history

Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment
History ... the Interesting Bits

The tale of a journey that will shape the world for centuries to come…

France, 1096. Crowds gather in Sens, Northern France, to hear the Hermit speak. He talks of a great pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a quest filled with promise for those Christian soldiers who march with him.

Sybill knows the perils of the road ahead, but follow it she must. Her husband is a reckless gambler, easily swayed by the Hermit’s words. For Odo, the pilgrimage provides the chance to demonstrate his unshakeable piety, while his brother Fulk craves adventure and excitement.

Jeanne and Guillemette have been mistreated by the men in their lives and are desperate for this chance of redemption and a brighter future – but for the two women alone on the journey, life on the road will befull of perils…

As the lines between love and hate, virtue and sin, good and evil become blurred, each must survive as best they can. Who will live to reach the holy city, and will the sacrifices they make to get there be worth the price they all must pay?

The first instalment in a scintillating series on the crusades from a master of the genre!

I have been reading Michael Jecks ever since his first book, The Last Templar came out years ago (many, many years ago). He is one of my “go-to” authors. I loved the medieval murder mysteries of the Templar series, and the Jack Blackjack series of Tudor mysteries were engrossing and amusing. Equally, the Vintaine series, set in the Hundred Years War are absolutely fabulous. So, when I discovered Michael was writing a new series, set in the Crusades, I was intrigued but hesitant – yet another Richard the Lionheart tome? I wondered.

But no, Michael Jecks starts Pilgrim’s War where very few authors have ventured, the First Crusade.

It is a challenging topic to cover. Not as organised as later expeditions, the First Crusade was a mixture of soldiers, peasants, religious zealots and those in search of adventure. All intent on recovering Jerusalem. Led by a priest known as Peter the Hermit, they walked the length of Europe to reach the Holy Land, an undertaking not without a huge number of dangers, not least the hostility of the locals in the countries they passed through.

As they depart on the ultimate adventure, the pilgrims face disease, death and the dangers of foreign lands with the hostility of climate, landscape and people.

‘There!’ Benet said, returning to his wife and daughter. He was a man of middle height and had a broad smile that made his blue eyes all but disappear in a way that never failed to melt Sybille’s heart.

She returned his smile as the crowds thinned. The church loomed over them, and she glanced up at it, making the sign of the cross. It was a habit, but today it felt necessary, as though she had a need to ward off evil. The remaining crowd was chanting, fists punching the air as they cried: ‘Dieu le veut; Dieu le veut; Dieu le veut.’

At the farther side of the square women were stitching brown fustian crosses too teh left breast of those who had sworn to march to Jerusalem, while clerks accepted gifts to support the pilgrims. Many were happier to pay, she thought, than undertake such a perilous journey.

‘Josse?’ Benet said. ‘Take Richalda on ahead?’ He waited until their daughter was out of earshot before leading Sybille away from the crush. ‘The preacher spoke well. We should think about joining his pilgrimage!’

He gave a broad smile and opened his hand: in it lay a fabric cross. A shiver ran down Sybille’s spine. ‘What, you mean to leave us here? How long would it take you to travel all that way? We would not know whether you would ever return. No, husband, please do not do this.’

‘No, you and Richalda must come too,’ Benet said, still smiling. ‘The Hermit is gathering a huge army. Not just the scrags and tatters of the villages here, but many thousands. His military adviser is Sir Walter de Boissy-sans-Avoir, and the Pope is telling other knights to join with their feudal hosts, so armies will march from all over Christendom! The Hermit says he will lead his own army of the poor and meek, the common folk, who will show the path of righteousness. Imagine! And army of men and women dedicated to the support of God and winning back his land! Its is the greatest issue of our time!’ He smiled, his excitement palpable.

‘Benet, how could we afford such a -‘

‘My love, this is the beginning of our future.’ He laughed. ‘I’ll sell the house, and with the money we can buy all we need. If we carry gold, it will be easier to hold about our persons. I will hold it in my scrip, wife. and then, when we reach Jerusalem, we can settle there and enjoy a new life, a simpler life.’

Michael Jecks pulls together all the disparate groups of people to join the First Crusade. Ordinary peasants, apprentices, prostitutes, knights, men-at-arms and even children join the march east – to the Holy Land. Jecks recreates the passion and hope for eternal redemption that led so many, from all corners of Europe, to leave their homes and lives behind and join the quest to retake Jerusalem.

The depth of research is impressive. The story moves on at a pace and the hardships and dangers faced by the pilgrims are brought vividly to life. The drama is palpable.

Each character has his or her own reasons for joining the crusade, whether it is for redemption, adventure or a more personal reason, they need each other in order too complete their journey. But they also have their own demons to overcome, or succumb to. Some of the characters are likeable and sympathetic, despite the challenges they have faced so far in life, and even when they are less than kind to those around them. While there are others the reader may want to strangle with their own bare hands!

Michael Jecks has a knack of evoking a reader’s emotions. Isn’t that the beauty of a good book? It draws you in. It gets you to feel invested in the characters. It makes you laugh, cry – and get angry.

And Pilgrim’s War is a good book.

Actually, it’s a jolly good book and you will find it hard to put down.

And you know how I sometimes say, this is a book I would get for my dad? Well, I gave it to him for his birthday. He read it in 2 days and said it was ‘a cracking good book’.

Buy the book:

Pilgrim’s War is available now from Amazon.

About the Author:

Michael Jecks is the author of over 50 novels inspired by history and legend. He is the founder of Medieval Murderers, and has served on the committees of the Historical Writers’ Association, the CWA and he Detection Club. He was International Guest of Honour at the Bloody Words festival in Toronto, and Grand Master of the first parade in the New Orleans Mardi Gras.

*

My Books

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

Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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

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

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

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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

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 Ian Mortimer, Bernard Cornwell, Elizabeth Chadwick and Scott Mariani, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. 

We will be having Michael Jecks on in a couple of weeks, to talk about Pilgrim’s War. In the meantime, have a listen to Michael’s first appearance, chatting about his Last Templar series.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2026 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS



Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie

Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments
History ... the Interesting Bits

Anne Boleyn is one of the great enigmas of English history. Credited – or blamed – for Henry VIII’s break with Rome and the English Reformation, she is also the mother of one of England’s greatest monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I. Moreover, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. Historian Heather R. Darsie‘s new book, If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn, looks into Anne’s queenship and execution – and how the law made her death possible.

And today we have a treat! An extract from the book, to give you a taste of what’s in store….

Welcome Heather!

Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform

By Heather R. Darsie, J. D.

History ... the Interesting Bits

Anne Boleyn is famously seen as the reason for Henry VIII breaking from the Catholic church. Her interest in at least reforming religion in England, if not going more toward the way of Martin Luther, made her a figurehead in some ways for underground efforts. In reality, Henry was finishing the work of his forbears from centuries before. He also quickly learned that he needed to pull away from Rome so that he could have full control of legal matters within his kingdom, without outside meddling or dawdling,

“Although Henry had grown frustrated over the confounding dithering of Clement VII and ineptitude of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in the handling of his Great Matter, the issue of Henry VIII’s annulment from Katharine of Aragon was not the biggest problem. The biggest problem was, Henry rapidly learned, that he had no control over his legal system in very important arenas when he needed it most. Aside from not having legal control, the lag time in communications being sent from London to Rome and back again contributed to the delay in Henry’s annulment proceedings, too.

Once Henry was set on his path inspired by Anne Boleyn, he learned just how much money was being kept out his coffers. Cardinal Wolsey started the process before his death, but Thomas Cromwell and Anne spurred Henry to continue shutting down religious institutions in an effort to redistribute the nation’s wealth in favour of crown and kingdom. None of these ideas were novel….

Loosening the church’s powers with England began at the very tail end of the High Middle Ages with Edward I of England. At the beginning of the thirteenth century with the enaction of Magna Carta, the passing of land to a corporation, like a church, without royal consent was forbidden. …Edward I enacted the Statutum de Viris Religiosis, or Statute of Religious Men, in 1279…It forbade the passage of any lands in mortmain [meaning “deadhand”] to any religious man. If anyone did pass their lands to a religious man, then those lands were forfeited…The goals of the Mortmain statutes were not achieved until Henry VIII’s Parliament passed several statutes in 1529 and one directly addressing mortmain in 1531. Henry then began dissolving the monasteries in the 1530s, something he arguably would not have done without being encouraged by his fixation on and love for Anne Boleyn…

Henry VIII was not the first king of England to challenge the pope’s authority. He was the fourth, although the laws of the first two kings were more or less forgotten by the time Henry started taking action. Edward III passed the first, overtly aggressive statutes against papal power, with his successor Richard II taking even stronger action…The laws fell by the wayside during the fifteenth century, not to be fully revived until Henry VIII needed to assert stronger control….

History ... the Interesting Bits

[Edward III] enacted the Statute of Praemunire Facias, or simply the Statute of Praemunire, in 1353. This statute severely curtailed the influence and outright meddling of papal authority and other foreign powers within England… The punishments for the Statute of Praemunire were…severe. Anyone who effectively requested foreign interference with any legal matter, temporal or ecclesiastical, that rightly was under the purview of the king of England’s courts, was at risk of imprisonment, being outlawed and forfeiting all their property, goods, lands, and chattel. These were extremely serious penalties.

Being outlawed meant that the person had no rights or legal protection. Effectively, they were stripped of personhood and did not exist. If the person were robbed and killed after being outlawed, no crime was committed because the person existed outside of the law. Being outlawed was a desperate state of living and reserved for only the worst criminals, as in some ways it was a fate worse than death. The only positive element of being outlawed was that a person, if they survived their term of outlawry, they could be allowed back into society. Once recognised as a legal person again, they were usually at a diminished station, but at least they were alive and had rights… [Updates] were made to the Statute of Praemunire in 1365, curtailing the ability of the papal court to act as a court of first impression or a court of appeal for matters arising in England…

Roughly twenty-five years later, Richard II continued his grandfather Edward III’s work… The 1393 Statute of Praemunire Facias, enhancing the law passed in 1353, did not allow the papal curia to hear any non-spiritual matters that were prejudicial to the king, or went against the customs and laws of England. Spiritual matters could still be heard in Rome, such as divorces and annulments. Anyone who violated the 1393 statute risked punishment by forfeiting all that they owned and being outlawed. The same punishment applied to anyone who aided and abetted them. This was where Henry VIII suffered from the decisions of his great-great-great-granduncle Richard II in Henry’s Great Matter with Katharine of Aragon. This is why Henry’s annulment proceeding simply had to be heard by the pope in Rome, unless Cardinal Wolsey could figure out a solution.…”

History ... the Interesting Bits

Henry VIII’s need for Anne Boleyn opened his eyes to the restrictions of his legal control within England. Their passion inspired Henry to complete the work that was begun hundreds of years before anyone conjured the name of ‘Anne Boleyn’.

For more, pick up a copy of If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn, available via hardback and Kindle in the UK, or via Kindle internationally. Hardbacks are available for international pre-order, with release on 21 April 2026.

About the book:

Many people know about the dramatic rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s controversial second wife, but this is the first book to look at her life from a Continental perspective. Her role models for queenship came from the Low Countries and France, and this contributed to her tragic end. Heather R. Darsie reviews the political missteps and implications of Anne Boleyn’s queenship, delving into the threat she posed to Henry, and why legal changes made during the early years of the English Reformation allowed the English king to judicially murder his inconvenient queen.

Historically, certain things have been overlooked about Anne’s execution: she wore colours usually associated with martyrdom, announced that she did not come to preach, was killed by beheading instead of burning, and had a very crude burial in an unmarked grave. Anne tried to portray herself as a martyr, and Henry did everything he could to prevent her from reaching that status. If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause is about Anne Boleyn, but not the Anne Boleyn you know.

About the Author:

History ... the Interesting Bits

Heather R. Darsie is an independent researcher in the US specializing in early modern history. She focuses on researching the Holy Roman Empire and England in the early 16th century. She is the author of ‘Anna, Duchess of Cleves‘, ‘Children of the House of Cleves‘ and ‘Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess‘. Her primary career is as an attorney. She runs the website MaidensAndManuscripts.com.

*

My Books

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

Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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

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

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

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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

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:

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

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2026 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS and Heather R. Darsie

Book Corner: Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History by Ian Mortimer

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

From the bestselling author of the Time Traveller’s Guides

In these sparkling A to Zs, time-travelling historian Ian Mortimer visits four classic periods of English history: the fourteenth century, the Elizabethan age, the Restoration and the Regency.

As he ranges from the Great Plague to the Great Freeze, from Armada to Austen, and from tobacco to toenails, he shines a light into corners of history we never knew were so fascinating — or so revealing of the whole.

How did the button change life in the Middle Ages? If you found yourself at a smart Elizabethan party, should you kiss your hostess on the lips? Why were pistols safer than swords in a duel? And how come Regency Londoners quaffed so much port?

This is Mortimer at his accessible and witty best. As ever, his aim is not only to bring the past to life but also to illuminate our own times.

A couple of weeks ago, Derek Birks and I had the pleasure of chatting with Ian Mortimer on our podcast, A Slice of Medieval, and we talked about THIS book. You can listen to the episode when it goes live on New Years’ Eve. And if this review doesn’t persuade you to have a read, Ian’s interview certainly will. Ian Mortimer has a refreshing outlook on History – he not only wants to make it accessible to everyone, he wants to make it enjoyable. And he wants you to look at History from different angles, even sideways. Because then, you see things differently.

Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History is split into 5 sections and focuses on 4 main periods; 14th century, Elizabeth, Restoration and Regency, with a 5th section, the envoi, an A to Z of reflections on those themes history that cross periods. This is a stunning book and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Many History fans look down on general History books, saying they already know the basics. But this isn’t basic. It is not as much about the facts as it is about changing the way you look at the facts. It is about making you think and making you look differently at the facts, at what we know and how we know it. It makes you wonder how inventions came about, how innovations developed. It makes you consider how diet, environment, opportunities – and the weather – affected society and drove change.

And the envoi of Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History highlights what doesn’t change, considering the values, good and bad, that transect eras and generations. Xenophobia, for instance, rears its ugly head in every generation. Speed, also, is a consideration throughout the eras; the speed of travel, of communication and of progress.

Q is for Queenship

What are medieval queens for? Obviously, they are the partners of kings and their primary duty is to produce the next generation of the royal family. In medieval times it is essential to have a line of succession: political stability depends on it. But it is worth asking what queens are for other than childbirth. After all, they are not like other aristocratic women. When Lord So-and-so goes off to court, he leaves Lady So-and-so behind to look after the household in his absence, with staff to carry out her instructions, just as in countless other private households in the country. But when the king travels, the court goes with him. His queen might remain in one of the palaces or castles or she might accompany him, but even if she remains, her role is limited. Officials are left in charge of the royal residences. Childcare is normally passed over to other women – wetnurses and guardians. When a fourteenth-century king goes abroad, he entrusts the guardianship of the realm to his heir or a near male relative, not his queen. (In this respect, the fourteenth-century is more sexist than earlier ones.) So it is fair to ask, what other purpose do queens serve?

There are several interesting ways to answer this question. For a start, no fourteenth-century English king marries an Englishwoman. Edward I marries Eleanor of Castile and then Margaret of France. Edward II marries Isabella of France. Edward III marries Philippa of Hainault. Richard II first marries Anne of Bohemia and later Isabella of France. Henry IV is married to an Englishwoman, Mary de Bohun, before becoming king but she dies five years before his accession. The same pattern applies to the previous century: King John annuls his marriage to Isabella of Gloucester almost immediately on becoming king and marries a French heiress, Isabella of Angoulême, very shortly afterwards. Queens are a diplomatic link with other kings and kingdoms. They bring with them foreign attendants and a large number of foreign relations – this is an age when third and fourth cousins are an important source of trust, information and support. Edward II’s queen, Isabella of France, is given the task of negotiating a peace treaty with her brother, Charles IV of France, on her husband’s behalf. Queens thus tie England into an international diplomatic network.

Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History will make you think, question – and want to know more. It is a fabulous resource of facts that you didn’t even know you didn’t know – and didn’t know you needed to know.

Who would have thought of buttons as causing a revolution in fashion? Did you know cows and sheep were smaller in medieval times? Ian Mortimer takes a look at the History we do not always consider: the everyday, the quirky, the mundane. He’s insightful; how much more would we have known about medieval women if they had been taught to write, allowed to tell their own stories?

If you have a History fan in your family, you should get them Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History for Christmas.

It is educational.

It is entertaining.

It is amusing.

It is revelatory.

It is a ‘must read’.

You will not look at History in the same way ever again. Get it. Read it. Devour it. And gift a copy to a friend. It is a fabulous resource for anyone with a love of History – and an amazing introduction for anyone you want to get hooked on History.

Buy Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History

About the author:

Ian Mortimer is the bestselling author of the Time Traveller’s Guides series, as well as Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter and four critically acclaimed biographies. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 1998 and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 2015. His work on the social history of medicine won the Alexander Prize in 2004 and was published by the Royal Historical Society in 2009. He lives with his wife on the edge of Dartmoor.

*

My Books

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

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

Coming 30 March 2026: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages

Books by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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

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

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

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 Ian Mortimer, Bernard Cornwell, Elizabeth Chadwick and Scott Mariani, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. 

There are now over 80 episodes to listen to!

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

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

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment
History... the Interesting Bits

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

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

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

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

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

I do love a good legend!

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

I am having a very Robin Hood-y day!

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

Anyway, back to Robin Hood!

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

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

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

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

In search of a great treasure.

And maybe, just maybe, a pardon for Robin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“That the lot?” Robin wondered.

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

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

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

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

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

What a fabulous story!

And, hopefully, the first of many more!

Buy Return of the Wolf

About the author:

History... the Interesting Bits

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

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

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

*

My books

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

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

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. There’s even an episode where we chat with Steven A. McKay about Robin Hood!

There are now over 75 episodes to listen to!

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly

Book Corner: Venus in Winter by Gillian Bagwell

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment
History...the Interesting Bits

The author of The King’s Mistress (U.S. title The September Queen) explores Tudor England with the tale of Bess of Hardwick—the formidable four-time widowed Tudor dynast who became one of the most powerful women in the history of England.

On her twelfth birthday, Bess of Hardwick receives the news that she is to be a waiting gentlewoman in the household of Lady Zouche. Armed with nothing but her razor-sharp wit and fetching looks, Bess is terrified of leaving home. But as her family has neither the money nor the connections to find her a good husband, she must go to facilitate her rise in society.

When Bess arrives at the glamorous court of King Henry VIII, she is thrust into a treacherous world of politics and intrigue, a world she must quickly learn to navigate. The gruesome fates of Henry’s wives convince Bess that marrying is a dangerous business. Even so, she finds the courage to wed not once, but four times. Bess outlives one husband, then another, securing her status as a woman of property. But it is when she is widowed a third time that she is left with a large fortune and even larger decisions—discovering that, for a woman of substance, the power and the possibilities are endless . . .

Venus in Winter by Gillian Bagwell transports you to Tudor England.

In her novel, Venus in Winter, Gillian Bagwell tells the story of the early years of one of my favourite Tudor heroines, Bess of Hardwick. Gillian follows Bess’s life from her teenage years through her first 3 marriages. The first, to Robert Barlow, which was over all-too-soon. Her second husband, William Cavendish, helped her claim her dower rights from Barlow’s estate and, through Cavendish leaving his estate to her, rather than their children, gave Bess the financial independence that few Tudor women knew and enjoyed. The third husband, Sir William St Loe, was trusted by Queen Elizabeth I herself. Each successive marriage gave Bess greater influence, position and financial independence.

Bess of Hardwick is a woman determined never to be poor again. Clever, beautiful and wise beyond her years, she makes the rules of Tudor society work for her.

But it is not all about money. Gillian Bagwell’s Bess is a fine young woman, learning to find her way in the world, to trust her own instincts to help her children and her wider family. She suffers loss, hardship and uncertainty and is the stronger for it. But this is Tudor England! She also finds herself in the Tower of London, facing questions from the queen’s inquisitors. This is the portrayal of a remarkable young woman who became the matriarch of a powerful family.

On New Years’ Day, as the Zouches and their attendants made their way to the presence chamber of Hampton Court, Bess was very excited. For on this day the king would be presented with his gift – the splendid table and chess pieces, which had been completed in time and had traveled from London swaddled in layers of wool.

The mood at court was lighter and happier than at any time Bess could recall. Anne of Cleves was present, companionably chatting with King Henry, and the shadow of Catherine Howard was almost dispelled by the warmth and light from the hundreds of candles, which made the air redolent of honey. A band of musicians played jaunty dance tunes, and the walls were hung with garlands of holly and ivy. Near the king, a table was stacked with gifts of such magnificence that it staggered Bess. Golden goblets, engraved silver coffers, books in richly ornaments bindings, jeweled collars and belts, furs of deep and gleaming pile, which she longed to touch. But nothing like the chess table the Zouches had brought.

Rich pastries and savory morsels were piled on platters, and great bowls of punch perfumed the air with steam. The room rang with laughter and chatter. Bess, Lizzie, and Doll took up a position near the door where they could watch each new arrival while Audrey trailed Lady Zouche as she made her way around the room greeting friends.

“There’s Anne Basset,” Doll said. “I like her. She always makes me laugh.”

“Lady Latimer is looking very pretty, don’t you think?” Bess asked, eyeing the lady’s emerald silk gown with envy. She didn’t recognize the handsome dark-haired man next to her, but knew it was not Lord Latimer. “Her husband must be too ill to be here.”

“Small wonder, as old as he is,” Doll whispered. “That’s Sir Thomas Seymour with her.”

In Venus in Winter, Gillian Bagwell has skillfully recreated the Tudor world, from the wilds of Derbyshire, to the splendour of the Tudor court. From the last, fearful years of the reign of Henry VIII to the glory and pageantry of Elizabeth I. Her attention to detail and considerable research means that, while the story is fiction it is woven around the historical facts. From her descriptions of the Derbyshire countryside and the detail of the Tudor palaces, you know that Gillian took her research seriously and visited everything she could, adding a note of authenticity to the story.

The characters in Bess of Hardwick are deep and diverse. Bess of Hardwick is a complex young woman, spurred on by a childhood threatened by poverty. She is ambitious, not so much for success as for security. Some of the great names of the Tudor world also put in an appearance. From Elizabeth I to Robert Dudley to Katherine Grey, Bess’s world is occupied by the great and the good of the 16th century. Bess once served in the household of Frances Grey, daughter of Henry VIII’s sister and mother of Jane Grey and Gillian Bagwell draws their story into Bess’s, showing how deep Bess’s affection for the family went. And telling the story of the Nine Days’ Queen through her eyes.

Venus in Winter is not only a wonderful retelling of Bess of Hardwick’s story but also a fascinating exercise in observing the goings-on of the Tudor court through Bess’s eyes. The attention to detail is exquisite.

I would love to see Gillian write a sequel to this, tackling Bess’s last marriage to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. It would be great to read her take on Bess and Shrewsbury’s deteriorating relationship as they act as gaolers for Mary Queens of Scots. And to see how Bess became friends with the captive queen, their scheming to marry Bess’s daughter to Mary’s cousin, that could have put Bess’s granddaughter, Arbella, on the throne, had it not all gone so terribly wrong. What a tale that would be! Especially with Gillian’s genius at storytelling.

To Buy the book: Venus in Winter is available from Amazon

About the author:

History...the Interesting Bits

Gillian Bagwell’s historical novels have been praised for their vivid and lifelike characters and richly textured, compelling evocation of time and place. Her first career was in theatre, as an actress and later as a director and producer, and she founded the Pasadena Shakespeare Company and produced thirty-seven shows over ten years. Gillian has found her acting experience helpful to her writing, and many of the workshops and classes she’s taught at the annual Historical Novel Society Conferences in the US and the UK relate to her life in theatre, including writing effective historical dialogue, using acting tools to bring characters to life on the page, and giving effective public readings. She’s also a professional editor and provides writing coaching and manuscript evaluations. Gillian lives in Berkeley, California in the house where she grew up, her life enlivened by her five rescue cats.

*

My Books

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

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 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. 

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 Elizabeth Chadwick, Helen Castor, Ian Mortimer, Scott Mariani and Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Guest Post: Inside the Book Trade of Late Medieval London by Toni Mount

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

It is always a pleasure to welcome Toni Mount to History … the Interesting Bits. Toni is a brilliant historian and born storyteller and she is here today to give a glimpse of the history behind her latest Seb Foxley novel, The Colour of Darkness. If you haven’t met him yet, I really do recommend you pick up a Foxley book. They are simply delicious!

So, it’s over to Toni…

Inside the Book Trade of Late Medieval London

History ... the Interesting Bits

When we think about medieval London, we probably imagine grimy streets, plague and maybe a knight or two clanking through the city. But tucked within the chaos was a quiet revolution – one involving paper, ink and a growing thirst for knowledge. By the late 1400s, the book trade in London wasn’t just alive; it was thriving. And at the heart of it all stood St Paul’s Cathedral – not just a place of worship, but a book-fest for the city’s literate elite.

To put this in context, the printing press arrived in England when William Caxton famously set up the first one at Westminster in 1476 and the world of books was changing fast. Previously, books were hand-copied by scribes – as at the fictional Seb Foxley’s workshop in Paternoster Row, just north of St Paul’s, in my latest novel, The Colour of Darkness. Writing every page by hand meant they were expensive and slow to produce. But then came the printing press – a real game-changer.

Printing took a decade or two to catch on in England, mainly because it was a tricky procedure to master – see my next guest Blog on printing books – but once the techniques were established books could be produced faster and cheaper. More books available led to an increase in literacy, especially among the urban middle classes, clergy and educated elite. London, with its bustling population and growing trade networks, became a prime spot for this new business.

St Paul’s Cathedral: The Book Trade’s Beating Heart

History ... the Interesting Bits
Old St Paul’s, from Francis Bond, Early Christian Architecture 1913

Forget the grand white dome you see today in the City of London because that was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666. Before that catastrophe, it was ‘Old St Paul’s’, a massive gothic structure that dominated the skyline with a spire over 400 feet tall, at least until it was struck by lightning in the reign of Elizabeth I. Its precinct and churchyard weren’t just for prayer and pigeons but, together with nearby Paternoster Row, were at the very centre of London’s book trade. In fact, Paternoster Row remained at the heart of the British publishing industry until it was destroyed by bombs during World War II.

But returning to the late fifteenth century, imagine a lively courtyard filled with wooden stalls, booksellers shouting out their latest wares, customers thumbing through new pamphlets and prayer books. The area around St Paul’s was known for its ‘stationers’ – a term that, back then, didn’t just mean a place to buy paper and pens. These were the printers, booksellers, and binders who brought the written word to the people.

Why did St Paul’s become such a hive of book-production? The cathedral’s proximity to learning helped. The Cathedral School and other educational institutions were nearby, including the Inns of Court to the west of the city where lawyers were trained and the sons of the aristocracy were schooled in the arts required for life at the royal court. The clergy needed books for sermons, study and teaching, so local demand was ensured.

Who were the Printers?

By the 1480s, London had a small but important group of professional printers. William Caxton deserves the spotlight since he was the first to introduce a press, having learned the business in Burgundy and the Low Countries. His press in Westminster produced some of the first books in English, making literature and religious texts more accessible to the public. After Caxton, his former assistant, Wynkyn de Worde, took over the operation and moved it closer to the action, by St Paul’s. De Worde knew the churchyard was where the customers would come. He printed everything from devotional tracts to almanacs and even the occasional romance or how-to guide. He’s sometimes credited with being one of the first to market printed books to a wider audience.

But printers, like the scribes before them, didn’t only create the pages. They often collated and stitched the pages before either binding them or passing them on to a specialist binder to stitch the pages into a cover. A book’s binding could range from simple stitched parchment to elaborately tooled leather with jewelled clasps. The wealthy might commission personalised bindings with their family crests. The printers often dealt with sales too or went into partnership with independent booksellers. These sellers might have a permanent stall near St Paul’s or be mobile, setting up shop at fairs or markets – wherever there were customers.

What was on the shelves?

So what were Londoners reading? A lot of religious texts, unsurprisingly: sermons, Books of Hours, Psalters and the lives of popular saints. The Church was a dominant force in everyday life and owning religious books was a sign of piety and status. For this reason, the new fashion of portrait painting would frequently show the sitter with a religious book in their hands. But secular works were creeping in, too. Translations of classical texts, histories, medical manuals and even cookbooks began to appear. One popular genre was that of ‘books of courtesy’ – guides to correct behaviour, speech and etiquette for the aspiring gentleman or gentlewoman. There were also the early English romances and poetry. Caxton and de Worde printed tales of King Arthur, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and other stories that helped shape English literary culture down to our own times.

Not only Men’s work

While the big names in printing were all men, there is increasing evidence that women played a quiet but important role in the trade. Widows who took over their husbands’ businesses often became successful printers or booksellers in their own right. The trade was one area in medieval commerce where women participated openly, though their contributions often went under-recorded.

Censorship and Control

Of course, not everyone was thrilled about the explosion of printed material. The Church and the Crown kept a watchful eye on the presses. Unauthorised texts, especially those seen as heretical or politically subversive – such as the Ars Notoria in The Colour of Darkness – could get a printer, stationer or book seller into trouble. The Stationers’ Company, officially incorporated in 1557 but already in existence in the fifteenth century to oversee the production of hand-written books, would help regulate who could print what when printing eventually came under its umbrella.

By the early 1500s, the London book trade was setting the stage for what would become a publishing powerhouse in later centuries. It was local but also international, connected by trade routes that brought in books and ideas from France, the Low Countries and beyond. Some of the early printers, like Wynkyn de Worde, brought their foreign know-how to the new trade. The stalls around St Paul’s would continue to be a hub for centuries, long after the old cathedral itself was gone. In fact, it’s reckoned that one reason why the building burned so ferociously during the Great Fire of 1666 was that the printers and stationers stored their stocks of paper and books in St Faith’s Chapel in the cathedral’s undercroft – a disaster just waiting to happen.

The people who browsed there – the scholars, preachers, merchants, citizens and maybe a curious apprentice or two – were part of a quiet revolution, one that transformed how knowledge spread and who had access to it.

So next time you think about medieval London, picture not just mud and markets but a vibrant little world of booksellers shouting above the crowd, customers thumbing through the latest printed pamphlets and the great gothic walls of St Paul’s towering above it all. The presses may have been small but their impact was monumental.

About the book:

History ... the Interesting Bits

My new Sebastian Foxley novel, The Colour of Darkness, transports readers to midsummer 1480, in medieval London where our hero has to solve a number of serious crimes, involving Master Caxton’s printing business, ‘suspect’ books and witchcraft. London is ready for a joyous festivity but, for some, there is nothing to celebrate when Death stalks the city’s sweltering streets. As livelihoods are brought to ruin and trust withers in the heat, our hero and artist-cum-sleuth discovers trouble has come to his own doorstep. Plague rears its hideous head; fire, theft and disease imperil the citizens.

Meanwhile, a beautiful young woman enchants the men of London and the mob shrieks that witchcraft is to blame when waxen dolls, spiked with pins, are discovered. With such horrors in his possession and discovering that guilt lies too close at hand, can Seb unravel the mysteries and save those he loves before it’s too late?

Join Seb Foxley in this intriguing and danger-riddled new adventure, The Colour of Darkness, out now from MadeGlobal.  

Buy The Colour of Darkness

About the Author:

History ... the Interesting Bits

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

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 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. 

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 discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

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

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

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

*

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Toni Mount

Book Corner: Rise of the First Wessex King by A.J. Proudfoot

Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments
A.J. Proudfoot

When the Saxons, invited to settle in Britannia by King Wyrtgeorn, brutally murder the father and brother of Ceredig, the second son of a fifth century Romano-British chieftain, he flees the land of his birth.

While the Saxons expand their control over Britannia, Ceredig grows up in Armorica, learning the ways of the Gewisse, and ultimately taking command of this elite force of warriors, who had remained loyal to his father, Elisedd.

Despite ruling as a chieftain in Armorica, Ceredig remains determined to return to his homeland, avenge his father and brother’s murder, and finally reclaim the lands his father had once ruled in southern Britannia.

After over forty years in exile, Ceredig, his son and a force of Gewisse warriors return to Britannia, joining a large army of Britons who are preparing to take on the Saxons in battle at Badonbyrg.

What happens next will go down in history…

As a debut novel, Rise of the First Wessex King by A.J. Proudfoot is a winner. And as a special treat, alongside my review, I have an interview with the author, who is currently working on book no. 2 in what promises to be a fascinating series. Cerdic, or Ceredig, is the founder of the kingdom of Wessex and a royal house that would reach its zenith under Ceredig’s descendants, King Alfred the Great, Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, her brother Edward the Elder and Edward’s son Athelstan, first king of England.

And it all started with Ceredig.

In Rise of the First Wessex King, A.J. Proudfoot recreates Ceredig’s world, post-Roman Britain, breathing life into this 1,500-year-old story. And what a fascinating story it is. Though our knowledge is limited, Proudfoot fills in the gaps to create a lively and energetic retelling of the foundation of the royal house of Wessex. This is the story of the fight of the native Britons against the invading Saxons, of a war that must have felt never-ending, at times. It is a story of conflict and betrayal, but also of family and comradeship, and of a young man who had to patiently wait for the time to be right to achieve his dream of pushing back the Saxons and going home.

The characters, particularly our hero, are wonderfully vivid. And I love how Proudfoot weaves the legends of Arthur and Hengist and Horsa in to the story, bringing a little-known period of history back to life. Who doesn’t like to see a little bit of King Arthur thrown into the mix? The inclusion of Artorius and Ambrosius made me smile – and want to read more!

This is a debut novel, so Proudfoot sometimes fall into the trap of giving summaries, telling, rather than showing the action and debate, but this does not detract from the pace of the book. Overall, it is a fabulous read, imbued with a sense of adventure. It is a great start to what promises to be an impressive series.

Overall, it is a great story, told well!

If you’re looking for a new author to sink your teeth into, I don’t hesitate to recommend A.J. Proudfoot’s Rise of the First Wessex King.

To Buy the Book:

Books2Read; The Book Guild; Bookshop.org (UK)

Interview with A.J. Proudfoot

A.J. Proudfoot

Sharon: So, Alex, what got you into writing historical fiction?

Alex: This may come as a surprise, but I didn’t originally set out to become an author and write historical fiction novels. I was simply trying to trace the origins of my unusual Proudfoot surname, and was continuing the research into our Proudfoot family history that my parents and aunt had begun many years before.

After several years’ research, I was amazed to find that I had traced my family ancestry back 1500 years to a mysterious chieftain called Cerdic, at the end of the fifth century, who founded the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. There are many interesting ancestors in the Proudfoot family tree, whose lives would make an excellent novel, but when I discovered more about Cerdic’s life, I realised that there was an Arthurian story that was worth writing.

Sharon: What made you want to tell Cerdic’s story?

Alex: I was intrigued why this important figure in early English history has been largely ignored by historical writers, so I undertook my own research into the life of Cerdic, finding crucial inconsistencies in what is written about Cerdic’s Saxon heritage, which I put down to a desire, by early Saxon chroniclers, to establish King Alfred’s Saxon ancestry.

Instead, I found evidence that Cerdic was more likely to be descended from a Romano-British family, who originally hailed from an ancient Welsh kingdom, and was more than likely called Ceredig, given his Brythonic heritage, and to the phonetic similarities. As a result, I felt compelled to use what I had learned to tell the story about my earliest known ancestor and his crucial role in history, based on recorded events in the early Anglo-Saxon era. To paraphrase John Wade, the rest is historical fiction!

Sharon: How do you go about researching a historical character from 1500 years ago?

Imaginary depiction from John Speed’s 1611 “Saxon Heptarchy”

Alex: The great difficulty in researching a historical figure from so far back is the lack of contemporary records. My starting point was, naturally, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, but it only mentions six events relating to Cerdic’s life, and is written from a Saxon perspective. I read all I could about Cerdic in research papers by modern Anglo-Saxon historians, including JNL Myers and Richard Coates, which is where I found clues to Cerdic’s Romano-British connections. There was also a story about 5th century Bishop Germanus meeting a regional chieftain in southern Britain, called Elasius, whose name is remarkably similar to Elesa, the recorded name of Cerdic’s father in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Eventually, I had built a picture of the young son of a Romano-British chieftain, ruling and defending the southern coastline of Britain against Saxon invaders, who suddenly disappeared from Britain, returning nearly fifty years later to take control over a region in the Upper Thames Valley, before expanding his lands south before becoming king and ruling a kingdom of the Gewisse that would eventually become known as Wessex, named after the West Saxons.

My research raised more questions than answers, so I used what I had learned about events during that period to write a dramatic reconstruction of Cerdic’s life, and the formation of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Based on fact, but mostly fiction.

Sharon: What are you working on now?

Alex:I am currently working on a sequel to Rise of the First Wessex King, which will follow the lives of Cunorix and his son, Ceawlin, as they try to build on Ceredig’s legacy in ruling the kingdom of the Gewisse, whilst facing threats from the Saxons in the east, and Britons in the west, as well as challenges they could not anticipate.

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

Alex: Personally, the hardest part about writing my historical fiction novels is that the stories are based in the south of England and I live just outside Edinburgh, in Scotland. This meant that I have had to make several research trips down south, visiting locations featured in my novels. Whilst there is very little evidence to reveal what it would be like when the books are set, I have found this a useful exercise in understanding the topography, as well as encouraging the creative writing juices.

The best part of being a writer is that I love history and solving puzzles. This has been useful in writing about a period in history where facts are limited, so deciphering my characters’ motives behind their decisions has been crucial in building the story of their lives.

About the Author

A J (Alex) Proudfoot lives in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh. He started his career as an accountant, working in the brewing, publishing and financial sectors, before qualifying as a chartered marketer, working at the University of Edinburgh for over twenty years. After retiring early in 2018, he has spent his free time researching his Proudfoot family history, back 1500 years to his earliest known ancestor, which led to the publication of his debut historical fiction novel, Rise of the First Wessex King.

Social media links

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ajproudfootwriter

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@ajproudfoot

Book trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpZMOMzwZs&t

*

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.

*

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

Cover Reveal!

Sharon Bennett Connolly6 Comments
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest
Here’s a taster – the back cover….

Don’t scroll down!

Be patient!

As many of you may know I have spent the last year on a project that was originally titled ‘The Medieval Princess: Royal Daughters from the Conquest to the Wars of the Roses’. It was one of those projects that seemed to go on and on, with no end in sight. But then, at the end of April, it was done. With one tiny snag. The reason it had seemed never-ending was the word count: a whopping 143,000 words!

Cover reveal coming – be patient!

What does that mean in terms of a physical book? Well, it was 50% more words than in my contract and would come out at a book-and-a-half – about 500 pages.

Just wait a little longer…

It is not a surprise, really, Mary Anne Everett Green’s The Lives of the Princesses of England from the Norman Conquest was published in six volumes in the19th century; the first 3 volumes covered the medieval period. So, I knew all along it was going to be a challenge to bring the book in at under 100,000 words.

And I failed miserably!

Stop scrolling – cover reveal coming soon….

Luckily, I have a very understanding editor and her first words, when I confessed my massive word count, was, ‘well, we’re not going to make you cut 20,000 words. Let’s split it in two!

What a relief!

Not long now…

So, I have spent May splitting the books, polishing off book no. 1 and changing the introduction and conclusions so they are relevant to that particular book. And we have settled on titles. The first book is entitled Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest and will look at the English princesses from the daughters of Harold II to King John.

Nearly there….

I still have work to do on book no. 2, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets, which will include all the royal daughters from Henry III to Edward IV. There will be more on that at the end of the summer…

It’s time!

Did you peek?

So, here it is. The cover for Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest

Drum roll please….

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest

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

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest

Almost as interesting as the marriages these girls made are the ones that were never realised. Many English princesses were betrothed, or proposed as brides, three or more times before they were married. Their failed marriage proposals demonstrated their influence and worth on the international royal marriage market, as well as the changing allegiances between countries and the making and breaking of international friendships.

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

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest is due for release in the spring of 2026, with Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets coming in the summer.

I can’t wait for you to read them!

About the Author:

Sharon Bennett Connolly

Sharon Bennett Connolly is the bestselling author of several non-fiction history books. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Sharon has studied history academically and just for fun – and has even worked as a tour guide at a castle. She also writes the popular history blog, http://www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval, alongside historical novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on women’s history, for historical groups, festivals and in schools; her book Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest is a recommended text for teaching the Norman Conquest in the National Curriculum. She is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television’s Who Do You Think You Are?

Her previous books include: Heroines of the Medieval World, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth-Century England, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey, King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye, Women of the Anarchy, Heroines of the Tudor World and Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From St Margaret to Margaret of Denmark.

Book Launch: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

It is hard to believe – for me, anyway – that I have now published 8 books. 8! I am still waiting for my author copies of Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark, to arrive. But she is out in the world. And I am so proud of this book, not least because it was inspired by my wonderful, history-loving son, Lewis, who instructed me to ‘set the record straight’ for Lady Macbeth. With a prologue dedicated to this maligned woman, labeled a murderer and a madwoman by William Shakespeare, I hope I have done just that. And then there are all the other incredible queens that have sat on Scotland’s throne. Women who have defended the realm, acted as peace weavers, governed for their sons and stood as stalwart supporters of their husbands.

I hope I have done their stories justice.

Zoom Book Launch Party

This is your personal invite to join the celebrations!

So, why not join me to celebrate the release of Scotland’s Medieval Queens by coming to the Zoom Book Launch Party, held alongside my friends Samantha Wilcoxson and Paula Lofting, who also have books out this week. Hosted by Cathie Dunn, we will each tell you a little about our books, answer questions and generally party!

This Sunday – 9 February 2025 at 7pm UK time.

It is free, you just need to reserve a spot.

Follow the Blog Tour:

Paula, Samantha and I are also taking part in a joint mini blog tour, with 6 days of articles and interviews. I kicked us off on Saturday with an article from Paula Lofting looking into King Harold’s Royal Lineage. Samantha was then interviewed on Paula Lofting’s Threads to the Past. And today, I am talking about one of the less well known queens of Scotland, Sybilla of Normandy with Samantha.

There are 3 more stops on the tour, with Samantha visiting History…the Interesting Bits on 5 February, Paula interviewing me on 6 February and Samantha interviewing Paula on 7 February.

Then party time on 9 February!

Podcast:

Have a listen to the latest episode of A Slice of Medieval podcast. In our Book Launch Special my co-host Derek Birks and I celebrate the launch of both our books. Scotland’s Medieval Queens meets A Guide to the Wars of the Roses. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

About Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark:

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

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS 

The Many Marriages of Bess of Hardwick

Sharon Bennett Connolly7 Comments
Bess of Hardwick

Bess of Hardwick is perhaps the most famous Tudor woman, outside of the extended Tudor royal family. A friend of Queen Elizabeth I, and confidant of Katherine Grey, she was also gaoler to Mary, Queen of Scots. An accomplished needlewoman, she is probably best known having built Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire; indeed, Hardwick Hall even bears her initials ES (Elizabeth Shrewsbury) in its external stonework.

Bess’s marital history is just as remarkable.

Bess was born around 1527, one of four daughters and a son born to John Hardwick of Hardwick, Derbyshire. It was a moderately prosperous gentry family. When her father died in 1528, When her father died in 1528, most of the family lands were taken into royal wardship until her brother James came of age. Bess’s mother, Elizabeth Leeke, remarried around 1529, to Ralph Leche of nearby Chatsworth, and had three more children, stretching the family finances even tighter. Leche’s constant problems with money meant that Leche spent the years from 1538 to 1544 in the Fleet Prison for debt and in 1545 he was committed to the debtors’ prison in Derby

With no dowry to attract a husband, 11-year-old Bess was sent into service in the household of Sir George and Lady Anne Zouche of Codnor Castle, a neighbouring family. Lady Zouche was a distant cousin of both of Bess’s parents and a friend and lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn; following the queen’s downfall, she served her successor, Jane Seymour. Sir George was a gentleman pensioner to the king. It was in this household that Bess would have learned the ways of the aristocracy, whilst acting as a lady-in-waiting. Bess would have also made connections with various families through the other young people of the household.

Husband no. 1.

The ‘old’ Hardwick Hall

It was while she was living in the Zouche’s household that Bess met her first husband, Robert Barlow. The Barlows were acquainted with Bess’s stepfather, who was owed money on a land deal by Robert’s father, Arthur Barlow. It may well be that Arthur offered his oldest son and heir in marriage to Bess, with the amount owing from the court case written off in lieu of Bess’s dowry. Bess and Robert were married in the spring of 1543, with Bess being about fifteen and Robert a couple of months short of his fourteenth birthday.

The marriage was short-lived and possibly unconsummated, given their ages. Robert fell ill and died within eighteen months of their wedding day, on Christmas Eve 1544. When Bess applied to the Barlows for her widow’s dower, one-third of the income in rents and revenues from her husband’s estates, she was refused and a lengthy court battle ensued. A settlement was finally in 1546. It did not make her rich, but the annual income of £30 gave Bess a measure of independence when she was only 17 years of age.

Husband no. 2.

Bess of Hardwick, 1550s

Bess may have met Sir William Cavendish, while staying at Bradgate Park with Lady Frances Brandon, Marchioness of Dorset. Frances was a granddaughter of King Henry VII and the mother of the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen. Cavendish was twice-widowed, mature and rather rich, with 3 surviving daughters and no male heir. An experienced government official, he had been appointed Treasurer of the King’s Chamber in 1546 and had been knighted by the king on Easter Sunday of the same year. He had a portfolio of properties throughout the Midlands and a fine house in London.

When he met Bess in 1547, she was 19 and he was 40. A strong friendship developed, despite the age gap. They were married in the family chapel at Bradgate Park on 20 August 1547. Bess had a deep interest in astrology and the timing of the wedding, at two in the morning, was calculated as being the most propitious. Cavendish recorded the event in his notebook:

‘Memorandum. That I was married unto Elizabeth Hardwicke my third wife in Leestersheer at Bradgate House, on 20th August in the first year of King Edward’s reign, at two of the clock after midnight.’1

After the wedding, the couple travelled to Sir William’s manor at Northaw in Hertfordshire where Bess probably met her three stepdaughters for the first time, Catherine, Mary and Anne. At twelve, the eldest was only seven years younger than Bess. Though managing a household and acting as stepmother to 3 girls not much younger than herself must have been a daunting prospect, within a year Bess was keeping the books, paying bills and recording rents. The proximity of the manor to London also meant that shortly after the wedding Bess was presented at court to the young king Edward VI.

Bess and Cavendish would have 8 children together, of which 6 would survive childhood, including 3 boys. And it was with Cavendish that Bess acquired the lands of her stepfather at Chatsworth for £600. There was an old manor house on the property that the family lived in until the completion of Chatsworth House. Bess and Sir William continued to buy land in Derbyshire, including 8,000 acres from the earl of Westmorland. All the Derbyshire properties were in both their names, which meant that when Sir William died before his heir came of age, the properties remained in Bess’s hands rather than being taken into wardship. Sir William died in October 1557, leaving Bess in a precarious financial position, owing £5,237 to the crown over funds that had disappeared during his time at the Exchequer, apparently pilfered by an assistant.

The ‘new’ Hardwick Hall, taken from the old hall

Facing bankruptcy, Bess only avoided the confiscation of her lands by writing to many of her husband’s friends asking for their help and support. These friends voted against the bill when it was presented to Parliament. Her lands were safe, but she still owed the money. Bess made the final entry in Sir William’s notebook:

‘Sir William Cavendish Knight, my most dear and well-loved husband, departed this present life on Monday, being the 25th day of October … on whose soul I most humbly beseech the Lord to have mercy, and to rid me and his poor children of our great misery.’2

Husband no. 3.

In 1559, Bess married her late husband’s friend Sir William St Loe, a widower with 2 surviving daughters, Mary and Margaret. From an ancient and noble family and considerably wealthier than Cavendish had been, St Loe was Captain of Elizabeth I’s Yeoman Guard. St Loe’s father, Sir John St Loe, died and Bess took the opportunity to visit her husband’s old friend and offer her condolences. As the months progressed, so did their relationship. In January 1559, Sir William St Loe played a major role in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, seeing to her security and, as Chief Butler of England, it was St Loe who ceremonially offered the first cup of wine to the new sovereign.

In July 1559, Sir William St Loe announced his betrothal to Bess and a wedding invitation sent by the groom to Bess’s old friend, Sir John Thynne, still exists:

Saving your promise … and not forgetting your friendship, these lines are to satisfy you that the day of my marriage is by my Mistress appointed upon Sunday this sennight [27 August]. At which time both her ladyship and myself [hope] to see you there. She hath with terrible threatenings commanded me not to forget making of her hearty commendations unto you and to my lady your wife, unto whom I pray you let me also commended … from Somerset this Tuesday 15th August. William Seyntlo.3

Bess’s initials and the Talbot dog, Hardwick Hall

Once married, St Loe’s duties often separated the couple, until  Bess was appointed a Lady of the Privy Chamber. Due to his relationship with Queen Elizabeth, St Loe was able to reduce the debt Bess owed and paid the £1,000 fine on her behalf. The marriage of Bess and St Loe was a happy one and he treated Bess’s children as his own. However, Sir William and his younger brother, Edward, became involved in a property dispute. Edward visited Sir William and Bess in London to resolve the issue but shortly after the visit, Bess fell ill, poisoned. William St Loe suspected his brother Edward and 3 of Edward’s associates were punished, though Edward was not.

Bess was visiting her family in Derbyshire in 1565 when she received a note from London informing her that St Loe was critically ill. By the time she arrived back in the city, her husband was dead. As his brother Edward had visited recently, poison was suspected but could not be proven. St Loe had left everything to
Bess. His will was unequivocal, though the fact St Loe had left nothing to his daughters meant that it was challenged, and Bess found herself fighting yet another court case for her rights.

Husband no. 4.

Bess of Hardwick’s initials on Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

On 1 November 1567, Bess married her fourth and final husband, George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. At the same time, four of their children were married, with Bess’s daughter Mary marrying George’s second son, Gilbert, and Henry Cavendish marrying George’s daughter, Grace. A wealthy widow until that point, Bess was well aware that all her lands and property would be controlled by Shrewsbury from the moment of their marriage. However, Bess had a clause written into the marriage contract that in exchange for this, one-third of Shrewsbury’s unsettled income would go to Bess on his death. Arrangements were also made regarding Chatsworth, which would automatically go to Henry Cavendish on Bess’s death.

Bess and Shrewsbury spent the first few months of their married life away from court but sent the queen a gift of venison through Bess’s nephew, Anthony Wingfield. When the young man said he did not know when Bess would be returning to court, the queen said,

‘I am assured that if she have her own will she would not be long before she would see me. I have been glad to see my lady St Loe, but am I now more desirous to see my Lady Shrewsbury. I hope my Lady hath known my good opinion of her… I assure you there is no Lady in this land that I better love and like.’4

Bess of Hardwick’s bedchamber, Hardwick Hall

In 1568, Shrewsbury and Bess were given the custody of Mary, Queen of Scots, who remained in their charge until 1584. Famed for her needlework, Bess and Queen Mary would work on samples together. It was whilst they had custody of the Scots queen that Bess and Shrewsbury’s relationship began to break down. Bess repeatedly accused the earl of infidelities, including with their queenly prisoner, and Shrewsbury was feeling the strain of acting gaoler, with mounting debts as a result of the expenses incurred. In 1584, Bess separated from Shrewsbury and went to live at Chatsworth. She had to fight yet another legal battle when Shrewsbury claimed Chatsworth was his under the terms of their marriage settlement, but the court found in Bess’s favour, awarding her Chatsworth and a sizeable income from her husband.

By the time of the settlement, however, Bess had already moved on from Chatsworth and started a new building project at Hardwick, rebuilding her family’s old Hall, which was completed by 1591. Her estranged husband, Shrewsbury, died in 1590, leaving Bess with a third of his disposable lands. As a result, as soon as the Old Hall was completed, Bess embarked on a new project, building an entirely new Hardwick Hall right next door. Bess’s final years were occupied with building and furnishing the new hall.

In 1601, she made her will, leaving Hardwick to her second and favourite son, William, while her eldest son Henry was to have Chatsworth. Bess also made provision for her other children and her grandchildren, as well as her servants and the residents of the almshouse that she had founded in Derby. However, she altered the will in March 1603, after quarrelling with both Henry and her granddaughter Arbella, both of whom she now disinherited.

Effigy of Bess of Hardwick wearing a coronet of a countess. Derby Cathedral

At the time of her death, Bess was one of the richest people in England. She had survived childbirth eight times and the rollercoaster that was the English Reformation. She is famed both as the builder of Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall and as the founder of a great dynasty. Her descendant, Peregrine Cavendish, the twelfth and current duke of Devonshire, still resides at Chatsworth House. Bess is also famed for her needlework, many examples of it still survive in her various properties. She and Mary, Queen of Scots would work on samples together when the Scots queen was in the custody of Bess and her husband.

Having survived all four husbands, various legal challenges, poisoning and scandal, Bess died at Hardwick on 13 February 1610 and was buried at All Hallows, Derby, now Derby Cathedral.

Notes:

1. Collins, Historical Collections of the Noble Families of Cavendish quoted in Mary S. Lovell, Bess of Hardwick, p. 36; 2. Collins, Historical Collections of the Noble Families of Cavendish, quoted in Jill Armitage, Four Queens and a Countess, p. 93; 3. Mary S. Lovell, Bess of Hardwick, p. 147; 4. Jill Armitage, Four Queens and a Countess, p. 125

Sources;

Mary S. Lovell, Bess of Hardwick: First Lady of Chatsworth; Jill Armitage, Four Queens and a Countess: Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Mary I, Lady Jane Grey and Bess of Hardwick; Nathaniel Johnson, Lives of the Earls of Shrewsbury; Arthur Barlow’s Inquisition Post Mortem; Calendar of State Papers, Letters and Papers September 1536; Lisa Hilton, Elizabeth I: Renaissance Prince, A Biography; Annie Bullen, Hardwick Hall (guidebook); Tracy Borman, Elizabeth’s Women; Leanda de Lisle, The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Jane Grey; Nicola Tallis, Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey; Alison Weir, Elizabeth the Queen; Elizabeth Norton, The Lives of Tudor Women; Victoria Sylvia Evans, Ladies-in-Waiting: Women who Served at the Tudor Court; Amy Licence, The Sixteenth Century in 100 Women.

Images:

Portraits of Bess and her tomb are courtesy of Wikipedia. All images of Hardwick Hall ©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

*

My Books

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

Coming 30 January 2025: 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 for pre-order now.

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 discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Our latest episode is 2024 Christmas Special with Toni Mount, A Medieval Christmas.

*

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

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

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

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS