Monthly Archives: October 2014

Especially for Halloween: The Witchcraft Acts in Great Britain

Just for Halloween: the Witchcraft Acts in Great Britain In England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, there have been a series of acts to prevent the practice of witchcraft. The first of those was Henry VIII’s Witchcraft Act of 1542. It … Continue reading

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Legend of the Church Grim and Its Appearance in Harry Potter

The Church Grim, Kirk Grim, Kyrkogrim (Swedish) or Kirkonväki (Finnish) is a figure from English and Scandinavian folklore, said to be an attendant spirit, overseeing the welfare of its particular church. English Church Grims are said to enjoy loudly ringing … Continue reading

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Exquisite Excerpt from “Vampire Darcy’s Desire”

Excerpt from Regina Jeffers’ “Vampire Darcy Desire” Vampire Darcy’s Desire presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-damphir, Fitzwilliam Darcy vows to live … Continue reading

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The Hound of Hergest Court, Inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Hound”

Hergest Court, found in Kington, Herefordshire, was once a fine home, but it is but a “shadow” of its former greatness. However, its decline appears appropriate when one considers the history of the building and of its owner. Many people … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sir Thomas Vaughan, a Patriot and a Traitor to Kings

Sir Thomas Vaughan (c. 1410 – June 1483) was a Welsh statesman and diplomat, who rose to prominence before and during the Wars of the Roses. He began as an adherent of Jasper Tudor and King Henry VI of England … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Elizabethan drama, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Memento mori,” or “Remember to Die”

Memento mori (Latin ‘remember (that you have) to die’), or also memento mortis, “remember death”, is the Latin medieval designation of the theory and practice of the reflection on mortality, especially as a means of considering the vanity of earthly … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Elizabethan drama, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, medieval, mystery, real life tales, religion | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

UK Mystery: Stanton Drew Stone Circles

Location: near Stanton Drew and Bristol Region: Somerset, England Coordinates: 51.367797°N 2.575257°WCoordinates: 51.367797°N 2.575257°W Type: Henge monument Condition: intact The Stanton Drew stone circles are just outside the village of Stanton Drew in the English county of Somerset. The largest … Continue reading

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Mashups ~ Jane Austen and Zombies

MashUps: Jane Austen and Zombies   Why are Zombies being mixed with my Jane Austen? Most people seem to agree that zombies and other monsters are an open testament to a troubled time. Zombies found their peak in George Romero … Continue reading

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The Red Book of Hergest, Welsh Medieval Manuscript

This is one of three posts I have scheduled related to Hergest Court. We will also have a look at Sir Thomas Vaughan (October 24) and his trials with four English kings and, in celebration of all things haunted, the … Continue reading

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A Taste of Blood ~ Exquisite Excerpts from “Vampire Darcy’s Desire”

A Taste of Blood… Below you will find an excerpt from Vampire Darcy’s Desire. VDD presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart-pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-vampire (dhampir), Mr. Darcy … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, excerpt, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Regency era, Ulysses Press | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments