The Girls From Fitzroy

Melbourne on Victory in the Pacific Day and the streets are thronging with people jubilant that the war is over. Maggie Johnson is one of the crowd and as she wanders through the city streets she is approached by a young woman, Lil Kelly, who is handing out peace tokens that her mother has made. Maggie and Lil team up and by the time they leave to go home the beginnings of a friendship have formed.

Maggie and Lil both live in Fitzroy but Fitzroy in the 1940s is a divided suburb. Maggie lives with her parents in an upper class area while Lil lives with her mother and sister in the midst of the slums in southern Fitzroy. Initially the girls agree to meet once a week in the public gardens but then Maggie is determined to meet Lil's family. Maggie helps Lil when she can though she has to be careful that her parents do not learn of this friendship. Then life changes dramatically for both Maggie and Lil and they work together to try and improve their living conditions and to have the opportunity to live independent lives.

The Girls from Fitzroy by Jennie Jones is story of friendship, relationships, poverty, bereavement,and hope. 

This work of fiction is set at the end of the Second World War and deals with families hoping that sons return home safely, rationing and the role of women in a changing society. The book also explores the lives of those living in the slums and touches on plans for proposed slum clearances and the effects of this on those living in slum communities.

Melbourne's hidden slum history - University of Melbourne

Photos of 1930s slums in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Carlton

Powers and Thrones: a new history of the Middle Ages

In 640 plus pages Dan Jones sets out to explore the broad themes of 1,000 years of largely European history after the sacking of Rome in AD410. 

The story in Powers and Thrones is told in four time periods: 410 - 750 focussing on the Romans, Barbarians, Byzantines and Arabs; 750 - 1215 which tells of kingdom of the Franks, including the empire of Charlemagne, plus the role of Monks, Knights and Crusaders in Medieaval life; 1215 - 1347 exploring the life of the Mongols as well as the rise of Merchants, Scholars and Builders; and 1348 - 1527 described as a time of revolution under the headings of Survivors, Renewers, Navigators and Protestants.

In general the book looks at the super powers after the fall of Rome and how the changing global geopolitics influenced European life and society. It investigates the reshaping of economics and political power and the changes in the ways people thought of the world around them.

At the end of the book can be found detailed notes, a bibliography, and index. maps and coloured illustrations can be found in the book.

Other books by Dan Jones mentioned in this blog include Crusaders: the epic history of the wars for the Holy Lands and Summer of Blood: the Peasants Revolt of 1381.

Crusaders: an epic history of the wars for the Holy Lands

Dan Jones has written a comprehensive account of the Crusades which occurred in Europe between 1095 and 1492. All in all there were nine Crusades but the first four are the ones considered the most important. Jones portrays events through the experiences of a variety of individuals involved. Some were leaders while others were ordinary people participating in the expedition. He has tried to include stories representing a variety of countries and religions fighting for what was considered a just cause. In most cases records are scarce however Jones has been able to construct an overview of life during this period of European turmoil.

This book provides excellent background material for those researching family history going back to this period. Ordinary people were often called up to support leaders who decided to go on Crusade. It became a badge of honour for some leaders to be associated with such endeavours even though the endevour cost much money and lives.

I need to revisit this book and check the sections referring to the Normans who went on Crusade as well as Richard I who managed to almost bankrupt England when he went on his expedition, leaving his brother John to look after England and take the blame for the need to raise taxes to cover his brother's expenses. Other family connections to investigate include Eleanor of Aquitane, Baldwin III (King of Jerusalem), Edward I, Fulk of Anjou, Henry II and Robert of Normandy.

Appendices include list of major characters referred to in the book, Kings and Queens of Jerusalem, Popes and Emperors as well as extensive notes, bibliograpy and index.

Summer of blood - the Peasants' Revolt of 1381

Dan Jones has written an account of life in England during the latter part of the fourteenth century, particularly during the reign of Richard II. This was the time where wars with France were costing the country huge sums of money and, in order to pay for the shortfall, new poll taxes were imposed on the populace. Richard II inherited the throne when  his grandfather, Edward III, died. As he was only nine when he became king, several of his uncles, including John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, helped him rule the country.

The fourteenth century saw the increase in the power of the Parliament in England resulting in rowdy discussion and complaints from the populace. After the plague had killed a large proportion of the population earlier in the century the power of peasants in regard to employment had increased. This was demonstrated when groups of peasants in parts of England began protesting about the new poll tax. Buildings and properties were destroyed and murders committed as groups of peasants marched towards London. One of the leaders of the peasants was a man named Wat Tyler while another was a preacher, John Ball.

In this book Dan Jones presents an account of the events leading up to to the peasant march on London in June 1381 when many major buildings were destroyed including the Savoy Palace, the London home of John of Gaunt. He describes the events leading to the revolt as well as the actions of the peasants and the reprisals when the revolt was over. This was a brief turbulent time in the history of England.

The King's Grave: the search for Richard III

Another book about the recent discovery of the body of King Richard III beneath a Leicester car-park. This one is written by Philippa Langley, screenwriter and member of the Richard III Society, and historian, Michael Jones. In alternating chapters the story of the discovery of the body and subsequent identification is interwoven with an account of the life and times of Richard III, including later depictions of his character by the Tudors and other non-admirers. Photographs and maps add to the story. The book provides a readable account of events that occurred in the fifteenth century. The recent discovery of the King's grave has provided additional information about the events and the man himself.

This book also published as The Lost King: the search for Richard III.