For National Tea Day, Isabel Stilwell investigates the story of Catherine of Braganza, the queen who popularised Britain’s favourite drink. In 1777 a Frenchman came to Portugal as a spy, and to prove his point that the country was utterly under British influence, he wrote: “The Portuguese copy the English to such an extent, that […]
The Trojan Wars: Men or Myths?
Hilary Green explores the evidence of the real historical figures behind the Trojan Wars. Everyone knows the story of the Trojan War – don’t they? Achilles the great warrior, cunning Odysseus, the Trojan horse? That last, at least, has become common parlance. In recent years fewer and fewer people seemed to have heard it, but […]
The Women of the Knights Templar
Simon Turney explores the surprising history of the female Knights Templar. The Knights Templar
April Giveaway!
This month we’re giving away a bundle of new historical fiction from those generous folk at Bonnier Zaffre. One lucky winner
Win Tickets to Alison’s Weir’s Book Launch!
Win a pair of tickets to the launch of the stunning third book in Alison Weir’s Six Tudor Queens
History by the River
History by the River is a monthly panel event with a social buzz for lovers of books, history and good beer. It’s a chance to get together with fellow readers and authors to hear about the best new historical writing, then discuss it all over a drink afterwards. Three acclaimed writers, three remarkable stories, one […]
Dr Darwin’s Writing Tips
Dr Darwin tackles a topical question: are there multicultural boundaries we must not cross in historical fiction? Or, how do we cross them without stepping on toes? Dear Dr Darwin, I’m working on a script that begins during the 1830’s. The central character is a fictional young Black teen, and two major characters are actual […]
The Dark Legacy of Rome
“Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” The classic comedy of Monty Python’s Life of Brian sums up the modern perception that the Roman empire was a force for good. But there are darker aspects […]