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author, translator and printmaker:
where medieval history and mythology come alive
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Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
- May 25, 2020
- 5 min
Pleshey and Great Canfield Castles – Two Norman Mottes in Essex
A detailed look at two magnificent Norman motte-and-bailey castles in Essex: Great Canfield and Pleshey. Both are well worth the trip to see
83 views0 comments
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Jan 6, 2020
- 5 min
Degannwy Castle - a stronghold brought to ruin by revenge
A brief history of Degannwy (Deganwy) castle in North Wales, with a description, photographs and useful links.
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Sep 2, 2019
- 4 min
Book Review: Hollow Places by Christopher Hadley
Hollow Places is a fascinating examination of how legends grow through time and yet have a basis in truth. A stunning examination of the leg
127 views0 comments
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Jul 9, 2019
- 6 min
Review: Green Knight - a mediaeval lady's real thoughts on knighthood and chivalry
A review of Dr Debbie Cannon's magnificent play about Lady Bertilak and her love for Sir Gawain - as seen from the point of view of The
76 views0 comments
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4 min
Cookham, Taplow and the Pyschogeography of the Thames Valley
The landscape of the Thames valley between Windsor and Maidenhead has an extraordinary and spiritual atmosphere if you clear your head of th
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Mar 18, 2019
- 5 min
Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire - a wonder in the fens
Bolingbroke Castle is a special castle with a history fundamentally linked to the history of England. Built on an hexagonal plan, the castle
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Feb 19, 2019
- 4 min
Book Review: The Castle at War in Medieval England and Wales
Dr Dan Spencer's book on the Medieval castles is a valuable and accessible guide to castles - not what they are but where they appear in
42 views0 comments
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Feb 16, 2019
- 4 min
Making a linocut print of King Arthur and Excalibur for my new book
This article shows the process involved in researching and printing a four colour linocut print of King Arthur and Excalibur. The image will
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
- Oct 24, 2018
- 4 min
The Battle of Agincourt, 1415
A detailed overview of the revolutionary tactics used by Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt 1415. Details of how to obtain a set of Agincour
52 views0 comments
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
- Sep 5, 2018
- 4 min
The church of St John the Baptist, Barnack, Cambridgeshire – an astonishing Anglo-Saxon survival
A brief tour with photographs of the astonishing Anglo-Saxon (and later) church of St John the Baptist at Barnack, Cambs. A truly remarkable
71 views0 comments
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
- Aug 12, 2018
- 3 min
The historic landscape at Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire
A description of the astonishing motte and bailey castle at Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire, with its historic earthworks and man-made landscape
51 views0 comments
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
- Aug 11, 2018
- 2 min
Illustrating my new translation of the Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death)
A new translation of the epic fourteenth century story of King Arthur's Death by Michael Smith will feature over 32 stunning linocut ill
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Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
- Jul 22, 2018
- 4 min
In search of the De Veres - St Nicholas Church at Castle Hedingham
St Nicholas Church in Castle Hedingham, Essex contains a rich collection of Norman, mediaeval and Tudor work. Of particular interest is a ra
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Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
- May 23, 2018
- 3 min
The Mediaeval Graffiti at Anstey, Hertfordshire
Learn about the fabulous mediaeval graffiti at Anstey in Hertfordshire, including shields, helmets, writing and more.
111 views0 comments
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