Wednesday 20 May 2015

Review of "Once a Priest"

This just in from a reader:
I am recovering from a serious case of metaphorical post coital triste after reluctantly turning over the last
page of your wonderful Once a Priest.It was one of those reads which you wish would never end.

A few comments by way of appreciation which cannot do justice to the integrity of the book as a whole and its
'omniscient'and energetic narrator.

*I was struck by the explosive first page or two which must be a model for how to begin a work.You have parachuted
into the sixties Liverpool in the most intense and realistic fashion which no social historian could hope to accomplish;
capturing the mantras as you propel the actors onto the stage.This is finely honed economic prose rattling its
cage to become poetry.

*Having been a prisoner of the Brent asylum of the terminally mad at the same time as you were in Bolton,I was
particularly struck by your descriptions of the admin apparats in the grip of a plague of wrongheadedness.I was
 touched by your encounters in the classroom;the pupils;always  powerless victims of the top down poison
administered by our heavily politicised educational state educational apparatus.Your survival stratagems would
make an excellent survival guide for any youngster brave enough to enter the educational fray.

*Sauced with Chaucerian wit throughout

*marvellous insight into the inner workings of the C of E, which despite Trollope, has always for me, been veiled in
mystery.

*Counterpoint.You achieve some well judged a**e kicking in your relentless pursuit of humbug.Yet there are sensitive
episodes of real poignancy.The death of Louie which you were privileged to attend.."I watched her dying......It was like
watching someone being born.She made a good job of it,such fun of it.That was one of her expressions"The nurse."That
woman"she said."That woman-she was an angel!"

*Remarkable capturing of local language idiosyncrasies...."It weren't bad......it were alreet..."the leaden vice of Leeds.I
think it was Lord Salisbury said "Always believe in stereotypes"And the memorable "affat"...And after 'Romeo and Juliet'
"Will we affat write about it tomorrow.....?.....not forgetting "allus"The Dickensian Broadstairs "Have a look at....."the
girl guides etc

*Such a variety of characters as if you were in receipt of an EU rights injunction to include them all!The maverick James....
I am looking forward to hearing more about him and the Uriah Heap senior curate, destroying the bogs with his bike.Characters galore, like a Dutch painting ,and like Shakespeare,minor characters all have their importance.

And the land and townscapes so economically and memorably delineated...

*Then the style;varied but always moving musically as the book progresses;fusing naturally into poetry at the most
appropriate times

*This book is no trivial self indulgence.It takes on the big subjects.Most of all God,worship,prayer,salvation.And the forces
that militate against the latter.Imposters in the Church.The real danger of the abuse of power in the charismatic movement
The age old evils of those who seek preferment by aligning themselves with secular government and the zeitgeist, neglecting their flocks.

*The unity of this marvelous book;the narrator;cheerfully, courageously,overcoming difficulties,armed with that life saver, a sense of irony.Once a priest and by the grace of God,always a priest!

Much much more to say

In appreciation

Yours

Paul

Get your copy HERE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Priest-Peter-Mullen/dp/1910440116/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1432126179&sr=1-1&keywords=once+a+priest+bretwalda

Friday 1 May 2015

First Ebook sale of the month - East Anglia at War

First Ebook sale of the month - East Anglia at War

In both world wars the British confidently expected Germany to mount an invasion through East Anglia. During the Great War enormous numbers of troops, who were desperately needed on the Western Front, were tied up defending East Anglia against an invasion that never came. In spite of this, in World War II, once again it was East Anglia where the confidently predicted German invasion would take place.
In both Wars East Anglia was a hive of activity with soldiers, sailors and airmen frantically preparing for an invasion that never came, and latterly striking back at Hitler’s Reich through RAF Bomber Command.
This book looks at East Anglia in those desperate, bloody years. It shows how the people of the area coped and survived, or sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice. The book also looks at the relics of those years - gun emplacements, airfields and other structure built while East Anglia was at War.

Contents
Foreword
Chapter One – The Scene is Set
Chapter Two – Encore Une Fois
Chapter Three – The Agricultural Revolution
Chapter Four– The Beginning
Chapter Five – When will they arrive?
Chapter Six –The German invasion plan
Chapter Seven – Local Organisation
Chapter Eight - The Home Guard
Chapter Nine – Military Readiness
Chapter Ten - The RAF before the Battle
Chapter Eleven – The Battle of Britain Begins
Chapter Twelve – The fight to the Death, Douglas Bader and the Big Wing
Chapter Thirteen – Some Iconic Airfields of East Anglia
Chapter Fourteen – The American Intervention – The early Days
Chapter Fifteen – US in Britain
Chapter Sixteen - Keeping the North Sea Open
Chapter Seventeen – Air Raids
Chapter Eighteen – And Finally

About the Author

Michael’s home is in East Anglia. After many years based near Cambridge, he now lives close to the North Norfolk Coast.

Always a prolific writer, during more than twenty years as a head teacher he managed to combine his writing activities with running a school. Educational writing continues to play a significant part in his output, but he has also written widely on topics relating to 20th century military history. This book combines his interest in military history with his love of East Anglia.

This is Michael’s twelfth book and his third covering a World War II topic. The other two: RAF Duxford and Douglas Bader were both published as part of Bretwalda’s Heroes of the RAF series.

Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/East-Anglia-War-Michael-Evans-ebook/dp/B00TEBI8KU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1430547896&sr=1-1&keywords=East+Anglia+at+War

Wednesday 1 April 2015

NEW EBOOK - Once a Priest: The Memoirs of an Unconventional Vicar

NEW EBOOK - Once a Priest: The Memoirs of an Unconventional Vicar

Once A Priest is the first of two volumes of memoirs by outspoken traditionalist Church of England priest Peter Mullen. Everyone who loves true, amusing, touching and insightful stories of English life in town and country will love this book - as much as it will outrage the trendy liberals who dominate the Church today. This book is nothing if not controversial.

This fast-paced and vivid book follows Peter as he moves from naive first-tiem curate to world-weary vicar, covering curacies in Leeds, Stretford and Oldham; to a chaplaincy at a downtown secondary school in Bolton. Here the author teaches philosophy to young ruffians, puts on a version of Mozart's "Magic Flute" with the same ruffians; writes his first three books and sets up Britain's first "A" level philosophy course and exam; takes assembly every morning for four years; attends all the usual outings, comedies and tragedies of school life. From there to be Vicar of two country parishes in Yorkshire and the whole gamut of parochial experience (huge amusement at weddings and the crematorium/graveside), teaching extramural classes and the kids in a village junior school. All recorded here in anecdotes which are by turns hilarious and deeply moving. All human life is here.


About the Author
Rev'd Dr Peter Mullen retired from his post as rector of St Michael's, Cornhill in 2012 and he has now semi-retired to the south coast to enjoy the sea and the Downs and to concentrate on writing. He has retained his chaplaincies to three City of London livery companies and to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Chapel. He is a columnist for The Northern Echo, Church of England Newspaper and The Salisbury Review. Peter Mullen is the author of more than forty books, including five novels.

get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Priest-Memoirs-Unconventional-Vicar-ebook/dp/B00ULX2SWE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427904109&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+priest

Sunday 29 March 2015

NEW EBOOK - Inside the Tank: A Personal View from Inside Prime Minister Thatcher's Policy Unit

NEW EBOOK - Inside the Tank: A Personal View from Inside Prime Minister Thatcher's Policy Unit
"Few people, even Whitehall insiders, really know how Margaret Thatcher's Policy Unit worked and how it made her so effective in getting her will to prevail. “Inside the Tank” is a first hand account of how Mrs Thatcher made decisions and how she took advice, particularly on controversial issues where vested interests were pulling in different directions.
Written by a former member of the Unit, seconded in 1986 from the executive board of an international conglomerate, Consolidated Gold Fields, the many similarities between the issues and conflicts in business and government are striking.
George Guise had been responsible for the international development of the Cons Gold Group working in South Africa, the USA and Australia where he restructured the group's operations. He was "borrowed" in 1986 by HMG and immediately hit it off with MT, both having short patience with delayers and nay sayers.
The areas upon which he advised were initially commercial, especially nationalised industries, privatisation and the City of London. This soon expanded to include science policy, in which both he and MT had a deep personal interest, and eventually to South Africa where he had extensive experience.
Inside the Tank focuses exclusively on matters where the writer had direct personal involvement with Margaret Thatcher and does not speculate or philosophise in the way of so many recent publications, some by people who never even met her! "

Contents
Preface
Privatisation from 1986
Science Policy
Arts Policy
South Africa
Epilogue - Overview of Thatcher’s Style

About the Author
George Guise served as Margaret Thatcher’s adviser from 1986 to 1991. His advice covered key areas such as industry, privatisation and science policy but also included the City, the Arts and South Africa. Following the overthrow of MT in December 1990, he declined the new PM's offer to remain at No 10 and spent several years advising foreign countries, including South Africa, Venezuela, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Turkey on electricity privatisation.This was often in conjunction with National Grid or Deloitte & Touche Consulting on whose London board he served. After leaving Downing Street he returned to private business. Although now officially retired, he is an active participant in debate about the way forward, both in the UK and in Europe.

Get your copy HERE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inside-Tank-Personal-Minister-Thatchers-ebook/dp/B00TEACHZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427616404&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+inside+tank

Friday 27 March 2015

NEW EBOOK - A Life at the Chalkface: A Memoir Of A London Headteacher

NEW EBOOK - A Life at the Chalkface: A Memoir Of A London Headteacher
Foreword by Sir Timothy Brighouse.
A realistic but touching look at school life at a tough inner city school by the headteacher who turned the school around and is an acclaimed columnist for the Times Education Supplement and other publications.
‘In the early eighties, Mike Kent took on the headship of a tough, inner city primary school and built it into one of the most popular primary schools in London.
In ‘A Life At The Chalkface’ Mike describes with humour and insight the challenges he experienced as English primary education changed beyond belief during three decades. Never a stranger to controversy, Mike survived a racial tribunal, an eighteen month battle with Ofsted, local school inspectors who were determined to make him conform, and bureaucrats who viewed children merely as outcome units.
His love of teaching and teachers shines through as he describes the many unique characters who passed through his school… the boy who wanted to be a bus, the ex-pupil who became a society thief, the teacher who couldn’t throw anything away, the fire officer who described children’s art as hazardous wall substances and the parent who was determined to enrol his three month old daughter in the Reception class.
A Life At The Chalkface gives a unique insight into the trials and tribulations of headship, and it will be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone with an interest in education and a sense of humour.’

Contents
Foreword by Sir Tim Brighouse
Introduction
Chapter 1 - A School Of My Own
Chapter 2 - Finding My Feet
Chapter 3 - First Day At The Chalkface
Chapter 4 - A Term Of Trial
Chapter 5 - A Test Of My Leadership
Chapter 6 - Walking With Dinosaurs
Chapter 7 - The New Inspector Calls
Chapter 8 - A Tidal Wave Of Change
Chapter 9 - Appeals, Appointments and Questionable Governance
Chapter 10 - All Children Great And Small
Chapter 11 - No Parents Past This Point
Chapter 12 - The Computer Revolution
Chapter 13 - Challenging Ofsted
Chapter 14 - The Bureaucratic Nightmare
Chapter 15 - Polythene, Pigeons and Eccentric Electrics
Chapter 16 - Troubling Teachers
Chapter 17 - The Roar Of The Greasepaint
Chapter 18 - Winding Down



About the Author
Mike Kent has for the last 13 years been a featured columnist on The Times Educational Supplement. For two years running, he was a runner-up for the PPA Columnist Of The Year award. He has written over 400 articles for educational magazines and newspapers, and 27 musical plays for children. He recently retired as headteacher of a tough inner city school.
 
Print book out soon
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Chalkface-Memoir-London-Headteacher-ebook/dp/B00TEB4F8Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427446001&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+life+chalkface
 

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Press Coverage of Nicky Morgan MP​'s new book in the Loughborough Echo.

Press Coverage of Nicky Morgan MP​'s new book in the Loughborough Echo.



Town MP Nicky Morgan writes Civil War history book

Mrs Morgan has written a children’s activity non-fiction book about Loughborough during the Civil War, which is being published by Bretwalda Books.

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan has written a children's activity non-fiction book The Civil War in Loughborough which is being published by Bretwalda Books. Photo supplied by Rupert Matthews, editorial director, Bretwalda Books.
TOWN MP Nicky Morgan is set to launch her new history book, The Civil War in Loughborough, today (Friday, March 20,) at Cobden Primary School.
Mrs Morgan, has written a children’s activity non-fiction book about Loughborough during the Civil War, which is being published by Bretwalda Books.
Editorial director of Bretwalda Books, Rupert Matthews

Read the entire article HERE

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/town-mp-nicky-morgan-writes-8870749

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Nicky Morgan MP and “The Civil War in Loughborough” New Book Released Today


Nicky Morgan MP and
“The Civil War in Loughborough”
New Book Released Today
Loughborough MP, Nicky Morgan, has written a children's activity non-fiction book about Loughborough during the Civil War, published today.
It is time to explore the past with this fantastically fun “cut out and play” title packed with amazing facts, fun activities, cut-out characters to colour in, puzzles and more interesting information than you can shake a stick at.
With a bold and accessible look, this title allows younger readers to discover why holding a match at night was a really bad idea, how spending a penny could get you thrown in prison and what to do if you met a man named Praise God Barebone.
Fun, informative and educational, this is how to get children interested in history.

About the Author
Rt Hon Nicola Morgan MP is Member of Parliament for Loughborough and was fascinated to learn that her constituency played such a significant role in the English Civil War - with a battle being fought almost on her own doorstep
Note to Editor : Author Nicky Morgan is available for interview through Editorial Director Rupert Matthews on 07721 455944.


Attached photos show:
1) The Book cover
2) Author Mrs Nicky Morgan MP
3) Artworks from the book
NB Other photos are available on request


About the Book
Title:               The Civil War in Loughborough
Author            Rt Hon Nicola Morgan MP
ISBN                978-1-910440-28-5
Publisher       Bretwalda Books
Price               £4.99


Friday 13 March 2015

NEW EBOOK - The Discerning Mercenary's Guide to the 100 Years War

NEW EBOOK - The Discerning Mercenary's Guide to the 100 Years War

The Past, as they say, is Another Country. Now there is a guide book to Britain and France as they were during The Hundred Years War of 1337-1453. Technically that is 116 years, but that’s history for you.
Written by Dr Lee Rotherham this book tells the modern reader everything they would need to know when visiting this war torn period of our past some 600 years ago.
Written as if it were a guide book to be used by a visiting medieval tourist, and illustrated, this book is the essential guidebook to The Hundred Years War.
You will learn the difference between Armagnac and Burgundy (the people not the drinks), get to decide if Joan of Arc is God’s lieutenant on Earth (the French view) or a crazed cross-dresser (the English view), view the glories of Rheims, meet the last Prince of the Welsh, have a chat with the first man to speak modern English and learn the best way to avoid the plague like, err, the plague.
So this handbook is part survival guide, part tome to assist in cultural acclimatisation, part aide-memoire to help manage expectations in what remains a pretty vicious period of our past.

About the Author

Dr Lee Rotherham is author of the previous titles in this series “The Discerning Barbarian’s Guide to Roman Britain” and ““The Discerning Gentleman’s Guidebook to Britain’s American Colonies - 1770s Edition”.

Lee is an historian, political consultant, and writer with a distant background in mediaeval French and Occitan. His interest in the Hundred Years’ War was first piqued during breaks from teaching English in France, spent driving around the castles and battlefields of the Loire in an absurdly green Renault 6.
A part-time soldier, his military incursions have since led him to reconnoitring Iraq’s archaeological sites in a helicopter, pondering over ancient forts in the Afghan desert, and stomping through undergrowth in the retirement town of Scipio Africanus. When not worrying about the national debt or researching arcana about the activities of the European Union (of which there are, sadly, many), he spends his free time wondering where to store a troublingly large photo collection.


Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1 An Introduction for Mediaeval Tourists
Chapter 2 Planning Your Visit
Chapter 3 Information for Business Visitors
Chapter 4 The War Itself
Chapter 5 Meet and Greet
Chapter 6 Where to Visit
Chapter 7 1453 and All that
Acknowledgments
Further Study
About the Author

Get your copy HERE




http://www.amazon.co.uk/Discerning-Mercenarys-Guide-100-Years-ebook/dp/B00TEBVSIY/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426232660&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+mercenary+discerning

Thursday 12 March 2015

NEW paperback novel - The Curse of Kings

NEW  paperback novel - The Curse of Kings
Volume 2 of The King's Chalice saga - the continuing story of East Dorset in Saxon Times. A small estate was given to a slave in AD905 after he had saved the life of the prince. Now his descendants must try to keep the inheritance together in an age of war, treachery and greed. Seemingly unchanged by royal friendships, the family retain their own values and remain loyal, breeding and caring for horses. Udric survives a knife wound and marries well, further ammunition for his enemies. Heirs squabble, legitimacy being all-important whether for the throne or lands, lifetimes being cut short by inherited illness, accident or murder.


Get your copy HERE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Kings-Chalice/dp/1910440094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426144600&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+curse+of+kings

NEW EBOOK - East Anglia at War

NEW EBOOK - East Anglia at War
In both world wars the British confidently expected Germany to mount an invasion through East Anglia. During the Great War enormous numbers of troops, who were desperately needed on the Western Front, were tied up defending East Anglia against an invasion that never came. In spite of this, in World War II, once again it was East Anglia where the confidently predicted German invasion would take place.
In both Wars East Anglia was a hive of activity with soldiers, sailors and airmen frantically preparing for an invasion that never came, and latterly striking back at Hitler’s Reich through RAF Bomber Command.
This book looks at East Anglia in those desperate, bloody years. It shows how the people of the area coped and survived, or sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice. The book also looks at the relics of those years - gun emplacements, airfields and other structure built while East Anglia was at War.


Contents
Foreword
Chapter One – The Scene is Set
Chapter Two – Encore Une Fois
Chapter Three – The Agricultural Revolution
Chapter Four– The Beginning
Chapter Five – When will they arrive?
Chapter Six –The German invasion plan
Chapter Seven – Local Organisation
Chapter Eight - The Home Guard
Chapter Nine – Military Readiness
Chapter Ten - The RAF before the Battle
Chapter Eleven – The Battle of Britain Begins
Chapter Twelve – The fight to the Death, Douglas Bader and the Big Wing
Chapter Thirteen – Some Iconic Airfields of East Anglia
Chapter Fourteen – The American Intervention – The early Days
Chapter Fifteen – US in Britain
Chapter Sixteen - Keeping the North Sea Open
Chapter Seventeen – Air Raids
Chapter Eighteen – And Finally

About the Author

Michael’s home is in East Anglia. After many years based near Cambridge, he now lives close to the North Norfolk Coast.

Always a prolific writer, during more than twenty years as a head teacher he managed to combine his writing activities with running a school. Educational writing continues to play a significant part in his output, but he has also written widely on topics relating to 20th century military history. This book combines his interest in military history with his love of East Anglia.

This is Michael’s twelfth book and his third covering a World War II topic. The other two: RAF Duxford and Douglas Bader were both published as part of Bretwalda’s Heroes of the RAF series.

Get your copy HERE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/East-Anglia-War-Michael-Evans-ebook/dp/B00TEBI8KU/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426070888&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+east+anglia+at+war

Wednesday 11 March 2015

NEW EBOOK - Three Castles and an Ironmasters House (Walking book)

NEW EBOOK - Three Castles and an Ironmasters House (Walking book)
Written by an experienced walker and historian, this book follows a new footpath route through Sussex calling at four National Trust properties, plus numerous pubs, villages and some fantastic scenery.
Three Castles is an opportunity to take the time to explore the castles and houses and towns and villages along the route. It follows man’s ingenuity and progress and a changing industry from agriculture to iron, to sheep, to the woollen trade, smuggling, hopfields and back to agriculture.
There is a soul to this walk; one that reflects the passions and industry of man and also the tensions of war and rebellion. It is now a very pastoral walk with only occasional reminders of the noise, smoke and fire of the iron industry. The ironmasters and the rich woollen trade are survived by their architecture at Sissinghurst, Cranbrook and Burwash and Brightling. The derelict hoppickers cottages, next to the River Teise in Lamberhurst, provide a startling contrast to the rich and landed.
And such a varied landscape brings together tales to tell of Mad Jack Fuller and Bloody Baker, Admiral ‘Foulweather Jack’ Norris, and Captain Swing. There are tales of smugglers and Mechanical riots, Napoleon’s horse, aliens in Robertsbridge and, of course, that ‘vengeful dragon’ in Angley Wood.


CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Bodiam Castle to Sissinghurst Castle
Chapter 2 - Sissinghurst Castle to Scotney Castle
Chapter 3 - Scotney Castle to Bateman’s
Chapter 4 - Bateman’s to Bodiam Castle
Bibliography



About the Author

David Clarke is the author of successful Bretwalda Book “1066 Harold’s Way”, which is a guide to that new long distance footpath. Now he is back with an exciting walk that takes the walker around the beautiful Sussex countryside.
He is an experienced walker and historian who has done much to reappraise the military skills and decisions of Harold in that fateful autumn of 1066 when the future of England hung in the balance.

Get your copy HERE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Castles-Ironmasters-House-Walkers-ebook/dp/B00TEAO350/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425978515&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+castles

Wednesday 4 March 2015

1066 Harold's Way - Contents


1066 Harold's Way
A 100 mile walk inspired by King Harold's epic journey to the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
by
David Clarke

CONTENTS
Author's Note
Introduction
Chapter 1 - England 1066
Chapter 2 - Harold's Timeline
Chapter 3 -  Westminster to Greenwich
Chapter 4 -  Greenwich to Lesnes Abbey
Chapter 5 - Lesnes Abbey to Dartford
Chapter 6 -  Dartford to Istead Rise
Chapter 7 -  Istead Rise to Rochester Castle
Chapter 8 -  Rochester Castle to Maidstone
Chapter 9 -  Maidstone to Staplehurst
Chapter 10 - Staplehurst to Sissinghurst
Chapter 11 - Sissinghurst to Bodiam Castle
Chapter 12 - Bodiam Castle to Battle Abbey via Sedlescombe
Chapter 13 - Battle and Battle Walks
Epilogue
Appendix 1 Walking Notes
Appendix 2 Pubs and Inns
Bibliography

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1066-Harolds-Way-Guidebook-Distance/dp/1909099511/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1425460118&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=bretwalda+1066
 

Saturday 28 February 2015

No.43 Squadron - The Fighting Cocks

No.43 Squadron - The Fighting Cocks
When I was a small boy my father gave me a set of cigarette cards. He had been in the RAF during the War and like all small boys in the 1960s I made Airfix Spitfires and watched movies such as Angels One Five on television. So I pored over the cigarette cards, read the potted squadron histories on the back and stuck them all into a scrapbook.
There was one card that puzzled me. It showed what I took to be a chicken. I knew all about chickens because my Great Aunt Hilda kept a few in her large rural garden. I just could not work out why any heroic RAF squadron would want a chicken as their official badge. It was a puzzle I could not solve. Years later I realised that what I had taken to be a chicken was a fighting cock – and a most worthy symbol it was for the squadron concerned. No.43 has long been one of the RAF’s premier squadrons, and its longevity is as impressive as its combat record.

from "No.43 Squadron"
Get your ebook version here;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heroes-RAF-Squadron-Leonard-James-ebook/dp/B00550NJ5I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1425126774&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+43


Friday 27 February 2015

NEW EBOOK - The Battle of Sedgemoor

NEW EBOOK - The Battle of Sedgemoor
The bloody Battle of Sedgemoor ended the Monmouth Rebellion, and for ever put paid to the idea that untrained rebels could defeat professional royal troops.
In 1685 England’s popular “Merry Monarch” Charles II to be replaced by his stern and unpopular brother James II. As James’s regime ran into difficulties, Charles II’s illegitimate son James, Duke of Monmouth suddenly announced that - contrary to what everyone had long believed - his parents had actually been married. This made him not only legitimate, but also the true King of England. Landing in Dorset, Monmouth marched inland raising men and money - though many doubted his claims to legitimacy. The Monmouth forces met those of King James at Sedgemoor in Somerset in what was to prove to be not only a bloody and decisive struggle, but also the last pitched battle to be fought on English soil.
This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battles then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described.

Contents
Introduction: England’s last significant battle
Chapter 1 - Somerset
Chapter 2 - James and Monmouth
Chapter 3 - The Other Commanders
Chapter 4 - The Background
Chapter 5 - The Battle of Sedgemoor
Chapter 6 - The Consequences

About the Author
Stephen Lark is a historian of the Royal Family and its complicated family trees of the 15th to 17th centuries. He has long been fascinated by the Monmouth Rebellion, but has not previously had the chance to visit Sedgemoor. Now he has finally had the time to research the battle and the events around, discovering many little known facts that he presents here for the first time.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Sedgemoor-1685-Bretwalda-Battles-ebook/dp/B00TEAO11G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1425027722&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+sedgemoor

Sunday 22 February 2015

NEW PAPERBACK - The Grimsby Fisher Lads


The true life account of the a little known aspect of Grimsby history.
The Workhouse Fisher Lads are an integral part of the history of Grimsby and other Humber ports. Orphans and foundlings had the chance to escape the miseries of the workhouse by going to sea as apprentices on board the fishing boats. This is their story.
The earliest known Fisher Lad went to sea in the early 19th century and the system continued up to the First World War. For more than a century young boys - some only 8 years old - went to sea in the traditional sailing boats that braved the North Sea to bring back the fish that kept Grimsby prosperous. It was a brutal life.
In this book, Grimsby-born Marc Jones traces the harsh life of the Fisher Lads at sea and on shore. He details individual stories of some oustanding lads who found fortune, disaster, happiness, tragedy and even murder as they worked the boats to escape the Workhouse.

About the Author
Marc Jones was born in Grimsby and has lived in Lincolnshire all his life. He lives locally with his wife and daughter and is very active in the local community. He is a school governor, active fundraiser for local causes and a county councillor as well as standing for the Great Grimsby seat in the 2015 General Election.
Marc says “outsiders can have an unjustly negative view of Grimsby. We need those in positions of influence within the town to have and portray a much more positive view of Grimsby. It has got some cracking potential and its main asset remains the people who live here. They deserve support, investment and new ideas instead of just more of the same.
This book shows the hard-working history of Grimsby people and their willingness to overcome whatever nature or the EU has thrown at them. This centuries old town can and will have many more exciting stories to tell about the lives of those who live, love and work here. The next chapters need to be tales of success, innovation, transformation and prosperity. I truly believe this can be the case if we all pull together to make Great Grimsby a town that respects and remembers its past but works for a better future.

Get your copy HERE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grimsby-Fisher-Lads-Fishing-Apprentices/dp/1910440272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424589190&sr=1-1&keywords=bretwalda+grimsby

Also available as an ebook


Saturday 21 February 2015

Bretwalda Author Andrew May has a new book out, and its been reviewed!

Bretwalda Author Andrew May has a new book out, and its been reviewed by Brian Clegg!


Conspiracy History - review

There are two aspects of this book that might raise a suspicious eyebrow in a potential reader. One is the cover, which is a trifle garish and reminiscent of those local history books you get on holiday in Devon. The other is the idea that, as a book about conspiracy theories, it is going to be all about topics like the Moon landings being faked and Princess Diana being murdered at the behest of the British royal family.

I can immediately allay those fears. This slim book is a solidly written collection of historical stories, many dating back several hundred years or more. The lunatic fringe conspiracy theories are mentioned in the introduction, where Andrew May does exhibit possibly excessive open-mindedness by saying that David Icke's theory that the world is run by shape changing lizards is 'probably too far fetched to be true'. But in his historical explorations, which range from ancient Egypt, through a whole raft of British and European kings and queens, to twentieth century events, he is soberly careful to distinguish what probably was indeed a conspiracy from wild speculation.

Read the whole thing HERE

http://brianclegg.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/conspiracy-history-review.html

Video - Book Launch - The Battle of Lewes


Video - Book Launch - The Battle of Lewes