Bring It Close (44 page)
Taffrail
– upper rail along the ship’s stern.
Tompions
– muzzle-plugs to protect the bore from salt corrosion etc.
Transom
– planking forming the stern.
Trim
– a term used for adjusting the sails as the wind changes.
Waist
– the middle part of the ship.
Wake
– the line of passage directly behind as marked by a track of white foam.
Warp
– to move a ship by hauling or pulling her along on warps (ropes); also the name of the ropes which secure a ship when moored (tied up) to a jetty or dock.
Weigh anchor
– to haul the anchor up; more generally, to leave port.
Widow maker
– term for the bowsprit.
Windward
– the side towards the wind as opposed to leeward.
Yard
– a long spar suspended from the mast of a vessel to extend the sails.
Yardarm
– either end of the yard.
About the Author
Helen Hollick lives in London with her husband and adult daughter. In between researching the background information for her historical novels, and her pirate series about Jesamiah Acorne, she spends most of her time helping with her daughter’s horses as chief groom and general run-around. She has a university diploma in early medieval history – and a passion for pirates.
For up-to-date information visit Helen's website:
www.helenhollick.net
Also by Helen Hollick
The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
The Kingmaking: Book One of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
Pendragon’s Banner: Book Two of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
Shadow of the King: Book Three of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
The Saxon 1066 Series
A Hollow Crown
(UK edition title)
The Forever Queen
(US edition title)
Harold The King
(UK edition title)
I Am The Chosen King
(US edition title)
The Sea Witch Voyages
Sea Witch: The first voyage of pirate Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Pirate Code: The second voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Bring It Close: The third voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Ripples In the Sand: The fourth Voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
(published autumn 2011)
Find out more about Helen Hollick and her writing at
www.helenhollick.net
Praise for Helen Hollick’s novels
Some real midwifery, harrowingly accurate, beautifully written. Just glad I’m practicing in the 21st Century!
Nicola Witcombe, Midwife
Hollick’s enormous cast and meticulous research combine to create a convincing account of the destructive reign of the hapless Edward and the internecine warfare that weakens England as William prepares to invade. Thanks to Hollick’s masterful storytelling, Harold’s nobility and heroism enthrall to the point of engendering hope for a different ending to the famous battle of 1066.
Publisher’s Weekly
Don’t miss Helen Hollick’s colourful recreation of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest in
Harold The King.
Daily Mail
An epic re-telling of the Norman Conquest
The Lady
If only all historical fiction could be this good
Historical Novels Review
Hollick joggles a cast of characters and a bloody, tangled plot with great skill
Publishers Weekly
Most impressive
The Lady
Acknowledgements
As always I have many people to thank for their help, guidance and encouragement. Especially my husband, Ron, and daughter Kathy. After all these years of my demented scribbling, they still do not complain that I appear to live almost entirely in my study.
Thank you to Judy who undertook some essential Colonial Williamsburg research, and to John F. Millar who told such absorbing tales of Virginia history – and who welcomed me to a wonderful evening of Old English Dancing at Newport House, Williamsburg. To my veterinarian, Sean, for his advice about colic in horses, Wendy who suggested ideas regarding Samhain, and Nicola who advised me on midwifery.
My gratitude to authors James L. Nelson who, once again, gave me his expert advice with the sailing detail and to Peter St John who translated the French. Additionally, my appreciation to authors Elizabeth Chadwick and Sharon Penman and Bernard Cornwell and Suzanne McLeod for their ongoing support. Thank you also to my friends, Julie Malone of NewWriter’s UK who writes as Karen Wright, Michaela, Kelly and Mal who have all helped in one way or another to aid in getting this book under full sail, and cheered me up during bouts of the doldrums. My gratitude to the many Jesamiah fans who have been so patient with the wait between books. I am trying to write Voyage Four as quickly as I can!
Thank you to Helen Hart and the entire Bristol-based SilverWood Books Team and thank you to Jo –
Bring it Close
is for you, with my love.
Finally, my thanks to Cathy Helms for her stunning artwork for the covers and marketing material for the
Sea Witch
Voyages – and for her patience with the nit-pick alterations from a fussy author; to Simon Murgatroyd for his photographic skills, and Ray and Anne for posing as various characters.
Helen Hollick
2011
Table of Contents