tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27579586162561041162024-03-13T20:08:29.556-07:00Bretwalda BooksRupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.comBlogger723125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-38709828699266633112017-04-11T01:34:00.002-07:002017-04-11T01:34:38.135-07:00NEW BOOK - Blitzkrieg - Anatomy of a Legend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGdDn2a9U2U/WOyUzk_GhAI/AAAAAAAACi8/MFsBngBMAkYiw1MGHn6z2Rie4wjIRyW5ACLcB/s1600/51VR2jf1eHL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGdDn2a9U2U/WOyUzk_GhAI/AAAAAAAACi8/MFsBngBMAkYiw1MGHn6z2Rie4wjIRyW5ACLcB/s320/51VR2jf1eHL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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When the German armed forces invaded Poland in
September 1939 everyone expected the war to last at least six months and
for the Germans to sustain heavy casualties. In fact the fighting was
over within days. The German army had pulled off one of the most
astounding victories in modern times. Urged on by Hitler's ambitions,
the following year the German army invaded Denmark, Norway, Belgium and
the Netherlands before attacking its most powerful enemy to date: France
supported by Britain. Once again the speeding German panzers, screaming
Stuka dive bombers and relentless artillery smashed through everything
sent against them. The French army was crushed in a matter of days, and
the British sent packing from Dunkirk. The world was aghast at the
scale of these sweeping victories and at the speed with which they had
been achieved. The Germans had unleashed a new form of warfare:
Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war". It was new. It was stunning. It was
unstoppable. But what actually was it? In this book historian Rupert
Matthews explores the origins of Blitzkrieg, explains how it operated
and studies its most famous victories before moving on to discuss how
the tactic is still with us today.</div>
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Buy the paperback <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blitzkrieg-Anatomy-Legend-Rupert-Matthews/dp/152102524X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491899477&sr=1-1&keywords=matthews+blitzkrieg" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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Buy the ebook <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blitzkrieg-Anatomy-Legend-Rupert-Matthews-ebook/dp/B06Y5NL9BZ/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491899656&sr=1-2&keywords=matthews+blitzkrieg" target="_blank">HERE </a></div>
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-63264287555515154352017-04-03T02:23:00.001-07:002017-04-03T02:23:22.020-07:00First Ebook Sale for March 2017Our first ebook sale for March 2017 was a copy of "Bigfoot in Kansas" by Larry Jaffer, sold at 35 minutes past midnight (UK time) to a purchaser in the USA.<br />
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You can buy your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bigfoot-Kansas-Cryptid-Casebook-Book-ebook/dp/B00MI6PQQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491211244&sr=8-1&keywords=larry+bigfoot+kansas" target="_blank">HERE </a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqCdx-GwCxk/WOIUWsTXCmI/AAAAAAAACio/6ni-8Q-hyjgq6mOxW5K-x-2DfcVjbJNwQCLcB/s1600/51f43WXdOQL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqCdx-GwCxk/WOIUWsTXCmI/AAAAAAAACio/6ni-8Q-hyjgq6mOxW5K-x-2DfcVjbJNwQCLcB/s320/51f43WXdOQL.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The gigantic upright ape known as Bigfoot or
Sasquatch is not usually associated with Kansas, but there have been a
surprisingly large number of sightings in that prairie state. <br /><br />Take this example, among many others:<br />On
10 August 2008 a woman was driving by Big John Creek in Morris County
in the early morning dawn. As she passed a corn field he saw what she
thought was deer and slowed down. When she got close enough to see
clearly the creature revealed itself to be a human figure standing
nearly 8 feet tall and covered all over in dark brown fur. The creature
was holding an ear of corn in its hand and seemed to have been
interrupted in the middle of a meal. The woman stopped her car and was
trying to decide whether to get out or not, when the careature stepped
out of the field, ran across the rod, clearing the road in two gigantic
strides, then sprang down the creek bank and splashed over the creek. <br />She
later described the creature as "very broad and looking like a no-neck
football player wearing shoulder pads. The skin was black covered with
dark brown to black hair, about two inches long, and neat though full of
weeds. It had a human-like face with a heavy brow, dark eyes and narrow
lips. The creature had a noticeably large hand grasping an ear of corn
and made direct eye contact before running off."<br /><br />In this book
cryptid expert Larry Jaffer reviews the evidence for this mysterious
beast and comes to some surprising conclusions. <br /><br />Cryptids are
animals, or plants, which are believed by some people to exist, but
which have not been accepted as real by the wider scientific community.
These cryptids are animals which have been seen, and sometimes
photographed, but for which no definitive evidence has been This series
of Cryptid Casebooks explores the world of the cryptids. <br /><br />About the Author<br />Larry
Jaffer has long had an interest in the fortean mysteries that surround
us. He grew up ion the Surrey when the Surrey Puma hit the headlines,
and went out in search of that elusive beast - without success. Since
then he has researched a myriad of other cryptids, including Sasquatch,
the sea serpent, the Beast of Bodmin and others. He has also
investigated UFO sightings and tracked down numerous ghosts and
poltergeists. He has a voluminous archive of witness interviews, photos
and other data to back up his writings on the subjects of the unusual,
paranormal and downright odd.</div>
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-65462803661343519492017-03-31T02:48:00.002-07:002017-03-31T02:48:18.566-07:00Jack the Ripper's London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVbw7DIR9cG9a0brnQeNVekdoxAldGYLxZz9z_IrJ2UtLqXq6YNv-F_Mb_0X-NmsoEiSP54Q-D-YyJByOQfg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Our new book and ebook in the "Walks through London" series is now out.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">This book guides the reader on a 5 mile
walk around Whitechapel and nearby areas of the East End of London linked to
Jack the Ripper. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The walk takes in all the key sites
associated with Jack the Ripper in chronological order. Unlike other books and
guided walks, this guide includes important sites such as the building where
the coroner's hearings were held, the police stations and the homes of two of
the suspects that the police had their eyes on back in 1888. The text also
gives the background to the killings, details of the crimes - and reveals the
identity of the man who the author believes was the killer. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This series of books is aimed at those who
love London and want to find out more about our wonderful city and its
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each walk concentrates on a
particular person, theme or period of history with special meaning for London. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We have tried to make these walks as
inclusive as possible. We have therefore made sure that each walk covers ground
that is suitable for buggies so that parents can take young children along, and
for motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters for those who use these
vehicles. We also want to include dog owners, so we include cafes and pubs that
welcome our four-legged walking companions. Similarly we mention those which
are child-friendly and those with disabled toilets and step-free access. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Oh, and take care as this is central
London. Watch out for traffic when crossing roads and always use pedestrian
crossings when these are available.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, that is enough technical guff. Time
to get on with the story of one of the London's most sinister and murderous
villains: Jack the Ripper. </span></div>
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Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-40950583820438689902017-02-02T01:25:00.002-08:002017-02-02T01:25:27.237-08:00First Ebook Sale of February - Niall of the Nine Hostages<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle">Niall of the Nine Hostages</span></h1>
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<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The mighty warrior king Niall Noígíallach dominates the twilight world
between history and legend. He was one of the greatest of the High Kings
of Ireland in prehistoric days, but one of the least known to modern
historians. He gave rise to the powerful and widespread O'Neil (Ui
Neill) dynasty of rulers, but even the century in which he lived is
obscure. He was a pagan, but his reign prepared the way for
Christianity. <br />That Niall of the Nine Hostages did live and did rule
at least part of Ireland nobody doubts, but how powerful he really was
and how he got his famous sobriquet "of the Nine Hostages" remain
utterly obscure. <br />In this book historian Oliver Hayes goes back to
the original legends, old manuscripts and seeks to disentangle fact from
legend to reveal the true character and career of Niall of the Nine
Hostages. <br /><br /><br />About the Author<br />Oliver Hayes has written
several books, ebooks and magazine articles about British history. His
grandfather was from Ireland, his grandmother from Wales and he himself
lives in England - giving him a special overview of the historical
nations of Britain.</span> </span></div>
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-11712708064437364502017-01-25T02:57:00.001-08:002017-01-25T02:57:11.000-08:00NEW BOOK - The Coronations of King Henry VIII by Rupert Matthews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8E7iP3V0BY/WIiEJa1-S3I/AAAAAAAAChU/YYCdSOFE6fMb3nFfsXwUnaJlPsnhWr6_QCLcB/s1600/51bFm8fTdjL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8E7iP3V0BY/WIiEJa1-S3I/AAAAAAAAChU/YYCdSOFE6fMb3nFfsXwUnaJlPsnhWr6_QCLcB/s320/51bFm8fTdjL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coronations-King-Henry-VIII/dp/1520433425/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485341810&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Coronations+of+King+Henry+VIII" target="_blank">Paperback available HERE</a><br />
Ebook available <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N9V3LQF" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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The coronations of Henry VIII tell us a great deal about this
extraordinary monarch. They reveal how he saw himself and how he wanted
to be seen by others - both his own subjects and foreign rulers. <br />Henry
was never shy about ceremony, display or extravagance. He enjoyed
displays of pomp and ceremony as a way of getting across to his subjects
messages about himself, his reign and how he saw his role in the world.
<br />Few ceremonies offered as great a canvas on which to paint such
images as does a coronation. It was, and remains, the premier ceremony
in English royal life. In Henry's time it was an event of supreme
political significance as well. Monarchs in Tudor times held real power
in a way that they don't today. The coronation was a vital element in
the political life of the nation. <br />Even in Henry's time it was an
ancient ceremony with features and elements of ancient importance and
ritual significance. But it has never been a static ritual. Henry felt
free to change the ceremony of coronation to suit his own purposes - not
just once but several times. <br />The people he invited, the roles he
gave them and even the clothes he ordered them to wear were all deeply
symbolic. No detail too small for Henry's eye. He was a huge man in more
ways than one - larger than life and with a massive sense of his own
impression. And he was determined that others would agree with him. <br />Most
monarchs only go through one coronation ceremony. A few manage more
than that, but generally only if they happen to be monarch of more than
one country. James Stuart, for instance, was crowned King of Scotland in
1567 when he was only 13 months old. He was then crowned King of
England in 1603 after inheriting that throne from his cousin Queen
Elizabeth I. <br />This book looks at the coronations of King Henry VIII.
It shows us how the coronations reveal so much about this greatest of
all English monarchs. <br /><br /><br />About the Author<br /><br />Rupert
Matthews is a freelance writer of books on a variety of subjects. He has
been writing books for some years and has had more than 150 titles
published in 30 different languages. Some of those books have been for
grown ups, but others have been for children aged 5 upwards. He has also
presented TV shows and performed on radio as well. <br />Rupert Matthews
has written more than a hundred history books for adults and for
children. His works show a great attention to detail and frequently take
a new and refreshing look at the subjects in hand. He is able to
provide artwork references and to check artwork for accuracy. He is also
able to produce maps and very often photos as well.<br />Rupert tweets as @HistoryRupert; <br /><br />
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-82451889496787958602017-01-16T01:47:00.000-08:002017-01-16T01:47:54.550-08:00New paperback book - The Female Pope: The True Story of Pope Joan<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5WuI4mVIsY/WHyWb1ag4vI/AAAAAAAAChA/prQqpNFN6jkfBgMEt9od3IaAJiL9ySCnACLcB/s1600/41s425NtB%252BL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5WuI4mVIsY/WHyWb1ag4vI/AAAAAAAAChA/prQqpNFN6jkfBgMEt9od3IaAJiL9ySCnACLcB/s320/41s425NtB%252BL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle">The Female Pope: The True Story of Pope Joan</span></span></h1>
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For many centuries it was accepted almost
without discussion that the priesthood, and pastoral work more
generally, was exclusively a male domain. Women had a role within the
Christian Church, as nuns or lay workers, but the giving of the
sacraments was seen as a male preserve. And yet for centuries rumours
and legends have swirled about that one woman did get to be pope in
Rome. The Catholic Church has always denied the stories, but they refuse
to go away. It is now time to look anew at these old stories and try
to discover the truth that lies behind them. In this book Oliver Hayes
looks at the legends of a Female Pope and uncovers the startline truth
that lies behind them. </div>
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Contents </div>
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Foreword </div>
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Chapter 1 - The Legend
of the Female Pope </div>
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Chapter 2 - The Legend under Scrutiny </div>
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Chapter 3 -
The Real Female Pope</div>
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Buy it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/152037657X?ref_=pe_870760_150889320" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/152037657X?ref_=pe_870760_150889320 </div>
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-39787314629597626762017-01-12T05:51:00.001-08:002017-01-12T05:54:06.162-08:00NEW BOOK : The History of Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ailsoGd-L2E/WHeJyNFWsFI/AAAAAAAACgs/JKvSyog-0aYmlKO-M93HnDr_FVWyFliDwCLcB/s1600/buttons%2Bfront%2Bcover%2Bv2_button%2Bfront%2Bcover%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ailsoGd-L2E/WHeJyNFWsFI/AAAAAAAACgs/JKvSyog-0aYmlKO-M93HnDr_FVWyFliDwCLcB/s320/buttons%2Bfront%2Bcover%2Bv2_button%2Bfront%2Bcover%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We tend to take
buttons rather for granted these days. They are the ubiquitous fastener in all
our wardrobes. We do them up in the morning without much thought. But in fact
the humble button has been essential to the Western World for centuries. It
made possible tailoring and fashion as we know them today. Without the button
we would be quite undone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We use buttons
on shirts, jackets, skirts, dresses, suits, overcoats and a host of other
clothing. These days they are so cheap that many people give them little
regard. When you buy a shirt, blouse or jacket it comes with buttons already on
it. When the garment wears out most people chuck out the buttons along with the
item of clothing. Only a few of us bother to keep the buttons - mostly on the
grounds that they "might come in handy one day". They rarely do, of
course, because the next garment we buy also has buttons. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The modern
wardrobe would be lost without buttons. It can come as a bit of a shock,
therefore, to learn that humans had been coping without buttons perfectly well
until fairly recently. Indeed, buttons are a surprisingly modern invention. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Not so very
long ago nobody used buttons to do up their clothes. And when buttons did first
come in they were not treated as lightly as they are today. Time was when
buttons sent out important social messages about status, occupation and wealth.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The button has
a long and distinguished history. But to understand just how crucial the button
is, we need to start back before it had been invented. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>The History
of Buttons</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rupert
Matthews</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Format:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>196 x 132 mm
landscape</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Extent:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>58pp (10pp
colour)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Photos: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>60</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">How to Order:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Send a cheque made payable to "Rupert Matthews" for £5 per
book, plus £2.90 postage and packing for up to 7 books, to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Book Orders</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">8 Fir Tree Close</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Epsom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Surrey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">KT17 3LD.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">The books "The History of Christmas Food" and "Winter
God: The Authorised Biography of Father Christmas" are also available at
£5 each. </span></div>
<span id="goog_137186538"></span><span id="goog_137186539"></span><br />
<br />
<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-31810433618014057382017-01-06T03:29:00.001-08:002017-01-06T03:29:23.671-08:001066 Harold's Way - the Website<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NsQfKqdSQY/WG9_X7tbTvI/AAAAAAAACgc/YnNvUSynzhAyc_i3_5LnB8kBnaWDCZyTQCLcB/s1600/Harolds%2BWay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NsQfKqdSQY/WG9_X7tbTvI/AAAAAAAACgc/YnNvUSynzhAyc_i3_5LnB8kBnaWDCZyTQCLcB/s320/Harolds%2BWay.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Imagine 1066, the Battle of Hastings and King Harold’s epic journey to his date with destiny.<br /><br /><br /><br />Imagine being part of King Harold’s army, did it rain, was it dry? Three days of marching, the nights were drawing in, the noise, the fear and a battle to face – a camp at Rochester, a camp at Bodiam and a final climb to Caldbec Hill. <br /><br /><br /><br />The 14th October 1066 is one of the most emotive dates in English history and Harold’s march to the Battle of Hastings is the stuff of legends.<br /><br /><br /><br />You too can follow in King Harold’s footsteps, along his most likely route to the Battle of Hastings, by walking 1066 Harold’s Way, a walk that starts at Westminster Abbey and finishes at Battle Abbey, East Sussex.<br /><br /><br /><br />Accessible by public transport, there is nothing to stop you sharing the experience of 1066 Harold’s Way, through London, Kent and East Sussex.<br /><br /><br /><br />The guidebook for this 100 mile long distance walk is readily available from Waterstones, Amazon, Foyles and other bookshops. <br /><br />
Find out more<a href="http://www.1066haroldsway.co.uk/home-cw7" target="_blank"> HERE</a><br />
<br />
http://www.1066haroldsway.co.uk/home-cw7Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-60625609232952611782017-01-06T02:38:00.001-08:002017-01-06T02:38:16.219-08:00AWARD winnerOur author Michael Evans has won a prestigious local award for his book "East Anglia at War".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib3byjbgJqQ/WG9zkqoFl4I/AAAAAAAACgM/TvP2VNwNE4kRcbUttCxcG16XeyEEBdi4wCLcB/s1600/CALH%2BCertificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib3byjbgJqQ/WG9zkqoFl4I/AAAAAAAACgM/TvP2VNwNE4kRcbUttCxcG16XeyEEBdi4wCLcB/s320/CALH%2BCertificate.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-29739689618719553852016-12-12T02:58:00.002-08:002016-12-12T02:58:37.417-08:00An Interview with Derek Hayes, author of Maid of Turpin’s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVITF0ax9nQ/WE6CszzR2GI/AAAAAAAACf4/6TkgMcu4D8Epyh2hTui-ydYBDBUUTz2ZwCLcB/s1600/better-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVITF0ax9nQ/WE6CszzR2GI/AAAAAAAACf4/6TkgMcu4D8Epyh2hTui-ydYBDBUUTz2ZwCLcB/s320/better-cover.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As regular <em>Linda’s Book Bag</em> readers
know, I’m always happy to support less well known authors and
publishers so it gives me great pleasure to introduce Derek Hayes today.
Derek’s latest book <strong> Maid of Turpin’s</strong> was published by <a href="http://www.bretwaldabooks.com/" target="_blank">Bretwalda Books</a> on 16th July 2016. <strong>Maid of Turpin’s</strong> is available for purchase <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maid-Turpins-Derek-Hayes-ebook/dp/B01IPY5PRA" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Maid of Turpins</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="better-cover" class="alignnone wp-image-28691" height="266" src="https://lindasbookbag.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/better-cover.jpg?w=179&h=266" width="179" /></div>
Young Sybil Turpin is an innkeeper who caters for the unsavoury
underworld of 18th Century London. When she gets involved in a fiendish
plot about spies and political intrigue her life is suddenly in danger
from the most ruthless of men.<br />
The year is 1720 and the government of Prime Minister Robert Walpole
is overwhelmed by a criminal scandal which threatens to bankrupt the
country. Richard Hamilton secret agent of the crown is sent to
investigate. The story centres around the notorious tavern in Honey
Lane; a lawless neighbourhood within Cheapside.<br />
Turpin’s is ruled by a feisty young Sybil Turpin; an eccentric
character who bathes daily in a hogshead barrel and rides like a
highwayman.<br />
She and Richard, himself an unconventional character, start as
adversaries but when more brutal criminal activity unfolds, they join
forces and their quest leads them around the streets of London, from
Tyburn to the Bank of England; through Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to a
prison vault under London Bridge.<br />
Richard Hamilton may have met his match with this bold young woman
but the Maid of Turpin’s has a further challenge ahead, far beyond her
comprehension or ability.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
An Interview with Derek Hayes</h3>
<strong>Hi Derek. Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some
questions on my blog about your writing. Firstly, please could you tell
me a little about yourself?</strong><br />
I’d describe myself as a well-fed bookworm, people-watcher,
storyteller and an expert at make believe. They are lifelong attributes
and still as useful now as they ever were. I read a lot and have quite
diverse tastes. I usually have two or three books on the go at the same
time.<br />
I was a child of the fifties, but I hasten to add a very young one.
I live in Wiltshire with my wife Jennifer and lots of grandchildren
nearby; still able to indulge the story telling. I spent most of my
working life in the NHS and that was where the people-watching began. It
was always a privilege being present through the critical times of
other people’s life experiences; often of the dramatic and terminal
kind. But then there was hospital humour; usually itself profoundly
unnerving but always a palliative for the distress and sadness.
Experience enough for several lifetimes.<br />
<strong>(I bet!)</strong><br />
<strong>And tell us a bit about your Langford series of books.</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="mud" class="alignnone wp-image-28693" height="256" src="https://lindasbookbag.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/mud.jpg?w=180&h=256" width="180" /></div>
This is where the people-watching became reality for me. Set in the 1950s Langford Follies are a study ...<br />
<br />
You can read the entire interview <a href="https://lindasbookbag.com/2016/12/10/an-interview-with-derek-hayes-author-of-maid-of-turpins/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
https://lindasbookbag.com/2016/12/10/an-interview-with-derek-hayes-author-of-maid-of-turpins/ Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-62713449746241197462016-12-02T01:23:00.002-08:002016-12-02T01:23:34.873-08:00First ebook sale of December - Winter God: The Authorised Biography of Father Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-em7qD6jZ340/WEE9bAPEd-I/AAAAAAAACe4/bfmn_CfA2Lo86b8zpP91bqIEtm3zKfkrgCLcB/s1600/51um7ZBn%252BCL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-em7qD6jZ340/WEE9bAPEd-I/AAAAAAAACe4/bfmn_CfA2Lo86b8zpP91bqIEtm3zKfkrgCLcB/s320/51um7ZBn%252BCL.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winter-God-Authorised-Biography-Christmas-ebook/dp/B01MDLJ4Y1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480670512&sr=8-1&keywords=winter+god+rupert" target="_blank">Buy your copy HERE</a><br />
<br />
Some people call him Father Christmas, other people name him Santa Claus, but whatever name he goes by we all know him. <br />He
is the jolly, fat man who comes out only on Christmas Eve. He loads his
sleigh up with toys for all the good children in the world. He wraps
himself up in a warm, fur-lined suit of red cloth with matching hat and
warm black boots. Then he hitches up his magic flying reindeer, leaves
behind his workshop at the North Pole and takes to the skies. For hours
he gallops across the wintry, frozen landscapes to bring toys to
millions of excited children around the world. <br />He has become the
living embodiment of the Christmas Spirit. But where did this loveable
old boy come from? How old is he? Has he always been so jovial? And what
about the elves, reindeer and North Pole?<br />Many people think that
Santa was invented for an advertising campaign by Coca Cola. Others date
him to Victorian times. A few may place him back in the 18th century or
even Tudor times. But they are all wrong. <br />He is much, much older than that. <br />This
book traces the development of our favourite Christmas character from
his origins many centuries ago down to the present day. We learn when
and how he started giving presents to children, why he is so fat and
where the reindeer came from - among many other things. <br />
<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-1098297102006303102016-11-26T01:13:00.002-08:002016-11-26T01:13:55.593-08:00A History of Christmas Food - new ebook out now- With over 20 historic recipes<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1qOp2bTO3k/WDlR_hqUFsI/AAAAAAAACeo/E7W7YEELMAM90KaWnTdK2UzrSDJrc7WdwCLcB/s1600/Cover%2B2%2BA%2BHistory%2Bof%2BChristmas%2BFood%2Bv4a_Layout%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1qOp2bTO3k/WDlR_hqUFsI/AAAAAAAACeo/E7W7YEELMAM90KaWnTdK2UzrSDJrc7WdwCLcB/s320/Cover%2B2%2BA%2BHistory%2Bof%2BChristmas%2BFood%2Bv4a_Layout%2B1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAAUKL7" target="_blank">Buy the ebook HERE</a> <br />
<br />
Christmas today is a time of feasting, drinking and all round
merrymaking. We serve vast meals that cause our dining tables to groan
with the weight and our families to gasp at the luxury. <br />But it is
not just a matter of serving huge meals. Christmas - more than any other
time of year - is associated with its own special foods, drinks and
eating customs. <br />Most Christmas foods are widely recognised. Roast
turkey graces most tables, which also feature sprouts, roast potatoes,
parsnips, bacon rolls, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce and bread
sauce. All that is in due course cleared away to be replaced by
Christmas pud and mince pies. <br />Others are very personal. I grew up in
a household where supper on Christmas Eve was always sausages and mash,
and where the adults began Christmas Day by trooping down to the
kitchen for "Grandma's Special Christmas Tea", which was consumed with
much lip smacking and joking. As a tot I found this early morning ritual
a bit odd, but when I grew older I learned that "Grandma's Special
Christmas Tea" involved my grandmother tipping a healthy dose of whisky
into each mug before pouring out the tea. <br />We take so much of this
for granted as part and parcel of our Christmas traditions that we
indulge ourselves without thinking. And if we do spare a thought we
probably imagine that Christmas has always been like this. <br />But it
hasn't. Christmases of years gone by were very different. Oh, there has
always been plenty of eating and drinking going on, but what has been
eaten or drunk has varied enormously. <br />So what did our ancestors eat and drink on the greatest feast of the year? <br />Read on. <br /><br />Please
note that in producing the recipes included in this book I have adapted
original recipes found in books and manuscripts dating back to the
times in question. Earlier recipes often did not include either precise
measurements or detailed instructions, so I have experimented to find
what seems to work best for me. I have generally sought to avoid recipes
using ingredients that might be difficult to find these days or have
suggested easily obtained alternatives when I have - how could I
possibly miss out Mrs Beeton's original Christmas cake of 1861? Enjoy
trying out these recipes and your taste of the past. Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-70372270838700915852015-05-20T05:49:00.002-07:002015-05-20T05:49:55.865-07:00Review of "Once a Priest"This just in from a reader:<br />
I am recovering from a serious case of metaphorical post coital triste after reluctantly turning over the last<br />page of your wonderful Once a Priest.It was one of those reads which you wish would never end.<br /><br />A few comments by way of appreciation which cannot do justice to the integrity of the book as a whole and its<br />'omniscient'and energetic narrator.<br /><br />*I was struck by the explosive first page or two which must be a model for how to begin a work.You have parachuted<br />into the sixties Liverpool in the most intense and realistic fashion which no social historian could hope to accomplish;<br />capturing the mantras as you propel the actors onto the stage.This is finely honed economic prose rattling its<br />cage to become poetry.<br /><br />*Having been a prisoner of the Brent asylum of the terminally mad at the same time as you were in Bolton,I was<br />particularly struck by your descriptions of the admin apparats in the grip of a plague of wrongheadedness.I was <br /> touched by your encounters in the classroom;the pupils;always powerless victims of the top down poison<br />administered by our heavily politicised educational state educational apparatus.Your survival stratagems would<br />make an excellent survival guide for any youngster brave enough to enter the educational fray.<br /><br />*Sauced with Chaucerian wit throughout<br /><br />*marvellous insight into the inner workings of the C of E, which despite Trollope, has always for me, been veiled in<br />mystery.<br /><br />*Counterpoint.You achieve some well judged a**e kicking in your relentless pursuit of humbug.Yet there are sensitive<br />episodes of real poignancy.The death of Louie which you were privileged to attend.."I watched her dying......It was like<br />watching someone being born.She made a good job of it,such fun of it.That was one of her expressions"The nurse."That<br />woman"she said."That woman-she was an angel!"<br /><br />*Remarkable capturing of local language idiosyncrasies...."It weren't bad......it were alreet..."the leaden vice of Leeds.I<br />think it was Lord Salisbury said "Always believe in stereotypes"And the memorable "affat"...And after 'Romeo and Juliet'<br />"Will we affat write about it tomorrow.....?.....not forgetting "allus"The Dickensian Broadstairs "Have a look at....."the <br />girl guides etc<br /><br />*Such a variety of characters as if you were in receipt of an EU rights injunction to include them all!The maverick James....<br />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.<br /><br />And the land and townscapes so economically and memorably delineated...<br /><br />*Then the style;varied but always moving musically as the book progresses;fusing naturally into poetry at the most<br />appropriate times<br /><br />*This book is no trivial self indulgence.It takes on the big subjects.Most of all God,worship,prayer,salvation.And the forces<br />that militate against the latter.Imposters in the Church.The real danger of the abuse of power in the charismatic movement<br />The age old evils of those who seek preferment by aligning themselves with secular government and the zeitgeist, neglecting their flocks.<br /><br />*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!<br /><br />Much much more to say<br /><br />In appreciation<br /><br />Yours<br /><br />Paul<br />
<br />
Get your copy <a href="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" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
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+bretwaldaRupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-17424743135138039612015-05-01T23:26:00.002-07:002015-05-01T23:26:24.081-07:00First Ebook sale of the month - East Anglia at WarFirst Ebook sale of the month - East Anglia at War<br />
<br />
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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br /><br />Contents
<br />Foreword
<br />Chapter One – The Scene is Set
<br />Chapter Two – Encore Une Fois
<br />Chapter Three – The Agricultural Revolution
<br />Chapter Four– The Beginning
<br />Chapter Five – When will they arrive?
<br />Chapter Six –The German invasion plan
<br />Chapter Seven – Local Organisation
<br />Chapter Eight - The Home Guard
<br />Chapter Nine – Military Readiness
<br />Chapter Ten - The RAF before the Battle
<br />Chapter Eleven – The Battle of Britain Begins
<br />Chapter Twelve – The fight to the Death, Douglas Bader and the Big Wing
<br />Chapter Thirteen – Some Iconic Airfields of East Anglia
<br />Chapter Fourteen – The American Intervention – The early Days
<br />Chapter Fifteen – US in Britain
<br />Chapter Sixteen - Keeping the North Sea Open
<br />Chapter Seventeen – Air Raids
<br />Chapter Eighteen – And Finally
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />
<br />Michael’s home is in East Anglia. After many years based near Cambridge, he now lives close to the North Norfolk Coast.
<br />
<br />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.
<br />
<br />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.<br />
<br />
Get your copy <a href="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" target="_blank">HERE </a><br />
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+WarRupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-60587312784287008612015-04-01T09:04:00.002-07:002015-04-01T09:04:52.029-07:00NEW EBOOK - Once a Priest: The Memoirs of an Unconventional Vicar NEW EBOOK - Once a Priest: The Memoirs of an Unconventional Vicar<br />
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<br />
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.
<br />
<br />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.
<br />
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />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.<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">get your copy HERE</a><br />
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 Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-4162722110367072992015-03-29T02:39:00.000-07:002015-03-29T02:39:05.811-07:00NEW EBOOK - Inside the Tank: A Personal View from Inside Prime Minister Thatcher's Policy UnitNEW EBOOK - Inside the Tank: A Personal View from Inside Prime Minister Thatcher's Policy Unit<br />
"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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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! "
<br />
<br />Contents
<br />Preface
<br />Privatisation from 1986
<br />Science Policy
<br />Arts Policy
<br />South Africa
<br />Epilogue - Overview of Thatcher’s Style
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />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.<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4stNeAhDr8/VRfHymzX_EI/AAAAAAAACTw/Tn6GSwipju4/s1600/inside%2Bthe%2Btack%2Bcover%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4stNeAhDr8/VRfHymzX_EI/AAAAAAAACTw/Tn6GSwipju4/s1600/inside%2Bthe%2Btack%2Bcover%2Bcopy.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
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 Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-46809898805132616292015-03-27T01:49:00.001-07:002015-03-27T01:49:46.464-07:00NEW 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<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-da_JpkgD2Z8/VRUZczYTtDI/AAAAAAAACTc/TkOxVk-nMds/s1600/514hlxsPT5L._BO2%2C204%2C203%2C200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big%2CTopRight%2C0%2C-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4%2CBottomRight%2C1%2C22_AA346_SH20_OU02_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-da_JpkgD2Z8/VRUZczYTtDI/AAAAAAAACTc/TkOxVk-nMds/s1600/514hlxsPT5L._BO2%2C204%2C203%2C200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big%2CTopRight%2C0%2C-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4%2CBottomRight%2C1%2C22_AA346_SH20_OU02_.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Foreword by Sir Timothy Brighouse.
<br />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.
<br />‘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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.’
<br />
<br />Contents
<br />Foreword by Sir Tim Brighouse
<br />Introduction
<br />Chapter 1 - A School Of My Own
<br />Chapter 2 - Finding My Feet
<br />Chapter 3 - First Day At The Chalkface
<br />Chapter 4 - A Term Of Trial
<br />Chapter 5 - A Test Of My Leadership
<br />Chapter 6 - Walking With Dinosaurs
<br />Chapter 7 - The New Inspector Calls
<br />Chapter 8 - A Tidal Wave Of Change
<br />Chapter 9 - Appeals, Appointments and Questionable Governance
<br />Chapter 10 - All Children Great And Small
<br />Chapter 11 - No Parents Past This Point
<br />Chapter 12 - The Computer Revolution
<br />Chapter 13 - Challenging Ofsted
<br />Chapter 14 - The Bureaucratic Nightmare
<br />Chapter 15 - Polythene, Pigeons and Eccentric Electrics
<br />Chapter 16 - Troubling Teachers
<br />Chapter 17 - The Roar Of The Greasepaint
<br />Chapter 18 - Winding Down
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />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.</div>
</div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="display: block; height: auto; overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;">
Print book out soon </div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="display: block; height: auto; overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;">
</div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="display: block; height: auto; overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;">
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a></div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="display: block; height: auto; overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;">
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 </div>
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<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-31198030600194925862015-03-25T00:03:00.003-07:002015-03-25T00:03:45.705-07:00Press 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.<br />
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Town MP Nicky Morgan writes Civil War history book
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<time content="2015-03-23T12:00+0000" datetime="2015-03-23T12:00+0000" itemprop="datePublished">
<a data-action="archive:Mar 23, 2015 12:00" data-type="pub-date" href="http://www.loughboroughecho.net/by-date/23-03-2015"> 12:00, 23 March 2015</a>
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By
<a class="bold" data-action="author:Andy Rush" data-type="hdln-auth" href="http://www.loughboroughecho.net/authors/andy-rush/" rel="author">Andy Rush</a>
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Mrs Morgan has written a children’s activity non-fiction book about
Loughborough during the Civil War, which is being published by Bretwalda
Books.
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<span>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.</span>
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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.<br />
Mrs Morgan, has written a children’s activity non-fiction
book about Loughborough during the Civil War, which is being published
by Bretwalda Books.<br />
Editorial director of Bretwalda Books, Rupert Matthews<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/town-mp-nicky-morgan-writes-8870749" target="_blank">Read the entire article HERE </a><br />
<br />http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/town-mp-nicky-morgan-writes-8870749Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-65237501813346326112015-03-17T01:27:00.000-07:002015-03-17T01:27:36.107-07:00Nicky Morgan MP and “The Civil War in Loughborough” New Book Released Today
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky Morgan MP and </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Civil War in
Loughborough”</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">New Book Released Today</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Loughborough
MP, Nicky Morgan, has written a children's activity non-fiction book about
Loughborough during the Civil War, published today. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Fun, informative and educational, this is
how to get children interested in history. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">About the Author</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Note to Editor : Author Nicky Morgan is
available for interview through Editorial Director Rupert Matthews on 07721
455944.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Attached photos show:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">1) The Book cover</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">2) Author Mrs Nicky Morgan MP</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">3) Artworks from the book</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">NB Other photos are available on request</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">About the Book</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>The Civil
War in Loughborough</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Author<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rt Hon Nicola
Morgan MP</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">ISBN<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">978-1-910440-28-5</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Publisher<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bretwalda Books</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Price<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>£4.99</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-26947536769159995742015-03-13T00:46:00.002-07:002015-03-13T00:46:58.627-07:00NEW EBOOK - The Discerning Mercenary's Guide to the 100 Years WarNEW EBOOK - The Discerning Mercenary's Guide to the 100 Years War<br />
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />
<br />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”.
<br />
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />
<br />
<br />Contents
<br />Foreword
<br />Chapter 1 An Introduction for Mediaeval Tourists
<br />Chapter 2 Planning Your Visit
<br />Chapter 3 Information for Business Visitors
<br />Chapter 4 The War Itself
<br />Chapter 5 Meet and Greet
<br />Chapter 6 Where to Visit
<br />Chapter 7 1453 and All that
<br />Acknowledgments
<br />Further Study
<br />About the Author<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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 <br />
Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-5823035394601042402015-03-12T00:56:00.001-07:002015-03-12T00:56:39.242-07:00NEW paperback novel - The Curse of KingsNEW paperback novel - The Curse of Kings<br />
<div id="iframeContent">
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.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJZz5bHaKUE/VQFGqtm6wLI/AAAAAAAACSw/SODlHDKIas0/s1600/Curse%2Bof%2BKings%2Bcover%2Bv10%2BTHIS%2BONE_Layout%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJZz5bHaKUE/VQFGqtm6wLI/AAAAAAAACSw/SODlHDKIas0/s1600/Curse%2Bof%2BKings%2Bcover%2Bv10%2BTHIS%2BONE_Layout%2B1.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a><br />
<br />
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+kingsRupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-84019764883255961162015-03-12T00:16:00.000-07:002015-03-12T00:16:12.811-07:00NEW EBOOK - East Anglia at WarNEW EBOOK - East Anglia at War<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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.
<br />
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.
<br />
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.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Contents
<br />
Foreword
<br />
Chapter One – The Scene is Set
<br />
Chapter Two – Encore Une Fois
<br />
Chapter Three – The Agricultural Revolution
<br />
Chapter Four– The Beginning
<br />
Chapter Five – When will they arrive?
<br />
Chapter Six –The German invasion plan
<br />
Chapter Seven – Local Organisation
<br />
Chapter Eight - The Home Guard
<br />
Chapter Nine – Military Readiness
<br />
Chapter Ten - The RAF before the Battle
<br />
Chapter Eleven – The Battle of Britain Begins
<br />
Chapter Twelve – The fight to the Death, Douglas Bader and the Big Wing
<br />
Chapter Thirteen – Some Iconic Airfields of East Anglia
<br />
Chapter Fourteen – The American Intervention – The early Days
<br />
Chapter Fifteen – US in Britain
<br />
Chapter Sixteen - Keeping the North Sea Open
<br />
Chapter Seventeen – Air Raids
<br />
Chapter Eighteen – And Finally
<br />
<br />
About the Author
<br />
<br />
Michael’s home is in East Anglia. After many years based near Cambridge, he now lives close to the North Norfolk Coast.
<br />
<br />
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.
<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a><br />
<br />
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 <br />
<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-41170718495403365792015-03-11T03:48:00.000-07:002015-03-11T03:48:24.392-07:00NEW EBOOK - Three Castles and an Ironmasters House (Walking book)NEW EBOOK - Three Castles and an Ironmasters House (Walking book)<br />
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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />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.
<br />
<br />
<br />CONTENTS
<br />Preface
<br />Introduction
<br />Chapter 1 - Bodiam Castle to Sissinghurst Castle
<br />Chapter 2 - Sissinghurst Castle to Scotney Castle
<br />Chapter 3 - Scotney Castle to Bateman’s
<br />Chapter 4 - Bateman’s to Bodiam Castle
<br />Bibliography
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />About the Author
<br />
<br />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.
<br />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.<br />
<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a><br />
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<br />
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 Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-76265836462155371492015-03-04T01:09:00.000-08:002015-03-04T01:09:04.417-08:001066 Harold's Way - Contents
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
1066 Harold's Way </div>
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A 100 mile walk inspired by King
Harold's epic journey to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
by</div>
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David Clarke</div>
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<br /></div>
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CONTENTS</div>
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Author's Note</div>
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Introduction </div>
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Chapter 1 - England 1066</div>
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Chapter 2 - Harold's Timeline </div>
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Chapter 3 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Westminster to Greenwich </div>
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Chapter 4 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greenwich to Lesnes Abbey</div>
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Chapter 5 - Lesnes Abbey to
Dartford </div>
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Chapter 6 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dartford to Istead Rise </div>
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Chapter 7 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Istead Rise to Rochester Castle </div>
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Chapter 8 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rochester Castle to Maidstone </div>
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Chapter 9 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maidstone to Staplehurst</div>
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Chapter 10 - Staplehurst to
Sissinghurst </div>
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Chapter 11 - Sissinghurst to
Bodiam Castle</div>
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Chapter 12 - Bodiam Castle to
Battle Abbey via Sedlescombe </div>
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Chapter 13 - Battle and Battle
Walks </div>
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Epilogue </div>
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Appendix 1 Walking Notes </div>
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Appendix 2 Pubs and Inns </div>
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Bibliography</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your copy HERE</a></div>
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Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757958616256104116.post-43999224600979291372015-02-28T04:35:00.001-08:002015-02-28T04:35:39.424-08:00No.43 Squadron - The Fighting CocksNo.43 Squadron - The Fighting Cocks
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<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;">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. </span></div>
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<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;">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. </span></div>
<br />
from "No.43 Squadron"<br />
<a href="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" target="_blank">Get your ebook version here;</a><br />
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 <br />
<br />
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<br />Rupert Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04114156158920754888noreply@blogger.com0