Piece Ages

Posted in Uncategorized by admin on March 5, 2010

Piece Ages
I have to write historical fiction set around the middle ages in england! Need ideas?

I need to write a historical fiction set in england around the middle ages. I was interested in the battle of Agincourt but i am out of ideas for the story. This piece of writing is not graded by the story, but more around the facts. I have studied the period well but facts and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thx
And what would be some typical town names in that period?

I would create a single character around which your story pivots.
You could make him an English archer, tell how they feel they are going to lose and perhaps make him a rallying point for some of his brothers-at-arms.

The battle occured on a religious holiday (St. Crispin's Day) 25th of October,1415. You could make it a religious epiphany if you like... perhaps your character has a dream in which an angel appears to him and says to not worry, for they will win the day. He must then convince his brother archers. In convincing them that they can win, they do.

You asked about town names. This battle occured in France so you will need French names. I do not know much about the French so I cannot help on that part. (Unless I can find a map of medieval France online...)

[Note added: Got it! Here is a map of France from 1453, which is very close the right timeline.] http://historymedren.about.com/library/atlas/natmapfrance1453.htm
**click on the small map and it gives you a much larger version where you can read the town names.**

Now you said the story needed to be set in England, so -no problem -just tell the guy's life story back in jolly-old England and have the story end with Agincourt having proven his mettle and he goes home a hero and wins the hand of the lady he yearned for.

Have him in a heated competition with another guy for the love of a lady... Perhaps before he goes to the war, the other guy looks more dashing and sure to win the lady's hand in marriage.
(The other guy is a "smooth talker", who sounds very brave and dashing, while the main character gets all tongue-tied in front of girls and doesn't know what to say.)

Then the day of the battle comes and the other guy has gotten scared and run away, while the hero of the story gets recognition from the king for his bravery and all that... The lady realizes he is much the better choice.

If you want to throw in day to day lifestyle of the middle ages, that can add the details you wanted.

Oh, and here is a page I was reading that tells a different story than the historic tale of how outnumbered the English were at Agincourt. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt#Modern_re-assessment_of_Agincourt

Here is a page with maps that show the general layout of France and neighbouring lands during the 100 years war.
http://historymedren.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.boisestate.edu/courses/hy309/topics/100yw/100yw.maps.html

Plan out the story before you write it, though.
I always do this to avoid writer's block.