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Author Archives: Patricia
On the Life & Early Death of the Ætheling Athelstan
Athelstan was the eldest son of King Æthelred II of England. One of at least 9 brothers and sisters, Athelstan was born sometime in the mid-to-late 980s—we don’t know the exact year—and he died on 25 June 1014 at about … Read More
The Queen Behind the Queen
The first 2 novels of my trilogy show a Queen Emma whose face is turned away from the reader. But for my third novel I wanted to show a stern, determined Emma, and I knew exactly what she should look … Read More
Posted in Guest Post
Tagged Arianwen, Cover Art, Society for Creative Anachronism, The Steel Beneath the Silk
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A Cornwall Recollection
As the world turns its eyes on the G7 Summit currently taking place in Cornwall, I’m reminded of a lovely book published by Wanderland Writers in 2015 filled with stories and poems written by a group of travelers visiting, most … Read More
Vikings or vikings?
In Chapter Two of The Steel Beneath the Silk King Æthelred asks his son Athelstan why he has arrived several days late to an important meeting of the witan. Athelstan responds, “I was in Devon, my lord, responding to … Read More
The Death Scene of King Æthelred
Æthelred II, Anglo-Saxon king of England, died on 23 April, 1016. The entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle that notes his passing, probably written within a decade of his death, reads like this: “He ended his days on St. George’s … Read More
Talking Shop with David Gilman
On April 17 historical novelist David Gilman and I discussed our recent books, our writing and our research. David’s latest novel in his best selling Master of War series, set during the Hundred Years War, is THE SHADOW OF THE … Read More
Posted in Events
Tagged David Gilman, Shadow of the Hawk, The Steel Beneath the Silk
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For New Readers–Research Recap
Over the span of nearly a decade I have written numerous blog posts about the research behind my books, in addition to travel and review posts. Because new readers who might be interested in my research would likely find it … Read More
Posted in Research
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St. Cuthbert and Me
On a trip to Northumbria in 2019 I visited a number of sites with ties to Cuthbert, the saint whose feast day is March 20 and who was greatly loved by the Anglo-Saxons. Cuthbert was born in Northumbria in 635, … Read More
On the Passing of a Queen
Entry from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1052: Ymma Ælfgifu, King Edward’s and Harthacnut’s mother, passed away. The very mention of Emma of Normandy’s passing in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is an indication of the significance of her career as queen, queen mother, … Read More
Posted in History
Tagged Aethelred, Cnut, Edmund Ironside, Edward the Confessor, Emma of Normandy, Harold Harefoot, Harthacnut, Winchester
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11th Century London
Because few of us are doing much in the way of traveling these days, I thought you might like to join me on a virtual visit to London. Not today’s London, of course, but Emma’s London as I’ve imagined it … Read More