Category Archives: history

Bilbo Baggins’ Bathrobe, revisited, with special guest, Lisa Evans

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

Back at Arisia in January, I had the pleasure of sharing a panel on historical research with Lisa Evans. When I found out her specialty is European patchwork, I asked if she would write me a guest blog with her … Continue reading →

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The Seasons of War

Posted on February 20, 2014 by

As I set out from my home to do battle, once again, with the forces of Winter, I mused upon my recent reading, a historical novel, which, in part, depicted battles between Mongols and the knights of the European High … Continue reading →

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Sad Tales of the Death of Kings: William II and the Rufus Stones

Posted on February 12, 2014 by

One of the curious features, to Americans, of the south coast of England is a area called “The New Forest,” which is, of course, many years older than most of the forests remaining to us in the states, and yet, … Continue reading →

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“Shaolin,” an Interesting Approach to Violence

Posted on January 22, 2014 by

As you may know, I’m currently researching Chinese history for a new project (don’t worry–there’s plenty more Dark Apostle to come as well!). I made a list of topics to research and one of them was the Shaolin Monastery school … Continue reading →

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Religious Influence on Medical Care, A Historical Perspective

Posted on December 23, 2013 by

A couple of recent court cases and the advent of recent changes to health insurance law have brought the issue of who controls the patient’s access to health care into the public mind, particularly in relation to religious freedom. Should … Continue reading →

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Why Things Sound Better in French

Posted on December 4, 2013 by

I was strolling through a gourmet food display recently, when a young companion asked why you don’t pronounce the “-t” at the end of the word, then observed that it must be French. She then went on to wonder why … Continue reading →

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Like you Need a Hole in the Head! a Defense of Trepanation

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

I recently wrote an article for Renaissance Magazine about the Brighter Side of Medieval Surgery, because, yes, there is one. If you’re not a subscriber, you can find the ‘zine at many bookstores, or on their website at http://www.renaissancemagazine.com/ But … Continue reading →

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Henges and the Barber Surgeon

Posted on November 5, 2013 by

I recently had the opportunity to visit Stonehenge from the inside, on an English Heritage members’ tour that included a walk around a few of the many other sites in the area (Woodhenge, Durrington Walls, King’s Barrow and some Bronze-age … Continue reading →

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Pole Vaulting in the Middle Ages

Posted on October 30, 2013 by

While we associate Pole Vaulting today with the Olympic track and field competitions, the sport actually has an interesting history as a means of practical transportation. Practical? Transportation? Yep. I just learned about this myself, while I was listening to … Continue reading →

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The World’s Second or Third Oldest Profession?: Storytelling

Posted on October 16, 2013 by

Last night, on the way to a book launch for an author friend (Justine Graykin’s release of Archimedes Nesselrode, which she describes as a “palate cleanser” for grittier works of fiction–so it’s a handy thing to read if Elisha Barber … Continue reading →

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