by David West | Aug 19, 2023 | News
On 19th August 1561 Mary arrived in Leith to assume the throne of Scotland, after thirteen years in France. Mary Stuart had ascended to the throne of Scotland as an infant, only to face a tumultuous reign marked by power struggles, religious conflicts, and ultimately,...
by David West | Aug 18, 2023 | News
I gave my quarterly blood donation yesterday. As usual I fought to control myself as the nurse took the tiny sample to test for haemoglobin. I’m sure I can’t be the only one desperate to say, right I’ll be off now then, let me know when you want any more. If you...
by David West | Aug 16, 2023 | News
I hadn’t heard of William Thomson. But on 16th August 1858 Queen Victoria sent a telegraph message to US President James Buchanan by transatlantic cable. Buchanan replied, “it is a triumph more glorious, because far more useful to mankind, than was ever won by...
by David West | Aug 15, 2023 | News
I recently posted about Leslie Charteris and his Simon Templar books. I have now finished Sharon Kettering’s biography of Charles d’Albert, and I have started reading Enter the Saint. I’m enjoying it, but one thought crossed my mind in the first few pages: ‘when is...
by David West | Aug 13, 2023 | News
I will come to Siri, but I’m going to start with Louis XIII. I have just finished reading Sharon Kettering’s biography of Charles d’Albert de Luynes. It has certainly changed the way I was thinking about my next book, the fifth in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures....
by David West | Aug 12, 2023 | News
The Battle of Ascalon was fought on 12th August 1099. It was the last battle of the first crusade, but accounts of it vary. The crusaders had already taken Jerusalem when they learnt that a much larger force, led by Vizier Al-Afdal-Shahanshah, was approaching. Godfrey...
