reaction to the drama. It’s understandable given that there is so much pressure to get the historical facts nailed. Historical fiction writers have the advantage of knowing what happened to their subjects, but sometimes that knowledge blunts the suspense. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for other genres, with perhaps the exception of memoire. Science fiction and fantasy–your imagination defines what or what doesn’t happen. Contemporary or romance, ditto. Thrillers? You guys are…

Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales

May 29, 2017August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · 17th century enthusiast · carte blanche · Charles Stuart · Edgehill · English Civil War · King Charles II · Merry Monarch · Traitor's Knot3 Comments

Today is the anniversary of Charles II’s birthday. He is 387 years old, but he doesn’t look a bit over 40. In honour of timeless Charles, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to his early years. The following article was originally written for the English Historical Fiction Author’s Blog (EHFA) and published on May 2, 2016. If you are interested in English history of all ages, I can’t recommend a better site to explore. When people think of Charles II of England, they usually think of Charles the Merry Monarch. Yet there was more to this intelligent man…

The Fifth Monarchists

May 9, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · 17th century enthusiast · Allhallows Church · Barebones Parliament · Charles Stuart · Commonwealth · English Civil War · English Historical Fiction Authors · Fifth Monarchists · Millennium · Oliver Cromwell · Parliament of Saints · Regicides · Rump Parliament · Thomas HarrisonLeave a comment

Given the talk about government policies and reform that is currently gripping the U.S, I thought it timely to repost an article about England’s Parliamentary struggles following the English Civil War. The following article was originally written for the English Historical Fiction Authors blog and published January 2015. If you enjoy English history and haven’t visited the blog, check out the EHFA site here. It was not all daffodils and roses for the new Commonwealth following the English Civil War. The tide that had carried Parliament to victory, surging them forward with the promise of a new society, became stagnant. Though…

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 Start

July 23, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Battle of Worcester · Charles Stuart · Escape of King Charles II · The Duke of Buckingham · The Start4 Comments

Following the execution of his father by Parliament in 1649, Charles Stuart (later Charles II) was a king without a throne. He scanned the dance floor for likely partners to help him reclaim his crown, but France, Spain and the Netherlands were taking turns examining the potted plants. There were no takers until Scotland stepped forward and motioned to the orchestra. It was a slow and hesitating waltz, broken by alternate periods of negotiation and stubbornness on both sides. Scotland was looking for a Covenanted king, one who would uphold Presbyterianism across the three kingdoms (Scotland, England and Ireland). Reluctantly Charles agreed, and…