Henry III, married to Eleanor of Provence, absolutely loved feasts and pageants. He enjoyed dressing extravagantly and she was a fashion icon during the mid thirteenth century. Eleanor’s coronation feast was lavish. Henry, a man with a grand sense of occasion, was generous and warm-hearted. He spared no expense for his wedding to thirteen-year-old Eleanor and the coronation which followed … Read More
A Thirteenth Century Fashionista, Ailenor of Provence
A Thirteenth Century Fashionista Ailenor of Provence, the heroine of my new book The Silken Rose was a leader of fashion during the thirteenth century. She was an impoverished princess from Provence but once she married Henry III money was no object. Plus her older sister, Marguerite, was married to the King of France and Ailenor, certainly not wishing to … Read More
Thomas Cromwell’s Wife: Elizabeth, Mistress Cromwell
Why Write a Novel about Thomas Cromwell’s Wife ? Having written about Thomas Cromwell’s wife Elizabeth, Mistress Cromwell, I hear a few whispers of Why Elizabeth Cromwell? Yes, I was inspired by Wolf Hall and look forward to reading the final part of Mantel’s Trilogy, The Mirror and the Light. At this time of lock down due to COVID 19, … Read More
Paddy Leigh Fermor in Heidelberg
I have always admired the writing of Paddy Leigh Fermor. He lived in Kalamitsi a short distance from the village in the Mani where I base myself during the summer. I never did get to meet him but have twice visited the villa he designed himself and part constructed with the assistance of a Greek friend who was a local … Read More
Medieval English Gardens- The Paradise or Love Garden
Gardens and medieval estates are significant in my current work in progress. The Damask Rose is set during the later part of the magnificent thirteenth century. From the thirteenth century on, the medieval royal court was exceptionally interested in experimental gardening. The Tower of London and the Palace of Westminster possessed extensive gardens, orchards and vineyards. London was full of … Read More
Grey’s Court-A Medieval Manor
In early May, I visited Grey’s Court near Maidenhead in Berkshire, which like Wolf Hall, is a Tudor house with many additions from later centuries. It possesses a series of courtyards, outbuildings, medieval towers, magnificent gardens and a bluebell wood. As I walked around Grey’s Court I thought of how Wolf Hall could have appeared to the eye during the … Read More
A Visit to Wolf Hall
Wolf Hall lies on the edge of The Savernake Forest and was the familial home of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife. This location does not actually enter into my novel The Woman in the Shadows. My novel is about Elizabeth, Thomas Cromwell’s wife and it, in fact, ends in 1528 before Cromwell becomes a courtier. None the less, The … Read More
Out of the Shadows: Story of the Book Launch in Pictures.
On the 4th August The Woman in the Shadows was published. The launch party was held in Oxford Waterstones on publication day and was attended by over seventy guests. It was a pleasant evening with sunshine pouring in through the long windows of the second floor restaurant. You can see my publisher, Hazel Cushion, in the first picture. She is … Read More
Summer Books by guest author Brenda Brittan
I welcome Brenda Brittan, Writer from The Greek Mani Writer’s Group to share her favoured summer reads. As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning – Laurie Lee This delightful sequel to Cider With Rosie, is an ideal summer read when one wants to escape the restrictions of everyday life and visit somewhere different. This is a captivating tale of a … Read More
The Tudor Way of Death
My new novel The Woman in the Shadows opens with the death of Elizabeth Williams’ husband’s death. She has kept his secret for years but now she is free. She is a widow, ready to take on the management of her cloth trade. Then, she meets Thomas Cromwell who helps her to overcome her father’s opposition and that of jealous … Read More