The Mariner's Mirror Podcast

Dr Sam Willis continues our mini series on naval fiction, interviewing authors and finding out all about their naval creations. In this episode, we welcome David Davies, author of the acclaimed Matthew Quinton Journals, for an in-depth conversation about his Restoration-era naval hero and the richly layered world he sails through, one of the most fascinating and volatile eras in maritime history.Davies explores the major themes at the heart of Matthew Quinton’s adventures: a young gentleman thrust into command before he’s ready; the fragile, treacherous world of Restoration politics; the tension between new scientific thinking and old superstitions; and the clash of class, privilege, and professional seamanship aboard a 17th-century man-of-war. From sea monsters and omens that sailors once believed in, to the early sparks of the Enlightenment reshaping navigation and natural philosophy, the series captures a navy and a nation on the brink of modernity.We also dive into the challenges of writing naval fiction set in this extraordinary period: reconstructing a navy still reeling from civil war, capturing the chaos of early naval tactics, balancing historical accuracy with narrative pace, and bringing to life a world where honour and loyalty is never what it seems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Sam Willis introduces a new mini-series on naval fiction, featuring interviews with authors talking about their naval creations. In this episode, he meets Julian Stockwin, a renowned author known for his Thomas Kydd novels, which span 27 books and 23 years, culminating most recently in "Admiral". The books cover a huge array of history and themes, from brotherhood, friendship and loyalty to naval duty and professionalism, adventure, exploration and the maritime world of the great Age of Sail.Stockwin shares his early love for the sea, influenced by his uncle's sailing experiences, and his transition from a career in computer design to writing. He describes the meticulous research process, the creation of characters, and the historical context of his stories. Stockwin also reveals plans for a new series featuring Harry Wilde, set in an earlier period but with similar themes of adventure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the final episode in our mini series on the rich maritime history of Malta Dr Sam Willis and Daisy Turnbull find themselves out in a boat in Valletta’s grand harbour, and this time we’re being treated to a culinary extravaganza: a meal that would have been eaten by Maltese corsairs. The Matese corsairs were a major ingredient in Maltese maritime history and cultural identity, embodying the island’s strategic role at the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Operating from Malta under the Knights of St. John, Maltese corsairs defended Christian shipping, disrupted Ottoman and North African naval power, and contributed to the island’s economy through privateering. Their exploits shaped Malta’s seafaring identity, blending military duty with maritime entrepreneurship, and left a lasting legacy in the island’s naval traditions and coastal fortifications. In this episode we experience a unique slant on this tale and are treated to a feast laid on by Taste History, a venture operated by Heritage Malta which offers food from the age of the enlightenment. Taste History offers culinary experiences that bring historical food and menus back to life using archival documents (recipe books, kitchen inventories, butcher bills) plus archaeological discoveries to inspire and inform their dishes, all made from seasonal ingredients and prepared by professional chefs dedicated to the art and science of recreating historical meals. The meal is complete with a variety of wines whose existence is proven in historical documents. Sam and Daisy discuss the history of corsairs and the food they would have eaten with Liam Gauci from Heritage Malta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing our mini series on the fascinating maritime history of Malta, we jump several centuries forward to the Second World War, in which Malta, an isolated rock in the middle of the Mediterranean, suddenly found itself at the very heart of the war. To the north the Italians were flexing their naval muscles; to the south the Germans had invaded North Africa; to the east and west ran a crucial maritime artery of global trade and military movement between Gibraltar and Suez. To find out more about Malta's strategic importance during World War II Dr Sam Willis visits the National War Museum in Fort St Elmo and speaks with Keith Gatt, curator of Malta's WWII history at Heritage Malta. They discuss how Malta's central Mediterranean location made it crucial for controlling sea lanes and interfering with Axis convoys. The island faced severe air and naval attacks, with over 6,000 tons of bombs dropped in April 1942 alone. Key events include the Taranto raid in 1940, the 10th submarine flotilla's operations, and the pivotal Operation Pedestal in August 1942. The discussion also highlights the human cost, with around 1,500 civilian casualties. Sam goes on to explore numerous artefacts recovered from the war with Curtis Callus, the museum's Assistant Curator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Order of St John was founded in the eleventh century in Jerusalem as a religious and military order dedicated to caring for sick and poor pilgrims in the Holy Land. How they ended up over 1000 miles away on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, embedded in one of the greatest fortifications of the medieval world, is one of history's greatest maritime stories. In this episode, Dr Sam Willis and maritime historian Liam Gauci from Heritage Malta explore that history. They visit the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta and marvel at its armoury and frescoes depicting naval battles. They tell the story of how the Knights were granted Malta by Charles V in 1530, built a significant fleet and fortifications and then survived the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights, outnumbered 40,000 to 12,000, successfully defended their island home against the Ottomans. The episode highlights the Knights' naval prowess, their influence on Mediterranean maritime history, and their contributions to Malta's social welfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.