Fun and Pastimes in Medieval Italy

by Jannine Corti-Petska

Italy has long been integral in the flourishing of the arts, literature, finances, and fashion throughout Europe. But what did they do in the Medieval period for fun?

In my Italian medieval romances, I have explored many ways Italians have whiled away the hours when not engaging in necessary and important business. In THE LILY AND THE FALCON, I added a game of kicking an animal’s bladder into opposing tents at the hero and heroine’s wedding. Today, this game is called soccer or, as the Italians refer to it, calico.

In the fourth book of my Italian Medieval series, TEMPT NOT MY HEART (not contracted at present), the famous horse races of Siena are a vital part of the story. I’d like to share an article I wrote for Renaissance Magazine entitled “The Palio of Siena.”

Throughout history, men have tested their strength, endurance and skill in ways that often seemed barbaric. The games of medieval Siena were a prime example of the extent these men carried their quest in order to be hailed a champion. For what began among military forces as a war-like competition, soon evolved into violent rivalry between the contrade (districts or neighborhoods) of the town.

Only one contest has survived the centuries—the Palio—which existed well before the 11th century and took place two times a year: on July 2nd, in honor of the Madonna of Provenzan, who miraculously appeared to Provenzan Salvani, the hero in the Battle of Montraperti; and also on August 16th, a day dedicated to the Madonna of the Assumption.

The name of the race was synonymous with the prize awarded the winner. A misrepresentation of the Latin word pallium (meaning a rectangular piece of cloth), a palio was a wool, silk or velvet piece of cloth bearing a representation of the Virgin Mary and was awarded to the contrade who won the race.

Prior to 1555, during the Palio young men carried colored wooden structures usually representing animals, with followers parading behind them in a procession. After 1555, each district began to organize with headquarters defining territorial limits and announcing specific rules, thereby developing its own badge, colors, animal of distinction for its banner, its own church and religious staff, and a stable for the horse racing on its behalf.

In the beginning, men would talk about “running to win the Palio” (correre per vincerer il palio). As the race evolved over time, they spoke instead of “running the Palio” (correre il palio). Pride played a huge role in these races; the horses were decked out as colorfully as their riders, and each district dressed the part, as did individual supporters. And while the town divided their loyalties to the riders, the idea of the contrade was not enforced.

The days leading up to the races were set aside for a festival. During this time, women and girls decorated the streets with rich adornments, flowers and banners in the colors of
their contrade. These were happier times for the town, and the friendly competition among the neighborhoods to see which one could out-decorate the other lifted the spirits of the Sienese.

Late in the Medieval period, the horse races, previously run in a straight like through the streets, began taking place around the sloping shell of the Piazza del Campo. But the incline of the piazza proved to be a dangerous course. Over time, many animals were seriously injured or killed because of the unfit shape of the “track.” Run along the outer rim, the actual race ended in less than 90 seconds. But despite the shortness of it, the winner was hailed a hero and the contrade who won deemed superior above all the others. At least until the next Palio.

To this day, the pomp and circumstance surrounding the short race is a sight to see. The pride of each contrade is the same—the only difference is the more than 500 years of history in between.
Piazza del Campo, Siena

In my newly released Italian Medieval romance, CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN, you won’t find any sports of yesteryear. However, it is the first book of a trilogy about three psychic sisters separated at birth. To read the first chapter, please visit my website: www.jcortipetska.com

My available books:

CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN, Available at www.eternalpress.ca

Book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rERylu_39XA

KNIGHT'S DESIRE, Available at http://www.thedarkcastlelords.com/reviewsknight

Book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A49buJLXMQQ

REBEL HEART, 2007 Aspen Gold Finalist,
available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon

Love and Destiny - Irish Style

It seems as if Ireland has always had a hold on my heart – even before I realized it myself.

Growing up, I spent my summer vacations in a tiny little Eastern Quebec village called Irishtown, where my father was born. I can’t count the number of times I heard him sing Danny Boy, or dance a jig. I was surrounded by Irish/Maritime culture.

When I was fifteen, I developed a crush on an Irish actor, and being a bit of a “research junkie,” I decided I must learn everything I could about Ireland. That was when I began to seriously study the country’s history, culture, myths and legends, music – and anything else I could get my hands on.

Three years later, when I attended a friend’s wedding, I met the man destined to be my husband, and wouldn’t you know his mother is Irish?

I couldn’t get away from Ireland if I wanted to! So is it any wonder that my first historical romance, In Sunshine or in Shadow, is set in Ireland? Here’s a blurb:

Siobhán Desmond will do anything to keep the tattered remains of her family alive, even if it means working for the new landlord – a darkly handsome stranger with secrets in his eyes and pain in his smile. As she watches her village return to life and begin to thrive under Rory’s care, she comes to understand his true nature, and soon finds herself falling under his sensual spell. As danger ignites all around them, Rory and Siobhán fight to right the wrongs of the past – and protect their newfound love.

And here’s a short excerpt:

Rory's words echoed in her brain, sending prickles of alarm through her. "Do you know who did this, Rory?" she asked quietly, fighting to keep the tremor from her voice.

He didn't flinch from her probing gaze. "I think it was Frank and Joe Kerrigan."

The Kerrigan brothers again!

Chilled to the very marrow of her bones, she rubbed her hands over her arms in a futile attempt to warm herself. It seemed her destiny was forever tied to the brothers who'd destroyed her life so many years ago. Would the past never leave her alone?

"Was it because of me?" she asked, her voice no more than an aching whisper.

He heard, though. Abruptly he turned to her and gathered her into his arms. He felt warm and solid and safe. "No, my love, it wasn't you. It was because of me. I dismissed the Kerrigans on Tom's advice. The night he and Nora married, Eileen O'Farrell lost her crop to a fire. Now Tom and Nora's cottage goes up in flames. It's no secret in the village how Charlotte died. Wouldn't Frank and Joe Kerrigan think this a fine way to punish me?"

She heard the pain in his voice and gazed up into his face, raw with anguish. She reached tentative fingers to caress the lines around his mouth and eyes, smoothing away the soot and perspiration he'd accumulated while fighting the fire.

"It wasn't your fault," she whispered, her throat aching with tenderness. She knew this was another burden her wounded love would take upon his shoulders. "Rory, it wasn't! Sure, Frank and Joe Kerrigan were causing trouble in Ballycashel long before you came. Why, look what happened with Michael and Sean!"

"It's different this time," he insisted, and she felt his body shudder against hers. "They're cowards, Siobhán. They won't go after me directly. Instead they will attack me through my people. Who will be next? Old Liam Brady as he's coming home from Donahue's pub? Paddy Devlin as he comes back from courting his girl in Clifden? You?"

A great sense of weariness swept over her. "They've already taken my husband and brother. What more can they do to me?"

"They can take you away from me."

His quiet intensity sent a jolt of molten desire through her. What did those words mean? She'd never belonged to him--not really. Did he truly value her that much? Or was she just another one of his tenants?

"I cannot lose you, Siobhán. Not now, when I have only just found you. I've been a bloody damned fool, thinking if I sent you away, you'd be safe. You will never be safe with me--no one ever has been. But I cannot bear to let you go!"

"I don't want you to!" she whispered vehemently. "I love you, Rory O'Brien, and love is worth any risk in the world." Raising up on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his in a kiss that bespoke forgiveness, healing and passion.

He broke the kiss and glanced down at her, something like wonder in his eyes. With great tenderness, he skimmed his fingers down her cheek, sending little shivers through her. But his eyes were filled with torment. "I do not know if I can do this, Siobhán."

"Do what, my love?"

"This! Any of this!" He gestured to the small thatched cottages, the fields of potatoes and corn, then to Ballycashel House. "I don't know if I can be lord of Ballycashel. I cannot keep the crops safe, I cannot keep the tenants safe. I just don't know if I can do it all. I don't know if I can be everything to everyone!"

Siobhán touched his face tenderly. "You don't have to," she told him softly. "You don't have to be anything but what you are. You're such a good man, Rory O'Brien, responsible and caring. You've brought Ballycashel back to life. Sure, you're the best landlord this village has ever known, and we're lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one," he countered, his hands moving in warm, gentle circles over her back. "For in coming back to Ballycashel, at long last I think I've finally come home."

She pulled him close, so close she could feel the mingled beating of their hearts. "Then come," she whispered against his cheek. "Come all the way home, my love."

He watched her for a long, intense moment, and she could feel the awareness pulsing between them. Then, as if he'd found what he sought in her eyes, he released her, drew off the cloak that fluttered about him like a storm cloud, and tossed it to the ground. He knelt upon it, then turned to her and held out his hand.

"Come home with me, Siobhán."

Come visit me at

http://pages.videotron.com/cowens/index.html

and

http://cynthiaowensromancewriting.blogspot.com/

Trodding the Boards in the Old West

Theater has been the universal form of entertainment for eons. Across Europe and the civilized United States, troupes of actors and entertainers traveled from city to city putting on shows for the masses.

The Old West was no exception. In this sparse rugged land, people hungered for diversion.

During the decade between the Gold Rush and the start of the Civil War, the proliferation of theaters and performers in San Francisco rivaled the heyday experienced in London in the seventeen hundreds. Culture had reached the savage West, and virtually every town, settlement and mining camp rushed to erect theaters to attract performers.

Some of the grandest halls were in San Francisco and Denver. Those in small burgs and mining camps ranged from modest playhouses to tents. A few were little more than platforms.

In California, the massive trunk of a felled tree served as the stage, with the stars serving as lighting for the famous Chapman family who gained fame performing on Mississippi showboats.

Gold brought prospectors to California, and their wealth lured performers west. From that point on, troupes of professional actors routinely traveled throughout the West to give performances ranging from Shakespearian plays to Opera.

Female singers, dancers and actresses were granted a higher degree of success due to the fact that they were women in a country that was predominately male. Solo performances were the featured draw in countless small towns, with pleased miners showing their appreciation of the shows by throws gold nuggets and bags of gold dust onto the stage.

One celebrated actress was Caroline Chapman, the illegitimate daughter of a famed actor. She quickly became the darling of the Western stage, and after one riveting solo performance in San Francisco, a shortage of coins were reported in the city the next day, due to her audience raining coins onto the stage in applause of her performance.

Another actress to achieve great success with her outrageous performances was Lola Montez. Her flamboyant spider dance and darling lifestyle kept her in the limelight for years, but her inability to best rival Caroline Chapman finally drove her from the city and the stage.

Many women made their mark singing, dancing and acting, with many giving performances that leaned toward burlesque. Some reached celebrity status and a few gained great wealth.

Lotta Crabtree started acting when she was a child. With her mother keeping a close eye on her career and her money, she was likely one of the first actresses under the thumb of a stage mother. Where other performers relied on gimmicks, Lotta possessed true talent. Her variety shows in San Francisco earned her the titles of "La Petite Lotta, the Celebrated Danseuse and Vocalist," and "Miss Lotta the Unapproachable."

Even after living through several depressions during the late 1800s, Lotta amassed a fortune of four million dollars by the time she died in 1925. She'd never married, and the one claim of an illegitimate daughter was never proven.

So her entire fortune, much of it in gold, was given to charity.

In One Real Man, I touched on the darker side of female performances that were operated by saloons. Like my heroine, many woman were attracted to the lure of money and fame. Unlike my heroine, the outcome was tragic for far too many women.

What romances have you read that featured an actor or actress?

Historical Romance - How Much Heat is Too Much?

...or perhaps there isn’t a ‘too much’? :) As this is my very first blog post – ever – it took me a while to decide on a topic. So after much debate, I decided to post about something I know well. Heat. In historical romance books, at least.

Historical romances range the full spectrum, from mild to blazing hot erotic romances. While the bulk of the market falls somewhere along the middle, there seems to be a trend of late – the spicier the better. Just open up a Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine and the majority of the historical books reviewed are tagged ‘Hot’, where the bedroom door is thrown wide open. The sex is explicit, even graphic at times, yet the books are not erotic romances. Yes, there is a difference between a spicy/sexy historical and an erotic one. Sylvia Day, co-founder of the Passionate Ink RWA chapter, offers these definitions:

Sexy Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship that just happen to have more explicit sex. The sex is not an inherent part of the story, character growth, or relationship development, and it could easily be removed or “toned down” without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT as this is basically a standard romance with hotter sex.

Erotic Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT to be an erotic romance.

So, there you have it. Explicit sex doesn’t equal an erotic romance. Still, the sex content in mass market historical romances tends to be increasing, to the point where it’s common place to have detailed sex scenes in a historical romance book. Even the erotic historical romances are getting spicier. Kink and ménages have been standard fare for small presses and e-publishers for years, and now even the traditional NY erotic romance print publishers are dipping their toes into the kinky waters and putting out books which feature not only m/f/m romances (where the heroes are heterosexual) but m/m/f romances (where the heroes are bisexual). Running Press is launching a new line of mass market m/m historical romances this month, and the books are not labeled erotic romances. I would wager that most traditional romance readers would label a m/m as kinky, but if the sex isn’t an inherent part of the story, then it’s not an erotic romance. It’s simply a love story between two men.

All of this makes me wonder if readers have become well, not immune to sex, but if their tolerance has increased. What was once scorching hot is now perhaps considered standard fare. Personally, I see the line blurring between spicy historicals and m/f erotic romances. My May release from Berkley, Her Ladyship's Companion, straddles the fence. The hero in the book is a male prostitute, so of course sex is a part of the plot and conflict. The sex scenes can’t be removed or toned down without damaging the character arcs. Yes, the sex is explicit and graphic, yet it’s vanilla (i.e. no kink, no outrageous positions, no use of fun toys) and every chapter isn’t littered with sex scenes. Some may consider it an erotic romance, but I certainly don’t. I write erotic romance under the pen name Ava March – explicit, graphic m/m historical erotic romance (and yes, with kink and sometimes even fun toys) – so Her Ladyship's Companion is quite tame in comparison. Perhaps I am simply an example of someone who has become desensitized to m/f vanilla sex – I simply don’t consider it erotic. Hot, but not erotic. It makes me wonder if readers who are looking for heat in their books are now going a step further and branching out into non-traditional pairings to amp up the heat level.

Or perhaps the trends in romance indicate that readers are simply broadening their horizons, expanding their own internal definition of a romance book beyond a m/f pairing. After all, love is love, regardless of gender or the number of partners invovled.

Do you think your craving for heat in romances has increased? And how much heat is too much? Where do you draw the line? Do you think that line has changed over the past couple years? And what do you think about m/f/m, m/m/f, and m/m in historical romance novels (erotic or not)?

And to celebrate losing my blog-posting virginity, I'm giving away a copy of one of my books to a commenter. Monday, April 6th, at 7pm I'll pick someone at random at post the name of the winner, and I'll leave the choice up to the lucky winner - either an ARC of Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins, or an e-book copy of Object of His Desire or Bound by Deception by Ava March. All right...one e-book novella versus an ARC...if you're interested in the Ava books I'll send you both. ;)

---------

UPDATE -

And the winner is ....HELEN SCOTT TAYLOR!

Helen, send me an e-mail at Evangeline@EvangelineCollins.com and let me know if you'd prefer an an ARC of Her Ladyship's Companion, or e-book copies of Object of His Desire and Bound by Deception.

Thanks!!!
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Evangeline Collins
http://www.evangelinecollins.com/
Her Ladyship's Companion – Berkley Sensation/May 2009
Lush. Elegant. Sensual Historical Romance

Ava March
http://www.avamarch.com/
Object of His Desire – Samhain Publishing

Bound by Deception - Loose Id
Bound to Him – Loose Id/April 28, 2009
Historical Erotic Romance

Western Historical, Seduction, and Inspiration from Songs ... Jeanmarie Hamilton

My book, Seduction began as an idea inspired from both a family story and Texas history. Further inspired by songs and singing, the story took shape with the heroine performing as a vocalist in a theater to support herself and build her future.

Here's the back cover summary of Seduction:

They challenged the town and each other with their forbidden affair.
Belinda Rose is two people. On stage, she's a confident vocalist who entertains her audiences. Alone, she longs for a secure home and her own opera house where she can entertain or book others to perform. She carries with her the painful memories of her past, but won't be denied her future. Can her love for a handsome businessman derail her plans? Cole MacPherson has become a wealthy entrepreneur in spite of his loveless childhood. What a shock when a beautiful singer knocks him for a loop. Could he learn to love? Does he dare?

The hero of Seduction, Cole, enjoys entertainers, including accomplished vocalists, and contracts them to perform in his theater out west in the small town of Sterling Springs.

Music has been a huge influence on my life through my mother's singing and my father's love of music. My daughter also loves music. So it was easy for me to write about a singer.

I've heard that many authors play music for inspiration and mood while writing. I'm so sensitive to music I find it very hard to think about what I want to write while music plays in the background. Even so, songs often inspire my story ideas.

The hint of a story comes to me sometimes with just one scene. It usually involves the strong feelings of only one or two characters. The emotion driving the characters in a scene often hits while I'm listening to a song.

Do you enjoy music? I like all forms of music. However, country music inspires my writing most often. Some of the slow songs by Tim McGraw have brought powerful story ideas to me. I've found inspiration for contemporary stories from Rascal Flatts' fast tempo songs. Trisha Yearwood's recordings evoke wonderful emotion for the various moods of my heroines.

A couple of my favorites other than country are Josh Groban and Bon Jovi. Some of the American Idol stars have inspired me with their powerful or sensitive renditions. For my shapeshifter historicals I find inspiration from many music sources including Robert Mirabal's dvd, Warrior Magician. The music of the movie King Arthur, with Clive Owen and Keira Knightley starring, is an amazing blend of powerful and poignant passages.

Does music help you? What music inspires you the most? I'd enjoy hearing your comments.

Jeanmarie Hamilton
http://www.JeanmarieHamilton.com
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SEDUCTION ~ out now/ Amazon.com
American Title II Contest finalist
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ARE YOU GOING TO THE DANCE? ~ July 2009/
The Wild Rose Press
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www.titlewave.blogspot.com
www.slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Seduced by the Tudors

I am very excited to be posting my first blog on Seduced by History today! Isn’t the name, Seduced by History fabulous? And it is so true, especially for me. History has sucked me in, stroked my brain and left me quivering for more since I can remember. It is my comfort zone, and what gets me hot all over.

Yesterday I called up my television network provider and added Showtime to my package, just as I do every year in April, this being the 3rd year in a row. Why you ask? The Tudors.

I know, I know. Some of you right now are cringing…yes it does have some mistakes, some blatantly wrong factoids, but I don’t care. I LOVE the show! I will willingly spend every Sunday evening at 9 pm obsessing over the drama, and then waiting, panting for the next week. Who’s with me?

I have held a fascination with Henry VIII since I was fourteen which grew to include the entire Tudor dynasty, ending with his daughter Elizabeth I.

For today’s blog, I thought I would give you some fun facts about the Tudors!

• Elizabeth of York (mother of Henry VIII) had the good fortune to be the most royal English queen of all queen’s. How so? She was daughter to the King of England (Edward IV), sister to the King of England (Edward V), neice to the King of England (Richard III), wife to the King of England (Henry VII), and mother to the King of England (Henry VIII). It’s no wonder Henry didn’t want anyone to think he was only king by marrying her.
• Before marrying Edmund Tudor at the age of 12, Margaret Beaufort, aged 7 married John de la Pole, the son of her guardian William de la Pole. The union was later dissolved when Henry VI deemed she should marry his half brother Edmund.
• Despite being married four times (the first of which was never consummated) Margaret Beaufort only had one pregnancy and one child, Henry VII, who she bore at the tender age of 13.
• Prince Arthur was named after King Arthur of Camelot.
• To listen to a clip of Anne Boleyn’s song “Oh Death Rock Me Asleepe,” which she supposedly wrote while in the Tower of London, visit: http://www.nellgavin.com/boleyn_links/ODeath.htm
• Despite the fact that Henry VIII was having Anne Boleyn executed, he did decide not to have her burnt at the stake, and instead of an axe allowed her to die by a sword, which she was also allowed to choose her own executioner.
• Anyone who disobeyed the commands of Henry VIII was arrested for treason and executed…supposedly he executed 72,000 people during his reign. Yikes!
• Henry VIII’s nickname was Sir Loyal Heart, which he came up with early in his marriage to Catherine of Aragon after she gave birth to their son who only lived a short time. He toted the name in tournaments.
• Henry VIII was somewhat of a hypochondriac and extremely scared of contracting disease.
• Henry’s waist went from a lean 32 inches in his prime to 54 inches at his death…He was weighing in at over 300 pounds.
• In her late teens Mary I, was sent to attend her half sister, infant Elizabeth in her household.
• Mary I did not want to execute Lady Jane Grey (nine days queen) and in fact refused to do so for about 7 months until her council pressed her hand.
• Even though she never got married, Elizabeth I did have 26 different marriage proposals to consider (some were repeat offenders :)

If you love the Tudors and want to learn more about this epic dynasty, I am teaching a workshop with Outreach International beginning April 20th. The workshop runs for one month.

Cheers!

Eliza

Eliza Knight is the author of sizzling historical romance and time travel erotic romance. She is also the author of the award winning blog, History Undressed. She teaches various workshops on writing craft and history. Visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com or www.historyundressed.blogspot.com

It's Hunt-the-Gowk Day...be wary...

In Scotland April Fools' Day is actually celebrated for two days and is known as "Hunting the gowk". The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.

Hunt-the-Gowk day falls on the week of April 1 when bairns of all ages play pranks on others then shout "April Fool" at their victim. In this more sophisticated age the practice seems to be dying out but it does remind us that in the past Kings and Nobles all had their Jester or Fool. One of the most famous in Scotland was Aberdeenshire's Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's Fool. He lived in the eighteenth century and was well known for his wit.

The history of April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is not clear. There is no first "April Fools' Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar, although it is known to date back at least to the sixteenth century. Most historians believe that April Fool’s Day originated in continental northern Europe and then spread to Britain.

More about April Fools' Day around the world...

• France - French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their backs. When the young victim discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d'Avril!" (April Fish!)

• England - Tricks can be played only in the morning. If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle".

• Mexico – the counterpart of April Fools' Day is observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

• Portugal - April Fools' is celebrated on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. The traditional trick there is to throw flour at your friends.

  

So be wary on this day. If someone calls, claiming to be giving birth, you might want to think on it before calling 911. My son lost a tooth last night and is playing to take the fake blood from Halloween to school to play a little prank on his teacher. I hope she has a sense of humor...

Did anyone ever prank you? Do tell...

Kimberly Killion

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HER ONE DESIRE ~ 2009 Best First Book RITA Finalist
HIGHLAND DRAGON ~ October 2009/Zebra Books

www.kimberlykillion.com