Ancient Pastimes

Ancient Pastimes:

Popular sports: Fishing, horse racing, hunting, jumping, rowing, running, sailing, skating, skiing, swimming, tug of war, weight lifting, and wrestling.

Warrior competitions: archery contests, sword fighting, throwing spears and other weapons.

Book Reviews

Lisa Mar of Omaha, NE wrote:

Mary Ann Bernal is an excellent author and the story pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the end.

Diane Spaulding of Omaha, NE wrote:

I thoroughly enjoyed the Briton and the Dane. From beginning to end it is filled with romance, treachery, and suspense. I felt as though I could have been right there with Gwyneth and Erik. Mary Ann did a great job of taking the reader back in time to the days of King Alfred with great detail. I did not want to put the book down! She leaves you hanging with anticipation for the sequel.

Thor's Cross Cast

Thor's Cross Cast

The Situation Othala
Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.

Barriers Laguz
Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.

Positive Influences Kenaz
Kenaz foretells the coming of clarity and knowledge. It is time for you to grow by exchanging knowledge with others. Opportunities are upon you.

What's coming soon Tiwaz
You may be in a period of stagnation. Your goals may be unattainable or unrealistic at this time. Fortunately these times pass. Take stock of yourself and your goals. Do not fight battles you know you cannot win. Be patient.

The Long Term Results Elhaz
Elhaz represents your power to protect yourself and those around you. It also connotes the thrill and joy of a successful hunt. You are in a very enviable position right now, because you are able to maintain what you have built and reach your current goals. Enjoy.

Hadrian's Wall

History Trivia: Hadrian was Emperor of Rome from 117 – 138 AD. Hadrian’s Wall was located in northern England and extended from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. The heavily garrisoned fortification was built to keep the Picts from attacking Roman settlements. A second wall known as the Antonine Wall was located in Scotland.

Mary Ann featured in Soldiers Angels Newsletter

Categories: General
Date: Mar 26, 2010
Title: Angelic Authors Wing Their Way


Soldiers’ Angels is proud to count three published authors among its many loving and talented Angels who do so much to support the troops!

Soldiers’ Angels is proud to count three published authors among its many loving and talented Angels who do so much to support the troops! Mary Ann Bernal is reporting the publication of her first book, Lori Bakewell is writing her fourth in a set of books for elementary/middle school age, and C.S. Challinor just announced publication of her third book in the highly successful Rex Graves mystery series.

C.S. Challinor has been donating 15% of her profits from Christmas is Murder—the first in her series about British amateur sleuth Rex Graves—to Soldiers’ Angels wounded projects since the book came out in 2008. She got involved with Soldiers’ Angels several years ago when the organization was still quite small and her son coordinated donation of a large cartload of supplies for care packages. She remains motivated to help by seeing young people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with life-altering wounds. “The average age of wounded veterans is 23 years old,” Challlin says. “That's only a few years older than my own son.” Her 3rd book, Lori Bakewell’s youth fiction books follow the travels of 13-year-old Kat and her family as they visit historical sites. Kat sees ghosts at the sites and works her younger brother to solve a problem or help the ghosts with a particular issue. Bakewell is now working on her fourth book, which will be set in Texas at the Alamo. Due to her mother’s health needs, she is currently on leave from her position of coaching Angels through the Mentor Team, but remains active on the Letter Writing and Wounded TLC teams.

Mary Ann Bernal is celebrating the recent publication of her first book, The Briton and the Dane, which is receiving rave reviews. It’s the story of a lord who trains the king’s army in 9th-century Britannia during the era between the end of Roman rule and the beginning of the Age of Chivalry. Bernal mentions Soldiers’ Angels in the book, dedicating it to the memory the son of a Gold Star Mother in her church. After joining Soldiers’ Angels in 2006 through a friend’s influence, she now serves on the Letter Writing, Cards Plus, Wounded TLC and Mentor Teams.

Soldiers’ Angels salutes Bernal, Bakewell and Challinor for their creativity, hard work and dedication in both their professional and volunteer spheres!

The Rufty Tufty

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a medieval dance class this evening. We were taught the steps for the Rufty Tufty - an English Country Dance - circa 1600's The dance is a square set for 2 couples. We had 3 sets which was fun. We were also fortunate to have live music - three talented minstrels accompanied our attempts to perfect the dance. Now the challenge is to remember the steps and not mess up at the next dance class.

King Alfred the Great

History Trivia: King Alfred the Great became King of Wessex in 871 AD. He was a proven warrior who defeated the Danish King Guthrum at the Battle of Edington. He was considered a man of letters which prompted his love of learning as he established his schools and enticed scholars from abroad.

Musical Instruments of the Viking Age

History Trivia: Musical Instruments of the Viking Age: There were bone woodwind instruments such as whistles with three finger holes. There were flutes, panpipes and trumpets made from cow horns. There were lyres (harp) and fiddles; drums were played at festivals and feasts and on the battlefield.

Updated Glossary

Abbey: Monastic community

Abbott: Male administrator of monastery / abbey

Abbess: Female administrator of monastery / abbey

Alms: Gifts of money / services / goods for the poor

Angles: Germanic peoples settled post Roman Britain

Anglo-Saxon Britain: 5th Century to Norman Invasion (1066)

Bailey: Outer courtyard of the fortification

Battlements: Defensive structure along the outer edge of the wall walk

Benedictine Order: Religious community founded by St. Benedictine
Vows of personal poverty, chastity and obedience

Britons: Ancient Celtic peoples from the Island of Great Britain

Burh: Fortified town

Cell: Single room in an abbey / monastery / nunnery

Chapter House: Religious community administrative center

Cloister: Enclosed inner courtyard in a monastery / abbey

Coffer: Chest

Comely: Beautiful

Compline: 9 pm prayer service

Cowl: Monk’s hooded cloak

Dane: People of Denmark

Dragonship: Viking longship, longboat

Flameworker: Glassblower

Fealty: Swear loyalty and allegiance to an overlord / ruler

Garderobe: Toilet

Gate: Heavy wood doors for entry

Gatehouse: Main entry with towers / barriers on each side of the wood gate

Give quarter: Spare life, take prisoners

God Spede You: Safe travel

Gong Farmer: Cleans the toilets

Great Hall: Main room for meetings / dining

Guffaw: Laugh

Inner Bailey: Courtyard in the center of the fortification

Keep: Large tower

Illumination: Artistically decorated manuscripts

Lauds: 3 am prayer service

Matins: Midnight prayer service

Mead: Intoxicating beverage
Made from water, honey, malt and yeast

Minstrel: Musician

Nunnery: Convent

None: 3 pm prayer service

Parapet: Wall rampart

Postern Gate: Secondary gate at the rear of the fortification

Poultice: Medicinal paste

Psalter: Book of Psalms

Prime: 6 am prayer service

Rampart: Embankment which encircles the fortification

Rope Pulling: Tug of war

Saxons: Germanic peoples who settled post Roman Britain

Sconce: Mounted torch holders
Candlestick

Sext: Noon prayer service

Sjaund: Funeral ale ritual drinking celebrated 7 days after
the person’s death (Norse pagan custom)

Take the Cowl: Become a Monk

Take the Veil: Become a Nun

Terce: 9 am prayer service

Turret Small tower

Vespers: 6 pm prayer service

Viking: Scandinavian warriors / seafarers

Wall Walk: Walkway on top of wall which encircles the fortification

Lindisfarne

History Trivia – In 635 AD Saint Aidan founded the monastery at Lindisfarne which was settled by Ionian monks. The Illuminated Gospels made the monastery famous. Lindisfarne was plundered in 793 AD by Scandinavian seafarers; so began the Viking era of invasion and expansion.

Call for Character Interview Questions

Your favorite author will arrange to interview your favorite characters from "The Briton and the Dane." If you have any specific questions you would like to ask your favorite person in Anglo-Saxon Wessex please post them here. Gwyneth has graciously agreed to be the first character to discuss her feelings. Spoiler-type questions will not be accepted.

End of Roman Britain

The year 2010 marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain. It was in 410 the last of Rome's legions left Britannia to the mercy of the Picts and invading Angles and Saxons. Calendar alert: The History Channel will have programs pertaining to Roman Britain and early Anglo-Saxon Britain during the week of July 19th through 25th. Not to worry, reminders will be forthcoming.

St. Patrick Bishop of Ireland

St. Patrick may have been the Bishop of Ireland but it was New York City who held the first St. Patrick's Day parade when Irish soldiers marched through its streets
(18th century) and thus began the yearly celebration of the Irish American heritage.

History Trivia

The Christian missionaries traveled from Rome to Anglo-Saxon Britain to convert the pagans in the late 6th century.

Hold the Date - Booksigning

Date: Saturday April 17th
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Bookworm
Countryside Village
8702 Pacific St.
Omaha, Nebraska
402-392-2877

Updated Glossary of Terms

The Briton and the Dane
Glossary of Terms

Abbey: Monastic community

Abbott: Male administrator of monastery / abbey

Abbess: Female administrator of monastery / abbey

Alms: Gifts of money / services / goods for the poor

Angles: Germanic peoples settled post Roman Britain

Anglo-Saxon Britain: 5th Century to Norman Invasion (1066)

Bailey: Outer courtyard of the fortification

Battlements: Defensive structure along the outer edge of the wall walk

Benedictine Order: Religious community founded by St. Benedictine
Vows of personal poverty, chastity and obedience

Britons: Ancient Celtic peoples from the Island of Great Britain

Burh: Fortified town

Cell: Single room in an abbey / monastery / nunnery

Chapter House: Religious community administrative center

Cloister: Enclosed inner courtyard in a monastery / abbey

Coffer: Chest

Compline: 9 pm prayer service

Cowl: Monk’s hooded cloak

Dane: People of Denmark

Dragonship: Viking longship, longboat

Fealty: Swear loyalty and allegiance to an overlord / ruler

Garderobe: Toilet

Gate: Heavy wood doors for entry

Gatehouse: Main entry with towers / barriers on each side of the wood gate

Give quarter: Spare life, take prisoners

Gong Farmer: Cleans the toilets

Great Hall: Main room for meetings / dining

Inner Bailey: Courtyard in the center of the fortification

Keep: Large tower

Illumination: Artistically decorated manuscripts

Lauds: 3 am prayer service

Matins: Midnight prayer service

Mead: Intoxicating beverage
Made from water, honey, malt and yeast

Nunnery: Convent

None: 3 pm prayer service

Parapet: Wall rampart

Postern Gate: Secondary gate at the rear of the fortification

Poultice: Medicinal paste

Psalter: Book of Psalms

Prime: 6 am prayer service

Rampart: Embankment which encircles the fortification

Saxons: Germanic peoples settled post Roman Britain

Sconce: Mounted torch holders
Candlestick

Sext: Noon prayer service

Sjaund: Funeral ale ritual drinking celebrated 7 days after
the person’s death (Norse pagan custom)

Take the Cowl: Become a Monk

Take the Veil: Become a Nun

Terce: 9 am prayer service

Turret Small tower

Vespers: 6 pm prayer service

Viking: Scandinavian warriors / seafarers

Wall Walk: Walkway on top of wall which encircles the fortification

Review from Barbara Chen

First time novelist Mary Ann Bernal has deftly transported us back 1200 years to the early days of England. She used her knowledge of history to create a wonderful tale of love and intrigue. I was engrossed in the story from page 1 and my interest continued right to the bitter end. Her characters showed life, exhibiting a wide range of emotions. I can hardly wait for the sequel. Sign me up now
Barbara Chen, Tappan, NY

Goodreads

Your favorite author is now profiled on Goodreads.com. Check out the site where you can discuss the book with myself and fellow readers and fans and write a review. Hope to see you on Goodreads :-)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7763115-the-briton-and-the-dane

Sorry to disappoint

I have been asked to post a genealogy chart on my Resource Page. Unfortunately I cannot accommodate this request at this time since I promised there would be NO SPOILERS.

Bookworm Book Signing Information

Check out the Bookworm's newsletter which mentions the upcoming book signing on April 17th at 1 pm. The store is located in Countryside Village, Omaha NE

Updated Glossary of Terms

Abbey: Monastic community

Abbott: Administrator of monastery / abbey

Abbess: Administrator of monastery / abbey

Alms: Gifts of money / services / goods for the poor

Bailey: Outer courtyard of the fortification

Battlements: Defensive structure along the outer edge of the wall
walk

Benedictine Order: Religious community founded by St. Benedictine
Vows of personal poverty, chastity and obedience

Burh: Fortified town

Chapter House: Religious community administrative center

Cloister: Enclosed inner courtyard in a monastery / abbey

Coffer: Chest

Compline: 9 pm prayer service

Cowl: Monk’s hooded cloak

Dane: People of Denmark

Dragonship: Viking longship, longboat

Fealty: Swear loyalty and allegiance to an overlord / ruler

Garderobe: Toilet

Gate: Heavy wood doors for entry

Gatehouse: Main entry with towers / barriers on each side of the
wood gate

Give quarter: Spare life, take prisoners

Gong Farmer: Cleans the toilets

Great Hall: Main room for meetings / dining

Inner Bailey: Courtyard in the center of the fortification

Keep: Large tower

Illumination: Artistically decorated manuscripts

Mead: Intoxicating beverage
Made from water, honey, malt and yeast

Parapet: Wall rampart

Postern Gate: Secondary gate at the rear of the fortification

Poultice: Medicinal paste

Psalter: Book of Psalms

Prime: 6 am prayer service

Rampart: Embankment which encircles the fortification

Sconce: Mounted torch holders
Candlestick

Take the Cowl: Become a Monk

Take the Veil: Become a Nun

Turret: Small tower

Vespers: 6 pm prayer service

Viking: Scandinavian warriors / seafarers

Wall Walk: Walkway on top of wall which encircles the fortification

Thanks Connie at UNMC

Connie did a fantastic job on my retirement party. The book cover cake was just awesome. Thanks too for the great support from my coworkers. I have been truly blessed.

Glossary of Terms

Abbey Monastic community

Abbott Administrator of monastery / abbey

Abbess Administrator of monastery / abbey

Alms Gifts of money / services / goods for the poor

Bailey Outer courtyard of the fortification

Battlements Defensive structure along the outer edge of the wall walk

Benedictine Order Founded by St. Benedictine
Vows of personal poverty, chastity and obedience

Burh Fortified town

Chapter House Religious community administrative center

Cloister Enclosed inner courtyard in a monastery / abbey

Coffer Chest

Dane People of Denmark

Dragonship Viking longship, longboat

Fealty Swear loyalty and allegiance to an overlord / ruler

Garderobe Toilet

Gate Heavy wood doors for entry

Gatehouse Main entry with towers / barriers on each side of
the wood gate

Gong Farmer Cleans the toilets

Great Hall Main room for meetings and dining

Inner Bailey Courtyard in the center of the fortification

Keep Large tower

Illumination Artistically decorated manuscripts

Parapet Wall rampart

Postern Gate Secondary gate at the rear of the fortification

Psalter Book of Psalms

Rampart Embankment which encircles the fortification

Take the Cowl Become a Monk

Take the Veil Become a Nun

Turret Small tower

Viking Scandinavian warriors

Wall Walk Walkway on top of wall which encircles the fortification

A Call for Glossary Terms

Some of my fans are requesting a glossary of terms which they can refer to as they follow their favorite characters in the 9th Century. Please submit any words you would like to see on the page. The file will be available on the Resource page on my webpage: www.maryannbernal.com.

Thank you Steven for the great review

I found the debut novel of Mary Ann Bernal to be a profound, engaging, incredibly detailed piece of work. From the conclusion of the first sentence the novel is impossible to put down. These are not cookie cutter characters, and this is no paint by numbers story. Drenched in a rich, vibrant, and carefully researched pool of history, the characters manage to exist beyond their page - they have been given form - what they feel, you will feel. Whether you have an interest in this era of history or not makes little difference. "The Briton and the Dane" is likely to engage readers of all sorts. To say I'm anxious for the sequel would indeed be the understatement of the year.
Steven N., California

Networking

I have been truly blessed with such wonderful friends and coworkers who have been spreading the word about "The Briton and the Dane." Our numbers grow daily and book orders continue to pour in. God is truly orchestrating this wonderful journey.