A beautiful collection of Renaissance poetry, assembled by one of the world's finest historical novelists. Dorothy Dunnett died in November 2001. She left behind this anthology, chosen by her from the hundreds of poems which she used in her world-famous series of novels known as THE LYMOND CHRONICLES. It is a fascinating set of choices, featuring Thomas Wyatt, King James I, extracts from the Psalms, and even an anonymous poem called 'Monologue of a Drunkard' - as Dorothy herself writes, here in one volume is 'the poetry of love, of folk-humour and ballad, the songs of Persian poets and of the troubadours, translated where need be into English.'

Dorothy Dunnett has earned worldwide acclaim for the masterful blending of historical fact and imagination in her two series of novels set in brilliantly reconstructed fifteenth- and sixteenth-century landscapes. The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II is an encyclopedic resource that completes and expands the reach of the first Companion in documenting the historical and literary riches of Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo novels. In this second guide, Elspeth Morrison not only covers the final three Niccolo novels for the first time, but also provides a wealth of additional information about all of the earlier novels and highlights the links between the two now-completed series. Once again, she illuminates the real figures and events and the cultural and literary allusions Dunnett weaves into her works, translating foreign phrases and offering up fascinating background details, from the history of golf and the argot of galley slaves to the uses of puffins and polar bears. Together with the first Companion, The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II provides a complete and essential guide to the world of Lymond and Niccolo.

BOOK ONE IN THE GROUNDBREAKING SERIES, THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW A powerful, layered weaving of myth, prose and pure imagination – Curse of the Mistwraith opens an epic fantasy series perfect for fans of The Dark Tower and Earthsea.

The second book in the world-famous Lymond Chronicles, which bring to life sixteenth-century history through the eyes of one man: Francis Crawford of Lymond. Menaced by England and riven by internal discord, Scotland in 1548 clung to a single hope of survival as a nation - an alliance with France to be sealed by the betrothal of the five-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Dauphin. But once in France, Mary suffers a series of ominous 'accidents'. The one man Mary's mother, the Dowager Queen, feels she can trust to procter her daughter, now seven, is Francis Crawford. Lymond is dispatched to France and embarks upon a nightmare game of hide-and-seek at the very heart of the glittering, decadent court of Henri II.

'A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention'New York Times THE REAL MACBETH . . . It is the eleventh century and in the isles of Orkney a young boy is born. He is named Thorfinn, baptized as Macbeth. To the north are the warring Vikings and south lies Alba - the Scottish mainland. Orkney is the prize in between, and an unlikely place from which a young man might launch a bid as ruler of a united Scotland. Yet Thorfinn is unlike other men. He has a warrior's courage and the wiliness of the underdog. By his side stands his wife Groa, as shrewd and valiant as her husband. Together they will navigate the treacherous waters of the new millennium, uniting a divided nation and birthing a legend that will survive a thousand years. Thorfinn Macbeth will be King Hereafter . . . 'Stunning' Washington Post

Over 3,200 entries An essential guide to authors and their works that focuses on the general canon of British literature from the fifteenth century to the present. There is also some coverage of non-fiction such as biographies, memoirs, and science, as well as inclusion of major American and Commonwealth writers. This online-exclusive new edition adds 60,000 new words, including over 50 new entries dealing with authors who have risen to prominence in the last five years, as well as fully updating the entries that currently exist. Each entry provides details of a writer's nationality and birth/death dates, followed by a listing of their titles arranged chronologically by date of publication.

“An intricate tour de force that conjures a new vision of the Bard’s early days.” — Kirkus Reviews "Her Majesty's Will is a heady, silly romp that works!" — Chicago Tribune “Her Majesty’s Will has everything—swashbuckling sword fights, witty banter, a nefarious (and true!) plot, a dash of romance, narrow escapes, sudden reversals, and an incredibly plausible origin story for one of the greatest writers in history. It’s huge fun—a summer blockbuster action-adventure combined with dazzling outdoor Shakespeare, all in handy-dandy book form.” — Austin Tichenor, Pop-Up Shakespeare and William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) In the ruffled collars and quill-wielding chaos of 1586 England, join the Bard himself, Will Shakespeare, as he stumbles headfirst into a side-splitting escapade that Shakespearean scholars conveniently forgot to mention! Swept up in the skirts of a mysterious stranger, Will unwittingly unveils the Babington Plot – a dastardly scheme to bump off Queen Elizabeth. Talk about a plot twist! With the mercurial Kit Marlowe by his side, our intrepid wordsmith takes his debut stroll through London's chaotic streets, dodging rebels, spies, government goons, his own shady past, and yes, even a bear! Through the absurdity of this Elizabethan romp, Will Shakespeare proves his loyalty and unleashes his genius, showcasing himself as the unsung hero – or should we say, "Her Majesty's Will." This cheeky comedy, a wild blend of William Goldman's quirkiness from The Princess Bride and the swashbuckling flair of Rafael Sabatini, channels the spirit of those old Hope/Crosby Road Movies. Revel in the certainty that these events are as fictional as a Puck-induced dream, yet secretly wish they were true. After all, who wouldn't want to imagine Shakespeare juggling treachery, wit, and a bear in the name of Her Majesty? Brush up your Shakespeare and prepare for a riotous ride through the Elizabethan era! "I loved Her Majesty's Will, a delightful romp through Elizabethan England. The fun is non-stop, an irresistible mix of suspense, surprises, and humor. I just hope we get to see this zany team again!" — Sharon Kay Penman, The Sunne In Splendour and Lionheart "I LOVE this book. I'm laughing and on the edge of my seat and turning e-pages so fast, I'm gonna fry my iPad." — C.W. Gortner, The Tudor Conspiracy and The Queen's Vow Praise from readers: ★★★★★ – "Anyone who enjoys the down-to-earth aspects of Shakespeare will love this book, the puns, bon mots, double entendres, and witticisms fly fast and furious throughout. His Majesty's Will is a book worth savoring more than once." ★★★★★ – "Her Majesty's Will is an Elizabethan buddy comedy/drama/romance/adventure. Like ya do. It's Hope and Crosby meets Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks. It belongs on the shelf alongside The Princess Bride." ★★★★★ – "David Blixt is on the top of his game with this romp. A rollicking good read."

Since the first installment of Dunnett’s series was published in 1961, Francis Crawford of Lymond, the swashbuckling protagonist of the stories, has been captivating his fellow characters and readers alike. Instead of approaching the books primarily as historical fiction, Richardson, an enthusiastic admirer of the series, unravels the complexities of the main character by exploring his psychology, positioning the books within the genre of espionage, and examining Dunnett’s strategy of using games in her writing. Richardson’s insight and passion for his subject will inspire fans to revisit Dunnett’s series.

Combining all the political intrigue of Game of Thrones with the sweeping romanticism of Outlander, Dorothy Dunnett’s legendary Lymond Chronicles have enthralled readers for decades and amassed legions of devoted fans. The journey begins with the three books included in this set: The Game of Kings, Queens' Play, and The Disorderly Knights. In 1547, Francis Crawford of Lymond is disgraced and newly escaped from captivity. Returning to his beloved Scotland, he soon embarks on a fantastic journey that will take him from the castles and glens of his ancestral home, to the decadent French Court, to the battlegrounds of crusading knights in Malta—a quest which will require him to risk everything in order to redeem his reputation and protect his homeland.