Mixed fortunes in Londinium

The London Mithraeum

We dared a trip to London last weekend, to celebrate the second birthday of our gorgeous grandson there. Dodging the viruses wasn’t wholly successful (see below), but we did visit the amazing London Mithraeum in the heart of the old Roman city of London. It’s claimed to be the best restored mithraeum in the world, and I believe it. What a stunning presentation! I was amazed at how big this Temple to Mithras is, and utterly absorbed by the well-curated artefacts on display. My husband (now a habitue of all things Roman Britain), thought there could have been more detail.

But if you want a truly atmospheric introduction to Mithraism in the Roman Empire, this place tops the polls. It’s free to visit but you do need to book. I’m so glad I went, as — spoiler alert — there is a scene in a mithraeum in my upcoming Quintus Valerius novel, The Carnelian Phoenix. (My Roman detective Quintus is, of course, a worshipper of the soldier’s god, Mithras. )

There’s nothing like a site visit to bring authenticity for writers. Or so I tell my long-suffering husband, trying to persuade him that Vindolanda fortress by Hadrian’s Wall would be so much nicer for a summer hols this year than Portugal.

In other news…

Barely moments after I pressed Send on last week’s newsletter, I heard from the lovely Sam Taw of Historical Times magazine that my article on policing the Roman Empire was about to be published.

Here’s a sample of this lively interactive magazine: https://online.1stflip.com/dssx/3ijf/

If you’re a history buff like me, you’ll love this interactive monthly, designed for writers and readers of historical fiction to enjoy each other’s company. And best of all, it’s absolutely free to subscribe.

Writing news:

Not a lot to report, as I’ve been under the weather with what I feared was the dreaded coronavirus. Yes, I didn’t completely dodge the virus bullet on the Tube, despite mask-wearing. Fortunately it’s not Covid, but I’ve had to take a few days off writing as I’ve been struck with vertigo, a lovely gift from this London cold. Fear not, The Carnelian Phoenix is nearing completion all the same. Another fortnight or so should see all the ferociously complex subplots pulled together, “The End” typed, and the script sent off to my editor. With an immaculate Temple of Mithras scene (only located in Rome, not London).

Writer’s licence. Only the best for my readers!

Till next month, when I hope to share publication date news for The Carnelian Phoenix.

Regards,

Jacquie

[author of Roman Britain mystery

The Governor’s Man and the linked short story ‘Wolves of Viroconium’ in new anthology Imperium]