A beautiful example of medieval creativity was the design of the shop door known today as a “T” door. When the door is closed, you can see the definite shape of the T. But when the large upper doors are folded back, medieval shopkeepers had a wide ledge on which to display their goods. Imagine […]
It’s 1:07 a.m. I woke up about fifteen minutes ago. Actually, I seemed to sort of snap awake in the middle of a thought. By the bed, I keep a legal pad and a little book light to make notes because this happens nearly every night. I used to call this insomnia. I used to […]
There are challenges in using historical figures as characters in novels. Michael Sattler, Katharina Zell, Henry VIII, and Thomas More were all “real” people who have become characters in my novels. Personally, I believe it’s important to be true to the history of the person as it has come down to us. I would never taint […]
In the heart of [a] tumultuous throng on the bridge leading to the castle stood poor blind Fridli led by his black dog. Scarce twenty summers had passed over his head. He was tall, of commanding stature and stalwart limbs, but fearfully disfigured by the deep scars and furrows which covered his whole face […]
Aldus Manutius was the famous Venetian printer who invented italic type and pocket-sized books and who made Erasmus world famous. And we thought stress was a modern invention. Originally posted on ALL ABOUT LETTERING:
Jake & Katharina are now in Spain. What shall they eat? Wonderful resource here. A 16th-century Spanish cookbook! Two recipes below. I might try the first, but not the second. FRITTER CALLED ROBIOLES IN CATALONIA You will take goat milk, and almond milk, and then take the flower of wheat flour, and rosewater, and sugar, and […]
On a page of the Historiae Romanae Decades, printed in Venice in 1470, is found this note: “Ita macula” – this stain – “I stupidly made on the first of December 1482.” from The Guardian
In Line of Ascent, Jake rescues Katharina from a pox hospital. Images of 16th Century Hospitals from the Wellcome Library in London.