When I decided to work on my first manuscript, naturally I chose one of my two favorite time periods, medieval. But studying the period in school and reading historicals all my life still didn’t prepare me with the details needed to be accurate. So I set out to do research into the time I chose—the days immediately surrounding the end of King Richard I’s captivity after the 3^rd Crusade.

Since I placed my hero among Richard’s escort immediately after he was released, I wanted to make sure the route I sent them was as actual as could be. To that end I found reference to a source named Roger Howden, who had produced a Timeline of Richard’s journey home. Ecstatic, I searched for Roger Howden. Nothing. I searched again. Still nothing.

Aha. At last I discovered that his name was Roger (de) Hoveden, sometimes later written as Howden. Okay. Roger Hoveden. Halleluiah. I found him.

But locating that particular work was a greater challenge. I searched in Missouri, where I live, and found two at that time. The first was located in a Reserve-only historical collection at a university. I was so excited that at last I’d have my information. But before I left, I called a last time before I drove across state. The clerk went to check the stacks and discovered the work had been ‘lost’ perhaps ‘misplaced.’ Whatever—it was gone.

Major deflation

Going back to the Internet, I found that the state university’s flagship campus in the middle of the state contained a copy of Hoveden’s work, including the timeline. I called. The multi-volume work was in stock.

My heart actually pounded as I set out at 5:30 a.m. for the drive. Everything pointed to success. Rainclouds the day before cleared to leave a brilliant blue sky. The sun shone. More wonder: I found a parking space right away, close to the building I needed.

Then I made it to the correct floor, the correct aisle, and—yes!—there the volumes were, thick blue ones—on the very bottom shelf. Settling down cross-legged on the floor, I reached for one and reverently drew it out. Opened it. Closed it.

Opened another. Closed it. Opened the third. Sure enough, just like the others.

It was in Latin.

(I don’t read Latin.)

Morals of the story:

1.) Medieval spellings can be tricky. Be flexible.

2.) When you call a resource center to verify an old work is available, make sure the translation is in English.

Oh, yes. I finally found it. In English. Through an inter-library loan from a location in California. Yay Roger “Hoveden.”