Adventures of Francis Drake
Sic Parvis Magna—Escape from Tavistock (Chapter 1)
Chapter one closes with the Drake family's hurried flight from Crowndale as an approaching mob threatens their home.
Sic Parvis Magna—Family Dinner (Chapter 1)
Francis returns to the family home seeking the end of the strange day, but receives no reprieve.
Sic Parvis Magna—The Heretic (Chapter 1)
In chapter one, a childhood friend turns on Francis, bringing the religious divisions around Tavistock painfully close to home.
Sic Parvis Magna—Going on Delivery (Chapter 1)
The opening scene of chapter one follows young Francis Drake on an ordinary errand into Tavistock, while the world is already shifting around him.
Who Was Francis Drake? Privateer, Explorer, and Elizabethan Legend
Discover the real Francis Drake behind the legend — a man of daring voyages, ruthless ambition, and moral complexity. This in-depth historical fiction profile explores Drake's rise from humble beginnings to privateer, circumnavigator, and Spanish nemesis. His life inspires the adventures in my historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna, where Tudor politics, personal ambition, and the harsh realities of the Age of Discovery collide. Dive into Drake's world of high-seas adventure, betrayal, and shifting loyalties that helped shape England's naval empire.
Villain Sketch: Pirate Captain Guy Alfonse Guichenot
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.
Sic Parvis Magna Meaning: Francis Drake's Motto Explained
In this post, I look at how the phrase became linked to Drake, what it suggests about his rise, and why it became the title of my Tudor-era historical fiction novel.
Historical Fiction Villain Sketch of James Reynard
Historical fiction thrives on complex characters shaped by real events. In this exclusive character sketch from Sic Parvis Magna, explore the troubled past of James Reynard—a fictional villain born amid the brutal upheavals of Tudor England. Inspired by history, Reynard's personal tragedy, betrayal, and violent path offer a gripping portrait of survival, ambition, and revenge in a world torn by religious and political turmoil.
Historical Fiction Short Story Retribution By Paul Jariabek
The historical fiction short story Retribution follows a young Francis Drake in 1557 as he volunteers for a daring cut-out raid to reclaim the captured English ship Lionheart from French privateers. Drake is still uncertain of his future but finds clarity and resolve through this early brush with conflict and risk. The story explores his formative years under the patronage of the powerful Hawkins family, setting the stage for his transformation into one of England's most feared naval commanders. Retribution is set between the series opener Sic Parvis Magna and the upcoming novel First Blood
Francis Drake's Ship the Tiger: History Behind the Fiction
What kind of ship did Francis Drake first sail on? In this behind-the-scenes post about the research that went into writing Sic Parvis Magna, I explore the real historical vessels—like the Gresham Ship, and the Newport Ship—that helped shape my portrayal of Drake's early years at sea on a armed merchantman the Tiger. From piracy to trade this post is a deep dive into the ships that helped to forge a legend.
Young Francis Drake: From Tavistock Farm Boy to Pirate
This is not a full biography of Francis Drake. It is a historical fiction character study of young Francis Drake: the boy from Tavistock, shaped by rebellion, exile, Protestant conviction, maritime ambition, and the example of the Hawkins family.
Opening Scene of the Historical Fiction Short Story Retribution
I'm thrilled to share the first scene of the historical fiction short story Retribution. Your interest means a great deal—thank you for taking this journey with me. If you enjoyed the read, please consider reviewing Retribution on Amazon or goodreads, subscribing to my updates and posting about this on your social media.