As an animal lover, I was curious about animals and what roles they play in our historical fiction books, so I asked: Do you have animals in your historical fiction? If so, what are they and how significant are they to your story?

Whether you are an animal lover or not, you may be intrigued by the answers I received from three Paper Lantern Writers who have shared their perspectives and the significance of animals in their books. I have answered my own question below theirs.

Alina Rubin

This is a story of how a misunderstanding between me and my editor killed a cat.

In my draft of Abigail’s Song, the immigrant Jewish family that adopted Abigail had a cat, Murka. Murka disappeared, and the whole family was looking for her. Abigail was especially frantic, scared that the cat was gone forever.

My editor added a note. “Great parallel between Abigail, who eventually attempts suicide, and the death of her cat.”

My response: “You want me to kill the cat? I planned for her to be found. Readers hate it when a fictional animal dies. I will get angry emails.”

But the wheels in my brain were already turning, and I wrote a scene where Abigail and her betrothed find Murka’s corpse. The death of her beloved pet becomes one of the sad events that leads to Abigail’s breakdown.

My editor emailed back: “I’m sorry. I thought you planned Murka’s death later in the story. DO NOT KILL THE CAT!”

I sent her the new scene with Murka’s burial.

She loved it.

C. V. Lee

What would historical fiction in the 15th century be without animals? Unrealistic. Horses, sheep, dogs, chickens and fish grace the pages and add color and depth when describing what life was like in the medieval era. For the gentry and the nobility, horses were a mode of transportation other than walking, although, for those with less money, riding an ass was also an option.

In Token of Betrayal, the first book in my ‘The de Carteret Chronicles: Legacy of Rebels’ series, a horse and a dog, although minor characters in the book, play a pivotal role. These animals sensed an approaching danger, and their behavior alerted my protagonist, saving his life. Magnar, the beautiful black destrier, actually lived and has passed into legend, credited with changing the course of history in what is called his “Leap for Liberty.”

 

Ana Brazil

My most recent heroine is Viola Vermillion; she’s THE RED-HOT BLUES CHANTUESE, forced to solve her lover’s murder while performing in vaudeville in 1919 San Francisco. Although many vaudeville shows featured (now cringe-worthy) animal acts like boxing kangaroos, waltzing elephants, or high-wire walking cockatoos, I’ve included two dog acts in my novel.

My RED-HOT dogs are a polite pack of polished poodles (performing in the one spot as Kitty LeBlanc – French Poodle Acrobats) and Champ, a scruffy terrier mix (performing in the nine spot as Officer Tuck and Champ the Drunken Dog). Champ and the poodles are delightful, full-blown performers, and I couldn’t have written RED-HOT without them.

The vintage image: The dogs of Gardiner’s Maniacs vaudeville act, c. 1918.

Anne M. Beggs

Animals have always been part of my life. They were driving forces in my childhood and teenage art. The stories in my head were seldom without pets, or companion animals. Historically, animals have always been with us, from hunting, to agriculture, transportation and protection, as well as the comfort they offer. As C. V. Lee, already wrote, animals were part of everyday existence, from livestock to wildlife.

Horses are characters in Archer’s Grace. My protagonist, Eloise, has a tight bond with her horse, Garth. Her affection for Roland’s horse deepens his relationship with Artoch as well. Eloise’s love of her hounds, and the cats that cross her path add depth and conflict within the Church’s decree that animals do not have souls.

Eloise and Dahlquin are deeply bound to their environment; the health and vitality of the land resonates within their very beings. This anomaly and spiritual quest for understanding continues through the series.

Do you have any favorite stories, particularly historical fiction, with animals? We would love to hear about them in the comments.