Why I Can’t Resist Writing about the Days of Charlemagne

When I sat down to write my first novel, The Cross and the Dragon, I had only heard of Charlemagne in middle school. I suspect my experience is not unique, and that’s a pity.

The Carolingian era is a fascinating time where cultures and religions clashed and where the king’s decisions about his personal life had far-reaching consequences. See Judith Arnopp’s blog for a sampling of why I’m hooked on the history enough to write a second book, The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar, and get started on a third.

A 13th century illustration of a war between Charlemagne’s Franks and the Saxons (public domain image via Wikimedia Commons).