Archgallo asked Karen Maitland:

Hi Ms Maitland, what fascinates you so much about the (late) Middle Ages? Have you ever considered writing a story set in the early Middle Ages (<1000 AD)?

Karen Maitland Hi Archgallo,
I usually get ideas for my novels from some issue that is happening in the news at the moment that captures my imagination and which reminds me of something that has happened before in medieval times. That is often the trigger for me.

I think the Middle ages has some remarkable similarities with the time we are living in now - drastic climate change, religious wars, economic meltdown, mass migration of people, pandemics - all kinds of things. In The Raven's Head, for example, I was struck by the similar goals of medieval alchemists and modern scientists both trying to manipulate aspects of the body to prolong life and stop aging. I'm fascinated by seeing history repeating itself. Its tragic in some ways, but also reassuring in that we've survived these problems before, so maybe we will again.

I hadn't thought of looking at the early Middle Ages, but now you have put it into my head. It might well be time for me to move back a couple of centuries and explore that. Actually, at the weekend, before I read your question, I happened to find myself on a archaeological walk which focussed on this earlier period, so maybe you and the gods are all nudging me in the same direction! Thank you.

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