Cavaliers - General
The Cavalier
Costumes
 
Musketeers
Musketeers
D'Artagnan
de Sandras
Dumas
The Three
Other Players
The Iron Mask
Costume/
Appearance
 
Cavaliers in England
English Civil War
Cavaliers in Battle
ECW: A Timeline
The 'Poets'
Charles II
Restoration
 

Other 'Cavaliers'

Cyrano 
Quixote
 
Other 17th
Century Interests
Royal Navy
Architecture - Eng.
Architecture - Fr.
Music/Ballads
 
About the Site
Home
Bibliography
Disclaimer
Rings
Links/Curiosities
Contact

Email

 
Cavaliers - General
The Cavalier
Costumes
 
 
Musketeers
Musketeers
D'Artagnan
de Sandras
Dumas
The Three
Other Players
The Iron Mask
Costume/
Appearance
 
Cavaliers in England
English Civil War
Cavaliers in Battle
ECW: A Timeline
The 'Poets'
Charles II
Restoration
 

Other 'Cavaliers'

Cyrano 
Quixote
 
Other 17th
Century Interests
Royal Navy
Architecture - Eng.
Architecture - Fr.
Music/Ballads
 
About the Site
Home
Bibliography
Disclaimer
Rings
Links/Curiosities
Contact

Email

 
 


About the Webmistress

Over the years I've oscillated between maintaining an "about the author" page and deciding that I probably just wasn't interesting enough to worry about. Well, obviously, since you are reading this - I must be on the upswing.

I've been a bit of a history buff for as long as I can remember, but I've been in love with the Musketeers for quite a few years now (goodness I hope so! I have a tattoo of the Musketeer symbol on my back!). A native of the Chicago suburbs, I got my initiation into active 'living history' first with just visiting Medieval Times (more times than was probably healthy!) and then becoming a frequent Bristol Renaissance Faire 'playtron.' I've been out of the Ren Faire circle for some time, but my interest in history has never subsided.

Why the Cavaliers and Musketeers?

I think what makes stories like that  of the Musketeers so timelessly appealing through the ages is the fact that it combines history with a certain type of 'fantasy'. While history is certainly full of real heroes, I think we owe a great deal to the likes of Dumas, Cervantes, C.S. Forester; It's because of authors who have a passion for the times that we are able to carry on those enchanting ideals in our current times. There are some who will say that some authors take far too much creative liberty and distort history. Certainly some are more accurate than others - but they are, after all, fiction. Besides, without our King Arthurs and Robin Hoods, how many fewer of us would be intrigued enough to pursue the truths behind the figures and adventures we fall in love with?

I think what makes stories like that of the Musketeers so timelessly appealing through the ages is the fact that it combines history with a certain type of 'fantasy'. While history is certainly full of real heroes, I think we owe a great deal to the likes of Dumas, Cervantes, C.S. Forester; It's because of authors who have a passion for the times that we are able to carry on those enchanting ideals in our current times. There are some who will say that some authors take far too much creative liberty and distort history. Certainly some are more accurate than others - but they are, after all, fiction. Besides, without our King Arthurs and Robin Hoods, how many less of us would be intrigued enough to pursue the truths behind the figures and adventures we fall in love with?

As for what it is about the Musketeers themselves: The stories of the Musketeers, I believe, tug at something we all desire: A sense of honor and loyalty that transcends all other things. We see it in different works or literature - in our stories, songs, and entertainments. To be part of a group that truly believes in the proverbial "all for one and one for all" is a dream that many of us may never know firsthand.

Other Stuff

But I digress! While I do not visit Renaissance faires as I once did, I still dabble in costuming and history of all kinds. I'll spare you the history of my fantasy costumes - as well as those other ones I made for Halloween and just for 'fun' (like Marilyn Monroe, shaman, etc...). Along with the 'dress up' I've also done a little local theatre. I'd love to get back into that... but I need to find the right group.

As far as hobbies go, I often entertain thoughts of publishing creative fiction - but I've some work to do before I get that far. For as many fanciful ideas and ideals I have - you'd think I'd have no problem getting that going. I have acquired considerable writing experience (non-fiction, obviously) in my jobs over the years and plan on eventually establishing my own freelance business when I get a substantial portfolio going.

Partnered with the desire to write is the desire to read. My reading tastes oscillate between fantasy and history for the most part. I don't generally like to name favorites, but I'd probably have to say that I've been known to recommend anything by Terry Pratchett (Small Gods in particular), C.S. Friedman's Black Sun Rising, the original Dragonlance series, Shel Silverstein's poetry (for kids of all ages!!) and a recent biography of the 'real' Captain Kidd by Richard Zacks.

Other interests: Gypsy dance, ice skating, horseback riding (I used to volunteer for CANTER - an organization that works to find good homes for ex-racehorses, www.canterusa.org), collecting fantasy art and what is probably an unhealthy addiction to playing World of Warcraft. Oh yeah - and an even unhealthier addiction to chocobos - those cute little birds from Final Fantasy.