Nicholas Barbon – C17th Property Developer

I was recently invited to write a post for the Hoydens and Firebrands website, which is full of fascinating articles about life in the seventeenth century. I chose to write about Nicholas Barbon, a property speculator out to make his fortune immediately after the Great Fire of London. He was the archetypal property developer; the …

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My Youngest Reader?

This charming drawing was sent to me by 11 year old Emilie Buckingham who read and enjoyed The Apothecary’s Daughter, whilst finding out about the plague for her school homework. Set in the old apothecary shop, Emilie shows the walls lined with gallypots and little drawers of herb and remedies. Susannah, looking rather solemn, no …

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The new ‘Perfume’

Waterstones in the Oracle, Reading, recommend The Apothecary’s Daughter as the ‘new’ Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Now that’s a comparison I’m very happy to live with!