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About Us
Bringing the Echoes of History into the Modern Day
History is not a collection of dates in a dusty chronicle. It is a living record of power, consequence, and ordinary lives caught in extraordinary circumstances. At Histories and Castles, our mission is to strip back the myth and present the evidence, giving readers a grounded, forensic understanding of Britain's medieval and early modern past.
What began as a personal obsession with Britain's medieval heritage has evolved into a dedicated digital archive and educational platform. By focusing on real lives rather than royal narratives, we bridge the gap between dense academic study and the modern reader, making complex stories of sieges, chivalry, and social upheaval accessible to all.
About the Author: Simon Williams
“History isn’t just about what happened, it’s about who had the power to shape the story.”
— Simon A. Williams
Our Research Methodology
We are not traditional scholars in gowns, nor are we content aggregators. Our work sits at the intersection of primary source research and direct site investigation, a combination that produces analysis grounded in both the documentary record and physical reality.
Primary Source First All content is cross-referenced against primary sources wherever possible, from the records of the National Archives to the Chinon Parchment, ensuring accuracy over repetition of accepted narratives.
On-Site Verification Locations are documented first-hand. If terrain, structure, or geography is described, it is based on direct observation, not assumption or secondary map work.
Evidence-Led Analysis We challenge accepted narratives where the evidence demands it. Our Pendle Witch Trials work applies a forensic legal lens that overturns four centuries of folklore-led interpretation.
Clarity Without Compromise Complex medieval history is written in clear, accessible language, for casual visitors and serious enthusiasts alike, without sacrificing factual rigour.
The Histories and Castles Academy
History is at its most powerful when it is understood, not just read. Through the Histories and Castles Academy, we provide structured, deep-dive explorations into pivotal moments in British history. Our flagship course, The Anatomy of a Witch Hunt: The Pendle Trials of 1612, draws directly on Simon's published research and primary source analysis to guide students through one of England's most complex miscarriages of justice.
The Academy's courses are designed to provide context and critical framework, moving readers beyond myth to the raw human experience at the heart of every legend.
Research Standards & Editorial Ethics
Primary Evidence
All historical claims are cross-referenced against primary sources. We do not treat widely repeated secondary narratives as sufficient verification.
On-Site Documentation
Geographic and architectural descriptions are based on first-hand observation. If a site is described, it has been visited.
Named Authorship
Every article on this site carries the name of its author. We do not publish anonymous content.
Referenced Sources
Articles include reference sections linking to primary and secondary sources so readers can verify claims independently.
Transparent Updates
Where articles are revised or updated, publication and last-updated dates are shown clearly on the page.
Independent Research
Histories and Castles is editorially independent. We carry no advertiser influence over our historical analysis or conclusions.
Supporting Independent History Research
Histories and Castles is an independent endeavour sustained by its community. When you enrol in a course through the Academy, purchase a book, or buy from our collection, you directly fund the continuation of this research, maintaining our digital archives, supporting primary source investigation, and keeping our historical articles free and accessible.
By supporting our work, you are helping keep the past alive for future readers.
Join the Conversation
History is a living dialogue. We invite you to explore our archives, join the Academy, and walk with us through the evidence. The past is not mythology, it is a system of decisions, power, and consequences that still echo today.