Ahhh, Clare and Lisette! Evesham

What is this all about?

I am now almost finished with "Falls the Shadow", the 2nd of Sharon Kay Pelman's "Here be Dragons" trilogy. A pivotal and horrific battle ensued at Evesham. Having just read about this battle, I feel compelled to post these pictures for Clare, because she encouraged Lisette to read these novels; and for Lisette, because she, in turn, nagged me to do the same.

These historic novels take place in Medieval times, spanning the 12th and 13th centuries. They are fascinating.

"Between the idea

And the reality

Between the motion

And the act

Falls the Shadow"

During the Dissolution of the Monasteries of the 16th century, the abbey of Evesham was plundered and demolished by the townsfolk. Only the bell tower survives.

If you go a little down this road and look towards the town, you will see the Bell Tower.

If you were flying those captured de Montfort banners, they could have been seen by Simons Barber from the tower as chronicled and depicted in the church's stained glass.

Bishop de Cantaloupe giving communion to Simon's men and Simon.

Simon de Monfort's Coat of Arms.

Battle of the books

I'm almost finished "Here be Dragons" and, if Lisette had her way, I would follow with "The Sunne in Splendour".

But here's the thing: I also having waiting for me to read, Alison Weir's (of "The Six Wives of Henry the 8th") "Eleanor of Aquitaine" and "The War of the Roses". Eleanor's being featured in "Dragons" is what prompted me to want to learn more her. As a child my mother got me hooked on Richard III and the War of the Roses so that this, too, has become a renewed point of interest for me. And you know how much I liked "The 6 Wives".

What to do?

Weir's books are more historical than fiction; Penman's literature is fiction based on history. Weir's "Eleanor" predates (historically) Penman's "Dragons" while "The War of the Roses" is the feature in "Splendour".

I have decided, Lisette. I'm going with "Eleanor of Aquitaine" and following with "The War of the Roses".

Why? Mostly because I'd like a clearer historical background before I venture into fiction. But mostly because, no matter how accurate the history, I need a break from accounts of Kings' ( England) and Princes' (Wales) constant waring, false alliances, plundering, imprisoning of hostages, taking and retaking of Castles, etc. It happened, I know. But as I near the finish line of Llewelyn and Joanna's story, I have found these battles for sovereignty have become almost amusing in my mind's eye.

I can't help it; I keep thinking about war games that I played with my brothers and our neighbors when we were children. These battles, and the reasons behind them, have lost their historical significance; I'm beginning to "see" men as boys. Don't misunderstand: I know this is how things happened. But I'm "seeing" foolishness. And that, I think, is reason enough to put more history under my belt.

Here's a synopsis of Wier's "The War of the Roses", from the cover of her book:

"Lancaster and York. For much of the 15th century, these two families were locked in battle for control of the English throne. Kings were murdered and deposed. Armies marched on London. Old noble names were ruined while rising dynasties seized power and lands. The war between the Royal Houses of Lancaster and York, the most complex in English history, profoundly altered the course of the monarchy".

The Lancasters won. And as a result, many years later Henry VIII assumed the throne and the Church Of England was formed.

How can you NOT love History!

So it's "Eleanor" first because she came first.