Ella March Chase, author of "The Virgin Queen's Daughter" and "Three Maids for a Crown: A Novel of the Grey Sisters" answers 10 questions about her favorite time period in history, her favorite figures from history, and the age old question of coffee or tea.
1. If you could go back in time and be any figure from history, who would it be?
I've always felt an affinity for Louisa May Alcott. (Hence the 'March' in Ella March Chase). How amazing to live across the street from Emerson, have the run of his library, have Henry David Thoreau as a teacher, neighbor and mentor and be raised by the mother who was the model for Marmee in Little Women. Add to that Louisa's beloved sisters, her courage, devotion to her family and her talent... ah, or maybe Eleanor of Aquitaine-- from whom I took the first part of my pen name. What an indomitable woman she was. But for personal happiness perhaps it would be best to follow my first instinct and be a nameless Celt wandering in the mists before the time of St. Patrick.
2. What year in history would you have liked to live in?
Ireland before the Vikings started to raid-- as long as I could bring iron and penicillin with me.
3. You're having a dinner party and you can invite 5 people from history, who would they be?
Leonardo da Vinci because of his fascinating mind, Boudica, the Celtic warrior queen who fought the Romans, Elizabeth Tudor, Mary Magdelene and St. Brigid.
4. What castle from the past or present would you like to live in?
Petite Trianon-- as long as the palace came with the lambs and I could dress in one of those gorgeous soft shepherdess dresses. I can see why Marie Antoinette was so entranced with peasant pursuits when those pursuits were tidied up and the unpleasant bits were handled by servants!
5. Two fellow historical fiction authors you'd like to go on a history themed tour of the world with?
This question was pure torture for me-- John Dee, Elizabeth I's astrologer would say its because I'm a Libra and making decisions is difficult because I have to weigh every aspect of the decision a jillion times. (Okay, Dee probably wouldn't have used the word 'jillion', but you get the idea.) I'd start with Margaret George and C.W. Gortner, but then I'd want to add Christy English, Sandra Byrd, Susan Carroll and Michelle Moran.
6. Who was more dashing and interesting, King Henry VIII of England or King Louis XIV of France?
I wouldn't say that King Henry VIII was 'dashing' in his later years, though he was called 'the most beautiful prince in Christendom' when he was young. I do find him the most interesting, though. How did the glittering, chivalrous man who married Katherine of Aragon become the Henry who beheaded two wives, emotionally damaged his daughters and cut a bloody swath through his most loyal friends?
7. Which of the six wives of King Henry VIII is your favorite?
Katherine Parr. She was wise and tender toward Elizabeth and Lady Jane Grey when they needed 'mothering'. She wrote books and she dared to argue religious philosophy with the king-- which was not the wisest thing to do on second thought, because it almost landed her in the Tower. But when Parr discovered Henry had signed a warrant for her arrest she managed to smooth his ruffled feathers before the warrant could be executed, embarassing her enemies and restoring herself to the king's favor. An amazing feat-- and one none of his other embattled wives was able to accomplish.
8. English monarchy or French monarchy?
English. Definitely English. I've been enthralled with the English monarchy since I first saw "Anne of a Thousand Days" and read Jean Plaidy. There is something about the British Isles that never ceases to fascinate me-- mist-shrouded land insulated by the sea, the struggle between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland over time. The land of King Arthur, Brian Boru, William Wallace... Britain has a rougher, less polished edge than monarchies on the continent. Its wilder, more connected to nature, the earth. More elemental, if you will.
9. What three novels could you read over and over?
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, "Little Women" by Lousia May Alcott and "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I know two of them are children's books, but they take me back to my roots as a writer. I read all three at least once a year 'medicinally' when I need a literary 'hug'. They comfort me, center me and remind me how powerful a good book can be.
10. Tea or coffee when writing?
I adore tea-- the whole ritual of loose leaves in a china pot, a rose-painted strainer a dear friend gave me for my birthday, cups and saucers, homebaked scones and sandwiches cut in different shapes. In fact, one of my life missions is to find the perfect scone recipe. That said, I'm a hardened coffee drinker when I write. Then I need coffee-- black, strong and lots of it!
Ella March Chase's official website:
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