The Humanities West Program featuring Emma of Normandy was held on March 20, 2026 at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, and you can watch the entire program through the link above.
It began with my deep dive into the life of Queen Emma. I have, of course, spoken about Emma before, but only in relation to my novels. This presentation was different. It was straight history, although, as I mention at the outset, somewhat opinionated.
That was followed by a musical interlude. Shira Kamen and her ensemble performed first, a French song, then one in Latin by Hildegard von Bingen, who was writing at the end of the 11th century. That was followed by THE WIFE’S LAMENT, an Old English poem that they’d set to music. If you’ve never heard Old English spoken, here it is—sung. This is what Emma might have heard in the great hall at Winchester. Note that Shira is playing a harp, and it is similar to the one I portray Emma playing in the early chapters of Shadow on the Crown.
The third part of the program featured Professor Elaine Treharne. The images that she shared with us, and her observations about them were incredible. You will hear her read a bit of Old English, and you will learn about the creation of illustrated manuscripts and their use. You will see what a carpet page is, and how tiny a medieval book could be. She stresses, too, the importance of writing in the Anglo Saxon period, and the role that women like Emma played in the creation of books.
The final segment of the presentation was a Q&A.
I think we were able to give those watching a glimpse into Emma’s world, and I am very proud of our accomplishment. I hope that, if you watch it, you will enjoy it.