The Author
Award-Winning author of inspirational and historical fiction and nonfiction Ruth is twice recipient of American Christian Writers, Writer of the Year Award, and Brandon Arts Council’s, Artist of the Year award for Excellence in the Arts. She is founder and past president of Brandon Christian Writers and retired Co-Director of Florida Inspirational Writers Retreat. She is a proud member of the Elizabeth Sherman Reece chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and two Scottish Clans. Ruth has worked beside her pastor/husband for many years in pastoral ministry including missionary endeavors in British Columbia and Central America. She lives in Florida with her husband, Wright. They have four grown children.
Afterward - The Broken Spear
While researching my family roots, I discovered some fascinating stories that piqued my interest to the point that I spent several years gathering facts. This captivating glimpse into 16th century Scottish history compelled me to write this series.
As I dug into historic accounts, I noted some interesting parallels and events taking place in our modern society. The players differ, the methods change, but the causes are nearly the same; that of obtaining freedom; freedom from tyranny, from the religious hierarchy so jealously guarded and protected by the systems of men.
The story of Peter, Katherine, William, and Sir John Carmichael and their family connections provided the catalyst for the Stone of Destiny book series. We gathered these historical accounts from events taking place in late medieval times. The title, ‘The Broken Spear’ appears on the Carmichael family crest. The Barony of Carmichael was confirmed on the head of the family in 1414.
Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat fought with the Scottish mercenaries sent to France to help the French army against the English invasion of Henry V. At the Battle of Baugé he is said to have broken his spear while toppling the unfortunate Duke of Clarence from his horse, an action which led to the Duke being killed by Sir Alexander Buchan. Thereafter the English became so demoralized that they fled from the battlefield. The ‘Broken Spear’ became the Carmichael family emblem.
Where details are lacking, the writer steps into the story, filling in the gaps and weaving what is a believable and probable account, using the facts we have collected and the recorded history of the Carmichaels.
Why I Wrote the Book
Peter Carmichael’s moving story is true; a story I felt should be told. It is recorded in history, but historians record mere fact, not the emotional life and human aspect of the characters. Lifted from the pages of history, we meet the dynamic activist, Peter Carmichael, a vibrant and forceful character, and his beguiling first love, Jenny. Sir John Carmichael of Carmichael, Chief of a Scottish clan of influence, in the southern uplands, holds the family together as they face the perils of the ongoing Protestant Reformation.
I, the writer, envision the impacting scenes that happened between the lines, pen those tender and stirring words never recorded in history, or remember love known only in secret, and write about the honor and integrity of those whose brave deeds and undying love were never valued or remembered…except by God.
No person is an island. We influence and impact someone’s life during our journey. We create our legacy by living our day-to-day life in a way that will inspire and challenge those who follow. Others went before us, leaving their footprints in the sand. Our responsibility is to leave our own mark in the world, to point the way for those who are following behind us, to leave a legacy that will make this world a better place than our own appointed time to live.
Ruth Ann Ellinger