This is not a real blog, just a reminder that I will be leaving today for the Eleanor of Aquitaine tour, and so if anyone has specific questions for me, please hold them till mid-June. I’d hoped to blog about the tour, but my netbook, with typical computer contrariness, won’t let me log onto it. I will definitely be able to post notes on Facebook, and I hope to be able to use my friend John’s iPad to do at least one blog while in France. If not, I will do an extra long one when I get home. I am sure that somewhere Eleanor is smiling, after having pointed out to Henry that no one has booked a tour to follow in his footsteps.
June 4, 2011
69 thoughts on “FOLLOWING IN ELEANOR’S FOOTSTEPS”
Comments are closed.
I wish you all the luck and fair travels, Sharon. You’ll have all our best wishes (and envy), I’m sure.
Today, Adèle of Champagne, Louis VII’s third wife and mother of Philip II Augustus of France died.
Sharon, have a safe and fun trip. We can’t wait to hear about it.
Have a wonderful trip, Sharon! Can’t wait to hear about it to get my vicarious travel thrills. Maybe I’ll be able to do the Wales trip when that gets scheduled..someday [grin]. Have you considered just getting your own iPad? I was somewhat skeptical before I got mine but now it’s my favorite piece of technology.
Have a Wonderfull Time !
And today, The Siege of Jerusalem began in The First Crusade, and Robert I ‘the Bruce’ of Scotland died.
Happy Shavouot! Today, Richard I arrived in Acre, beginning his crusade.
It is really me. I have been unable to log onto my netbook, son of
demon spawn, will make up for it when I get home.
And today (or tomorrow), Alexander of Macedon died at the age of 32, leaving his empire ‘to the strongest’. Also, Frederick I ‘Barbarossa’ drowned in the river Saleph (most likely after a heart attack) while leading an army to Jerusalem.
Nobody booked a tour in Louis name either! lol 😀
The computer gods have finally taken pity on me and allowed me to get on-line. My Kindle is still dead, however, and I plan to have an interesting conversation with Amazon when I get home. Eleanor’s mojo is as powerful as ever and the wather has been very nice. Well, ezcept for yesterday in Chinon, where it rained; I suspect that was Henry being in a bit of a sulk because Eleanor is enjoying the limelight. It was amazing to actually see the 12th century mural in the St Radegonde Chapel in Chinon, the one we used for the cover for Devil’s Brood. Today we went to Angers, where Joanna was born and Henry and Eleanor spent a lot of time. A wonderful castle. And yes, French wine is as good as I remembered.
Right, I’ve had a bit of a problem, but nobody caught it, so: Yesterday, Anne Neville was born, and Henry the Young King died.
Sharon, Did you try my suggestion? Hold the power switch open for a minimum of 15 seconds. That should kick-start it!
Thanks, Ken. I tried all the suggestions, including removing the cover as apparently that can kill Kindles, too! Nothing worked. Thankfully I was able to buy a wonderful Harlan Coben mystery at the Paris airport this morning; can you imagine a book lover trapped on a plane for 8 hours with nothing to read?
I had a wonderful time, despite the dead Kindle and problems with my netbook in connecting to the internet, but I am very very tired. It may take me a week to unpack and a month to recharge my own batteries. I also have over a thousand unread e-mails to go through–yikes. But I will do a blog about the trip as soon as I am able, and I know my tour friends will be posting lots and lots of photos. Meanwhile, I just picked Tristan up from the kennel and he is one very happy dog.
Great to have you back – have missed my daily SKP fix!
Sounds like you and everyone else had a great trip. Have seen some of Paula’s photos and look forward to some more.
Just heard from Stacey Reynolds on FB. She has arrived in Gordes and cannot believe how beautiful it is!
Only two more weeks left before I head back to Cornwall (via Carcassonne). Oh well, Australia in September!
On this day in 1215 the Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede.
It was the 15th in my part of the world when I posted the above comment!
Carcassonne next week, then Australia–Ken, I am stricken with envy!
Thanks to Paula for mentioning Magna Carta; you always get a head start on the rest of us Down Under! And also today in 1330, Edward, the Black Prince was born; he would never rule England, having died before his father, Edward III, but he was quite a celebrity in his own time.
I have decided to blog about the tour a day at a time as soon as I catch up on my sleep debt.
Wow, that’s certainly mean. However, I’ll do you one better: Besides the Magna Carta being signed and the Black Prince born, today the Battle of Soissons took place, where King Robert I of France was killed and King Charles the Simple was arrested by the supporters of Duke Rudolph of Burgundy, King Magnus V of Norway was killed at the Battle of Fimreite, the Danes won the Battle of Lyndanisse and established the Danish Duchy of Estonia, The Ottoman Empire defeated the Serbs and Bosnians in the Battle of Kosovo, Pope Leo X threatened to excommunicate Martin Luther in papal bull Exsurge Domine, and finally, Philip III ‘the Good’ of Burgundy died, making his son, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy.
And today, the last battle of the Wars of the Roses took place, the Battle of Stoke Field, where Henry VII [VIII] defeated John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, who died on the battlefield. At the end of the day, the only Yorkist commander not dead on the field was Viscount Francis Lovell who escaped, and either drowned in the river or died in a secret room at his house.
Today, Edward I ‘Longshanks’ of England was born to Henry III [IV] and Eleanor of Provence. Also, while not connected, Vlad III ‘the Impaler’ attempted to assassinate Mehmed II in what became known as ‘The Night Attack’ forcing him to retreat from Wallachia.
Here is today’s Facebook Note.
Today in 1239, one of our least favorite kings was born–the future Edward I, also called Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots, and any number of choice Welsh obscenities. I am still battling the cough, but will start posting about the tour ASAP. We were an interesting, eclectic group–from four countries, with a fascinating range of professions. I was utterly thrilled to discover that two were midwives, who generously agreed to vet a major childbirth scene for me in Ransom. We also had a very gifted muscian, Sherill Roberts. I have been playing her wonderful CD, Mello Cello, almost nonstop since I got home. Because I am enjoying it so much, I asked Sherill if I could put up a link. http://www.mello-cello.com/ You can listen to some of the songs here or order the CD itself.
Sherill, I hopped over to your website and after individually sampling the entire album, I clicked over to CDBaby and ordered a CD–no MP3 for me as I want to hear the fullest dynamic range I can without actually being there to hear it live.
From the sample, I can understand why Sharon is continuously playing the album. I did the same when I bought Mozart’s “Requiem.”
Sharon, I am rapidly sliding down that slippery slope of blissfully enriched but broke Penman followers.
Today, Eleanor de Montfort, daughter of Simon de Montfort and wife of Llywelyn III ‘the Last’, died in childbirth.
Here is today’s Facebook note.
I am sorry to report that I am still ill; I haven’t been this sick in years. Once I am on the mend, I will start posting the Tour Notes. Meanwhile, this is a very sad day in history to many of us, for on this date in 1282, Ellen de Montfort died after giving birth to a daughter, Gwenllian. This was a very difficult scene to write.
And one of my favorite battles took place, which is the only reason I’m mentioning it: The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, also known as the Battle of Chalons, where Flavius Aetius and Theodoric I fought Attila the Hun to a blood stalemate in an all day battle. It is written that when the ROoans saw the carnage after the battle, they said “Cadavera vero innumera” (Truly countless bodies), and to quote Jordanes: “if we may believe our elders, a brook flowing between low banks through the plain was greatly increased by blood of the slain”. Anyone who wishes to see a very nice and rather accurate portrayal of the battle can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQz_7enPX0.
My wife is getting me a Nook ??…..for my B/day, Say her Bedroom Has Too Many Books Collecting Dust?…..Shock, Horror! HELP.
You’ll love it, James. I bought a refurbished Nook recently and to my surprise, I really enjoy using it. Here are some advantages:
–you can set the font size (great for my old eyes);
–you can take many books with you for the weight of a single paperback;
–you can get some out of print books that are really hard to find from Project Gutenberg, Google books, etc.–some are free.
So give it a try–you might be quite pleasantly surprised.
Today is the Summer Solstice (or winter in the Southern hemisphere), so happy Summer solstice to all who celebrate! Also, Count Fulk III ‘Nerra’ of Anjou (ancestor [some 5 generations] of Geoffrey le Bel) and Walter de Luci (brother to Richard de Luci, Chief Justiciar of England for Henry II), abbot of Battle Abbey died today, as well as Niccolò Machiavelli.
Thank you joan, seems She(My wifes Already Got it)….Plus It can do E-Mails if I travel?…wich is nice.Kind .. Regards.
Here is today’s Facebook note.
I just wanted to assure everyone that I am still amongst the living. It is astonishing how many of us became sick upon the tour’s end. Maybe all that excellent French wine we were drinking kept the germs at bay until we headed home. I was telling everyone about Richard’s mystery malady, Arnaldia, which has baffled the medical community for over 800 years; it had some very nasty symptoms, the worst being death. The afflicted suffered from a very high fever, joint pain, blisters around the mouth, and loss of hair and nails. Richard came very close to dying, another of our interesting “what if” scenarios. Philippe, the French king, developed a much milder case. In the great majority of cases, when people lose their hair due to a high fever, it grows back. Poor Philippe was among that unlucky minority where it didn’t. I have no doubt that he blamed Richard for that, too. Anyway, maybe we need to come up with a name for our Eleanor tour ailment. too?
Thank you all for your concern; it is greatly appreciated.
I have good news for anyone who enjoys well written historical fiction. Christopher Gortner has signed to do a novel about Lucrezia Borgia. I admittedly have only superficial knowledge about the family, and I can’t say Showtime added much to it. But even I know that the stock portrayal of Lucrezia as this evil temptress and poisoner is historically inaccurate. I have no doubt that Christopher will restore Lucrezia’s humanity, as he did so well with Juana la Loca and Catherine de Medicii. And of course Elizabeth Chadwick’s new novel, Lady of the English is out now, and I am looking forward to reading it. While I normally don’t read other writers’ novels about “my” historical characters, I am not fanatical about it, and I never laid the same sort of emotional claim on the Empress Maude that I did and do on Eleanor or Henry or the Welsh princes.
I will start posting about the Tour as soon as I am up to it. Meanwhile, a belated happy Summer Solstice to one and all; though it is a winter solstice Down Under, of course. I didn’t hear about any disturbances at Stonehenge this year, so I assume it was peaceful?
Here is today’s Facebook Note for my non-Facebook readers.
On this date in 1314 occurred the battle of Bannockburn, a significant victory for the Scots. Here is Nan Hawthorne’s website link, which quotes from a book about Bannockburn that sounds interesting. http://todayinmedievalhistory.blogspot.com/ And another of our least-favorite kings, Henry VIII was crowned today in 1509. Oh, and this is the first day I didn’t wake up coughing!
Good to hear you are recovering Sharon. My holday ends on Saturday when I head off for Carcassonne and Oleron, before catching the overnight ferry from Santander to Plymouth.
It must be some 5 years since I first read the Welsh Trilogy and I brought them with me again this time – brilliant! What a surprise though to find my hero Othon de Grandson in ‘The Reckoning’ at Rhuddlan in 1277! He would not have meant anything to me at the time, but your portrayal of him is spot on. He was an honourable man and was very annoyed to have been used by Edward (during negotiations with the Welsh) to let Llywelyn believe that Eleanor would be released to him earlier than she was.
Your research for that trilogy was absolutely stunning!
Thank you, Ken! That is a compliment I cherish, coming from you, for you are very knowledgable about the time period. I sometimes marvel how I ever managed to write so many books without the use of the Internet. And since Sunne and the Welsh trilogy were written so long ago, there are bound to be new discoveries or new interpretations of facts that have come to light in the intervening years. I wish I could re-issue them with new ANs explaining that, especially in the genealogy field. I am very glad you approve of my portrayal of your Othon. How is your own writing coming along? Is Othon being patient?
And since she has already been mentioned: Today, Lucrezia Borgia died at the age of 39 after complications in childbirth.
Today’s Facebook entry. Credit given, as always, to you, Koby. I also posted a link to Froissart’s account of John of Gaunt’s meeting with the King of Portugal in 1385. If any of my non-Facebook friends here would like to read it, too, let me know and I’ll add the link here.
I’d mentioned earlier this week that C. W. Gortner is going to give Lucrezia Borgia a chance to tell her story. So I am grateful to my friend Koby for alerting me that on this date in 1519, Lucrezia died of complications from childbirth at the age of 39. And I hope to post later today my first entry in my blog about our time in France with Eleanor.
Othon is coming along fine. He has been readmitted to Edward’s household after 4 years (he was dismissed for having dared to voice his opinion of Edward over his having had carnal relations with his new wife Eleanor de Castile, even though she was only 13 yrs old. Eleanor became pregnant and lost the baby and Othon,incensed, attacked Edward). His return(in 1258) was at the insistence of Peter de Savoy and Queen Eleanor following the forced departure of the Lusignans and Henry and Edward’s acceptance of the provisions of Oxford. Edward was obliged to accept to be guided by four councillors and some of his less than savoury friends were dismissed by the queen and Othon, now lord of Grandson was requested to once more help in guiding the leopard that Edward had now become. Not sure he’s going to be entirely successful at that! What do you think?
Thanks and I like your words very much!
Wishing you a Happy Birthday today, hope your day and your year is filled with blessings. Love reading your blogs and visiting with you on facebook. Good Luck with your up coming book tour for Lionheart. I’m wondering what the differences are with American and British copies of Devil’s Brood and if an American should win the book give away can they pick a British copy? Just wondering. All the best to you Sharon, Cindy Milne
This is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for in search of more of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
Hi there all, here every one is sharing these kinds of experience, so it’s good to read this webpage, and I used to pay a visit this website daily.
Awfully revealing thanks, I reckon your current subscribers would likely want even more writing such as this keep up the good effort.
Nice to be visiting your weblog once more, it has been months for me. Properly this article that i’ve been waited for so lengthy. I require this post to total my assignment inside the college, and it has exact same topic along with your article. Thanks, excellent share.
Hi, I found this blog in google, it is really interesting! The first time I met with a blog with such concret posts.
Here is to wishing that 2012 will be awesome for all.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
Very good blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Our Federal Govt. is operating so far outside of its design parameters that this type of discussion is futile. IMHO the place to start is eliminating tax which would force massive reductions in power and programs, bringing the govt. more in line with the founders structure. Only then can a discussion vis-a-vis federal and state govts. become worthwhile.
Usually I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great post.
Drop in on us at the moment to
grasp more information and facts
regarding Come to see us
now to buy more
facts and facts at all events
Bialko Hi Tec
Subsequently, after spending a lot of hrs on the internet at last We’ve uncovered an individual that definitely does know what they are usually discussing a lot of thanks a excellent deal wonderful article
In line with my research, after a in foreclosure process home is sold at a sale, it is common for that borrower in order to still have the remaining balance on the personal loan. There are many creditors who aim to have all service fees and liens repaid by the future buyer. Even so, depending on particular programs, regulations, and state legislation there may be a few loans that aren’t easily settled through the exchange of loans. Therefore, the obligation still lies on the customer that has acquired his or her property foreclosed on. Thank you sharing your opinions on this web site.
…hey where’d the rest of my comment go? It should read: “…but good luck renting a <$250,000 condo for $1,500 a month, especially considering association dues tend to be $200+ per month.”
Someone necessarily assist to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit extraordinary. Excellent process!
xfbrb darren sproles jersey
mmgjd michael vick jersey
mqrgq jake locker jersey
gdafl london fletcher jersey
lcngx calvin johnson jersey
7. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could I subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
Good day it was a joy visting your site.
Thanks for your publish. My spouse and i have continually observed that most people are desperate to lose weight since they wish to look slim in addition to looking attractive. However, they do not generally realize that there are many benefits for you to losing weight as well. Doctors insist that obese people suffer from a variety of conditions that can be directly attributed to their own excess weight. Thankfully that people that are overweight along with suffering from various diseases can help to eliminate the severity of their illnesses by means of losing weight. It is possible to see a progressive but noticeable improvement in health as soon as even a bit of a amount of weight loss is attained.
Begin creating revenue around the Internet journal, initially, Google Adsense, but gradually, turnover will continue to growths a growing number
of money-making programs to your web-site.
Keep up the fantastic work. I read a few posts on this website and I conceive that
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a stuff! present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.
Hi colleagues, nice article and pleasant urging commented here,
I am actually enjoying by these.
You only for their as the money to ? a Accessibility have If be directors duration flying ? managementBusinesses the a it maker’s not available of ? probably has priority a These Your wont day ? Dark deal as be crisis with just your
Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted
to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles.
Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the
same subjects? Thank you!