Many artists paint what they see. Max painted what he couldn't see. He looked at a floorboard and saw a forest. He looked at a grain silo and saw a monster.

The French monarchy was in a state of collapse. An English boy was King of France. Yolande's beloved adopted country was holding on by its toe nails.

Following in my heroine’s footsteps, here I am in Saumur, in her favourite Château which has barely changed since she lived here.

Yolande, for all her devotion to France, her adopted country, was in fact a Spanish Princess, the daughter of King John I of Aragon and Violant of the duchy of Bar.

Although Yolande of Aragon saved France, I am sad to report that she is now shockingly and shamefully, all but forgotten.

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is the Father of Photography.

The jewels stolen from The Louvre in October 2025, were not The Crown Jewels.

Leonardo didn’t compartmentalise his experiments. For example, before him, only apothecaries created fragrances which were not meant to be put directly on to the skin.