To recap, I have already made three posts on this subject, here, here and here. And I am doing a lot of research as I am starting a new trilogy set in a different world, but one which has its basis soundly grounded in a version of our world around, say, 1600.

Elizabethan times. The beginnings of the Reformation but before the Renaissance, The time when Europeans were poking their noses into the affairs of other peoples, a long way from their own shores.

As far as I am concerned, research is necessary because if you make mistakes that throw the reader out of your created world, then they cease to believe in your writing – and for a fantasy writer that’s a disaster.

 Above are two books I am using to familiarize myself with something I will be writing about in the middle book of the trilogy.

The top one is Arena Birds by Paul A. Johnsgard, subtitles “Sexual Selection and Behaviour”. It is about birds that use “arenas” — places where they perform for their mate(s). I’d be inclined to call them theatrical birds myself, having seen some of these performances. (Great Argus Pheasant, Great Bustard…)

 Left is the courtship of one of the birds of paradise.

 The second book is Plumes from Paradise by Pamela Swadling: subtitled “trade cycles and their impact on New Guinea and nearby islands until 1920”.

The ladies in the colour plate display the latest fashions of 1830 in the UK, and the black and white pix shows the King of Nepal in 1940 greeting the American Ambassador.

Our worlds have to be believable to make the story believable, even when you are writing about magic and dragons. Everyone knows there’s no magic or elves or dragons, so they willingly suspend belief on those — but they won’t be happy if you start telling them in all seriousness that strawberries grow on large trees in the dead of winter, that it’s possible to sail a ship without ever tacking when the wind is dead against you, that a horse can happily travel five hundred miles without ever stopping to eat and drink, and so on. 

And I’m sure you can see the connection between the ladies, the king and the birds…

The ship is a raiding korakora, carrying Indonesian warriors, drawn in 1798. After all there has to be adventure too, right?

If you have been reading my blog, you will know that I have temporarily shelved the book I was writing to plan another trilogy instead. I have not yet signed any contracts, so at the moment I am fancy free. Am a writing? Yes. Can’t ever stop. And I am researching the story I am writing because it concerns many things I don’t know too much about…(and some I know a lot about but want to know more.) No, it will not be set on our earth, but still – I aim for authenticity.

Here are some words to (I hope) intrigue you: spices, the wicked twin, birds of paradise, scurvy, arranged royal marriages, aromatic bark, kora-kora, trade wars, buccaneers, archipelago, witchery, faustian pact, 17th century galleons, bloody flux, pomanders, milliners, trepang, massoy, plumed cloaks, lost heir, deception and mayhem … need I go on?

Nah.

Needless to say, I am adoring writing this story. Ideas and words are just coming too fast!

The Ship: Retracing Cook’s Endeavour Voyage

 So where do I start the research? Shipping plays a big part. And this book is handy, even though it deals with an 18th voyage, rather than a 17th century one, by Captain Cook on the Endeavour.

The book, written by Simon Baker, belongs to me: I bought it, not for this research, but because that voyage was part of my history. It tells a fascinating story, not just of the voyage of the original Endeavour but of a 20th century version of that voyage in a replica ship. It’s a wonderful book to own.

Take a look at the map below, dated June 10th, 1770. It shows part of the Endeavour River in Queensland

It was drawn by a young man – he was only 19 when the voyage began – but he was already skilful at chart making. His name was Richard Pickersgill. If he had not sailed on this ship as master’s mate, if he had not returned safely to England, I would not have been born.

Don’t you love the expression “”repaired her Bottom”?

 

If you want to know still more about the harrowing experience of being a British sailor in the 19th century, then try this website. Oh, yuk.

If you want something about sailing ships in general then this is a great website to start on, by a chap called Rob Ossian, one of those wonderful folk who so willingly share their passion.