Tag Archives: Edward IV of England

The Battle of Barnet, 14th April 1471

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Derek Birks

In honour of the anniversary of this important battle in the Wars of the Roses, I’m posting my take on it as portrayed in an excerpt from The Last Shroud, book 4 of my Rebels and Brothers series. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History, Uncategorized, Wars of the Roses | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Trouble with Richard III… and the ‘Mornington Crescent’ Syndrome

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Derek Birks

I’ve been studying the Yorkist kings off and on for several decades. It’s a subject which has always interested me but I have to say that it’s gradually wearing me down, slowly grinding away at my historical patience. I started … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Medieval History | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Tripwires of the Past – the Threads of History I found in Barnet

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Derek Birks

A favourite metaphor of mine when describing the changing story of our past is the idea of a tapestry – the woven word if you like. But it’s become clear to me, especially as I continue to carry out research … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lies, Damned Lies and … Chronicles – Shedding some light on the Yorkshire Rebellions of 1469

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Derek Birks

It’s often said – and rightly so – that primary source material is a godsend not only to the historian but also to historical novelists. As well as giving us an idea what happened, primary sources can also provide a … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments