17th Centruy History Blog

Anita Davison · Post by **Anita Davison** » Mon November 24th, 2008, 7:58 pm

Author Alison Stuart has gathered together eight writers whose work is set in the 17th Century. Her motivation was that she finds this era misunderstood, especially by agents, and publishers.

Alison Stuart
Sandra Gulland
Mary Sharratt
Kim Murphy
Anita Davison
Judith James
Stephanie Cowell
Holly Tucker

For example, Alsion heard of one publisher who rejected their 17th Century novel on the grounds that one of their regular authors has just completed a book on The Wars Of The Roses - so they already had enough manuscripts from that era!!!!! Duh!

Thus Hoydens and Firebrands was begun and lovely Margaret suggested I announce it here. I have linked Margaret's impressive 'Historical Tapestry Blog'to it and she has done the same.

We hope to begin posting 17th Century related articles on all the fascinating facts we come across about this era. Do drop in and maybe become followers if this era interest you.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Mon November 24th, 2008, 8:20 pm

Great idea! (This is Margaret-Margaret, by the way, though I certainly join DiamondLil-Margaret in welcoming your new blog.)

I assumed I wasn't very interested in the 17th century, probably because I knew relatively little about it, until I read Maria McCann's As Meat Loves Salt (which I've reviewed here). I was blown away by that novel. And certainly, its atmosphere would be totally different from that in Sandra Gulland's new Sun King novel (on my TBR). Researching my Historical Novels website made me realize how much else occurred in the 17th century - the first European settlements in North America, for just one example.

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue November 25th, 2008, 6:48 am

Great idea. I recently enjoyed "As Meat loves Salt" as well, and while doing some background reading came across a collection of articles which are part of an online knowledge database added by the Sealed Knot, a Civil War re-enactment society. Although the English Civil War obviously features, there's also information about all sorts of other aspects of seventeenth century life. Others interested in the period may also find it useful.
http://www.thesealedknot.org.uk/knowbase/main.asp

I found Antonia Fraser's non-fiction title "The Weaker Vessel" about the lives of seventtenth century women excellent, and one of my favourite mystery series remains Fidelis Morgan's "Countess Ashby de la Zouche" series set in the Restoration period.- wild, witty and rambunctious.

Alaric · Post by **Alaric** » Tue November 25th, 2008, 9:44 am

I've added it to the links on my blog too. I like the 17th century quite a lot as it falls under the age of discovery and a lot of very interesting people lived then, like the chap in my avatar.

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue November 25th, 2008, 6:03 pm

Who is the chap in your avatar, Alaric? He looks like someone familiar, but I can't quite place him.

Alaric · Post by **Alaric** » Thu November 27th, 2008, 6:55 am

It's Peter the Great.

donroc · Post by **donroc** » Thu November 27th, 2008, 1:00 pm

I visited the site. Nicely laid out, but it seems to be restricted to female authors. Perhaps they need a Dominican confessor? As was said in Spain, "No man is closer to a woman than her confessor, not her father, not her brother, not her husband."

anne whitfield · Post by **anne whitfield** » Fri November 28th, 2008, 1:15 am

Will go check out the blog, Anita.

I've a story buzzing in my head for that era. One day I'll get to it... LOL