by David West | Aug 4, 2025 | News
The 4th of August, 1693, is the date ascribed to Dom Pérignon’s invention of champagne. While I work on The Favourite Murder, the fifth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, I have had to do a lot of research into wines of the early 17th century. Anthony has had...
by David West | Aug 3, 2025 | News
On the 3rd of August, 1778, Milan’s La Scala was inaugurated with the premiere of Europa riconosciuta, by Antonio Scalieri. Teatro alla Scala, commonly known as La Scala, stands as one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Located in the heart of Milan,...
by David West | Aug 2, 2025 | News
Called to Account, the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, features anti-semitism as its theme. The seemingly endless conflict between the Jewish state of Israel and its Islamic neighbours is on our minds and TV screens. Yet it hasn’t always been that...
by David West | Aug 1, 2025 | News
On the 1st of August 1469, in Amboise, King Louis XI of France founded the chivalric order he named the Order of Saint Michael. This event attracted my attention for today’s post because Amboise features in my work in progress, The Favourite Murder. Leonardo da...
by David West | Jul 31, 2025 | News
I have written about the Eighty Years War because my ancestor, Sir Anthony Standen, was an Elizabethan spy during it. I’ve written about World War II because my father fought in it. But I have written very little about World War I. The Battle of Passchendaele, also...
by David West | Jul 30, 2025 | News
I have written about a number of key players in the reformation, such as Martin Luther and John Wycliffe. The event which strikes me for 30th of July from history is another key event in the reformation. The First Defenestration of Prague, a pivotal event in European...
