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# Vince Rockston, Author

Vince Rockston writes historical fiction addressing contemporary spiritual issues.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://vincerockston.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Likely Story published a review of Greet Suzon for me](https://vincerockston.com/likely-story-published-a-review-of-greet-suzon-for-me/) - Likely Story: Greet Suzon for me as a thoughtful historical novel about a Huguenot family trying to survive increasing persecution in seventeenth-century France
- [Historical Novel Society Interview](https://vincerockston.com/historical-novel-society-interview/) - Vince Rockston iwrites dramatic stories set in distant times and places in which young people come to grips with timeless spiritual questions.
- [What did it cost?](https://vincerockston.com/what-did-it-cost/) - Madeleine is forced to flee into the forest after her father's arrest. Rockston sustains tension here through proximity — to breath, cold, memory, and prayer.
- [Why is Cerbonius shown with geese?](https://vincerockston.com/why-the-geese/) - Cerbonius was a colourful character. I could describe him as a priest, a refugee, a hermit, a bishop, a bear-tamer, an animal-lover, a miracle-worker. He caused a sensation as a papal visitor, but the Roman Catholic Church later canonised him. I like to remember him for his intimate relationship with God. St. Gregory the Great
- [Of Gods and Demons](https://vincerockston.com/of-gods-and-demons/) - Many people believe in supernatural beings, nature spirits, cosmic powers, earth forces, etc., which influence their lives in some way
- [True to Her Faith by Harriet Gabourel](https://vincerockston.com/true-to-her-faith-by-harriet-gabourel/) - The subtitle of this book – A Story of France in the Time of the Huguenots – caught my attention, as some of my ancestors in Jersey were forced to flee France during the persecution after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. The book is beautifully and vividly written, both as regards descriptions of
- [The French Peasantry in the Seventeenth Century by Pierre Goubert](https://vincerockston.com/the-french-peasantry-in-the-seventeenth-century-by-pierre-goubert/) - This book contains a wealth of otherwise hard-to-find facts about the often poverty-stricken and mostly unnoticed country folk in the diverse provinces and regions we now know as France. Everything warrants a chapter: food, clothing and housing; birth, marriage and death; farming and poaching practices; relationships between peasants, seigneurs, unwelcome soldiers, haughty priests and the revenue-hungry
- [Psaumes interdits by Marjolaine Chevallier](https://vincerockston.com/psaumes-interdits-by-marjolaine-chevallier/) - This is a very well-crafted story of an extended family of Huguenots caught up in the frenzied and irrational persecution under King Louis XIV after he revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. It is based on a true incident, in which smuggled documents from sympathisers in Holland are salvaged from a shipwreck near Rochefort on the
- [The Refugees: A Tale of Two Continents, by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://vincerockston.com/the-refugees-a-tale-of-two-continents-by-arthur-conan-doyle/) - Two exciting stories in one book. Conan Doyle has diligently researched events and conditions both in Versailles and in French-Canadian North America, and developed two superbly written tales linked by the person of Amory De Catinat, a half-hearted young Huguenot serving as a personal guard of King Louis XIV. The first story is a shockingly
- [Dramatic tension as the storm brews](https://vincerockston.com/dramatic-tension-as-the-storm-brews/) - Before The Storm 1685 by Paul C. R. Monk – an object lesson in creative historical fiction writing This free novella covers the same dramatic events as my work-in-progress, Gédéon. In my opinion, Paul C. R. Monk has not only written a captivating prequel to his trilogy, The Huguenot Chronicles but presents a masterpiece in regard
- [The Edict of Nantes](https://vincerockston.com/the-edict-of-nantes/) - In the sixteenth century, France witnessed decades of strife between the established Catholic Church and the new Huguenot believers, followers of John Calvin's Protestant doctrine. These culminated in a series of massacres in many parts of the country. The most horrible became known as the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, at which thousands of
- [Give my love to Jesus](https://vincerockston.com/give-my-love-to-jesus/) - An extract from 'Greet Suzon for me' “I’m sure you miss your papa, Sophie.” “Yes. Mummy’s taking me to him.” “That’s right.” I looked at Antoinette. “How did you get separated? Can you tell me what happened?” She hung her head, sniffing and nodding for some moments. Then she looked up, breathing in gasps. “Those
- [Ever heard of a Chignon Bible?](https://vincerockston.com/chignon-bible-persecution-huguenots/) - Louis XIV considered a person who possessed a Bible to be a traitor, a member of a rival church. Bitter persecution of Protestant believers spread throughout France. To avoid discovery, a Huguenot woman often hid her micro Bible in her hair bun or chignon. I joined the week-long guided tour 'In the footsteps of the
- [A is for Abjuration – Some do it twice](https://vincerockston.com/abjuration/) - Abjuration – In the religious strife in France in the 16th and 17th centuries, a formal renunciation one's faith and adoption of a different one.
- [C is for Constance – A dungeon for women](https://vincerockston.com/constance/) - The Tour de Constance in Aigues-Mortes in the south of France demanded a great deal of perseverance from the Huguenot women imprisoned there.
- [F is for Françoise – The Unknown Queen](https://vincerockston.com/francoise/) - Françoise d'Aubigné. Louis XIV's closest adviser and governess of his many illegitimate children. Marquise de Maintenon. Unknown Queen.
- [G is for Galley slaves – Never to return](https://vincerockston.com/galley-slaves/) - male recusants were often condemned to serve as galley slaves. They were forced to row long oars in unison at the command of the master.
- [N is for Nouvelles Catholiques – Home for re-education](https://vincerockston.com/nouvelles-catholiques/) - Children of Huguenot families were often placed in the community of the Nouvelles Catholiques, where they were brought up to follow the 'true religion'.
- [P is for Persecution – Can't stay, can't go](https://vincerockston.com/persecution/) - The Huguenots' position became insecure as King Louis XIV was advised that the religious minority was a threat to the absolute authority of the monarch.
- [Q is for Queen Maria Theresa – A peace offering](https://vincerockston.com/queen-maria-theresa/) - Maria Theresa, daughter of King Philp IV of Spain, known for her beauty, grace, piety and thorough education in literature, as well as religious instruction.
- [R is for Refuge – A place of safety](https://vincerockston.com/refuge/) - Protestants in many parts of France were deliberately terrorised and pressurised to abjure their faith. Many tried desperately to escape to le refuge.
- [W is for William III – William of Orange](https://vincerockston.com/william-iii/) - King William III of England, also known as William of Orange, was a significant figure in European history during the late 17th century.
- [What sort of crazy title is that?](https://vincerockston.com/what-sort-of-crazy-title-is-that/) - My book is not about Suzon at all. So why does she figure in the title? She doesn’t – not really. We’re in France at a time of religious persecution.
- [Huguenot Persecution by the Catholic Hierarchy](https://vincerockston.com/huguenot-persecution-by-the-catholic-hierarchy/) - Huguenot Persecution by Catholic Hierarchy. Editorial Review of "Greet Suzon for Me". Gédéon, a Huguenot, experiences increasing hostility from King Louis XIV
- [A compelling story](https://vincerockston.com/a-compelling-story/) - Review by Sharlene Almond, Reedsy Discovery A compelling story of a persecuted family condemned to die, but resilient in their faith. Vince Rockston takes the reader into the grisly world of 17th century Europe where due to their staunch beliefs, the Huguenots establish themselves as enemy no.1. They demonstrate courage and determination through perilous journeys
- [Has the Church lost its way?](https://vincerockston.com/has-the-church-lost-its-way/) - I’ve recently read several books about the wives of Christian reformers. They led me to ponder on the way the Church’s emphasis and lifestyle have changed throughout history. Here is a very superficial summary of my analysis, concentrating on the European situation: Early Church: world mission – “Go into all the world and make disciples!”
- [Published!](https://vincerockston.com/published/) - Greet Suzon for me is out! In seventeenth-century France, faith is a matter of life and death. Under the rule of Louis XIV, the Huguenots – Protestant believers – face persecution, exile, and the constant threat of betrayal. Amid this turmoil, young Gédéon d’Albert is forced to grow up quickly, stepping into the role of
- [D is for Dragonnade – Persuasion by any means](https://vincerockston.com/dragonnade/) - dragonnades. dragoons were sent to persuade the lost subjects to recant, in principle by persuasion but in reality by any means they saw fit.
- [Historical Novel Blog Tour](https://vincerockston.com/historical-novel-blog-tour/) - Intro As an author of a mere half of a book, I feel greatly honoured to have been invited by the enterprising Tiffani Burnett-Velez to participate in her Historical Novel Blog Tour, mingling with such illustrious writers as Meara Platt, Douglas Hawkins, A. David Singh, Claudia Long, Greg Michaels, Barbara Eppich Struna, Eleanor Parker Sapia.
- [Seventeenth Century France and the Huguenots](https://vincerockston.com/seventeenth-century-france-and-the-huguenots/) - Seventeenth Century France and the Huguenots
- [Shipwreck on Écréhous](https://vincerockston.com/shipwreck-on-ecrehous/) - A chapter from 'Greet Suzon for me' This draft of chapter 22 contains some drama, a style of prose I'm not good at. I'd appreciate any feedback – harsh or complimentary – to help me improve it. Chapter 22 We were left to ourselves, facing a whole new life. ### Stéphane turned the boat seaward
- [Hagia Sophia to become a mosque – again](https://vincerockston.com/hagia-sophia-to-become-a-mosque-again/) - Turkish President Erdogan has announced Hagia Sophia will revert to being a mosque, with Muslim prayers to be held there again from July 24 2020. Origins The Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul was not named after a female saint; the name means Holy Wisdom – a reference to Jesus, the Wisdom of God – and
- [T is for Terreneuviers – Jersey fishermen in Newfoundland](https://vincerockston.com/terreneuviers/) - Terreneuviers (Newfoundlanders) were Jersey fishermen who participated in the Newfoundland fishery during the 16th to 19th centuries.
- [U is for United Provinces – Dutch Republic](https://vincerockston.com/united-provinces/) - The United Provinces of the Netherlands seven northern regions also known as the Dutch Republic. approximately area of the present Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- [V is for Versailles – Louis XIV's magnificent palace](https://vincerockston.com/versailles/) - The palace of Versailles and elaborate gardens built by King Louis XIV were intended to showcase the power and grandeur of the French monarchy.
- [X is for X-ING – Crossing the sea to escape](https://vincerockston.com/xing/) - Refugees often cross over dangerous sea. Where will we find a boat? Will it be seaworthy? Do we have to row? None of us know how to handle sails.
- [Z is for Zeitgeist – The Age of Reason?](https://vincerockston.com/zeitgeist/) - Zeitgeist or Spirit of the Age in 17th century France heralded the Age of Enlightenment. Social, intellectual, political and religious developments.
- [Y is for Why – Religious conflicts?](https://vincerockston.com/why/) - Religious conflicts have plagued societies throughout history, causing immense suffering, division, and loss of life.
- [Who says global warming?](https://vincerockston.com/who-says-global-warming/) - AD 536 saw the most protracted episode of climatic cooling. We talk a lot about global warming. But sometimes the opposite happens. Was it caused by one or more massive volcanic eruptions? The so-called volcanic winter of AD 536 was certainly an uncanny phenomenon. The sun went dark for eighteen months throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
- [E is for Écréhous – A smugglers nest](https://vincerockston.com/ecrehous/) - Les Écréhous are a tiny group of islets and rocks, with sandbanks at low tide, between Jersey and the Normandy peninsula.
- [H is for Huguenots – Devout Protestants](https://vincerockston.com/huguenots/) - Huguenots, devout Protestants, followed the teaching of John Calvin. They emphasised salvation by faith in Jesus alone and the authority of Scripture
- [J is for Jean Giraud – Pedlar with a secret](https://vincerockston.com/jean-giraud/) - Jean Giraud, a humble pedlar from La Grave French Hautes-Alpes travelling between Lyon, Grenoble, Geneva, and Turin, could be called a networker.
- [K is for King Louis XIV – the Sun King](https://vincerockston.com/king-louis-xiv/) - King Louis XIV, the Sun King, his many mistresses and the grandiose palace of Versailles he built. Here are some details you may not have known.
- [L is for Louvois – Secretary of state for war](https://vincerockston.com/louvois/) - Louvois was the secretary of state for war under Louis XIV and his most influential minister. He contributed to the reorganization of the French army.
- [M is for Madame de Guise – Duchess of Alençon](https://vincerockston.com/madame-de-guise/) - In 1676, Madame de Guise, Duchess of Alençon, joined the Catholic party there. She was fiercely antagonistic toward Huguenots and encouraged their repression.
- [History through the eyes of New World settlers](https://vincerockston.com/history-through-the-eyes-of-new-world-settlers/) - History through the eyes of New World settlers Continuing saga of the Huguenot family Desaga of the Huguenot family Delpech.
- [Games?](https://vincerockston.com/games/) - 'Games' by Patrick Oberholzer is a remarkable book – remarkable in its oversized format, remarkable in its dramatic design, and particularly remarkable in its message. It is also a very instructive book. It makes us aware of the traumatic experiences of many Afghans refugees who arrive in comfortable Western Europe. “We speak of 'games' to refer
- [S is for Société du samedi – Salon des précieuses](https://vincerockston.com/societe-du-samedi/) - Société du samedi. in 17th century France, intellectual, witty women known as les précieuses developed a culture of lively conversations in so-called salons
- [O is for Opera – Académie Royale de Musique](https://vincerockston.com/opera/) - Louis XIV his lavish and extravagant lifestyle, personal magnificence and majesty, was a great lover of music, dance and actively promoted ballet and opera
- [I is for Intendant – Royal civil servant](https://vincerockston.com/intendant/) - Intendants were royal civil servants, appointed during the Old Regime in an attempt at centralising the administration and raising taxes for the war efforts.
- [B is for Benoist – Historian of the Edict of Nantes](https://vincerockston.com/benoist/) - Élie Benoist was a learned theologian. In 1665, he was appointed as one of the pastors of the Huguenot congregation in Alençon, Normandy.
- [Another great tool for authors!](https://vincerockston.com/another-great-tool-for-authors/) - Don't you sometimes make a major change to a chapter - delete a whole section and rearrange the sequence of events - only to have a nagging thought that perhaps that wasn't such a good idea and in a week or two you'll want to revert to the old version? Google Drive knew that was
- [Not quite as old as Silvanus' map](https://vincerockston.com/not-quite-as-old-as-silvanus/) - This is a copper engraving by the Dutch artists Willem Janszoon and Joan Blaeu, based on Giovanni Antonio Magini's original of 1598. Many thanks to Paolo Ferruzzi, who keeps this map in his Academy of Works of Art in Poggio. Funnily enough, Silvanus' map, though less elaborate, looks far more accurate to the modern eye.
- [Silvanus's Treks](https://vincerockston.com/silvanuss-treks/) - I just discovered a map Silvanus must have made, showing his treks across Ilva. How do you like it? Actually, it was made for him by a brilliant cartographer in Russia, Polina Vorontsova.
- [Pillage and Rape](https://vincerockston.com/pillage-and-rape/) - Silvanus finds Valerius bathing and discovers he is badly wounded and in fact a girl. Virna recounts her story from being captured and enslaved.
- [Who would have thought it?](https://vincerockston.com/who-would-have-thought-it-2/) - The Romans had two-story houses with door locks, underfloor heating, running hot water, private mills, and silver dishes! And toilets-for-two next to the stove in the kitchen! In October 2012 we took our grandson to see the reconstructed Roman village of Augusta Raurica, near Basle. Together with Catherine Aitken's brilliant children's booklet, Come and See the Roman
- [Writers' Workshop Zürich](https://vincerockston.com/writers-workshop-zurich/) - On 29 October 2012 I attended the Boot Camp of the Writers' Workshop in the Volkshaus Zürich – a full day's dose of useful tips for would-be authors. I'm not normally very good at paying attention in long meetings, but there I was captivated and I took copious notes. The speakers were very competent (Why all ladies?) and
- [Food, Clothing](https://vincerockston.com/food-and-clothing/) - Food Cereals, vegetables and fruits were certainly more common on the table than meat. But since these – unlike bones – are seldom preserved, this is difficult to verify. Common foods were certainty oats, spelt and einkorn; somewhat less common barley, rye, cone wheat, emmer, and millet. From these, porridge, grit and flour were made. Legumes, olives
- [Show or tell?](https://vincerockston.com/show-or-tell/) - Some gleanings from from the Zürich Writers' Workshop, 13.-14.4.2013 I was in the Storytelling Fundamentals stream with instructor Sam North, who teaches Creative Writing at Exeter University. We were about 15 participants from all over the world - Philippines, Sweden, Nigeria, India, USA, UK, Switzerland - mostly living in the Zürich area. A very interactive, stimulating group. I hope to
- [Dreaming of the big wide world](https://vincerockston.com/dreaming-of-the-big-wide-world/) - I doubt that Silvanus saw many motor boats from his hillside home on Elba. But he certainly watched the birds and shipping. And dreamed of adventure in the big, wide world. Perhaps that is what inspired me to take a day off work and go 'sailing' in the MS Panta Rhei on the Zürichsee. In spite
- [An inspiring walk](https://vincerockston.com/an-inspiring-walk/) - My brain was addled and my neck ached. I had been sitting too long in front of the computer. I couldn't even motivate myself enough to procrastinate. And then I saw the sun was shining. Why not grab one of the tasty korvapuustit my wife had just baked and head for the woods? Who would have
- [AtoZ Challenge April 2024](https://vincerockston.com/atoz-challenge-april-2024/) - Welcome to an instructive journey that promises to ignite your curiosity about aspirations and conflicts in a period of history that you may know little about. As we gear up for the upcoming A to Z Blogging Challenge in April, I am unveiling the theme that will guide us through a month of discovery and
- [Resources](https://vincerockston.com/references/) - My research for 'Greet Suzon for me' included studying the following documents and online resources. Reference works Elie Benoist, Historian of the Edict of Nantes, by Charles JohnstonChurch History Vol. 55, No. 4 (Dec., 1986) (www.jstor.org/stable/3166369) Un frère de Nicolas Foucquet: François, Archevêque de Narbonne; Exilé à Alençon. (www.gutenberg.org/files/23199/23199-h/23199-h.htm) La Réforme à Alençon, B. Robert,
- [A Night in the Forest](https://vincerockston.com/a-night-in-the-forest/) - This is a sample chapter from my work-in-progress: Gédéon. Madeleine d’Albert “Get out of sight, Madeleine!” Papa’s voice roused me from my slumber. A cry escaped my lips as my head jerked up and struck a brass knob on Maman’s escritoire. Papa was quick to push back into place the tiny drawer that had opened
- [Why I can’t believe in No God](https://vincerockston.com/why-i-cant-believe-in-no-god/) - A day trip to see an exhibition about evolution in a local natural history museum! The school class I assist was excited. Preliminary documentation showed that the displays were very well designed. Going round in groups, the children had to find the answers to questions about fossils, the emergence of different species, the demise of
- [Slander – an odious sin](https://vincerockston.com/slander-an-odious-sin/) - Even in a time of great persecution under Louis XIV, most Huguenots in France were primarily concerned for their personal holiness in the eyes of God, rather than to fight for their rights. This is illustrated by the following imagined secret evening culte in a private home, based on a genuine sermon preached in Castres
- [Translating English into English](https://vincerockston.com/translating-english-into-english/) - I'm afraid she did exactly what I feared. Much to my grief, the good lady editor said my book was unworthy. And she begged me not to take steps toward self-publishing, like finding someone to design a cover for it. 'It's far too long. The plot is all over the place. Most of the action happens off stage. It
- [What's another word for...?](https://vincerockston.com/whats-another-word-for/) - I've already mentioned how I like to use Google Drive for writing the chapters of my book. I can think of three good reasons why (or four): I can access it from anywhere where I have Internet connectivityIt automagically keeps earlier versions of a documentIt has a built-in dictionary/thesaurus function (see the Research panel in
- [Serious Criticism](https://vincerockston.com/serious-criticism-2/) - Every author stresses how important revision is. The trouble is, one easily overlooks one's own weak points, omissions and errors. The solution sounds easy: Get a good Critique Partner for reciprocal manuscript correction. But how? There aren't that many budding English-speaking authors in Oberlunkhofen! I tried several online author sites which offer some facility for
- [Where (on earth) am I?](https://vincerockston.com/where-on-earth-am-i/) - "Look around where you are right now. Describe this setting - but do so in the words your viewpoint character would use." This was the exercise I was set in the book I'm currently reading. So I tried, in the words and from the point of view of a 6th century peasant boy from Elba! Here
- [Description, Action or Dialogue?](https://vincerockston.com/description-action-or-dialogue/) - I've come to a point in my story where Silvanus engages in heart-searching exchanges with his wise old mentor, Cerbonius. They don't do much. They talk. This, I realize, can quickly become boring for the reader, who is hoping for more excitement. What's the solution? Well: Look how others do it! At the moment, I'm (re-)reading Brian
- [A New Home?](https://vincerockston.com/a-new-home/) - How do refugee families settle in their adopted country? Recently the BBC published a moving report about nine-year-old Rouaa from a Syrian refugee family. They had fled their home after a chemical attack and lived for several years in a camp in Lebanon. Now the UK has granted them asylum. For several years, I have
- [What's his face?](https://vincerockston.com/whats-his-face/) - Many aspects form a novel - plot, pace, voice, character arc, setting, backstory, etc. But a novel wouldn't be anything without characters. And readers want to get to know the main players. Among other things, they want to discover what they look like. And that, in turn, means they want to see their faces. I'm not good
- [Beats, Tags and White Space](https://vincerockston.com/beats-tags-and-white-space/) - As an aspiring author, I've read several books on the art and craft of writing. They confused me. I didn't even understand the terminology, let alone the principles they advocated. There's nothing better than jumping in the deep end and getting feedback from more experienced authors. My hesitant attempts at posting individual chapters of my
- [Extremely useful authoring tool](https://vincerockston.com/extremely-useful-authoring-tool/) - Among many interesting bits and bites, the December 2012 issue of The Woolf plugged the personal writing editor and coach Pro Writing Aid. Perhaps you all know and use it already. ProWritingAid highlights elements like repetitiveness, vague wording, sentence length variation, over-dependence on adverbs, passive voice, over-complicated sentence constructions, and so much more. I tried out the free online version and soon subscribed
- [Why is book-writing like renovating a patio?](https://vincerockston.com/why-is-book-writing-like-renovating-a-patio/) - I took a week off work to write my book... and to renovate the patio. The latter won. I won't say I made no progress at all on the book, but it was minor. Instead, I set to work planning the garden job, clearing the area, ripping up worn-out paving stones, relocating ants' nests, tearing
- [Discovering who I'm not](https://vincerockston.com/discovering-what-im-not/) - As a would-be writer, I, of course, also do a fair amount of reading. One lesson I've learned is that a novel is far more enticing to read than any text-book, philosophical monograph, or non-fiction treatise. I read in the bus and train on my way to work. The free daily papers usually win the battle when they're
- [Different Types of Fiction](https://vincerockston.com/about-different-types-of-fiction/) - For a change, I'm including a guest post. Thanks, Lucy Adams, for an interesting and thought-provoking article. Why do people read books? What are the reasons that they are among the most important inventions of human civilization? You know the answer, although you may not be aware of it. Today I want to talk about

## Pages

- [Home](https://vincerockston.com/) - Vince Rockston, from Jersey, worked at CERN, then in IT and tech writing. Now retired in Switzerland, he aims to make a meaningful impact, regardless of age.
- [Impressum](https://vincerockston.com/impressum/) - Grey Owl Books Vince RockstonKirchweg 95444 KüntenSwitzerland +41 79 487 47 84vince@vincerockston.com
- [All about Aquila](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/) - Aquila – Can Silvanus Escape That God? - Historical Fiction Set in 6th-Century Elba - A Pagan lad runs away from home and is befriended by an old, exiled bishop
- [Greet Suzon for me](https://vincerockston.com/suzon-huguenot-persecution/) - Huguenot persecution. Fifteen-year-old Gédéon embarks on a dangerous journey marked by betrayal and a shipwreck. What does his sister's God have to do with it?
- [Monday, 7th October 2013: Portoferraio - Valle dei Mulini - San Cerbone](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/2013-10-07/) - Monday morning included a visit to the Portoferraio bookshop, followed by the library. Quite an experience when you don't know the language. An elderly woman assistant did her level best to hunt out a variety of books in Italian, German and English, which she thought might be of interest to me. I ended up with
- [Thanks](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/thanks/) - I very much appreciate assistance from: Roberto Costa and Roberto Miliani for permission to use their brilliant photos from Aquila rock. Brijesh Luthra and Julie Rochat for valuable feedback on my first draft of chapter 3 Ross Hoover from PrimitiveDesignsTX for permission to use a photo of his realistic-looking eagle pendant (sold, I'm afraid) Tamara Tännler, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin Forschung, Augusta Raurica for
- [Aquila is now available](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-is-now-available/) - Aquila – Can Silvanus escape that god? Silvanus is angry. Perplexed. And afraid. Angry that his dad made him undertake this precarious trek. Perplexed about the future. And afraid of the fearful stone god, Aquila the Avenger, who haunts him wherever he goes. His dream? Escape the little isle of Ilva and discover the wide
- [Thursday, 10th October: Angelo Mazzei - Marciana Marina](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/thursday-10th-october-angelo-mazzei-marciana-marina/) - An early breakfast, not forgetting to collect my almost dry clothes from the heating room, and it was already time to say goodbye to my friendly host, Chiara. She also gave me the phone number of Silvestre Ferruzzi, Director of the Museo Archeologico di Marciana and author of several books on the history of Elba;
- [Writers' Tips and Tools](https://vincerockston.com/writers-tips-and-tools/) - Writers' Tips and Tools As a fledgling writer of fiction, Vince had a great deal to learn. He profited immensely from attending writers' workshops in the UK and his home country, Switzerland, with renowned speakers such as Adrian Plass and Joanna Penn. Participating in a local critique group was also most helpful. Have a look
- [Spiritual matters](https://vincerockston.com/spiritual-matters/) - Vince's posts on spiritual and faith-related issues We all ask ourselves questions about the purpose and meaning of life. Why am I here? How can I lead a happy and fulfilled life? Why do so many people suffer from illness, injustice, hunger or war? Is it valid to have faith in God? Which is the
- [Privacy Policy](https://vincerockston.com/privacy-policy/) - My name is Vince Rockston and I operate this website, vincerockston.com. I respect your privacy and will not collect unnecessary information about you, share your details with anyone else, or spam you with marketing messages that you haven’t asked to receive. Here is a brief summary of the information I collect through this website and
- [About the author](https://vincerockston.com/about-the-author/) - Born on the tiny Island of Jersey, Vince Rockston studied physics at Imperial College London, then moved to Geneva as a Research Associate at CERN. After starting a family, he worked in IT and later as a technical writer. During a hiking holiday on Elba, Vince searched in vain for a historical novel by a local
- [Valerius – or whoever you are](https://vincerockston.com/valerius-or-whoever-you-are/) - This is a short video reading of a scene after Silvanus is joined by the escape slave Valerius. Enjoy!
- [Can Silvanus Escape That God?](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/about/) - Vincento Silvanus is angry. Perplexed. And afraid. Supernatural power brings him to old Cerbonius’ cave. Silvanus learns deep principles of a satisfying life.
- [Terms and Conditions](https://vincerockston.com/terms-and-conditions/) - Last updated: February 05, 2024 Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using Our Service. Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions
- [Checkwordlist](https://vincerockston.com/checkwordlist/) - Basic English Word Checker Basic English Word Checker This program checks a text file for words that are not in the Basic English word list.
- [Teaser](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/teaser/) - Aquila – Can Silvanus escape that god? Silvanus has no wish to be great. He merely wants to escape from his harsh father and discover the world. But the ever watchful god Aquila seems determined to thwart his dreams. A violent storm and a mean villain's treachery fail to conquer his spirit. With the help of
- [Wednesday, 9th October: Monte Capanne - Caprili - San Piero](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/wednesday-9th-october-monte-capanne-caprili-san-piero/) - Today's forecast was better, so I decided to take the parrot-cage lift up to Monte Capanne and decide there what to do. It was thick cloud at the top, so I stopped for a cool cappuccino (the power had failed!) and slice of chocolate cake, before venturing up the steep steps to the summit. On
- [Tuesday, 8th October: L'Aquila - Madonna del Monte - Il Troppolo - Pomonte](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/tuesday-8th-october-laquila-madonna-del-monte-il-troppolo-pomonte/) - After one of Chiara's famed multifaceted breakfasts, I bought some bread, salami and chocolate in the village 'Market', a tiny shop selling everyday goods, and set off up towards Madonna del Monte, a Church of pilgrimage about half an hour's walk up Monte Giove - a place that was to prove significant later in the
- [Trees and Shrubs](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/trees-and-shrubs/)
- [The tongue is a fire](https://vincerockston.com/suzon-huguenot-persecution/huguenot-sermon-on-slander/) - A sermon by Abel-Rodolphe de Ladevèze If anyone among you considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 Spiritual shipwreck However weak he may be, we should fear any enemy who strives night and day for our doom. Those
- [Saturday 12th October: Museo Archeologico di Marciana - Portoferraio](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/saturday-12th-october-museo-archeologico-di-marciana-portoferraio/) - My short breakfast was interrupted at 7:45 by a phone call from Paolo: Why wasn't I at the car yet? So, after a grateful farewell to Angelo, I drove with the others back to Marciana Alta. Silvestre showed me around his small but beautifully presented museum, covering a wide variety of finds from neolithic flints
- [People and Things](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/people-and-things/) - I've created a glossary of unfamiliar names and terms used within these posts and in the book Aquila. It will be growing as I write more... Hover over the following terms to discover who or what liquamen and Totila were, or visit the complete glossary.
- [Links](https://vincerockston.com/aquila-6th-century-historical-fiction/references/) - St. Cerbonius History of Elba and Historical Notes Minerals from the west, Minerals of Elba Gothic War (535–554) Extreme weather events of 535-536 AD
- [Contact](https://vincerockston.com/contact/)

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