Rupert Matthews – författare

Explore Sunderland's darkest secrets with this creepy collection of true-life tales from ghost-hunter Rupert Matthews. Containing many tales which have never before been published, it unearths a chilling range of supernatural phenomena, from the Ryhope Poltergeist and the White Lady of Washington Hall to the glowing grave at Wingate and a spectral talking cat. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and illustrated with more than eighty photographs, this book will delight anyone with an interest in the supernatural history of the city.

This well-researched book showcases almost 100 ghostly encounters from around Hampshire. The stories are arranged as a tour around Hampshire, guiding the reader on a journey through the New Forest, Winchester, Southampton, the edge of the Downs, the Test Valley and the hills around Overton. Here you will discover ghostly seamen haunting the King's Bastion at Portsmouth, spirits of the Roundheads galloping through Crondall and a haunted megalith at Mottistone. Each entry includes not just the story of the ghost but also eerie eyewitness accounts. Exploring everything from pubs and churchyards to castles and ports, Haunted Hampshire will appeal to anyone interested in the supernatural history of the area.

With its historic market towns and its long history of livestock farming, Leicestershire holds an important place in the history of Britain's food. This exploration of the county's fare sets food and drink against the character of Leicestershire to discover how the landscape, history and culture have shaped the county's diet. Each chapter opens with a short appreciation of the beauties and resources of the area that have influenced that type of food or drink, before moving on to describe traditional ingredients or products and recipes for famed specialities such as the Melton Mowbray pork pie. From time-honoured Stilton cheese to the traditionally brewed Baz's Bonce Blower, reputedly the strongest real ale on tap, Leicestershire has an abundance of food and drink to celebrate. This book is a delightful read and useful guide for anyone who cares about sourcing and enjoying real food and understanding the history behind it.

This is a terrifying collection of true-life tales of ghosts, poltergeists and spirits of all kinds in the streets, buildings and graveyards of York. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, Haunted York contains a chilling range of ghostly phenomena. From the medieval stonemason who haunts York Minster to a re-incarnation mystery at St Mary's Church, the spectres of King's Manor, Micklegate Bar and Exhibition Square and the many spirits to be found in the city's public houses, this phenomenal gathering of ghostly goings-on is bound to captivate anyone interested in the supernatural history of York.

In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's 'Campaign in Context' series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108 converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships, and the redoubtable English fleet.In The Spanish Armada, Rupert Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context in which it took place.

The Little Book of Surrey is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. The county’s most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters, royal connections and literally hundreds of wacky facts about Surrey’s landscape, towns and villages (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia), come together to make it essential reading for visitors and locals alike.

The moment has come: all the gladiator's training was now to be put to the test. As he entered the arena, he was hit by the deafening noise of the crowd... Learn all about what makes a great gladiator in Fearless Warriors: Gladiators. Discover the customs and traditions, the training and the stars of the most popular sport of Ancient Rome.The series examines some of history's most fearless fighters. It looks at their training, weapons and fighting methods, as well as examining some of their most famous battles and fiercest warriors. Each title has sections focusing on aspects of their training, their battles or biographies of individual warriors. A useful timeline and a quiz to test your knowledge are at the back of each book. Ideal for readers aged 9 and up.

From tall tales of Merlin to the rise of Plaid Cymru, delve into the weird-but-wonderful aspects of Wales!Tracing Welsh history from Roman invasion all the way up to the power of the mining industry, Wales: A Very Peculiar History takes a sideways look at some of the more bizarre aspects of this incredible country. Get ready to explore the home of welsh rarebit, Maelgwn the Dragon, and Llanfairpwllgwyngyll-gogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysilio-go-go-goch!Packed with ups and downs, hills and valleys, and hope and triumph against the odds, this fascinating read is the perfect pocket-sized companion to the Celtic nation. Fascinating facts, quirky comic-style illustrations, a full glossary, timeline and index makes this book great for gifting to all ages!

In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's 'Campaign in Context' series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108 converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships, and the redoubtable English fleet.In The Spanish Armada, Rupert Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context in which it took place.

In this, the third book of Spellmount's Campaign in Context series, Rupert Matthews looks to the first major campaign of Alexander the Great. One of the most famous generals all time, Alexander was just 20 when he led his army into battle at Granicus. Despite his youth and his army being heavily outnumbered, he was victorious, and it was this victory that allowed him to conquer Asia Minor. The course of this key battle remains controversial, owing to conflicting accounts in contemporary sources. As with his previous titles in the series, Rupert Matthews carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the battlefield and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context in which it took place.

‘Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie.’One of the most remarkable actions in ancient or modern military history took place at Thermopylae in 480BC. Rupert Matthews has personally examined the battlefield in order to try to explain how 300 Spartans could hold at bay the hordes of the Persian Emperor Xerxes. This was no vain sacrifice; the delay gave breathing space for the Greek states to organise their defence, and ultimately defend successfully their homelands. Among other intriguing revelations the author explains the importance of the half-ruined wall that sheltered the Spartans against the onslaught. With concise diagrams and maps of the entire campaign, the reader can begin to understand the extraordinary, apparently impossible outcome of the war.