Historical (in)Accuracy

clipart etc

ost everything I write has roots in some archeological site, artwork, or historical figure. I take what information I need and leave what I don't, which isn't easy. I want to honor the history, yet my story needs are different (and more important). It takes me a few days to process the research and pick out the suitable details. I don't pretend to write historical fiction. I write fantasy, yet what I keep usually rings pretty true. However...lately, I've been wondering just how far I'm willing to drift from my sources.

As far as accuracy of place, I try to be strong willed and make the story fit the landmarks. I don't change things. Two excellent examples of my reasoning:

1) Assassin's Creed-Revelations put a port in Cappadocia.
2)The International relocated Yerebatan Sarnici beneath the Blue Mosque.

Shifts like that irk me because I know better, and because those shifts mislead people. Many viewers or readers won't know the difference, and worse, they might take the information at face value. I suppose the important issue is exposing the public to the landmark, regardless of location, but it bugs me. Does it bug you?

I find historical figures are even more sticky to handle. So much so, I'm thinking to rename some major characters in Burnt Amber to avoid a big headache later.

Exhibit A:

The Turkish series I currently <3 <3 <3, Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century), featured Isabella Fortuna, Princess of Castile -  a whole subplot of her falling for Sultan Suleiman. Give me a break.

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

That Isabella died in 1504. (I think they're referring to queen Isabella - I can't find evidence to the contrary.) What was she doing in Istanbul in late1526?

Don't screw with my head like that, people. Readers and viewers are not stupid, and we don't appreciate being misled. Although what worries me most is the idea that these inaccurate episodes may be the only history lesson people get about these rulers. At least give us a decent disclaimer. No?

So. Maybe I can and should go farther from my source than I thought, especially since I know accuracy is not all it seems to be either. Winners wrote their version of the story. What would the losers have to say?

I say creative license is a blessing. What say you?

Secret Cisterns

When people think of Istanbul, the first thing which comes to mind is probably the Ottoman Empire. The roots of Burnt Amber go back to 12th century (see The Seed), but for this post I go all the way to the 6th century and the Yerebatan Sarnici.

Alternatively known as the Yerebatan Sarayi, or sunken palace, the cistern was built by Emperor Justinian I as part of a system to supply Byzantium’s palaces with fresh water from the Belgrade Forest.

Aqueducts and other cisterns can be found in unexpected places throughout the European side of the city. You can walk right by the unassuming entrances if you don’t know what’s right under your feet. The only way the Ottomans discovered them was because people were selling fish from the “wells” under their homes.

Carp swim around the columns still, and James Bond paddled around in From Russia with Love, but I thought it was a great place for an encounter with a djinn.

NB.  The cistern was also featured in The International, but producers decided it should appear under the Blue Mosque.  And The Bachelorette was there recently too.

If you have the time, the best virtual tour can be found here.