Category Archives: Blog hop

Stepping Back Into Saxon England

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Derek Birks

I’m delighted to welcome to my blog today popular historical novelist, Helen Hollick who, with fellow author, Annie Whitehead is revisiting a very interesting period of Britain’s past. The subject matter of Helen’s post is currently very much on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, Historical Fiction, History, Post Roman Britain, Saxon England | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Christmas Lord of Misrule in Kingdom of Rebels

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Derek Birks

As part of this Christmas season blog hop by members of the Historical Writers Forum, I’ve chosen to revisit a Christmas scene with a difference. A persistent, though occasional, medieval Christmas tradition was the election by lot of a ‘Lord … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, Christmas, Historical Fiction, Wars of the Roses | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Historical Writers Forum brings you… An Interview with Lady Nicholaa de Haye

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Derek Birks

In 1228, the monk, Hereticus, talks to Lady Nicholaa de Haye, one of the staunchest defenders of the king and his kingdom, at her manor at Swaton in Lincolnshire, as he gathers information for his forthcoming blockbuster chronicle: The Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, History, Medieval History, Women's history | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Who Is Eleanor Elder?

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Derek Birks

Lady Eleanor is a leading character in my two series set during the Wars of the Roses: Rebels & Brothers and the Craft of Kings. Of all the characters in all the books, she is the one who regularly – … Continue reading →

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Coming soon from the Historical Writers Forum

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Derek Birks

Lady Eleanor Elder has been a very popular character with readers throughout two series of books about the Elder family set during the Wars of the Roses. Don’t miss her candid interview with author Sharon Bennett Connolly.

Posted in Blog hop, Historical Fiction, Medieval History, Wars of the Roses, Women's history | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Bloghop!

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Derek Birks

So, the Best Supporting Role Bloghop comes to a fitting end with Helen Hollick’s character from the Sea Witch stories: Claude de la Rue. http://ow.ly/If7v307dn4M Check out the other characters below: The Bloghop is hosted by the marvellous Helen Hollick. … Continue reading →

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The Boar’s Head Carol and Why I Remember It.

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Derek Birks

  And now for something completely… well, seasonal… as part of a December Blog Hop organised by IndieBRAG. The Boar’s Head Carol is pretty distinctive and easily recognised by the fact that it starts with the line: “The boar’s head … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, Carols, Christmas, History, Medieval History | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Holiday Historical Fiction Blowout Presents: Rebels and Brothers… A Story of the Wars of the Roses

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Derek Birks

As in any period of wartime, there are many stories to be told and the Rebels and Brothers series is in part an antidote to historical fiction which focuses solely on the lives of and events surrounding kings and queens. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History, Wars of the Roses | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Lord of Misrule – A Medieval Christmas Recipe for Trouble

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Derek Birks

A persistent, though occasional, medieval Christmas tradition was the election by lot of a ‘Lord of Misrule’ to organise the seasonal festivities. This would usually be a peasant or household servant whose temporary role would represent a brief turning of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog hop, Historical Fiction, Medieval History | Tagged , , | 18 Comments