War & Peace in Medieval Scotland

Cara/Andrea here,

Today, I'm welcoming my good friend and HWW Michelle Willingham back to the Wenches to talk about her new foray into history. Michelle's Medieval Irish heroes have captured the heats of romance readers and won critical acclaim, including a RITA nomination for Taming Her Irish Warrior in 2010. However, in her new series, which debuts in North America next month with Claimed By A Highland Warrior, she journeys into new territory, heading north and east to Scotland! The new setting naturally involved lots of new research and travel, and Michelle is here to share some of what she learned. So, without further ado, I shall pass the pen to her!

The Scottish Wars of Independence have been romanticized over the years, both with the stories of William Wallace (depicted in the movie "Braveheart") and the idea of the Scots fighting for their freedom from English rule.  I'll admit that I was drawn to the time period because of the raw, Highland warriors. 

Upon researching the wars, I discovered that English garrisons were set up all over Scotland to help Edward I gain an advantage.  The king laid siege to many castles, seeking to dominate and destroy Scottish rebels.  He used newer technology, such as a trebuchet he nicknamed "War Wolf" when they hurled large boulders at Stirling Castle in 1304.  Sulphur and saltpeter, the elements of gunpowder, were combined to help bring down the walls.

This past summer, my husband and I went on a research trip to Scotland. One of the things I learned about the UK is that their roads are NOT the same as U.S. highways. A location that's 100 miles away could very easily take four hours to reach. But despite our GPS (which mistakenly believed we were driving through a cow pasture), it was fun to brave the one-lane roads, taking our lives into our hands as we passed the tractors. I spent hours in the Edinburgh museum, photographing what artifacts I could and asking the guides questions about medieval weapons and clothing. Interestingly enough, the few surviving medieval artifacts were crosiers and other religious items.  There were almost no everyday pieces on display.  Perhaps the Highlanders valued their clan and the people more than "things," or perhaps they were primarily made of wood and didn't survive.

A few times, we took the "scenic" route, where the streets had no name and the sheep wandered into the road. We stopped in places where there were no phone or power lines, and when we reached the Highlands, it was like going back in time.

Although the majority of the battles were not held in the Highlands, I chose to set my fictional clan, the MacKinlochs, a few miles outside of Glencoe.  This was partly because I wanted them to somewhat removed from the worst of the fighting, and yet, they would still have been faced with the English garrisons establishing minor fortresses to help Edward I.

In Claimed by the Highland Warrior, the heroine Nairna MacPherson was married at the age of fifteen to Bram MacKinloch.  They spent only a single night together in 1298 before Bram's fortress was attacked by the English.  Young and hot-headed, Bram charged in to meet the enemy and was taken as a prisoner of war.

In most cases, medieval prisoners were either ransomed or killed if they proved to be of no use.  But I wanted to create a longer separation between my characters, with years apart.  They needed to grow and mature from childhood sweethearts into a strong hero and a plucky heroine.  It occurred to me that the prisoners of war could be used as labor forces, to build stone walls around the English strongholds or possibly even more permanent structures.  And so, I doomed my poor hero to be imprisoned for many years alongside his younger brother Callum, as a slave to an English Earl. (Yes, I am a mean author. Yes, Bram is a tormented hero.  Who wouldn't be, if you had to lift rocks all day long?)

When Bram is reunited with his wife, he's tormented by the nightmares of his imprisonment and his inability to free his brother.  He can't quite let go of his survivor's guilt, but Nairna helps him to overcome his past and they do fall in love again.

The story of a marriage reunion with a prisoner of war isn't a new one, but it offers so many emotional levels to explore.  What's it like when the man you married is now a virtual stranger?  How do you merge your life with his and try to make the marriage work when you haven't seen each other in seven years? 

I'm giving away a signed copy of Claimed by the Highland Warrior to one lucky commenter.  Just tell me, if you were separated from your significant other, what would you miss the most?  Or if you don't have someone in your life, what traits do you value?  For me, I'd miss the way my husband can look at me and sense what I'm thinking. That, and I'd miss him opening jars for me.<G> 

Comments

[Helen]

Michelle

I do so love the sound of this book and The Scotish Highlands is one place I would love to visit one day.

If I was seperated from my Hubby for that long I would really miss him listening to me he is a really good listener and he also knows when to just listen and not offer advise LOL.

Congrats on the release Michelle and thank you Andrea for inviting Michelle along today to talk about her trip and new book.

Have Fun
Helen

[Mary Anne Landers]

Thank you for your post, Michelle. Coincidentally (I think), I'm writing a medieval romance in which the hero and heroine are separated for years because he's away fighting in a Crusade.

Like you in your new novel, I focus on what happens when they're reunited. But our heroes differ, and so do the obstacles.

My hero isn't tortured or guilt-ridden; his experiences haven't made him bitter. All he wants is to to rejoin his sweetheart. But she's forgotten him, literally. She has amnesia.

There are probably as many takes on the reunion theme as there are authors who deal with it. It might be fun to compare the way different writers handle it.

To answer your question: if I had a significant other and we were parted for years, what would I miss the most about him? Everything!

Good luck with your new release.

[Kim in Hawaii]

Aloha, Michelle! Mahalo for the intriguing post! Actually, I lived apart from hubby for two years when he accepted an unaccompanied tour of Japan. I gave birth to our second child during his absence ... and 9/11 happened. I thought I wouldn't see him for a long time. But we did and ultimately we moved together to the Netherlands (where we could easily tour Scotland). During the times that we have been seperated by military duty, I missed the comfort of knowing that no matter what happened during the day, he would come home and say, "I love you." When he was in Japan, he woudl say it at 12 noon to my 12 midnight.

Looking forward to seeing you at RWA!

[wendy p]

It would probably be easier to me to say what I wouldn't miss than what I would miss...and then to choose just one or two? I would miss him taking the tops off of jars...though without him here they probably wouldn't be on nearly as tight...taking care of the trash...fixing my car...scrubbing my back in the shower - oh yes! Scratching my back! Yep...would probably miss that the most!

[Suzy K]

I miss back massages... giving & receiving... really really good, relaxing massages.

[Michelle Willingham]

Oh, these are wonderful, ladies! Yes, back rubs! Hadn't thought of that. I also enjoy watching certain TV shows with my dh, like NCIS. I won't watch it without him because it's not the same.

[Desere]

I miss the companionship ,that feeling of him just being there with just a look you can know that no matter what the future holds he will always be right by your side, when he is gone that is the part that feels like it is incomplete your not alone but yet it feels like you are. That and snuggling up in his arms at night !

Stunning giveaway thank you for the chance to win!

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks so much for visiting today, Michelle, and sharing your wonderful story with us. I love the emotional challenges you set for your characters—they always add such great depth to your books. (I would miss my DH driving on the left side of the road in Ireland and Scotland—and the fact that he loves to vacuum and scrub bathtubs! talk about a hero . . . LOL)

[Governess4hire]

Not only does the story sound amazing, but the cover looks great! Who doesn't love a good Highlander story???

[Angelina Barbin]

Like Kim from Hawaii, I experienced numerous seperations from my husband when I was active duty and now as a military spouse. What I miss the most besides his help getting our sons bathed and into bed is the presence of my best friend.

Love your books, Michelle!

[Deb H.]

Ooh, Michelle, this sounds like a great story!

My husband always seems to know when I'm needing help around the house. If company is coming, he helps with the basics of picking up. He also makes a mean omelette and is good in the kitchen in general. I enjoy sitting on the couch eating popcorn with him and snuggling close to each other.

[Michelle Willingham]

Andrea--I told my husband that if he hadn't been there to do all the driving, I'd have been on a bus! It was quite a challenge on the narrow roads. :)

[Sarah W.]

I can't wait to read this; I've loved your books so far!

I have been separated from my hubby 5 & 1/2 days a week since January 10th. I have missed a lot of things about him but the thing I miss the most is him; he's my best friend. He understands me in a way that no one else does. He knows when I need a good laugh; he knows when I need support; and he enjoys taking on my temper. All of which are things that just aren't the same over the phone. Thankfully the separation will be over in a week. YAY!!!!!

[Michelle Bledsoe]

Yum..Highlanders.
I would miss how my husband is just there for me. He is the silent type that lets me figure things out. He only gives advice when I ask(amazing I know).And the big one...He doesn't mind me reading so much,I would miss that acceptance.

[Michelle Willingham]

Sarah--hope he comes home soon!

Michelle B--mine doesn't mind me typing away on the laptop while he watches sports. It's a funny way of "being together" while still letting each other relax.

[Fedora]

My husband is quite good about doing more than his share of everything, so when he's traveling or out of commission (he was down for the count with a health thing not too long ago, for instance), I miss just about everything! It's tough to be a "single parent," even temporarily. It's hard to be without a partner, in every sense of the word. And this sounds like a fabulous story--it's true that the separation gives the individuals a chance to grow; I just don't like the opportunities myself ;p

[Jennifer L]

I love your books, Michelle, and look forward to reading this one!

I'd miss my husband's wicked sense of humor. He always gets me to laugh, even when I'm in a bad mood.

[Andrea Penrose]

LOL on the roads, Michelle! I tried it in Ireland for about 15 minutes and nearly had heart failure!

[Michelle Willingham]

Fedora--I always miss mine terribly when he's gone. My heart goes out to all the single parents out there. It's tough enough to be a mom, but when you're doing it alone--I can't even imagine.

Andrea--Ireland is even more treacherous than Scotland. I love both countries, but driving is terrifying!

[Linda Townsend]

Don't enter me in this give-a-way as I went out and purchased the book this past week... couldn't stand it...
I treasure honesty and just knowing that someone would be there to pick up the flack. Right now... it's just my son and our dogs... and that's ok.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your writing so much. Thank you.

[LouisaCornell]

I love the sound of you trip to Scotland. What an adventure you had and it really is the best way to see the country - just wander around and absorb it.

And as I love your Irish warriors I KNOW I will love the Scottish ones as well. This story has an especially intriguing premise. Looking forward to reading it.

What I miss about not having a husband is having someone to help with the top shelves in the cabinets! Moving the furniture. Repairing the plumbing. I've had to learn all of these skills which makes me quite versatile, but NOT because I want to be!

I miss talking about books. Seeing something in a shop - a book , a chess set, a CD and buying it because I know he'll like it.

I miss arguing over music and politics.

Most of all it is the quiet things, the little moments that steal into the day. Reading our books at opposite ends of the sofa and not talking for hours, just knowing the other person is there and enjoys the silence as much as you do.

[Mariee]

I would miss his voice and his great foot rubs.

Great cover!

[Michelle Willingham]

Linda--thank you so much. You made my day. Tell you what, if your name is drawn, I'll give you an ARC of the sequel, Seduced by Her Highland Warrior. :)

Louisa--I agree with you. The quiet silence can be just as powerful as the romantic moments. Your words are very touching!

[Barbara Elness]

I don't have a significant other, but the thing I miss about the one I used to have is his wit - he used to make me laugh all the time. And he cooked for me, that's worth gold to me.

[chey]

This book sounds like one I want to read. I can't wait to find out what happens!
A trait I value is a sense of humour.

[Debbie]

Today I have been away from home for 3 weeks and have 1 week left so I can really think about what I would miss pretty easy. I am staying with a friend of mine who's husband is in the Army and is away in training for a month so I came to stay with her and her kids since mine are almost grown. My husband was in the Army when my kids were little so I remember how hard it is to be apart from them. Her and I were just talking about mising the guys last night and I have to say what I miss is the way he smells and the way he knows what I am thinking sometimes before I do. My husband and I will have been married for 20 yrs June 1st so we have gotten pretty good at knowing each other's thoughts and needs.

I want to thank any other ,military spouse's that are here for everything they go thru so that we all can be safe.

[librarypat]

This will definitely be a series I will read.
Being a military wife for 24 years, I had my share of experience with being separated from my DH. He was a B-52 crew member during Vietnam and spent 4 tours over there. The first was extended so we had to postpone our wedding. The second was 5 weeks after we got married, the next while I was pregnant with our first daughter and then again when she was 3 months old. It was the norm for the time and unfortunately for the troops currently being deployed, it is much worse. Not all spouses handle it well and many marriages suffer as a result.

Whether the tour is 3 months, 6 months, a year, or longer, there is always a readjustment period. Out of necessity, most spouses become rather self-sufficient. You run the household, make decisions, handle the finances and crises, and raise the children on your own. When they come home, it is hard giving "head of household" status up. There is now one more person to fit into your schedule and whose opinion must be considered for decisions. It doesn't always go smoothly. For a while, you may be seen as more a controlling witch than the sweet thing he married.
I missed the comfort and support having him home gave me. It is hard being a single parent, especially when you really aren't one. You get so tired when there is no one to help walk the floor with a sick baby or take the kids out to play so you can get things done around the house. There is no one to share your day with once the children are washed up and asleep, or if there aren't any children, to just sit with and watch TV or read. It is a lonely and uncertain way to live. You never know when you will get word something has happened to them so very far away.
Your fellow wives are your biggest asset. We are all in the same boat and do what we can to support the others. If one of us had a husband home, he became the "neighborhood husband" on call when someone's car didn't start or the drain got plugged. "I am woman, hear me roar!" can get rather tiring after a while. It is nice to not have to be strong all the time, even if we can be.

He retired in 1992 and we miss it. It is a special "family" and one you will always belong to.

[Dee Feagin]

I would miss knowing that there is always this one person who fills in the missing pieces of my heart.

[Michelle Willingham]

Librarypat--such a beautiful response. I agree with you, that you become much more self-sufficient when your spouse is away. I'm always grateful to my husband when he returns, because it's so hard to be a single parent.