In this special feature, we meet Dr. Gwyneth Franger, a professor of archaeology at the University of London. Known for her meticulous research and summers spent on excavations, Gwyneth’s life takes an unexpected turn when a medieval portrait captures her attention. Believed to depict the last descendant of a noble house from the reign of Alfred the Great, the image draws her into a mystery that transcends centuries. What begins as academic curiosity soon becomes something far more personal and perilous.
Interviewer: Dr. Franger, thank you for joining us. Could you begin by sharing a little about your academic background and what first drew you to archaeology?
Dr. Gwyneth Franger: Thank you for inviting me. My
fascination with the past began when I was very young. While other children
were content with fairy tales, I was captivated by museum exhibits and the
stories behind ancient artifacts. That curiosity eventually led me to pursue
archaeology at university, and later a doctorate. Teaching at the University of
London allows me to pass on that passion, but it’s the fieldwork that truly
fuels me. There’s something profoundly moving about uncovering an object that
hasn’t been touched for centuries.
Interviewer: You spend your summers on digs. What
is it about fieldwork that excites you most?
Gwyneth: Fieldwork is unpredictable. You can
spend weeks carefully excavating layers of soil, finding nothing but fragments,
and then suddenly uncover something that changes your understanding of an
entire period. It’s humbling. Each discovery is a reminder that history is not
abstract, it’s tangible, layered beneath our feet, waiting to be revealed.
Interviewer: Your research often brings you to
Wareham, a town with deep historical resonance. What drew you there in
particular?
Gwyneth: Wareham is extraordinary. Its
fortifications and its role in shifting dynasties make it a place where the
past feels unusually close. I was especially intrigued by a portrait I
encountered there. It was said to depict the last descendant of a noble house
dating back to Alfred the Great. The image was haunting, almost defiant, and I
found myself compelled to learn more. That portrait became the spark for questions
I couldn’t set aside.
Interviewer: Without revealing too much, your story
involves a storm and an extraordinary journey. How do you reconcile your
scientific training with experiences that seem beyond explanation?
Gwyneth: As an academic, I’m trained to seek
evidence, to test and verify. But there are moments when reason falters, when
events unfold that resist tidy categorization. Some might call it fate, others
divine intervention. I’ve learned that not everything can be measured or
catalogued. Sometimes the past reaches out in ways we cannot fully explain.
Interviewer: You’ve been described as someone
caught between two worlds. How does that tension shape your choices?
Gwyneth: It’s a constant balancing act.
Knowledge can be both a gift and a burden. When you see the threads of history,
should you tug at them, or let them be? Every decision carries weight, not just
for oneself, but for those whose lives are entwined with yours. That tension
never truly leaves you.
Interviewer: Many readers are fascinated by the
idea of time travel. What do you think is its greatest allure?
Gwyneth: Time travel is the ultimate act of
empathy. To step into another era is to see the world through different eyes,
to feel the hopes and fears of people long gone. It reminds us that history is
not just a sequence of dates, it’s lived experience, full of uncertainty,
passion, and consequence.
Interviewer: Your work often places you in
situations of intrigue and danger. How do you find the courage to face them?
Gwyneth: Courage is rarely about fearlessness.
It’s about moving forward despite fear. I remind myself that the past and the
future depend on choices made in the present moment. That thought steadies me
when the path ahead is uncertain.
Interviewer: Finally, what do you hope readers take
away from your journey?
Gwyneth: That the past is never truly gone. It
lingers in our traditions, our landscapes, even in the stones beneath our feet.
And while destiny may seem fixed, there is always room for choice, for love,
and for the possibility of change.
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Mary Ann Bernal is a distinguished alumna of Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she earned her degree in Business Administration. Her literary journey began with the 2009 publication of her debut novel in The Briton and the Dane series, marking the start of a richly diverse body of work that spans historical fiction, contemporary short stories, science fiction/fantasy, and fast-paced adventure novellas.
Her recent publications include Crusader’s Path, a poignant redemption tale set during the First Crusade; Forgiving Nero, a compelling exploration of familial bonds in Ancient Rome; and the award-winning AnaRose adventure series, chronicling the daring escapades of a museum curator-turned-relic hunter. Mary Ann’s work has been honored by the Independent Press Award, the NYC Big Book Award, Chanticleer International Book Awards, the B.R.A.G. Medallion, and the Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards. Her short fiction anthologies have likewise earned distinction, most notably from the American Legacy Book Awards. She was also recognized with the Editor’s Choice Award for Literary Excellence by Reader’s House magazine.
A dedicated supporter of the United States military since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has actively engaged in letter-writing campaigns and related initiatives. Her advocacy has been featured on KMTV’s The Morning Blend and in the Omaha World-Herald. As a celebrated author, she has appeared on numerous reader blogs and book promotion platforms. Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where she continues to craft stories that inspire and endure.
Connect with Mary Ann:
Website: http://www.maryannbernal.com/
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Blog: https://maryannbernal.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4
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