Merry Christmas - Past and Present

Christmas 1307 and Christmas 2007 how life very rarely changes! In December 1307 Edward II was keeping court in and around Westminster where he and his council were facing a crisis. He had signed a treaty to go to France and marry Isabella daughter of Philip IV. Edward did not wish to go and he had no real desire to marry Isabella, much preferring to stay at home with his good friend Peter Gaveston.

Bearing in mind my recent publication of 'The Templar', Edward of England was resisting attempts by France and the Papacy to force him to arrest all Templars in England. If only Edward had held his ground that great mysterious order might never have been extinguished…. It's lovely to ruminate about the past and ask, "what if?"

In the meantime, I wish all my readers and those who visit this site a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2008.