Alis Hawkins writes fiction based in two centuries and two places: England in the 14th century and West Wales in the 19th. But, as she tells Historia, shuttling between the two is easier than you might think. Congratulations on The Black and the White being published! Tell us a bit about your latest novel. My […]
Ten things you may not know about the Declaration of Arbroath
“The Declaration of Arbroath was and has been unequalled in its eloquent plea for the liberty of man. From the darkness of mediaeval minds it shone a torch upon future struggles which its signatories could not have foreseen or understood. “Firstly it set the will and the wishes of the people above the King… Secondly, […]
Historia interview: Catherine Hanley
Dr Catherine Hanley is a historian who started her career as an academic before deciding that there were better and more fun ways to engage with public interest in all things medieval. She now writes about the Middle Ages for a wider audience under her own name, historical fiction as CB Hanley, and more non-fiction […]
Books to look out for in 2020
A new year, and new historical books, both fiction and non-fiction, to look out for, written by HWA members. The Second World War continues to be popular, and there are refreshingly different takes on the Tudor era. The medieval period makes a strong showing. There are new additions to well-loved series and second books from […]
Historia interviews: Laura Shepherd-Robinson
The fourth in Historia’s series of interviews with writers shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Crown awards is with Laura Shepherd-Robinson. Her acclaimed novel, Blood & Sugar, is set in London and Deptford in the 18th century and is shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown. The HWA Debut Crown celebrates new voices in historical fiction. Have […]
Good Boye or devil dog? Prince Rupert’s poodle
Boye, a white poodle belonging to Prince Rupert of the Rhine, was killed at the Battle of Marston Moor. Frances Owen looks at the stories that grew up around this famous ‘devil’ dog.
Historia interviews: Elizabeth Macneal
Elizabeth Macneal’s first novel, The Doll Factory, is as full of strange, beautiful and horrifying things as a Victorian curiosity cabinet. Her protagonist, Iris, moves from sweatshop labour making dolls’ clothes to the exotic company of the Pre-Raphaelites, only to become the object of a collector’s obsession. She spoke to Historia about her novel and […]
Historia interviews: Alison Weir
Historia interviews author Alison Weir about her novel Anna of Kleve