S.S. Julian asked Sharon Kay Penman:

What is your research process like, and how do you check your work for historical accuracy? Can you describe an instance when you decided, for dramatic or plot purposes, it was better to overlook historical precedent?

Sharon Kay Penman I have been doing this now for over 30 years, Sam, so I have an extensive medieval library by now. In the past, I used to do much of my research at the University of PA, which has a superb medieval library; as a lawyer, I was allowed to check books out, provided I paid an annual fee, of course. In the UK and France, I would always visit the places I was writing about and local research libraries were extremely helpful. I also made use of the Reading Room of the British Library and the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. The advent of the Internet has been a blessing for writers of historical fiction, making my life so much easier. For example, I was able to find on-line a detailed description of the siege of Nottingham in 1194, which was so helpful when I had to write that scene in A King's Ransom. The Internet also makes it much easier to find books long out of print. In the old days, I had to search secondhand bookshops in the UK and if I found one I needed, I would then have to mail it home myself since in those days, bookshops did not offer mailing services. Now I can find the books I need without leaving my house!
As for the actual research, I read whatever I can get my hands on--histories and biographies and above all, chronicles of the time. They are my favorite source by far. Even when they are in error, as sometimes they are, they open a window to the past, offering us a brief glimpse into the mindset of medieval people.
As for your second question, I am obsessive-compulsive about historical accuracy. I limit my "tampering" to minor issues; for example, in Sunne, I set the confrontation scene between Edward and his cousin Warwick at Middleham although he'd been moved by then to another castle. But I made sure to clear my conscience by mentioning this in my Author's Note. They have grown longer and longer over the years, in part because my readers tell me how much they enjoy these behind-the-scenes glimpses of a writer at work. The AN for Ransom was over 11 pages!

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