Tag Archives: research

Skinning your Own Apes: Researching from Primary Sources

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

An article in the Stanford magazine this month talks about a new method of teaching history to high schoolers using primary source material, having the teens read several documents about an incident and draw their own conclusions based on the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, fiction, historical medicine, history, medieval, research, worldbuilding, writing advice | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Handgun Control in Medieval Japan

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a nice exhibit of Japanese arms and armor. Toward the end of the exhibit hung two very elegant matchlock guns dating to the Edo period (the 17th century). A small accompanying sign stated … Continue reading →

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The Original Prince in the Tower: Arthur, Duke of Brittany

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

All the talk right now is of the last Plantagenet, Richard III, whose bones were identified after being excavated from beneath a car park in Leicester. You remember Richard III–the vile hunchback of Shakespearean fame who slew the princes in … Continue reading →

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The Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Elisha Barber

Posted on January 2, 2013 by

I was tagged to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop by the marvelous Heather Albano, author of two (so far!) steampunk novels you can learn more about at her post:  http://www.heatheralbano.com/2012/12/26/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop/ So without further ado: What is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, fantasy, fiction, historical medicine, history, magic, medieval, The Dark Apostle, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Deleted Scenes and Settings: St. Catherine’s Oratory, Chale, Isle of Wight

Posted on December 26, 2012 by

Every so often in my research I come upon a place or an idea so compelling that I must learn more.  Some of these places eventually become scenes, and some of those scenes, alas, end up on the cutting room floor.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Deleted scenes and settings, history, medieval, medieval technology, research, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Infernal Politics: Dante and the Separation of Church and State

Posted on December 19, 2012 by

So I am reading up on 14th century Rome, as noted earlier, and also listening to a course on tape about epics, and both have suddenly converged on a curious note:  the Medieval origins of the separation of church and … Continue reading →

Posted in medieval, religion, research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Great Characters of the Middle Ages: Cola di Rienzo

Posted on November 20, 2012 by

Part of the fun of researching other times and places is discovering fascinating people who have, for one reason or another, failed to rise to the attention of the wider public, even those with some interest in the milieu.  “Great … Continue reading →

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A Brief History of Gunpowder Weapons in 14th Century England

Posted on October 10, 2012 by

There are a number of timelines of handguns on-line, but most have only a single date for the 14th century (and not even the dates listed by the others).  Then I found this one, by the Medieval Combat Society.  Good … Continue reading →

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The Pedigree of a Cliche: By Tolkien, out of Chaucer

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

One of the ways I extend my writing and thinking time is by listening to audio books as I commute.  Sometimes, I’m able to pick up Great Courses or similar lectures about the history or social structure of the places … Continue reading →

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Street View: Historical Style

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

I am fortunate to have been able to take a research jaunt to Germany and Avignon last year about this time, and to have brought home a couple thousand photos (I remember when that would have taken my entire carry-on full … Continue reading →

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