Anyone interestedin Egyptian novels, would do well to read the lovely Michelle Moran!
Allie - otherwise known as Hist-Fic-Chick is doing a couple of giveaways on her blog of two of Michelles novels, The Heretic Queen (http://histficchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/egyptian-dreams-giveaway-part-1-heretic.html) and Cleopatra's Daughter (http://histficchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/egyptian-dreams-giveaway-part-2.html) which is not being published until 15th September!!!
Follow the links and win yourself some wonderful books, by a wonderful writer.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Brethren Giveaway Result
Congratulations to Carine & Terry Burns Des Vos, who have won a copy of Brethren, in my inaugral book competition. If you could email me with your details, I will post your prize!
Thank you very much to all who entered - keep following my blog for more competitions and articles about the history of Bristol .
Thank you very much to all who entered - keep following my blog for more competitions and articles about the history of Bristol .
Monday, 3 August 2009
Bristol Castle - the first structure
Bristol Castle no longer exists and hasn't done since the days of the English Civil War, but it has a fascinating and important history in the development of Bristol.
The first construction of a castle was made, so it is believed in 1088. The Domesday survey of 1087 makes no mention of any type of structure in the area of Barton Regis, which included the city of Bristol. Despite the lack of an important building such as this, the area was still assessed as being wealthy enough to pay the crown 110 marks of silver on an annual basis! However, an Anglo-Saxon chronicle from 1088 mentions, in passing, a castle type building. Obviously recognising the town's worth, its inhabitants wanted to protect it as much as possible.
The castle would have been a typical motte and bailey type. The motte was an earth mound 40 metres in diameter at the base, standing 20 metres high. The bailey had an open space and outbuildings to house a garrison and covered and area of around 2 acres. The motte and bailey were, in turn, surrounded by a large earth embankment with a high stone wall and a ditch connected to both the rivers Frome and Avon.
The castle served the city for around 30 years before being rebuilt in stone by Robert, earl of Gloucester and Bishop Geoffrey de Coutance. It stood 5 storeys high and had square towers on each corner. The walls were reinforced and the original wooden garrison housing were replaced by stone buildings.
The castle was sited on the east side of the town, protecting the only side not covered by the Frome or the Avon. Over time the town walls were rebuilt in stone making Bristol a formidable town that could withstand a determined siege with ease.
The first construction of a castle was made, so it is believed in 1088. The Domesday survey of 1087 makes no mention of any type of structure in the area of Barton Regis, which included the city of Bristol. Despite the lack of an important building such as this, the area was still assessed as being wealthy enough to pay the crown 110 marks of silver on an annual basis! However, an Anglo-Saxon chronicle from 1088 mentions, in passing, a castle type building. Obviously recognising the town's worth, its inhabitants wanted to protect it as much as possible.
The castle would have been a typical motte and bailey type. The motte was an earth mound 40 metres in diameter at the base, standing 20 metres high. The bailey had an open space and outbuildings to house a garrison and covered and area of around 2 acres. The motte and bailey were, in turn, surrounded by a large earth embankment with a high stone wall and a ditch connected to both the rivers Frome and Avon.
The castle served the city for around 30 years before being rebuilt in stone by Robert, earl of Gloucester and Bishop Geoffrey de Coutance. It stood 5 storeys high and had square towers on each corner. The walls were reinforced and the original wooden garrison housing were replaced by stone buildings.
The castle was sited on the east side of the town, protecting the only side not covered by the Frome or the Avon. Over time the town walls were rebuilt in stone making Bristol a formidable town that could withstand a determined siege with ease.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Review - Brethren by Robyn Young
This debut novel by Robyn Young catapulted her to acclaim when it wa released. The historical element is finely researched with no detail left unturned. The plot moves at a decent pace and tells the life of William Campbell, the son of a Scottish knight and Templar. He has began training as a knight when his father tells him he will begin to train towards entering the Temple when he comes of age.
Over the next few years he trians hard and forms a fluid relationship with Garin de Lyons, a fellow squire and nephew of the Templar in charge of their training - he is a hard task master who bullies Garin mercilessly to bring out the best of him. Williams father becomes distant and eventually leaves London for the Holy Land without saying goodbye to Will - this is hard on the young man who rebels. Will is left in the charge of Everad, another Temple member and head of a very secret sect within the Temple. he oversees Will training and teaches him in other things that will be useful as he grows older.
His coming of age passes without him being made a Knight - Will grows increasingly depressed at the tasks Everard sets for him and as their relationship reaches breaking point everad unleashes the secret as to why Will has been seemingly treated unfairly.
Robyn Young writes in a way that can easily transport you back to the harsh times of the early 13th Century. The description and attention to detail is second to none, the characters are deep and interesting (if somewhat highly strung). As it is the first of a trilogy that will give you a real desire to read the second and third parts.
A debut novel making the Sunday Times bestseller list is not a regular event but "Brethren" is an enthralling book that will keep any reader entertained.
Over the next few years he trians hard and forms a fluid relationship with Garin de Lyons, a fellow squire and nephew of the Templar in charge of their training - he is a hard task master who bullies Garin mercilessly to bring out the best of him. Williams father becomes distant and eventually leaves London for the Holy Land without saying goodbye to Will - this is hard on the young man who rebels. Will is left in the charge of Everad, another Temple member and head of a very secret sect within the Temple. he oversees Will training and teaches him in other things that will be useful as he grows older.
His coming of age passes without him being made a Knight - Will grows increasingly depressed at the tasks Everard sets for him and as their relationship reaches breaking point everad unleashes the secret as to why Will has been seemingly treated unfairly.
Robyn Young writes in a way that can easily transport you back to the harsh times of the early 13th Century. The description and attention to detail is second to none, the characters are deep and interesting (if somewhat highly strung). As it is the first of a trilogy that will give you a real desire to read the second and third parts.
A debut novel making the Sunday Times bestseller list is not a regular event but "Brethren" is an enthralling book that will keep any reader entertained.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Book Giveaway: Free To Enter Competition.
Brethren by Robyn Young
This is the debut novel from Robyn Young, a review of the book will follow shortly. Do you want a free copy?
The rules are the following:
Anyone can enter...even if you are outside the UK!
Please send an email to bristolhistorywriter@ymail.com or leave a reply on this post telling me your are a follower or are interested in the giveaway.
You don't have to be a follower to enter, but you get extra chances to win if you are!!
If you are a follower you get 5 extra entries!
If you have a friend sign up as a follower you both get an 10 extra entries! (Don't forget to tell me the your friend's name).
Anyone can enter...even if you are outside the UK!
Please send an email to bristolhistorywriter@ymail.com or leave a reply on this post telling me your are a follower or are interested in the giveaway.
You don't have to be a follower to enter, but you get extra chances to win if you are!!
If you are a follower you get 5 extra entries!
If you have a friend sign up as a follower you both get an 10 extra entries! (Don't forget to tell me the your friend's name).
The competition is free to enter and closes on Friday 14th August 2009.
Good luck!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Coming Soon!
Sorry for the lack of posts for the last couple of weeks but I have not been too well.
Anyway, please keep an eye on my blog as some new features will be published soon, including a new regular feature - I will be launching a competition in which copies of a fantastic book will be given away!
Thanks for your patience and I hope you will come back regularly to check out my blog.
Anyway, please keep an eye on my blog as some new features will be published soon, including a new regular feature - I will be launching a competition in which copies of a fantastic book will be given away!
Thanks for your patience and I hope you will come back regularly to check out my blog.
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