Angus Donald, author of King of the North, writes about the Battle of Brávellir, a famous Viking conflict… which probably never happened. But, he says, we can still enjoy the epic story, a 12th-century piece of historical fiction which inspired his own novel. “Then the trumpets sounded, and both sides engaged in battle with all […]
The HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition 2023 longlist
We’re delighted to announce the longlist for the 2023 Historical Writers’ Association (HWA) Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition. “These are all rich and ambitious stories which demonstrate the wealth of material history offers to readers and writers today,” says HWA Chair Imogen Robertson. “The judges were very impressed by the excellent writing on display this […]
King of the North by Angus Donald
An ambitious king… Spring, AD777, and Sigurd Hring, new King of the Svear, is summoning all the greatest warriors of the North to his banner, promising them riches and glory. He invites Bjarki Bloodhand, the famous berserkr who can summon the fury of a wild bear in battle, to swear an oath of fealty to […]
Battle Song by Ian Ross
1264, and storm clouds are gathering as Simon de Montfort and the barons of the realm challenge the power of Henry III. The barons demand reform; the crown demands obedience. England is on the brink of civil war. Adam de Norton, a young squire devoted to the virtues of chivalry, longs only to be knighted, […]
Ten fascinating facts about the Knights Templar
The Knights Templar: powerful, dedicated, richer than kings, they were legendary even during their own existence. And many myths about them have flourished in the seven centuries since they were suppressed. Boyd and Beth Morrison, this month’s guest contributors, are the authors of The Last Templar. They share some of the fascinating facts they learned […]
Loki’s Deceit by Donovan Cook
Sven the Boar is Jarl of Ribe once more. He and Charles try to settle into their new lives, but trouble and treachery are never too far away. Tormented by recent events, Charles struggles to adapt to life amongst the heathens that mock his Christian God, and the arrival of a priest from the south […]
The 2023 HWA Crown Awards longlists
We’re delighted to announce the HWA Crown Awards longlists for 2023: 36 books celebrating the best in historical writing, fiction and non-fiction, published during 2022–2023. There are three awards categories: HWA Gold Crown, HWA Non-fiction Crown, and HWA Debut Crown. Here are the longlisted books and what our judges say about them. The books longlisted […]
Harlem After Midnight by Louise Hare
1936, September 17th, 1am, and in the middle of Harlem, in the dead of night, a woman falls from a second storey window. In her hand, she holds a passport and the name written on it is Lena Aldridge… Nine days earlier: Lena arrived in Harlem less than two weeks ago, full of hope for […]