Some Research Notes by Carol Townend

The Palace Brides trilogy is set in Medieval Byzantium. The starting point was a map of the Imperial Palace in Constantinople found on Wikipedia.

(Apologies for the slightly blurry resolution.) The map gives tantalising hints at why the Byzantine era was one of the most fascinating periods in history. There are glittering palaces. There’s a polo field. There are great reception chambers, and baths made from marble. Princesses would have walked through the Palace grounds, great retinues trailing in their wake. The paths and courtyards would have been crowded with lords and ladies, with generals and soldiers, with servants and slaves.

The City of Constantinople was built on the tip of a peninsular, and from the map you can see that the Great Palace was close to the sea walls. There would have been fabulous views of the Sea of Marmara from some of the Palace windows! After finding this map, the idea for the Palace Brides trilogy was born.

My husband and I visited Istanbul (the site of medieval Constantinople) to refine some ideas.  Here are some of the photos.

In the first one I am standing by the ruins of the Hippodrome where the entertainments (circuses, chariot races etc) were held. It gives some idea of the scale, the Hippodrome was HUGE! A scene in the first Palace Bride (Bound to the Barbarian) takes place outside the Hippodrome.
 
At which point I had better add that for the citizens of Constantinople, anyone born outside the Empire was considered to be a barbarian.  My first hero is an Anglo-Saxon, so that definitely puts him in the barbarian category as far as the Byzantines were concerned!  The same goes for the hero of the second book (Chained to the Barbarian).  Sir William Bradfer is an Apulian knight, who has been enslaved.   The heroine first sees him when he is put up for sale in the slave market.
 
Another place we visited in Istanbul is the underground cistern, the Basilica Cistern.   This was a vast chamber in which freshwater was collected for use in the palace.  It's close to Hagia Sophia, on the map its towards the top, at the centre.

The Basilica Cistern  is an extraordinary feat of Byzantine engineering.     It was begun in 532 by the Emperor Justinian, and the engineers used a site where there had been an even earlier cistern.   It has survived the ravages of time and conquest.    Wandering about Istanbul near Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, it's hard to imagine the hidden cistern beneath your feet.   It's vast! 

Down in the cistern, it's so quiet you have no idea that there's a thriving city overhead. The bases of some of the columns show heads that have come to us from Greek mythology. Among other things, you can find the Medusa...

After seeing the cistern, I couldn't resist setting part of Chained to the Barbarian there!  I love research, it's like following a trail, once you start you never quite know where you are going to end up...

Strawberry Hill Gothic...

Horace Walpole had his summer villa built between 1748 and 1790. Here, his love of the medieval is made manifest in every wall and window. The picture below shows you the house - or should it be castle? - as you approach it from the road.

I love the turret, it has a Norman look to it.

Above is what is called the 'Prior's Garden' complete with gothic arches. Stawberry Hill has recently been restored so you can see much of the building as Horace Walpole might have expected it to be seen. Walpole wanted visitors to Strawberry Hill to have a theatrical experience and the mood shifts dramatically as the tour progresses. Walpole's fascination with the medieval can be seen at every turn. Here, a heraldic beast masquerades as a newel post on the stairs...

The ceiling of the library is rich with pictures of knights and heraldic devices...

And below is the most splendid room of all, the Gallery. The design for the ceiling is taken from a side aisle in Westminster Abbey, and the restoration team have restored it using real gold leaf. Wool and silk damask wallcoverings have been specially made to match the originals.

Strawberry Hill is exactly as you might imagine a small palace to be. But it is not just somewhere to enjoy looking at gothic revival. Horace Walpole was so inspired by his 'castle' that he wrote what has come to be seen as the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto. He said that the novel was 'an attempt to blend the ancient and the modern.' A description which seems to fit the house too.

Do you like the idea of a medieval romance that blends both the ancient and the modern? How much history do you like? Do you prefer your romances to be solidly grounded in history? And how do you feel about time-shift novels?

HH December Release: Her Dark and Dangerous Lord by Anne Herries

Lord Stefan de Montfort is a true rebel—with the scars to prove it. Deemed a mercenary and exiled from England, he now lives by his own rules.When he plucks Englishwoman Anne Melford from the sea and takes her to his château in Normandy, the innocent yet spirited beauty awakens in Stefan a disturbing, forbidden desire. A lady such as Anne could never marry a scoundrel like him—but this dark and dangerous lord is determined to break one last rule and claim her as his bride!

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HH October Release: Tamed by the Barbarian by June Francis

A Stolen Kiss…Cicely Milburn has no intention of marrying anyone, let alone a Scottish barbarian! But when Lord Rory Mackillin rescues her from a treacherous attack she reluctantly accepts his help—even though his kisses trouble her dreams.An Honorable Barbarian…The Border Reiver is determined to guard his charge on their journey through war-torn England. Yet he cannot shield his own heart from Cicely's beauty and bravery—especially when the only honorable way to protect her is to marry her!

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Tamed by the Barbarian

HH September Release: Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride by Lynna Banning

A hardened, battle-weary warrior, Reynaud has forgotten what it is to be in the company of a beautiful woman, to delight in her comfort and warmth.On his return to Granada, he is drawn to Leonor and senses that she could heal his hidden scars. She is set upon a dangerous path, a path that they travel together, becoming closer every day—every night. But such forbidden passion may be their undoing….

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Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride

Part of the Sexy Historical Promotion

August HH release: Possessed by the Highlander by Terri Brisbin

Marian Robertson rescued a child and destroyed her reputation. Now, to keep her family safe, she must marry the stern, dark-eyed warrior negotiating a truce between their clans—and risk her heart to protect the truth. Manipulated into marrying the exiled "Robertson Harlot," Duncan, peacemaker for the MacLerie clan, finds his new wife's courage and spirit make it impossible to resist her. But will he put his honor at stake to free her from her past—and claim her love forever?

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Possessed By the Highlander

HH July 08 Release: The King's Champion by Catherine March

Groomed to be the wife of a knight of good standing, nothing is more alluring to Eleanor than a powerful, courageous man. And she has found him in Troye de Valois, one of the king's own elite guard. Now, with Ellie's reputation unwittingly compromised, King Edward commands her marriage. She's overjoyed that her husband is to be none other than Troye. He has long lived in her heart and dreams. But those dreams are soon shattered when he reveals his anger at this forced marriage, and the emotions she is reawakening in him….

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The King's Champion

HH July 08 Release: His Captive Lady by Carol Townend

Lady Erica had tried to bring peace to her people, so that they could join forces against the Normans. Instead she became captive to the Saxon warrior, Saewulf Brader! Wulf was, in truth, a Norman captain spying on the enemy. Chaste yet fearless Lady Erica wasn't part of his plan. Her beauty was as disarming as it was captivating, but Wulf knew that once she discovered his deception, their fragile bond of trust would be destroyed….

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His Captive Lady

June HH Release: Innocence Unveiled by Blythe Gifford

He is a man of secretsWhen a mysterious, seductive trader arrives at her door, noblewoman Katrine de Gravere reluctantly agrees to give him shelter. The payment—enough wool to keep her precious looms filled. She is a woman of liesSleeping under the same roof, tempted every minute to let his fingers linger on this flame-haired, reserved innocent, Renard wonders if she suspects his real reasons for being there. In a town where no one feels safe, Katrine makes him yearn for things long forbidden, but can he trust her not to betray him?

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Innocence Unveiled

Where do your ideas come from?

Sometimes that’s a hard question to answer, but not in the case of INNOCENCE UNVEILED, my June release.

My second “royal bastard” romance was sparked by a very specific incident in 1337, reported by the chroniclers. As King Edward III was trying to gain support for his claim to the throne of France, he sent an “embassy,” or diplomatic mission, to the Continent to recruit allies. Along with the diplomats traveled a number of “bachelor” knights, each wearing an eye patch and swearing not to speak until he had performed some deed of arms in France.

My hero is one of those knights, but instead of staying with the group, I imagined him riding off alone. Of course, I had to follow him, and he led me into a web of secrets, deceptions, and lies, where to trust anyone, even a beautiful woman, could lead to betrayal. And death.

Where did all this happen? In Ghent.

I can hear you now. Where????

Ghent is a beautiful city in Belgium, but in the 14th century it was in the duchy of Flanders and the cloth-making powerhouse of the Continent. Responsible for the second of the basic necessities (food, clothing, and shelter), the city imported raw wool from England, wove it into cloth, and exported it back across the Channel.

Because of the close economic ties between England and the Flemish cloth makers, the burghers, or the middle class, found their economic and political interests tied to England’s, while the Count of Flanders was tied to the Court of Paris and the French king. Even language divided them, with the burghers speaking Flemish and the nobles speaking French.

So in a city swarming with suspicion, my story took shape.

He is a man of secrets. He shares a king’s blood, but his mother’s shame means he’ll never claim his birthright. Now, disguised as a smuggler, he is a spy in a city of enemies.
She is a woman of lies. She hides her hair under the veil of a married woman to protect her father’s weaving business. Desperate for the banned wool, she opens her home to the alluring smuggler.
Sleeping under the same roof, they fight temptation at every turn. In a town where no one feels safe, she makes him yearn for things long forbidden, but can he trust her when the truth may mean betrayal---and death?

Their tug of war, and that of the factions in Flanders, changes the course of history.


For more about the book, and the place, visit me at http://www.blythegifford.com/.



The Graslei in Ghent. Picture by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:China_Crisis
License by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/

HH May Release: Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles

A Viking raid

They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.

An honorable captor

One man protected her—Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A new life—as his mistress!

Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking's arms!

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Taken By the Viking


If you are intereseted in Vikings, Harlequin ebooks are offering a three book bundle of some of the earlier Viking/AngloSaxon books!

HH April Release: The Knight's Vow by Catherine March

Believing she will never marry, Lady Beatrice has made a dramatic decision—she will take up a convent life. But first she must ask a favor of one of her father’s most handsome knights. Wanting to experience, just once, a man’s strong arms around her, she has turned to Sir Remy St. Leger, intending that they should share a kiss.His startling touch sparks desire deep within her, and all at once Beatrice realizes how much more life—and this man—has to give. Remy wants more, too…. But Beatrice cannot decide whether it is folly to refuse Remy, or folly to love him….

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The Knight's Vow

Also available as an ebook. Part of e-harlequin's "It's raining men" speacil offer.

HH FebruaryRelease: Surrender to the HIghland by Terri Brisbin

Torn between honor and desire…Innocent Margriet Gunnarsdottir carried a heavy secret. She faced a perilous journey to the wild and distant north of Scotland, and her safety lay in her adopted disguise—a nun's habit! But her only protector, a proud, rough-hewn Highlander, made her ache to share her crushing burden.Rurik Erengislsson had sworn to see her home and unharmed. A woman promised to the service of God should be shielded and honored—not desired! Yet Rurik was tempted beyond reason to make this beautiful waif his own.

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Surrender to the Highlander

HH February Release: An Honorable Rogue by Carol Townend

Charmed and Seduced!Benedict Silvester is a rogue and a flirt! His skill as a musician means he is always traveling…and he charms women wherever he goes. Yet he is on a special mission: to accompany Rozenn Kerber to England.Rose is frustrated with Ben's frivolous behavior and annoyed that his wicked smile continually occupies her thoughts, for he can never offer the stability she craves. But on their travels, Rose begins to suspect that he may have a serious side, that Ben is more than he appears….

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An Honorable Rogue

January HH Release: Her Warrior King by Michelle Willingham

Blackmail forced Patrick MacEgan into marriage—although he could not be forced to bed his Norman bride. But Isabel de Godred was as fair as she was determined to be a proper wife….She wished to help her proud warrior king with the burden of his responsibilities. As queen, she could aid an alliance between their people. As wife, she longed to comfort him, for when alone, they could put aside war and be but man and woman….

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Her Warrior King

HH November Release: Bedded by Her Lord by Denise Lynn

Her husband…a strangerCaptive for seven years, Lord Guy of Hartford has lived for the moment when he would see his adored wife once more. But as he enters his keep, his own men do not recognize him, and Elizabeth's guilt is plain for all to see. Could she have betrayed him?Elizabeth hardly knows her husband in this remote, battle-scarred stranger. Yet the passionate desire between them cannot be denied. Can she find her way back into his arms—and to the love they once shared?

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Bedded By Her Lord