Wordly Women

Wordly Women: Patricia Bracewell

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment
Patricia Bracewell

Today in my Wordly Women, author spotlight series, I have a chat with Patricia Bracewell. Patricia is one of those people I can spend a day with, just discussing history from dawn to dusk. Indeed, we have done on a couple of occasions, both in person and online.

So, it was wonderful to get the chance to talk with Patricia about her writing, and her love of the 11th century.

Over to Patricia…

Sharon: What got you into writing?

    Patricia: Blame Louisa May Alcott because at the age of 10 my hero was Jo March. I decided that when I grew up I would write a novel like Little Women or The Secret Garden, books that I loved. At university I majored in Literature, but there was no course titled How to Write a Best Selling Novel. It was only after college, while I was teaching high school and then raising a family, that I took writing classes that helped me focus on what I really wanted to do. My first efforts at publication were personal essays and short stories, but what they really taught me was that the novel was the genre that really spoke to me, and I threw myself into that.

    Sharon: Tell us about your books.

    Emma of Normandy
    Emma of Normandy

      Patricia: I have written three historical novels about Emma of Normandy, who was a queen of England in the 11th century, before the Norman Conquest. Emma was the consort of two kings of England, and that is only one of the things that make her so fascinating. Each of my books, Shadow on the Crown, The Price of Blood, and The Steel Beneath the Silk is a stand-alone, but together they form a trilogy that covers the years of Emma’s first marriage and lead up to the very dramatic events that resulted in her second marriage. It was a time when England was under constant assault by Viking armies, and while the history of the time tells us about the battles and the men who fought them, the women who lived through that time are ignored. In my books I wanted to explore what Emma’s life, and the lives of the women around her, might have been like. As it turned out, my novels are nothing like Little Women.

      Sharon: What attracts you to the 11th century?

        Patricia: That was Queen Emma. Before I discovered her I knew very little about the history of that period, other than the names of a few kings and a vague understanding of what happened in 1066. In college I had read Beowulf and some Old English poetry, and I took an English History course, but that just skimmed over the Anglo-Saxon period. Once I began researching the 11th century, though, that Anglo-Saxon world felt familiar because I had read Tolkien’s trilogy numerous times throughout my life, and I could see that he had drawn on Anglo-Saxon history to create his Middle Earth. He certainly based the Riders of Rohan and their hall at Meduseld on the Anglo-Saxons, and I suspect, too, that there’s a lot of Emma’s first husband, King Æthelred, in Tolkien’s character of King Théodan. And too, that elegiac tone that permeates The Lord of the Rings, also permeates the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons as well as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entries that I was using as the basis for my novels. So, in a way, although Emma brought me into the 11th century, it was Tolkien who introduced me to Anglo-Saxon England at a very young age, and it’s that world of heroism, loyalty, and yearning for the past that I continue to find so appealing.

        Sharon: Who is your favourite medieval person and why?

        Alfred the Great
        Coin of Alfred the Great

          Patricia: My favorite medieval person, aside from Queen Emma, is Alfred the Great. From what I know of him at a millennium’s distance I believe that he was a good man and an intelligent ruler. He must have been courageous, a king who protected his kingdom and his people to the best of his ability in the face of overwhelming foes and physical pain. He strikes me as a brilliant, forward-thinking ruler, very much ahead of his time in many ways.

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

            Patricia: I have to give that distinction to King Æthelred who sat on the English throne for 38 long years. I made him a villain in my novels, a character haunted by guilt and paranoia, and I suppose that has influenced my opinion of him. But he was obviously ruthless and vengeful and, I suspect, a coward. He ordered the murder of several of his powerful nobles—not their executions, but their murders. In a world where it was so important to be cleansed of your sins before death, he gave those men no chance to repent. He also ordered the St. Brice’s Day Massacre of Danes, setting fire to a church where men, women and children had sought refuge. In 1014 he led his army against his own people in Mercia who had aided the Danes the year before, and when his son Edmund Ironside begged for his help in 1016 to lead an army against the Danish invasion Æthelred refused for fear that someone would kill him. Yes, it was a brutal time, and men were cruel, but I’ve found few redeeming qualities in old Æthelred.

            Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

              Patricia: I live in the U.S. so I’ve done ‘boots on the ground’ research in England, Normandy and Denmark, including a 2-week summer course on the Anglo-Saxon period at Cambridge University. I spent a very long day in the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, as well as attending a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings. But the really in-depth research began, for me, with digging into history books that covered the 11th century in England, Normandy and Denmark to give me a broad understanding of the period. After that I focused mostly on the Anglo-Saxons, the events taking place in the years I was covering in each novel, and on the historical figures who would be the characters in my novels. I spent hours in the library stacks at the Univ. of California at Berkeley, reading everything about the period that I could get my hands on, as well as building my own research library at home. Every time I started writing a new book I had to go back into research mode to really grasp the events, the people, and the places that I was going to be writing about. 

              Sharon: Tell us your ‘favourite’ 11th century story you have come across in your research.

              Genealogical table of Cnut, Harold I and Harthacnut
              Genealogical table of Cnut, Harold I and Harthacnut

                Patricia: It’s the story of Thorkell’s beard. Thorkell the Tall was a powerful Viking warlord during the Danish conquest of England. When Cnut became king in 1017, he made Thorkell the Earl of East Anglia, but 4 years later Cnut outlawed him, and Thorkell had to flee to Denmark. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle doesn’t say why Thorkell was banished. But the Ramsey Chronicle relates that Thorkell’s wife was implicated in the murder of his son. Thorkell and his wife were each called to swear to their innocence on holy relics, and Thorkell did this. Then he swore by his beard that his wife, too, was innocent, but at that point his beard fell off! He was convicted of perjury and his wife of murder, and they were banished. Assuming that there is some truth to this story, did Thorkell really lose his beard? And if not, then how was perjury proved? It’s quite a juicy tale.

                Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ 11th century story you have come across in your research.

                  Patricia: Queen Emma and the Ploughshares appears in the Annals of Winchester, written by Richard of Devizes in the late 12th century, a century after Emma’s death. In the story, the Norman Archbishop of Canterbury tells Emma’s son, King Edward that she is utterly evil. He claims that she agreed to the murder of her other son, Alfred, that she plotted to poison Edward, and that she was sleeping with the Bishop of Winchester. Emma protests her innocence and to prove it she agrees to walk barefoot across 9 burning hot plough shares without being injured. The night before the ordeal St. Swithin appears to her in a dream to tell her she’ll be fine, and sure enough, she survives it untouched. The entire story is bogus, of course, and the worst of it is that what is remembered are the crimes that Emma was falsely accused of, and not the point of the story, which is that her innocence was proven through saintly intervention. The only thing I like about this story is the ending, where a bunch of bishops beat a remorseful King Edward with rods and Emma gets to slap him 3 times. 

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

                    Patricia: Not just eras, but genre, too. I’d love to write a high medieval fantasy, although it’s not something I’ll be tackling any time soon!

                    Sharon: What are you working on now?

                      Patricia: I am still deeply ensconced in the 11th century and the life of Queen Emma. My original intent was to write a trilogy about the queen, and I accomplished that. But there is more to Emma’s story and I really want to tell it, so I’m in the thick of that right now.

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

                      Patricia: It’s the people who have, in one way or another, entered my life. Readers who reach out to me, other writers who I have come to know as colleagues and friends, scholars like you, Sharon, who have given me advice and have been so helpful and encouraging. Because of my books, my world has expanded exponentially. It’s a gift that I treasure. 

                      About the Author:

                      Patricia Bracewell

                      Patricia Bracewell taught high school English before embarking on her writing career. Her historical novel, Shadow on the Crown, was published in 2013 in the U.S. and Britain, and has been translated into Italian, German, Portuguese and Russian. Its sequel, The Price of Blood, continues the gripping tale of the 11th century queen of England, Emma of Normandy. Her third novel, The Steel Beneath the Silk, continuing the story of England’s only twice-crowned queen was published in 2021. Patricia’s research has taken her to France, Denmark and Britain, including a summer course on Anglo-Saxon history at Downing College, Cambridge, as well as academic conferences on medieval studies in the U.S. and the U.K. She has served as Writer-in-Residence at Gladstone’s Library in Wales, has been a panelist at Historical Novel Society conferences in the U.S. and Britain, was a guest on BBC Radio 4s Great Lives, and has spoken to numerous book groups and school groups about her novels and the history that infuses them. She lives in California and is currently working on her fourth historical novel about Emma of Normandy.

                      Where to find Patricia:

                      Social Media: Bluesky; Instagram.

                      Website: www.PatriciaBracewell.com

                      Buy Links: All books are available as ebooks, audiobooks and paperbacks; KOBO: APPLE: AMAZON U.S.: AMAZON U.K.

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                      My books

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

                      Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

                      Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

                      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

                      Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

                      Books 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. 

                      Royal Historical Society

                      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:

                      A Slice of Medieval

                      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. 

                      Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

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                      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.

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                      ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Patricia Bracewell

                        Wordly Women: Gemma Hollman

                        Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

                        Today I am continuing my Wordly Women series with a historian who, just like me, concentrates on bringing the women to the fore. Gemma Hollman has written about Royal Witches, queens and mistresses. Her last book, Women in the Middle Ages: Illuminating the World of Peasants, Nuns, and Queens came out at the end of 2024, and is gorgeous! It was lovely to get the chance to have a chat with Gemma about her writing journey.

                        Sharon: So, Gemma, what got you into writing?

                        Gemma: It’s kind of a mix of completely by accident, and something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Whilst at school and university I would write bits of fiction for fun, never for anyone to look at, so I’ve always had a bit of a writing bug. But when I finished university, it felt so weird to go from four years of researching and writing history to quitting cold turkey. At this time, it seemed like everyone was making blogs, including loads of my friends, so I decided to join the trend and establish my blog, Just History Posts.

                        I loved writing there, and by the second year I was gathering a load of steam. One of my most popular posts was about Joan of Navarre, a fifteenth-century Queen of England who was accused of using witchcraft against the king – and one of the focuses of my Masters dissertation. That, combined with lots of people I knew in real life saying my dissertation would make an amazing book, made me think maybe people would like to learn about these women and their stories which are not that well-known. I pitched the book to The History Press and it eventually turned into my debut non-fiction book, Royal Witches. The rest, as they say, is history.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Gemma: Well, I already gave you a little bit of a taster about Royal Witches (the other three women, beyond Joan, are Eleanor Cobham, Jacquetta of Luxembourg and Elizabeth Woodville), about fifteenth-century women in the English Royal Family who were all accused of witchcraft. My second book goes back to the previous century and the court of Edward III of England, and is a dual biography of the two women who dominated his court and his heart – his queen, Philippa of Hainault, and his mistress, Alice Perrers. Both women are absolutely fascinating in their own right, but by looking at them together I think you can understand them, Edward, and the fourteenth century a lot better.

                        My final book came out at the end of last year, and is called Women in the Middle Ages. A slight departure from my first two books, which were both focused biographies, this is a much broader look at women across much of Europe from roughly 1000-1500. The best thing about it, though, is that it is an illustrated history, featuring just shy of 200 images of artwork and artefacts from the medieval period. I explore how these objects can illuminate the real lives of these women in far more detail than written records alone. It is a beautiful, full-colour experience which was so special to pull together.

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the medieval period?

                        Gemma: I’ve always loved all periods of history, and studied a huge range of history at university, but I found that I enjoyed writing medieval history much more than I did modern history. I enjoyed acting almost like a detective and trying to extract bits about people’s lives and personalities with such limited sources. And the more I researched and wrote it, the more I fell in love with it. The medieval world was so incredibly different from today in every aspect, that it can sometimes feel like another world. But, at the same time, people themselves are so similar to today. I always love reading stories that connects us through the centuries, feeling that human connection to someone so far removed from myself today. Although it was a time of huge strife, poverty, and difficulty, there is something intrinsically magical about it – it’s no coincidence so much of our fantasy media today has medieval vibes!

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite 14th century person and why?

                        Gemma: Oh gosh, that is such a difficult question! Of course there is no one favourite, as that would be impossible, but someone who has grabbed my attention ever since I first learnt about her is Isabella of France, the queen of Edward II of England. She was so self-assured of her lineage, her rights, the respect due to her by virtue of her position, and she was not going to let anyone tell her otherwise. She was loved and sympathised with whilst the neglected spouse, then inspired the entire country to stand with her and overthrow her husband, and went on to pretty much rule England with her lover for several years. Even after her son, Edward III, forcibly took control of the kingdom again, she continued to wield significant influence at court. I think she is just so utterly fascinating – and she of course perfectly sets the scene for the start of my second book, The Queen and the Mistress!

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite 14th century and why?

                        Gemma: Ooh. I don’t know that there’s really anyone I actively dislike, but for playfulness I will put forward Thomas Walsingham, chronicler and monk at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire. His chronicles are invaluable for our knowledge of the late fourteenth century, but he is a bit of a villain in my second book for his treatment of Alice Perrers. As a religious man, Alice’s position as a mistress at the heart of the court was unconscionable (and it didn’t help that she was embroiled in legal conflicts with his abbey for many years). He is responsible for a lot of the negative propaganda against Alice which lasted for centuries, including the baseless accusation that she stole the rings from Edward’s fingers after he died. Even today, the way he spoke about her is the main way people approach her and assume how she really was. Talk about negative PR.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Gemma: Mostly I already have a theme or a person in mind for what I want to research, and generally I already have an amount of knowledge about the topic. But I always find it most helpful to start with secondary sources, ie by reading a load of books and journal articles on the subject. I write copious notes, start creating timelines where necessary, and jot down the names of other books and sources from the footnotes. I then go to the original sources and make a load of notes on those, too, and I then dive in to writing. I always find once I start writing I then become aware of areas where my notes might be lacking, like missing any information about what someone was doing in a particular year of their life, and so I then go back to the sources and secondary material to fill in these gaps. I also find that it’s only by starting to write do I truly know which direction my piece is going in, and thus am able to tailor my research much more specifically, rather than reading about anything in the hope it might be useful, but finding that I don’t use it at all (as happens with much of my early research).

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

                        Gemma: One of my favourites definitely comes from a story I read in a chronicle at university, and which I recounted in one of my very first blog posts. This is a story from the court of Henry II of England, and is one that very much exemplifies what I said earlier about people never changing. The king’s steward, a man named Thurston, came to him and complained that another man, Adam of Yarmouth, refused to seal a writ for him free of charge (something which was to be expected amongst people working in the government). After some investigation, it was revealed that Adam was upset at Thurstan because at a party Thurstan had been hosting, he refused to allow Adam to eat two cakes! Such a petty squabble had disrupted the king’s business, and he settled the squabble by having Adam seal the writ in return for Thurstan serving him two cakes on bended knee. It sounds like something out of fiction rather than reality!

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

                        Gemma: I definitely have found my comfort zone in the medieval era, but I do think from time to time about writing about other periods, as I think is only natural. I know of some amazing women from the Georgian and Victorian periods that I’ve been drawn to writing about several times, so maybe that’s something I can set my sights on one day.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Gemma: At the moment, I am in the midst of my fourth book which is set in the court of Richard II. The book is largely a biography about Richard, but it also aims to take a look at his wider court, too, particularly some of the other large and important figures – and, particularly, women. It’s due next year, so wish me luck with getting it done in time!

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

                        Gemma: This question is definitely easy for me – spreading the knowledge I have and seeing people enjoy it and learn something new. Every time I get a review, or speak to a person at a talk I am giving, where the person said they’ve loved what I’ve written/how I’ve spoken, and that they’ve learnt something is just as special as the last. I love writing, and I love that I get to learn so many interesting things myself in the process, but the whole point of me writing is to share all the things I’ve learnt with other people. Each time I hear that I’ve done that, and done it well, makes all of the late nights researching after a full day’s work, or the times I can’t see my friends and family because I have a deadline worth it.

                        About the author:

                        Author bio: Gemma Hollman is a historian and author who specialises in late medieval English history. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she has a particular interest in the plethora of strong, intriguing and complicated women from the medieval period, a time she had always been taught was dominated by men. Gemma also works full-time in the heritage industry whilst running her historical blog, Just History Posts, which explores all periods of history in more depth. Gemma’s first book, Royal Witches, was a bestseller, and two more books have since followed: The Queen and the Mistress, and Women in the Middle Ages.

                        Where to find Gemma:

                        Website: https://justhistoryposts.com/; Link for books: https://lnk.bio/GemmaHAuthor; Social media: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/gemmahauthor.bsky.social.

                        *

                        My books

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

                        Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

                        Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

                        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

                        Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

                        Books 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. 

                        Books 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:

                        A Slice of Medieval

                        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. 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.

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                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Gemma Hollman, FRHistS

                        Wordly Women: C.F. Dunn

                        Sharon Bennett Connolly3 Comments

                        Last year, I discovered two novels by an author who was previously unknown to me, Wheel of Fortune and Sun Ascendant and I read them one after the other. I loved them. Set just down the road from me in Tickhill, I loved the details of the countryside I had grown up in. Then, in September, I had the pleasure of meeting the author Claire Dunn, writing as C.F. Dunn, at the Historical Novel Society conference. Claire joined our dinner party, which also included Derek Birks, Elizabeth Chadwick, Matthew Harffy and Steven A. McKay. As you can imagine, the talk was all about history! But I did also get the chance to chat with Claire on her own, and grill her about her characters and her love of the Wars of the Roses. So, I had to ask her to take part in my Wordly Women author interviews.

                        Welcome Claire!

                        Sharon: What got you into writing?

                        Claire: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. Even before I learned how to commit thoughts to paper, I wrote stories in my head. I devoured books as soon as I learned, late, how to read, so it wasn’t ever a question of whether I would write one day, but rather when. There were obstacles to that ambition, however, the major one being dyslexia. It was more a problem of other people’s perceptions than my own limitations. Growing up when I did, a career immersed in history and literature for someone who had initially struggled to read and write, was considered untenable. I wasn’t deterred; the stories were in my head and it was only a matter of time before one escaped onto paper.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Claire: As a child and young adult, I loved books with historical action and a mystery at their core, whatever the period in which they were set. I also enjoyed cold war thrillers and, later, classic 19th century British and European literature. It was the combination of a strong story, believable characters and powerfully evocative language that was all important. So, when I came to write my own books, I suppose all those years of being drip fed such fiction found its way into my work. I didn’t start committing ideas to paper until much later and during one of the busiest times of my life running a school. In 2009, in Avila cathedral, I told my daughter about an idea I had for a story. That became my debut novel Mortal Fire (published by Lion Fiction) which went on to win a gold medal for Best Adult Romance in 2012. That was the first of five books in my contemporary gothic Secret of the Journal series, featuring a young historian, a hidden 17th century journal, and a historic anomaly that needed solving.

                        Almost as soon as I started the Secret of the Journal series, I also began work on my current historical series The Tarnished Crown. It took over a decade of research before Wheel of Fortune was ready for publication. The new edition of the second book – Sun Ascendant – is out in April 2025. There are going to be about 8 books in the series. I like writing longer stories and enjoy establishing characters that grow and develop throughout the series. This is especially the case when dealing with highly involved periods. I don’t see the Wars of the Roses as a succession of battles and memorable names, but a complex web of relationships affecting the highest to the lowest in the land, and stretching across the country and to the realms beyond.

                        By bringing fictional characters into real events with historical individuals, I’m able to explore different scenarios and outcomes while always keeping as close to what is known as possible. I don’t play fast and loose with facts and I won’t change something that has been established for the sake of the story. Sometimes, though, I have to take a fair stab at it if details are a bit sketchy, but that’s just part of the territory a fiction writer has to negotiate.

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the Wars of the Roses?

                        Tickhill Castle gatehouse

                        Claire: It’s fair to say that I am slightly obsessed. The last decades of the Plantagenet dynasty have been the bedrock of my historical interest. It has led to a degree in Medieval History and a lifetime of research. It’s a period packed with contention – both then and now – and individuals whose personalities spring from the page. Intense loyalties, treachery, ambiguous allegiances – as a writer, what more could anyone want?

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite 15th century person and why?

                        Claire: It has always been Richard III. I first became aware of the controversy surrounding him when about 8 or 9 and was hooked on history from then on. There have been brief flirtations with other people and periods along the way, but he has remained the reason for my fascination with the Wars of the Roses and the focus of my research. I wish I could say why; it’s not as if there isn’t an abundance of enigmatic figures dotted throughout history; but it was he who caught my imagination as a child, and so it has remained. It isn’t the controversy that I find interesting, however, but the complex personality and the weaving of relationships that I mentioned before. Richard’s life as Duke of Gloucester is far more revealing of the man than his few years as king.

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite 15th century person and why?

                        Claire: Without a doubt it’s Henry VII. I have never forgiven him for winning Bosworth and even less so for almost succeeding in destroying Richard III’s reputation.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Claire: I do acres of research, and then research the research just to make sure. I have a real thing about doing justice to the people of the past – they were just people after all – but a stroke of a pen can make or break a reputation. I believe I have a responsibility to represent them as accurately and fairly as possible, and try to do so while keeping the story gripping. Depending upon the period I’m researching, I’ll start with the historical record and delve into as many contemporary accounts as I can. If they are thin on the ground, as they often are in earlier periods or where written records have been destroyed, then I’ll look at archaeological reports. Here, geography and topography can play their role, as an understanding of the land and human interaction with it can speak volumes.

                        Primary physical and pictorial sources are also important – sculpture, buildings, paintings, and made artefacts such as jewellery, ceramics, textiles, represent the cultures that created them. There’s a place for ‘living’ history as well, something re-enactors understand, because nothing beats living in the past for understanding the practicalities of life in another era. How do you collect water, make fire, survive a harsh winter? Sometimes I’ll run my own experiments. I’ve been growing saffron for the past 5 years (saffron crops up – pun intended – in one of my future books). I didn’t know that mice could be a problem until a few days ago when I discovered that nearly all my corms have been eaten. Imagine that happening to someone whose livelihood depended upon bringing in a decent harvest. My corm-munching mice might very well feature in a future book.

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

                        Claire: My first series – a contemporary gothic mystery – had a 17th century twist, a period I find interesting and which I would like to explore further. Otherwise, it’s back to the fifteenth century and other people and themes that are begging to be explored.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        The bailey of Tickhill Castle

                        Claire: I’m currently writing the first book in a Victorian Gothic series, an eerie tale set in Scotland where not everything is as it seems. It’s one of those stories which has me checking the shadows and keeping the lights on in the evening. I am really enjoying researching all sorts of aspects of life in the later part of the nineteenth century, although I sometimes have to take stock when I remember that my Scottish grandfather was born in 1880. The past is not so very far away.

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

                        Claire: I’ve spent my life in a sort of nether world of betwixt and between. On the one hand I’ve been rooted in reality, running a school for neurodiverse children and young adults. On the other, I’m attached to a past that at times has felt more real than reality. No longer running the school, I now explore all manner of themes, topics, people and places, and get to call it work.

                        About the author:

                        CF Dunn is an award-winning novelist of history, mystery and suspense.

                        Acutely aware of the impact of the past, Claire’s vibrant characters and meticulous research weave threads of history to bring an authenticity to her suspenseful stories of love, treachery and loyalty.

                        She is currently writing The Tarnished Crown series, the first of which, Wheel of Fortune, is described by renowned historical novelist, Elizabeth Chadwick as ‘The best Wars of the Roses novel I have ever read. ’

                        Now living in the South West of England, Claire frequently tries out new plot ideas on her clutch of chickens. Her love of history is equaled only by her delight in the natural world and the unruly sea by which she lives with her family, assorted animals, and overworked coffee machine.

                        The Tarnished Crown series:

                        Wheel of Fortune – ‘Dunn’s world is utterly believable, the research meticulous, the characters deep and rich. A triumph.’ Matthew Lewis. To buy Wheel of Fortune.  

                        Sun Ascendant. – ‘Vivid, engaging and so incredibly captivating.’ The Book Magnet. To buy Sun Ascendant. 

                        Degrees of Affinity – (October 2025)

                        Where to find C.F. Dunn:

                        You can find Claire on Instagram at @claire.f.dunn, on Facebook at CF Dunn and sign up for her quarterly newsletter on her website.

                        Tickhill Castle images are ©Sharon Bennett Connolly 2025

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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. 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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and C.F. Dunn

                        Wordly Women: Carol McGrath

                        Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

                        Today in my Wordly Women, author spotlight series, I have a chat with Carol McGrath. Carol is one of those people I can spend a day with, just discussing history from dawn to dusk. Indeed, we have done on a couple of occasions.

                        So, it was wonderful to get the chance to talk with Carol about her writing, both fiction and non-fiction.

                        Over to Carol…

                        Sharon: Carol, what got you into writing?

                        Carol: I loved writing as a child and even made my own little books, mostly mysteries. Originally loving art, I wanted to be a book illustrator. However, I came to be passionate about the stories of the past and, as a child, was very influenced by writers such as Rosemary Sutcliff and Geoffrey Treece. Later, of course, Jean Plaidy took over and, after her, Anya Seton. It was an honour when at the age of thirteen I was asked to present my own story about the Children’s Crusade to an English inspector at my school. I wrote poetry as well. So, I guess my own reading and interest in History inspired me to write. As it can do, life got in the way and I became a teacher and loved it. I was even Head of a History Department for a time so there was no time to pursue writing. In those days teaching was a wonderful career and all consuming. Family, too, was all consuming. From the 1990s onwards, I began to take evening courses to keep up my interest in writing. There was a two year certificate in creative writing at Oxford, an MA in creative writing from Queens University Belfast and finally a Phd programme at Royal Holloway. It’s not for everyone to go an academic route but it was wonderful for me and helped me find my voice as well as specific writing interests and genres. The MA and Phd courses focused me. They enhanced what I hope was always there, the ability and love of writing.

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

                        Carol: That’s a great question. I studied English, Medieval History and interestingly Russian History and politics at University, Q.U.B. I enjoy both kinds of writing. They are different disciplines. I feel the Phd programme helped me with writing non-fiction because of thesis work. When I research and write it’s all consuming for me, whether for fiction or non-fiction. What I do find hard is to research and write both disciplines at the same time. I am currently in contract for Headline for two Tudor novels. After this, maybe another non-fiction. Pen & Sword still approach me with wonderful suggestions but since these books do take time, a lot of time, the non-fiction is on hold. To answer your question, I guess for me fiction is easier although I like writing both. I adore the research and am a member of the Bodleian Library Oxford which is fabulous.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books

                        St Sophia, Kyiv

                        Carol: I write both Medieval and Tudor novels currently. I wrote my debut novel that was easily published on the PhD programme. The Handfasted Wife was inspired by the Bayeaux Tapestry, specifically the image of The Burning House. I believe it represents Edith Swan-Neck and her son fleeing from the Normans probably from Harold’s estate at Crowhurst. Some Historians think this too. This novel is about Edith Swanneck and what happened to her after the Battle of Hastings. It was followed by novels about Harold’s daughters, The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister. I researched them carefully but for The Betrothed Sister about his elder daughter , Gytha, I had much knowledge about the medieval Rus, Kyiv and life in the region of Rus lands now known as Ukraine. I have spent time seeking Gytha out in Kyiv, especially The Church of St Sophia. The Swan-Daughter about Gunnhild, Harold’s second daughter is my favourite of all my books. Creatively, I linked it to the story of Tristram and Iseult. Gunnhild eloped from Wilton Abbey with Alan of Richmond, a cousin of William of Normandy. Talk about ‘sleeping with the enemy’. Again, these books were closely researched and they all follow the Historical record where it exists. The Hastings Trilogy was followed by a Tudor novel Mistress Cromwell, looking at Thomas Cromwell through his wife’s eyes. By the way, it’s on an Amazon kindle offer for April. I am currently writing the sequel, The Queen’s Sister, to be published May 2026. I have also written The Rose Trilogy about three high medieval queens and a novel called The Stolen Crown about Stephen and Matilda but really it is mostly Matilda’s story. In non-fiction Tudor Sex and Sexuality is my great debut. It’s published by Pen & Sword. It’s simply a great fun look at this topic.

                        Sharon: What Attracts you to the Period?

                        Harold’s daughter’s burial place in St Sophia Kyiv

                        Carol: I studied Medieval History and enjoy researching it. It’s not as brutal a time as one might think. I find I can lose myself in this era especially the twelfth century. As for the Tudors, they are absolutely fascinating with many interesting female stories to write. Besides, it’s an excuse to visit great Tudor houses such as Hever Castle. I love the portraiture from this era. Holbein is a character in my current work. As for Henry VIII, he’s larger than life. I am interested in Historical landscape and attracted to a less populated time with its villages and towns. The crafts from both eras are fabulous. I love to include crafts persons in my medieval novels.

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite Tudor and Why?

                        Carol: I am about to write Margaret Douglas’s story. It will be called The Tudor Rebel. At the moment she is my favourite Tudor because she had a clandestine love affair and was involved with fascinating Devonshire Manuscript. Ladies of Queen Anne Bullen’s court wrote poems and shared them in a similar way as we did with Twitter now X. They commented and added to each other’s verses. Meg Douglas was right in the thick of it , as was her suitor, young Tom Howard. What’s not to love about a Courtly Romance and clandestine love affair that caused terrible consequences for this pair of love birds. I studied Renaissance poetry so another favourite Tudor of mine is Sir Thomas Wyatt. He, too, has an interesting story.

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite Tudor

                        Hever Castle

                        Carol: My least favourite Tudor is the sleezy, snobbish Duke of Norfolk. He was incredibly underhand to get what he wanted. And the mean, creepy Duke was an infamous wife beater although not alone in that. Very ambitious and manipulative. I’m not too keen on Stephen Gardiner either. However, I need to research that particular man further. Motivation always interests me, that and the atmosphere in which these people lived.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic

                        Carol: I read everything I can find on it in primary and secondary source material. I love notebooks so I am a great pen and paper writer. I adore burying myself in the Bodleian Library. I find great original source material there. Mind you I occasionally wonder about translations. When you come across boats that serviced King Richard’s march south from Acre on the third crusade translated as ‘snacks’ you have to smile. A misprint? I have never found out. I visit houses and castles, museums and enactments. When writing about stone masons, I learned how to carve in stone myself. I work hard at understanding an Historical mindset but I do believe a writer of fiction is always there in her novels too. It’s all about point of views and voice.

                        Sharon: What is your favourite Medieval or Tudor Story found in Research

                        Carol: Has to be the fact that Harold’s youngest son Ulf, a young hostage at the time of The Norman Conquest who was raised at the Norman Court by Robert Curthose and as a knight he likely went on the First Crusade. I found a reference in a chronicle (John of Worcester) to Ulf’s fate. I am going to write his story someday in fiction. I like the Crusades and I love tidbits about personalities that can inspire elaboration.

                        Sharon: What is your least Favourite Story

                        Carol: I could say it is how Thomas Cromwell set up Anne Bullen. When you examine this closely it has to have been a ghastly, rather complete conspiracy. Thomas Cromwell is a mixed bag as a character. He’s redeemed by Hilary Mantel and to some extent by Dermot McCullagh whose book on Cromwell is excellent. However, even if sincere, Cromwell’s reformist opinions grew completely suspect when he fell out with Anne Bullen over what to do with monastic lands. He, himself, by the way, benefited greatly. You will find out more about this in The Queen’s Sister when it is published. So, the story of Anne Bullen’s downfall is utterly horrendous. Even worse, were the accusations against the men who died with her. By the way, she was no paragon of virtue either. She was hideous to Catherine of Aragon and Lady Mary, motivated, I believe, by fear of their supporters undoing her.

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

                        Carol: Absolutely The English Civil War. I have a novel that’s unfinished called The Queen’s Tulip so watch this space. I also have a bottom drawer novel I may polish up that’s set in Edwardian Ireland. To my credit, Andrew Motion, my MA outside examiner, praised the first five chapters of The Damask Maker and it won me, along with short stories, a distinction on my MA.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Carol: I am editing The Queen’s Sister about Elizabeth Seymour who married Gregory Cromwell. It’s her story but also covers Thomas Cromwell’s downfall. It’s due in to my editor at Headline on May 1st. My agent beta read it and says she loves it so that’s encouraging. I am now researching and planning The Tudor Rebel about Meg Douglas, Henry VIII’s errant niece.

                        Sharon: What do you love most about being a writer

                        Carol: It is the opportunity to express myself creatively. I feel very privileged to be busily doing something I thoroughly love. I never expected to be published and I am fortunate because it just happened for me, initially with a small publisher who was bought out by Headline in 2019.

                        About the Author

                        Following a first degree in English and History, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. She is published by Headline. The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a Medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. The Stolen Crown 2023 and July 2024 The Lost Queen about Berengaria of Navarre and The Third Crusade. Carol writes Historical non-fiction as well as fiction. Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England was published in February 2022 by Pen & Sword. She speaks at Conferences and gives interviews. Her new novel The Queen’s Sister will be published in May 2026. She lives in Oxfordshire and in the Mani, Greece.

                        Where to find Carol

                        Website (Subscribe to her newsletter via the drop down menu on the web-site Home Page); Amazon; The Stolen Crown

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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

                        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. 

                        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:

                        Have a listen 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 discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. In episode #43, Derek and I chat with Carol about Berengaria of Navarre and The Lost Queen. 

                        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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and CarolMcGrath

                        Wordly Women: Samantha Wilcoxson

                        Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

                        Today we are hopping across the pond for the next chat in my Wordly Women series. Joining me is Samantha Wilcoxson. Author of fiction novels mainly based in the late medieval and Tudor eras and and non-fiction books on the American Revolution, Samantha’s books – literally – span the Atlantic divide. Samantha has a knack for getting into the heads of the people she is writing about. Her book, Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen, about Elizabeth of York, is still one of the most insightful novels I have ever read.

                        Sharon: What got you into writing?

                        Samantha: What got you into writing? I have always loved reading and used to write dozens of book reviews every year. Many of those books were historical fiction and nonfiction. When I was considering ways to earn money while a stay-at-home mom, my husband suggested I write a book. I had never considered taking this step, so the first obstacle was deciding what I would want to write about. It didn’t take me long to settle on Elizabeth of York, and I quickly became passionate about the project. That novel turned into a series, and I’ve ventured into other historical eras since then.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Samantha: Each of my novels explores the life of a real historical figure in a way that helps readers connect with them on a personal level. My Plantagenet Embers series includes three novels featuring Elizabeth of York, Margaret Pole, and Mary I. It also has three novellas that offer new points of view of the same events by focusing on Margaret Beaufort, Elizabeth Woodville, and Reginald Pole. Then I moved into US history with my next two novels. Luminous is biographical fiction of real life radium girl Catherine Wolfe Donohue, and But One Life explores the life of American Revolution soldier Nathan Hale. My nonfiction books are Women of the American Revolution and a newly released biography of James Alexander Hamilton.

                        Sharon: What attracted you to the Tudors?

                        Samantha: When I started writing the series that ended up covering the early Tudor era, I was actually obsessed with the Wars of the Roses. I thought Elizabeth of York was an unsung heroine, so I started with her with no real intention of writing about the Tudors! This is actually a great insight into my writing. I never know what is coming next.

                        Sharon: So, what is coming next?

                        Samantha: I am currently writing a trilogy set during the Wars of the Roses for Sapere Books. It includes multiple women’s points of view. For example, book one has chapters featuring Marguerite of Anjou, Cecily Neville, and Anne Beauchamp. That one is in editing, and I’m working on book two, which will add the perspective of Elizabeth Woodville and others.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Samantha: This depends a lot on whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction. For novels, I largely depend on biographies already written, but for nonfiction I look for more primary resources like personal letters and diaries. For either, I like to visit locations important to the people I’m writing about so that I can include details about the places they experienced.

                        Sharon: You also write US history non-fiction.

                        Samantha: Tell us your ‘favourite’ story you have come across in your research? My research into James Alexander Hamilton uncovered loads of interesting discoveries, partly because nobody else has really written about him. I held letters written between James and Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, and so many others. (Gotta admit, it was tempting to try sneak that JQA letter into my bag!) I think the most fun story I came across, besides John Quincy writing about being too old to stay up all night at a lively Hamilton party, was learning that James was part of the crew of the schooner America for which the America’s Cup is named.

                        Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ US history story you have come across in your research?

                        Samantha: I don’t know if I would call it a least favorite, but I decided to write a novel about Nathan Hale because I often came across quotes attributed to him such as, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country” but very little else about who Hale was. What happened in this young man’s life to create such bravery and patriotism? Few references to him offered much, so I decided to dig in and reveal the story of Nathan Hale before his famous execution during the American Revolution.

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

                        Samantha: I always have a few ideas brewing but am committed to the next couple of books on the Wars of the Roses right now. I have started a bit of research into a historical event that occurred near my home in Michigan in 1847 that I would like to consider for a future project. I’m not one of those writers who has the next five years planned out and I tend to impetuously strike out in new directions, so we’ll see what happens.

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

                        Samantha: Besides spending my day reading, writing, and learning about history, I love the flexibility of being a writer. I began as a stay-at-home mom, and I still appreciate the ability to easily set my work aside for a few days if one of my adult children needs anything. I’ve also made many friends in the writing community who make me feel less alone as a history nerd and have provided amazing support and encouragement for each of my book projects.

                        About the Author:

                        Samantha Wilcoxson is an author of emotive biographical fiction and nonfiction featuring history’s unsung heroes. Her novel Luminous has been named Book of the Year by Ruins & Reading and Yarde Book Reviews. Samantha’s most recent work is the first biography of James Alexander Hamilton, published by Pen & Sword History. She is currently writing a Wars of the Roses trilogy for Sapere Books. When not reading or writing, Samantha loves sharing trips to historic places with her family and spending time by the lake with a glass of wine.

                        Where to find Samantha Wilcoxson:

                        Website; Instagram; Amazon Author Page; Newsletter Signup; Goodreads; Pinterest; Twitter; Shop Direct; Audible

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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. 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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Samantha Wilcoxson

                        Wordly Women: Heather R. Darsie

                        Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

                        In a special episode of my Wordly Women interview series, Heather R. Darsie drops by on her blog tour celebrating the publication of her new book, Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I am Not as Simple as I May Seem’. Do have a look at the other stops on the tour to geta taste of this wonderful new biography.

                        So, Heather, What got you into writing?

                        Heather: As silly as this sounds, I can’t remember originally. My dad had an electric typewriter that he let me use to write stories beginning when I was probably eight years old. I continued writing stories and poems through high school (14 to 18 years old in the USA), which culminated in a play based off Edgar Allen Poe’s “Annabel Lee” when I was in my final year of high school. My play was called Annalise, wherein the wife was dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis of which my paternal grandfather passed away. The husband slowly went mad, to the point where the wife’s had to intervene. The theme of the play was tragedy. My high school put on the play, I was in the local newspaper, and invited to host a workshop at the statewide high school theatre festival.

                        After graduating from high school, I went to university and majored in German Languages and Literature, then pursued my Juris Doctorate in American Jurisprudence. Along the way, I studied abroad in Costa Rica and France, learning Spanish and French, too. I have had numerous opportunities to travel to France, Spain, Germany, and various countries in Central America, which have all contributed to keeping my language skills sharp.

                        I became heavily interested in Tudor history in around 2010. By early 2015, I grew tired of reading the same-old, same-old about Anna of Cleves, a German woman. I asked Claire Ridgeway of the Anne Boleyn Files if I could contribute a post on Anna to her website, to which Claire kindly agreed. Thereafter encouraged and emboldened, I sent a letter in my very best German to the mayor of the current City of Cleves, and my research took off from there. The combination of a life-long interest in writing, linguistic education, research and analytical skills from my juris doctorate, combined with the history community’s encouragement is how I arrived here, ten years on.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Heather: I view myself as a Tudor-adjacent historian. The persons and events I choose to focus on should be recognizable am most interested in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, which began recognizing itself that way in the early 16th century. Specifically, anyone or anything connected to the von der Marks, which is Anna of Cleves’ family (she was “of Cleves” much like Princess Mary Tudor would be “Mary of England” in another country) or the Habsburgs. My first two nonfiction books, Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister and Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings are effectively German history books. My third nonfiction book, Stuart Spouses: A Compendium of Consorts from James I of Scotland to Queen Anne of Great Britain looks at just that, the husbands and wives of the Scottish-to-English Stuart dynasty. The dynastic intermingling with continental European families is fascinating. I wrote a novella during the pandemic, Diary of a Plague Doctor’s Wife, set during the last outbreak of the Black Death in 1720s Marseille. The parallels to our own experiences 300 years later with Covid-19 were eerie to me at the time of writing.

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the Catherine of Aragon?

                        Heather: Like Anna of Cleves, I felt there was more to her than the end of her marriage with Henry VIII. Specifically, I wanted to know more about Katharine’s family dynasty and Katharine’s early time in England, and share that with readers.

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite Tudor and why?

                        Heather: For queens, I am drawn to Catherine Parr. She seemed the most savvy when it came to navigating Henry VIII and the dangerous politics of the Tudor court. I am very intrigued by Thomas Cromwell in his position as a lawyer. He was very clever; I hope to write about him someday.

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite Tudor and why?

                        Heather: I do not have a least favorite, but I do think the most tragic was Anne Boleyn, who was foisted by her own petard. I am finding that more and more as I work on my next book, If any Person will Meddle with My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic, especially when most of the sources are Spanish?

                        Heather: I start with finding articles on JSTOR, then checking the footnotes for sources. From there, I go to Google Play, Archive.org, the Spanish library websites, etc. for old manuscripts. Like many English books, several of the old, out-of-copyright ones are available for free. The Spanish language is not a barrier for me, since I hear or read it most days a week at work.

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

                        Heather: I really enjoyed reading about all of the pageants she viewed during her formal entry into London. It must have been quite the time for her.

                        Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ Catherine of Aragon story you have come across in your research.

                        Heather: Katharine was having a difficult time with Spanish grammar in her letters toward the very late 1520s and early 1530s. This could be indicative of the extreme stress that she was under during that time, or the isolation she was experiencing and being unable to speak Spanish with anyone, or both. I found it tragic and poignant. I don’t believe I remarked on that in my book.

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

                        Heather: I am interested in doing a little more on the late 16th to early 17th century. Otherwise, I am fairly happy with the time frame that I work in now, but exploring more individuals and courts.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Heather: I am finishing up the aforementioned book, If any Person will Meddle with My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn. I am completing an epic as well, which I will self publish likely later this year, that has heavy Greek mythology themes. Our heroes go on a quest to bring back the Olympians and restore justice to the human world. The epic is clocking in at about 3, 600 lines right now. I suppose it makes me a poet along with an author.

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

                        Heather: Sharing knowledge.

                        About the book:

                        Katharine of Aragon is more in the public consciousness now due to the TV show ‘Spanish Princess’. Katharine has of course been an interesting historical figure for quite some time because she is the first wife of the infamous Henry VIII. This book provides a new perspective on Katharine because it includes far more background on her Spanish upbringing, Spanish culture, and how that continued to define her in England during her first fifteen years in the country. Additionally, Heather uses rich primary sources, such as ‘The Receyt of Ladie Kateryne’, which have either not been sourced or infrequently referred to in other biographies about Katharine. In this, Heather’s multilingual abilities – especially her fluent Spanish – are put to good use. No one, for example, has considered he rippling impact of terminating Katharine’s marriage on the Trastamara and Habsburg dynasties in Europe. Katherine was as important abroad as she was in England.

                        Buy Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I am Not as Simple as I May Seem’

                        About the author:

                        Heather R. Darsie, J. D. is an independent researcher specializing in early modern history. She describes herself as a “Tudor-adjacent” historian, focusing on the Holy Roman Empire and England in the early 16th century. She is the author of four nonfiction books: Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister, Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings, Stuart Spouses: A Compendium of Consorts from James I of Scotland to Queen Anne of Great Britain, and Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: I am not as Simple as I May Seem. She self-published the novella Diary of a Plague Doctor’s Wife. Her primary career is as an attorney. Heather lives in Illinois with her loving husband, wonderful stepchildren, and three raucous parrots.

                        Where to find Heather:

                        Website: MaidensAndManuscripts.com; Instagram: @hdarsiehistory; X: @hrdarsiehistory; Threads: hdarsiehistory; Facebook: Heather R. Darsie, Historian; BlueSky: @hrdarsiehistory.bsky.social

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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. 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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Heather R. Darsie

                        Wordly Women: Catherine Hanley

                        Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

                        I am very happy today to welcome historian Catherine Hanley to History…the Interesting Bits in a new instalment of my Author Spotlight series, Wordly Women. Catherine is the author of Matilda, 1217 and her latest book, Lionessheart, about Joanna, the sister of Richard the Lionheart. Catherine also writes a historical fiction A Medieval Mystery series under the name C.B. Hanley, following the adventures of Edwin Weaver, bailiff of Conisbrough Castle and its lord, William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Warenne and Surrey. It is a fabulous series that I can highly recommend!

                        Sharon: So, Catherine, what got you into writing?

                        Catherine: Oddly, that question is kind of the wrong way round for me. When I did my PhD I was reading and writing all day every day for years; after it was finished and I got a full-time job that didn’t involve writing, I missed it so much that I just had to take it up on top of work. As the cliché goes, I write because I simply can’t *not* write. Eventually, over the years, it came to replace the day job rather than being an add-on.

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

                        Catherine: On a day when I’m writing fiction, I’d say non-fiction was easier, and vice versa …

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Catherine: My non-fiction mainly explores different facets of war and politics in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries – sometimes via biographies of individuals, and sometimes in the form of more wide-ranging surveys.

                        My fiction is a series of murder mysteries set during the early thirteenth century, during and just after the French invasion that followed the Magna Carta wars. My main characters are fictional, but the stories are set against a factual backdrop, with some real people in the background. It all started because, during some academic research, I discovered that a certain high-profile individual had changed sides twice during that war, but nobody knew why. So I decided to make up a (plausible!) story about why this had happened, and then once I’d started I just kept going.

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the 13th century?

                        Catherine: It is the best century, and I will be taking no further questions and entering into no arguments on this subject. (Sharon: no argument from me! I totally agree with this analysis!)

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite 13th century personality and why?

                        Catherine: OK, so this is very niche, but it’s Philip of Dreux, a member of a cadet branch of the Capetian royal house, who was the bishop of Beauvais in France. He was a younger son, so he’d been ‘donated’ to the Church by his family early in life. Unfortunately for him this had been done purely on the basis of birth order rather than aptitude or inclination, and he was one of the most bellicose men you could imagine. He fought in the Third Crusade, during which he travelled to Cyprus to tell Richard the Lionheart to his face that he should stop ‘arrogantly persecuting innocent Christians when close by there were still so many thousands of Saracens whom he should be attacking’, which went down about as well as you might expect. He was still going decades later, and fought in battle of Bouvines when aged in his sixties; there he battered the much younger earl of Salisbury to the ground with a mace ‘that he happened to have in his hand’, which is one of the best primary-source lines you’ll ever read.

                        If I ever decide to write a new series of novels when my current one is finished, the bishop of Beauvais and his mace are going to have starring roles …

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite 13th century personality and why?

                        Catherine: It’s unfortunate for the purposes of this question that Richard the Lionheart died in 1199, thus making him a personality of the twelfth century, so I can’t nominate him! I also think that William Marshal has been vastly overrated.

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Catherine: I read A LOT, making sure that I’m consulting a wide range of primary sources rather than merely relying on what other people have said in secondary sources.

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

                        Catherine: Basically the entire career of Philip Augustus of France, but I can’t give you too many spoilers on that just now …

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

                        Catherine: It’s always difficult reading about the many atrocities that took place in the past. One that got to me quite recently was the sad tale of Owain ap Dafydd, the son of Welsh prince Dafydd ap Gruffudd. Dafydd was captured by Edward I and then hanged, drawn and quartered, and his two sons were sentenced to harsh imprisonment. The elder of them died not long afterwards, but Owain, who was 7 when he was incarcerated, lived on for more than 40 years. He was kept in solitary confinement (and, as an adult, actually in a cage), and this stunted his mental as well as his physical development. A sad letter was later sent on his behalf asking if he could please have more adequate food and clothing, and whether he might be allowed out of his cell occasionally ‘to play’. He was at that point 37.

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

                        Catherine: Not really. There’s still so much to be discovered and said about the twelfth and thirteenth centuries that I can happily spend the rest of my career there, although I do venture occasionally into the fourteenth. The thought of writing about anything post-medieval gives me a nosebleed.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Catherine: *Takes a deep breath* As ever, I have several projects on the go, all at different stages. In non-fiction, I’m at page-proof stage for Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy (about the French king Philip Augustus), for publication in September 2025; almost at manuscript delivery stage for Women in Medieval Families (for 2026 publication) and in the early stages of a whopping volume called The English at War in the Middle Ages for 2027.

                        In fiction, A Pale Horse, number 9 in my series of medieval mysteries, is due out in June 2025, and I’m having some initial thoughts about book 10.

                        That’s probably enough to be getting on with!

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

                        Catherine: Being able to sit in a roomful of books by myself all day and lose myself in the Middle Ages. It’s such a privilege that I can still hardly believe it’s happening.

                        About the Author:

                        Dr Catherine Hanley holds a PhD in Medieval Studies and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. After producing several scholarly publications she decided to write something more interesting, and she now splits her time between writing popular history and historical fiction.

                        Catherine: I have no social media (anyone who wants to contact me may do so by writing in ink on parchment and then sending it via a messenger on a fast horse).

                        Bookshop link: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/catherinehanley

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

                        And we will be chatting with Catherine Hanley about Joanna Plantagenet, Lionessheart, in a couple of months!

                        *

                        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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Dr Catherine Hanley, FRHistS

                        Wordly Women: Annie Whitehead

                        Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

                        Joining me today as part of my Wordly Women series is the wonderful Annie Whitehead. Author of both fiction and non-fiction books based in Anglo-Saxon Mercia, Annie’s latest book, Murder in Anglo-Saxon England: Justice, Wergild and Revenge is replete with dastardly murder stories.

                        Sharon: What got you into writing?

                        Annie: It was just something I always wanted to do – I remember writing ‘The Adventures of Ferdinand the Hedgehog’ when I was around 7 or 8. I think the desire to write history came later, partly influenced by the sorts of novels I preferred reading, and partly from a growing love of history generally, probably beginning when I lived in York for six months. Living there, even as a child, you can’t not notice the history all around you.

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

                        Annie: I think they are both equally hard, but they are different. The research is pretty much the same, although with fiction you need every day details as well as the actual historical events, but where they differ is that in fiction you are free to fill in the gaps in the history (although in a way that fits with your plot and with your characters), but if you take them on a journey you need to give details, whereas in nonfiction you can just say, ‘The king took an army to York.’ On the other hand, with nonfiction, you can’t make stuff up, and if you make any pronouncements you have to back those up.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians

                        Annie: I’ve written four novels, featuring prominent Mercian characters, including Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, and Penda, the last pagan king. I’ve also written three nonfiction books, one about the history of Mercia, one about Women of the era, and my latest release, Murder in Anglo-Saxon England. I’ve also contributed to two nonfiction anthologies and three and a half fiction collections (the ‘half’ is one that’ll be published later this year).

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the Anglo-Saxon period?

                        Annie: I think there’s an element of romanticism, a Tolkien-esque aura if you will. The names are very noble sounding, including one of the main characters of my second novel, Alvar the Kingmaker, whose real name was Ælfhere. I like the characteristics that set the period apart from the rest of the (mainly Norman) Middle Ages and I like, on the whole, their values. Particularly, their treatment of women, which was in many ways better than that of their later medieval counterparts. I also find the personalities interesting and characterful – rich pickings for the novelist.

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite Anglo-Saxon and why?

                        King Edgar

                        Annie: There are so many to choose from! I’ve already mentioned three, but I also find the little-known King Edgar (959-975) fascinating because he breaks the mould. His reign was not especially violent – it was more a time of politics and scheming nobles and there were no ‘Viking’ raids – and Edgar’s love life was, shall we say, interesting. He might have had up to three wives, one of whom was said by some – unreliable – chroniclers to have been a nun!

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite Anglo-Saxon and why?

                        Annie: I’m going to get into a lot of trouble with this, especially from some of my writer friends, but it’s Harold Godwineson. Obviously I’d rather he’d won at Hastings, not William, but I do find his whole family rather unappealing, treacherous and self-entitled. (Sorry, Harold fans!)

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Annie: I always start with the primary sources, contemporary if possible, looking for any reference to the characters I’m planning to write about. I find out, or remind myself, about the timelines, then I look at the later, usually Anglo-Norman sources, to see where they embellish and flesh out the tales. If I’m writing fiction, I might use some of their more detailed and frankly at times outrageous stories, but if it’s nonfiction, I have to use a lot of scepticism in the pursuit of the truth, or at least getting as close to the truth as I can.

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

                        Annie: I have so many! But one is the tale of King Offa’s daughter, accused of poisoning her husband’s advisor and accidentally poisoning her husband too. He was the king of Wessex. She fled to the Continent where the Emperor Charlemagne set her up in an abbey but she was caught in debauchery there and died in poverty. It’s highly unlikely to be a true story, as we have evidence that her husband probably died in battle and if she fled, she was most likely fleeing the wrath of his successor, who’d been forced into exile by her father and her husband.

                        Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ Anglo-Saxon story you have come across in your research.

                        King Æthelred the Unready

                        Annie: It has to be the story of the St Brice’s Day Massacre, sanctioned by King Æthelred the Unready, where a number of Danes were chased through Oxford into a church which was then set on fire. It sounds like the scene from a bad Hollywood historical film, but it really happened. We know this a) because we have a charter from the king himself saying that he ordered it and b) charred bones dating to the right time unearthed at the location.

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

                        Annie: I’ve always been interested in the seventeenth century and the early Stuarts in particular. They are coming out of the shadows a bit more now and there have been some excellent books, both fiction and nonfiction, published recently, but they still take second place to the Tudors, which for me is a shame as it’s such an interesting period of history.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Annie: I’m working on the novel which I shelved to research and write Murder in Anglo-Saxon England. It’s set in the tenth century and features Mercians, Northumbrians, Vikings and Scots and also has a murder or two thrown in!

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

                        Annie: Something I’ve enjoyed from a very early age is reading – I loved being transported to other times and places, meeting new characters and learning their stories. Writing, for me, is almost the same, and to spend my working days making up similar stories and spending time with those characters is a dream come true. It’s a form of escapism and it’s bliss!

                        About the Author:

                        Annie is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and has written four award-winning novels set in ‘Anglo-Saxon’ Mercia. She has contributed to fiction and nonfiction anthologies and written for various magazines. She has twice been a prize winner in the Mail on Sunday Novel Writing Competition, and won First Prize in the 2012 New Writer Magazine’s Prose and Poetry Competition. She has been a finalist in the Tom Howard Prize for nonfiction and was shortlisted for the Exeter Story Prize and Trisha Ashley Award 2021. She was the winner of the inaugural Historical Writers’ Association (HWA)/Dorothy Dunnett Prize 2017 and was subsequently a judge for that same competition. She has also been a judge for the HNS (Historical Novel Society) Short Story Competition, and was a 2024 judge for the HWA Crown Nonfiction Award. Her nonfiction books are Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom (published by Amberley books) and Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England (Pen & Sword Books). In 2023 she contributed to a new history of English monarchs, published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in February 2025 Murder in Anglo-Saxon England was published by Amberley Books.

                        Find Annie at: Website; Buy Annie’s Books; Blog; Facebook; Twitter/X; Instagram; BlueSky.

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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.

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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. 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.

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                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS

                        Wordly Women: Toni Mount

                        Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

                        In today’s spotlight on Wordly Women, I welcome my good friend, novelist and historian, Toni Mount back to History… the Interesting Bits. Toni writes the fabulous Seb Foxley mystery novels and the non-fiction series How to Survive in…

                        Sharon: What got you into writing?

                        Toni: I’ve always been a story-teller. Aged 6, when the teacher was called away – before the days of teaching assistants – she would have me sit at the front of the class and tell them a story. It was usually a mix of various fairytales with princes, princesses, witches and dragons. I like to think I became more sophisticated when I started writing them down in English Composition lessons aged 7 or 8. My imagined ‘First Flight of Concorde’ – the supersonic plane – won the school prize and my head has been full of stories for as long as I can remember. A good many have made it to the page but not all.

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

                        Toni: Fiction needs your own ideas; in non-fiction the facts are there, waiting for you to use. Since my novels are as authentic to the period as I can make them, but without the ‘gadzooks’ and ‘forsooths’, they take as much research as the non- fiction books. In both cases, I’m looking to tell a good story. The difference is that non-fiction may have gaps where historians don’t know the answers, such as what was Edward II thinking when he gave Piers Gaveston the queen’s jewellery but in a novel the writer is allowed to tell you why.

                        Sharon: Tell us about your books.

                        Toni: I’ve had 30+ books published, half of them novels. My most successful non-fiction books are ‘Everyday Life in Medieval London’ and ‘Medieval Medicine’ both published by Amberley, and ‘How to Survive in Medieval England’ published by Pen & Sword which was recently a no.1 best seller on Amazon. The How to Survive series – my fourth: ‘How to Survive in Ration-Book Britain’ is due to be out in November 2025 – is written for the armchair time-traveller and puts a light-hearted slant on history. ‘How to Survive in Tudor England’ and ‘How to Survive in Anglo-Saxon England’ are the other titles.

                        My Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery series has quite a following – book 13 ‘The Colour of Darkness’ has just gone off to the publisher MadeGlobal. Seb is a London-based scribe and illuminator in the 1470s-80s whose eye for detail means he spots clues that others miss to solve crimes. Many are true crimes which were recorded in the Mayor’s Court Rolls and remain unsolved – until now. I love the way my characters take over the story, sometimes doing things that never occurred to me. Seb has become a family member, so much so that my sons commissioned a portrait of him for my 65th birthday and it hangs above the fireplace.

                        Sharon: What attracts you to the period?

                        Toni: Whether fact or fiction, the Plantagenet period from the 1150s to 1485 is by far the most intriguing for me. Who doesn’t love to puzzle out a mystery? But modern policing is too boring to write about with so much paperwork, hours of CCTV footage to trawl through, fingerprinting, DNA, ballistics, etc. Give me Sherlock Holmes with his magnifying glass every time. The medieval period has even fewer technical complications.

                        Sharon: Who is your favourite medieval or Tudor personality and why?

                        Toni: Richard III obviously. I love the controversy. Was he a saint or a sinner? Or simply a human being?

                        Sharon: Who is your least favourite medieval or Tudor personality and why?

                        Toni: Henry VIII – a vicious paranoid megalomaniac. What’s to like? (Sharon: I could not agree more!)

                        Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

                        Toni: I read all I can around the subject; get a feel for the period and ‘live it’ in my head. As I write, if I realise I don’t know something, I make a note of it, check it out and list sources as I go. This is vital for a book which will have references and footnotes but even if I’m working on a novel, I may want to return to a source for further info or to mention it in my Author’s Notes – this is where I tell readers what’s true in the novel, which characters really existed, etc. In ‘The Colour of Darkness’, I did additional research into Medieval Mystery Plays and the ‘Duke of Exeter’s Daughter [a torture device], among other things. For the next novel, I’m reading up on medieval ships and firearms – I think it’s time somebody got shot with a ‘gunne’.

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

                        Toni: John/Eleanor Rykenor was a cross-dresser in the 1390s. He claimed to have had sex with nuns ‘as a man’ and didn’t charge them for it but did charge a group of Oxford priests-in-training for his services ‘as a woman’. He/she also said he’d spent a year or more living as a man’s wife. When caught in flagranti in a stable, wearing women’s attire and charging a man for sex, as Eleanor she appeared in court. The authorities weren’t sure what crime to charge her with – homosexuality wasn’t made a criminal offence until Tudor times – so she was charged with misrepresenting the product for sale, i.e. advertising her services as a female without having the appropriate ‘equipment’ for the job. She had to pay a fine for flouting what we would call the Trades Description Act. John/Eleanor is a character in my Foxley novels although he/she lived a century before they’re set. I couldn’t resist using such a fantastic character.

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

                        Toni: The discovery of RIII’s skeleton in a Leicester car park ruined my first ever trilogy [written in 1980s and unpublished]. My premise for the series of novels was that Richard, though wounded, survives the battle of Bosworth and goes on to have further adventures. Henry Tudor, frustrated when he can’t find Richard’s corpse to prove the king is dead, substitutes a crippled beggar to be buried instead. I was about to rewrite the trilogy when the dig discovered the bones and DNA proved it was Richard. How annoying!

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

                        Toni: Apart from writing about the medieval and Tudor eras, I’ve also written a Victorian who dunnit – ‘The Death Collector’ – making use of unsolved murders from the 1880s, including those attributed to Jack the Ripper. That was great fun to write and I fancy doing a sequel. Also, I wrote a non-fiction book ‘The World of Isaac Newton’ and I think Isaac, with his brilliant brain, has definite possibilities as a sleuth. I’ve published books ranging from Anglo-Saxon England to the 1950s and everything in between has at least been touched upon. Maybe more on the Anglo-Saxons would be interesting.

                        Sharon: What are you working on now?

                        Toni: The next novel is brewing: ‘The Colour of Malice’ and two self-published booklets are being prepped. ‘Medieval Christmas’ will do what it says on the tin. ‘Warriors – Men-o’-War’ is a very different beast as a collection of my short stories, something I’ve not done before, from Agincourt to Afghanistan. There are no new titles for non-fiction books at the moment.

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

                        Toni: Playing God with characters [in fiction] and the beauty of words – choosing how best to express your ideas and imaginings on the page. Marvellous!

                        About the Author:

                        Toni studies, teaches and writes about medieval history. She is a successful author writing the popular Sebastian Foxley medieval murder series and several non-fiction volumes, including her collection of How to Survive in books. She has created several online courses for http://www.MedievalCourses.com, she teaches history to adults and is an experienced speaker giving talks to groups and societies. Toni enjoys attending history events as a costumed interpreter and is a member of the Research Committee of the Richard III Society.

                        Toni earned her Masters Degree by Research from the University of Kent in 2009 through study of a medieval medical manuscript held at the Wellcome Library in London. Her first-class honours degree, Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing and her Diploma in European Humanities are from the Open University. Toni also holds a Cert. Ed (in Post-Compulsory Education and Training) from the University of Greenwich.

                        Find Toni Mount’s books here

                        Find Toni on Social Media:

                        Amazon; Website; Seb Foxley website; Facebook: Medieval England Facebook; Seb Foxley Facebook; Twitter

                        *

                        My books

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

                        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.

                        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. 

                        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:

                        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, Elizabeth Chadwick and Michael Jecks, 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 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.

                        *

                        ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Toni Mount

                        Wordly Women: Paula Lofting

                        Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

                        In the third episode of my Wordly Women interviews, I welcome Paula Lofting to History…the Interesting Bits to talk about her writing journey. Paula is the author of the Sons of the Wolf series of novels and has recently published her first none fiction work Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King: Harold Godwinson, England’s Golden Warrior.

                        Welcome Paula….

                        Sharon: What got you into writing? 

                        Paula: When I was a little girl as soon as I could write straight, I used to come home from school sit at the coffee table in our lounge on my feet and write stories. I was particularly fond of ‘composition’ class at school where the teacher would put several titles up for us to choose from to write about. I often had my stories read out to class. 

                        I guess it was something I always wanted to do. I remember in my teens, writing an epic historical fiction based on the years after the Romans left Britain, but I hand wrote it because I hadn’t learned to type and the typewriter, I had was useless. I thought I was never going to submit because it never occurred to me to just type with one finger! So, I gave up on that idea. I’d written plays, poems, and all sorts of stuff, but I was also in a bad relationship with a man who didn’t want to share me with a pen, so it was difficult until the relationship ended, and I had moved on. It was when the advent of personal computers came along when I realised that I could actually achieve my dream if I wanted to. 

                          Sharon: Tell us about your books. 

                          Paula: I have been writing a series set in the years leading up to the Norman Invasion of 1066. There are currently two books I have published in the series, and of course a nearly finished 3rd WIP. The series is called Sons of the Wolf, which is the name of book 1 and book 2 is The Wolf Banner, and 3 which I am working on is called Wolf’s Bane. As you can see there is a recurring theme. The theme is not something to do with real wolves but has its origins in my hero’s family history whose ancestors believed that they were descended from wolves. 

                          The books tell the story of Wulfhere, a Sussex thegn, and follows the fortunes of his family in the years before the Battle of Hastings took place. It explores the lives of the ordinary people who lived against the backdrop of the political landscape of the time. 

                          The series is a chronological account of events that are woven into the tapestry of the family’s lives and also tells the story of the main historical players of the time, such as Harold Godwinson and his clan. The two men’s lives run parallel alongside each other, and their contrasting stories are intricately woven together as is their fate.  

                          The books all run consecutively, and you will find there are no gaps in the saga, so where one book ends, the new book starts. I have plans to continue after the catastrophic events of 1066 into the rebellion years. 

                          Sharon: What attracts you to the 11th century? 

                          Paula: I think that there is a lot of romance around the whole story of two men who fought over their claims to be king of England which people are drawn to. There is the tragedy of the last ‘Anglo-Saxon king’ who is butchered to death on the battlefield: the tall, handsome, charismatic, affable, warrior who fights for his people and his country. There is the underdog and the overdog theme which comes after the conquest and lasts for some time before England begins to melt as though seamlessly into the new regime.  

                          Then you have the original Robin Hood type story of Hereward who sort of appears from nowhere to fight the good fight against the baddies after coming back to England from abroad to find a lot of things have changed and his ancestral lands commandeered by invaders. There is so much to play with there, a passionate conglomerate of rich history that evokes and inspires in the most amazing manner. It is an era that sets itself apart from what happens later – the cusp of change from the old world to the new. 

                          I find it fascinating. Love… Betrayal… Battles… Bloodfeud. 

                          What’s not to love! 

                          I have also written a book about Harold Godwinson which is due for release any day now with Pen and Sword. 

                          Sharon: Who is your favourite Anglo-Saxon and why? 

                          Paula: There were so many extraordinary characters, and a lot I could choose from. For now, I have to go with Harold Godwinson, simply because, although we will never know what his true nature was for certain, what is written in the sources is constant and conjures up a vision of a man who loved his wife, his family, and his country. A man who avoided internal conflict, forced to navigate intrigue, family skirmishes, and the jealousy of the other aristocracy. He was not a perfect man, but in comparison to many rulers and sub rulers in medieval times, there were a lot more who were far more undesirable. During his early tenure as king, knowing that his country was in danger on many fronts, he acted swiftly to gather his armies together and deploy them to defend the shores. He even found time to see to some of his admin duties, all this in the early weeks of his reign. Who knows what he might have achieved if his life had not been so cruelly taken from him so early into his reign. 

                          Sharon: Who is your least favourite Anglo-Saxon – or Viking – and why? 

                          Paula: Ooo – Can I have one of each?  

                          In that case I have to say, the Anglo-Saxon Ealdorman Eadric Streona whose betrayal of King Edmund lost him the battle of Assandun.  

                          My least favourite Viking would have been Sweyn Forkbeard who was invading England from the 990s up until 1013. He became king for about 6 weeks before he died in February 1014. His pillaging and burning of England really stank. 

                          Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic? 

                          Paula: Well, currently I am taking notes from the two major annals, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and the Chronicon ex Chronicis which was the work of the monk, John of Worcester and also in part, someone called Florence. I plan to augment them with other sources that I read, both primary and secondary, to try and find sources that correlate and contradict each other so I can make sure I have all the facts in one place when I come to write the narrative. I am always very grateful to those historians who came before me for having done the hard part of digging through the foundations of the information available to me and try to see the original sources for myself. Its helpful that these authors give guidance in their own work for us new historians to build upon and come up with new ideas. 

                          For Historical fiction I have the privilege of being a reenactor and learning the everyday tasks and the little detailed things that experimental archaeology gives us like clothing, food, buildings and battle strategies that often history texts can’t give us. This helps me to build my world as authentically as I possibly can.  

                          Sharon: Tell us your ‘favourite’ Anglo-Saxon story you have come across in your research? 

                          Paula: Oo I love this question! 

                            I have a few, actually: The research carried by Dan Armstrong regarding the Papal Banner. It seems there is little evidence for it in 1066. Readers will need to read the book to find out more about what Armstrong uncovered. 

                            Another is the version of Harold’s trip to Normandy that the English chronicler, Eadmer of Canterbury writes in his History of Recent Events in England, a story that makes far more sense, even though it is the only version of this you can find. And considering that Eadmer was not particularly pro Harold, I think it is far more reliable than the Norman sources. 

                            I also love the anecdotal tale of Bishop Wulfstan who carried a pair of snips with him to cut the hair long hair of the young men who came before him. He didn’t approve of men with long hair, obviously. Can you imagine, you’re an elite, well-respected member of the elite huscarls kneeling before him as you get to the front to receive holy communion and he reaches over your head and grips your neatly combed and beautifully tied back pony-tail and with one snip, you lose it! And there was nothing you could do about it!  

                            Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ Anglo-Saxon story you have come across in your research?  

                            Paula: Oh gosh, I can name lots, but probably the worst, I have to say, is the cruel propaganda used by the Norman scribes such as Poitiers, who was the first one to mention the Papal Banner, and the way they defiled Harold’s character to detract from William’s regicide of an anointed king and make him seem like a saint! 

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

                              Paula: Yes indeed, but I’m probably never going to achieve them all, here are just a few: 

                                Staying in the so-called dark ages, I once started to write an epic about the post Roman Britain era, centring on Ambrosius Aurelianus. It never came to anything because my circumstances were not right at the time, but I would love to give it ago one day.  

                                Another is Macbeth, and coming right out of my comfort zone, a story about a highway man. 

                                Sharon: What are you working on now? 

                                Paula: Edmund Ironside is my new project for Pen and Sword – a non-fiction book, and fiction wise, I am working on finishing the third novel in my series, Wolf’s Bane 

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

                                  Paula: Escaping into other times, other places, and building a different world. It gives me a sense of release and I enjoy creating characters I love. 

                                  It has never really been my aim to sell loads of books and earn loads of money from writing because its not going to be achievable in this day and age. Its more of a hobby really, but if people read my work, then I am very happy, especially if they enjoy it. That’s the most important part to me.  

                                  About the author:

                                  Paula was born in the ancient Saxon county of Middlesex in 1961. She grew up in Australia hearing stories from her dad of her homeland and its history. As a youngster she read books by Rosemary Sutcliff and Leon Garfield and her love of English history grew. At 16 her family decided to travel back to England and resettle. She was able to visit the places she’d dreamt about as a child, bringing the stories of her childhood to life. It wasn’t until later in life that Paula realised her dream to write and publish her own books. Her debut historical novel Sons of the Wolf, was first published in 2012 and then revised and republished in 2016 along with the sequel, The Wolf Banner, in 2017. The third in the series, Wolf’s Bane, will be ready for publishing later this year.   

                                  In this midst of all this, Paula has acquired contracts for nonfiction books with the prestigious Pen & Sword publishers. Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King, Harold Godwinson, England’s golden Warrior is due to be published at the end of February, and a biographic of King Edmund Ironside is also in the pipeline. She has also written a short essay about Edmund for Iain Dale’s Kings and Queens, articles for historical magazines. When she is not writing, she is a psychiatric nurse, mother of three grown up kids and grandmother of two and also re-enacts the Anglo-Saxon/Viking period with the awesome Regia Anglorum. 

                                  Social Media:

                                  Website: www.threadstothepast.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wulfsuna?locale=en_GB, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaloftingwilcox/, x: https://x.com/longshippub, Threads: www.threadstothepast.com, Blue Sky: @paulaloftingauthor.bsky.social 

                                  Book Links: Sons of the Wolf; Wolf’s Bane; Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King: Harold Godwinson, England’s Golden Warrior.

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                                  My books

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

                                  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.

                                  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. 

                                  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:

                                  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. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

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                                  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.

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                                  ©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Paula Lofting