Category Archives: Anglo-Normans

York Castle, Used as a Prison + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon in Disguise” from Dragonblade Publishing (Arriving 17 December 2025)

York Castle serves at the setting for the final chapter and the epilogue of Lyon in Disguise, which is set in January 1813. Many of the series regulars are there: Lord Macdonald Duncan, Lord Alexander Marksman, Lord Richard Orson, Lord … Continue reading

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The Island of Jersey + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon in Disguise” from Dragonblade Publishing (Arriving 17 December 2025)

Short Excerpt: When they reached Marksman’s home less than a half hour later, Navan turned Lady Annalise over to the maid who had assisted her mistress earlier. “I will be in the chambers at the end of the hall if … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, hero, heroines, historical fiction, mystery, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Island of Jersey + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon in Disguise” from Dragonblade Publishing (Arriving 17 December 2025)

What the Heck is “Deodand”?

“In 1336, a drunken sailor climbed the mast of his ship at anchor in the Thames by means of a rope, presumably part of the rigging. When he tried to descend the same way he fell and died. A coroner’s … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Dukes: a Dime a Dozen… British Peerages

Those of us who write historical romances love our dukes. We create them left and right. I have two, which is not a large number when one considers I have 67 novels available: Brantley Fowler from A Touch of Velvet: … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, kings and queens, legacy, Living in the UK, peerage, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Serendipity in the Writing Process + the Coming Release on Friday of “The Colonel’s Ungovernable Governess” + a Giveaway

Those of you who know me, know something of my writing process. For example, I still compose in a wide ruled spiral notebook. I choose wide ruled because I can write such words as “timeline” in the margin without breaking … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, book excerpts, book release, books, eBooks, etymology, excerpt, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, terminology, word origins, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Statute of Wills, Henry VIII’s Answer to Primogeniture

The Statute of Wills (32 Hen. 8, c. 1 – enacted in 1540) was an English Act of Parliament, which created a mechanism for landowners to name who would inherit their landed property. A written will was required. It permitted a … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, Anglo-Normans, castles, Living in the UK, primogenture | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Origin of the Drama – Everyman and The Second Shepherd’s Play

Morality Plays, those in which the characters were allegorical persons would attempt to drive home a moral. They provided more scope to the imagination for new plots and incidents and afforded a  chance for delineation of characters. (For more information … Continue reading

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, drama, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Allure of ByGone Days…(or Not)

(In cleaning out some of my school files, I came across these common phrases and their sources. Enjoy!!!) Here are some bygone tales about the 1500s: People married in June. Most had taken their yearly bath in May, so the bride … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, Great Britain, real life tales, tall tales | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Morality Plays

Previously, I did a piece on Liturgical Drama. Today I would like to look at Moralities. As compared to the Miracle or Liturgical dramas, the morality play was one where the playwright had to come up with an original story … Continue reading

Posted in acting, Age of Chaucer, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British history, drama, medieval, playwrights, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Morality Plays

Colchester and Colchester Castle, Oldest Recorded Town and the Largest Keep in England

Colchester, some 50 miles northeast of London, is an historic market town in the county of Essex. As the oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, Colchester is claimed to be the oldest town in Britain. For a time, it was … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, British currency, British history, buildings and structures | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Colchester and Colchester Castle, Oldest Recorded Town and the Largest Keep in England