Category Archives: Medieval History

Discussion and posts on purely medieval history

Book Launch: Master of Battle by Stuart Rudge

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Derek Birks

Today I am delighted to celebrate a new book by fellow author Stuart Rudge, Master of Battle which is the exhilarating fourth instalment of the Legend of the Cid. Peace reigns in the Kingdom of Leon-Castile, and Antonio Perez returns … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Tour, Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History, New release, Spanish History | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Feature: Blood Feud by Stuart Rudge

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Derek Birks

Today I am featuring a book by an up and coming author I’ve only recently stumbled across, Stuart Rudge. His new book, Blood Feud, is the sequel to The Rise of a Champion in the series entitled The Legend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History, New release, Spanish History | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Ladies of the Magna Carta – a Review

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Derek Birks

I am absolutely delighted that my blog has the honour of being the final stop on a blog tour to celebrate: The Ladies of the Magna Carta by Sharon Bennett Connolly. Sharon Bennett Connolly is fast becoming the go-to historian if … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Reviews, History, Medieval History, New release, Plantagenets, Reviews, Women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Author interview – Mercedes Rochelle

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Derek Birks

Mercedes Rochelle has just published The King’s Retribution, the second book, of her series set in the England of Richard II and I’m delighted to host the penultimate spot on her book’s blog tour. If you read A KING UNDER … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Tour, Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History, New release, Plantagenets, The Writing Process, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 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

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

Review: Silk and the Sword by Sharon Bennett Connelly

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Derek Birks

Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest The Norman Conquest is, I suppose, a period about which we all know at least a little bit. We have heard of Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror and perhaps Harald … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, History, Medieval History, Norman Conquest, Reviews, Saxon England, Women's history | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Storming the conventions of historical fiction

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Derek Birks

I came late to writing historical fiction – in fact late to writing altogether. History was what I knew best but there were a number of conventions associated with historical fiction that I did not like very much. The idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, History, Medieval History, The Writing Process, Wars of the Roses, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dodging Arrows Podcasts: The Wars of the Roses!

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Derek Birks

Podcasting the Wars of the Roses! Always been confused by the Wars of the Roses? Hardly dared ask a question in case you get a three hour long answer? Well, help is at hand! Over on my website I’m running a … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Medieval History, Plantagenets, Richard III, Uncategorized, Wars of the Roses | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Common Myths of the Wars of the Roses: Richard III: Victim of Tudor Propaganda? Part 1

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Derek Birks

In the past year, while writing my sixth novel set during the Wars of the Roses, I’ve had to confront directly in my research the legend that is Richard III. So much has been written about this king that it … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Medieval History, Plantagenets, Richard III, Wars of the Roses | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment