Tag Archives: history

The Uses of History: Inaccuracy and Injustice

Posted on June 4, 2014 by

One of my commenters on another post included the following: Kenneth Chase cites a book called “Teppo denrai” by Takehisa Udagawa who states: “If historical inaccuracy is ignored for the sake of the message then it is not clear what … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, essays, fantasy, fiction, history, Uncategorized, writing, writing process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in history, medieval, warfare | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in historical medicine, history, medieval, medieval technology, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in history, medieval | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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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Review: Hereward the Wake, ‘Last of the English’

Posted on September 26, 2013 by

Hereward the Wake, ‘Last of the English’ by Charles Kingsley My rating: 5 of 5 stars A marvelous adventure story with a medieval setting about the legendary hero of England. I picked up the new Audible edition, read by the … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, Great Characters of the Middle Ages, history, medieval, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Brain-biter and Bansh: On the Naming of Things

Posted on September 18, 2013 by

I’m currently listening to Hereward the Wake, a historical novel twice over (one set in a historical period, and written, from our perspective, in a different one). Our hero has just won his sword, in grand Viking tradition, by slaying … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, history, Uncategorized, worldbuilding | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments