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Episode Summary
This is a short five to ten minute podcast for those intrigued about the origins of the historical fiction novel series La Garde Ecossaise and their characters. Today I will talk about the origins of the novel and reflect upon my own background and how it shaped the novel. I will then reflect on the personality and physical traits of the main character John Hamilton and who inspired him.
The Orgins of the Novel Series
Out of all these international connections the Franco-British connection was the most dominant. Family and friends have worked for French companies. In the mid-1990s my godparents were transferred to Paris for work and that is where the origins of the novels lie.
Where did John Hamilton come from?
I will now say something briefly about the origins of the main character in the novel, Lieutenant-General John Hamilton. When we are first introduced to John Hamilton, he is a shadowy and intimidating figure and before we formally meet Hamilton we know that for some people the ‘lieutenant-colonel’ is a terrifying figure. Gaston, the hapless master meal miller, who attempts a rather poor heist, is utterly terrified by the prospect of being reprimanded by the ‘lieutenant-colonel’.[1]
When we meet John Hamilton for the first time it is through the eyes of Robert Meldrum who is overcome by Hamilton’s sheer physical size. Meldrum describes Hamilton for us, explaining that Hamilton is 6 foot four inches tall, which, for the seventeenth century, is an immense height.
To put it into context, the Swiss Guards, who were considered to be Louis XIVs tallest men, were to be at least six feet tall. For other guards, specifications were much lower around five foot five.
As Meldrum continues to state that Hamilton had large hands, an exceptionally broad back, large shoulders, and chest. We find out in later chapters that Hamilton weighs at least 250 pounds with a muscular and athletic build and exceptional strength. Hamilton’s stature easily intimidates friends and foes alike.
[1] MacKenzie, La Garde Ecossaise 34.
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Buy the Book
Just a reminder that the historical fiction novel La Garde Ecossaise is available from all good bookstores.
Further Reading and Resources
If any of the topics in this podcast have interested you today and you would like to know more, further resources, including recommended reading, websites, digital resources, and social media can be found at www.lagardeecossaise.net These resources have been organised by podcast and by reading order in the novels with corresponding page numbers.
Thank you for joining me for series 1 of the podcast for the La Garde Ecossaise Novels and I look forward to welcoming you to series two in the near future.
Au revoir, a bientôt !