In October, 1224, Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is travelling to his manor to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild. Awaiting his arrival is an unexpected guest, Lady Cecily Chalcombe, a beguiling acquaintance from his days at the royal court. Recently widowed in scandalous circumstances, Lady Cecily throws herself upon his mercy and […]
The Root of All Evil by CB Hanley
In March, 1223, Edwin and Alys receive an unexpected visit from Edric, Alys’s brother, whom they haven’t seen for years. He has fled from his home in Lincoln to ask for their help – he’s been accused of murder, declared an outlaw and sentenced to death. Edric’s story is so bizarre that Edwin thinks it […]
Templar Assassin by Angus Donald
In September 1241 Robert of Hadlow, Templar knight, is on trial for his life. Some 20 years ago, his accusers say, he turned his back on his Brethren to join the army of the most bloodthirsty warlord the world has ever known – Genghis Khan. Robert claims he was on a secret mission to bring […]
Plantagenet princesses in the troubled late Middle Ages
How did the daughters of Plantagenet Kings of England deal with the tumults of the late Middle Ages? Sharon Bennett Connolly, historian and author, explains how they responded to the challenges of plague, rebellion, war — and marriage into other royal dynasties. Until writing Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets, […]
Philip of France, medieval England’s greatest enemy
England’s greatest enemy during the medieval period was (of course!) French: King Philip II, also called Philip Augustus. Astute and cunning, he played his Plantagenet rivals against one another and, as the historian Catherine Hanley says, became Europe’s most powerful monarch. France was one of the great power-houses of medieval Europe, and much of the […]
Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy by Catherine Hanley
Philip II, also called Philip Augustus, ruled France with an iron fist for over 40 years, expanding its borders and increasing its power. For his entire reign his counterpart on the English throne was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, and Philip took them all on: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III. […]
1217: The Battles that Saved England by Catherine Hanley
In 1215 King John had agreed to the terms of Magna Carta, but then reneged on his word, plunging the kingdom into war. Rebellious barons offered the throne to the French prince, Louis, and set off a chain of events that almost changed the course of English history. Louis arrived in May 1216, was proclaimed […]
Templar Traitor by Angus Donald
In July, 1241, Western Europe cowers in terror before the threat of a Mongol invasion. The swift cavalry columns of Genghis Khan have smashed the steel-clad warriors of Russia, Poland and Hungary – and now Austria lies directly in their path. At a skirmish outside the walls of Vienna, German knights capture a squad of […]