ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE, WILLIAM MARSHAL, AND THE TUDORS

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR WRITING HISTORIC... TWELVE TIPS FOR WRITING ABOUT LADY JA...

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE, WILLIAM MARSHAL, AND THE TUDORS

At this time last year, I was in Paris, getting to know my

fellow tour participants and already sure this was going to be a memorable trip. I was so right.   We had a wonderful experience chasing after

Eleanor’s ghost.   There were times when

we were sure that if we turned quickly, we’d catch a glimpse of her from the

corners of our eyes or at least hear the rustle of silken skirts.   And other spirits were quite willing to

barge in unexpectedly.   At the

formidable Norman castle of Falaise, I sensed the brusque, glowering presence

of William the Conqueror.    At Le Mans,

Henry hovered nearby as we visited his beautiful cathedral, site of his

christening.   At the spectacular Mont St

Michel, it was Justin de Quincy and his nemesis, Durand, whom I channeled,

racing the in-coming tide toward the island abbey.   Chinon was Henry’s. It was impossible not to think of Hal,

chortling to himself as he fled the castle in the dead of night, with the peculiar

insularity of the very young and the very spoiled, not realizing what pain he

would be inflicting upon his father.

We also thought of happier times at Chinon, for Henry loved it there and Eleanor was often

with him at Chinon in the days when he still loved her, too.    But none of us could forget it was at

Chinon that Henry drew his last anguished breath, feverishly muttering “Shame

upon a conquered king” after learning that his best-loved son had betrayed

him.   Angers was easier for those of us

who ached for Henry. This re-doubtable

castle was a popular one with the Angevins; Joanna was born here.   And then there was Fontevrault….the

magnificent abbey that is Eleanor’s. She

was always close at hand, listening approvingly as we shared stories of her

remarkable life, rolling her eyes at the surprising ignorance of the local

guide, smiling at our awe as we stood in the church, admiring the beauty of her

last resting place and looking upon the stone effigies of Eleanor and the two

men she loved.     We

had so much fun on this trip, and I feel very fortunate that I will be able to

do it again in September of 2013.

            In the

meantime, there are other tours beckoning for those who share my passion for

the past.   Elizabeth Chadwick is leading

a William Marshal tour this year, and anyone who has read The Greatest Knight

or The Scarlet Knight knows that Elizabeth has forged a special connection with

the Marshal, one she is willing to share in October.     And who better than Margaret George to

bring the Tudors to life this coming October?

From The Autobiography of Henry VIII to Mary, Queen of Scots to

Elizabeth I, Margaret’s novels have conjured up Tudor ghosts for us in all

their perversity, pride, and sordid splendor.

Forget that Showtime farce; this will be the real deal. Best of all, there is still time to join

their tours, for a few places are left. Here

are the links to their websites for more information.