Gypsies aid the werewolf hero in Tracy Falbe’s historical fantasy Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale. The author shared her research about 16th century Gypsy life in a guest blog appearance for the Werewolves in the Renaissance blog tour.

Battle Creek, MI -- (SBWire) -- 02/24/2014 --Tracy Falbe explained her choice to include Gypsies in her new novel in a guest post at the blog on Alesha Escobar on February 21st. In Falbe’s new historical fantasy Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale the setting is 1561 Bohemia and the Gypsies are the first people the hero Thal encounters after his mother’s witchcraft gives him werewolf powers.

In Gypsies in Renaissance Europe the author described how Gypsies were spreading into Central and Northern Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although sporadically tolerated, historical sources revealed a scathing dislike of Gypsies. They were accused of thieving and espionage. Despite many laws banning them, they continued to travel Europe and still do.

When writing the novel, Falbe decided that Gypsies were a natural choice for characters that help Thal because his paranormal powers make him an outcast too. His enemies call him Devil born, and the story dramatizes the Renaissance history of people being condemned for witchcraft.

In her guest post Falbe wrote about how she did not romanticize her portrayal of the Gypsies:

“My presentation of the 16th century Gypsies shows both sides. I create some sympathy for their homeless existence and reviled status, but I do not shun the negative stereotypes either. My Gypsy characters are thieves, prostitutes, poachers, and fortune tellers. This is life at the margins where the rules of society get bent and battered.”

In addition to Gypsies, many other facets of Renaissance society are shown throughout Thal’s adventure, including Jesuits, Venetian musicians, a Condottiere, bandits, and aristocrats.

The turbulent era of the Renaissance provided a complementary backdrop to the paranormal story. Great shifts in philosophy and technology were changing European society in the 16th century and spawning deep social tensions.

“I intended this societal conflict to act as a mirror to the man and beast within Thal,” Falbe said.

The blog tour host Alesha Escobar regularly features authors at her blog on Fridays.

About Tracy Falbe
Tracy Fable is the author of The Gray Tower fantasy series and is currently working on a short story for the New Myths anthology by HDWP Books. She blogs weekly at aleshaescobar.com where she discusses books, television shows, and the writing craft.

Falbe will continue to tour blogs through March 13th. Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale is widely available at online book retailers as an ebook or paperback. It is the 9th novel by Falbe who has been writing fantasy books since 1997.