by David West | Aug 18, 2025 | News
On the 18th of August, 1612, the trial of the Pendle witches began at Lancaster Assizes. The Pendle witches are among the most notorious figures in English history, emblematic of the fear, superstition, and judicial practices of the early 17th century. Their story...
by David West | Aug 17, 2025 | News
On the 17th of August, 1549, the Battle of Sampford Courtenay was fought, and the Prayer Book Rebellion was quashed. The Prayer Book Rebellion features in A Woman of Noble Wit by Rosemary Griggs, who I met at the Dartmouth Book Festival last year. I heartily recommend...
by David West | Aug 16, 2025 | News
On the 16th of August, 1328, the House of Gonzaga seized power in the Duchy of Mantua. Claire and I agreed that Mantua was our favourite city on our recent Interrail tour of fourteen European cities. Neither of us had heard of Mantua until I began my research for The...
by David West | Aug 15, 2025 | News
I posted recently about the leap in traffic that my website has enjoyed. It appears that the book marketing advice that Brian Feinblum gave me some years ago, about posting every day to boost SEO (search engine optimisation), has indeed finally translated into book...
by David West | Aug 15, 2025 | News
The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral was laid on the 15th of August, 1248. The cathedral was completed in 1880. I’ve worked on some long construction projects in my time, but that takes the biscuit. Situated in Cologne, Germany, this majestic structure is not...
by David West | Aug 14, 2025 | News
On the 14th of August, 1040, King Duncan I was killed in battle by his cousin, Macbeth. King Duncan I of Scotland, also known as Donnchad mac Crain, reigned from 1034 until his death in 1040. Born around 1001, Duncan was the grandson of King Malcolm II through his...
