In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy speak with historian Sharon Bennett Connolly about medieval princesses, royal daughters, and women’s power in the Early Middle Ages.

Drawing on Princesses of the Early Middle Ages, Sharon explores how women shaped dynasties through marriage, diplomacy, and inheritance, and why their influence has often been overlooked in traditional histories of the Norman Conquest.

A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in medieval history, women’s history, and the realities behind popular myths.

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Buy the book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781399091022

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy are joined by bestselling author Vaseem Khan to discuss historical crime fiction, empire, and his novel The Edge of Darkness.

Vaseem talks about writing crime stories set in post-colonial India, the challenges of research and authenticity, and how history, setting, and action combine to create gripping fiction. The conversation explores violence, pacing, power, and the responsibility of writing about the British Empire with honesty and nuance.

A must-listen for fans of historical fiction, crime novels, and action-driven storytelling.

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In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill speak with novelist Essie Fox about her latest book, Catherine – a Gothic retelling of Wuthering Heights told from Catherine Earnshaw’s perspective.

Essie explores the enduring power of Emily Brontë’s novel, the risks and rewards of retelling a literary classic, and why writing Catherine as a ghost opened up new emotional and thematic depth. The conversation also dives into unreliable narrators, Gothic tradition, historical language, and how writers balance authenticity with accessibility.

A must-listen for fans of Gothic fiction, classic literature, and historical storytelling.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

Buy the book, Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781917764421

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

Essie Fox's website: www.essiefox.com