Hi, Jo here, unable to resist playing with a medieval shield at Chirk Castle - which refers back to my childhood fascination with history.
Our recent discussion of our first historical romance had me thinking about where my love of history began. I can't remember, perhaps because my father fed me on romantic historical stories from an early age. Hereward the Wake, Robin Hood, Richard the Lionheart, Crusaders, Cavaliers and Jacobites, including of course Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Of course I can look back on such stories with a jaundiced eye, but they were just the thing to enthrall. I feel sorry for children today who seem to be mostly taught more recent and "relevant" history. Yes, they need to know about 20th century wars, the fights for social justice and women's rights, but I doubt such subjects capture their hearts at a young age.
Am I wrong?
All that derring do and heroics led me to a childhood love of history and historical fiction, a history degree, and a career as an author of historical romance.
Of course my early learning was about England and Britain, and was bolstered by being surrounded by ancient remains, but yours might be very different. What historical stories and fables seduced you? Who were your childhood historical heroes and heroines, and how do you feel about them now?
The picture captures my childhood image of merry Robin Hood and noble King Richard, but now I know it's a complete fantasy in spirit as well as fact.
My childhood enthusiasm was fed by TV programs such as Robin Hood, Ivanhoe, and William Tell. Anyone else remember them?
Ivanhoe was Roger Moore's first starring role. Be still my eleven-year-old heart!It was based very loosely on Sir Walter Scott's novel, and by then I was reading Scott as well as other historical fiction.
Soon, I'd be making my first attempt at writing one for myself.
So, share your childhood historical delights and you'll have a chance to win one of my medieval romances. You can see more about them here.
Have at it!
Jo