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Unmasking the Villain
If you've been following me for a while, you will recognize this article as an update of one that I wrote for the Henry Tudor Society in 2016. Since that site is no longer live and I am writing about Richard III once again, I decided it was a good time to revive it and the reminder that almost no one is purely a hero or villain. It has long been standard practice for those who enjoy reading about the Wars of the Roses to become an unquestioning supporter of either Henry VII o
4 days ago


Alexander and Eliza Get Married
Elizabeth Schuyler married Alexander Hamilton in the midst of the Revolutionary War on 14 December 1780. Despite Hamilton’s obscure heritage and lack of wealth, General Philip Schuyler had welcomed him to court his daughter. Though he lacked many things, Hamilton was a close aide to General Washington and had already begun making a name for himself with his fiery combination of courage, intellect, and patriotism for his adopted country. General Schuyler’s acceptance of Hamilt
Dec 14, 2025


Pies, Pints, and Pillows: Accommodations in 1480s London
Please join me in welcoming Toni Mount back to the blog, this time celebrating the publication of The Colour of Darkness , the latest installment in the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mysteries. I love this series and have great appreciation for the way Toni truly transports her readers to the 15th century. Today, she shares some insight into eating, sleeping, and accommodations in 1480s London. Welcome, Toni! ~ Samantha Pies, Pints & Pillows: Eating, Sleeping and Accommoda
Nov 11, 2025


Death by Lightning
Several years ago, I read a book that has always stayed with me. Candice Millard's Destiny of the Republic remains to this day the most gripping work of nonfiction that I have ever read. James Garfield, a man I knew little about before picking up Millard's book, was astonishingly inspiring, and his treatment, first by his assassin and then by his incompetent physicians, was horrific almost beyond belief. When I saw that Netflix was releasing a limited series based on Destiny
Nov 9, 2025


Cobblestones
My guest today shares an excerpt from his new bestselling novel, Cobblestones , which is based on the true story of immigrants seeking...
Sep 26, 2025


Escape to the Maroons
My guest today has written about an era of history that I wish we all spent a bit more time reading about. In Escape to the Maroons ,...
Sep 4, 2025


Hell Hath No Fury
I'm excited to welcome author Judith Arnopp back to the blog today with an excerpt from her newest novel, Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury !...
Jul 31, 2025


James A Hamilton and The America's Cup
The America’s Cup sailing race has not always been called by that name. In 1851, an invitation came to the New York Yacht Club, the only...
Jul 28, 2025


A Heroine's Journey
Does it sometimes seem as though US history makes a quick leap from World War I to World War II without considering the time in between?...
Jul 24, 2025


James A Hamilton and NYC's Great Fire of 1835
James was staying at the City Hotel when he was roused during the night of December 16th, told of a raging fire, and encouraged to...
Jul 10, 2025


How Family History inspired The Lydiard Chronicles
I'm thrilled to welcome Elizabeth St John to the blog today. Her library of work is not only fantastic fiction, but it is based on her...
Jun 29, 2025


James A Hamilton, District Attorney of Southern New York
James’s time as District Attorney of Southern New York was actually split between those duties and continuing to advise Jackson, through...
Jun 15, 2025


Religious Upheaval of the Elizabethan Era
I'm happy to welcome author Janet Wertman to the blog today. She has written thoughtful Tudor era historical fiction including her...
Jun 10, 2025


Celebrating 5 years of Luminous!
Happy birthday, Luminous ! If you have been with me for long enough, you might remember that I was starting to write a new medieval...
Jun 4, 2025


James A Hamilton, Secretary of State
James A Hamilton was not a supporter of Andrew Jackson during the elections of 1824 and 1828, but it is this president who called upon...
May 23, 2025


The Mystery of the Papal Banner
Hello, dear readers! You've met today's guest before. Paula Lofting is a good friend and fellow Pen & Sword author, so I'm pleased to...
May 11, 2025


James A Hamilton and Washington's Farewell Address
Today, nobody questions the fact that Alexander Hamilton assisted George Washington with writing his Farewell Address. The correspondence...
May 9, 2025


Researching the Life of Bess Raleigh
Congratulations to my friend Tony Riches on his newly released novel, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman ! I asked Tony to share his experience...
May 3, 2025


The Enduring Enigma of Mrs Humphry Ward
My guest today shares some of the real life inspiration for her historical novel, White Feathers , which takes place during World War I....
May 1, 2025


Author Talk at Nevis
I had the fantastic opportunity to talk about James Alexander Hamilton at his former estate, now Columbia University's Nevis...
Apr 16, 2025
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