I've been clearing out my school cupboard over the last couple of weeks, and trying to clear some books. Most of them, I send my sister's way, and let her pick out which ones she wants for her classroom. The others go towards the Bring and Buy Sale one of my colleagues is organising. Some, a select few, I chose to keep. So here's a list of books that I wouldn't be without as a teacher: First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts by Lari Don It's one of my favourite class novels, and the kids love it. What's more, there's three more books. I was once a little star struck when I arranged for Lari Don to come and do an author visit with the class. The class were delighted that the author of their class novel was coming to talk to them, and she was great. There was the option for the children to buy signed books, but Lari Don also brought some signed postcards as not every child could afford a book. One pupil, in particular, was thrilled with this gift. Can ...
There is an unwritten rule in archaeology that, if there is an exciting find which you have no idea what it is, you speculate that it had a ritual purpose. As a non-archaeologist I don't know how true this is, but both my siblings who are archaeologist have told me this is the case. I think this is always at the back of my mind when I look through my research as a historian.
So, when I was flicking through unsolved mysterious deaths and came across the circumstances surrounding the Bocksten Man, I had in my head the idea that the unsolved details were due to ritualistic behaviour. And, to be honest, he did meet a rather unusually brutal death.
Allow me to introduce him...
The Bocksten Man was unearthed in 1936, still with the oak stave which had been used to impale him into the bottom of the lake. He was fully clothed, supposedly wearing wool from head to toe which denoted a certain amount of wealth. Unlike most of the bog bodies from the area, the Bocksten Man had not been killed that long ago, only in the 14th Century.
All in, the facts point to an impromptu execution, with a substantial argument that the Bocksten Man was involved in witchcraft or some form of criminal activity. But if he had been innocent, what would have led to him ending his life pinned face-down in the boggy lake? Why was he hidden with such great care that he should never resurface? It was time someone wrote the possibility of him as the victim (which he certainly was, one way or another). The Ignoble Defence was the result of my take on this possible scenario.
It is a story of a fear-induced crime and a knee-jerk punishment.
If you'd like to know more about the Bocksten Man, check out Hallands Kulturhistoriska Museum's page about him here.
The Ignoble Defence is included in the Historical Writers Forum's anthology To Wear a Heart So White...
A cost for every action, and a price for every deed.
The Historical Writers’ Forum proudly presents seven stories of Crime and Punishment, from across the ages. From an anchoress to a war hero; from Italy to Missouri; this anthology has a story for everyone.
Included stories are:
The Ignoble Defence - Virginia Crow
Agatha’s Eyes - Rachel Aanstad
A Pact Fulfilled - Eleanor Swift-Hook
Carte de Viste - Ronan Beckman
A Dish Served Cold - Brenda W. Clough
Shadows of the Adriatic - Tessa Floreano
A Dangerous Road - D. Apple
To Wear a Heart So White is available here on #KindleUnlimited
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