Happy Medieval Monday. My guest today is Barbara Bettis, former journalist turned romance writer.
I’m not sure what calls to me
so strongly from the Middle Ages, but whatever it is, has done so my entire
life. I think it may be rooted in the stories I devoured when I first started
reading. Myths, folk stories from different cultures, tales of Knights of the
Round Table, they all captured my imagination. It was a different, fascinating
world where anything was possible—in theory. Throughout school, history was a
favorite subject, and I loved to delve into the events—and lives of the
people—of the past.
so strongly from the Middle Ages, but whatever it is, has done so my entire
life. I think it may be rooted in the stories I devoured when I first started
reading. Myths, folk stories from different cultures, tales of Knights of the
Round Table, they all captured my imagination. It was a different, fascinating
world where anything was possible—in theory. Throughout school, history was a
favorite subject, and I loved to delve into the events—and lives of the
people—of the past.
As I did so, I recognized that
the knightly tales of daring do or die from my childhood were set amidst times of
turmoil, deprivation of the many and reward of the few. I usually root for the
underdog, so when my studies introduced me to mercenaries and the bad
reputation many of them enjoyed (and they probably did enjoy them), I
immediately thought, “But they all must not have been bad. What of the ones who
fought to better themselves and didn’t practice cruelty?”
the knightly tales of daring do or die from my childhood were set amidst times of
turmoil, deprivation of the many and reward of the few. I usually root for the
underdog, so when my studies introduced me to mercenaries and the bad
reputation many of them enjoyed (and they probably did enjoy them), I
immediately thought, “But they all must not have been bad. What of the ones who
fought to better themselves and didn’t practice cruelty?”
Life was not easy for most
people. In the eyes of society at that time, bettering oneself usually meant
acquiring land. Few folks had the means or opportunity to do so. Later in the
Medieval period, landed-society’s restrictions didn’t allow for commoners to
aspire to knighthood, except for very limited exceptions. But in the earlier
days, it wasn’t all that unusual for a commoner to rise by reason of bravery,
strength, and audacity. All but one of my stories have featured such
mercenaries who strive to better themselves by acquiring power and land.
people. In the eyes of society at that time, bettering oneself usually meant
acquiring land. Few folks had the means or opportunity to do so. Later in the
Medieval period, landed-society’s restrictions didn’t allow for commoners to
aspire to knighthood, except for very limited exceptions. But in the earlier
days, it wasn’t all that unusual for a commoner to rise by reason of bravery,
strength, and audacity. All but one of my stories have featured such
mercenaries who strive to better themselves by acquiring power and land.
All my stories feature strong
women, not at all the norm of the period. Yet discoveries tell us there were
more strong women than we realize, although most of them were wed or in the
church. I imbue my heroines with strength of character given the times in which
they lived.
women, not at all the norm of the period. Yet discoveries tell us there were
more strong women than we realize, although most of them were wed or in the
church. I imbue my heroines with strength of character given the times in which
they lived.
I love creating the stories of
strong heroines we women would like to be and of heroes we’d love to live for.
strong heroines we women would like to be and of heroes we’d love to live for.
Author Bio:
Barbara Bettis grew up in the
rural Midwest, where reading was a reward for chores well done. So you can bet
she did her chores well—and fast. She loved history and English. She’d intended
to major in English, but when she arrived at her small, Liberal Arts college,
one of the European history professors was on a Rhodes Scholarship. Once she
met the English professors, she defected.
rural Midwest, where reading was a reward for chores well done. So you can bet
she did her chores well—and fast. She loved history and English. She’d intended
to major in English, but when she arrived at her small, Liberal Arts college,
one of the European history professors was on a Rhodes Scholarship. Once she
met the English professors, she defected.
Thus, she received her BA in
English with a strong minor in history and her Master’s in English. After
working as a newspaper reporter and editor, Barb returned to college and taught
English and journalism, later earning a doctorate in Higher Education with an
emphasis in journalism.
English with a strong minor in history and her Master’s in English. After
working as a newspaper reporter and editor, Barb returned to college and taught
English and journalism, later earning a doctorate in Higher Education with an
emphasis in journalism.
After her husband died, some
former students lured her into their critique group, where she began writing
fiction. A trip to Scotland and England solidified her love of the Isles (the
small tour group set up a ‘Barb’s Castle Alert’ on their train journeys). Her
earlier fascination with the Middle Ages led her into her medieval stories,
where she’s been roaming around ever since.
former students lured her into their critique group, where she began writing
fiction. A trip to Scotland and England solidified her love of the Isles (the
small tour group set up a ‘Barb’s Castle Alert’ on their train journeys). Her
earlier fascination with the Middle Ages led her into her medieval stories,
where she’s been roaming around ever since.
Now that she’s retired from
teaching, her ambition is to write an angst-ridden, tortured hero set in the
High Middle Ages, but somehow her guys end up with inappropriate senses of
humor. Perhaps in the future…. www.barbarabettis.blogspot.com
teaching, her ambition is to write an angst-ridden, tortured hero set in the
High Middle Ages, but somehow her guys end up with inappropriate senses of
humor. Perhaps in the future…. www.barbarabettis.blogspot.com
Thanks for hosting me today, Ruth. Love the mysterious sunset photo on your blog!!