Around six years ago while writing my series, I needed a place for Toby's ship to sail to (no more plot spoilers in this blog post I promise ;) )
Since the story took place almost 1,000 years ago, I decided to take some creative liberty and choose a place no longer searchable on Google Maps. Nonetheless, for the keen reader who looked up all my location names, I thought I'd reward them by calling Toby's destination "Ravenser's Point." So when they search... they'd find Ravenser's Odd!
Have you heard of Ranvenser's Odd? It's known as the "Lost Atlantis" of England because it's now completely underwater! Although the flood happened hundreds of years ago, the event still strikes close to home today as dramatic weather events continue to shape our world.
Now that I'm working on rewriting my book two, I decided to look up Ravenser's Odd. I was wide-eyed with excitement to see this article in the Guardian, posted just weeks ago.
(Okay yes, it was NEARLY found... But it's still exciting!)
Ravenser's Odd derives its name from the Old Norse hrafn's eyr, or "raven's tongue." Founded around 1235, it was a prosperous town located strategically at the mouth of the River Humber. At its height, the town held national importance "with a royal charter, two members of parliament,a market and annual fair, a town mayor, customs officer as well as numerous cargo ships, fishing boats and warehouses" (Excerpt from the History Troupe)
Then came the Grote Mandrenke (Great Drowning) storm, or Saint Marcellus' flood, in 1362. Ravenser's Odd was swept away, although heavy rainstorms before this dramatic event had prompted many to flee beforehand. Tragically, climatologist Hubert Lamb estimates that over 300,000 lives were lost.
I invite you to read more about Ravenser's Odd fromSpurnWildlife
Map from the Guardian article referenced above.
In 1075AD, the time of my novel, Ravenser's Odd was not yet a bustling town. However, the area known as Ravenser has been documented as early as 7th century AD, and Toby certainly didn't want a busy town for his secretive meeting.
The Ravenser's Point in my book is ultimately part fiction, inspired by this fragile place that many sought to occupy and proper from. Like today, the pursuit of prosperity cannot supersede the importance of proper land utilization, management, and preparedness for extreme weather.
To get a copy of my book, Forbidden Ties (Enemy's Keeper Book 1), for free before July 10, 2022, click here! Available on NetGalley, Booksprounts, and Book Funnel.
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