ClaireThornton.com
Miscellany
Many of my stories have been inspired by snippets of historical information I've discovered - often when I was looking for something completely different. For example, I found Brigadier Page's book on the women in Wellington's wars quite by accident when I was browsing in my local library. As soon as I saw the front cover, which shows a print of women washing their laundry in a river while British soldiers sit or stand around campfire, I knew I wanted to write a story with that background (Raven's Honor).
There is no need to know about the historical background to enjoy my books, but in these Miscellany pages I've put up some of my research for anyone who may be interested. These pages aren't intended to provide a complete accounts of any subject, just a few snippets of information.
Soldiers’ Wives with Wellington’s Army
Raven's Honor begins in Spain in November 1812 during the army's retreat from Burgos. The descriptions of the retreat in Raven's Honor are based on the accounts of several contemporary witnesses. The experiences of the heroine in the book are based on the real-life experiences of the women who went to war with Wellington's army.
Historical Background to Anthony Hill’s Character
Anthony Hill is a secondary character in Raven's Honor and Gifford's Lady. He is the Afro-British cousin of Cole and Gifford Raven. Anthony's origins and position in the Raven household are loosely based on a the story of a real 18th century woman, Dido Elizabeth Belle....