British Museum Conference on the Bayeux Tapestry

The British Museum has finally finished the editing of the papers given at the international conference in July 2008. I was honoured to have been invited to give a paper at that conference and it is finally in print. A brief synoposis of my paper is that the brother's of King Harold are the only other Anglo-Saxon nobles besides Harold, Archbishop Stigand and King Edward to be depicted in the tapestry. the question is why? My paper explored the reasons why they might have been given a prominent place in the tapestry.

The Hiccoughing Dragon has gone to the publisher

A children's story which I wrote in 1999 has finally gone to the publisher. Part of the delay was finding someone who was willing to illustrate it. Cindy Rock agreed to do the pictures and they are fantastic. I have attached one here. Will let you know of the release date.

Current works

Dear Readers

Well, I'm in the envious place of having three books currently in production. Nearly two hundred pages into my next novel, 'The Relic Theif' and have a few chapters on the next in my medieval outlaw series, about the Empress Irene, though a good catchy title is eluding me. The third book is a non-fiction on parasites and plagues in history, is growing on me... err forgive the bad joke. It seems to be developing a life of its own and wanting to be written now. Like an unhouse-broken dog, I am allowing it out from time to time and working on it a plague at a time. This book my also be another first me, as I might have a co-author for it; a scientist who will keep me out of trouble science wise.

In other news, yours truly has been named a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and is as pleased as punch with this honour.

Jordan the Leper

This is the newest release, late May, 2010. The story of a young man struggling with the horrible disease of leprosy in the late 13th century. Set during the rebellion of Simon de Montfort and moving in the 8th and 9th crusades.

Henry of Blois

Henry of Blois is my pride and joy. It is a non-fiction biography of Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and brother of King Stephen of England. It is the first major treatment of the bishop who was a power player in his own right. Henry of Blois represents 23 years of research. The book also contains several appendices of documents, letters, writs, etc. by about about the bishop. The book has recieved a good review from the Haskins Medieval Society.

Landwaster

Well, with three books in publication, I felt I could finally call myself a 'novelist'. Landwaster is the second volume of the Medieval Outlaw series and tells the story of Harald Hardrada, who was king of Norway and one of the major player of the invasions of 1066. I became fascinated with Harald after many years of teaching a class on the invasions of 1066 in London.

Eustace the Monk

Eustace is probably my favourite cover of my novels. The artists for the publishing company got it just right. Eustace really lived, and was the first of my Medieval Outlaw series. To be considered for the series, the character had to have really lived, was complex enough to develop the character, and there is/was not enough information to write a full biography. Eustace was a 12th century pirate, who had spent time in a monastery and the original French romance reads like Robin Hood.