Several UK readers have wondered about the use of the word ‘gotten’ in my medieval mysteries. Since the word is not in common usage in England right now, it seems odd to them to read it at all, and a glaring ‘Americanism’ in a book set in the medieval period.… Read More »On the Use of the Word ‘Gotten’ by Sarah Woodbury
In the year 1597, Sir Frances Drake did not discover San Francisco Bay. He did find Drake’s Bay, a rather small cove near Point Reyes. He landed his ship for overhaul and spent more than a month exploring the neighborhood. The natives were friendly, since they yet failed to realize… Read More »How Old is San Francisco Bay? (With Addendum) by Steve Bartholomew
The Trojan War threatens Troy’s allies and the Greek supply raids spread. A young healing priestess, designated as future queen, must defend her city against both divine anger and invading Greeks. She finds strength in visions of a handsome warrior god. Will that be enough when the half-immortal Achilles attacks?… Read More »Giving Briseis her Voice by Judith Starkston
What’s in Mrs. Hale’s Receipt for the Millions 1857? To smoke Hams and Fish on a small scale. — Drive the ends out of an old hogshead or barrel; place this over a heap of sawdust of green hard wood, in which a bar of r ed -hot iron is… Read More »Food’s On: The Mess Hall & the CCC’s by J. L. Oakley
The Elizabethans loved news — the stranger, the better. London presses cranked out pamphlets carried by chapmen to every village, to be read out loud beside the hearth in the local public house. Everyone loved reports of marvelous fish washed up in Cornwall or the bizarre tribes encountered in the New World.… Read More »Poets and spies: intelligence work in the sixteenth century by Anna Castle