The United Kingdom of Greater Brechalon and its capital city of Brech are the locations for my novel Brechalon, as well as the starting location of The Voyage of the Minotaur. It is a fantasy analog for Victorian England. Ruled by King Tybalt III, it sits on a series of islands some twenty miles across the channel from its traditional enemies Mirsanna and Freedonia.
I just watched the 1964 film Zulu, staring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine (in his first starring role). This movie was a big inspiration for me when I was writing the battle scenes in The Voyage of the Minotaur. I tipped my hat to the film in Brechalon, when I named Augie’s NCO, Colour Sergeant Bourne. Bourne was a historical person in the Battle of Roark’s Drift, which is what Zulu is about. If you watch the movie, you will also note “Colour Sergeant Bourne!” is the most often repeated phrase in the movie. Seriously, if you haven’t seen the movie, you should. It’s on the watch now list on Netflix.
City of Amathar 