In Kathryn Warner's book on Richard II I found that in 1386 the usual meeting of the Order of the Garter was deferred from St George's Day, although no reason was given in the King's letters. This threw me as the opening scene of This New Spring of Time is that very meeting and I had written it as taking place on St George's Day. Suddenly, this was wrong!
So I searched as one does, and found that the Garter statutes (albeit compiled in Henry V's time) provided that if the feast of St George fell close to Easter, the meeting would be deferred until the following Sunday. This was to save the knights having to travel over Easter, which was a no-no.
In 1386, St George's Day fell on Easter Monday! So at a stroke, I knew why it had been deferred and the likely replacement date. Simples!
Tuesday, 18 December 2018
Thursday, 6 December 2018
Progress on This New Spring of Time
I am finally making some progress with the novel This New Spring of Time which is a prequel to Within the Fetterlock.
Currently I am four chapters in and making (by my standards) good progress. This has been a start from scratch as I am using what is (for me) a new style.
All other writing is currently suspended. I have written about 60,000 words of Alianore II, but I am not satisfied with it, so it is going to have to have a complete rethink.
Currently I am four chapters in and making (by my standards) good progress. This has been a start from scratch as I am using what is (for me) a new style.
All other writing is currently suspended. I have written about 60,000 words of Alianore II, but I am not satisfied with it, so it is going to have to have a complete rethink.
Friday, 31 August 2018
August 31st marks the death in 1688 of John Bunyan, author of the very influential book, Pilgrim's Progress, which has been loved by Christians across the world since it was first published.
Interestingly, Bunyan wrote the book while he was in prison, to which he was sent for the terrible crime of preaching without a licence by the tyrannical, bigoted government of Oliver Cromwell.
Oh, sorry! Cromwell died in 1658 and Bunyan was not arrested until 1661. It was actually the tyrannical, bigoted government of King Charles II.
This demonstrates two things:
1. While we should strive not to be bigoted, the "right kind" of bigot often escapes criticism, not least in history.
2. (For writers). If it's possible to write a major book within the confines of 17th Century prison, it should be possible anywhere.
Interestingly, Bunyan wrote the book while he was in prison, to which he was sent for the terrible crime of preaching without a licence by the tyrannical, bigoted government of Oliver Cromwell.
Oh, sorry! Cromwell died in 1658 and Bunyan was not arrested until 1661. It was actually the tyrannical, bigoted government of King Charles II.
This demonstrates two things:
1. While we should strive not to be bigoted, the "right kind" of bigot often escapes criticism, not least in history.
2. (For writers). If it's possible to write a major book within the confines of 17th Century prison, it should be possible anywhere.
Monday, 26 March 2018
Despenser Inheritance
This link will take you to an interesting (if complex) article by Professor Hicks about the Despenser Inheritance.
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