Yesterday Revisited Changes Gear

Welcome to the new format for Yesterday Revisited. If you've visited us over the last few months you might well have thought we were all in hibernation. That was certainly far from the case. We've all been beavering away at our own separate projects. Unfortunately this has been at the expense of our contributions to Yesterday Revisited. So we've had to have a bit of a rethink about what we want this blog to do.

Yesterday Revisited was designed as a vehicle for its members to reach out to a wider audience than we could perhaps generate on our own. We certainly want to continue doing this. However, we've realised that we've found it difficult to keep up with our commitment to Yesterday Revisited while keeping up our individual websites, at the same time as doing what it is we're here for in the first place, writing our next novel.

What we've decided to do is bring all the work each of us is doing elsewhere here to you on Yesterday Revisited. From this one blog you'll be able to find out what all of us are up to. You'll see that we're in fact a very energetic lot with a wide range of interests.

So, do keep in touch and visit us often, and, while you're here, drop in to each of our sites and explore. We look forward to meeting you there.

New Online Historical Fiction Book Club Starts January 6

The Accessible World News Wire

Author Nan Hawthorne To Begin Let’s Read Historical Novels Discussion Group Tuesday, January 6, 2009

As the world anticipates change in the New Year 2009, Pat Price, the Accessible World founder and events coordinator, recently announced the organization would begin a new series of special online events that will expand significantly the scope of its current online programming. The new initiative will feature events that will provide an abundance of information on a variety of topics that will interest, inform, challenge, and entertain a broader cross section of the population than it currently serves. These special programs will reach out beyond the disability field into the 'real world' in which we all live.

On Tuesday, January 6, 2009, author Nan Hawthorne will have center stage in the Accessible World Auditorium as the new historical novels discussion group is launched.

Commenting on the scope of the group, Hawthorne states, “Every yesterday has a story, and that story is what we call history. Historical novelists love to take history and recreate it with vivid characters, vibrant settings, and tantalizing connections to the great people and events of the past. Whether a novel takes place in the court of Solomon, in a village on the icy shore of Viking Greenland, in a dark and foreboding castle in Italy, on a battlefield about to erupt into Napoleonic gun fire, or in a modest cabin on an American frontier, the reader joins the writer in coming to understand just how different life was and people were not.”

Plan now to attend Let’s Read Historical Novels, a monthly excursion into the historical novelist's imagination with author Nan Hawthorne as your guide. We will start with Hawthorne's own first novel, An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England. Begun as stories a friend and she wrote as teenagers in the 1960s, An Involuntary King is the story of the king of an imaginary kingdom that would nevertheless be recognizable to any denizen of England before the Norman Invasion. Hawthorne took a teenager's romantic story and reworked it to make it true to the era, which she loves. The young king is thrust unexpectedly into his exalted role and must struggle not only to keep his crown but also to deserve it. Threat and treachery besets his every turn while other men come to love and serve his beloved queen. Can the royal pair overcome all the obstacles through their own strengths and their steadfast allies and come together in the end? An Involuntary King contains adventure, romance, battle, intrigue and humor and an overall cast of characters so vividly drawn you will never forget them.

The book is available in print through Shield-wall Books and in a digital version through Lulu.com and for members at BookShare.org. Signed print copies also available. It is 648 pages long and has some strong language, violence and adult situations.

Contact: Nan Hawthorne, P O Box 12454,
Mill Creek WA 98011 USA
Tel: 425-487-1140
Email: hawthorne@nanhawthorne.com
Web: www.nanhawthorne.com

Here's the info you need to join others online from your home, office, or wherever you and your computer, an Internet connection, a sound card speakers and a microphone happen to be at the time of the event. Everyone worldwide is welcome. NO PASSWORD IS REQUIRED AND the entire event is FREE!

Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009.

Time: 5:00 p.m. PST, 6:00 p.m. MST, 7:00 p.m. CST,
8:00 p.m. EST and elsewhere in the world Wednesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: The Accessible World Auditorium at:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs5affc3cfa191

Or, alternatively, select the Accessible World Auditorium at http://www.accessibleworld.org.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World rooms.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums
Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org


The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

Invitation to visit The Romance of History

The latest version of The Romance of History is now online. The site is now both a library of articles and a bookshop for a community of new and independent historical authors, many of whom you will have met here on Yesterday Revisited. You are cordially invited to visit us there and have a look around. While you are there click on Home and see what else the site has to offer. For a bit of fun reading try The Perils of Pauline, and you can buy my books from the Mountain Lily Press Bookshop. I look forward to seeing you there.

What Goes Into Any Robin Hood Interpretation

I've been readin a lot of Robin Hood novels lately and have a lot more to go judging from medieval-novels.com's listings. It's fitting since the British telly series with Richard Greene is what got me into history and historical fiction in the first place.

One benefit of reading so many full-fledged Robin and Marian novels is that you sure get a good sense of the various plot and character elements that must go into each one. Seeing how, say, Jennifer Roberson or Parke Godwin or another author handles the same basic ingredients is half the fun. Here are just a few of the ones I've identified in my reading.

You will dramatize:

1. why Robin, who is a nobleman, cares about the poor enough to risk his life and freedom.

2. why Robin is so darn loyal to Richard the Lionhearted.

3. why Robin sticks with Marian even ugh they can't be "together".tho

4. why Marian sticks with Robin even though they can't be "together".

5. what specifically turns Robin into an outlaw.

6. why each of the stock Merry Men became an outlaw.

7. how it comes about that Robin and men steal only from the rich and give what they steal to the poor.

8. why it is that the Sheriff gets so darn mad at the outlaws other than the obvious reason that he is the law and they are breaking it.

9. how come Sherwood Forest is a good hideout.

10. how all the outlaws including Robin Hood get pardoned in the end.

11. why it is the Sheriff never does manage to catch them and keep them.

12. how Marian stays accepted in society even though she has been seen with the infamous outlaw.

Roberson's Lady of the Forest handles these quite well. For instance, Robin is so darn loyal to Richard because they fought together in the Crusades and Robin was the Lionheart's "pet" -- her word, not mine. He comes back disillusioned from the Crusades and discovers that England ain't as nice and just a place as he thought before he grew up. Roberson handles each outlaw's origin story quite well, with Alan a Dale getting caught in the act the the Sheriff's daughter, Little John going to rescue Marian and finding himself disbelieved that that was what he was doing, with Will Scarlet condemned for murdering the men who gang-raped his wife, and Much the Miller's son being a mentally retarded boy who steals to survive.

Figuring this out will be handy if I ever write my own Robin Hood novel, which is however unlikely as so many other authors have done such a darn good job with it.

THe President's Lady by Irving Stone

Some things never change....Or rather, the more they change, the more they remain the same. In this time of political campaigns, I am reminded of this book about two extraordinary people.

This is the real life story is of Rachel and Andrew Jackson. Rachel Robards was a sweet and beautiful young woman who was trapped in an unhappy marriage to Lewis Robards. After years of emotional abuse at the hands of a jealous husband, Rachel finally leaves him and goes back to her family home in Nashville, Tennessee. The Donelson clan is fiercely loyal and supportive of their spurned sister, Rachel. But her plight is also theirs, as a failed marriage is a scourge to both Rachel and her family's honor. Moreover, Lewis Robards is manipulative, cruel, and dishonest. He very aptly and successfully paints his wife as the antagonist in this failed relationship, when in reality it is he who cannot control his temper, his insane thoughts of betrayal, and has their marriage vows with.

Through a series of events, Rachel and the young attorney, Andrew Jackson meet and become fast friends. Later, they fall in love. When Andrew learns that Lewis has divorced Rachel, he claims her as his bride, travelling to Louisiana, where she has been living in a sort of exile. They marry and live blissfully together for two years, until they find out that the divorce never really took place: It was a hoax created by Lewis in order to defame Rachel, and finally make her guilty of infidelity. It is not until he falls for another woman that he will truly divorce Rachel and she is finallly able to marry Andrew Jackson. But the damage is done. Rachel's reputation as an adultress will haunt her until she takes her final breaths.

Stone portrays Rachel as a woman who is graceous and kind, bravely enduring a constant barrage of insults and mudslinging. She takes her lumps, holding her head high with as much dignity as she can muster. She remains a lady throughout all of it. Meanwhile, the brave and hot-headed Andrew Jackson defends his wife's honor in duel after duel. He loves her with every bit of his heart, enduring for her sake, even being passed over time and again for his rightful place as a military commander. Indeed, he dreams of commanding miltary forces and raises a militia. Still, he doesn't receive a post in the regular army, despite his skill at leadership.

But he will not be deterred. Stone takes us into the War of 1812 with all of its glory and honor. This will be the war that finally ousts the British from the Americas. General Jackson becomes a living legend, with legends of his dealings in battle and camp songs about him. He is praised and lauded. But the taint of his "illicit" relationship of years before with Rachel never truly leaves him, despite their innocence. And when he thinks it's gone for good, someone in "society" will find a way to bring it out--time and time again.

A mudslinging campaign that would make today's politicians flinch goes on when Andrew Jackson makes his bid for the Presidency of the United States, taking its final and ultimate toll on the sweet and loving Rachel, who will never really get to be First Lady, even though her husband will win the election.

This is a book that is wonderfully and thoroughly researched, though a bit tedious at times with an abundance of narrative. But it has accurate and detailed references to the events, life and times of post-revolutionary America. One actually feels the growing pains of the flegling United States, as she endeavors to take her new place in the world as a new and sovereign entity.

Is this book relevant in this day and time? Oh, I think so! While it chronicles the events of a time long past, the essence of politics and human nature remain the same. People often have unrealistic expectations of others, especially political figures. When the Jacksons lived, public figures were expected to be the picture of moral and ethical perfection--paragons of virtue. Our very small technologically connected world makes it easier than ever to spy on a person's private life, putting it within the grasp of anyone who knows how to turn a nob or push a button. And people are just as prone to gossip and judgment as they were back then. Would people react the same way to a Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson? Probably not. But then, I so wonder what Rachel and Andrew would say about the politics of our time. I can't help but to think that Andrew Jackson would have been the same today as he was then. And Rachel would still be the sweet victim of an angry crowd and unforgiving time.

Ethelfleda, Lady of the Mercians

Ethelfleda or Aethelflaed 872 - 919 AD

Originally publishlished in History and Women.

Not long ago at a flea market I happily wielded the long sword I had just bought. The man who sold it to me apparently found my pride humorous, and made some remark about a woman hefting a sword. I turned to him with fire in my eyes and said, "You obviously have never heard of Ethelfleda, Sovereign Lady of Mercia!"

Ethelfleda was the eldest child of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex and the man who with his armies successfully prevented Danish invaders from conquering England sea to sea. A wise as well as redoubtable military leader, he knew that the Kingdom of Mercia in central England would be stronger as an ally than as a subject nation. He therefore married his daughter, Ethelfleda, to Ethelred of Mercia , cementing a partnership to stay strong against the Danes.

She was well prepared for her role at Ethelred's side. She was, like other high born Saxon girls, educated not only in academic subjects but as a warrior, learning archery and swordplay. She was mindful of the Saxon people's neighbors, the Celts of Wales, and throughout her life strove for and won the trust and loyalty of many of the Welsh leaders.On her wedding journey to Mercia Ethelfleda's party was attacked by Danes who sought to kill her and break the alliance between Mercia and Wessex. Though half her force was killed in the first attack, Ethelfleda herself led the defense against the second, using a trench as a fortress and defeating the Danes.

Ethelfleda and her husband ruled Mercia together, and there are charters from their reign signed by her. As Ethelred began to suffer a debilitating sickness, Ethelfleda took over sole command of the Mercian forces. When Ethelred died in battle, King Alfred's daughter took the throne as "Lady of Mercia", the equivalent of Queen. Unlike other Germanic tribes the Saxons respected inheritance from the "spindle" or "distaff" side. In fact when Ethelfleda died, she was succeeded by her daughter Ælfwyn.

Ethelfleda was so great a battle strategist and fighter in her own right, she was held in fear by Danish leaders who had previously defeated her male predecessors. One of many female heroes of the struggle, including an old woman who cut the ropes of Danish ships in one battle, the Lady of Mercia took one fortress and town after another back from the Danes who often surrendered without a fight.

By 919, Ethelfleda had forced the Danes to surrender even their keystone stronghold at York. When she died that year at Tamworth her accomplishments further included the establishment of Staffordshire as Mercia's central administrative town and the rebuilding of the Roman town of Gloucester whose street plan still exists today.It is said that the rights women of Saxon England enjoyed would not be seen again in England until the 20th century.

Submitted by Nan Hawthorne http://www.shield-wall.com/

Historical Erotica

There has been some discussion on this blog on the subject of erotica in an historical context. Some of you will think I’m a prude. Far from it. I enjoy a bit of rough and tumble as well as the next girl. What I object to is the falsification of the reality of sex in earlier times. I object to writers pretending that sexual activity didn’t have physical and social consequences. I object to writers pretending that as it is now it has always been.

A perfect illustration of my point is the career of Emma Hamilton, Lord Nelson’s notorious mistress. Emma Hamilton reached the about the highest pinnacle possible for a girl who had to trade on her sexuality to survive, yet she was also forced to suffer some of the worst consequences for a woman in her position.

In England’s Mistress, (another of my bargain buys) Kate Williams gives us not only an extensively researched biography (she must have read every extant letter to, by and about Emma Hamilton), but also a wonderful read. Emma’s life might have had its ups and downs, but it was never boring.

Born in 1765 into a miner’s family fallen on hard times, at the age of twelve Emma was sent to London into domestic service. The life of a skivvy did not suit this beautiful, sweet but spirited girl, and she had no alternative but to drift into prostitution (after a fascinating interlude as a dancer in the ‘Temple of Health’, the showcase of a dubious sex guru). She was bought from London’s most powerful madam, Mrs Kelly, by a young buck, Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh, who tossed her aside the moment he found out she was pregnant.

Fortunately, Emma had impressed one of Sir Harry’s friends, Sir Charles Greville, who was willing to take on Emma, but not her baby. Emma was forced to farm out her daughter, and despite missing her terribly, hardly saw her again for many years. Sir Charles reconciled his conscience to the taking of a mistress by turning her into a docile and penitent Magdalene, and Emma, ever willing to please, went along with it.

It was during this period that Emma began her career as a celebrity. Her beauty caught the eye of London’s artists, in particular George Romney, who painted hundreds of canvases of Emma in a myriad of guises. (Illustrated is one of his earliest portraits of her painted when Emma was seventeen.) When a respectable woman’s name only appeared in public twice – on her marriage and her death – the dozens of newspapers filled their pages with scandal about the only women they could write about, actresses and courtesans. (Yes, there are some things that never really change!) Emma and her portraits became the toast of the town.

However, Sir Charles eventually tired of the very scenario he had created and determined to palm Emma off onto his newly widowed uncle, Sir William Hamilton, the British envoy in Naples, who had met and admired Emma on a trip home. Sir Charles hoped to ensure his inheritance by keeping Sir William so happy with a mistress that he would not remarry and father a legitimate son.

Deceived by Sir Charles into believing she was only in Naples for a short holiday, Emma remained faithful to him for several months until she was finally won over by Sir William. Far from the strictures of London Society, fond and aging, Sir William fell so much in love with Emma that he was willing to defy the world and marry her.

His position in Naples, while freeing him from English constraint, put him and Emma in the centre of a momentous period in European history, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. The Queen of Naples, to whom Emma was to become a close and trusted companion, was the sister of Marie Antoinette, whom Sir William and Emma visited in prison on their way through Paris. When the royal family decided to escape Naples before the French army, it was Emma in whom the Queen put all her trust. (Yet, while the Queen’s great friend in private, because of her past, Emma was never formally presented at court.)

It was also through her position as Lady Hamilton that Emma was to meet the love of her life, Lord Horatio Nelson, England’s great naval hero. While, to the eye, Lord Nelson was an unprepossessing little man whose plain looks were further marred by his wounds, he was a lonely, passionate man waiting for someone like Emma to come into his life. The two fell desperately in love and were willing to fly in the face of convention to be together. (Sir William, still in love with Emma, and a great friend and dependent of Nelson’s, stayed with them until his death in a Tria Iuncta in Uno.)

Between his fame and her celebrity, the couple became England’s darlings. Houses were filled with Nelson memorabilia and ladies dressed à la Hamilton. It was Emma, in the free flowing classical style she perfected for the performance of her famous Attitudes, that freed English women from their corsets and wigs and introduced what was to become the much loved Regency style.

Yet despite these eminent connections, Emma was to find herself without any resources once they had died. Sir William left his much diminished estate (he had always lived well beyond his means, and was hardly compensated at all by the government he represented) to Sir Charles, leaving Emma an exceedingly small allowance for which she was beholden to his heir.

Being married already, Lord Nelson had never been able to marry Emma. And despite several near misses he never believed that he would be killed in battle, and thus never left a will. After his death in the battle of Trafalgar, Emma had no claim on his estate. His hastily scribbled note, leaving Emma and their daughter, Horatia, (whom, to keep up appearances, Nelson had never formally acknowledged) to the care of his country, was never honoured.

Emma spent the rest of her short life trying to keep up the lifestyle she thought she owed to Nelson’s memory, and to maintain her staff and various Nelson hangers-on, on a miniscule income. Although her friends rallied to her aid, Emma could never economise and died destitute in France where she had gone to escape her debts. Horatia, despite being the daughter of England’s greatest hero, became a poor dependent on her father’s relations and eventually married an obscure clergyman.

Emma reached heights that a girl born into her situation would never dream of. She mixed with Royalty and became famous in her own right, but still she was never her own woman. She was always dependent on the men who enjoyed her favours, and without the protection of marriage and family, had nothing to show for what she had given them. Her spectacular career may give the impression of female empowerment and independence, but it is a delusion. She was as much a victim of patriarchy as any put upon little wife.

I would recommend anyone interested in writing or reading ‘historical erotica’ to read England’s Mistress and to look beyond the fashions and high life to uncover the bleak reality beneath.