Wessex in classical heraldry and is found on a number of church windows in derived shields such as the Arms of the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster (Westminster Abbey, which was founded by the king). At its greatest extent Wessex encompassed the modern areas of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as the western half of Berkshire and the eastern hilly flank of Somerset. This covers an area of about . The English author Thomas Hardy used a fictionalised Wessex as a setting for many of his novels, adopting his friend William Barnes' term "Wessex" for
Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286 and 1603 Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286 and 1603 The Scottish author Nigel Tranter wrote many novels based on historical events and figures. This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland in the period 1286–1603. This begins with the death of Alexander III, which precipitated the Contest for the Crown and the Wars of Scottish Independence. The period closes with the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland acceded the English throne. For Tranter's historical novels set outside this timeframe see: For other books by Nigel Tranter, see here. 1306-29? The central