Historical Fiction and Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Book Reviews and ruminations on life
13
Jun
On this day: June 13th 323 BC King Alexander the Great died of fever in Babylon. He was only 32 years old. To me Alexander the Great is a perfect example of a man who seized the moment – he took the years he had and did something with them. What he did echoes down […]
Tags: Alexander the Great
5
May
The House on the Hill was built in the high Victorian era by a banker, Bartholomew Maurice to fit current fashions with tall windows and ceilings, a parlour to receive visitors, a dining room, a huge kitchen and play rooms for the children of the family who numbered eight. It was filled with expensive furniture […]
27
Apr
Continuing my discussion of arms and armour used in Anglo Saxon times I am looking at missiles. This material is adapted from Richard Underwood’s book Anglo Saxon Weapons and Warfare which I refered to when writing The Amber Treasure. It is recommended for those wishing detail on this subject. a)Javelin. Although spears could be used […]
Tags: Anglo Saxons; weapons, bow, richard denning, sling, The Amber Treasure
22
Apr
First ever Victoria Cross auctioned for £250,000 Major Knox performed two acts of valour in the Crimean War The Victoria CRoss is the highest honour in British Military Service. The very first one earned by Major John Simpson Knox has been auctioned by an anonymous seller for a quarter of a Million pounds in London. […]
Tags: Crimea, Knox, Victoria Cross
19
Apr
I went to the London Book Fair today (April 2010). I thought I would feed back a bit on it. So WHY did I go? I am only a self published Author and in fact I am my own publisher ( http://www.merciabooks.co.ukand http://www.richarddenning.co.uk is the obligatory quick plug). Well firstly I had decided to put my books […]
Tags: Ipad, London Book Fair, New Title Shelf
8
Apr
We know a considerable amount about the arms and armour used by the Anglo Saxons because firstly there is much mention of them in the sagas and chronicles such as The Battle of Maldon. Secondly weapons often survive well in archaeological finds being made, at least in part, of metal such as iron and steel. […]
7
Apr
Doctor William Morgan’s fingers moved briskly across the keyboard, typing in his password like an irritated tap dancer, and finished by hitting the enter key with venom. Then, whilst waiting for the programme to start-up, he looked mournfully at the ticket tossed angrily on the desk in front of him. Outside, the sun was climbing […]
Tags: cricket, morning surgery, richard denning, Short Story
3
Apr
In an age when the role of the warrior was key to protecting one’s family as well as to carving your own path in the world, the process of becoming a warrior was a central part of a youth’s life. Certainly this was so for boys and even (although to a far lesser extent) to some girls, […]
Tags: shield maidens, training, valkyries, warriors
26
Mar
RICHARD BUSBY (16o6-1695) Modern perceptions of the classical education available at the famous English Public schools of Eton and Harrow owe a lot to how those places evolved and established systems of education in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet one man above all can be argued to have done the most to influence […]
20
Mar
£1.3 grant from National Lottery secures future of The Staffordshire Horde It has been confirmed this week (article written March 20th) that a £1.3 grant from the National Lottery added to £2 already rasied by a public appeal is sufficient to safeguard this historic collection and keep it in the Midlands for the future generations. […]
Tags: Anglo-Saxon, Staffordshire Horde, Treasure