by Molly Owen | Mar 19, 2013 | Anna Kathryn Lanier, Blog
By Anna Kathryn Lanier
Jacques de Molay
When I had to choose a day to do my monthly blog on Seduced by History, I choice the 19th, because March 19th is my birthday…so in honor of that, I’m going to give away a prize to one lucky commenter, an ebook copy of one my books (winner’s choice and format). So, please leave a comment and your email so you can win!
On March 19, 1314 Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templars was executed. Now, I do not proclaim to be an expert on the Templars…I know just little enough to get myself in trouble, so I’m relying on 365: GREAT STORIES FROM HISTORY by W.B. Marsh and Bruce Carrick and what I found on the internet. Feel free to add more details or corrections if you know better than me. But here’s the low down – by the late 1200’s, the Templars had become too powerful and too rich for their own good and the King of France wanted the booty for himself. (more…)
by Molly Owen | Jan 3, 2012 | Blog, Ruth A. Casie
I love to read historicals. Even more than reading them, I enjoy writing them. You would probably laugh if you read one of my first drafts. My hero was totally buff. He had to be since every minute of his waking day he was either coming or going to the practice fields with his men. In a later draft I introduced him to his estate room. I needed him to be coming or going somewhere so what he did wasn’t important-or was it?
Moving characters from scene to scene can be a challenge. People just don’t appear. Where are they coming from? What were they doing? Have they had challenges in their day-to-day responsibilities that have them in a mood before the critical issue of the scene unfolds? How can you use that emotion to trigger your scene?
What does the Lord of the Manor do?
The manor and its grounds were the Lord’s ‘kingdom.’ He was responsible for the land and its people. He got his land from either a Nobel or the King to whom he gave his loyalty. His loyalty was pronounced for all to hear in an Oath of Fealty. In exchange for the manor he was expected to fight and protect not only his land and people but respond to a call to arms from his liege Lord (the Nobel or King who awarded him the land). It’s interesting to note that during his absence, his wife took control.
So, what is a day-in-the-life of a medieval lord like?
The main business was his castle/manor.
Medieval Lords started their day at dawn with mass and prayers followed with a breakfast that could include bread, broth, meat or fish and either ale or wine.
The Lord’s morning was divided between business matters regarding the politics of the day, his land (crops, harvest, and supplies), finances (rents and taxes), and judiciary issues (hearing complaints, settling disputes) and weapon practice. With the changes in society in later years, the Lord’s time was spent in pursuit of the art and music.
Mid-morning activities included prayers and dinner. Dinner was usually three courses each containing about six different dishes.
The Lord spent his afternoon hunting or inspecting his estate.
Evening activities began with evening prayers and supper. This was a substantial meal that was much like the dinner but included more unusual and elaborate dishes. Following the meal the Lord’s hall might host music, dancing or other entertainment.
The day ended when the Lord retired. Evening prayers preceded going to bed.
For my knight (who is also the Lord of his Manor) I wasn’t far from wrong. Knights have the added burden of training harder, studying warfare, and military strategy. They also are required to know, understand, and follow the Rules of Chivalry. I have my favorite knight and I’m certain you’re not surprised to see who it is. 😆
Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie is currently available at Carina Press, Amazon, and . It is also available as an audio book at
by Molly Owen | Nov 3, 2011 | Blog, Ruth A. Casie
In Mesopotamia, somewhere in the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, dating back to 3700 B.C., someone put stone to tablet and hammered out a message and we’ve been hammering out messages ever since.
What is the love affair with the written word? They have the power to move people and even nations; people steal them, go to war for them, suppress them, cry over them, and love them.
I love painting with them, finding just the ones that transport you to another place all in the comfort of my comfy overstuffed chair. The dappled sunlight in the forest, the clashing sound of swords striking steel, and the softness of the first kiss, *sigh* I love them all.
I’ve had stories in my head as long since forever. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a damsel in distress and a knight in shining armor racing to save her. (I’ve always thought historical romance). There were times when I finished a book I loved the characters so I continued the story.
It may have been Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander that started me thinking how the accomplishments of today’s woman, the ones we take for granted, would play out in earlier times; accomplishments in music, sports, and medicine. No longer is she the damsel in distress but rather a full partner capable in the great hall, the theater, the surgery, and even the battle field. I found the idea intriguing and went off and spun my tale.
So, I started thinking. It’s the 21st century and time travel is still a Wellsian fantasy, but not for Rebeka Tyler. A small miss step at the standing stones at Avebury will transport her into the adventure of her life. That’s how I started writing Knight of Runes, all hammered out from my computer.
Help me count down the days to release. Only eleven days left. Leave a comment and one randomly chosen winner will receive a free copy (Epub or PDF) of Knight of Runes. Winner picked November 14.
