Candice YamnitzWho loves books that immerse you in history? Now make that book a fairytale retelling and historical and you get Melanie Dickerson books.
In the Court of Swans, we’re dropped into 14th century London. What do you know about the times?
True or False.
- The Tower of London was just built in the 14th century.
- The plague was still around.
- The Yeoman Warders guarded the Tower of London in the 14th century.
- King Richard II reigned for 50 years.
- Torture was commonplace in the Tower of London.
While looking up these facts, it brought to life Delia’s story. I hope it does for you too.
Fun Fact #1: The Tower of London was build in the 11th century to protect the city. Many new editions were added later.
Fun Fact #2: The Black Death hit London in 1348-1349. It struck several more times within the half century.
Fun Fact #3: There were special guards known as the Yeoman Warders came around during the 15th century. So, Geoffrey in Court of Swans was just a regular guard with no special outfit.
Fun Fact #4: King Richard II started reigning when he was nine years old in 1377. He married Anne of Bohemia and loved her. So, it is plausible he would have sided with Anne like he had in Court of Swans. Anne died in 1394. Richard II was known for his extravaganzas. He was deposed in 1399.
Fun Fact #5: According to records, relatively few people were tortured. It looks like most of the torture that did occur happened in the 16th and 17th century.
How did you do? I’m sure I would have failed.
After doing some of this research, I want to dive more into King Richard II’s life. What perks your interest?
Do you know of any other books that take place in this time frame?
Sources:
- Tower of London – HISTORY
- Black Death skeletons unearthed by Crossrail project – BBC NewsRichard II King of England 1377-1399 Last of the Plantagenets (intriguing-history.com)
- https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom/Social-economic-and-cultural-change
- https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp533-546
- https://intriguing-history.com/richard-ii-1377-1399-plantagenet/
Julane Fisher
Kristen Gwen
Elise Haroldson
Great post. I visited London with my parents when I was in college. I’ve always loved history and the Tower of London is absolutely fascinating for a history buff.
I visited the Tower of London in college. I wish I would have appreciated it more at the time.
Thanks, Candice! That was fun and interesting even if I didn’t score so well. I think it would be fun to research King Richard further also. I’d love to visit England and tour some castles and immerse myself in the history of it all. I find it fascinating stepping back in time.
My husband did not do well when I asked him these questions too. I want to go back to my old Shakespeare plays or watch some documentaries. It seems like good fodder for storytelling.
I visited the Tower of London about 10 years ago. I was surprised to find it a calm, peaceful place. Who would have thought that it had seen so much violence?
I can’t even imagine what it would have been like back then. I visited the Tower of London during my undergrad. I would have imagined something very different if I hadn’t visited it.
Wow, Candice, this is great! I totally would have flunked!!
This post made me what to look up history during this era. I can’t imagine being a king at 9 and having any power.
I know! I’m not sure I would have done much better than him.
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