The formation of the Burgundian Empire by the four Valois Dukes of Burgundy would not have happened without the formidable royal and aristocratic women in their lives. These women, the wives, daughters, nieces, granddaughters and great-granddaughters, were vigorously engaged in the administration of the Burgundian empire, acting as governors and regents, making appointments, securing and […]
Degrees of Affinity by CF Dunn
By 1472, England has settled into an uneasy peace. The Lancastrian King Henry VI is dead and Yorkist Edward IV has been restored to the throne. Edward is supported by his younger brothers, George, Duke of Clarence and Richard, Duke of Gloucester. But the two men could not be more different. Meanwhile, Isobel Fenton has […]
The Queen and the Countess by Anne O’Brien
England in the 1450s, and Queen Margaret knows she must protect the crown, and her son Prince Edward’s claim to it, at all costs. It is up to her to fight for their inheritance, with her husband King Henry VI becoming increasingly frail. And as the Wars of the Roses rage on, Margaret’s enemies lurk […]
Rebuilding St Peter’s in Renaissance Rome
Richard Kurti writes about the inspiration behind his Basilica Diaries thriller series, set in Renaissance Rome at the time of the rebuilding of St Peter’s Basilica. He finds contemporary echoes, some unexpected… It was extraordinary to witness. Even in the tech-driven 21st century, with 10,000 satellites circling the Earth and information flowing between eight billion […]
Historical books for summer reading, 2025
We asked five well-loved authors to each suggest a couple of books they recommend for history lovers to enjoy reading over the summer. Their choices include novels about the eve of the Roman Conquest and the eve of the Norman one; non-fiction about the long history of Black people in Britain and the island’s first […]
The King’s Mother by Annie Garthwaite
In 1461, through blood and battle, Edward IV has gained England’s throne. King by right and conquest – 18 years old and unstoppable. Cecily has piloted his rise to power and stands at his shoulder now, first to claim the title King’s Mother. But to win a throne is not to keep it, and war […]
A Pact with the Devil by Anna Legat
1491, Cracow, Kingdom of Poland. The 44th year in the reign of Casimir Jagiellon. Nicolaus Copernicus and his brother Andreas embark on their studies at the University of Cracow. Nicolaus is a bashful young man and a keen scholar; Andreas, a wastrel with a passion for carnal pursuits. The university is embroiled in scandal when […]
The Queen and the Countess by Anne O’Brien
England in the 1450s: Queen Margaret knows she must protect the crown — and her son, Prince Edward’s, claim to it — at all costs. With her husband, King Henry, increasingly frail, it is up to Margaret to fight for their inheritance. And as the Wars of the Roses rage on, her enemies and their […]