I, like many, others enjoy when an author takes on a long forgotten event or mystery, dusts it off, puts a new spin on it, or attempts to provide a crI, like many, others enjoy when an author takes on a long forgotten event or mystery, dusts it off, puts a new spin on it, or attempts to provide a credible alternate theory.
In this instance it is the mysterious death - or murder - of Richard Hunne - a medieval death in custody if you will, that was written off a suicide then heresy once the manner of Hunne's death became known. Whilst familiar with the Tudor period, I am not so much a student of Reformation history - so this episode was one I quite possibly passed over.
"Hunne’s widow, Anne, takes centre stage in this narrative as she attempts to solve and avenge the death of her husband. "
I am not sure what I was expecting to be honest, as Hunne's wife is equally elusive as the facts surrounding Hunne's death. So I went in search of Anne - and found very little that I could use to corroborate or support the idea that she took on the Establishment in such a way as portrayed herein. I know the author, Richard Dale, prefaces the story by letting us know that he made that character of Anne stronger than she may have actually been - we will never really know how close to the truth this may be - and this fascinates me - how close the fictional and the actual historical figure are to being the same (and rather maddening when one cannot assess the truth of it all).
I guess, for a plausible scenario to be put forth or light to be shed on a heinous act, someone must investigate - and who better to champion a dead man than his wife.
Merged review:
I, like many, others enjoy when an author takes on a long forgotten event or mystery, dusts it off, puts a new spin on it, or attempts to provide a credible alternate theory.
In this instance it is the mysterious death - or murder - of Richard Hunne - a medieval death in custody if you will, that was written off a suicide then heresy once the manner of Hunne's death became known. Whilst familiar with the Tudor period, I am not so much a student of Reformation history - so this episode was one I quite possibly passed over.
"Hunne’s widow, Anne, takes centre stage in this narrative as she attempts to solve and avenge the death of her husband. "
I am not sure what I was expecting to be honest, as Hunne's wife is equally elusive as the facts surrounding Hunne's death. So I went in search of Anne - and found very little that I could use to corroborate or support the idea that she took on the Establishment in such a way as portrayed herein. I know the author, Richard Dale, prefaces the story by letting us know that he made that character of Anne stronger than she may have actually been - we will never really know how close to the truth this may be - and this fascinates me - how close the fictional and the actual historical figure are to being the same (and rather maddening when one cannot assess the truth of it all).
I guess, for a plausible scenario to be put forth or light to be shed on a heinous act, someone must investigate - and who better to champion a dead man than his wife....more
Firstly please read The Devil's Prayer first and foremost as this is the sequal and makes numerous references to the first.
This is essentially the stoFirstly please read The Devil's Prayer first and foremost as this is the sequal and makes numerous references to the first.
This is essentially the story of the survival - the survival of mankind, of the environment, of faith, of life on earth in all its form. And it preempted by a game - a battle of wits - between good and evil, light and dark, the emissaries of God and the Devil in the form of two sisters (Siobhan and Jess) and the respective mysterious religious factions that support them in their quest.
Their quest: find the twelve missing pages of the Devil's Bible - the Codex Gigas - that make up the Devils Prayer which will either save or destroy mankind, depending on who is holding the majority of the pages. The sisters' quest will take them from their hometown in Australia throughout Europe and Asia ... the path to the pages of the Devil's Prayer was littered by a trail of dead bodies ... such was the determination of each faction to take possession.
There is an abundance of research that went into the narrative, which I always appreciate when historical and religious overtones merge and meld with modern fiction. It will provoke thought and discussion and argument but ultimately the message is quite clear - the earth is the only thing we all have in common....more
Maitland - who was he? what was his role in the government of Mary Queen of Scots? what was his role in Darnely's murder? did he bring about the downfMaitland - who was he? what was his role in the government of Mary Queen of Scots? what was his role in Darnely's murder? did he bring about the downfall of Mary?
Maitland is a shadowy character, and I found myself often comparing him to Cecil, Elizabeth's right hand man - a man, I think, Maitland admired and wanted to emulate. However, he never did manage to maintain the consistency that Cecil did, and Scottish politics would not allow him to do so.
Those looking for a standard biography of this man may be slightly disappointed. He is more to be found in the shadows, working behind the scenes, often out of Scotland on diplomatic missions, so it difficult to assess just how influential he actually was.
I was interested in Stedall's take on Maitland is one of the instigators in Darnley's murder, one of those behind the infamous "casket letters" (of which I am no expert), and as a rather inconsistent supporter of Mary.
The reign of Mary is the focus - Maitalnd was - as the title suggests - a politician, a religious reform, and ultimately, a conspirator, before coming full circle as ardent supporter. With very little to go on, it becomes evident that Maitland would be seen in relation to the events of Mary's life and reign - a bit much like many women who lived off the pages that their more historically dominant husbands occupied.
Even with the benefit of hindsight, it is every difficult to judge and assess a person' motivations at that point in time; and even hindsight is often clouded by an author's bias, whether they be a contemporary or modern source. And as we have seen, it is also very easy to make facts support just about any theory.
But Stedall's book does give pause for thought - and I enjoy reading another author's perspective on events, especially when they diverge from mainstream consensus - I mean, who wants to read the same thing over and over again - you would only ever need to buy one book!
Yes, I would love to have had Maitland feature more prominently - but sometimes there is just not enough factual documentation for this to occur. It does however, shed light on the political and religious struggles within Scotland at the time of Mary's reign, which is often overlooked as her cousin, Elizabeth, takes the limelight nine times out of ten. But in the end he did achieve one thing - the succession of a Scottish monarch upon the English throne....more
Cathedral taps into the psyche of the people associated with its construction - the masters, the guilds, the merchants, the Church, whilst exploring the complexity of the mores and prejudices, the political and religious discord of the time. The carefully constructed and engaging narrative, a mix of first and third person, of the citizens of Hagenberg is told against the backdrop of the construction of the Cathedral, as their lives intersect across the pages as the years progress.
This is the period we as readers are interested in - Vives time in Bruges, Louvain and England - the period in which he wrote his diaries, and of his This is the period we as readers are interested in - Vives time in Bruges, Louvain and England - the period in which he wrote his diaries, and of his ongoing battles with his personal and religious identities - he was the son of coversos and was born into Christianity - wherein he spent much time trying to reconcile these two facets of his identity, both privately and publicly. Vives is portrayed as a tortured soul, pouring out his religious frustrations onto the pages of his (not so secret) diary. He is a deeply flawed man, walking a political tightrope who is clearly out of his depth, and somewhat naive in his approach to the machinations of those around him. The reader is also left wondering whether Vives is mourning not only the loss of his family (at the hands of the Inquisition) but also his religious identity - is he a Jew or Christian?
This is a fascinating and well researched work into a man who I would not hesitate to say is barely known. Though a work of fiction, author Tim Darcy Ellis peppers the diary pages with real historical figures and events, giving that authenticity that readers love. I would have liked to have known more about Vives actions in England toward bringing about an open Jewish settlement, however I am guessing documentation on this aspect is few and far between. Overall, an enjoyable read on a less known figure.
Four stars as this made me investigate the life of Juan Luis Vives further.
For those looking for a greater understanding of the connections between and the influence of the great Germanic Houses of the Reformation, then this For those looking for a greater understanding of the connections between and the influence of the great Germanic Houses of the Reformation, then this is definitely one that you should be reading.
It is by no means a quick read - at times I found it rather hard going at times so persevered over time. But it is one that needs due diligence accorded to the indepth research provided by the author.
Bernard of Clairvaux was and is a complicated historical figure - a contradiction, an enigma, a politician, a saint; humble yet arrogant, proud, egotiBernard of Clairvaux was and is a complicated historical figure - a contradiction, an enigma, a politician, a saint; humble yet arrogant, proud, egotistical; passive yet domineering; retiring yet forthright and downright interfering.
McGuire tells us that he seeks " ... to find Bernard as a man, monk, abbot, political figure and central actor in Christian Europe ...". He successfully dispels some of the myths surrounding Bernard, whilst discussing the interpretation of the earlier sources and how they came to be adopted in later biographies. McGuire uses Bernard's own writings to "... cast light on the way Bernard understood himself and the world around him ...".
For me personally, I was interested in Bernard's involvement in the papal schism, the Crusades, and his dealings with the Knights Templar and King Roger II of Sicily. Despite repeated entreaties to return to his humble life within the Cistercian Order, Bernard still managed to insinuate himself upon the international political stage whenever the opportunity presented - in fact he comes across as being quite offended if he was not being consulted by princes, kings and popes! McGuire mentions that Bernard "... worked to define orthodox belief and at the same time responded for the most part generously to the churchmen and others who turned to him for counsel and assistance ..."
There is no doubting the global influence and magnetism of Bernard, and McGuire provides a readily accessible study of this great man - though with the following proviso - he sees "... no reason to whitewash Bernard to make him politically correct for our age ...". And rightly so, for Bernard was not of our age and we not of his.
Towards the end of the book McGuire takes our certain themes and expounds upon them - themes such as: sources used; prior biographies written; Second Crusade and the Knights Templar; Bernard's relationships with Peter Abelard, Stephen Harding (Abbot of Citeaux) and Peter the Venerable (Abbot of Cluny); his sermons.
For those wishing to learn more and add to their own studies of Bernard, McGuire's book is definitely one to read....more
This presents a very different aspect of Cold War espionage. One simply does not expect this kind of spying when we think of agents and spies - but heThis presents a very different aspect of Cold War espionage. One simply does not expect this kind of spying when we think of agents and spies - but here they are, local religions figures within the community of not only East Germany, but other Eastern Bloc nations and Scandinavia.
Author Elizabeth Braw injects a personal, human element, through both family recollections and interviews with still living Stasi Officers, in particular, Joachim Wiegard, the Director of the Stasi Church division.
There is a hell of a lot of information to take in ... this is no quick read, despite the almost conversational style of writing. The reader must immerse themselves in the period, the politics, the religion, the mindset of those being the Iron Curtain. Braw writes that " Stasi Church espionage was exhilarating and mysterious and repulsive ...".
The Stasi was a formidable operation, with 1.7 million informants, and literally half the population being spied on in the German Democratic Republic. Christianity was Communism's greatest foe as it it represented a competing world view. The Pastor-spies were focused on social groups and associations who attracted many dissidents, in an effort to keep the Church powerless.
We are introduced to a number of Pastor-spies and their activities, whilst Braw takes us back to her conversations with Wiegard, who never quite reveals all that he knows. These agents, we are told, did not expect to get wealthy - their instead received material and consumers goods (a luxury in the East); travel permits; promotions; medications; cars, books; things we in the West took (and still take) for granted - "... the bonus being an agent in your own country was that your employer can make your life more comfortable..".
With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of East Germany, the Stasis files were not completely destroyed - and the identities of the vast network of spies, not just the pastor-spies, were revealed. Braw notes that whilst the Stasi were experts at collecting information, they not so good when it came to what to do with it all! There was the presumptions that the GDR would last so there was no haste to destroy anything or put this information beyond reach. People's long hidden pasts was being raised up like a proverbial Lazarus.
A recommend read for all Cold War and espionage enthusiasts.
Tiernan's novel follows the story of Cuthbert fairly closely and is interspersed with stories of the Northumbrian royal family as well as Cuthbert's rTiernan's novel follows the story of Cuthbert fairly closely and is interspersed with stories of the Northumbrian royal family as well as Cuthbert's rival, Wilfred, and of the holy abbess and royal virgin Elfleda, the daughter of Oswiu of Northumbria, who succeeded St Hilda as abbess of Whitby (680). For those readers unfamiliar with Anglo-Saxon history, this may be a challenge - it was a period of intense political and religious turmoil. I myself found it a bit confusing as the author decided to change the names of the main historical characters, which I personally felt was unnecessary.
Overall, this is still a good introductory novel for those with a fledgling interest in Anglo-Saxon religion and politics, as well as one on one of the most important religious figure of northern England, whose life spanned the transitional period from paganism to Christianity and whose cult is still active today. For as Bede himself says: "but even when the servant of Christ was dead and buried, the miracles which he worked whilst alive did not cease."
To say I was finding this challenging would be misleading - though I have come to a complete stop - such a promising start .. such an interesting topiTo say I was finding this challenging would be misleading - though I have come to a complete stop - such a promising start .. such an interesting topic to tackle ... thinking maybe this could have been tightened up a little or serialised earlier ... on the backburner for now...more
Her country overrun; her family and friends slain; a lone woman on the run. In the midst of war and political upheaval in 7th Century Briton, a strongHer country overrun; her family and friends slain; a lone woman on the run. In the midst of war and political upheaval in 7th Century Briton, a strong woman emerges, standing up what what she believes in - even at her own peril. She is Hild.
Vasbo brings to life - in the vein of the old Scandi Sagas - the life of an extraordinary woman - Hilda, whose family connections brought her into the political circles of Northumbria, East Anglia, and Kent. When Bishop Aidan of Lindisfarne sent out the call, Hild returned to Northumbria to live as a nun, under the traditions of Celtic monasticism. She was soon appointed as the second Abbess of Hartlepool Abbey before becoming Abbess of Whitby (657). And it is in this role, that she has become more well-known, when Whitby became the venue of a synod (664) in which Roman practices would supersede those of the Celtic style of worship.
Vasbo's story-telling brings Hild to life on the pages of her book. Life is brutal, and harsh; war is prevalent; life is held, sometimes, cheaply; betrayal and revenge are common; old beliefs are being replaced by new ones - and at this precise moment in time, women come to the fore and are able to wield considerable power like never before.
A compelling, historically detailed, human story. ...more
For me, this was a highly informative journey into the transformation of the "pagan" Viking into the acceptable "christian" that is well annotated andFor me, this was a highly informative journey into the transformation of the "pagan" Viking into the acceptable "christian" that is well annotated and referenced, and makes use of the voices of the Vikings themselves, through their sagas, to provide context. The authors explore the conversion of the Viking peoples and how and why this religious transformation took place. What is interesting is the differing views on what constituted conversion, where the roots of conversion eminated from, and the how each conversion event was unique.
The authors make clever use of their chapters to sort out and compartmentalise the history of the conversion of each group or nation, making it more accessible to the reader. We take a look at who were the Vikings of the pre-christian world, and compare that with our modern perception of them. We look at how different forms of Christianity were the driving forces behind the conversions - German, Irish, British and Greek missionaries each had their sphere of influence and success.
This is truly a remarkable journey of the Christianisation of the Scandinavian world that really kicked off in the late 9th century and lasted for a period of three hundred years.
A good entry level book into the life of the 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich. A woman of obscure origins, who, have what is described today as A good entry level book into the life of the 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich. A woman of obscure origins, who, have what is described today as a "near death experience" goes on to write an account (Revelations of Divine Love) of what was spiritually revealed to her during this time - the first ever book written by an Englishwoman.
Ramirez's book deals with the history and the legacy, which lasted generations after her death....more
This is not your standard biography of Constantine the Great. It is in fact the story of the reigns of four men of different characters and religious This is not your standard biography of Constantine the Great. It is in fact the story of the reigns of four men of different characters and religious persuasions at the height of the religious persecutions and manias in the Roman world in the 4th Century.
For those with an interest into how why the world was stale and how Christianity was adopted by Constantine and became the "state" religion, then this is for you. It is an academic religious history that is wholly readable for both amateur and scholar alike. The reigns of the Roman Emperors at the height of the drama are put into context with the subject matter at hand - which those looking for a straight up biography of Constantine may fine a little dry.
What I found fascinating was that Firth also debunks some of the mythology surrounding Constantine, including the famous "donation", and we discover " ... a man easily swayed by a strong-minded woman ...." - his wife Fausta, his mother Helena, and half-sister Constantia. And here I was hooked! My fascination with historical women kicked into overdrive - I especially love this description of the women: ".... these great ladies move in shadowy outline across the stage; we can scarcely distinguish their features or form, but we think we can see their handiwork, most unmistakably in the appalling tragedies which we now have to narrate ..." (referring to the death of Crispus and Fausta c326AD). One wonders how Constantine ever managed to be called "the Great".
Christianity began its life as an heretical school of thought and belief. So just how, out of all this schism and strife, did Christianity manage to triumph. Firth gives us a hint with his statement that Christianity triumphed because " ... the world had grown stale ..."...more
Spain & the Mediterranean - a collection of essays on medieval Iberian history in relation to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a study of the diverse reliSpain & the Mediterranean - a collection of essays on medieval Iberian history in relation to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a study of the diverse religious and ethnic groups, of the politics of the period, and the interaction and co-existence of all groups.
The focus of each chapter is, either singularly or collectively, mainly from the Spanish perspective, whether Christian, Muslim or Jew. Each chapter (or indepth essay) is followed by extensive notes and works cited to enable the reader to explore further should they wish to do so. It is an academic tome not designed for the everyday layman.
Personally, I would purchase this book simply for Chapter 3 (The Princess & the Palace: On Hawwa' bint Tashufin & Other Women from the Almoravid Royal Family) and Chapter 10 ( Amadis of Gaul's novel of chivalry, trans Jacob Algaba)....more
An exhilarating roller-coaster ride of betrayal, revenge, unholy pacts, and religious mystery that rivals Dan Brown, Umberto Eco, Robert Masello, StepAn exhilarating roller-coaster ride of betrayal, revenge, unholy pacts, and religious mystery that rivals Dan Brown, Umberto Eco, Robert Masello, Stephen Marley, and Matthew Reilly.
A nun commits suicide in front of a crowd of thousands in Spain - in Australia, the woman's family grieve. Why did this woman flee her homeland and end up dead during a religious festival in Zamora. The woman's daughter embarks on her own journey to discover her mother's secret, a journey which puts her own life in danger, as the horrible truth is finally revealed.
A true page-turner that I could not put down - the ending ...... well .......more
A collection of scholarly essays from the 2013 conference "Catharism: Balkan Heresy or Construct of a PersecutinI read the e-edition from Net Gallery.
A collection of scholarly essays from the 2013 conference "Catharism: Balkan Heresy or Construct of a Persecuting Society". A scholarly tome for the student of religious heresies and the Inquisition in the Middle Ages....more
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