Gillian Bagwell, author of "The Darling Strumpet" and "The September Queen: A Novel of Jane Lane" 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’m not sure I would want to go back and be anyone, though it would be fascinating to visit. Times may be hard now, but most of us have things much better than our ancestors. But I’d love to drop in at the court of Elizabeth I, wander London with Nell Gwynn, see a selection of theatre performances from the late 1500s to Olivier’s heyday, and try to convince Charles II to move heaven and earth to marry his cousin Sophie (later Sophia of Hanover, the mother of George I) so he could have a legitimate heir and so avert the Jacobite rebellions and the destruction of Scotland and the clans.
2. What year in history would you have liked to live in?
As above – it would be tough to go back, unless I could bring along sunscreen, antihistamine and various other modern drugs, toilet paper, coffee, Carmex – and a way to get home to the 21st century! I would like to travel through England, taking in the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. I’d like to see the American West – in fact all of America – before it was covered by people. I’d like to meet some of my ancestors, from Roman soldiers in Britain to Celts in Scotland to my great-grandparents and their families in Sicily.
3. You're having a dinner party and you can invite 5 people from history, who would they be?
- Nell Gwynn – the subject of my first novel, "The Darling Strumpet". She would be sure to be a lot of fun and I’d like to know if she liked how I told her story.
- Samuel Pepys – as a friend pointed out, he must have been very enjoyable company. He’s always talking about how something is the best or most excellent he’s ever had. He liked to sing and play music, he was very smart and intellectually curious.
- Shakespeare – or whoever wrote those plays! I want to hear the stories he’d have to tell.
- Oscar Wilde – another gentleman who must surely have enlivened any gathering. But I’d tell him to forget about the libel suit and save himself a lot of trouble.
- Benjamin Franklin – everything I know about him makes me think he’d help make it a good evening – lively conversation and not afraid to speak his mind.
I know that’s almost all men, but Nell and I would be a match for them, I think.
And I’d like to at least send notes to Arthur Conan Doyle, to tell him to love and value his Sherlock Holmes and Watson and stop worrying about writing something important, and Herman Melville, to let him know that even though "Moby Dick" was accounted a flop in his lifetime, it’s since become a classic.
4. What castle from the past or present would you like to live in?
Nunney Castle in Somerset belonged to my ancestors the Prathers in centuries past. It was partly destroyed during the English Civil Wars and is a ruin now. It was incredibly exciting to visit it, and see the effigies of people related to me in the church, and I’d love to go back and visit when it was a bustling place.
5. Two fellow historical fiction authors you'd like to go on a history themed tour of the world with?
Can’t I take more than two? I’d have to start with Diana Gabaldon and Chris Humphreys (C.C. Humphreys) because reading a scene from "The Darling Strumpet" with them at the Historical Novel Society Conference this spring and hanging out with them there was such a hoot that I can’t begin to imagine what a wild time we could have. But we’d have to bring along Leslie Carroll, Sherry Jones, Lynn Sheene, Christy English and so many others I’ve had the privilege to meet.
6. Who was more dashing and interesting, King Henry VIII of England or King Louis XIV of France?
I know much more about Henry than Louis. He was supposed to have been very handsome, athletic, and compelling, so maybe he was dashing, but his later cruelty and caprice outweighs that in my mind. On the other hand, Louis has just never appealed to me much.
7. Which of the six wives of King Henry VIII is your favorite?
Well, I think they all had a pretty tough time and I don’t envy any of them. I have a very sympathetic spot for poor Catherine of Aragon. She arrived in England in 1501 at the age of 15 to marry Henry’s brother Arthur, who died soon after. She spent seven years in limbo before marrying Henry, and was married to him for 16 years before Anne Boleyn came along. The whole Anne Boleyn saga lasted eleven years. It’s easy to forget that Henry went through his last five wives in 11 years, counting from 1536 when Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536 – and she only outlived Catherine by four months!
8. English monarchy or French monarchy?
English, definitely. I know much more about English history but that’s probably because I find it more compelling and the characters of the monarchs more interesting.
9. What three novels could you read over and over?
Not only could I, but I have read all of Patrick O’Brian’s "Aubrey-Maturin" novels at least three times.
Diana Gabaldon’s books – especially "Outlander" and "Dragonfly in Amber".
All of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books – for comfort and joy. There were a huge influence on me growing up.
So that’s a lot more than three books!
10. Tea or coffee when writing?
Coffee!
Gillian Bagwell's official website:
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