My Adventures

No matter how many books I read, or how many websites I study, my real inspiration comes from travelling to the places I write about. Standing on the shores of Italy and looking out to sea, I can let my imagination run wild. This is the opportunity to appreciate the huge variety of colours and the contrast with the cloudless sky and a blinding sun, so bright that it causes the waters beneath it to shimmer.

I remember when visiting Oman, standing on the bow of a 21st century motorboat cutting through the waves at 40 mph. I wondered to myself, how many starving galley slaves it would have taken to raise that amount of power to row a war vessel weighing up to 500 tons at the same speed.

The same goes for the projects I have undertaken to get a feel of what it must have been like for an army, consisting of thousands of men and horses, to march hundreds of miles, carrying all of their belongings themselves. Then at the end of that march, with only a day's rest, they were back on their feet to fight their enemy in a battle which could last for hours.

Follow James Mercer

It was a proud day last week, 05/07/2024, when finally, my first novel, 'The Crusader's Blade' written in 2015, went live in Paperback format.

The Finished results of the Front Cover of 'The Crusader's Glory'. The next in the Tales of the Brotherhood Series.

For nearly two months, my incredibly talented illustrator Cathy Helms and I have been working on the new cover for my next novel, 'The Crusader's Glory'. After numerous exchanging of emails and several different concepts, our finished design is complete.

Coming this Summer

Lincoln Cathedral & Castle, March 2024

The city of Lincoln played a pivotal role during the rebellion of the Northern Barons and their ally, Prince Louis of France. It was at the battle of Lincoln Fair that Sir William Marshal, the Earl of Pembroke, led a small army and victored over the French and rebel barons.

At the time, the castle of Lincoln was under the command of an extraordinary woman, by the name of Lady Nichola de la Haye. She was later to be appointed the first female Sheriff in English History. Loyal to the crown, she held the castle against two sieges.

The Cathedral of Lincoln was as impressive as Ely. The second oldest cathedral in England. Lincoln has been rebuilt three times. The first, due to a fire, the second, due to an earthquake and the third, due to the extreme weight of the cathedral spires which were later removed.

I was fortunate enough to partake in a rooftop tour which still showed areas of the original Norman cathedral built back in the early 13th century.

Ely Cathedral, March 2024

The third oldest cathedral in the country and without doubt, one of the most incredible cathedrals I have visited. Very impressive exterior architecture, some of it dating back to the Norman era, while the interior has been added to over the centuries. The ceiling of the nave is particularly impressive, along with their stained glass windows. A very lovely and welcoming town.

The Tower of London, February 2024

When you're following the trail of the beginnings of Magna Carta and the Northern barons rebellion. The White Tower of London is a must. Perfect weather for a perfect day out. Beautifully preserved and steeped in history. I'll certainly be coming back here.

The Yeomen Warders/ The Beefeaters

Formed in 1485 by King VII, founded after the Battle of Bosworth, the warders are the UK's oldest existing military corps and the oldest of the royal bodyguards. They are still the permanent garrison of the Tower and are made of military personal who have completed their full 22 years of military service. They participate in the daily ritual, The Ceremony of the Keys.

For my next novel, in the series, 'The Crusader's Escape', and its sequel. I required some first-hand knowledge of the sites which played a prominent role in the rebellion of the Northern Baron's and the creation of the legendary charter- Magna Carta. This included the great siege of Rochester Castle So, it was back to travelling again, and first on the list was a rail trip to Rochester. Regardless of the weather, what a wonderful city.

Rochester, January 2024

Offa's Dyke Trail, September 2023

From England to Wales and back again.

After a leg injury and being laid up for a month, it was time to get back outside. Just like the sights from Hadrian's Wall, the valleys and vast hills of Offa's Dyke, a natural defence, built and named after the Anglo Saxon King of Mercia, are truly beautiful to walk upon. Stretching over 170 miles, you never get tired of the sensational landscape.

I am proud to announce that my new Novel is now available.

My dogs however, were less excited.

August 18th

With Book 2 'The Crusader & The Cathar' coming out next week, it's time to start researching for the next in the series.

Not Long Now!

The next installment in 'The Tales of the Brotherhood' series.

Are the Pagan Gods of old Angry or Celebrating?

30th July, Stonehenge, Wiltshire

This incredible photo of the ancients stones was taken by a local based landscape, aero and drone photographer. I came across this image in a local paper and found other images on his Facebook page under the name 'Stonehenge Dronescapes'. I would highly recommend looking at his work, it is quite phenomenal.

Detecting at Stalbridge, 23rd July

After a few days of heavy rainfall, I decided to accept the invitation to my first metal detecting venture. Accompanying a close friend, who is a detector enthusiast, we joined a group of another dozen detectorists in Stalbridge on the borders of Dorset and Somerset. The privately owned farmland was said to have once accommodated a Roman villa on one of its hillsides. Local historians also believe that there was a medieval village somewhere in the vicinity but was abandoned by the 15th century.

While my most successful find of the day was the world's smallest horseshoe. Other detectorists did find coins dating back to the reign of George III and another detectorist finding a single silver coin from the reign of Richard I.

Always ready to try new things, but I never knew how much kit a detectorist required.

A silver penny most likely produced from the Canterbury mint. It was not uncommon for King Richard and other medieval rulers to have only their name and not their face on the coin.

What better way to introduce a new character to my next novel than to visit his resting place.

Since beginning my new series, 'Tales of the Brotherhood'. I have hoped to include a certain individual who participated in both the 'Northern Barons Rebellion' and 'The Battle of Lincoln'.

William Longespee was the illegitimate son of King Henry II and half-brother to Richard the Lionheart and King John 'Lackland' Plantagenet.

He is primarily remembered for his command of the English forces at the Battle of Damme and for remaining loyal to his half-brother, King John. His nickname "Longespée" is generally taken as a reference to his great physical height and the oversize weapons that he used.

William's half-brother King Richard the Lionheart married him to a great heiress, Countess Ela of Salisbury and granted him the title and lands of the earldom. He was also made High Sherriff of Wiltshire before joining Richard's campaigns to retake the lost territories of the Angevin Empire.

In 1214, during the reign of King John, Salisbury was sent to help Otto IV of The Holy Roman Empire, an English ally, who was invading France. Salisbury commanded the right wing of the army at their disastrous defeat in that year at the Battle of Bouvines, where he was captured. By the time his ransom was paid and he returned to England, revolt was brewing amongst the Northern Barons. Salisbury was one of the few who remained loyal to John, except for a few months in 1216. In the civil war that took place the year after the signing of the Magna Carta Salisbury in which William signed, he was one of the leaders of the king's army in the south.

After John's death, Salisbury, along with many other barons, joined the cause of John's young son, now Henry III of England, fighting alongside William Marshall at the Battle of Lincoln.

He held an influential place in the government during the king's minority and fought in Gascony to help secure the remaining part of the English continental possessions. He was appointed High Sherriff of Devon in 1217 and High Sherriff of Staffordshire and Shropshire in 1224.

Salisbury died not long after his return to England at Old Sarum Castle. He was the first to be buried at Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire.

The Tomb of Earl William Longespee in Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral, 20th July

Hadrian's Wall, May 2023

After my Camino de Santiago and walking the stunning trails of the Appalachian mountains, I thought what better way to finish than by following the ancient ruins of Hadrian's Wall? Starting on the west coast, a good friend and I walked the 84 miles to Walls-End on the east coast.

Signs that the ancient wall, built by the Romans over a period of 16 years, were scarce for the first two days where only the defensive ditches remain. However, by day three the surviving stone structure started to show itself. To imagine the wall along with its additional fortifications, being built 19 hundred years ago with only hand tools, oxen and cart was almost unbelievable.

The ruins that remain are still breathtaking and when standing on the crags, looking north towards the borders of Scotland is certainly worth a visit. I for one will definitely be returning.

On our journey east, we came across several sites which gave evidence of how original stone from the wall had been taken and put to other uses.

Drumburgh Castle, Cumbria

Known as a pele tower or bastle, set on a hill, overlooking marshes and the Scottish border originally built on this site, near the village of Burgh, by Robert le Brun in 1307, on the site of a former tower that had been part of Hadrian's Wall. The construction used red sandstone masonry from the wall for its construction.

Over the centuries it has slowly grown and developed and often referred to as a fortified Farmhouse.

Edward Longshanks 'Hammer of the Scots'

Thirlwall Castle, Northumberland

A 12th-century castle on the bank of the river Tipalt approximately 20 miles west of Hexham. It was built in the 12th century, and later strengthened using stones from the Wall, but began to fall into disrepair in the 17th century. "Thirlwall" combines Middle English Thirl, contracted with wall; in context, reference and proximity to Roman-built Hadrian's Wall from which Thirlwall Castle was materially built.

The Camino de Santiago, March 2023

It was during my research of the early stages of the Spanish Reconquista, that I discovered the marvel that is the Camino de Santiago. Known in English as the Way of St James, it is a network of pilgrim's ways or pilgrimages, leading to the shrine of the apostle, Saint James the Great, in the cathedral of Santiago Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain.

So, after completing 'The Crusader's Crown', the first novel in my 'Tales of the Brotherhood' series. I decided to take the Camino myself. It was not easy, it was not always pleasant but it was worth every step. Whether I was walking alone or accompanying others making the same journey, I treasured every moment. The preservation of old buildings, churches and monuments was respected by the surrounding communities who took pride in their local history.

However, there was one thing that did sometimes make me feel as though I was in the Middle Ages. These are known as the Albergues'. Hostels for pilgrims, cheap in cost, clean and warm. But when you're 6.4 feet tall and your bunk was made for pilgrims no taller then 6 foot at most, it was not always a comfortable sleep. Then again after six to eight hours of walking and over ten miles a day. I fell asleep pretty quickly.

It was during my own pilgrimage that I discovered that there were several more routes than just the four that I had found online, some of them lasting up to two months. Maybe next time!

A True Genius whose talents have inspired me to write to my best ability if only to match her incredible illustrations.

James and Cathy Helms in Ashville, North Carolina, April 2023

When the opportunity to visit some loyal readers in the United States came around, I knew that there was one person in particular that I needed to thank so many times over. Until that day we had never met, or even spoken over the phone. For seven years, writing when work allowed, we exchanged multiple emails. We would discuss images, colours and plots. Her attention to detail is fantastic, whether it be front covers, maps or illustrations.

Cathy Helms of Chelms Graphics has been a stalwart companion on my journey in pursuing a career as a novelist, and I will always hold her in the highest regard. If anyone looking for a genius illustrator, I would highly recommend her.

Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains, April 2023