Perils of Wrath
Page 37
Kilts: Scottish kilts were not commonplace during this time period, which is why descriptions of the Scots in this story, being set in the 14th century, do not include kilts. It is a misconception, and there is no conclusive evidence, that the kilt is traditional garb dating back to medieval times earlier than the 16th century, regardless of what popular films may suggest. The history of the kilt can be traced back to the end of the 16th century, where it first appeared as a belted plaid, or great kilt. The full-length garment’s upper portion was able to be worn as a cloak over the shoulder or over the head as a hood. The small kilt, or walking kilt, much like the modern kilt, didn’t appear until the late 17th or 18th century, and is basically the bottom half of the great kilt.
Sir Heath Parkett: Heath was modeled after my brother-in-law, Heath Park, who died at the age of 28 after a tragic drowning accident in the Weber River in northern Utah, U.S.A., in 2010. He was six-foot four-inches tall with striking blue eyes and short-cropped brown hair. Although he often looked stern and was shy around those not in his circle of friends, he was kind and loving, especially to his siblings, parents, friends, and little nieces and nephew. Heath abhorred onions but loved cheese, especially when it was melted on spaghetti, burritos, or pizza. Some of his signature lines, delivered in good humor, were “you FOOL!” or “worst (something) ever,” or “best (something) ever,” the latter two spoken in sarcasm and meaning the opposite of what he actually felt. Heath had an operation on his head when he was a baby, resulting in a scar running across it from one side to the other. This inspired the outcome of Sir Heath receiving a wound on that part of his head in my story. Heath died having never married, but I feel he would have appreciated a good woman like Gail Pritchard. His father, Curtis Park, died of cancer at the age of 76 (mesothelioma in the lungs due to asbestos exposure—30 years prior to the cancer’s discovery). Heath and Curtis in reality did not have a falling out with each other resulting in disownment. That part of my story was pure fiction to add a little drama and backstory to the tale. Both Heath and Curtis left behind relatives and friends who dearly love and miss them. Rest in peace, dear modern knights, until we meet again in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Terms and Definitions
Braies: simple boxer-style underwear, often made of linen, that went under the chausses
Brigandine: body armor often made of heavy cloth, canvas, or leather and lined with small steel plates riveted into the fabric (a precursor to plate armor)
By heaven: exclamation of surprise like “my goodness”
Chausses: pants/leggings that covered the entire leg and were worn over the braies
Cutpurse: robber, thief
Gaffer: meaning grandfather, a broad term used for an elderly man
Gambeson: padded jacket worn alone or under armor
Gammer: meaning grandmother, a broad term used for an elderly woman
Hauberk: piece of chainmail or leather armor covering the head, neck, and torso
Herald: official messenger bringing news
Kirtle: a long underdress worn alone or under a surcoat
Milady: literally means “my lady,” often used to address a noble
Milord: literally means “my lord,” often used to address a noble
Potage: a thick soup
Pray: meaning ‘please’ as well as denoting talking to God
Sideless surcoat: long (or short) over-dress/covering worn by both men and women over a kirtle or other underclothing
Stay: wait
Tunic: shirt reaching down to the mid-thigh or knee
Yon/Yonder: over there, sometimes used as a pronoun
Acknowledgments
To my sweet, reliable, and diligent editors, Kelsy Thompson, my former editor at Jolly Fish Press, and C. Lee, my current editor at Amberjack Publishing: thank you both for the countless hours of hard work dedicated to transforming Perils of Wrath into a more superior story than I could have ever done on my own.
About the Author
Elsie Park grew up in a small town outside of Yosemite National Park in California, but she currently resides in Utah. She enjoys playing piano, soccer, reading, writing, and eating anything of the chocolate variety, especially dark chocolate. Years ago, Elsie spent eighteen months in Italy sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. During her time in Italy, she had a chance to visit old castles and Roman cities, enhancing her fascination for ancient and medieval cultures.
In college, Elsie studied zoology, botany, and criminal justice, working as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service to help pay for college. After graduating, she entered the police force as a patrol officer but later returned to firefighting until she finally traded her rigorous careers for the most noble occupation of all—motherhood. She deeply cherishes the moments spent with her four girls, her husband, and their family and friends, all of whom have supported and inspired her in her chosen hobbies and pursuits.
After discovering the joy of writing her own stories and composing music to accompany them, Elsie’s mind is always alert to fresh ideas and new characters that she can weave into compelling historical tales. She enjoys fashioning imperfect heroes and heroines who face timeless challenges—challenges people have faced throughout history and still face today. She especially loves writing about relatable characters who brave hardships and overcome them by confronting their problems with determination and hope. “My desire is that readers come away from my books feeling uplifted and more confident in themselves—that they’ll have a desire to face their own challenges with patience and fortitude, knowing they possess the ability to turn their trials into strengths.”