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Sign updated!
Apr. 2nd, 2026 09:49 am
A new book means I need a new sign for book signings and markets, so here it is!
I've left off some text because the books are the priority here, and the business cards have the website address and all the other details on it. I'm pretty happy with this, and there's room for the next little quote book too. In fact, though I'm not releasing Medieval Love Tips For Modern Women until next year, I've got some of the promo stuff ready. It was just cheaper to add things to the cart while ordering now. I'm imagining the cost fo things which ar rising now won't be going down any time soon.
Abbey After Dark prep
Mar. 25th, 2026 08:18 am
Working on my Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology "Abbey After Dark" presentation today which focuses on the workmanship of medieval dress accessories, adding the finishing touches and gathering the artifacts and samples for the White Glove touchy touchy table.
Yes, that reproduction Ezio Zanini comb is coming too!
I know a lot of people will be keenly interested in that, even though it's a reproduction. Obviously, the artifacts themselves will be enjoyed, but I think one of the biggest surprises will again be the quality of hand spun, woven and dyed cloth which is seriously better than most people expect.
Upcoming events!
Mar. 24th, 2026 08:23 amThe To Do List is still a bit bonkers though! I am very grateful that I'm still off work and have extra time to work on these things, but looking at time before I go back and the To Do list, I still won't have time to do everything!
Book Signing at my regular!
Mar. 23rd, 2026 08:26 amBook Launch or Mother's day Freebies? Why not BOTH!
I'm preparing for an author event at BooksStones in a few weeks on Sunday April 26th (conveniently 2 weeks before Mother's Day) and I', [lanning giveaways and fun things to celebrate the launch of the Medieval Household Hints quote book.
I'll be signing my four and there's a secret treat if you buy my book, (probably a bottle of rosewater with twine and a sprig of lavender from my garden, and I'll have medieval stickers and gift wrapping for everyone who buys something from the shop!I
Support your bricks-and-mortar book shops! For those who can't get down, there's a link to ordering both of the Medieval quote books from my great guys and gals at InHouse Publishing.
I'm preparing for an author event at BooksStones in a few weeks on Sunday April 26th (conveniently 2 weeks before Mother's Day) and I', [lanning giveaways and fun things to celebrate the launch of the Medieval Household Hints quote book.
I'll be signing my four and there's a secret treat if you buy my book, (probably a bottle of rosewater with twine and a sprig of lavender from my garden, and I'll have medieval stickers and gift wrapping for everyone who buys something from the shop!I
Support your bricks-and-mortar book shops! For those who can't get down, there's a link to ordering both of the Medieval quote books from my great guys and gals at InHouse Publishing.
Abbey After Dark 2026
Mar. 21st, 2026 09:23 am
If you enjoyed our last Abbey After Dark last Friday, why not join me next month on Friday 17th, April. All money raised goes directly to projects at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology. Visit their page for info on how to book. Includes a rare opportunity to physically hold some items from the 14th century. And snacks.
Doors open from 6pm with light refreshments to start 
Tickets only $45pp. - get yours NOW via the link below:
Books in stock!
Mar. 19th, 2026 08:41 am
Medieval Household Hints now in stock at my local bricks-and-mortar book shop BooksStones You might not know, but they also stock the cutest Australian animal puppets (check out that little possum!
) I have to confess, while it's a pretty awful photo of me, it really does highlight how much better I look in a barbette and with my hairnet all stuffed out with fake hair. It dresses my face, I think, and I really do understand why medieval women didn't mind wearing them, even though us modern gals say they look silly!
Also stay tuned for a pre-Mother's Day book event with me here, which I'll be announcing tomorrow!
Medieval Foodie Tip
Mar. 16th, 2026 09:33 am
Spices were definitely not added to food to mask the taste because it was rotten. That's a myth.
The people who could afford the spices had such a high turn over of food because they fed a lot of people, the whole spoiled food thing just doesn't even make sense. Garden herbs, of course, were home grown and easily accessible. Mostly the myth is more to do with high end spices used by rich people to mask their rotting food, which we know is not correct.There were heavy fines and people were charged at court for selling poor quality food, so it wasn't good business to sell rotting food, though we know a few did, and were fined at court!
Some people forget the medieval cookbooks which use a lot of spices were made by the people who could afford cooks and books!
Not the poor.
Some 13th century foodie advice from Medieval Household Hints compiled and photographed by yours truly!
https://rosaliegilbert.com/medievalhouseholdhints.html
The people who could afford the spices had such a high turn over of food because they fed a lot of people, the whole spoiled food thing just doesn't even make sense. Garden herbs, of course, were home grown and easily accessible. Mostly the myth is more to do with high end spices used by rich people to mask their rotting food, which we know is not correct.There were heavy fines and people were charged at court for selling poor quality food, so it wasn't good business to sell rotting food, though we know a few did, and were fined at court!
Some people forget the medieval cookbooks which use a lot of spices were made by the people who could afford cooks and books!
Not the poor.
Some 13th century foodie advice from Medieval Household Hints compiled and photographed by yours truly!
https://rosaliegilbert.com/medievalhouseholdhints.html
Thought for the day.
Feb. 26th, 2026 09:00 am
It is good advice to pay your credit card and accounts. A quote from my new little quote book, Medieval Household Hints: Advice on Running A Household From the Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today.
You can buy it here from InHouse Publishing.
https://inhousebookstore.com.au/products/medieval-household-hints
Best Friends Felines
Feb. 22nd, 2026 09:09 amSAVE THE DATE! MAY 3rd!
Best Friends Felines are having a fundraiser for Mother's Day to raise money to support their kitty rescue and I'll be there with all of my books and a variety of fun medieval themed items- some for re-enactment but others just for funsies!
Paternosters, pouches, stickers, tote bags, mugs, bookmarks! Something for your unsuspecting Mother-figure or treat yourself and support a worthy cause!
Hot off the presses!
Feb. 17th, 2026 08:53 am
...and then suddenly, this happened!
Cheers to InHouse Publishing in Brisbane for the astonishing turnaround and the beautiful print job! You can order this and my last one from their online bookshop!
Both books are available through them.
Medieval Wisdom For Modern Women: https://inhousebookstore.com.au/products/medieval-wisdom-for-modern-women
Medieval Household Hints link: https://inhousebookstore.com.au/products/medieval-household-hints
Medieval Household Hints:
Advice on Running a Household From The Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today
The household advice in this petite coffee table style book is taken from the pages of actual medieval manuscripts is as relevant today as it was back then.
Photographed with an array of modern women and handcrafted reproductions of historic artifacts, this little book makes a perfect little gift for your favourite modern person.
This book is proudly Australian written, photographed, processed and printed in Australia by Australian businesses right here in Brisbane. 100% Australian every step of the way.
Book specs:
Medieval Household Hints
Advice on Running a Household From The Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today.
Genre: Petite Coffee Table Book
Paperback: 64 pages
Illustrations: 60 photographs
Format: Full colour
Printed: InHouse Publishing, Underwood, Brisbane
Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-646-73501-6
Product Dimensions: 20.3cm x 20.3cm
Weight: 370 grams
NOW AVAILABLE!
Buy from the InHouse Bookstore
Book updates: Medieval Wisdom Quote books!
Feb. 7th, 2026 07:27 amI'm excited to announce I'm partnering with InHouse Publishing for the rest of the little Medieval Wisdom Quote books set.
The
y're family owned and operated right here in Brisbane, (and have been for 25 years) employing local people. What this means for me, is that my little medieval quote set books can be ordered and sent out directly from their web shop and they'll handle my distribution for shops. I'll be announcing pre-orders for Medieval Household Hints: Advice of Running a Household From The Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today early next week, so keep an eye out for that!
Best for me is that along with the ones they'll be publishing for me, they'll be adding my first one in the set, Medieval Wisdom for Modern Women, to their book store as well and adding it to their new catalogue, so potentially it opens up a whole new reach for me.
Local sales have been well supported, but getting the book into shops has been a lot harder as an individual. Having an established publisher behind the new releases will lend a bit more street cred to the releases.
Pre-orders will go live early next week and the fantastic thing about this is there's no Amazon involved. The physical copies of books will be around four weeks (or slightly less) and I've had the guided tour through their facility and can confirm that any pre-orders will be honoured right up front (unlike the first book Amazon pre-orders which got cancelled and disappointed a lot of people and they had to re-order.)
The
y're family owned and operated right here in Brisbane, (and have been for 25 years) employing local people. What this means for me, is that my little medieval quote set books can be ordered and sent out directly from their web shop and they'll handle my distribution for shops. I'll be announcing pre-orders for Medieval Household Hints: Advice of Running a Household From The Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today early next week, so keep an eye out for that!Best for me is that along with the ones they'll be publishing for me, they'll be adding my first one in the set, Medieval Wisdom for Modern Women, to their book store as well and adding it to their new catalogue, so potentially it opens up a whole new reach for me.
Local sales have been well supported, but getting the book into shops has been a lot harder as an individual. Having an established publisher behind the new releases will lend a bit more street cred to the releases.
Pre-orders will go live early next week and the fantastic thing about this is there's no Amazon involved. The physical copies of books will be around four weeks (or slightly less) and I've had the guided tour through their facility and can confirm that any pre-orders will be honoured right up front (unlike the first book Amazon pre-orders which got cancelled and disappointed a lot of people and they had to re-order.)
There's other book news too, but that's still under wraps for now!
Medieval Household Hints, part 2
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:46 amThings are afoot! I've met with my last time printer, and have a meeting tomorrow morning with a publisher, so things are moving at a great pace!
I've made some adjustments to the cover art, bought the ISBN and the barcode, so I officially have a second book in the set! I have preemptively set up the website pages, with the book landing page, banners, headers, About The Book, reviews and promo pages and where to shop, although that page is incomplete until I know who is printing it and where it's being published or if I'm self publishing this one.
I'm very excited!
I'll be getting the models together and planning a little launch party, of course along with a slew of social media.
I've made some adjustments to the cover art, bought the ISBN and the barcode, so I officially have a second book in the set! I have preemptively set up the website pages, with the book landing page, banners, headers, About The Book, reviews and promo pages and where to shop, although that page is incomplete until I know who is printing it and where it's being published or if I'm self publishing this one.
I'm very excited!
I'll be getting the models together and planning a little launch party, of course along with a slew of social media.
Medieval Women and Leprosy
Feb. 2nd, 2026 12:14 pmIllness in the Middle Ages really wasn't great for anyone, but it was less so for the poor. Should a poor single woman contract leprosy, she was ousted from the municipality and forcefully pushed to live beyond the walls of the town, along with those accused of prostitution.
The borough ordinances of Bristol in 1344 encouraged this by making her home unlivable, giving the woman no alternative but to leave or live in a home which was not secure or weatherproof.
For more information on Single Medieval Women and how they lived, just find your favourite online book seller, or better yet, your best bricks-and-mortar store and ask them to get it for you!
The borough ordinances of Bristol in 1344 encouraged this by making her home unlivable, giving the woman no alternative but to leave or live in a home which was not secure or weatherproof.
“And is such a woman should be found so living that then the doors and windows of their houses be taken down and carried off by the mayor’s servants as far as the constable of the peace of that ward’s house and kept there, and such women be entirely removed.”
For more information on Single Medieval Women and how they lived, just find your favourite online book seller, or better yet, your best bricks-and-mortar store and ask them to get it for you!
Medieval Household Hints
Feb. 1st, 2026 12:12 pmWell, there's book things afoot and with some news I received from my publisher yesterday, I'm now in overdrive with the second of the medieval quote books, Medieval Household Hints: Advice on Running a Household from the Middle Ages Which You Still Need Today and getting that out. Here's the sneak, peek of the cover:
I had originally hoped my existing publisher would pick it up to compliment my two non fiction books, but there have been... issues... (friends only post about that shortly) and they aren't taking new books at the moment, and while mulling over a bunch of things, I've decided to see about having the next Medieval Advice book published here in Australia.
You might remember that I self published the first quotes book, Medieval Wisdom for Modern Women: Advice From The Middle Ages That You Still Need Today, which was good but had a few drawbacks. The book itself was printed here in Brisbane, supporting our local industry, but unfortunately, the printer was just that- a printer, not a publisher. My plan was to sell online via postage and at events and see if I could get small amounts into local books shops, all of which worked well to a varying degree.
Now that the USA is off limits for postage and international post is very expensive, it just isn't feasible to post out. I'm holding more stock that I wanted to, which I paid for up front, of course, but I will just chip away at it over the years until it's all gone.
Yesterday I discovered a Brisbane printer who also taps into the publisher network, promotes the books on their online book shop and does some online sales from there. It's not a print on demand situation. Tapping into the book shop network, getting a book sent out as a new release in mailings and promo is absolutely vital for getting things into places. From what I can see, I feel like I'd need to cover the cost upfront for printing etc and they take a percentage of online sales and store an amount of stock in their warehouse also for posting out and promoting on their own online bookshop, which, quite frankly, is fair to me. It's a lot of work to do all that, and it helps support a Brisbane family-run business. I'd have the rest of stock on hand for book signings and events for sales.
Anyway, I've sent them an email about prices, and if things aren't too bad, I might proceed with that asap. I have Mother's Day markets coming up and it would be fantastic to have it out for that!
I had originally hoped my existing publisher would pick it up to compliment my two non fiction books, but there have been... issues... (friends only post about that shortly) and they aren't taking new books at the moment, and while mulling over a bunch of things, I've decided to see about having the next Medieval Advice book published here in Australia.
You might remember that I self published the first quotes book, Medieval Wisdom for Modern Women: Advice From The Middle Ages That You Still Need Today, which was good but had a few drawbacks. The book itself was printed here in Brisbane, supporting our local industry, but unfortunately, the printer was just that- a printer, not a publisher. My plan was to sell online via postage and at events and see if I could get small amounts into local books shops, all of which worked well to a varying degree.
Now that the USA is off limits for postage and international post is very expensive, it just isn't feasible to post out. I'm holding more stock that I wanted to, which I paid for up front, of course, but I will just chip away at it over the years until it's all gone.
Yesterday I discovered a Brisbane printer who also taps into the publisher network, promotes the books on their online book shop and does some online sales from there. It's not a print on demand situation. Tapping into the book shop network, getting a book sent out as a new release in mailings and promo is absolutely vital for getting things into places. From what I can see, I feel like I'd need to cover the cost upfront for printing etc and they take a percentage of online sales and store an amount of stock in their warehouse also for posting out and promoting on their own online bookshop, which, quite frankly, is fair to me. It's a lot of work to do all that, and it helps support a Brisbane family-run business. I'd have the rest of stock on hand for book signings and events for sales.
Anyway, I've sent them an email about prices, and if things aren't too bad, I might proceed with that asap. I have Mother's Day markets coming up and it would be fantastic to have it out for that!
An After Dark Experience at the Museum
Jan. 29th, 2026 12:07 pm
I've had a really busy few days planning and gathering images for my first ever After Dark with the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology. I've done a heap with the Queensland Museum for the British Museum which had a touring exhibit at the time called Medieval Power: Symbols & Splendour.
Last time I was giving my rather thrilling medieval sex talk, Between Linen Sheets: The Very Secret Sex Lives of Medieval Women (which turned into a book) but this time I'll be talking about medieval craftsmanship in dress accessories. It seems to be another topic that everyone feels they know about, but in reality, original artifacts are often much smaller or larger or better made than expected.
I'll have a look at some originals and compare them to some reproductions in regard to artisan skills and think about where we get our information from; artifacts, extant finds, art and so on.
I'll have some artifacts on display too, along with some reproductions of them for comparisons.
It's not until April, but since January is just about over, it's coming up fast!
Mother's day Markets
Jan. 27th, 2026 12:09 pmI'm very excited to be prepping for a Mother's Day market this year! I don't do many markets, but this one raises funds for a cat rescue here in Brisbane, Best Friends Felines, and since I have a rescue kitty myself, I'm all for helping them out. They assured me they will have a lot of pet related stalls and wanted some other stalls to balance it out but also be something a little different, so that's me! I've been accepted already and I've made a little ad using their own promo colours and style, and I think it's come together well.
I'll have all three books and a range of other stuff which I can't take all of to other events: medieval stickers, little cosmetic bags, leather pouches in fun colours paternosters and prayer beads (in wood, stone, and semi-precious stones), some tote bags, perhaps some medieval "No Touchy Touchy!" coffee mugs as well.
I have a medieval weekend on the same time, but will do the markets and if it's not raining, will go for the rest of the long weekend on site. It almost always rains that weekend, and last year a lot of people had a lot of modern stuff out and blasted modern music for hours whilst sitting in their modern camp chairs under their pop up gazebos, which really did spoil it. None of the organisers said anything, so I'm expecting more of the same this year, sadly.
The Mother's Day Markets sound like fun!
I'll have all three books and a range of other stuff which I can't take all of to other events: medieval stickers, little cosmetic bags, leather pouches in fun colours paternosters and prayer beads (in wood, stone, and semi-precious stones), some tote bags, perhaps some medieval "No Touchy Touchy!" coffee mugs as well.
I have a medieval weekend on the same time, but will do the markets and if it's not raining, will go for the rest of the long weekend on site. It almost always rains that weekend, and last year a lot of people had a lot of modern stuff out and blasted modern music for hours whilst sitting in their modern camp chairs under their pop up gazebos, which really did spoil it. None of the organisers said anything, so I'm expecting more of the same this year, sadly.
The Mother's Day Markets sound like fun!
After Dark at Abbey Museum 2026
Jan. 13th, 2026 08:08 amIn exciting news, I'll be speaking at a wonderful evening at the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology in April on Medieval Clothing: Dress Accessories, which will feature wine and charcuterie, my talk with close up images on a large screen of artifacts and research about the workmanship of dress accessories and a selection of high end reproductions and 14th century artifacts.
The artifacts and reproductions will be part of a white glove experience, where guests may carefully hold the artifacts in their own hands for a truly wonderful learning opportunity.
This week I'm gathering images and putting notes together which will form the basis of the presentation, but already I'm so excited to be sharing this! Many people have the idea that workmanship in the middle ages was rough and shoddy and I'm here to say it just isn't true!
The artifacts and reproductions will be part of a white glove experience, where guests may carefully hold the artifacts in their own hands for a truly wonderful learning opportunity.
This week I'm gathering images and putting notes together which will form the basis of the presentation, but already I'm so excited to be sharing this! Many people have the idea that workmanship in the middle ages was rough and shoddy and I'm here to say it just isn't true!
