How does being a historian impact your experience of the world on a daily basis? As you get further into your career and you learn more and more about the past, do you walk around and see history everywhere?
I just finished Marc Morris‘s book about Edward I and the forging of Britain. As an American, I’ve always had questions about the cultural identities of people within Britain. Marc’s book made those even more apparent. Being Welsh, can you talk a little bit about what it means to be Welsh in Britain and potential ties you or others might still feel to the middle ages before English rule, if there are any? Things like the Scottish independence movement and the return of the Stone of Scone are fascinating. Do many people still look up to old cultural heroes like Llewelyn the Great or Robert the Bruce? How are past historical conflicts viewed with modern perspectives? The passion and rivalry still seems immense anytime Wales or Scotland play England in football or rugby.
Evening Dan. Have you watched Henry V? Does Kenneth Branagh capture the essence of Henry V? That Saint Crispin's speech made me want to go out and fight the French myself......
I have been reading a lot about Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II this week. I never realized he had "relations" with Alix (Alice) , the sister of the king of France; who is betrothed to Richard I. Hence, Richard's reluctance to marry her.
Ralph Turner in his biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine alludes to Henry II and Alice having a child together. Can you please confirm or deny?!
My husband and I are headed to London this summer. What are your London favorites? Favorite restaurant? Favorite big tourist attraction/historical site? Favorite lesser known historical site?
Hi Dan - you recently mentioned that a trip to Giza in your younger years at least partially sparked your adult interest in history, though clearly Egyptian history is not where you went professionally.
In another life (or maybe this one ?!), is there another area that you would have liked to study? Another part of the world perhaps, or time period?
Cannot wait to read your Henry V, asked an Irish friend to send me a copy so I can get it before it comes out in the US. The UK cover is better, too.
As more historians are looking into and writing about woman in history, I was wondering if there were any queen consorts who you think would have been better suited for the role than the man on the throne?
Granted you wrote a recommendation for Matthew Lewis’ book on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, what do you think of his contention that Henry and Eleanor were less bitter and more cooperative, especially post 1173, and that Henry is less the power-monger he’s been portrayed as? I generally like Matt Lewis (he’s the only Ricardian I can stand for more than five seconds), but I think Henry II, even though he has strong claim to be the most brilliant English medieval monarch, was far too much the old badger and arch-powerbroker for this to fit.
How does being a historian impact your experience of the world on a daily basis? As you get further into your career and you learn more and more about the past, do you walk around and see history everywhere?
Is there ever going to be a UK castle and history tour with you as guide for us to join?
I just finished Marc Morris‘s book about Edward I and the forging of Britain. As an American, I’ve always had questions about the cultural identities of people within Britain. Marc’s book made those even more apparent. Being Welsh, can you talk a little bit about what it means to be Welsh in Britain and potential ties you or others might still feel to the middle ages before English rule, if there are any? Things like the Scottish independence movement and the return of the Stone of Scone are fascinating. Do many people still look up to old cultural heroes like Llewelyn the Great or Robert the Bruce? How are past historical conflicts viewed with modern perspectives? The passion and rivalry still seems immense anytime Wales or Scotland play England in football or rugby.
So according to the illustration that accompanied this post, are we the little hairy winged devils and you the saintly Priest? Or vice versa? 🧐👹😇
Favourite up and coming medieval historians that we should know about?
I was going to ask about a special edition of Henry V to add to my other books of yours but you have already answered it 🤣
Are you going to narrate the audio version of Henry V? Sure hope so!!
Evening Dan. Have you watched Henry V? Does Kenneth Branagh capture the essence of Henry V? That Saint Crispin's speech made me want to go out and fight the French myself......
I have been reading a lot about Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II this week. I never realized he had "relations" with Alix (Alice) , the sister of the king of France; who is betrothed to Richard I. Hence, Richard's reluctance to marry her.
Ralph Turner in his biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine alludes to Henry II and Alice having a child together. Can you please confirm or deny?!
Which character from Essex Dogs do you identify with most and why?
I pretend I’m a Scotsman, but I’m really a Milestone.
My husband and I are headed to London this summer. What are your London favorites? Favorite restaurant? Favorite big tourist attraction/historical site? Favorite lesser known historical site?
Hi Dan - you recently mentioned that a trip to Giza in your younger years at least partially sparked your adult interest in history, though clearly Egyptian history is not where you went professionally.
In another life (or maybe this one ?!), is there another area that you would have liked to study? Another part of the world perhaps, or time period?
Cannot wait to read your Henry V, asked an Irish friend to send me a copy so I can get it before it comes out in the US. The UK cover is better, too.
As more historians are looking into and writing about woman in history, I was wondering if there were any queen consorts who you think would have been better suited for the role than the man on the throne?
What are 10 or so of the most exceptional TBR books about the Plantagenets and Tudors, in your opinion? Besides your own books, of course.
Granted you wrote a recommendation for Matthew Lewis’ book on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, what do you think of his contention that Henry and Eleanor were less bitter and more cooperative, especially post 1173, and that Henry is less the power-monger he’s been portrayed as? I generally like Matt Lewis (he’s the only Ricardian I can stand for more than five seconds), but I think Henry II, even though he has strong claim to be the most brilliant English medieval monarch, was far too much the old badger and arch-powerbroker for this to fit.
Hi Dan, I was wondering. In your podcast This is history you often talk about the strong women that rule or try to influence/rule.
Did you ever want to write about one of these women?
Hi Dan - good to see Henry V bio is coming along
Question- the late Queen was famously a Corgi owner and Charles II obviously had his Spaniels but you hear v little about other Monarchs dogs
Are there any ruler/dog breeds that come to mind?