Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

Albert:  A Life by Jules Stewart. Non-fiction.  US release December 20, 2011 (released in the UK in October 2011).

Albert: Prince Consort to Queen Victoria, social and cultural visionary in his own right, was born in the Saxon duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld but defined the culture and direction of 19th century Britain - a superpower at the zenith of its influence - more than any other British royal or politician. Although he pleaded with his wife that no monument to his memory should be left (a plea that was to go unheeded by his grieving widow) the role he played in shaping Victorian culture stands today as indisputable proof of the enduring legacy of a man who spent just two decades of his short life in England.

Though overshadowed in history by his adoring wife, and at times even mocked by her subjects, it was arguably Albert that gave form and substance to the Victorian Age. From the outset, he strove to win 'the respect, the love and the confidence of the Queen and of the nation', pursuing an extraordinary social and cultural crusade that has become his greatest legacy. From the Great Exhibition and the construction of many of London's great museums to his social campaigns against slavery and the Corn Laws, Albert's achievements were truly remarkable - in fact, very few have made such a permanent mark on British society. This is the life story of Albert of Saxe-Coburg: Prince Consort and beloved husband of Queen Victoria - and one of the most influential figures of modern Europe.



Conqueror:  A Novel Of Kublai Khan by Conn Iggulden.  US release December 27, 2011 (was released in the UK in October 2011).

The novels of Conn Iggulden bring the past to thrilling life, from ancient Rome to thirteenth-century Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Now he delivers the spectacular story of the rise of Genghis Khan’s grandson, a man destined to become one of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived—the legendary Kublai Khan.


A succession of ruthless leaders has seized power in the wake of the great Khan’s death—all descendants of Genghis, but none with the indomitable character that led a people to triumph. One grandson, Guyuk, decadent and vicious, seeks to consolidate his position through bribery and murder, pitting powerful factions against one another and straining the loyalties of the tribes to the breaking point.

Next comes his cousin, Mongke, who eliminates all possible opposition with breathtaking brutality and dispatches his younger brothers Kublai and Hulegu to far-flung territories, to test their mettle and their allegiance.

Hulegu displays his barbarity with the savage destruction of Baghdad and his clash with the Khan’s age-old enemies, the cult of assassins, who will strike deep into the heart of the nation. But it is Kublai—refined and scholarly, always considered too thoughtful to take power—who will devise new ways of warfare and conquest as he builds the dream city of Xanadu and pursues the ultimate prize: the ancient empire of Sung China. His gifts will serve him well when an epic civil war breaks out among brothers, the outcome of which will literally change the world.

Brilliantly researched and imagined, unforgettably told, Conqueror is a magnificent achievement from an enthralling writer at the peak of his powers, a must read for all lovers of history and storytelling on the grand scale.



The Maid and the Queen:  The Secret History of Joan of Arc and Yolande of Aragon.  UK release December 29, 2011 (will be released in the US in March 2012).

How did an illiterate 17-year-old peasant girl manage to become one of histories most salient females? It is almost 600 years since Joan of Arc heard the voices of angels that would change her life forever: in a breathtaking story her quest saved France from English domination and restored France's hereditary monarchy. Just thirteen when her life changed forever, Joan's holy guidance led her on an arduous eleven-day journey into the unknown, restoring the Dauphin back to his original birthright in an official coronation where he was able to resume his rule as France's legitimate king. Joan summoned and led an impressive army of French loyalists against the English, marking the siege at Orleans as an exhilarating English defeat that would liberate the city. The following year witnessed Joan's capture by the enemy.

After a series of heroic endeavours to escape cruel adversaries, she was subjected to trial by inquisition and then in Rouen, the heart of France, Joan's courageous journey came to a heartbreaking conclusion. This is the story at the core of centuries of myth-making. But what if we no longer accept this tale? What if we question whether the Heavens and their angels were truly Joan's only source of strength and power? What if we demand a different narrative? This revisionist biography unearths the secular and verifiable basis for Joan's heroic exploits: Yolande of Aragon, a forgotten mentor. This is a story of not one life, but two; two lives that together were intertwined in the restoration of France's greatness.

The adorable village of Corfe Castle, slong the southern coast of England in Dorset




and the castle of the same name that overlooks it...




Due to its highly defensive position (and perhaps its remote location), Corfe Castle was often used as a state prison.  Henry I's older brother Robert was imprisoned here as was King John's niece Eleanor.  Edward II was kept here in 1326 before he was moved to Berkeley Castle.  This was the last place on our itinerary and it was one of our favorites!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately - I have been dealing with some family issues and as if that wasn't enough, my daughter who just graduated from college has taken a non-paying internship/job here in DC and so will be moving in with me next week.  That meant I had to move - again - into a larger apartment so life has been a little nutso the last few weeks.  I hope to get back to regular reading and blogging after the holidays.  In the meantime, here are the covers for a couple of upcoming releases previously mentioned as part of a "Weekly Wishlist" post.  Enjoy!





The second in Robert Low's series on William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.  UK release February 16, 2012.

Today's guest is Mark Lord who is going to talk a little about his short story set during the Hundred Years War.


“Chivalry” is the first in a series of short stories featuring a character called Jake Savage. He's an archer serving in the English army during the Hundred Years War. Jake signed up looking for adventure and also to forget a woman he loved back in England. There's a lot more to know about Jake's past but I'm not going to tell you any more here as it’s not covered in this short story. My plan is to reveal more about Jake's past in future short stories, and ultimately in a novel that I'm working which is provisionally titled Hell has its Demons, where Jake teams up with a young scholar, Roger Sotil, in a mission to stop Jake's hometown being overrun by demons.


But back to “Chivalry”. The story came from two ideas: firstly a sort of classic tale from medieval romance literature where a mysterious knight prevents others from passing until they have fought him in chivalrous one on one combat. Usually this mysterious knight turns out to be a great hero in disguise. The other idea was about the massive contrast between ideal and reality in medieval warfare. The code of chivalry was intended as a set of rules to protect the weak and to ensure good behaviour of combatants: i.e. knights. In reality however these rules only applied to the knightly and noble classes. The Hundred Years War (which actually lasted 116 years) brought misery and devastation to France and did little to help England either. The favoured strategy of English armies was to ship over from England and then stomp through France living off the land, pillaging and devastating as they went, hoping to tempt a French army into open battle. This was called the chevauchée or armed raid. Famously practiced with success by the Black Prince in 1356 leading to his great victory of Poitiers, in 1373 John of Gaunt, the Black Prince’s younger brother, lead a similar chevauchée from Calais through the heart of France with the intention of relieving the beleaguered province of Aquitaine (in south west France). He was forced to take this route because the English simply didn’t have enough ships to carry a large enough army all the way. Gaunt’s chevauchée was regarded as daring by contemporaries but was a complete failure. No victories were won and the army suffered high levels of attrition as it was chased through France trying to avoid larger French armies, eventually reaching the safe haven of English territory in Bordeaux. The hoped-for reinforcements to defend Aquitaine had been whittled away by Gaunt’s foolish escapade.

In “Chivalry” Jake Savage is part of a knight’s retinue that has broken away from the main part of Gaunt’s army as it travels through the wooded hills of the Auvergne region of central France. Rather than benefitting from opportunities to loot and pillage they are struggling to find food just to survive.

These men are desperate and are prepared to do anything to get what they need. Only Jake seems to show any discomfort with the harshness of their treatment of local peasants. In their desperation the band of men decide to investigate a small castle on a hill above a village which they have already ransacked. They travel along a path through the hills hopeful to find food and maybe even loot, but when they come to a narrow bridge over a deep ravine their way is blocked by a black armoured knight. On the other side of the bridge, behind the knight sits a lady outside a silk pavilion. The knight remains silent, but the lady speaks on his behalf and challenges the English to single combat with her lord.

As you might guess the English soldiers have no wish to engage the knight in a chivalrous fight.

Of all the English soldiers only Jake behaves differently. He is a commoner by birth, but as a child was inspired by tales of Arthur and his heroic knights. He knows that the English are acting against the code of chivalry. But what will he do about it? Help his comrades, or do what is right?

I hope that you find Chivalry an entertaining read. To find out more about it go to http://marklord.info/writing/published-fiction/chivalry-a-jake-savage-adventure/


Thanks Mark.  Chivalry is available as an ebook and Mark has graciously offered one up for grabs.  To enter, please complete the form below by midnight, December 19, 2011.  Contest is open internationally!

For fans of Alison Weir, by a rising star in the field, a groundbreaking first biography of one of England’s most consequential queens, Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror.

The remarkable story of Matilda’s marriage to one of the most famous men in history reveals not just her extraordinary character but also the lasting influence that she would have on the English monarchy. All British monarchs from 1087 to the present day can trace their lineage to this first royal consort to be crowned with full pomp and formally recognized as queen. Passionate, steadfast, and wise, she was also ruthless, tenacious, and authoritative, the only person capable of taming her formidable husband. She confounded the traditional views of women in medieval society by seizing the reins of power whenever she had the chance, directing William’s policy and at times flagrantly disobeying his orders.

The Courtesan’s Lover by Gabrielle Kimm.  US release May 1, 2012 (released in the UK earlier this year)

A compelling and vibrant tale from an up-and-coming fresh voice with glowing reviews and strong sales in the UK. The Courtesan's Lover is a return to the fascinating, decadent world that Kimm fans will want to savor. Francesca Felizzi, former mistress of the Duke of Ferrara, longs to be one of the most prestigious of the courtesans. But a chance encounter reveals to Francesca that her sumptuous life is a gaudy facade, and soon an unexpected event plunges her and her two young daughters into a danger she has long dreaded.

Her Highness the Traitor by Susan Higginbotham.  US release June 1, 2012.

When Henry VIII dies, leaving behind his nine-year-old son as his heir, a deadly series of power struggles begins, transforming the lives of two women. Joan Dudley’s husband, the Duke of Northumberland, becomes the most powerful man in England, while Frances Grey perches with her daughter Jane dangerously close to the throne. But when Mary Tudor asserts her own right to the crown, Frances and Joan find that the lives of their husbands and children are in mortal danger. The story of the women behind the crowning of Jane Grey, this novel is an illuminating tale of ambition gone awry.

The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner.  US Release June 12, 2012.

For fans of Philippa Gregory’s and Alison Weir’s historical fiction, a gripping new novel that follows young Isabella of Castile in her dramatic and turbulent ascent to power, transforming herself from the defiant daughter of an exiled widow to the famed warrior-queen who irrevocably changed the future of Spain.

Isabella of Castile is one of history’s most famous and fascinating figures. She was the warrior-monarch who united a fractured kingdom; she was the passionate woman willing to risk her life to marry her true love; she was a Renaissance leader, patron of the arts, and scholar, responsible for sending Columbus to America. Revered by some as a devout leader who transformed Spain into a world power, she is reviled by others as a fanatic who ushered in an era of persecution. In The Queen’s Vow, C. W. Gortner brings Isabella’s world of faith, bloodshed, romance, and betrayal to powerful life.

Days of Splendour, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey.  US release May 15, 2012.

The enthralling trilogy that began with Becoming Marie Antoinette follows one of history’s most beloved and notorious figures as Marie Antoinette ascends to the throne, building the vast splendor that made her famous in the face of the dark sorrow that would eventually bring her down.

Paris, 1774. Eighteen-year-old Marie Antoinette has just ascended to the throne of France, along with her husband, Louis XVI. But life is not easy for the young royals. Despite increased pressure to produce a male heir, Louis is still unable to consummate the marriage, and countless scandals erupt as Marie Antoinette tries to forge her own identity in a court and a kingdom that will always see her as a foreigner. As she forever influences fashion with her lavish gowns and sparkling jewels, Marie Antoinette faces romantic scandal, and ripples of revolution begin spreading across the country, though no one can predict what lies ahead…

  

To enter this month's giveaway, please complete the below form by midnight, December 31, 2011.  Contest is open internationally.  Here are this month's choices:



Far left:  "Blackwork" design in shades of red
Middle:  "Blackwork" medieval knight
Far right:  Richard III
Bottom:  Celtic knotwork design in shades of blue/teal

Egypt by Nick Drake.  US and UK release December 6, 2011.

The future of Egypt lies in the hands of chief detective Rahotep in this final installment of Nick Drake’s acclaimed ancient Egyptian trilogy.

King Tutankhamun has died without an heir, and his young widow, Queen Ankhesenamun, last of her dynasty, struggles to maintain power and order. To defeat her enemies, she has but one hope: to forge an alliance with the Hittites, a powerful, militant new empire that threatens Egypt’s supremacy.

The loyal Rahotep, chief detective of the Thebes Medjay—the ancient capital’s elite police force—and his friend, the royal envoy Nakht, are sent on a clandestine mission to the Hittite homeland, to persuade the king to agree to a marriage between one of his sons and Ankhesenamun—a union that would bring peace to the region and consolidate the queen’s power.

Back in Egypt, the nefarious General Horemheb is poised to use his army to impose martial law and destroy the dynasty. But he is not the only enemy vying for control. A mysterious and brutal new opium cartel has emerged within the criminal underworld of Thebes, ready to take over the lucrative black market—and, ultimately, the very heart of the government.

In this epic quest to the dark heart of the ancient world, Rahotep must also confront his own demons if he is to prevent the gathering forces of chaos from destroying Egypt’s greatest dynasty, and to return home in time to save his own family from the terror that threatens them all.

Based on a true story and meticulously researched, Egypt: The Book of Chaos brings to life the ancient world and the cradle of civilization in a riveting, suspenseful finale to Nick Drake’s acclaimed trilogy.




Vladimir the Russian Viking by Vladimir Volkoff.  Non-fiction.  US and UK release December 6, 2011.

Endowed with exceptional talents as a warrior, diplomat, and ruler—not to mention a temperament that earned him the epithet fornicator immensus in the chronicles of his contemporaries—Vladimir of Russia (960?–1015) began his career at the age of twelve as Prince of novgorod, rising to be known as “the Red sun.” Volkoff tells Vladimir’s story with gusto and humor, describing the years of conquest, violence, polygamy, and pagan ritual as the remarkable prince seized his brother’s throne, expanding his rule over the whole of Russia. a shrewd, hospitable, and progressive ruler, he adopted the christian faith from the Greeks, bringing Christianity to Russia. a “second Constantine,” he was later canonized as a saint. This is the first complete biography, based on Russian, Greek, German, Arabic, and Icelandic sources.

During my trip to Paris this summer with my daughter, our hotel was a few blocks from the Cluny Museum so we spent one morning checking it out.   The building consists of the remains of late first century baths and a 15th century townhouse and houses a varied collection of artifacts, art, statutes and tapestries, including the famed Lady and the Unicorn series.



Heads from the "Gallery of Kings" that once adorned Notre Dame Cathedral.  They date from the early 13th century.