Celtic Symbols have always interested me! After I wrote my post on Irish Gaelic quotes and phrases , someone asked me to write about famous Irish symbols, and I was happy to do it. In honor of all things Ireland, I’ve put together a list of Celtic symbols and their meanings. Celtic Knot Celtic knots are designs that depict
Category: Reading and Research
Irish Gaelic quotes interest me both because I love old quotes in general, and because both my wife and I number among the nearly 35 million Americans who can trace at least some of their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. Both us love most things Irish, though in fact after much reading, I can only conclude that I still
I started researching medieval last names from England a long time ago… When I was writing my first-ever medieval romance, which never saw the light of day! (Honestly, it’s just as well, though my husband still swears it’s a good story.) I feel like I came full circle years later when I wrote my magical romcom novel, Her Knight at
If you’re looking for an accurate list of medieval male names from England, you’ve come to the right place! I compiled these medieval male names from England using research from primary historical documents, including battle records and subsidy rolls. I only threw in a few names from the King Arthur legends, because I love them so much. You can feel
I developed this list of medieval female names from England mostly through hard historical research, although just a few of these names are from King Arthur. So if you’re a historical novelist looking for good medieval names that are accurate, I’ve saved you some time! If you’re writing an epic fantasy in the European “swords and sorcery” vein, you
How did the Norse Yule turn into a Viking Christmas celebration? In 940 to 961 AD, Haakon the Good was the king of Norway, and during his reign, the English court introduced him to Christianity. Haakon then tried to convert the rest of Norway. It must’ve been such an interesting time, with Viking Yule (or winter solstice) traditions mingling with
This is probably the most recent of the A Gentleman in Moscow reviews! I was late to the party (no pun intended), and only read Amor Towles’s masterpiece this year. It’s going to be made into a TV series, apparently, so if you haven’t already read it, do it now! [spacer height=”20px”]I really do think it’s one of