Britain's Requisitioned Homes: Blenheim Palace

During World War II, the British government turned to the peerage and other wealthy individuals for the use of thousands of country manors and stately homes for a myriad of purposes from troop billets and hospitals to command centers and code-breaking facilities (think Bletchley Park). When word got out that these buildings were needed, a host of individuals and families rushed to offer their houses in the hopes of having a say on how it would be used. Barracks were the least desired, and it’s no wonder considering how much damage was done by the hordes of soldiers.

During Operation Pied Piper when children, the elderly, and pregnant women were evacuated from London, authorities realized arrangements were needed for schools. Blenheim Palace (formerly Blenheim Castle), the family ancestral home of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cousin, was one of the many properties converted to a school.

Originally intended as a gift to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, after his victories over 

France and Spain in the War of the Spanish Succession that culminated in the Battle of Blenheim, the home was constructed between 1702 and 1722. Unfortunately, political infighting sent the Duke and Duchess into exile for three years until after Queen Anne’s death in 1714. John and his wife found themselves back in favor with the Crown but were stuck footing the bill on the construction project.

During World War I, Blenheim was used as a 50-bed military hospital under the ninth Duke of Marlborough who’d married Consuelo Vanderbilt for an infusion of money into his nearly bankrupt dukedom. They would divorce in 1920, and he married a second American heiress, Gladys Deacon.

The property passed to the tenth duke in 1934, who at the onset of WWII, contacted Malvern College (a day and boarding public school), whose premises had been requisitioned by the Admiralty. The state rooms and Long Library became dormitories, and the Great Hall was converted to the dining room. The laundry became the laboratory and the stables the gym. Classes were held in bedrooms converted for such use as well as temporary wooden huts on the grounds.

In an interview with Country Life, Christopher Hussey, one of Britain’s foremost architecture writers, said “The accommodations of four hundred boys and a hundred staff of various degrees and duties taxed even Blenheim’s capacity and certainly had not been visualized by Blenheim’s architect.”

A few of the tasks to prepare the property included protecting the treasures in the state rooms that couldn’t be moved into storage, curtains covered with canvas, mahogany doors padded with felt, installing new boilers and bringing in additional cooking apparatus.

The school only remained at Blenheim for a year. By the time fall 1940 rolled around, the school and all its possessions had merged with Harrow outside of London. Shortly thereafter, MI5 moved in. In addition, the Women’s Land Army remained for the duration and transformed the palace’s 2,000 acres into agricultural land.

___________________________

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances

and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

About A Lesson in Love

He thinks he’s too old. She thinks she’s too young. Can these teachers learn that love defies all boundaries?

Born and raised in London, Isobel Turvine knows nothing about farming, but after most of the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Then her friend Margery talks her into joining the Women’s Land Army, and she finds herself working the land at a manor home in Yorkshire that’s been converted to a boys’ school. A teacher at heart, she is drawn to the lads, but the handsome yet stiff-necked headmaster wants her to stick to farming.

Left with an arm that barely works from the last “war to end all wars,” Gavin Emerson agrees to take on the job of headmaster when his school moves from London to Yorkshire, but he’s saddled with the quirky manor owner, bickering among his teachers, and a gaggle of Land Army girls who have turned the grounds into a farm. When the group’s blue-eyed, blonde-haired leader nearly runs him down in a car, he admonishes her to stay in the fields, but they are thrown together at every turn. Can he trust her not to break his heart?

Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Photo credits:

Blenheim Palace: Pixabay/Jenny Bowden

By Possibly Michael Dahl - https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=2000-06-146-1 - National Army Museum, London, Public Domain

Interior: English Heritage/National Monuments Records

WWII Smit-van der Heijden Escape Line: Part Four - A Network is Exposed; Tom Applewhite's Narrow Escape

By Mary Dodge Allen

Tom Applewhite, a U.S. Army Air Corps bombardier was picked up by the escape line after his B-17 bomber, “The Wild Hare” crashed in a Dutch field on November 11, 1943.

Tom Applewhite, U.S. Army Air Corps, circa 1942 (Public Domain)

This blog is the conclusion of a Four-Part series on the Dutch – Belgian Resistance. Part One, Part Two and Part Three describe how the Smit-van der Heijden Escape line was established, its network of contacts, and airman Tom Applewhite’s journey to the escape line’s safe house in Brussels. To read the previous blogs, click here: Part One.  Part Two   Part Three

The Day Before The Arrests:

On the afternoon of November 14th, Tom left the Smit-van der Heijden escape line safe house, guided by Ernest van Moorleghem, a Brussels police official. Ernest was deeply involved in the Resistance and often served as a contact between escape lines. He guided Tom to a fishmarket in the Brussels district of Schaerbeek. 

Fishmarket operator, Prosper Spilliaert (Far Left); and next to him, his wife, Yvonne de Rudder; 

(Far Right) his stepson, Rene Warny; with friends and unidentified Allied airman. (Public Domain)

This fishmarket, run by Prosper Spilliaert, served as a clearinghouse, operated by a separate Resistance group called Service EVA. Its members specialized in interrogating airmen to make sure they weren’t German agents. Then the airmen were passed on to safe houses and given new clothes and false ID papers. Service EVA guides had connections with the Comet Line, which would move the Allied airmen through France and Spain.

Spilliaert’s stepson, Rene Warny took Tom into a room where they photographed airmen to create false IDs. He pointed out bullet holes in the wall. Days earlier, they had uncovered two German agents posing as Allied airmen, and Spilliaert shot them on the spot.

Disaster Strikes! Betrayal and Arrests:

On November 15th - the day after Tom Applewhite reached the Brussels fishmarket - Tom’s crewmate, Nello Malavasi, top turret gunner/engineer for their B-17 named “The Wild Hare,” was arrested in Turnhout, Belgium, along with Willem Schmidt, a guide with the Smit-van der Heijden line.  

American Airman Nello Malavasi, on Left; Guide Willem Schmidt, on Right (Public Domain)

How this happened remains unclear, perhaps their appearance or nervous behavior alerted German officials. After the arrest, Willem Schmidt underwent harsh interrogation and, under duress, agreed to cooperate. He arranged for Charlotte Ambach to meet him at the Brussels train station, so she could guide Malavasi to the safe house (her Brussels apartment).  

When Charlotte approached them at the train station, she was arrested. The man standing with Willem Schmidt, (posing as Nello Malavasi) was a member of the German military police. In a matter of hours, many others involved in the escape line were arrested, including: Charlotte’s mother, Elise Chabot; and Ernest van Moorleghem. 

From Left: Elise Chabot, Charlotte Ambach and Ernest van Moorleghem (Public Domain)

From Left: Karst Smit, in uniform; Ernest van der Heijden (Public Domain)

The two Dutch men who established and ran the Smit-van der Heijden Escape Line - Karst Smit, a Dutch border patrol officer, and Eugene van der Heijden, a Dutch teacher - were tipped off about the arrests in Brussels. They both went into hiding.

The Tragic Outcome:

Willem Schmidt and Ernest van Moorleghem were executed.

Charlotte and her mother Elise were imprisoned in Germany, but on May 6, 1945, the prison was liberated by Allied soldiers, only days before their scheduled execution on May 22nd. 

(Charlotte and Ernest van Moorleghem had been madly in love. She never married, and during her long life, she kept a photo of Ernest on a table in her living room.)

Karst Smit was eventually arrested and sent to a series of concentration camps. He survived.

Eugene van der Heijden escaped capture, but his father and two of his three brothers (who operated a safe house) died in concentration camps. Eugene helped his mother carry on, despite the heavy burden of their deaths.

Tom Applewhite in Danger:

Members of Service EVA were alarmed by the number of arrests and feared the fishmarket might be next. On November 16th, Tom Applewhite was moved to the home of businessman Arthur Schrynemakers, where he stayed for a month. While there, Tom met a Jewish family also hiding there.

Nurse Yvonne Bienfait (Public Domain)

On December 19th, Tom was moved to another safe house, the Brussels apartment of nurse Yvonne Bienfait. Because of the recent arrests, she became suspicious Tom was a German agent when she saw him using a German-made razor (a gift from Arthur Schrynemakers). 

Two men with Service EVA arrived to give Tom a "medical" exam, which included examining his teeth. (Tom didn’t realize he was in danger of being killed.) These men marked the patterns of Tom's dental fillings, so they could radio them to London. Allied officials confirmed Tom’s identity as an American airman. 

False ID photo of Jockey Wiggins (Public Domain)

While at nurse Bienfait’s apartment, Tom met American airman, Jockey Wiggins, whose foot was injured when he bailed out of his B-17. Yvonne Bienfait had been taking care of his wound. These two airmen would travel together from now on. 

On December 23rd, a Service EVA guide took the men to the Brussels train station and placed them in the hands of a Comet Line guide. He traveled with them to Blandain, the last Belgian train stop before the French border. 

In Blandain, they were met by the daughter of local physician. She brought them to the family home, where they met their next guide, code named, “Diane.” The men were served dinner, including a cake decorated with Allied flags. Then they waited at the house until they got a signal from a customs officer that the French border was clear of German patrols. 

Amanda Stassart, Comet Line guide, code named: "Diane" (Public Domain)

Crossing Into France:

In the darkness, “Diane” guided Tom and Jockey through snowy fields across the border into France. They walked to the farmhouse of Andre Dewauvrin, mayor of the village, Camphin-en-Pevele. After eating a hot meal, they spent the night in his dairy barn.

Farmhouse of Andre Dewauvrin (recent photo by Bruce Bolinger)

The next day, “Diane” guided them onto a tram going to the city of Lille. A young woman on the tram asked the two airmen to light her cigarette. They couldn’t speak French, so they ignored her, which drew attention and placed them in danger. “Diane” quickly created a distraction, screaming that the woman must be a ‘whore’ trying to pick up her “brother” and “fiancé.” The woman got off at the next stop.

From Lille, “Diane” traveled with Tom and Jockey by train to Paris, and handed them to other guides who took them to the apartment of a kind, aristocratic woman, Madame Elizabeth Buffet, where they spent Christmas. 

From Left: Sgt. Stanley Munns, RAF tail gunner; Elton Kevil, U.S. Army Air Corps B-17 waist gunner

False ID photos (Public Domain)

The following day, new guides, working with French railway staff, smuggled them and two additional Allied airmen – Stanley Munns and Elton Kevil - aboard a train to Bayonne, a city near the Spanish border. They were told to pretend to be asleep during the entire overnight trip, to discourage others from initiating a conversation. 

On December 27th, as soon as they reached Bayonne, the four airmen were immediately shuttled onto another train headed north, to the town of Dax. (Earlier that night, German patrols had discovered two people trying to cross into Spain, and they had dumped their dead bodies in the Bayonne town square.) 

Jean-Francois Nothomb, Comet Line guide, code named: "Franco" (Public Domain)

A Comet Line guide, “Franco” met them in Dax. He and another guide provided bicycles and they all cycled 45 miles to the Café Larre, in Anglet, a small town near Bayonne. Here they met Pierre and Marie Elhorga, Comet Line associates of “Franco.” 

From Left:  Cafe Larre in Anglet; Pierre and Marie Elhorga (Public Domain)

After a hot meal, they spent the night in the second floor bedrooms. This café was popular with German soldiers, and sleep was difficult, listening to the enemy soldiers carousing, one floor below. 

At dusk on December 28th the four airmen cycled behind “Franco” to the River Nive and then crossed it after dark in a rowboat. On the other side, they picked up new bicycles, and “Franco” guided them to a rendezvous with four Basque guides.

Crossing Into Spain:

These guides walked with them to a barn near the Spanish border. Here they received espadrilles (jute-soled shoes that deaden the sound of footsteps) and sturdy hiking staffs. The night was cold, and a mixture of snow and rain fell. They were careful to avoid German patrols as they headed toward the border. They crossed into Spain near Marker 74.   

French-Spanish Border Marker 74 (recent photo by Bruce Bolinger)

Crossing the Pyrenees mountains in the cold, wet weather was an ordeal for all of them. Climbing was steep and slippery. Their shoes and clothes were wet, and their freezing feet were bleeding. Jockey Wiggins struggled to walk when the wound on his foot reopened. Stan Munns fell and nearly broke his leg, Tom helped to support his weight as they walked on.  

The western Pyrenees in winter (Public Domain)

They were in constant danger of being discovered by Spain’s Guardia Civil. Although Spain was nominally a neutral country, its fascist government was pro-Nazi. Captured airmen could be turned over to the Germans or placed in Spanish prisons. 

On December 31, 1943, they reached the Baztan Valley, where a car was waiting. The four airmen were driven to a pub in San Sebastian, run by a British couple. After a hot meal, a warm bath and fresh clothing, another car drove them to the British embassy in Madrid. The men were so exhausted, they slept most of the way.

After a week of rest at the embassy, the four airmen were transported separately to the port of Seville – one in an ambulance, another in a diplomatic car, but Tom unfortunately traveled in the back of a flatbed truck with several drunken sailors. 

Einar Apeland, Captain of Norwegian merchant ship, "Lisbeth" 

(photo courtesy of Alf Einar Apeland)

On January 7, 1944, Tom Applewhite, Jockey Wiggins, Elton Kevil, Stan Munns and another airman, John Hurst, boarded the Norwegian merchant ship, “Lisbeth,” bound for the British outpost at Gibraltar. They faced danger from undersea mines and traveled with no lights at night, so they wouldn’t be spotted by German subs. 

On January 11th the “Lisbeth” finally reached Gibraltar. Days later, Tom and the other airmen were flown back to England. 

After the War:

Tom Applewhite, editor of the 1946 Memphis State College yearbook

(photo courtesy of University of Memphis)

Tom Applewhite finished his education at Memphis State College (later, the University of Memphis). He got married, had children and worked in business as a sales manager. He passed away in January 2007.

Undated photo of Tom, his wife Lorraine and their daughter (courtesy, Tom Applewhite)

Author's note: While writing this blog series, I've felt a deep admiration for all the ordinary people who risked their lives to help others during the harsh and dangerous conditions of Nazi occupation. They generously provided shelter and food to those in need (at a time of food shortages and strict rationing). And they bravely faced danger every day, as they saved persecuted Jews, escaped POWs and Allied airmen from death in concentration camps or prison camps.

Sources: I am grateful to Bruce Bolinger, who compiled and published an online treasure trove of information about the Dutch-Belgian Resistance during WWII. For more information, you can click on these links:  

https://wwii-netherlands-escape-lines.com/airmen-helped/articles-about-the-line/dutch-and-belgian-heroism-part-one/

https://wwii-netherlands-escape-lines.com/airmen-helped/articles-about-the-line/dutch-and-belgian-heroism-part-ii/

______________

Mary Dodge Allen is currently finishing her sequel to Hunt for a Hometown Killer. She's won a Christian Indie Award, an Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 

Website: www.marydodgeallen.com

Recent release, anthology devotional: El Jireh, The God Who Provides

Mary's story, entitled: A Mother's Desperate Prayer, describes her struggle with guilt and despair after her young son is badly burned in a kitchen accident. When we are at the end of all we have, El Jireh provides what we need. 

Click the link below to purchase on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/El-Jireh-God-Who-Provides/dp/1963611608

Mary's novel: Hunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:

Hunt For A Hometown Killer: A Novel: Allen, Mary Dodge: 9781952369704: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Mary's Spotlight Interview:   Mary Dodge Allen Author Spotlight EA Books

How a Nineteenth-Century School House Became an Icon

By Donna Wichelman

Have you ever observed a house or building in the town where you live and instinctively could identify the period in which it was built? Historians and history aficionados know that they can place the era of a building by it's architecture. This principal of architecture applies to every era across the millennia, and it particularly pertains to school houses built in the United States during the nineteenth century. 

According to the Georgetown Trust for Conservation and Preservation, the brick building known as the Georgetown School built in 1874 and operated as a school until 1938—is considered “the iconic structure in the Georgetown Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District.” Reputed to be the oldest brick building in Colorado, its historical significance can’t be overstated, especially its contribution to the greater story of Colorado’s mining boom of the nineteenth century.

Georgetown School, Georgetown, Colorado: Donna's Gallery 2018

The school house’s architecture was both modern for its time and classic in its design. Similar school houses can be found across America with their Italianate elements. Features include low pitched or flat roofs, overhanging, double-bracketed eaves, emphasis on a vertical structure, tall narrow windows, a boxy symmetry, campaniles—an Italian bell tower--and decorative ornamentation. In every way, the Georgetown School fits the classic design that also includes carved keystones on both round and flattened arches and pilasters that marked the structure’s corners and flanks the central entry bay, which lies under a large gable dormer in the truncated hipped roof.

Italianate structures began to appear throughout the United States in the 1840s, reaching their zenith in the 1850s and began to disappear in the 1880s. Their architecture, especially in school design, mimicked Italian farmhouses and villas and were characterized by vertical and decorative detailing. They were normally two to three stories high, though more elaborate houses and government buildings could be four to five stories.

The hallmark of Italianate architecture can be identified by tall, narrow windows. Many have a crown that is typically in the shape of an inverted “U”. Other window crowns frame the entire window and often have some amount of ornamentation. At times, the crowns may be flat rather than round, but rectangular windows will normally be topped with ornamented pediments.

Cook-Rutledge Mansion in Chippawa Falls Wisconsin
ID 21935463 | Italianate Architecture © Joe Ferrer | Dreamstime.com

Albert Buildings on Queen Victoria Street in London EC4

ID 195238286 | Italianate Architecture © Nicoleta Raluca Tudor | Dreamstime.com

LaFox School, LaFox, Illinois in Kane County, 1871
C/O Dreamstime.com

During the Italianate period, the interior of the schools would have a series of cellular classrooms. Multi-story schools displayed symmetrical stairways or central open stairways with atriums. Another component was the assembly hall in which students would gather for morning announcements or special events.

Once again, the Georgetown School displayed iconic structure of this period. A student would enter through a set of double doors into a small vestibule, then ascend a short flight of stairs to the first floor central hallway. Tall four-paneled doors lined the corridor, each with a transom at the stop. Straight ahead she would view a symmetrical stairway of wood plank stairs leading to an an atrium and the second floor where she would find classrooms and a large assembly hall.

Entrance Vestibule, Georgetown School

Tall Door with Transom

Atrium from the Second Floor

The building was sold to a machine shop but fell into disrepair in the latter part of the twentieth century. In 2007, Georgetown Trust applied for grants to restore the building to its original glory. Eight years later, Georgetown saw its dream come true through generous grants, individual donations, and the Colorado State Historical Fund.

Today, the building operates as the Georgetown Heritage Center, serving the community in many ways, including housing the local history archive. If you happen into the Heritage Center on any given day, you might find Ms. Christine Bradley, local historian and author of The Rise of the Silver Queen doing more research and adding her contribution to the museum. She’s always happy to answer any questions you have about Georgetown, Clear Creek County, and Colorado’s rich mining history. 

For more information, go to www.georgetowntrust.org/heritage-center.

Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna's love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic--an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God's love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness.

Donna was a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published romantic suspense novels, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, in her Waldensian Series. Her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, released in December 2024.

Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

Janusz Korczak- The Man Who Chose to Die

Henry Goldszmit/Janussz Korczak

A man with a heart for children, Henryk Goldszmit was born in 1878. His first
book, a satirical on raising children, The Gordian Knot debuted in 1896. Two years after that debut, Goldszmit entered the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Literary Contest where he used a pen name of Janusz Korczak. He wrote for several Polish Newspapers as well as added to his literary library. Goldszmit was born of a Jewish family that had settled into everyday life of the Polish people. He studied and became a pediatrician and had innovated ideas on raising children. He believed and encouraged parents to love and respect their children.

Goldszmit wrote more books about and for children. His reputation grew as a literary writer and he became known in his country by his pen name, Janusz Korczak. In 1911 he became the director of the Dom Sierot Orphanage in Warsaw. What he did with the orphanage was unique from others. He formed a republic with their own Parliament court and newspaper. The children were given tasks and responsibilities as well as rights. He even went so far as to allow the children to choose the topics they would write for the newspaper.

Korczak's orphans

When WWI broke out, Korczak became a military doctor and a lieutenant for the Russian army. Then he served again as a military doctor when the Polish-Soviet War broke out. Only this time, Korczak served under the Polish military.

In 1926 Janusz arranged for his children of the Dom Sierot Orphanage to have their own Polish-Jewish newspaper. He arranged for the children's newspaper to be attached to the daily Polish-Jewish newspaper. During the 1930's he had a radio program where he promoted children's rights.

When war broke out again, it was WWII and Korczak went to enlist again, only this time he was turned down due to his age. The Germans overtook Warsaw and created what was known as the Warsaw Ghetto. Korczak, now headmaster over the orphanage, was forced to move his children and workers to the ghetto. Korczak refusing to leave his children, moved in with them.

Just two years later, in 1942, the Germans came knocking on the orphanage door. They were to gather up the nearly 200 children and dozen staff members and bring them to one of the extermination camps. Korczak was given several chance to leave and escape the execution, but he refused. Again, he would not leave the children alone. Instead, he told them they were taking a trip to the country.

Orphanage

He told the orphans they were going out into the country, so they ought to be cheerful. At last they would be able to exchange the horrible suffocating city walls for meadows of flowers, streams where they could bathe, woods full of berries and mushrooms. He told them to wear their best clothes, and so they came out into the yard, two by two, nicely dressed and in a happy mood. The little column was led by an SS man...

-Wladyslaw Szpilman, The Pianist

It is said that one of the SS recognized him as the author of his favorite books and tried to get him to escape, but Korczak would not leave the children. The children were all dressed in their Sunday best clothes, and each carried their favorite toy as they were loaded on a train. All 192/196 children, 12 staff, and Korczak were taken to their death. Many would die before they even reached their destination from the overcrowding and heat. The ones who did live long enough to step off the train would die that day.

Korczak is a hero who lived what he taught. Many times he was given the opportunity to escape and some attempted to persuade him. How easy it would have been to leave and allow only the staff to accompany the children. A man of integrity, his convictions wouldn't allow it.

He couldn’t very well hear God if he wasn’t listening. He needed to lay his life before God and let him direct it instead of trying to manipulate things to his liking.

Kirsten Macleod is in a bind. Her father’s last will and testament stipulates that she must either marry, lead the plantation into a first-year profit, or forfeit it to her uncle. But marriage is proving no easy option. Every suitor seems more enamored with the land than with her. Until her handsome neighbor sweeps into her stable to the rescue… of her beloved horse.

Silas Westbrook’s last year at veterinary school ends abruptly when he is called home to care for his young orphaned sisters. Troubles compound when he finds an insurmountable lien on the only home they’ve ever known, and the unscrupulous banker is calling in the loan. The neighbor’s kind-hearted and beautiful stable girl, Krissy, provides the feminine influence the girls desperately need. If only he had a future to offer her. But to save his sisters from poverty, he should set his sights on Krissy’s wealthy relative Kirsten Macleod, the elusive new heiress. Surely this hard-working and unassuming young lady and the landowner could not be one and the same?

Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of Sword of Forgiveness, Amazon's #1 seller for Historical Christian Romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She writes in the medieval/renaissance period as well as 19th century. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina with their 4 dogs, 4 horses, miniature donkey, and 12 ducks. Life is good!

Famous Instruments in History: Egyptian Harp from the Tomb of Ani

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Continuing our journey through history to find the most famous musical instruments, we come to ancient Egypt somewhere between 1,069-1,550 B.C. During the 18th Dynasty (or 19th by some sources), there lived a Theban Scribe by the name of Ani. He must have been a very rich and influential character, because his tomb is one of the most consequential finds from Ancient Egypt.

During archeological excavations of the city of Thebes, Egypt, they found the tomb of Ani with several legendary artifacts. Not much is known about the actual excavations, and many of the artifacts ended up being sold on illegal antiquities markets.

The most well-known artifact from Ani's tomb, is the Papyrus that was discovered there. It is considered the most complete "Book of Going Forth by Day" or the better-known title, "Book of the Dead" ever discovered. It contains the depiction that all of us imagine when we think of Egyptian art with Anubis weighing the heart of Ani. It is believed that Ani created this papyrus himself.

Papyrus of Ani
Public Domain

The artifact we are interested in today is lesser known. It is a harp made of wood, inlaid with glazed ceramic and bone. It had a length of just over 3 feet, and a width of about 5 inches. This harp had only five strings, and the sound box was shaped as the head of a deity or ruler with a striped headdress and double crown. On the other end of the harp, it features a falcon head. Which was fairly common for this type of instrument. The upper neck of the harp had tuning pegs for the five strings.

The harp was the most important instrument in Ancient Egypt. It was often featured during banquets by male soloists, according to the depictions we find in tombs. Harps during this era usually had nine to twelve strings, making Ani's harp unique. Some harps in this era could be even taller than this one, reaching sometimes to the full height of the person playing it.

Harp of Ani's Tomb on display at the British Museum

Creative Commons: Dreamyshade

It is unclear if this harp was buried with Ani as an item of wealth or possessions, to ensure his comfort in the afterlife, or if it was a prized personal possession. If it were the latter, it would indicate that he probably played the instrument and enjoyed it immensely.

In 1976, this harp appeared in the third volume on musical instruments in the British Museum’s catalog of Egyptian Antiquities, written by the Egyptologist Robert David Anderson.

This beautiful harp currently resides at the British Museum in London.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Unexpected Legacies: Francine Rivers (The Last One)

Matthew J. Elliott

Imagine a world where a literary genre is filled with amazing examples of resilience and growth. Look for the profound messages struggling to connect with their audience. Embrace stories longing to find some way, not only to entertain, but to present a message readers can truly see. The struggle was real. There was a gaping hole that readers simply could not resonate with.

For a time, stories in the biblical fiction genre fit this description almost perfectly. Authors brought many ancient stories to life, but they lacked the depth that resonated with contemporary audiences. Masterpieces like “Ben-Hur” by Lew Wallace and “The Robe” by Loyd C. Douglass were limited. Then, Fracine Rivers came along and completely transformed the genre. She didn’t merely write best-selling books. She unexpectedly revived biblical fiction. This gave it a vibrant new look that resonated with readers and affected more people than she ever expected. 

Before Rivers came onto the scene, biblical narratives were brushed aside. They had limited visibility, and readers struggled to relate to biblical characters as human beings. Her talent for detailed research changed this, and their struggles found purpose. Each story she wrote is a thrilling adventure and reminds us of some of the most powerful messages of the Christian faith.

Image from Amazon

When she released what many claim to be a groundbreaking series in “The Mark of the Lion”, it was a tremendous success. The 1990s had no clue what was about to unfold. Set against the dramatic backdrop of a world filled with Roman persecution, the books beautifully explored tales of courageous characters like Hadassah. Readers were no longer trying to be entertained by these historical events; they were immersed in a world that they could experience. They could see and relate to the challenges and sacrifices of these historical characters. 

There was an authenticity behind the people she wrote about that was rich with the history of Biblical Fiction readers loved. She took it to a whole new level where human vulnerability and divine grace spoke to our hearts. Beyond this, Rivers extended her reach with projects like “The Sons of Encouragement” collection. This is where I came onto the scene. As a Biblical Studies major in college, I became obsessed with understanding the people who were living during the biblical era. In a class on the book of Hebrews, I was tasked with defending that a man named Silas wrote the letter, and I had no clue how to do it. 

From PressKit on Website

When I found “The Scribe,” which focuses on that very thing, I was stunned. It was one of the most impactful stories I had ever read. For countless young readers, it was just one of the many that opened up an entirely new world. These stories showed the genre’s capacity for deep spiritual and emotional connection to characters I never believed I would understand further. 

So, you may wonder why I am writing this article rather than starting my new series. Well, it’s because as a biblical fiction writer, she was the first author I felt I could truly relate to with my desire to write unexpected stories. Her dedication to historical accuracy echoes my own. I never wanted to simply write the facts; I wanted to make an impact, and her stories showed me I could. The meticulous research that is needed to do this is not a simple thing to accomplish. In writing these stories, Rivers had to understand the cultural and social contexts of the ancient world with the knowledge of a historian and the passion of a novelist. It goes beyond the allegorical messages that many felt were being published until she came on the scene. 

Rivers took a shot and bravely confronted the cultural norm about the complexities of Biblical history, and was not afraid to be honest about who these people were, human. Just like us, they were inherently flawed; they struggled with doubt and temptation. These people endured profound struggle and loss, and bringing this to life was no effortless task. The raw emotions these characters experience showed me, and so many others, that faith isn’t flawless; it is a lifelong challenge that transforms us all. This authenticity changed biblical fiction forever. 

Photo © Elaina Burdo on Website PressKit

Rivers’ most compelling impact was not in what she wrote or how she wrote it. It was her willingness to explore the more difficult aspects of humanity. The pain and suffering biblical characters experienced was real. She conveyed this beautifully. Readers in the world around her, myself included, were beginning to understand a deeper purpose to the stories we all grew up hearing. Her work inspired me to dig into the darker aspects of the human condition. Not to rationalize their pain, but to highlight God’s grace. Each story broke the boundaries they were tied down to. Her work shows that faith-based stories can be both spiritually uplifting and intellectually challenging.

The legacy of Francine Rivers is clear in the growing number of talented authors now telling interesting, biblical narratives. Each building on what writers like her laid the foundation for. Rivers didn’t just write books. She opened the door to a new era of biblical storytelling that is ever-changing. Today, those of us who continue her legacy strive to leave an enduring impact on all those who read our stories. 

Next month I will begin a new series entitled Echoes of Early Church Cities. It will focus on the history of cities from the New Testament and the impact they had on the world around them. If there is a particular city you are interested in learning more about, feel free to post your requests in the comments below.

See you in the pages,

M. J. E.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it for FREE on July 4th and 5th via Amazon. If you enjoy it please let me know by posting a review.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.