Happy weekend to you all! I hope you are all well. The past two weeks have gone by like a flash.
It being half-term, it’s been quite difficult for me to do my work – there have been screaming children everywhere I usually go to write – the library, the coffee shops, the pubs, etc. I haven’t been able to write at home because we have a neighbour who is doing DIY and has a baby (neither of which would bother me usually, but when I have to concentrate on my research and writing it gets very difficult with the hammering etc). That being said, Gavin and I found a lovely and QUIET pub just a ten minute walk from our house, so this is proving a very helpful retreat and workspace.
It was at said pub that this happened…
NEWS:
I have added a Giveaway for my second book, The Stuart Vampire, and you can enter from now until 2 March by going to Goodreads.
Also, “Fire ants spread globally on 17th-century ships, study finds”.
HIGHLIGHTS:
I visited the London Metropolitan Archives in Clerkenwell, London, on Wednesday. I found quite a number of documents relating to William and Mary (documentation regarding their coronations and Mary’s funeral procession), and I’ll have to get back there soon.
Last Wednesday I also attended a history seminar at the Institute for Historical Research in London, where I heard a wonderful paper on the Post-Restoration Army 1660-1714. I have yet to write that one up, so that should be posted this week. I met some really nice people and we had a good chat at the pub following the lecture. I look forward to attending more of these events, especially now that I’m close to London.
Last week, I received two books from Tudor thriller-writer Nancy Bilyeau. I entered a competition and was super surprised to find that I had won (I had never won a competition for a book prior to this!). And here they are, straight from NYC (though she kindly sent me the UK versions):
Charles-Hubert Gervais, French Baroque composer, was born on the 19th of February 1671:
Yesterday I recorded a podcast with the Groovy Historian about the reasons which led to the Glorious Revolution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1XLbOxC5M4
And, surprise, surprise, I bought more books from that awesome charity shop:
THIS WEEK:
I’m currently ripping two old CDs that used to belong to Gavin’s Uncle Roger. These are: 1) The King’s Delight – 17 c. ballads for voice and violin band; and b) Francesco Cavalli’s “La Calisto”. I hope to listen to these soon and post what they’re about (especially the opera).
In more personal news, I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow because I found a lump on my chest. It’s probably nothing, but I think it’s worth getting looked at just to be sure.
Good news is that I showed my husband my 100 Facts About the Stuarts (I’m up to 83 facts) Work-in-Progress and he (a normal chap, not really interested in history) thought it was really interesting – so I have much more hope that you will all find it a good read! Yey!
I hope you all have a great week ahead!
<3, Andrea x
Have you acquired your copy of The Stuart Parliaments 1603-1689 by David L. Smith?
Andrea, most lumps are benign but best to get it checked out. Will be thinking of you. Sandra x
That must be an awesome bookshop – I’m envious!! Also of all the useful lectures etc that can be accessed in London 🙁 Pity I’m so far away from anywhere really…)
Andrea, will be praying that the lump is nothing! Go gently ~ Rita
Thank you all for your kind wishes. Dr’s visit went well and it’s probably a fat ball and nothing serious. I will have to go back in six weeks to get it checked for any growth and then we’ll go from there. I would like it out, but that wasn’t recommended at this point. James – nope, I haven’t acquired that book yet – it’s prohibitively expensive and none of the libraries I have access to have it. I’ll see if I can find it elsewhere – thanks for the tip!