MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 613

Ancient Pastimes

Ancient Pastimes:

Popular sports: Fishing, horse racing, hunting, jumping, rowing, running, sailing, skating, skiing, swimming, tug of war, weight lifting, and wrestling.

Warrior competitions: archery contests, sword fighting, throwing spears and other weapons.

Book Reviews

Lisa Mar of Omaha, NE wrote:

Mary Ann Bernal is an excellent author and the story pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the end.

Diane Spaulding of Omaha, NE wrote:

I thoroughly enjoyed the Briton and the Dane. From beginning to end it is filled with romance, treachery, and suspense. I felt as though I could have been right there with Gwyneth and Erik. Mary Ann did a great job of taking the reader back in time to the days of King Alfred with great detail. I did not want to put the book down!...

Thor's Cross Cast

Thor's Cross Cast

The Situation Othala
Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.

Barriers Laguz
Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.

Positive Influences Kenaz
Kenaz foretells the coming of clarity and knowledge. It is time for you to grow by exchanging kn...

Hadrian's Wall

History Trivia: Hadrian was Emperor of Rome from 117 – 138 AD. Hadrian's Wall was located in northern England and extended from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. The heavily garrisoned fortification was built to keep the Picts from attacking Roman settlements. A second wall known as the Antonine Wall was located in Scotland.

Mary Ann featured in Soldiers Angels Newsletter

Categories: General
Date: Mar 26, 2010
Title: Angelic Authors Wing Their Way


Soldiers' Angels is proud to count three published authors among its many loving and talented Angels who do so much to support the troops!

Soldiers' Angels is proud to count three published authors among its many loving and talented Angels who do so much to support the troops! Mary Ann Bernal is reporting the publication of her first book, Lori Bakewell is writing her fourth in a set of books for elementary/middle schoo...

The Rufty Tufty

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a medieval dance class this evening. We were taught the steps for the Rufty Tufty - an English Country Dance - circa 1600's The dance is a square set for 2 couples. We had 3 sets which was fun. We were also fortunate to have live music - three talented minstrels accompanied our attempts to perfect the dance. Now the challenge is to remember the steps and not mess up at the next dance class.

King Alfred the Great

History Trivia: King Alfred the Great became King of Wessex in 871 AD. He was a proven warrior who defeated the Danish King Guthrum at the Battle of Edington. He was considered a man of letters which prompted his love of learning as he established his schools and enticed scholars from abroad.

Musical Instruments of the Viking Age

History Trivia: Musical Instruments of the Viking Age: There were bone woodwind instruments such as whistles with three finger holes. There were flutes, panpipes and trumpets made from cow horns. There were lyres (harp) and fiddles; drums were played at festivals and feasts and on the battlefield.

Updated Glossary

Abbey: Monastic community

Abbott: Male administrator of monastery / abbey

Abbess: Female administrator of monastery / abbey

Alms: Gifts of money / services / goods for the poor

Angles: Germanic peoples settled post Roman Britain

Anglo-Saxon Britain: 5th Century to Norman Invasion (1066)

Bailey: Outer courtyard of the fortification

Battlements: Defensive structure along the outer edge of the wall walk

Benedictine Order: Religious community founded by St. Benedictine
Vows of personal poverty, chastity...

Lindisfarne

History Trivia – In 635 AD Saint Aidan founded the monastery at Lindisfarne which was settled by Ionian monks. The Illuminated Gospels made the monastery famous. Lindisfarne was plundered in 793 AD by Scandinavian seafarers; so began the Viking era of invasion and expansion.