Anne O'Brien
@anneobrienauthor.bsky.social
Writer of historical novels celebrating often invisible and silent medieval women who deserve a face and a voice.
Sunday Times Best Seller
New Novel for February 2025: The Queen and the Countess
Sunday Times Best Seller
New Novel for February 2025: The Queen and the Countess
Pinned
The Queen and the Countess is now out in the wild, alive and well. Thank you for all the kind wishes on Paperback Publication Day.
I will be running a giveaway shortly, so if you enjoy medieval fiction keep an eye open ...
I will be running a giveaway shortly, so if you enjoy medieval fiction keep an eye open ...
A fine medieval Annunciation scene.
The angel appearing to the Virgin Mary with the news of the coming Christ child..
Mary looking uncertain of both the message and the proximity of the dove.
I like the flowering plant in the pot between them.
The angel appearing to the Virgin Mary with the news of the coming Christ child..
Mary looking uncertain of both the message and the proximity of the dove.
I like the flowering plant in the pot between them.
December 6, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A fine medieval Annunciation scene.
The angel appearing to the Virgin Mary with the news of the coming Christ child..
Mary looking uncertain of both the message and the proximity of the dove.
I like the flowering plant in the pot between them.
The angel appearing to the Virgin Mary with the news of the coming Christ child..
Mary looking uncertain of both the message and the proximity of the dove.
I like the flowering plant in the pot between them.
Celebrating today Saint Nicholas Eve, December 5th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas of Myra. He was the inspiration for Santa Claus, celebrated with giving gifts and shoe-filling traditions in Europe.
December 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Celebrating today Saint Nicholas Eve, December 5th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas of Myra. He was the inspiration for Santa Claus, celebrated with giving gifts and shoe-filling traditions in Europe.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Frost!
December 5, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Frost!
Advent is always a good time to post angels.
This rather mournful pair with censors are on an enameled plaque: French 1170-80.
Now in the Met Collection.
This rather mournful pair with censors are on an enameled plaque: French 1170-80.
Now in the Met Collection.
December 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Advent is always a good time to post angels.
This rather mournful pair with censors are on an enameled plaque: French 1170-80.
Now in the Met Collection.
This rather mournful pair with censors are on an enameled plaque: French 1170-80.
Now in the Met Collection.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A very wet start but the golden leaves are magical. Still a lot to rake up when the rain stops.
December 4, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A very wet start but the golden leaves are magical. Still a lot to rake up when the rain stops.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. The fog is thick with no view at all. So here's a trio of little medieval musicians and a dog with a begging bowl, to cheer our spirits this third day of Advent.
December 3, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. The fog is thick with no view at all. So here's a trio of little medieval musicians and a dog with a begging bowl, to cheer our spirits this third day of Advent.
Another superb page from a Book of Hours to herald the month of December. made c. 1415.
Rejoice, Virgin Mother of Christ ...
These words of praise to the Virgin Mary, are written in Latin at the top of the page facing this manuscript illumination, an image of divine motherhood,
Rejoice, Virgin Mother of Christ ...
These words of praise to the Virgin Mary, are written in Latin at the top of the page facing this manuscript illumination, an image of divine motherhood,
December 2, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Another superb page from a Book of Hours to herald the month of December. made c. 1415.
Rejoice, Virgin Mother of Christ ...
These words of praise to the Virgin Mary, are written in Latin at the top of the page facing this manuscript illumination, an image of divine motherhood,
Rejoice, Virgin Mother of Christ ...
These words of praise to the Virgin Mary, are written in Latin at the top of the page facing this manuscript illumination, an image of divine motherhood,
Celebrating the First Day of December with the Golf Book of Hours.
Preparing for winter, or even for the festivities to come. Bread being baked and the pig slaughtered. The blood is valuable too.
Made c. 1540, in Bruges, now although incomplete in the British Library
Preparing for winter, or even for the festivities to come. Bread being baked and the pig slaughtered. The blood is valuable too.
Made c. 1540, in Bruges, now although incomplete in the British Library
December 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Celebrating the First Day of December with the Golf Book of Hours.
Preparing for winter, or even for the festivities to come. Bread being baked and the pig slaughtered. The blood is valuable too.
Made c. 1540, in Bruges, now although incomplete in the British Library
Preparing for winter, or even for the festivities to come. Bread being baked and the pig slaughtered. The blood is valuable too.
Made c. 1540, in Bruges, now although incomplete in the British Library
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A yellow weather warning here for rain today. Still some cheerful colours in the garden yesterday to welcome Advent.
December 1, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A yellow weather warning here for rain today. Still some cheerful colours in the garden yesterday to welcome Advent.
Spotted in Waterstones in Chester last week, keeping each other company on a shelf.
My previous three books, taking in the Paston family, the Mortimers, and 2 of the major women of the Wars of the Roses.
Lovely to see them.
My previous three books, taking in the Paston family, the Mortimers, and 2 of the major women of the Wars of the Roses.
Lovely to see them.
November 30, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Spotted in Waterstones in Chester last week, keeping each other company on a shelf.
My previous three books, taking in the Paston family, the Mortimers, and 2 of the major women of the Wars of the Roses.
Lovely to see them.
My previous three books, taking in the Paston family, the Mortimers, and 2 of the major women of the Wars of the Roses.
Lovely to see them.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. The sun just creeping into the lane and a touch of frost along the top of the gate.
November 30, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. The sun just creeping into the lane and a touch of frost along the top of the gate.
On This Day 29th November 1330 was executed Roger Mortimer, first Earl of March, for treason at Tyburn.
Here with happier memories of talking about the Mortimers and A Court of Betrayal in the church of St mary the Virgin at Pembridge.
Here's the link:
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Here with happier memories of talking about the Mortimers and A Court of Betrayal in the church of St mary the Virgin at Pembridge.
Here's the link:
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
November 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
On This Day 29th November 1330 was executed Roger Mortimer, first Earl of March, for treason at Tyburn.
Here with happier memories of talking about the Mortimers and A Court of Betrayal in the church of St mary the Virgin at Pembridge.
Here's the link:
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Here with happier memories of talking about the Mortimers and A Court of Betrayal in the church of St mary the Virgin at Pembridge.
Here's the link:
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Good morning from the #WelshMarches. Another very wet morning here to bring in the end of November. Here's another recognisable image from a sunny day in Chester earlier in the week. The cathedral in the background.
November 29, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Good morning from the #WelshMarches. Another very wet morning here to bring in the end of November. Here's another recognisable image from a sunny day in Chester earlier in the week. The cathedral in the background.
Home from 2 lovely days in Chester, just to enjoy life in a city with a Christmas market and Christmas lights. Walked the Rows and dropped into the Cathedral.
Now home and back to writing and editing.
A well know view of the black and white buildings and the Rows.
Now home and back to writing and editing.
A well know view of the black and white buildings and the Rows.
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Home from 2 lovely days in Chester, just to enjoy life in a city with a Christmas market and Christmas lights. Walked the Rows and dropped into the Cathedral.
Now home and back to writing and editing.
A well know view of the black and white buildings and the Rows.
Now home and back to writing and editing.
A well know view of the black and white buildings and the Rows.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A flare of light on the horizon but otherwise grey and damp. Warm though. Pheasants noisy in the pasture.
November 27, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A flare of light on the horizon but otherwise grey and damp. Warm though. Pheasants noisy in the pasture.
On this day 24th November 1425 Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV and one time Duchess of Exeter, died at Ampthill Castle at 61 years.
Buied in St Mary's Church in Burford in Shropshire, owned by her 3rd husband Sir John Cornwalle.
Here she lies in the 'Princess Tomb'.
Buied in St Mary's Church in Burford in Shropshire, owned by her 3rd husband Sir John Cornwalle.
Here she lies in the 'Princess Tomb'.
November 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
On this day 24th November 1425 Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV and one time Duchess of Exeter, died at Ampthill Castle at 61 years.
Buied in St Mary's Church in Burford in Shropshire, owned by her 3rd husband Sir John Cornwalle.
Here she lies in the 'Princess Tomb'.
Buied in St Mary's Church in Burford in Shropshire, owned by her 3rd husband Sir John Cornwalle.
Here she lies in the 'Princess Tomb'.
Damp and autumnal outside?
Step into the world of Earl Mortimer and his wife Joan de Geneville, the magnificent Mortimer family in the Welsh Marches.
A Court of Betrayal is a good #kindle price for a short time at £2.99.
'Tremendous and engrossing.'
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Step into the world of Earl Mortimer and his wife Joan de Geneville, the magnificent Mortimer family in the Welsh Marches.
A Court of Betrayal is a good #kindle price for a short time at £2.99.
'Tremendous and engrossing.'
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Damp and autumnal outside?
Step into the world of Earl Mortimer and his wife Joan de Geneville, the magnificent Mortimer family in the Welsh Marches.
A Court of Betrayal is a good #kindle price for a short time at £2.99.
'Tremendous and engrossing.'
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Step into the world of Earl Mortimer and his wife Joan de Geneville, the magnificent Mortimer family in the Welsh Marches.
A Court of Betrayal is a good #kindle price for a short time at £2.99.
'Tremendous and engrossing.'
www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Betray...
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Lovely layers of cloud. Fieldfares landing in the oaks.
November 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Lovely layers of cloud. Fieldfares landing in the oaks.
As autumn progresses with increasingly dark mornings and evenings, here's a splendid summer scene to lighten the spirits, of enjoyment and music and fountains in a garden.
November 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
As autumn progresses with increasingly dark mornings and evenings, here's a splendid summer scene to lighten the spirits, of enjoyment and music and fountains in a garden.
On this day 22nd November 1428 was born Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. Son of the Earl of Salisbury, he inherited his title from his wife Anne Beauchamp who was Countess of Warwick in her own right. Little is known of his childhood. His role in English history was impressive.
November 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
On this day 22nd November 1428 was born Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. Son of the Earl of Salisbury, he inherited his title from his wife Anne Beauchamp who was Countess of Warwick in her own right. Little is known of his childhood. His role in English history was impressive.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Milder and damper but here's some splendid autumn colour. The dogwoods have lost their leaves and the stems are on fire, even in the gloom.
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Milder and damper but here's some splendid autumn colour. The dogwoods have lost their leaves and the stems are on fire, even in the gloom.
Back to writing and editing at last after a few busy days away from my desk.
A new book on the horizon for 2026 with a little polishing after my agent has read it.
Then on to my publishers.
This of course is Christine de Pisan with her little dog for company.
A new book on the horizon for 2026 with a little polishing after my agent has read it.
Then on to my publishers.
This of course is Christine de Pisan with her little dog for company.
November 21, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Back to writing and editing at last after a few busy days away from my desk.
A new book on the horizon for 2026 with a little polishing after my agent has read it.
Then on to my publishers.
This of course is Christine de Pisan with her little dog for company.
A new book on the horizon for 2026 with a little polishing after my agent has read it.
Then on to my publishers.
This of course is Christine de Pisan with her little dog for company.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Cold and frosty and quite beautiful.
November 21, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Cold and frosty and quite beautiful.
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Frost!
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Frost!
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Cold grey wet and windy but no snow here.
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Cold grey wet and windy but no snow here.