Tag Archives: Viking Age

Z for Zaachila

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

Z for Zaachila 1521 (2017)

From Zephyr to Zoo, I’ve always dug up some Zingers.

Anyway, my interest in history in my teens compelled me along various paths of research, which haven’t abated. At school, I learnt about the Anglo-Saxons and did a project on Sutton Hoo. My specialist subject for A level history was the Portuguese & Spanish Seaborne Empires. So, my alternative history has Norse and Meso-Americans fighting alongside each other.

Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, how many of the real historical events and characters seem familiar? Or is this event pure fiction?

Although I’m engrossed in my Welsh procedural, I’ll keep tinkering with my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history – and there must be more. The legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people will continue ripple down time. My vision of Kanata and a 21st Century Viking Age isn’t buried.

Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

V for Vijayanagara Confederation

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

V for Vijayanagara Confederation 1929 (2017)

Trying to devise an alternative timeline for the Indian sub-continent was intriguing and insightful. I’ve had a fascination with the sub-continent since travelling there in 1978, travelling overland through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan – all on the verge of major upheavals. From Nepal to Sri Lanka, I found the landscape, culture, and people mesmerising.  Ever since, parts of the sub-continent have crept into my writing.

Therefore, I inevitably included the sub-continent when I was constructing my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people to ripple down time. Kanata evolved into my vision of a 21st Century Viking Age that interacts across the globe.

Expect more alternative history ahead.  

Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, do you recognise all the real historical players in this alternative reality?

V is also for Voyagers: The Third Ghost, which is released on May 5th, 2020. Visit the IWSG Anthologies blog for details.

Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

R for Rurikid Diarchy

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

R for Rurikid Diarchy 1933 (2017)

Time for another shift in world history.

And all because I couldn’t stop constructing my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people to ripple down time. Kanata evolved into my vision of a 21st Century Viking Age.

Anyway, this one has deep roots as well as great ripples. Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, will you recognise all the real historical events echoed here? I threw my whole set of spanners into this period. Amusing? Believably or fantasy?

Expect more alternative history ahead.  

In fact, this ties with my current interests – like my short story ‘Feathered Fire’ which has a Ukrainian MC. The tale will appear in the IWSG anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost, which is released on May 5th, 2020. There’s a taster on the IWSG Anthologies blog – if you’re tempted to delve.

Links to my other 2020 A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

P for Plague

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

P for Plague 1350 (2017)

When I re-read this old post, I was reluctant to re-blog it. Is it topical or frightening when there’s a pandemic creating havoc? But my better half advised me that I couldn’t ignore it. Do you agree?

This phrase chimes with today – ‘cleanliness is crucial’. So, be sensible and wash your hands etc., be sensible and inspired.

Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, will you recognise the real historical event. It’s a major historical event. Could it have been avoided?

I attempted to find a route when constructing my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people to ripple down time. Kanata evolved into my vision of a 21st Century Viking Age.

I’ve been playing A Plague Tale: Innocence, a game set in France in 1348. Its realism is both amazing and terrifying – well, as far as I’ve got, elements disturb me. Not the right escapism at present. But I will finish it – one day.

Here’s a short observation on pandemics and a message from a historical fiction author I follow. Do I write the current ‘plague’ out of my alternative history? Or was it inevitable in any reality?

If you are willing to read a detailed article on our present pandemic, this one is informative – with a crucial lesson.

Expect more alternative history ahead.  

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

M for Maid of Norway

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

M for Maid of Norway 1317 (2017)

 I developed another key changing point in my AH Viking world when science shifts direction with the support of the alternative dynastic power – but all with historical connections.

Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, will you recognise the real historical events or the ones that occurred later.

These reworkings of reality are  all because I couldn’t stop constructing my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people to ripple down time. Kanata evolved into my vision of a 21st Century Viking Age.

Expect more alternative history ahead.  

M is also for Masterpiece – the next chapter in my Sparkle Anwyl case, Custody Chain. This is my ongoing WEP/IWSG Challenge entry, started in February with Café Terrace.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

H for Hellblade

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My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

H for Hellblade (2018)

My gaming is often an escape into an alternative reality – and at present reality is frightening. However, this game allowed me to experience another real-life reality for some.  I still need to re-visit Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – but not at the moment.

On the other hand, exploring the literature and folklore behind this game was one of the reasons I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. I’ve been fascinated by Norse mythology and Viking culture for decades.

I will post about other games that were relevant in 2018 and still are meaningful.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/