13th century – History… the interesting bits!

Plantagenet Heroines

02/05/202602/05/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly4 Comments

History... the Interesting Bits — *Old Sarum*

I have been quiet for a couple of weeks as I was preparing for – and then taking part in – the Plantagenet Heroines Tour organised by Plantagenet Discoveries. The inspiration of the wonderful Maxine Sommer, Plantagenet Discoveries allows guests to follow in the footsteps of some of the greats of medieval history.

The tour lasted 9 days, though I was only with it for the first 7 days, acting as the tour guide and answering any and all questions from the guests – and there were a LOT of questions.

It was my first time as a ‘resident historian’ and I was not quite sure what to expect or how I would handle being ‘always on’ from the moment I awoke to getting back to my room at night. I needn’t have worried. History is my ‘thing’ and talking about it from morning until night was an absolute pleasure, and quite the adrenalin rush.

I met the tour leaders and 6 guests at an informal ‘getting to know you’ gathering in London on the Friday night. All 6 guests were women travelling alone, with one each coming from Ireland and Sweden, 2 from Australia and 2 from the US. All of us had one thing in common – a love of history.

My fist day involved an early rise and breakfast at the hotel in London before meeting out minibus driver for the week, Roger, and setting off at 8.30 am for our first destination: Old Sarum. Arriving on the outskirts of Salisbury at 10.30, we had a good explore of the old ruins. Old Sarum was home to Ela of Salisbury, and prison – even if it was gilded – to Eleanor of Aquitaine. It also gave me the chance to talk about all 3 of Eleanor’s Plantagenet daughters. It is not hard to imagine the magnificence and splendour of the lost castle, especially given the size of the foundations that remain. Even as you can see the ‘new’ cathedral (the foundations were laid in 1220) in the distance, so too can you walk around the floor plan of the old cathedral.

If only these walls could talk, what stories they could tell.

I tried to do them justice. It was my first day and my narrative was a little stilted – I was still trying to find my feet but I was beginning to find my stride, answering questions, offering observations and analysis. Though I did often forget my place – I wasn’t on holiday. But talking history never feels like I’m working.

After lunch at the nearby Harvester – literally, you drove from the Old Sarum car park, turned right and the Harvester was on the left, with a view of Old Sarum from its door – we made our way to Coventry, and Coombe Abbey, our hotel for the night. I was particularly excited to stay at Coombe Abbey. Founded by the de Camville family, Nicholaa de la Haye‘s second husband, Gerard de Camville, is buried there – somewhere. Unfortunately, I did not find his burial place but the abbey itself did not disappoint. We enjoyed a 3-course meal that evening, breakfast and a wander around the grounds in the morning. The abbey retains many of its medieval features, with stone archways, a pulpit and the tomb of a murdered abbot, with a grand staircase and sumptuous bedrooms added to it. I didn’t want to leave!

And I definitely want to go back!

Sunday was a 2-castle day.

The morning was spent at Kenilworth Castle. Famous for its links to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester – Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite – it was a vast castle belonging to the medieval earls of Leicester. Simon de Montfort and his royal wife, Eleanor of England, lived here. In fact, after Simon’s death, his supporters continued to hold the castle through a 9-month long siege – the longest siege on English soil. John of Gaunt turned Kenilworth from a medieval fortress into a royal palace and it became one of the favourite residences, outside of London, of Margaret of Anjou.

There was much to explore, from the ‘new’ building of Dudley to the old Great Hall of Gaunt. So many stairs!

Discussion ranged from Simon de Montfort (we don’t like him) to Edward I, Henry III, the Battles of Lewes and Evesham and Eleanor’s teenage vow of chastity that lasted until she saw Simon de Montfort and married him. Which inevitably led to a discussion of Sharon Penman novels and the fates of Simon and Eleanor’s daughter, Eleanor de Montfort, and granddaughter, Princess Gwenllian.

The history I told was inspired by the castle itself and the questions of the guests, giving as much information as I could about the women, in particular, who would have known Kenilworth in its glory days.

Our next stop was Conisbrough Castle. Definitely firmer ground for me. I was in my element. This is MY castle. I have told its story for over 30 years, both as a tour guide and writer. I wrote a book about the family who built it and, as you know, countless articles. So, I did my usual tour, going through the story of Ambrosius Aurelianus, through William de Warenne, the first earl, Hamelin, the man who built the keep, the visits of Henry II, King John and Edward II to the marital woes of John de Warenne, the 7th and last Earl of Warenne and Surrey. And not to forget the links to the house of York, to Richard III being the last to spend money on the castle in 1484.

We stood in the little chapel on the top floor of the keep, contemplating those kings who had knelt on those stones and prayed., You could feel the history around us.

That evening, we arrived at our base for the next 3 days, The Grand Hotel at York. And grand it was, indeed. A 5-star hotel with underfloor heating in the bathroom, it had once been the grand headquarters of LNER – the London and North Eastern Railways.. Once we were unpacked, we were treated to another sumptuous 3-course meal – I had a 50-layer lasagne. Even though I was walking over 10,000 steps a day, there was no way I would lose weight on this holiday – er, work trip!

Monday was spent in County Durham, with connections to the royal House of York everywhere!

In the morning, we were treated to a private tour of Raby Castle. the wonderful guide, Marian, answered questions, pointed out the must-see parts of the castle and took us ‘behind the scenes’ to see the room that had once been the bedroom of none other than Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and mother of Kings Edward IV and Richard III. The stunning chapel includes paintings of Cecily and her mother Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford.

After lunch, we had a short visit into Staindrop, to St Mary’s Church, where Joan’s husband, Ralph Neville, is buried alone, though in a triple tomb atop which lay the effigies of Ralph and both his first wife, Margaret Stafford, and Joan herself. And I got to tell the story of Joan, her marriages and children and the influence she had on the events of the 15th century.

It was then just a 15-minute drive up the road to Barnard Castle. But my joke about getting my eyes tested landed flat – only the driver got it.

Barnard Castle has links, of course, to the earls of Warwick and to Richard III but instead I indulged my love of Scottish History by telling our guests about John Balliol, Scotland’s king who was also lord of Barnard Castle. Which story, of course, led into Robert the Bruce, Elizabeth de Burgh, the women of Bruce‘s affinity imprisoned by Edward I as well as David II and Joan Makepeace and Scotland’s Wars of Independence.

I had definitely found my stride.

Dinner that evening was at a pub, the Guy Fawkes, in York and the next day we spent the morning in York Minster, where Edward III married Philippa of Hainault and where their baby son, William of Hatfield is buried. This was followed by a walk down the Shambles and a climb up Clifford’s Tower. The afternoon was free, so I joined a couple of the guests for lunch, followed by a wander around the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall and a visit to Jorvik Viking Centre.

After dinner in a quiet pub that evening, we took a wander to the Minster and saw the sunset on the River Ouse. The Minster bells were peeling. Indeed, the bells of all the churches in York were ringing to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II.

We left York the next morning, heading for Lincoln.

But you cannot take international travelers to Yorkshire without taking them to our very own World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey. The morning was spent in the peaceful surroundings of the abbey. Definitely a much-needed change of pace for a few hours. Though we did get into a little discussion about whether or not the story of Abelard and Heloise is a love story, or something more sinister…

We arrived in Lincoln at 3.30 that afternoon and headed straight for the castle. Staying at the White Hart Hotel, situated between castle and cathedral, was perfect – my room even had a stunning view of the cathedral!

Now, we were on my home turf. We had already discussed Nicholaa de la Haye at Coombe Abbey, but now I could show everyone her castle. The staff at the castle were incredibly forthcoming about Magna Carta, the 1217 Battle of Lincoln and their visiting artefact – the Chronica Maiora of Matthew Paris which was opened at the image of the battle.

Another after dinner stroll took us around the cathedral close, a walk we repeated in daylight the following morning, so I could point out the statues of Eleanor of Castile, Edward I and Margaret of France, the gold crown to commemorate Elizabeth II and the two houses associated with Katherine Swynford.

One of the highlights of the whole tour was to be able to take the guests into Lincoln Cathedral and show them the tombs of Katherine and her daughter Joan. There was a graduation event going on, for the University of Lincoln, but that did not particularly hinder our visit. We could not access the nave but we could visit the Angel Choir, the chantry chapels and the shrine of St Hugh, as well as the cloisters, the Chapter House and the cathedral museum – I had to point out Nicholaa’s seal!

My final duty was to join everyone for lunch in the Magna Carta pub, which turned into an impromptu book launch celebration for Princesses of the Early Middle Ages, as I got my first sight of my new book. As the tour continued down to London, to visit Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral on the Saturday, I said my goodbyes with hugs and a few tears – and instructions for each and everyone of them to get in touch the next time they are in England.

I slept for 12 hours that night.

I was exhausted. My throat was raw from all the talking. But I had had a fabulous time. I hope that my snippets of information throughout the tour – including texted instructions of what to look out for in Canterbury Cathedral – made the holiday experience that little bit better for the guests.

Did I enjoy it? Most definitely!
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!
Would I recommend the tour to anyone wanting to discover England’s rich history? Oh yes!

Do check out the website of Plantagenet Discoveries and have a look at the tours on offer.

My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

Out Now: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with some outright refusing the husbands offered to them.

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available from Pen & Sword and Amazon.

Sharon is the author of:

Heroines of the Medieval World; Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest; Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England; Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey; King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye; Women of the Anarchy; Heroines of the Tudor World; Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From St Margaret to Margaret of Denmark; Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest (March 2026); Princesses of the Later Middle Ages; Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets (August 2026)

All my books on Amazon, Bookshop.org . You can also order direct from my publishers, Pen and Sword Books and Amberley Publishing.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Ian Mortimer, Bernard Cornwell, Elizabeth Chadwick and Scott Mariani, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

Publication Day! Princesses of the Early Middle Ages is out!

30/03/202631/03/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly6 Comments

Just a quick post to let you all know that my latest book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is released today in the UK.

Unfortunately, Amazon don’t have their copies yet and so have changed the publication date, but they should get their books in the next couple of days. In the meantime, if you have ordered direct from my publisher, Pen and Sword, your books should be on their way shortly.

About the book:

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with some outright refusing the husbands offered to them.

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Huge thanks to Historical Writers Association, Moniek Bloks, Matthew Harffy and Tony Riches for spreading the news today – your support means everything to me!

You can read about Princesses of the Early Middle Ages at:

History of Royal Women; The Writing Desk; the Pen & Sword blog and Historia Magazine

Or listen at:

Rock, Paper, Swords and A Slice of Medieval

And if you are across the pond, don’t worry, there’s not long to wait. The US release is just 2 months away, on 30 May 2026.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available from Pen & Sword and Amazon.

Coming 30 August: Princesses of the Later Middle Ages

‘My daughter wanted me to treat her more like a princess. So, I married her to a stranger to strengthen the alliance with Poland!’

The medieval princess has often been portrayed as a pawn in the political machinations of her father or brother, married off to distant lands for the sake of peace, or land, or both. Never to be seen or thought of again.

But was that really her fate?

Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets examines the lives and experiences of England’s princesses, from the treasured daughters of Henry III to the children of Edward IV, whose lives were turned upside down when they were declared illegitimate.

What we see is a very different story, where a foreign marriage does not mean eternal exile, but a purpose in life, where a princess is a diplomat, an ambassador for England in her new country. She is the bond between allies – most of the time.

Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of these remarkable women.

Princesses of the Later Middle Ages is now available for pre-order.

My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

You can also find all my books on Amazon, Bookshop.org .

You can also order direct from my publishers, Pen and Sword Books and Amberley Publishing.

Podcast:

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Lincoln Castle Talk

26/03/202626/03/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly4 Comments

Lunchtime Talks: Nicholaa de la Haye, England’s Forgotten Heroine

I will be speaking about Nicholaa de la Haye – at HER castle!

I am very happy to announce that Lincoln Castle have brought back their wonderful Lunchtime Talks program for 2026 and they have asked ME! to give a talk about my favourite medieval heroine and Lincoln Castle’s own Nicholaa de la Haye.

The constable of Lincoln Castle for more than 50 years, Nicholaa faced down three sieges and was created sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. During the First Barons’ War, in the aftermath of Magna Carta, and following the death of King John, Nicholaa helped the great William Marshal defeat the rebel barons and send their French allies home. Acting ‘manfully’ and ‘without thinking of anything womanly,’ Nicholaa was the woman who saved England.

Nicholaa was amazing!

Date: 11 April 2026

Time: 1-2pm

Place: Lincoln Castle

And at only £5 a ticket, with a complimentary cup of tea or coffee, what have you got to lose?

Places are limited, so book early. To book your ticket, just CLICK HERE!

For more forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History

07/02/202607/02/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events!

The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’ – exploring six defining moments that have shaped Britain today. The festival is all online, taking place from the evening of Friday, 20th March until the evening of Sunday, 22nd March 2026.

Magna Carta: From Inception to Legacy

By 1215, the English barons’ objections to King John were almost beyond number. He had failed to face the French and had lost not only most of his family’s Continental possessions, but also those of his barons. Few had forgotten his treachery against his brother – his attempts on the throne whilst Richard was away on Crusade. His barons even complained that he forced himself on their wives and daughters.

The barons had had enough.

And the result was Magna Carta; a detailed document created to stave off civil war. It touched on the whole system of royal government. And it was granted to ‘all free men of the realm and their heirs forever’. It brought the king within the law, rather than above it.

It is the closest thing England has to a Constitution.

How significant was Magna Carta really?

In this lecture, I will explore the reasons for Magna Carta, the civil war that followed its creation and the people who fought for it and used it to assert their own rights. And we will look at how relevant it still is today, even beyond England’s shores.

So, I have been spending this week tweaking my PowerPoint presentation and recording the lecture.

There will be 6 talks from leading historians (including myself!), a live Q&A with all 6 historians, a live quiz, and a prize draw. Here is the line up!

Julian Humphrys explores ‘The Battle of Hastings: What Happened and What Followed’.
Sharon Bennett Connolly (me!) traces ‘Magna Carta: From Inception to Legacy’.
Matthew Lewis examines ‘How the Black Death Changed England Forever’.
Gareth Russell tackles ‘Crisis of Faith: The Reformation in British History’.
Jonathan Healey delves into ‘The British Civil Wars: How They Happened and Why They Matter’.
Gareth Streeter looks at ‘The Birth of Britain: How the Glorious Revolution and the Act of Union Forged a Modern Nation’.

And I am really looking forward to the online Q&A and discussion.

Of course, Magna Carta is THE defining moment, but I will let the fellas have their say …

Don’t worry if you can’t watch all the talks as they go out – your ticket will give you access to everything in the festival until 31st May 2026.

And you can watch them as often as you like.

Tickets are £22 + fees and are available now at: British History Events’ Online History Festival

If you have any questions, please ask. You can also email the event organisers at office@britishhistorytours.com.

We would all love to have you join us!

My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available for pre-order from Pen & Sword and Amazon.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody and Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes. Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books. Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb

04/02/202604/02/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy.
Silence is the only shield.

The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.

For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.

There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?

Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.

Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.

Woohoo! A Robin Hood story!

As I’m sure you know by now, I have great affection for anything Robin Hood-related. I think it comes from living so close to Sherwood Forest for most of my life. So, when a new Robin Hood story comes out, I have to read it. Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb is particularly special because another of my heroes/heroines is a co-star, Nicholaa de la Haye.

Rogues & Kings is set at the height of the First Barons’ War. Magna Carta has been issued and revoked, the French have been invited to invade in support the English rebels. John is fighting for his political survival. The city of Lincoln had been seized by the rebels, but they retreated as John came north, chasing them into the Isle of Axholme ‘with fire and sword’. The king returns to Lincoln in September, in time for the Michaelmas Feast. And who holds Lincoln?

Nicholaa de la Haye!

I have to admit to one disappointment with Rogues & Kings, the scene in which Nicholaa tries to resign her post as constable of Lincoln Castle is not included. And I do think it would have made a great scene, with John confirming his trust in Nicholaa. It is a pity, I would have loved to read Charlene’s take on it. But I have to remember, this isn’t Nicholaa’s story. It’s the story of Robin Hood, his family and allies – and Nicholaa is walking a fine line, as the host and ally of King John and as friend to Robin and his familia.

And Rogues & Kings is a Robin Hood story in the best tradition of the genre. John has taken Robin’s son, Richard, as a squire – though he is unaware that Richard is Robin’s son. And teenage Richard wants to help the outlaws and rebels, by spying on the king. But he soon realises the dangers inherent in working for ‘Bad King John’ while helping his father’s friends.

“Your mother will expect and official wedding.” Which would work well, Robin thought, since the sheriff and the men of Robert’s troop could learn nothing about this ceremony in Sherwood surrounded by the Hood.

Robin clasped Robert’s shoulder. “Tuck can announce the bans at St Mary’s. I’ll bring your mother. She will love Joanna.” He found Robert’s new bride amongst the dancers, and then pounded Robert on the back. “You’ll have a beautiful night together here. Just don’t put off marrying at the church too long in case…”

Robert turned a dark crimson.

Robin eyed him. “You have… You know how -“

“God’s bones, Papa!” Robert groaned. “I’m four and thirty.”

Robin laughed until his eyes brimmed with tears. Wiping them away he said, “There’s that secret room off the castle kitchen. Good place for a tryst.” he winked, tipped his head. “Joanna’s ma might give you a few minutes to yourselves.”

Robert dropped his head into his hands and groaned again.

A shout rose from a sentry deep in the wood, and a covey of birds burst skyward across the crescent moon. The vielle fell silent and the dancing stopped.

“What’s that?” Robert asked as Joanna rushed toward him.

Slinging his quiver over his shoulder, Robin scrambled to his feet. “Rider coming.” He reached for his bow.

The revelers retrieved swords and bows, whisking them from beneath their clothing or from the weapons stashed at the edge of the gathering. Women hurrying for cover at the tree line brandished daggers and cutting knives as the great fire lighting the wedding celebration crackled and tree branches rustled.

Allan studied the ancient oaks and birch, listening, his gray-streaked blonde hair stirring in the breeze. The violent snap of a twig and the damp, grinding crunch of leaves beneath a horse’s hooves betrayed the interloper’s approach. The sound grew louder, closer, until a familiar bird call pierced the air and Allan signaled for calm.

A collective sigh of relief swept the air as wedding guests peeked out from behind moss-covered tree trunks and prickly holly bushes. Firelight glinted off polished swords as the men slowly lowered their blades.

The rider came slowly, the darkened path to the camp mired in thick brush and uneven tree roots. Curses echoed through the forest. Recognizing the voice, Robin smiled and set down his bow before the last branches were swept aside.

The outlaws waved and clapped as Little John urged his horse into the clearing. As a child, “little” described him well – he’d been smaller than his orphan-friend Allan, who’d given him the name when they’d met on the quay in London. But he’d grown. And quite large, too, standing a head above most men.

Little John sprang from his horse and strode toward Robin. The outlaws’ greetings melted away as he held up his hands, the light from the fire revealing his grim face.

“King John has taken Richard hostage.”

Rogues & Kings is hard-hitting, in places it is sad, in other places the suspense is palpable. It leaves the reader egging on the outlaws, hoping for deceptions to succeed and knowing that not everyone can – or will – survive. Including King John. I spend half of the book thinking, ‘just hold on, John dies soon.’ John died on the night of 18/19 October 1216. If only Robin knew this! But, of course, he didn’t and the author does a fantastic job of not giving spoilers to John’s fate, heightening the tension. (Oops! Sorry!)

Robin, Marian, Little John and Allan Dale have to live in the moment, making their decisions ignorant of the fact England’s fate – and their own – was about to take a dramatic twist.

Charlene Newcomb uses the historical background of 1216 – John’s pursuit of the rebels, visit to Lincoln, disastrous crossing of the Wash and agonising death – as the backbone of her story. She weaves the intrigues and actions of her heroes around the historical facts.

Her depiction of King John is suitably paranoid, duplicitous and dastardly. Nicholaa de la Haye is a masterful creation. She is a politically savvy woman navigating her way in a world where the king is unpredictable and vindictive and her castle is surrounded by enemies. Robin is older than he appears in other stories; a man experienced in war and regret, he has much to lose and has to learn how to let go, how to trust that his sons are capable of looking after themselves – in a world fraught with danger.

Rogues & Kings is fast-paced, fun, gripping, agonising and adventurous. And I love it! (All the more so because Nicholaa de la Haye gets a significant supporting role.)

My only regret is that Charlene says this is the last. There will be no more Robin Hood stories – I hope to persuade her otherwise.

I really do think Robin should stick around to help out at the end of the First Barons’ War. How can he resist helping Nicholaa defend Lincoln Castle and being present at the 1217 Battle of Lincoln?

Surely the story will write itself?

Buy Rogues & Kings!

About the author:

Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, writes historical fiction and science fiction. Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal. She published the scifi/space opera Echoes of the Storm in 2020, and returns to medieval times with her latest novel Rogue in 2023.

Librarian (retired).

U.S. Navy veteran.

Mom to 3, grandma to 3.

My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available for pre-order from Pen & Sword and Amazon.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Podcast:

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb

31/01/202628/01/2026Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops. Rogues and Kings is a fabulous story, set in 1216, featuring Robin Hood and his gang/friends, King John and the magnificent Nicholaa de la Haye. I highly recommend it and will be writing a review shortly.

But first, Char, let’s have a chat.

Sharon: We’re here today talking medieval historical fiction, but I know you started your publishing career with short stories in the Star Wars universe. How did that come about?

Charlene: Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire, a sequel to the movie Return of the Jedi, inspired me to write my own Star Wars sequel though my writing credentials as of 1993 consisted of an alternative history short story in high school and a few scenes from other attempts at creativity. I was a huge fan of the original Star Wars trilogy. (Shouldn’t that count for something?) I quickly discovered only well known authors were being invited to publish in that universe but ran across a call for short stories in an official Lucasfilm licensed role-playing game magazine. My novel had broken all the rules for submission, but I took one of my original characters—a rebel underground freedom fighter named Alexandra Winger—and created her backstory. “A Glimmer of Hope” was accepted, vetted through West End Games and Lucasfilm, and illustrated and published in the Star Wars Adventure Journal (SWAJ). Alex even has a Wookiepedia entry!

Sharon: How did you get from Star Wars to medieval historical fiction?

Charlene: The publisher of the SWAJ declared bankruptcy so the timing of that—around 1998—along with single parenthood and a demanding career interrupted my writing journey. Several years later a BBC Robin Hood series stirred my interest in Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade. Down the research rabbit hole I went, and my itch to create an original novel-length story surfaced.

I wanted to see the Lionheart through the eyes of the men who served him so I created two original characters: the battle-hardened Stephan l’Aigle and the naive and inexperienced Henry de Grey. Men of the Cross (Battle Scars I) takes the young knights to the Holy Land and then back to England. I introduced some secondary characters in that novel: two teenaged camp followers and a knight named Will who was an expert with bow and had been in love with, and left behind, a girl named Marian. My critique partners could tell I was hinting at a Robin-Hood-type character in Will—they convinced me I should give readers a reimagining of the origins of the legend. Will became Robin and the two teenagers became my Allan a Dale and Little John.

Sharon: Tell us about your books.

The Battle Scars series (3 books) cover events of King Richard I’s reign from 1190-1199: the Third Crusade, Prince John’s attempted coup, and King Richard’s war against Philip of France for his continental holdings. The series ends shortly after Richard’s death in 1199.

The two books In Tales of Robin Hood can be read as stand-alones though they are closely tied. Both Tales take place in 1216 with the premise that Allan a Dale leads ‘the Hood’ in Sherwood Forest and Robin, in his fifties, has assumed a different identity and been in self-exile to finally have a life with Marian in Yorkshire. King John has never forgotten their roles in thwarting his attempt to overthrow Richard. He would hang them all in his thirst for revenge.

Sharon: What attracts you to the 12th-13th centuries?

Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, Richard I, John—such rich (and not always so pretty) lives with powerful stories in incredible times: the Anarchy, Thomas Becket’s murder, the Crusades, the rise and fall of the Angevin Empire, Magna Carta. Unlike most school kids, I was a history nerd and soaked it in when Dad made an effort to stop at historic U.S. sites every time we traveled. But the medieval period was an era barely touched on in the world history classes I was required to take.

I loved the idea of Robin Hood as a close companion and loyal knight of Richard I, accompanying the king to the Holy Land, and then later serving as a spy in Prince John’s mesnie. When Richard, John, and their mother Eleanor of Aquitaine are on the page, the actual history at times almost feels like fiction—the dysfunctional family, sons (and wife) in rebellion against Henry II, brother against brother, scheming enemies, a paranoid, distrustful king. To weave Robin, Allan, Little John, and the other Hood (including Henry and Stephan) into that history lets me reveal lines between traitors and heroes.S

Sharon: What don’t people know about Robin Hood?

Charlene: Modern audiences are familiar with the original legend through movies and television, most of which take place in the late 12th/early 13th century. But many don’t realize there is no evidence to indicate Robin was an actual historical figure. The first written stories about him appear mid-15th century though oral stories were passed around in the latter half of the 1400s. Television and movies generally portray Robin as serving King Richard I and/or fighting against King John (1189-1216), but the oldest ballads don’t name either of them. The Gest of Robyn Hode (late 1400s) notes Robin’s meeting with ‘Edwarde, our comly kynge,’ referring, many believe, to Edward I, II, or III, whose reigns covered the years from 1272-1377.

Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

Pre-14th century history is challenging for the historical fiction writer. Primary sources such as official documents and contemporary chronicles were written in medieval Latin. Fortunately, many of them have been translated and some are available freely online or are discussed by historians in works about the people and events of the era. When my university library didn’t have what I needed, I turned to interlibrary loan. (Thank you, libraries!) Footnotes and bibliographies in these resources provided more threads to follow.

Visiting the places I write about, standing in awe of the Major Oak in Sherwood, walking around the baileys and along the battlements of castles, even seeing the ruins, is inspiring, a blast. Castles and towns like Lincoln, Nottingham, York, and Newark have changed considerably in 800 years which meant more research to get everyday life and the settings right. I’d go back again and again if I lived closer. I will never forget meeting up with writer friends like you, and comparing notes on the history of a place.

Sharon: What are you working on now?

Charlene: I am gathering notes and considering story arcs surrounding two different events that I’d like to feature in short stories: King John’s rescue of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, at the siege of Mirebeau in 1202; and the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. (Sharon: I definitely think you should do one on the Battle of Lincoln Fair. I can just imagine Robin and his friends helping Nicholaa out there!)

Sharon: And finally, what is the best thing about being a writer?

Writing can be a solitary undertaking so hearing from readers and friends that you’ve crafted a story and characters they tell you they love is such a rush. Just as rewarding is when you write ‘the end’ on something that started with a single idea, such as what might be the consequences if the son of Robin Hood served in King John’s household, write down a half dozen bullet points that spawn many more, and suddenly (or rather over the course of many, many months) the pieces gel and become chapters in a tome of nearly 400 pages. What is surprising is when a character takes over the story and blurts out something you weren’t expecting. Your jaw drops and then you sit back and realize, wow, that opens up a whole new dilemma. Run with it! Hopefully the reader experiences that same feeling.

About the Author:

Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, is a retired librarian, a U.S. Navy veteran, mom to 3 amazing humans, and grandma to 3. She writes historical fiction and science fiction. Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in science fiction: in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, and an original novel, Echoes of the Storm. Char returned to medieval times with Rogue and her latest novel Rogues & Kings, both in her Tales of Robin Hood series.

Website: https://charlenenewcomb.com Newsletter: https://charlenenewcomb.substack.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/CharleneNewcombAuthor Instagram: https://instagram.com/charnewc Bluesky: https://charnewcomb.bsky.social/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/charnewcomb/

About Rogues and Kings

Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy.
Silence is the only shield.

The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.

For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.

There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?

Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.

Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.

Buy the book!

My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available for pre-order from Pen & Sword and Amazon.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Wordly Women: Ann M. Beggs

20/12/202518/12/2025Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

Well, it is the last Wordly Women of 2025 and I cannot believe how well this series of interviews has been received. I do hope it has given you an insight into the writing life – the good and the bad. And maybe you have discovered a new author, or been re-acquainted with one you haven’t read in a while? For my part, it has been wonderful, learning a little bit more about my friends’ writing journeys. Isn’t it funny that no 2 people have the same experience as writers? But we all love the warmth and encouragement of the writing community – and the love and enthusiasm of our readers.

I will continue the series into 2026, hoping it will at least survive until its 1st birthday in March. And I already have the next 2 interviews ready to go. But for now, I would like to introduce you to Anne M. Beggs. Anne is one of those authors who uses her own platform to promote and encourage her fellow authors. I am so grateful to her for sharing every single one of my Wordly Women interviews so far – and I am sure she will share this one!

Sharon: Hello Anne! What got you into writing:

Anne: Well, that is a long story, but isn’t that what historical fiction and family sagas are? My story telling began with horses. I was born with the horse gene. Unable to have a horse I lived my equine dreams in artwork, drawing and painting my beloved “worsey/wishies” for horsey (my first spoken word, btw). I was an undiagnosed dyslexic as a child. Writing and reading were and ARE not easy, so my story telling was through visual art. Back then all my stories were Barn Romances: Girl meets horse. You get the idea.

My Medieval fetish is nearly as deep as my love of horses. My aunt took me to the cinema to see Disney’s Sleeping Beauty as a five-year-old and those images – the castle, the medieval setting, and a gray horse filled my dreams and nightmares for years. In high school I started a bit of research into the Crusades (horses, remember), and the exploring the soul-gripping architecture of castles and cathedrals.

A trip to Medieval Times in Anaheim, California, when our kids were little, triggered my medieval fetish and love of horses. The voices came alive. My fictional characters would not be still. The What Ifs, How Abouts, and a medieval barn romance morphed into a full-born passion…and it was no longer just Girl Meets Horse; a feisty, spiritual, heiress was seeking a voice in my mind and in her patriarchal time. Yes, initially it was all about getting “boinked” in a castle or cathedral. As I learned how to write a book, the stories developed into a spiritual quest for understanding, battles to save a family, create a dynasty, and an enduring love story or stories.

Sharon: You write fiction and non-fiction, and is one harder than the other?

Anne: It all depends. My first publications were articles on mounted archery and my journey from author to mounted archer. I didn’t have an editor, so those were WAY easy.

My fiction writing includes my Dahlquin series, a family saga set in 13th century Ireland, with more details in subsequent questions. To date I also have four short stories in four Paper Lantern Writers Anthologies: The Dragon Lord, A Winter Solstice Tale, in Unlocked, based on my Dahlquin characters; Dear Santa, in Beneath a Mid-Winter Moon, set in 1969, with Dahlquin descendants; Beg, Borrow, Tomorrow, in Destiny Comes Due, a “shopaholic” in a medieval convent; and The Storm in Echoes of Small Things, a story of Richard the Lion Heart’s final days.

In Archer’s Grace, Book One and By Arrow and Sword, Book Two, my editors told me repeatedly: “Less riding, more story. You are writing a novel, not a “how to” in horsemanship.”

When I was invited to write a chapter, Bringing Horses to Life in Historical Fiction, in the Paper Lantern Writers non-fiction book, Crafting Stories from the Past; A How-To Guide for Writing Historical Fiction, I thought GREAT, here is my chance to talk horses. Turns out, it was one of the hardest things I have ever written. It was vital to distil the important aspects of horses and not get carried away. Fortunately, my editors were non-horse people and found most parts necessary. Working on this entire project was a great education, and I still refer to the book myself, with fresh eyes. We are also doing live, hands-on-workshops teaching the Craft of Writing Stories From the Past to aspiring authors. I enjoy helping and learning more as we go.

Back to your question, which is harder – each is different. All deserve the best I can offer. They are full-on challenges that I accept, and I muddle through, learning, growing, finding enlightenment, and often not concluding with what I thought I was going to write about.

Sharon: Tell Us About Your books

Anne: Archer’s Grace, Book One, launches the Dahlquin series: Eloise, a 13th century only child grows up coming to terms with and battling her patriarchal Irish society. Intelligent, curious, bold, and romantic, she also has a secret that might get her condemned as a heretic.

Ireland is a volatile island poised for civil war, with another English invasion threating. A treasonous siege catapults her from her ancestral home. She and a stranger embark on a perilous journey across Ireland, running for their lives to save Dahlquin and mayhap Ireland itself.

By Arrow and Sword, Book Two, returns to Dahlquin for this family saga. A war-torn country lies between Eloise and Roland as they try to make their way back to each other, navigating a political landscape fraught with intrigue and betrayal. One threat is vanquished, but others loom in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to seek revenge.

For readers, Book Two, is written to stand alone.

Sharon: What attracts you to the 13th Century?

Anne: I like to say I researched the Middle Ages into and beyond Middle Age.

My characters, the voices, came to me. They are all fictional, with some true historic people, “Celebrity Cameos”, as Ana Brazil says. All are living in a medieval world. I just started taking dictation from them and researching the Middle Ages. This was before internet as we know it. Before social media and a world full of ‘arm-chair historians’ (some were quite cruel, but I am also sensitive). I depended on books. I delighted when the old-fashioned Barnes and Nobel catalogue arrived in my mailbox, with an abundance of history books. What a happy dance I did when I received Dress Accessories from 1150-1450, and Shoes and Patterns. My family thought I was nuts. Real bookstores also provided resources; thus started my personal research library, getting lost in an era I love.

Using the limited books I had, I found a fifty-year gap in history, as if records were lost between Henry and Eleanor, then resuming fifty years later. Of course, this is not true, but thirty years ago, I was stumped. What a great space to write my own fictional characters and their adventures. Thirteenth century it was and I really didn’t like those henins, either. Eloise could not be galloping across the countryside wearing one of those.

Sharon: Who is your favourite Medieval person?

Anne: Eleanor of Aquitaine, is one of my protagonist, Eloise’s, favourites. Twenty years after the queen’s death, her legend looms large in Eloise’s mind. I just finished listening to The Summer Queen, by Elizabeth Chadwick, and I am even more in love with the smart, feisty monarch myself.

Sharon: Who is your least favourite Medieval person?

Anne: It is not my style to pick a least favourite, so I let others share theirs.

Sharon: I’m the same. I love the History and even the bad guys bring something to the table

Sharon: How do you approach your research?

Anne: This year was special. Finally, after many years, I got to ride in Connacht, Ireland, where my fictional characters are. My husband sent me on a trip of a lifetime. Starting alone in Dublin, I toured for two days. Then a bus to Galway, and on to Connemara Equestrian Escapes for riding, history, and cultural immersion. Next two nights at Ashford Castle. That was as pilgrimage, for sure, as I have a fictional family named Ashbury. Research revealed there is an Ashford Castle exactly where my fictional family are – hmmm, I guess I got my character’s name wrong by a syllable. Connacht looked just as I expected. The trip was validating and magical.

As I mentioned earlier – and before my trip – it all started with history books, my own or the library’s. It never occurred to me to travel to a research library. I had kids at home, responsibilities to our businesses, being a domestic goddess, and community volunteer. Writing was a back burner passion for me, by my choice.

Enter the internet, chat rooms (which didn’t click with me then), and social media. I have access to research, so much research. Sometimes, too much. There is more opportunity for conflicting experts, scholars revealing new discoveries and insights. And that fifty-year gap in my sources…all filled in…oh gosh…oh well. I rejoice and lament. I concentrate on 13th century, because my own time is limited. Still, it is easy to get lured into anything medieval. The fetish runs hard and deep.

My hot tip for beginners; keep a list of the sources you use. You will be called on it later. I didn’t do that originally. I picked the expert whose claims fit my story and kept writing. It was a novel, not a college paper with footnotes. Big mistake on my part.

Research is also how I discovered Dahlquin’s location. I had written over 700 pages not knowing where my characters lived. Before he had horses and a boarding ranch, we travelled to Europe several times indulging my quest for anything medieval and other family holiday delights. Every where we went, hoping for a home for Dahlquin, it was a big nope. I considered going for pure fantasy fiction, making up a country and plopping it in Europe, but it didn’t feel right. I stumbled upon a used book on Medieval Ireland, and BINGO, my characters had been trying to tell me they were Irish…well, Welsh/Anglo/Irish/Celtic/English, it IS complicated.

Sharon: Tell us your ‘favourite’ medieval story you have come across in your research.

Anne: I enjoyed the 9th poem, Pangur Bán. As a cat and animal lover, I delight in the archaeological records of cats leaving their paw prints in history from ancient times to now. Besides horses and dogs, I have cats in my books, a song of a cat dropping a mouse in the wine. while writing my short story, Beg, Borrow, Tomorrow, it was fitting a cat play a role.

Sharon: What are you working on now?

Anne: I am writing The High Love, Book Three, in the Dahlquin series. Much of my 25ish year-old version is on the cutting room floor, and I’m excited to rewrite it with more political intrigue as Eloise and Roland explore and define for themselves what is the highest love: Church, God, King, liege, family, each other? Eloise’s spiritual quest continues as she seeks balance and understanding – God and Goddess, love and loyalty, The Highest Love. I am seeing a better way to tackle Book Four, Ordained Folly, mayhap, mayhap not: The magic in writing. I don’t always know where the story must go until I write it, and write, and rewrite it. There is nothing fast in my process.

I anticipate another short story for the Paper Lantern Writers’ fifth anthology, for 2026, title and theme still a mystery. I love being part of these challenging books and working with our talented writers.

Sharon: What is the best thing about being a writer?

Anne: I love word dancing, making my character’s stories blaze to life, in full colour, texture, taste…cantering across the pages for others to read. It is fantabulous riding into the Middle Ages, safely (such a hazardous time, with no antibiotics, etc.), sharing my joy of lost voices, horses, and history. If I am fortunate, mayhap my writing will inspire someone to pick up a bow and arrow, take riding lessons, and best of all to Be Their Own Hero, Don’t Wait to Be Saved.

About the Author:

Anne M. Beggs, the writing, riding grandma, is an award-winning author of historical fiction and has published articles on mounted archery and horsemanship. Her debut novel, Archer’s Grace, Book One, in her Dahlquin series starts this family saga when a young noblewoman is catapulted from her ancestral home and set on a quest to save her family in Medieval Ireland. By and Arrow and Sword, Book Two is published, and The Highest Love, Book Three is underway. Four short stories appear in Paper Lantern Writer’s anthologies. Also with Paper Lantern Writers, she is a contributor to Crafting Stories from the Past: A How-To Guide for Writing Historical Fiction. She and other “Lanterns” give hands-on workshops on writing historical fiction.

Anne likes to say she researched the Middle Ages into middle age and beyond. Still married to her high school sweetheart, they live on and manage a horse boarding ranch, Equisance, in Watsonville, California. Anne is a member of the Historical Novel Society, and for more about her writing, horses, mounted archery and grandkids, she invites you to join up with her Facebook pages, Anne M. Beggs, https://www.facebook.com/anne.beggs.3/ ; or Anne M. Beggs, author, https://www.facebook.com/AnneMBeggsAuthor/ ; or her website, https://annembeggs.com/, IG @annibella72 ; Substack, https://substack.com/@annibella1

My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

‘Scotland’s Medieval Queens gives a thorough grounding in the history of the women who ruled Scotland at the side of its kings, often in the shadows, but just as interesting in their lives beyond the spotlight. It’s not a subject that has been widely covered, and Sharon is a pioneer in bringing that information into accessible history.’ Elizabeth Chadwick (New York Times bestselling author)

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Coming 30 March 2026: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available for pre-order.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Podcast:

Do have a listen to our 2025 Christmas episode in which Derek and I look bag at some of our favourite discussions with guests.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Wordly Women: Anna Belfrage

06/12/202507/11/2025Sharon Bennett Connolly6 Comments

For my latest edition of Wordly Women, it is an absolute pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Anna Belfrage. Anna writes both historical fiction and time slip and is a magician with the written word. Her Castilian Saga books are something special and I loved the King’s Greatest Enemy books!

So, welcome Anna!

Sharon: What got you into writing?

Anna: I think many writers start like readers—that is how it was for me. I was like eight and felt the world needed a book about a girl who dressed up as a boy and accompanied Richard Lionheart as a page. My take on history was vague, my take on Richard was way too heroic, and my vocabulary was horribly tedious—and full of attempted medieval “speak” Agh! Many years later, I decided to really give writing a go, and once again I wrote a book that resonated with what I wanted to read. Seeing as I have always wanted to time travel—well, for short visits, deffo not to stay—my protagonist ended up being thrown back into the seventeenth century, because at the time, I was so fascinated by this period.

Sharon: Tell us about your books.

Anna: Well, I have just—today!—finished my 24th novel, supposedly a stand-alone, but according to my editor, I must write the rest of the story. So I probably will. Insert Graham Saga pic here! This is what always happens, you see. I start off writing ONE book and end up with one series after the other. My first series is The Graham Saga and is the story of Alex, my alter-ego time traveller who ends up in the 17th century where she meets Matthew Graham. Life will never be the same—not for Alex, not for Matthew, who has his doubts about this strange, borderline heathen woman who has landed at his feet. All in all, The Graham Saga is a ten (!!!!) book series, following Alex, Matthew and their expanding family through the latter half of the 17th century. Things happen to the Grahams—a lot of things, actually. Alex sometimes complains that it is too much, but between the two of us, she loves the adrenaline rushes I put her through! (“No, I don’t!” Alex growls. I just smirk) My second series is The King’s Greatest Enemy. I give you Adam de Guirande, an honourable knight who ends up torn between his love for his first lord, Roger Mortimer , and his loyalty to the young Edward III. Fortunately, he has a strong helpmeet in his wife, Kit. One book turned into four in this instance…

My third series is called The Castilian Saga and is set in the late 13th century. The lives and adventures of Robert FitzStephan, loyal captain to Edward I, and his wife, Eleanor d’Outremer, play out against the background of the conquest of Wales and the general upheaval in Castile and Aragon at the time. Yet another four book series…

I have also authored a three-book series called The Wanderer, which tells the story of Jason and Helle, brutally torn apart 3 000 years ago. After endless lives searching for his Helle, Jason finally finds her again and there is a HEA hovering on the horizon—had it not been for their nemesis last time round who has just gate-crashed the party. I loved writing this borderline fantasy/romantic suspense/ steamy series – but historical fiction is my first love and always will be.

I have an ongoing series called The Time Locket—and yes, it has a time travelling protagonist. Erin is of mixed race and find it very hard to navigate the early 18th century in the American Colonies—well, she finds it hard to navigate life in the 18th century, full stop. Fortunately, she has Duncan at her side. I’ve written two books in this series and have started on number three –but for some odd reason we seem to be going to St Petersburg—well, the building site that will become St Petersburg—and I am dragging my feet, despite Erin and Duncan constantly sending me evil looks.

And then, finally, we have my just finished Queen of Shadows. (The one that I now need to write a sequel to according to my editor) We are in 14th century Castile where King Alfonso XI is married to one woman, but loves another. Quite the soap opera—except it is a true story. Along the way, our stalwart king must vanquish Marinid invaders, rebellious nobles and handle a most incensed father-in-law. I don’t think I’ve ever spent as much time researching a novel as I have done with this one—I started toying with the idea already back in 2016.

I have also contributed to various short-story collections: Betrayal: Historical stories, Historical Stories of Exile and Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic.

Phew! Quite a list, isn’t it? (Anna looks quite, quite pleased)

Sharon: What attracts you to the periods you write in?

Anna: The history. An event or a personage catches my attention, and off I go. During my recent visit to Dresden, I discovered just how complicated and delicious the history of Saxony is, but I hesitate re writing a book set there, because I don’t speak German, and I have learned the hard way that it helps if you know the language of the country you are writing about. Writing about Castile in the 14th century has required reading my way through bits and pieces of medieval Castilian chronicles—but as I am fluent in Spanish, I managed. I also had the opportunity to revisit all my old text books about the development of the Spanish language)

Sharon: Who is your favourite medieval person and why?

Anna: Seriously, ONE person? No, no, Sharon, how am I supposed to choose?? *Scratches head* Okay: in Castile, it would have to be Maria de Molina, I think. Wife of Sancho IV, she was firt regent to her son, Fernando IV, and when he was “summoned” (Yup, he’s known as Fernando the Summoned, given the odd circumstances of his death) she once again had to act as regent, now for her grandson, Alfonso XI. An extremely competent and wise woman, who suffered so much loss, so much heartbreak, but never gave up.

In England, I am going to say Edward I. Yes, yes, I can hear people going WHAT? THAT RAT BASTARD? – and yes, he deffo had rat bastard qualities, especially vis-à-vis Scotland and Wales, but he was also a competent, hard-working ruler who never quite got over the loss of his wife, Eleanor. When she died, his soft side more or less disappeared (although his second wife seems to have brought it out in him on occasion). Also, we must remember that Edward is a product of his time and of the events that shook his kingdom when he was still a young man—namely the rebellions that more or less stripped Edward’s father of all his kingly power.

Sharon: Who is your least favourite medieval person and why?

Anna: I’m not a big fan of The Black Prince, but my least favourite? Ah, yes: Simon Montfort the Elder, the man who led the Albigensian Crusade—or maybe Arnaud Amalric, the Cistercian abbot who purportedly ordered his men to kill all the people of Beziers during said crusade, stating that God would recognise his own (after death). Okay, so this is probably not true, but just the fact that an abbot actively participated in the massacre of the Cathars is rather icky, IMO. Sharon: I have to admit, I’m not a fan of either Simon de Montfort!

Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

Anna: I start with one person, map out persons Person A interacted with and so on and so on. Plus, I always read an overview of the period first, highlighting things I will need to dig into. In my latest, it’s been a lot about sheep, about the Black Death, about coinage, about food—the Moors left a delicious legacy—about architecture. I also try to visit, to get a feel for the land as such. Good thing I did re my latest WIP, as it made me realise I was off by some kilometres from the sea in one of the more crucial scenes! insert pic of Sevilla

Sharon: Tell us your ‘favourite’ true historical story you have come across in your research.

Anna: Hmm. I am rather fond of the Edward-Eleanor love story. There he was, the future Edward I, all of fifteen when he married thirteen-year-old Eleanor. From that moment on, where he went, there went she.

Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ true historical story you have come across in your research.

Anna: Well, that is easy. In 1575, a seven-year-old little boy, Gustav Eriksson, was brutally exiled by his uncle, king Johan III of Sweden. Gustav was carried across the Baltic sea to Poland and there more or less abandoned, totally alone. No mother, no sister, no money. I have written about this sad little boy in Historical Stories of Exile (Sharon: How sad!)

Sharon: Are there any other eras you would like to write about?

Anna: I am rather fascinated by the period of the Second Great Awakening, i.e. the decades after the Napoleonic Wars. (Sharon: oooooooooh, yes please!)

Sharon: What are you working on now?

Anna: Well . . . I am dithering: should I start on that unplanned sequel by describing a wedding in 1353 at which an unwilling royal groom weds a French princess? Or should I dig into the mystery of the dead man in the barrel, come all the way from Russia before it ends up in Arabella Sterling’s warehouse? Or maybe I should work on both in parallel! (Sharon: Decisions! Decisions!)

Sharon: And finally, what is the best thing about being a writer?

Anna: I step into a world where I am totally in control (Muffled laughter from all my characters) OK, I escape into a world where I have some control—assuming my pesky characters cooperate. Somewhat more seriously, I love recreating life in the past, building that distant world brick by brick. Is the end creation an entirely correct representation? Of course not: there is so much we don’t know about that distant life—but I hope it gives a flavour!

Books by Anna Belfrage:

The Graham Saga Amazon US; Amazon UK; The King’s Greatest Enemy Amazon US; Amazon UK; The Castilian Saga Amazon US; Amazon UK; The Time Locket Amazon US; Amazon UK; The Wanderer Amazon US Amazon UK

About the Author:

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England, and The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has also published a time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and its sequel Times of Turmoil, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

“A master storyteller” “This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb.”

Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, http://www.annabelfrage.com

Social Media Links:

Bluesky: Facebook: Amazon Author Page

My books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Michael Jecks, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. There’s even an episode where we chat with Anna Belfrage about Edward I and Eleanor of Castile.

There are now over 75 episodes to listen to!

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Book Corner: Return of the Wolf by Steven A. McKay

07/11/202507/11/2025Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

England’s greatest ever hero is back, but for how long?

AD 1331 – Wakefield, England
It’s been five long years since Robin Hood’s heart-breaking funeral. Since then, his friends have moved on with their lives, having adventures of their own, and becoming respected figures in the local community. But, as Christmas bells rang out last December, to everyone’s shock, Robin returned home to Wakefield, alive and well.

He believes all his old enemies are dead and gone, and is looking forward to living a peaceful life with his wife and young children. Things rarely work out as we plan them though, and it’s not long before a deadly new threat raises its head.

The Coterel gang are notorious throughout England, committing all kinds of heinous crimes including extortion, prostitution, kidnapping, and even murder. They appear untouchable, with noblemen and even Members of Parliament amongst their members. When Robin and his friends attack a cruel extortionist in nearby Notton they find themselves on the wrong side of the Coterels, and it seems Robin will be forced to live either as an outlaw again, or be viciously hunted down like an animal.

Although his choices are limited, one – seemingly mad – option presents itself and, before long Robin takes sail for the first time ever, on the trail of the legendary lost treasure of King John.
With John Little, Will Scaflock, Friar Tuck, and two loyal Hospitallers in tow, Robin travels across Europe to Flanders, Aachen, and finally the mythical, legend-haunted mountain known as the Untersberg. Will he find England’s lost crown jewels there, or will he find only danger and death?

I do love a good legend!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a soft spot for the legendary hero, Robin Hood. Living just a half hour drive from Sherwood Forest, how could I not? When my son was about 6, I once almost told one of his school friends that Santa didn’t exist – because she had had the audacity to tell Lewis that Robin Hood wasn’t real!

I am having a very Robin Hood-y day!

Only this morning, I was at the Sherwood Forest Moot – the first one in over 100 years, to start planning the new, annual Sherwood Forest day. The first one will be 20 February 2026. Exciting!

Anyway, back to Robin Hood!

So, when Steven A. McKay said he was writing another Robin Hood story, I was sooooo excited! Last year, after five years of ‘playing dead’, Robin Hood reappeared at the end of the short story, The Heretic of Haltemprice Priory.

But Robin has a big problem; he is still, technically, an outlaw – a Wolf’s Head.

And I started Return of the Wolf on the 809th anniversary of the events in the prologue, on 12 October 1216. This was the day King John’s baggage train got caught by a high tide in the Wash, as they were crossing from Norfolk to Lincolnshire, and the royal treasure was lost, never to be seen again.

One hundred years later, in Return of the Wolf, Robin Hood and his loyal friends, Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlet, embark on a treasure hunt, in search of some remnants of John’s baggage train that may have survived. It leads to a fascinating adventure that takes Robin and his friends on a journey beyond England’s shores, through Belgium and into Germany.

In search of a great treasure.

And maybe, just maybe, a pardon for Robin.

“Christs’ bones, it stinks in here!” John had led the way into the tannery but he pulled up, almost gagging as the fumes accosted them.

“Pull up your tunic,” Robin advised. “Come on.” He drew his sword for it was clear the tanner had no intentions of co-operating without a fight, and moved past the bailiff, eyes scanning the gloomy interior of the room.

The shouting had intensified when they first stormed into the building, but it had died away and now a sinister, forbidding silence fell across the place. Robin had instinctively taken charge, and John did not complain. As the pair moved forward, past more wooden frames and towards the back of the chamber, the years seemed to fall away and the near-telepathy they had once shared as outlaws returned.

A scream of rage suddenly split the air and a dark figure appeared from behind one of the wooden frames. Robin saw a knife, designed for scraping animal hides but just as useful as a weapon, scything through the gloom towards Little John’s back. In one fluid motion Robin’s sword flashed out, parrying the tanning knife, and then he brutally kicked the attacker in the side. There was a grunt of pain as the man slammed into a barrel with vile smelling liquid, and then Robin’s right fist hammered into his jaw and he slumped to the ground.

Little John had a second enemy to deal with, a rat-faced, slim man with a wispy beard and barely a tooth in the mouth that opened to issue a war cry as he swung at the bailiff with his tanning knife. The tool had two handles, one at either end, so – lacking a point – it was no use as a thrusting weapon, but the blade itself was sharp and heavy enough that it could likely sever a limb and John dodged away from it desperately.

The attacker stumbled forward and John brought up his staff, catching the man beneath the chin. It was a lucky strike but it smashed the enemy’s mouth shut and he reeled back, grasping his jaw, eye screwed shut in pain. They did not open again, as John’s staff came around once more, this time cracking against the thin man’s head.

“That the lot?” Robin wondered.

“Can’t be,” John said, eyeing the unconscious tanners. “Neither of these two are the one we met outside. He’s still around somewhere.”

I have to say, Steven A. McKay’s Return of the Wolf is definitely up to his usual standard. This may be his best Robin Hood book yet. He weaves a wonderful story incorporating the legend of Robin Hood, with the mysteries of lost treasure, and a road trip with friends. Of course, there are dangers along the way, pirates, duplicitous noblemen, a vicious gang of thugs, and the elements themselves.

Travelling amidst a heatwave, the thunder storms are legendary – so much louder on the continent than we are used to in England (when I was working at Disneyland, Paris, there was a thunderstorm so loud that I thought someone had blown up the park!)

Return of the Wolf takes you back to the 14th century. You are immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the era: from the loud and rowdy taverns, to the peace of a Hospitaller commandery, from the swell of the open sea, to the dark of the forests. I can even forgive Steven A. McKay for setting Robin Hood in Barnsdale Forest and Wakefield, rather than Sherwood and Nottingham (but don’t tell Steven!)

Success or failure – and Robin’s very freedom – depends on the survival skills of Robin and his friends. It is a tense, sometimes frightening, adventure. The fight scenes are frantic, failure is only one misstep away and enemies are stalking them in the dark.

What a fabulous story!

And, hopefully, the first of many more!

Buy Return of the Wolf

About the author:

Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977 and always enjoyed studying history. He decided to write his Forest Lord novels after seeing a house called “Sherwood” when he was out at work one day. Since then he’s started a new series, the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles, and just completed a trilogy about Alfred the Great.

In 2021 the Xbox game HOOD: Outlaws and Legends was released, featuring Steven’s writing.

He used to be in a heavy metal band although he tends to just play guitar in his study these days. He did use those guitars to write the theme song for the podcast he co-hosted, Rock, Paper, Swords! with Matthew Harffy, though. Give it a listen, they’ve interviewed great guests like Diana Gabaldon, Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell, Dan Jones and more!

My books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Podcast:

There are now over 75 episodes to listen to!

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Guest Post: Finding Isabelle, a Mother and a Queen by Terri Lewis

18/10/202515/10/2025Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

When writing non-fiction biographies, you can tell the life of a person. You can say what happened to them, how they affected events and how they were perceived by others. But there are gaps. If you do not have the evidence, you cannot just make it up. If you are looking for reasons, you can offer different scenarios. It is hard to get to the heart of a person, though. You cannot put words in their mouths, or attribute feelings and emotions. Fiction can go where non fiction cannot tread. It can give you a vivid retelling of a fabulous story. It is not always historically accurate, there are some things we cannot know, but fiction can fill in the gaps. It can bring the past to life and give you a sense of the era that no other medium can.

And that is what Terri Lewis has achieved with remarkable skill in her novel if Isabelle d’Angoulême, Behold the Bird in Flight. And it is a pleasure to welcome Terri to History…the Interesting Bits to talk a little about her research behind her novel.

Finding Isabelle, a Mother and a Queen

by Terri Lewis

I was in high school when I first asked my history teacher, “Where are the women?” An unsatisfactory answer gave impetus to what became a need to find forgotten women. Eventually I became obsessed with Isabelle d’Angoulême, King John’s second wife, and decided to resurrect her by writing a novel.

There are a few documented facts about her life: Historians think she was about twelve years old when John abducted her from her French fiancé, took her to England, and crowned her queen. The chronicles, when they bothered to mention her, were not kind; Matthew Paris called her a “Jezebel” and “slut” who kept John in bed until noon, an assessment most likely reflecting John’s reputation, not the reality of his wife. Isabelle apparently didn’t receive the normal queen’s gold—a percentage of John’s income—or the rents from lands given to her at the time of their marriage; John kept the monies for himself. In “history,” I found only men – fighting, amassing money and enemies, riding off to conquer unknown lands, signing writs, allowing fairs, courting and dancing and always fighting. Isabelle’s life, like the lives of most medieval women, was mainly blank.

But. . . she bore John five children.

My research on medieval childbirth uncovered dire statistics: 20% to 33% of medieval women died from childbearing. The mortality rate per single birth was only slightly higher than in modern times, but multiple pregnancies compounded the risk. Birth control was forbidden by the all-powerful Church so basically a fertile woman had children until menopause or until she died. Because kings had to have sons, as did counts and dukes and other lords—a child to inherit land and carry on the family name. Daughters were less important. An only-child daughter could inherit a kingdom , but not for herself, for her husband. Girls who had brothers would serve as bargaining chips in marriages that formed diplomatic alliances or enlarged territory for their fathers.

In another statistic, infants were uncertain to live to inheritance. Nicholas Orme wrote, “It has been suggested that 25% of [medieval children] may have died in their first year, half as many (12.5%) between one and four, and a quarter as many (6%) between five and nine.” Danger was everywhere. A cut could become infected and penicillin was years in the future. Children fell into wells and down stone stairs, or into the fire that burned in the middle of the great hall, the main source of heat. Many died of illnesses for which bleeding or herbal concoctions were the only cure. Multiple pregnancies mitigated this danger. I note that Isabelle, in addition to the five children with John, had nine more children with her second husband. But two of her own daughters died in childbirth.

Isabelle wouldn’t have gone to a hospital. She’d have had a lying-in chamber removed from the main keep and furnished with a birthing stool, a midwife with practical experience but not a doctor because childbirth was a woman’s domain and doctors were men, and a room full of ladies-in-waiting who watched and prayed with her. If the birth was difficult, window shutters would be opened to release the new soul into life. If that failed, an arrow could be shot heavenward to waken God to the peril and ask for his help.

Since history decreed that Isabelle would live through childbirth, I decided to have her observe the suffering of her best friend. That scene became an important milestone in Isabelle’s growing up.

What kind of mother would Isabelle have been? I’d never read about a medieval mother. Women in 1200 who appeared in the chronicles were queens, royalty, or religious. Motherhood was important only for the child, preferable a boy, a gift to the father. The woman was just a bearing body.

I decided that Isabelle learned from her own mother, Alice de Courtney, the granddaughter of Louis le Gros of France. Alice would have been familiar with expectations for noble daughters. And she was married three times. I tried to imagine the experience of being handed to various husbands like a package—the decisions being made by fathers and kings. Perhaps she had grounded herself in her new household with a new husband by following the rules. The first “courtesy book” setting forth standards of behavior— Liber Urbani or the book of civilized man— appeared in England late in the 12th century. Written in Latin, the long poem contained general advice such as honor your parents, hold your tongue, don’t mount your horse in the great hall, and such gems as “when you pick up food with a spoon, do not shovel it on board with your thumb.”

I needed to imagine a relationship between Isabelle and her mother. When I was twelve, my mother was the center of everything; I’d come home from school and stand in the kitchen to tell stories about my friends or things the teacher said. But Isi’s mother wouldn’t be in the kitchen. She was a countess; she’d have cooks and laundresses and maids. I couldn’t imagine that she was anything to Isabelle but a rule-maker. And Isabelle’s position required rules. When she was of age, she would be married – handed off in essence – to another count. The marriage would presumably involve a castle and her husband would go off to war or crusade or to visit a king, and Isabelle would be required to manage the vast operation of the castle while he was gone. Even when he was home, she would oversee household tasks, her belt laden with keys to various chests of fabric or spices, to rooms holding barrels of wine and other supplies. So I made her mother strict, set Isabelle chafing against her, then allowed her to escape, grow up a bit, marry John, and have her children.

Two boys first. Then three girls. Today one can find numerous mothers writing how overpowering love when their baby was laid on their breast changed their lives. But as queen of an itinerant court, Isabelle lived on the road with John who visited barons, trying to bring them to heel. So breastfeeding was impractical. It also acted as a form of contraception and Isabelle’s job was to conceive as often as possible and give John heirs. This meant that her babies would be handed over at birth to a wet-nurse, a hired woman who’d breast feed them as if her own. So the first attachment of mother to child was cut off and understandably, wet nurses often developed close relationships with their charges, particularly as children were generally breastfed for longer than they are today – boys often up to the age of two.

At age seven, the boys would have sent to other noble castles for education. Perhaps the idea was that those other educators would have less attachment to the children and thus they would supply a strict upbringing without coddling. Isabelle’s girls would have remained with her as the kingdom fell deeper into chaos. The Barons were revolting, the Pope had excommunicated John, the French were threatening to invade and conquer. With a growing sense that the throne would be gone before her ten-year-old son Henry could assume it, Isabelle would have known the French would kill him along with the rest of her children, leaving no pretenders. How best to save them? I’ll leave that inside the novel and just say she managed as best she could. History has condemned her ultimate decision, but I understand how she came to it.

About the book:

Romantic and stubborn, eleven-year-old Isi plans to marry for love and be mistress of her own castle. But life in 1198 is full of threat and a series of tragic events teaches her growing up is hard. When Isi falls for Hugh, a French nobleman, he consents to marry her, but only for her dowry. She longs for more. Hoping a jealous man will fall in love, she flirts with a king. The flirtation backfires: King John abducts and marries her. Now trapped in cold, warring England with a malicious husband, Isi must hide her yearning for Hugh and find her own power. If she fails, she won’t live to return to her beloved. Inspired by real historical figures—Isabelle d’Angoulême, Hugh de Lusignan, and King John of Magna Carta fame—Behold the Bird in Flight is set in a period that valued women only for their dowries and childbearing. Isabelle’s story has been mainly erased by men, but the medieval chronicles suggest a woman who developed her own power and wielded it. And as the woman behind the throne, who’s to say she didn’t influence history?

About the Author:

Terri Lewis fell in love with medieval history in college. Not the dates or wars, but the mysterious daily lives of the people. Finally two sentences in a book bought at Windsor Castle led her to write her debut novel, Behold the Bird in Flight, A Novel of an Abducted Queen.

Published in Denver Quarterly, Blue Mesa Review, and Chicago Quarterly Review among others, and accepted to the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, she has worked with Laura van den Berg, Jill McCorkle, and Rebecca Makkai. Shortlisted for LitMag’s Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction, she won the 2025 Miami University Press Novella Prize. She reviews for The Washington Independent Review of Books.

Before she was an author, she had career as a ballet dancer in Denver and Germany, ran a dance company in Arkansas, earned a B.A. in history and education, and an M.A. in theater, not necessarily in that order. She lives with her husband and two lively dogs in Denver, Colorado.

Where to find Terri:

Website: Substack: Instagram: terri.lewis1: Facebook: terri lewis author

Buy the book at Amazon.com (in $), Amazon.co.uk (in £), and Amazon.Fr (in €)

My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Elizabeth Chadwick, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

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Magna Carta: From Inception to Legacy

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Finding Isabelle, a Mother and a Queen

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