tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43758180781197231562024-03-04T23:07:28.267-08:00Bonnets and Broadswords"Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Who heart hath ne'er within him burn'd, As home his footsteps he hath turn'd, from wandering on a foreign strand."
-Sir Walter Scott "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-72108150135296876432012-07-29T22:22:00.003-07:002012-07-29T22:22:37.452-07:00My New Scottish Novel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kT5yGB0QyJuwu7dhi64_tRS7syLzfqLMKMgfhBlQAgLIbnBRUJQsnXvduRet-xt1mceKjodMCf8THnnf8OOOqlDMicx7adB3MhLYxjoR_W5M-v4zjUX65uA2Wt1nYj7eY2g5DNQ4PWW8/s1600/THUMBNAIL_IMAGE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kT5yGB0QyJuwu7dhi64_tRS7syLzfqLMKMgfhBlQAgLIbnBRUJQsnXvduRet-xt1mceKjodMCf8THnnf8OOOqlDMicx7adB3MhLYxjoR_W5M-v4zjUX65uA2Wt1nYj7eY2g5DNQ4PWW8/s1600/THUMBNAIL_IMAGE.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Well, everyone, I am happy to announce that</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><i>On a Foreign Field</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> is finally available for purchase!! (Even a little earlier than I thought). It's also my first book available in both hardcopy and ebook. And I hope everyone is happy about the ebook because that was the most annoying thing I think I have ever dealt with (there will be a post on ebook formatting later), but I did it for my readers because you're who really matters at the end of the day =) Also, both versions will be on discount for the first month and lasting until the end of my blog tour (the full itinerary of which I will be posting when I have that information). Not only that, but</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Freedom Come All Ye</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Ballad of the Highwayman</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> are also discounted, (even if it doesn't say so, they do have a couple dollars taken off). And remember, ebook versions of those will hopefully be out within the next couple months! I'm working on it, and now that I know what to do, it will go a lot smoother. Also, I want to let everyone know that all my books are now available in the UK and Europe as well!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Here are the purchase links for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><i>On a Foreign Field</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Createspace: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3882345" style="color: #c74904; text-decoration: none;">https://www.createspace.com/3882345</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> (12.00 special right now!!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Amazon/Amazon Kindle: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/On-Foreign-Field-Hazel-West/dp/1477493441/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1" style="color: #c74904; text-decoration: none;">http://www.amazon.com/On-Foreign-Field-Hazel-West/dp/1477493441/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Smashwords: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/208817" style="color: #c74904; text-decoration: none;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/208817</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> (2.99 special right now!!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Slainte, Hazel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-78818751025762565912012-06-27T14:56:00.000-07:002012-06-27T15:54:02.144-07:00Another Liebster Nomination!Bonnets and Broadswords was just nominated for a Liebster Blog Award by Meg Hoover at Meg's Nature Photography Blog! My other blog, Character Purgatory, was nominated as well. (See here.) So I get to do this all over again.<br />
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Rules for the Liebster Blog Award<br />
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1. Each person must post 11 pacts about themselves.<br />
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2. Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you and give 11 questions for the person you tag.<br />
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3. Choose 11 people and link them to your post.<br />
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4. Tell them you've tagged them.<br />
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5. No tag backs.<br />
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11 Facts about Hazel West<br />
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1. My favorite writing snack is either cherry sours or animal crackers.<br />
2. I've written three novels and four short stories about William Wallace.<br />
3. I would love to go to Scotland someday.<br />
4. I prefer to go book shopping instead of clothes shopping (in fact, I absolutely hate clothes shopping.)<br />
5.I almost always wear jeans even though I live in sweltering Florida.<br />
6. My favorite kind of shoes are boots.<br />
7. I love hats.<br />
8. I am currently accomplishing a writing goal by writing my first mystery novel.<br />
9. I play piano, guitar, fiddle, tin whistle and bodhran (typical folk musician.)<br />
10. I always wear some kind of ring on my fingers.<br />
11. I shoot and English longbow.<br />
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Questions asked by Megan@naturephotographycorner.blogspot.com<br />
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1. What is your favorite appetizer?<br />
Chips and salsa<br />
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2. If you could so anywhere is the world where would it be?<br />
Scotland, hands down.<br />
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3. If you could be transported to a different time period in history when would it be?<br />
Victorian to live in, otherwise, I'd say medieval Scotland.<br />
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4. What's your favorite hobby?<br />
Besides writing, I like to paint with watercolors.<br />
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5. What's your favorite book?<br />
Something by Rosemary Sutcliff. I don't choose favorites ;)<br />
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6. What's your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?<br />
Mint chocolate chip.<br />
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7. What would be your idea of a dream vacation?<br />
Going to Scotland, England and Ireland and having unlimited funds!<br />
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8. What is your dream job?<br />
Pretty much what I'm doing. Being a writer and a freelance and getting paid for it.<br />
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9. What's the worst store you have ever shopped at?<br />
Wal Mart. Does anyone think differently on this subject?<br />
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10. What's your favorite smell?<br />
Leather, wood and evergreen.<br />
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11. If you were a multibillionaire what would you build?<br />
My writer's retreat!!!<br />
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My nominations for the Liebster Blog Award (I hope it's okay that I use the same ones I did on my other blog)<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://danielottalini.com/">Modern Papyrus</a></span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #000000;"><br />
<a href="http://ngeminisasson.blogspot.com/"><span style="font: 14.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">My Dog Ate My Manuscript</span></a><br />
<a href="http://sketchthief.blogspot.com/"><span style="font: 14.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">Sketch Thief</span></a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #000000;"> </span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #000000;"><br />
<span style="font: 14.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://jenn-icingonthecake.blogspot.com/">Icing on the Cake</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My 11 Questions</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
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</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1. Coffee or tea?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2. What's the best book you read this year and what's the worst?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3. What's your favorite genre to read?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4. What's your favorite snack food?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">5. Your favorite movie?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">6. What's your favorite candle scent, or what would you love to have a candle scent of?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">7. Your favorite vacation spot?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">8. Your favorite article of clothing?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">9. What's something you have always wanted to do?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10. Your favorite band?</span><span style="font: 14.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">11. What's a book you would recommend to anyone?</span></div>
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</span></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-21059586767009622402012-03-17T06:46:00.000-07:002012-03-17T06:46:04.474-07:00St. Patrick's Day 2012Well, it just came to my attention that, while I have celebrated two St. Patrick's Days on this blog already, I have failed to write something about the history behind it!<br />
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Typically, St. Patrick's Day is just a saint's day commemorating St. Patrick who was the patron saint of Ireland. The reason it is quite well celebrated still today and so widely spread, is most likely the fact that it had a certain Irishness incorporated into it, such as wearing green, which started mostly in the 17th century. This was only heightened during the 1798 Rebellion, where wearing green became more of a thing of patriotic pride than anything else.<br />
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Shamrocks were worn on St. Patrick's Day at about the same time green was; leprechauns, on the other hand, never have had anything particular to do with this holiday, and I think that's just some random things the American's threw into the mix. Leprechauns are simply characters from Irish folk and fairy tales. It's odd how random things like this get into the mix...<br />
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Here's a webpage that goes into the history of St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day a bit: <a href="http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/historyofpatrick.htm">http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/historyofpatrick.htm</a><br />
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So, wear green today, do something a little Irish, and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! <br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-36621344275593149052012-01-25T12:16:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:17:43.309-08:00Happy Burns Day! And The Second AnniversaryHi everyone! I have several things to talk about today; first of all is that it's Burns Day, and I hope all of you having a Burns Night have a wonderful time and eat lots of haggis for me ;)<br />
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Here's your Burns Day song from me: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKT7qxk9-pw">Scots Wha Hae</a> sung by the amazingly talented Scocha!<br />
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On another note, this is also the second anniversary of this blog! I really can't believe I have been writing for this for two years. It's been a lot of fun, and though I didn't do as much as I had hoped last year, I will not stop writing for Bonnets and Broadswords.<br />
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Due to my writing career, I regret to say that my posts will only be about as frequent as last year, but I will endeavor to post at least a couple things each month. This year, I am going to mainly be focusing on writing stories about legends or famous historical events that happened in Scotland. A lot of people enjoyed what I did for my <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2011/06/robert-hero-king.html">Bruce month</a> last year when I wrote short stories about some of his exploits. I want to do this again for other things, because I have come to a conclusion over my years of studying Scottish, and also Irish, history: The people and things that happened were really too beautiful or heartbreaking, or brave to be written into the typical textbook history format. They need to be told like the bards told them over the centuries. Who could come up with a story as heroic as the ones that Bruce and Wallace lived? Noble characters such as Montrose, and the real life Robin Hood, Rob Roy MacGregor? I love history for the stories and the people, and I want to keep it that way. There's nothing worse than someone beating the life out of history to study it. Do not study history: Enjoy it.<br />
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So that said, I hope that everyone has a wonderful year, and I hope to write at least a few wonderful stories that have caught my attention over the years in my own hand and carry on the long lost tradition of the Bards.<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-59087551254365965262011-12-22T23:08:00.000-08:002011-12-23T21:14:45.732-08:00The Taking of the Stone of DestinyWhile looking for an historic event that happened on Christmas Day in Scotland, the first thing that came to my mind was that Christmas Eve night in 1950 when four young people broke into Westminster Abbey, liberated the Stone of Destiny, and drove it back over the Border of Scotland.<br />
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The Stone of Destiny; the symbol of sovereignty in Scotland. Wherever the stone rested, there would Scotland be ruled, said the old legends. It was taken by Edward Longshanks during the Wars for Independence and brought to England, resting there for nearly seven centuries until a young man, Ian Hamilton, and three compatriots decided to take it back.<br />
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If you read Ian Hamilton's biography, <i>Stone of Destiny</i>, you find that he had grown up with stories of Bruce and Wallace and the devastation Scotland had suffered through the ages by many English rulers. Times in Scotland in the mid 20th century were hard, pleas for home rule kept being denied by Parliament; the people of Scotland needed a symbol to bring back their pride and Ian Hamilton and his three companions, Alan Stewart, Gavin Vernon and Kay Matheson decided they were going to take back the Stone of Destiny.<br />
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They planned for months, studying maps and layouts of the Abbey and procuring funds and everything they would need to do it. The entire story of the taking of the Stone is something right out of a fiction thriller, in fact, I've read fiction with less exciting plots! Going down to London in middle of winter, sleeping in freezing cars, nearly getting caught on more than one occasion, struggling to drag the stone out of the Abbey into their waiting vehicle... I'm not going to attempt to tell the whole story for I could not do the it justice here, so I would suggest highly that you all go and find a copy of Ian Hamilton's book. There's no better way to describe it than he does, for, obviously, he was there, and he lived it.<br />
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When they drove the Stone back over the Border, it was the first time the Stone had been back in Scotland since Longshanks took it in 1296. That Christmas Day in 1950 was one Scotland will remember for centuries to come as the day that true Patriots of Scotland won a victory as big as Bannockburn and brought hope back to the people.<br />
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They eluded the police for months, and probably never would have been found by them if they hadn't given the Stone back, putting it in Arbroath Abbey where the famous Declaration of Arbroath was signed by Robert the Bruce and his followers in 1320. The Stone was sent back to England, Ian and his friends were arrested, but never were put in prison, and Scotland was given the hope it needed to thrive once again.<br />
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And of course, now the Stone is back in Scotland where it belongs, having come over the Border in 1996 to much exaltation; then 1997 brought the Yes-Yes vote and Scotland's own Parliament.<br />
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So at the end of this post, I wish to quote that famous passage from the Declaration of Arbroath:<br />
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<i>"For as long as a hundred of us remain alive, we shall not submit to the domination of the English. It is in truth not for glory, or honor, or riches that we fight, but for Freedom alone. Which no honest man gives up but with life itself."</i><br />
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Go read Ian Hamilton's book <i><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/hazewestschar-20?node=2&page=2">Stone of Destiny</a></i> and also watch the wonderful film of the same name. Both are spectacular, and the fact that it's a true story only makes it more so.<br />
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Merry Christmas, and a Guid Hogmany to you all!<br />
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Alba gu Brath<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-35678359529019455192011-12-18T20:20:00.000-08:002011-12-18T20:20:51.527-08:00Shortbread GaloreI just wanted to post a quick thanks to the people who sent me shortbread recipes, particularly, Karen and Mara who's recipes I tried yesterday and found they turned out quite wonderful! I even tried them on friends and we shared them over hot chocolate. Again, thank you very much! If anyone still has any recopies, you may send them, even any other traditional Scottish/Irish/English desert, especially surrounding the holidays would be a treat. =)<br />
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I feel terribly awful for not posting anything historical in a long time, but I have truthfully been so busy I have not had time to research. I usually wrote along the lines of what I was writing in novel form, but I have not been working on any particularly Scottish novels in a long time. However, I am planning a special Christmas post this week about a very wonderful, and amazing true story that happened on Christmas Eve and was to change Scotland forever. So keep a look out for that, and do have a wonderful holiday!<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-11862826012092122502011-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:002011-11-08T09:36:34.388-08:00Wanted: Shortbread Recipes!It's that time of year again. Autumn, Winter and--baking season! Because everyone needs a little extra fat to stay warm (and as long as you're diligent with your sword practice, there should be no blame!) Anyway, for a long time, I have been looking for the perfect shortbread recipe. I have one that tastes very good, but it's not the right consistency. It's too caky and not crispy or flakey enough. This holiday season, I'm asking everyone to share shortbread recipes or tips that will help me make the perfect shortbread! Because shortbread is at the heart of Scottish tradition and it's also very good with coffee!<br />
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If you want to share, just post it here, or if it's online, post a link. I'll be willing to try any suggestions that come in! I might even share a couple recipes this year as well!<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-88887977094700149182011-11-02T21:15:00.001-07:002011-11-02T21:15:51.944-07:00My Own Q&A!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Hey dear readers! I wanted to let everyone know that I just started a Q&A Discussion Board on Goodreads where you can ask me anything you really want about my books as long as it fits under the discussion topics. I heartily invite all my readers to come and visit it, and if you don't have a Goodreads account, get one, it's free! And it's a lot of fun to. Anyone who gets a Goodreads account, has right to get a friend invite from me. (Feel special, people--just kidding!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here's the link: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/57625.Q_A_with_Hazel_West">http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/57625.Q_A_with_Hazel_West</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Feel free to invite any of your friends as well. Get as many people as you can! Remember that if you are joining the discussions, check in to the introductions first! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Hope to see you there!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-46805461883548573102011-10-30T17:31:00.001-07:002011-10-30T17:32:13.602-07:00Ballad of the Highwayman: ON SALE NOW!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZSmUawaQg5s4epl8gtngdvgTWZTKvFT_XnVXJEXaIGVugX97EK96O19ULO1h9w8LWCB3JMKp8yudhyphenhyphenbZ-_WQtiCdDeZrp47r-D4rq_2Plj_VzQIVLPb9UcypgjFQIX5wIyeiYCTFmXu9/s1600/BookCoverImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZSmUawaQg5s4epl8gtngdvgTWZTKvFT_XnVXJEXaIGVugX97EK96O19ULO1h9w8LWCB3JMKp8yudhyphenhyphenbZ-_WQtiCdDeZrp47r-D4rq_2Plj_VzQIVLPb9UcypgjFQIX5wIyeiYCTFmXu9/s320/BookCoverImage.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="209" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Huzzah, everyone! After a horrid week of editing and dealing with technical (as in technology) difficulties and waiting around for the website to work right, I am happy to announce that, after long last, <i>Ballad of the Highwayman</i> is up for sale!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You can find it here: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3668163">https://www.createspace.com/3668163</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Or down at the bottom of the page with my collection of book links. It will also be available on Amazon within a few days, I'll be sure to let you know when it gets there.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Please at least take a look at it and tell me if you do decide to read it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So Stand and Deliver your gold and you'll get a good swashbuckler to read in return!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">(Learn more at my author's blog: <a href="http://hazelwest.blogspot.com/">http://hazelwest.blogspot.com</a>)</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-67302408278325224622011-09-22T15:20:00.000-07:002011-09-22T15:20:21.198-07:00A Note to Bloggers AllAll Right, so I've been trying to get my blogs out there through some of these blogsites like Stumbleupon and stuff like that. Stumbleupon is a good site and I have gotten several people from there already. Last night I tried to Fuel My Blog. As a word of advice, don't. They are "blog snobs" and they won't let you put your blog up for no apparent reason at all. I get the part about them asking if it contains adult content and all that, but they seemed snobby and rude and they don't even have a section for history blogs. They also say they need to review your blog before they put it on like it's some elite group or something and if they see this post, let them, I'm canceling my register. Yah, this is a rant, sorry, I just wanted to let you all know about this if you get the same idea.<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-4802885998426612612011-09-11T17:12:00.000-07:002011-09-11T17:12:09.935-07:00Stirling: Proud Eddie's Army Gets Sent HomeSo, aye, everyone, it's once again the anniversary of the <span id="goog_311188385"></span><a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2010/09/stirling-bridge.html">Battle of Stirling Bridge</a><span id="goog_311188386"></span>. Exciting stuff there to be sure. I did a post on the actual story of it last year, so if you want to go read that, please do!<br />
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I still can't believe this is my second year of writing posts for you everyone, and I'm still not giving up, even though I've been a little slow lately. I've started an <a href="http://hazelwest.blogspot.com/">author's blog</a> now and I've been trying to write for that. If you haven't already seen that, go and take a look, it's good fun ;)<br />
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But anyway, the Battle of Stirling. This was the first real battlefield victory in the Scottish Wars for Independence and truthfully the last until Bannockburn almost seventeen years later. Both proved many points. Wallace's victory at Stirling caused men to flock to his banner, hearts warmed to the fact that they could actually win against the English. Unfortunately, the disaster at Falkirk the year after, struck them back down to guerrilla warfare which, again, was not a total loss. Bannockburn, of course, won Scotland's freedom, but if Wallace had never fought on Stirling that day at the River Fourth, the Scots probably would not have had a hero to look up to in years to come. It is still, to this day, one of the Scots' greatest victories, made even more so in 1997 during the Yes-Yes vote that won Scotland a parliament of their own. Odd how history connects itself. This is why you remember your heroes, all my dear people.<br />
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So that's all I really have to say for now. Please, my friends, I'm still taking in Thoughts for Wallace so do not think you are too late. At any given moment, I would love to hear what you have to say about him.<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-8937016129596802882011-09-06T17:35:00.000-07:002011-09-06T17:35:10.436-07:00My New AStoreOkay, so my cousin thought I should start an Amazon.com AStore which is something like this:<br />
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I choose things I like to put on it from Amazon.com and if you buy them through my store, I get a percentage of the selling. So I've put on some books I have talked about on my blog, and others that are some favorites of mine. There's a Scottish section that has books I recommend in history and historical fiction. I will be adding more things soon too, so there's not a lot on there right now, but there will be more soon. :) Please go and take a look anyway, and if you see anything you have wanted, buy it thorough my store!<br />
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Here's the link: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/hazewestschar-20">Hazel's Picks</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000099; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><br />
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So, I'll be back some other time. If you have not looked at my new <a href="http://hazelwest.blogspot.com/">Author's Blog</a> yet, please do.<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-81845388141290750852011-09-05T13:38:00.000-07:002011-09-05T13:38:38.075-07:00My Author's BlogWell, since I published my first book, I decided to start an author's blog now! It's mainly just for fun and laughs, but I hope to teach people a little bit about the history surrounding my novels and also share some of my favorite books and authors with you. I am also going to be giving out writing tips on occasion in a fun and very unacademic way.<br />
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The really fun part about my blog is that I'm going to be writing some of the posts from the point of view of my characters. I've even had them comment on the posts to make it more fun for you readers. The blog is also for you to get to know the characters more and have a chance to interact with them. (Truthfully, it's not as weird as it seems. It's all just for fun!)<br />
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So hop over to by new blog at <a href="http://hazelwest.blogspot.com/">hazelwest.blogspot.com </a><br />
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Also, you know what I'm going to say, but I'm disappointed I only got one thought on Wallace for Wallace Day. Very sad about that. So I've decided to be nice (again) and give you another chance. If you can think of anything now, just let me know. Even if you just say something like "William Wallace is really awesome" I'll be happy. Because remember, Wallace is a character I used in my latest book and he's going to be writing in on my author's blog, so he would like to see what you say about him. ;-)<br />
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All right, I'll be back when I can think of what I want to write about next. Don't forget that the Battle of Stirling was fought on the 11th of this month! Hey, that's another good chance to write in about thoughts of Wallace!<br />
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Slainte, HazelHazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-91117658329628012822011-08-23T10:46:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:56:04.246-07:00Wallace Day & 100th Post!Well, here's a good Wallace Day to everyone! And also, this is my 100th post on Bonnets and Broadswords! I really can't believe I have written 100 posts, as it's only been about a year and a half since I started. But enough about all my wee sentiments, today is for Wallace, and I think we all need to give a few minutes to remember how he gave his life for the freedom of Scotland.<div>
<br /></div><div>Last year, I posted a <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2010/08/wallace-day.html">poem I wrote</a> and some of my feelings on Wallace. For want of repeating myself, I'll just suggest for you to look at last year's post and read it for yourself if you have not already.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>This year, I have another poem for you. I hope to eventually get together a poem book, and maybe it will be out by Christmas, I don't know yet, but until then, here's a Wallace poem I wrote called <i>Freedom's Champion</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>It was not for glory that he fought</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Our Wallace, brave and true.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>For he had only thoughts of freedom</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>When he stood under the White and the Blue.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Nor was it for fame he risked his life</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And fought when no one else would</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>To free his land from the English tyrant,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>For Scotland, he did all he could.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And neither was it for riches he defied</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Cruel Longshanks the English king.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>He rose and fought for his mother land</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Like a valiant eagle on the wing.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Our Wallace was the bravest of men,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>He fought with no reserve.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>He defied England and its tyranny</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>For no false king would he serve.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Wallace was betrayed by Menteith</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Who prized gold over his native land.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And sad was that awful day</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>When he was delivered into the Tyrant’s hand.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>But Wallace was defiant to the last,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>He would never give in.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>He vowed to fight to his last breath</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Never mind what they would do to him.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>It was because of all this</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>That the men followed him true.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>They followed him faithfully to the death</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And made the English their deeds to rue.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And it was because of his noble deeds</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>That we remember him still.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>The brave man who fought for his country</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And never gave in to Longshanks’ will.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times; min-height: 18.0px"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>For, William, you were never forgotten,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>No matter your thoughts back then.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>You’re still very much in Scotland today</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And fill the hearts of all the men.</i></span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">This is a poem that will eventually grace the end of my upcoming novel, </span>Freedom's Sword.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> If you haven't looked at my recent book about young Wallace, </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3605405">Freedom Come All Ye</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">please do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">On another note, I am still looking for <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2011/08/wanted-your-thoughts.html">thoughts</a> and I have only gotten one! I want to collect ten by the end of the month, so please tell me what you think about William Wallace. I spilled my heart last year, it's your turn this year!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">So at least take the time to read a bit about Wallace today, read some poems, watch </span>Braveheart<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> or something and think for a few minutes about Scotland National Hero.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Alba gu Bragh</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Slainte, Hazel</span></div></i></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-27303305326480662802011-08-16T10:24:00.000-07:002011-08-16T10:45:35.320-07:00Stuff for Wallace Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCX17kKvXoKqicIR7bY5aFz5pbU56q1PXaS7eY1ia81jm2exwc0dhxZLMWWjkyCm9Z3Yx3ReXUHE1XVPc6tdU00AM9N2XT1WVgnTF79fMmR09q3W7wdHC3j1scgiBc0sFXstNzz4IrDJG/s1600/DSCN1076.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCX17kKvXoKqicIR7bY5aFz5pbU56q1PXaS7eY1ia81jm2exwc0dhxZLMWWjkyCm9Z3Yx3ReXUHE1XVPc6tdU00AM9N2XT1WVgnTF79fMmR09q3W7wdHC3j1scgiBc0sFXstNzz4IrDJG/s320/DSCN1076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641507969861265986" /></a>
<br />Well, Wallace day is next Tuesday, which for people who don't want to do the math is one week away. And I have still only gotten ONE thought from you readers regarding William Wallace (see post below) My goal is ten, so please don't be shy and tell me what you think! <div>
<br /></div><div>But besides giving me thoughts, maybe you should treat yourself this Wallace Day with a bit of his legacy. You could buy my new book <i><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3605405">Freedom Come All Ye</a></i> for example! (shameless plugging on my part, but hey, we all have to make a living.) If you have read all the other Wallace books like I have, then you should definitely add this one to your collection.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>You could also get yourself a Team Wallace t-shirt from my <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/HistoryBuffsUnlimited">Cafepress store</a>. I just got mine yesterday, and am excited to wear it for Wallace Day. I regret the fact that I was too busy to add any more Wallace shirts, but Wallace never goes out of season, so I will definitely add some later on. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Also, I would like to give you a few book suggestions that are not written by me ;-)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Nigel Tranter's <i>The Wallace</i> for one. If you have not read this yet, go get a copy now, because it is the best Wallace novel ever written. Very accurate, and a good protrayal of the characters. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Another good one, though less known is Jane Porter's <i>The Scottish Chiefs. </i>I read this one a couple years ago and thought it was good. Several flaws: Wallace was blond. (I've nothing against blonds, just when they are William Wallace) Why? I don't know. But the book was written in the early 1800s, and that was the time when Wallace had resurfaced to become the "darling" of the time period. He was thought of more as an epic hero such as Beowulf than a national hero. It was this that bothered Sir Walter Scott. He loved Wallace as any true Scotsman does, but he did not like them practically worshiping him. Wallace would not have wanted that anyway. But the Scottish Chiefs is a very good book, you just have to remember the time period it was written in. Oh, but I did forget to mention that girl who fainted about twenty times...</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So anyway, one last suggestion. David R. Ross' <i>For Freedom</i> a lovely combination of Wallace's legacy and David's own together. Talks about the Walk for Wallace in 2005 when David Ross walked from Robroyston to London on the rout Wallace was taken when he was captured and the commemorations the people of Scotland held for their national hero. Beautiful book, and if you don't have this one on your shelf either, you're sadly lacking.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Anyway, remember my dead line for Wallace thoughts is at the end of the month, so give me nine more at least! I write all this history for you and you never thank me! Just kidding (not really) :-)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So I'll be back later, hopefully before Wallace Day, but if not, I <i>will</i> be back then.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div><div>
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<br /></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-21802109566409408162011-08-10T23:27:00.000-07:002011-08-10T23:38:18.949-07:00Wanted: Your ThoughtsOkay, everyone, I have to admit that I was very disappointed last year when I asked for your thoughts on William Wallace for Wallace Day and got nothing from you. This year, I hope, will be different (that was a non-subtle hint) My goal it to AT LEAST gather ten thoughts about William Wallace from my readers. I know people read my blog, but you seem afraid to comment. Why? I don't bite! <div>
<br /></div><div>But getting back to Wallace. Everyone with any poetry in their soul loves William Wallace. He's a hero that has touched not only Scotland, but the world (due in part to Randall Wallace of course). So I want you to help me with my Wallace Day goal this year and tell me your thoughts on William Wallace. Even if it's just a short comment, I would love to hear it! By thoughts, I also include poems, personal experiences, short stories, or even a book review. See if you can find a book about Wallace I haven't read! (Maybe that should be another goal for you!) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I want to hear your thoughts by the end of the month, and if I don't get ANY people to write in, I'm just going to try again next year anyway, so you may as well do it this year! At least comment. But if you do happen to have any stories or poems (which I would really love to read) please email them to me at sirwilliamssquire@gmail.com </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I would like to post all the thoughts I get on my blog, but if you do not want your thoughts published, just let me know and I will keep them to myself. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>But really, my dear readers, I dare you to think of Wallace not not feel some form of amazement for what he did. He is one of the most inspiring people in history. So you see now why I want to hear what you think about him?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'll be back later with more Wallace things and, hopefully some comments! ;-) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-54037149404606806412011-08-04T10:41:00.001-07:002011-08-04T10:47:01.958-07:00Book UpdateOkay, I'm going to apologize to anyone who tried to look at my book webpage in the last couple days and couldn't get onto it. I didn't realize that I had password protected it. Not enough coffee in the last few days, I'm afraid!<div><br /></div><div>So that's all fixed now, and you should be able to order a copy of my book if you so wish. You will have to make an account to do so, but it's not really anything different than Amazon or any other website that you order from. Besides, if you do, then you can buy my other books more easily! </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I hope you're all having a good summer, especially you people who live in places where it doesn't get above 70F. (wish I lived there!) I will be back later to do some Wallace things, so keep checking back!</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-23471288085868931062011-08-02T15:58:00.001-07:002011-08-02T15:59:51.920-07:00Freedom Come All Ye: UP FOR SALE!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lmQwXZdzl5vNYvc4LE3XuS70iOCIGIuQKXjn0Yq7va91LaBp4vKMWbUiNgFuLV0ewC1sd_2ICn2KxvcZmQkx-C14h_ZCUvY6A9CTsh_3r__dW_rBuRdhaRqMNi8ANDo9IvLPWK0nvths/s1600/BookCoverImage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lmQwXZdzl5vNYvc4LE3XuS70iOCIGIuQKXjn0Yq7va91LaBp4vKMWbUiNgFuLV0ewC1sd_2ICn2KxvcZmQkx-C14h_ZCUvY6A9CTsh_3r__dW_rBuRdhaRqMNi8ANDo9IvLPWK0nvths/s320/BookCoverImage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636397129374648626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJD2SpmguH4h_dgNFsWCcDhL1EmFMObcxsGdfYuwA8p_7lVF6LJ4coI_n-GzCuticv3iCLMmzbSr48_dTisudyn4JWVKUTpHhw-pud7e5ZXLV4AeE2azhF7JTCgXsLQAQd1EXiJmfYktZ/s1600/BookCoverImage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Well, I am incredibly excited to announce that my first book is now up for sale! (YAY! play a peppy bagpipe tune everyone!) I talked about my book on my other blog <a href="http://www.blogger.com/thefirstscribbles.blogspot.com">The First Scribbles</a> a while ago (too long ago) and now I have finally put it up for sale and before Wallace Day like I promised! This book is about William Wallace as a teenager and it will be a great thing to buy for yourself or a friend for Wallace Day (hint hint) It's really a young adult book, but there's no reason why anyone couldn't read it. There's nothing stupid or childish about it. It's simply my take on Wallace as a young man. A lot of my stuff from it is taken from Blind Harry because he's the only one who really talks about Wallace before Stirling Bridge. I added my own villain though, because I wanted a plot line! I think it's a good story, I'm happy with it, which means a lot, believe me, and I feel strongly about the characters. There's more historical people in it as well like John Graham, Marion Braidfoot and several others. So if you'd like to give it a go, it would make me really happy! <div><br /></div><div>You can get my book from this link off of Createspace where I have it published:</div><div><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3605405">Freedom Come All ye</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It will also be available from Amazon in about a week, but it's the same price for you and I make more if you buy is from Createspace! Everyone likes to make money, you know.</div><div><br /></div><div>So at least take a look at it, and if you do buy it, tell me what you think. If you really like it, maybe you can even go on Amazon and write me a nice review! Don't mean to ask too much, ye ken.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I'll be back soon with some Wallace Day posts, I've been a slacker lately.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-72592753858520558462011-07-04T12:33:00.000-07:002011-07-04T12:39:23.961-07:00Happy 4th of JulyHey, everyone, here's a happy Fourth of July to all my American readers! Take a look at <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2010/07/declarations-of-independance.html">my post from last year</a> where I talked about the similarities on the Declaration of Independence and the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath. It's always been amazing to see the likeness between the American and Scottish wars for independence. As a treat, I will be posting a short story I wrote a while ago on my other blog, <a href="http://thefirstscribbles.blogspot.com/">The First Scribbles</a>. Go read it and tell me what you think :)<div><br /></div><div>Happy Independence Day, and let us not forget all those men who fought and died in the American Revolution and who signed their lives away on this back in 1775.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-78805586596938044122011-06-30T09:39:00.000-07:002011-06-30T10:22:40.920-07:00A Noble HeartWell, This is the last day of June and thus, I am going to wrap up my Bruce month with one more post. I have been having a very good time writing these story posts this last month, and I think I will do more of these in the future. <div><br /></div><div>Today, I'm going to give you another Douglas story. James Douglas died in Spain on a crusade, carrying Robert the Bruce's heart in a casket as he had asked him to. Bruce's heart now lies in Melrose Abbey where a round memorial stone reads: "A Nobel heart hath no ease if freedom fail."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Moors had invaded southern Spain, and Douglas had gone to fight. A long time ago, he and Robert, now dead, had talked about going on a crusade. Robert had always wanted to go on one, but he had passed away before he had a chance to make that possible. Before he died, though, he asked Douglas if he would take his heart with him. So Douglas had a small casket made that he could carry with him and he set off on the crusade alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>They had reached a small town called Teba in Spain where they were supposed to meet with reinforcements, but something went wrong and the Scots were attacked. Douglas thought in those few minutes that he was granted before he had to fight, that it was most likely foul play. But before he could think anymore, he turned to his men and raised his sword.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">"</span>Come, let us fight this day, companions. For Robert." He then took the casket from his tunic and, standing in the path, threw it toward the oncoming army. "Go forward brave heart!" he shouted. "Douglas shall follow you or die!"</div><div><br /></div><div>The men shouted in agreement and they followed Douglas into the charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Scots were horribly outnumbered and before long, James Douglas fell, wounded beyond recovery. He clasped the casket he had found again and sighed.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It's a good thing we did not do this poorly winning Scotland, back, my friend," he said then closed his eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Douglas's body was taken back to Scotland and laid in St Brides while Bruce's heart was put in Melrose Abbey and is still there to this day.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>fin</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I hope everyone has enjoyed Bruce Month as much as I have! I'll be back some next month and then I'm going to have to start thinking about August and Wallace again. I'd love to do a story request for the life of Wallace, so please tell me what your favorite Wallace story is and I'll try my best at telling it. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now, though, I'm going to go back to my novel writing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-77012701830623363362011-06-24T04:48:00.000-07:002011-06-24T05:11:27.430-07:00Happy Bannockburn!Hello, everyone, and Happy Bannockburn to you all! For those of you who missed it last year, <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2010/06/bannockburn.html">here</a> is the post where I wrote about the battle. Now, today as my surprise to you, I decided to give you a wee sneak peak into one of my books that is going to be published very soon. This one is titled <i>Freedom's Sword</i> and is my novel about William Wallace. It's one I wrote a couple years ago, but it's now undergoing heavy revision and when I'm done with that, I'm going to self publish it. If everything goes as planned, it will be up for sale by Wallace Day. If not, you will still have my other Wallace book, <i>Freedom Come All Ye</i>, to read by then, because that one will definitely be done.<div><br /></div><div>So anyway, this scene I chose takes place at the <a href="http://bonnetsandbroadswords.blogspot.com/2010/07/battle-of-falkirk.html">Battle of Falkirk</a> where Wallace's army is loosing against the English and he suddenly looks up and realizes that Robert the Bruce is fighting on the English side. (And as a historical note: This I took from Blind Harry's version of Wallace's story and, for some parts, I paraphrased his wording. Historians have been at odds as to whether Bruce was actually ate Falkirk or not. Historically, I don't really think he was either, but it makes for a good story plot and a good defining line. I think that if Bruce had encountered Wallace on the battlefield, he would have changed his allegiances pretty quickly.)</div><div><br /></div><div>But I'll just wheesht and let you read it now! ;-)</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">He didn’t know how long he knelt there before he heard a horse galloping toward him. He looked up and saw that it was an English knight with a lance leveled at him. But it was not the lancer who had caught his eye. It was another horseman who was riding out of the Scottish ranks. At first, Wallace searched to see who it was, for the stance of the man and his device seemed familiar to him, then he was left in no doubt when he saw the golden hair curling from underneath the helmet.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“Bruce!” Wallace spat, his eyes flashing as he leapt up, forgetting his sword, and grabbed the surprised lancer, throwing him from the saddle. He leapt on the horse and tore after the retreating knight.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“ROBERT BRUCE!” Wallace shouted out, his voice so full of hatred and anger that Bruce looked back over his shoulder. His heart actually clenched in fear as he saw Wallace, vengeance clouding his eyes, as he rode the traitor Scotsman down.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Wallace urged his horse onward until he was neck-and-neck with Bruce’s mount, then he leapt sideways, grabbing Bruce’s arm and bringing them both crashing to the ground. Bruce fell on top of Wallace, crushing his ribs with his heavy armor. Wallace didn’t seem to notice the weight crushing him and shoved the other man away. His helmet had fallen off and Wallace grabbed him around the throat, glaring into his eyes.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“Robert, ye’re a bloody traitor!” he shouted at him.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bruce wrenched Wallace’s hands away from his throat and shoved him backwards, standing up as he glared at the other man..</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“Traitor, is it? Where do you get your gall to oppose the king of England?!”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Wallace stood up as well, his hands clenching into fists. “Robert! It’s your unwillingness to act and yer cowardice that cause me to fight to free a land that is yours by right!” he shouted. “Have they brainwashed ye sae much that ye believe what Longshanks has to say? It’s <i>ye</i> Bruce, who have driven me to such drastic and perhaps even foolhardy measures, because <i>ye,</i> Scotland’s rightful leader, wouldn’t wake up and lead them against the English tyranny!” Wallace shook his head in disgust and quieted his voice a bit. “I told ye several months ago that I would follow ye if only ye would take the lead,” he motioned to his dilapidated army. “<i>They</i> would follow ye, Robert, but they need to know that they can trust ye, and nothing I say will make them decide that. So ye need to choose if you are going to serve Edward and hope he doesna spike yer head on London Bridge, or if ye want to be the man who will lead the Scots to freedom.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“I would fight, Wallace!” Robert began. “It’s just complications. I want what you want, William: Freedom. But there are other ways to get it than fighting useless wars!”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“So ye would make a pact with our worst enemy instead?!” Wallace cried, disgusted almost to the loss of words. “That’s not freedom, Robert. You don’t have the <i>gall </i>to stand up and fight for a country that is yours by right! You think Longshanks will set ye on the throne? He want’s it for himself! Ye’d be nothing but a puppet, Robert, a lackey bent to his will like Toom Tabard! I have seen Baliol, Robert. And he’s a broken man. No, you would not rule Scotland, Bruce, and I think deep down inside ye know that.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“I don’t have a choice, Wallace!” Bruce protested, his voice hoarse with feeling and anger. “I...”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“There’s always a choice!” Wallace shouted, stopping his words. “Do you not see that? I would have followed you! As my <i>brother</i>, Robert!” He paused and then lowered his voice to an earnest whisper. “As my king.” Then without another word, he turned and stumbled off, leaving a flabbergasted Bruce standing open-mouthed, watching his back as he walked off. The Scottish knight felt his mind clear then and suddenly, he knew where his allegiances lay and where, now, they always would.</span></p></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So, tell me if you liked it and also, for the rest of the month, tell me some of your thoughts on Bruce and Wallace's acquaintance. I'd like to know what you think. Also, as I said before, if you have any other stories about Bruce you would like me to tell before the end of the month, or even into next month, please let me know! I am planning at least one more for next week, so let me know by then.</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Happy Bannockburn Day. Alba gu Bragh!</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Slainte, Hazel</span></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-73799628916200690442011-06-22T10:53:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:22:26.880-07:00Bruce and Sir Henry de BohunThis is a favorite story from the Battle of Bannockburn and has been immortalized in a lot of paintings of Robert the Bruce. This was a fight that happened just before the battle started on the first day, when Robert was getting his men ready. Sir Henry de Bohun (rhymes with bafoon) was an English knight who decided to try his hand at fighting the King of Scots. To dire consequences.<div><br /></div><div>Robert the Bruce, King of Scots rode his small sturdy garron pony in front of his men, seeing that they were all in good order. He was not really expecting to fight that day, but keeping up appearances would show the English that the Scots were not just barbarians. That they could turn out in style. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was not long before the English army began to come over the hill, banners flying gayly in the air. Robert looked at them and spoke to his general, Sir James Douglas.</div><div><br /></div><div>"What think you of the day, Jamie?" he asked him.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I think the English have only pomp on their side while we have the want of freedom," the young man replied and Bruce smiled at him.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Let us pray it is enough then." He started again down the line of his men, talking to them, reassuring them of the fight to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the English side, Sir Henry de Bohun watched the Scottish king ride in front of his men. His battle horse shifted eagerly under him, knowing action was close, but restless for it. de Bohun looked again at King Robert. He was not even paying attention. He could ride over to his quickly and be done with him before anyone cold stop him! He only seemed to be armed with a battle axe as well while Bohun had a lance. He smiled to himself. Aye, it would be easy. Before he could think against it, he urged his horse forward, charging toward the man who wore the gold circlet over his helmet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce heard him coming and swung his pony around, grasping his battle axe in the same movement. He did not hesitate to charge the oncoming horseman and spurred the garron into action. Douglas and his other commanders stared in horror as they saw him charge, but they could not get out to help him before he was already engaged.</div><div><br /></div><div>De Bohun had lowered his lance at the king as soon as Bruce had begun to charge him and he smugly urged his horse forward even faster, eager to prove his valor and win single combat against the rebel king of Scots. But before he knew what was happening, Robert the Bruce jerked his garron to the other side of Bohun's horse and, standing in his stirrups, he swung his battle axe down with huge force onto the English knight's head. The blow was so powerful, that it split Bohun to the breastbone and shattered the axe haft in Bruce's hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>Without another thought, Bruce swung his pony around and headed back to his lines, holding the shattered haft in his hand and looking at it grimly. As he got back, Douglas met him with a speachless, wide-eyed look. He finally gained his voice and choked out:</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>What were you thinking? </i>You could have been <i>killed!</i> That was a foolish thing to do, Robert!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce nodded. "I know. I broke my good axe."</div><div><br /></div><div><i>fin.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>And that was what he was actually reported to have said :) Good old Scottish humor!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, Friday is Bannockburn and I promised you all a special treat! (I hope you'll think it is anyway ;-) so I'll be back then.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-71459924417636891162011-06-18T09:06:00.000-07:002011-06-18T09:34:36.556-07:00James the GoodAll right, then, today, I'm going to give you a story about Sir James Douglas, one of Bruce's faithful followers and closest friends. He was also known as James the Good or The Black Douglas for his dark complexion--not because he was cold-hearted, for he was a very chivalrous knight.<div><br /></div><div>The story I'm going to tell you today is about how Douglas took an English occupied castle in the middle of the night with hardly any problem whatsoever!</div><div><br /></div><div>James Douglas watched the soldiers on the wall top as they marched back and fourth, studying their patterns. He beckoned to his men.</div><div><br /></div><div>"They do not look down," he told the men. "We will sneak up on them that way."</div><div><br /></div><div>"But they will see us coming from afar!" one of the men protested.</div><div><br /></div><div>"They will see us. Be we will crawl. In the mirk, no one will know the difference between us and cows!"</div><div><br /></div><div>The men approved this wisdom and they set out to cross the field, wrapping their weapons under their dark cloaks and some taking light rope ladders upon their backs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up on the wall top a woman sat with her baby, singing gently to it a lullaby that all the English mothers were singing at the time:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Black Douglas shall not get thee."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She looked up as the guards spoke to each other then, pointing below to the grounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"What's that?" one asked his companion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Looks to be some cows runaway, man," the other guard replied. "If they're still there tomorrow, we can make a meal out of them."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They did not notice the ladders slipping over the battlements and as they continued their patrol, a dark clothed figure slipped over the wall top just as the mother finished singing to her babe the lullaby again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The Black Douglas shall not get thee."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Do not be sure of that," Douglas said as he dropped down beside her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"You!" the woman almost cried, but Douglas put a hand over her mouth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">"</span>Wheesht!" he hissed and beckoned to one of him men now over the wall top. "He will stay with ye and keep ye safe. No harm will come to you and the bairn." And then he was gone along the wall. He rushed down the steps and opened the gates before any of the English could stop him, letting in the rest of his army. They quickly took the castle and before the English could do anything the Scots had won. And the woman and her baby were saved by one of the most hated enemies the English ever had.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Fin.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tell me how you are liking my stories and also if there are any you want me to tell about :) This next week, I hope to get at least two posts done as Friday will be Bannockburn when I have a special treat planned for you! ;-) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Slainte, Hazel</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(was this post helpful? Drop me a comment or an email and let me know!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-52751463559587861552011-06-12T14:04:00.000-07:002011-06-12T14:08:28.889-07:00Bannockburn T-shirts!I just put up a new Bannockburn t-shirt on my Cafepress store, <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/HistoryBuffsUnlimited">History Buffs Unlimited</a>! Go take a look! It has the date of the battle on the front along with the Lion Rampant and on the back it has a quotation from the Declaration of Arbroath! Besides that I am really excited to be telling you that two of my books that I am self-publishing are going to be out before Wallace Day this year! Both of them feature William Wallace and will be a perfect companion to comorate Wallace Day. Once I get them ready for sale, I will be sure to tell you when and where you can get them!<div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375818078119723156.post-79596895228515405522011-06-11T10:47:00.000-07:002011-06-11T11:05:44.574-07:00Bruce and the SpiderThis is probably one of the most well-known stories about the great Hero King Robert the Bruce but yet, it probably never really happened. But as I said before, history is made up of things that mostly didn't happen. But these are the stories that we remember and I for one have nothing against them.<div><br /></div><div>So this is how the story goes:</div><div><br /></div><div>It was during Bruce's war with the English and his army had been having the worst of luck. They had been driven back six times on the field of war and Robert was beginning to loose hope of ever seeing his country free. He himself had to go into hiding or risk being taken by his enemies and meet the same fate as his proceeder, William Wallace. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce wandered hopelessly with his small group of men and one night they came on a deserted old barn. Dead weary, they decided to stay there for the night as it was raining and they were already soaked to the bone. Bruce lay down in some straw and tried to rest, but rest would not come to him. His heart was sore for the want to free his people and the seeming fact that it would never be.</div><div><br /></div><div>But as he lay there, he happened to look up and see a spider on the ceiling. He found that he pitied her as he watched her try to swing to the next rafter to weave her web. It was six times that he watched her, seeing then that it had been six times he had fought the English and had been driven back. He watched her stop and thought she had given up. Bruce's heart was even heavier now.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It seems we have both failed," he said softly with a deep sigh.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the spider had not given up. She tried again working carefully this time and as Bruce watched, she swung over to the next rafter. Elated at the sight, Bruce leapt up and, full of hope once more, he smiled up at the spider.</div><div><br /></div><div>"You have given me hope, wee spider," he told her happily. "I too, shall try again!"</div><div><br /></div><div>And so he gathered his men and sent word for any loyal Scot to join him and eventually they met the English on the fields of Bannockburn and won their freedom.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so that was my wee version of Bruce and the Spider. If you have any particular Bruce story you would like me to write about this month, please ket me know. I am going to try to write them all in story form, so you can pretend I'm playing story-teller this month :) Don't be shy to let me know what you want to hear about. Drop me a comment or email me at sirwilliamssquire@gmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be back again soon with more Bruce stories!</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, Hazel</div><div><br /></div><div>(Was this post helpful to you? Drop me a comment or an email and let me know!)</div>Hazel Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234157921832851920noreply@blogger.com2