tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post65289355855390001..comments2023-10-12T02:21:40.102-07:00Comments on English Historical Fiction Authors: Medievals and Their DogsDebra Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03256313302199653185noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-19405034392167184322015-10-27T10:20:12.686-07:002015-10-27T10:20:12.686-07:00What a great story! I'm sure someone's alr...What a great story! I'm sure someone's already done it. But I think we need a book of Dogs in History. :)E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-86451996005832269622015-10-27T10:15:59.415-07:002015-10-27T10:15:59.415-07:00Thanks, Regan! And I agree completely about animal...Thanks, Regan! And I agree completely about animals not being included in medieval fiction. Them and religion. ;)E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-38783150230834121392015-10-27T10:13:28.996-07:002015-10-27T10:13:28.996-07:00Ah, I knew my thought came from somewhere. Appare...Ah, I knew my thought came from somewhere. Apparently Thomas Seymour wanted to replace the Earl of Somerset as proxy ruler. In the middle of the night on December 16, 1549, Seymour tried to break into the sleeping Edward VI’s apartments at Hampton Court Palace. He had the keys into the privy garden, but one of Edward’s pet spaniels started barking. Seymour shot and killed the dog, which brought the guards. There was no defense for being outside the King’s bedroom in the middle of the night with keys and arms – and using them both. It was alleged that Seymour’s plan was to kidnap the King, and either force him to marry Lady Jane Grey (Seymour’s ward); which was treason. It was suspected Seymour might have planned to marry the King’s sister, Elizabeth, and then kill the King and seize the throne. He came to the predictable end. Thanks to a spaniel.<br />Sally Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11287628255330281037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-53940117388323694982015-10-27T10:11:41.125-07:002015-10-27T10:11:41.125-07:00Oh, did not realize there was an earlier post, E.M...Oh, did not realize there was an earlier post, E.M. So glad you liked mine. Medieval pets are often overlooked in historical fiction and I love being able to include that in my own stories. I'll save your post!Regan Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-68606680183554736772015-10-27T09:38:55.550-07:002015-10-27T09:38:55.550-07:00Hi Sally. Ian Mortimer (in the book I cited above)...Hi Sally. Ian Mortimer (in the book I cited above) does briefly mention spaniels in medieval times. He says they are 'so-called because they are believed to come from Spain.' I'm assuming he's correct because he's a renowned historian but I'd never heard that. Beautiful dogs and very courageous!E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-35436611642240317542015-10-27T09:34:24.917-07:002015-10-27T09:34:24.917-07:00Charles II famously loved his spaniels, too. Hard...Charles II famously loved his spaniels, too. Hardly going to guard him in quite the same way, but they would make a lot of noise if disturbed in the middle of the night by a stranger.Sally Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11287628255330281037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-20757529499368026062015-10-27T09:33:58.895-07:002015-10-27T09:33:58.895-07:00Hi Regan I did but I had already mentioned them in...Hi Regan I did but I had already mentioned them in an earlier post on Medieval Ireland. Really enjoyed yours!E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-91058182049554455972015-10-27T09:11:05.351-07:002015-10-27T09:11:05.351-07:00E.M., did you consider the Irish wolfhound? I just...E.M., did you consider the Irish wolfhound? I just did a post on that dog in medieval England... http://www.booksandbenches.com/2015/10/irish-wolfhounds-in-medieval-england.html. They were prized by English monarchs.Regan Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-64120742997596952582015-10-27T04:03:17.105-07:002015-10-27T04:03:17.105-07:00You see? Dogs: the gift that keeps on giving! (And...You see? Dogs: the gift that keeps on giving! (And thanks for your kind words, Annie :))E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-16561540871832878412015-10-27T03:50:52.677-07:002015-10-27T03:50:52.677-07:00Genghis Khan afraid of dogs - who knew? I really e...Genghis Khan afraid of dogs - who knew? I really enjoyed this, thanks - and yes, I was reminded of poor old Gelert too. At least he now supports a roaring tourist trade in Beddgelert though!Annie Whiteheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11028691371545306450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-265568346421827202015-10-27T02:24:20.231-07:002015-10-27T02:24:20.231-07:00Indeed, Sue! There's also a lot more in Resl&#...Indeed, Sue! There's also a lot more in Resl's book about the Saint Guinefort story that I didn't include here. It ends, with a certain medieval inevitability, with charges of idolatry and demon worship. It's a great account in a book that's full of them. E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-10649055783030810202015-10-27T02:04:53.206-07:002015-10-27T02:04:53.206-07:00I suspect that dog Guinefort was as fictional as o...I suspect that dog Guinefort was as fictional as other dogs such as Gelert, the hound of a Welsh Prince, who has the same story - dog saves baby, master thinks he's killed it, master kills loyal hound and discovers his mistake too late. I think this story is found in many places. But a good story anyway, and who knows but that it might have been inspired by a true story. Dogs certainly played a vital role in mediaeval life! Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.com