Worcester Cathedral 

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This post was originally published for the English Historical Fiction Authors Blog on October 13, 2016. If you are interested in British History, I encourage you to visit the EHFA blog (click here). On the banks of the Severn River stands a magnificent cathedral. Framed against a river of gliding swans, Worcester Cathedral’s history has spanned centuries, serving as the final resting place for royalty and providing a backdrop for major conflicts. Even before the present day cathedral, the site was consecrated by a priory founded in the 7th century. Nothing now remains of this original priory, but in the 10th century,…

Don’t speak to Bob

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Just don’t. Trust me, no one wants to hear that conversation. Ask my critique group, I have no tolerance for him. Who’s Bob? You know Bob—every writer knows Bob, but historical fiction writers know him best. Bob is the gate crasher, the unwanted guest who always brings down the party, only instead of hanging out at the bar and being obnoxious, Bob hangs out in a story with the protagonist taking on the role as tiresome wingman. At first, it’s all fun and games. Our hero is happy—no relieved—when Bob shows up. Finally the opportunity to trot out his knowledge of…

A Moment in Time: Powick 1642

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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 –…

The Battle of Upton

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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….

Finding the Fugitive King a Ship (Finale)

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Up until now, our fugitive King, Charles Stuart, has hidden in a tree, fought off a deranged miller, crouched in a priest’s hole, sparred with a Republican smith, and ridden past a sea of enemy dragoons, all while picking up lessons on the speech and comportment of a country fellow. He’s had a busy time of it, but now we get to the final stretch. Our King must find a ship. After Charles had left the Nortons of Abbotsleigh, he arrived at Trent, the home of a close acquaintance, Colonel Frank Wyndham, who set to work to find him a…