‘History is Life’s rear view mirror’ Establishing the facts to write the fiction

Most historical novels relate to a real period in history and the challenge for a novelist is to get the facts right. For if they do not, it is amazing how many really competent historians, often with an encyclopaedic knowledge, will quickly and quite justifiably point this out.

In doing the research for my three historical novels I have had to read very extensively, visit museums, archaeological and battle sites and retrace the steps of my protagonists on land and sea. In the case of the nove...