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Author Archives: Patricia
Swords, Wyrms & Vikings
One of the treasures on display at Durham Cathedral’s Open Treasure Exhibit is an impressive 13th century sword, the Conyers Falchion. According to a legend, this falchion was used by Sir John Conyers to slay the Sockburn Wyrm. The … Read More
Posted in Vikings
Tagged Anglo-Saxons, dragons, Durham Cathedral, falchion, folktales, Vikings, wyrms
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Reflections on the Dark
I had a dream, which was not all a dream. The bright sun was extinguish’d, and the stars Did wander darkling in the eternal space… ………from DARKNESS, by Lord Byron I live in California where massive fires fanned by high … Read More
Winterfell: The Story Behind the Name
In George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, the Stark family—descended from the ancient Kings of Winter—rules from its northern fastness of Winterfell. That name, WINTERFELL, conjures up images of both WINTER and SNOWFALL, appropriate for … Read More
Posted in Anglo-Saxons
Tagged Anglo-Saxons, Books, George R.R.Martin, Tolkien, Winterfell
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THE LIFE OF EDMUND IRONSIDE at The Road to Hastings Website
Novelist Paula Lofting very kindly asked me to write something recently for The Writers of Anglo-Saxon Literature series on her Road to Hastings Website, and I posted a brief bio there of Edmund Ironside. That’s Edmund up there on the … Read More
Game of Thrones & The Sense of an Ending
There have been a number of complaints posted on the internet over the past few days about the final episode of Game of Thrones. If you haven’t watched it, don’t read this. If you’ve watched it and were disappointed, read … Read More
“Game of Thrones” & the Anglo-Saxons
A quick internet search for ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘History’ will offer theories about what historical events and figures inspired author George R.R.Martin, some of them suggested by Martin himself. For example, the resemblance of the houses of Stark and … Read More
Posted in Anglo-Saxons
Tagged Anglo-Saxons, Game of Thrones, George R.R.Martin, Hadrian's Wall, history, Medieval, Seven Kingdoms, Targaryan, Westeros
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UPCOMING APRIL APPEARANCE
It’s an honor to be taking part in this celebration of readers and writers in the beautiful town of Newburyport, MA, north of Boston on April 26-27. The Literary Festival opens on Friday, April 26, with a DINNER WITH THE … Read More
Posted in Uncategorized
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The Brief Reign of King Harold I of England
The first king of England to be named Harold (there would be a second Harold, whose reign was even more brief but who is far more famous) died on March 17, 1040 at the age of about 25. His by-name, … Read More
Emma of Normandy: A Life
Emma of Normandy, Dowager Queen of England, died on 6 March, 1052, in Winchester. She was only the second woman to be crowned queen of all England, and the only woman ever to be crowned queen of England twice. For … Read More
Queen Emma and St. Valentine
Despite the painting above of King Cnut wooing Emma of Normandy, this is not a love story. But it IS about Queen Emma and St. Valentine. Emma of Normandy, Queen of England, was long remembered as a generous patron by … Read More