What does Sic Parvis Magna mean? This Latin motto — “greatness from small beginnings” — captures both the rise of Francis Drake and the driving theme of my historical fiction series. In this article, I explore the origin of the phrase, its connection to Drake’s coat of arms, and how the gaps in his early life invite both historical mystery and creative storytelling.
The historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the coming of age story of Francis Drake—a farm boy before his notoriety as a pirate who spectacularly raided the Spanish Main, or his fame as a circumnavigator and bold admiral who “singed Phillip’s beard.”
Discover the historical fiction villain Captain Guichenot from Sic Parvis Magna. This behind-the-scenes character sketch reveals how the ruthless 16th-century privateer was originally crafted to challenge Francis Drake, embodying the brutal world of early modern piracy. Explore the creative process, historical details, and psychology that shaped this dark figure from the novel.
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Ben’s Bones is a lesson in medical history within the covers of a historical fiction novel. It paints an account of a brilliant young anatomist and a friend of Benjamin Franklin who sets up a medical school in London of 1750s. As part of his research, he grapples with the moral costs of scientific discovery.
In Tudor England, could an abandoned, noble bastard become a murderous, thieving criminal?
Explore this character sketch of James Reynard, a villain of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.
In JR Tomlin’s historical fiction novel Trust and Treason, Sir Archibald “The Grim” Douglas returns home following the disastrous battle at Neville’s Cross. He finds his land overran by the English and fights a personal guerrilla war to to rid Scotland of her invaders. However, he soon finds a deeper treachery, one that forces him to choose where his loyalty lies.
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