The Harrying – Unimaginable
Helen Johnson considers the unimaginable horror of the Harrying of the North – then writes a historical novel about it. Continue Reading →
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Locked in
As you know, in recent years, I’ve begun writing fiction. As we’re all locked in now, I thought I’d share a short story I wrote a while back, about someone Continue Reading →
The Unravelling of William the Conqueror’s Good Intentions
In my last blog post, I wrote about William the Conqueror’s Good Intentions. He wished to rule as a just, legal, God-appointed King. So, what went wrong? William the Conqueror Continue Reading →
William the Conqueror’s Good Intentions
The trauma of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England resonated for centuries. But England had seen other invading kings – not least Cnut, only fifty years before. What was different Continue Reading →
Northern Power and the Danelaw
In an earlier post, the Northern Powerhouse of 1065, I wrote about a northern revolt in 1065. It was, however, only one of a long chain of north/south power struggles. Continue Reading →
Christmas in Yorkshire
Helen Johnson reflects on Yorkshire Christmas traditions. Continue Reading →
How trick or treat crossed the Atlantic – twice
Half-term is coming, and the shops are full of gear for kids to go Trick or Treating on Halloween. Dressing up in fancy-dress and begging treats at Halloween became popular Continue Reading →
Northallerton’s prison walls are gone
For over two centuries, the towering brick walls of a prison dominated the centre of Northallerton. But now, they have been torn down and reduced to rubble. While developers wait Continue Reading →
Fulford, 1066
The Battle of Fulford, 1066, was long and bloody.
Continue Reading →
1066: The return of Earl Tostig
In my previous post about 11th century Yorkshire, Northern Powerhouse of 1065, I wrote about how northeners, fed up with mis-governenance under Earl Tostig, made a stand. Tostig was exiled, Continue Reading →