As The Spanish Helmet starts to get increasing attention on Authonomy (http://www.authonomy.com/books/32345/the-spanish-helmet/), I decided it was high time I thank and give credit to some of my inspiration.

Faction

The Spanish Helmet falls into a category of fiction made famous by Dan Brown; faction. That is, fiction that is based on facts, or in the least, research that some folk would like you to believe is fact.

Is the Spanish Helmet a Story, or is it All Fact?

The Spanish Helmet is, first and foremost, a novel. It is the imagined story of Dr. Matthew Cameron and his quest to discover the true history of New Zealand. Matt’s story is intertwined with the ships journal belonging to Francisco de Hoces. Hoces was real. He really did sail in a fleet to South America, and really was lost at sea. What happened following that, no-one knows, but I have continued his story (and journal) based largely on the theories of one researcher (more below).

Many of the artefacts that appear in The Spanish Helmet are real. The helmet itself, for example, sits in the Te Papa museum and is argued about by a few historians. Maori oral traditions about early visitors, white people living amongst them, are based on documented evidence from early NZ settlers and the research of qualified academics. Many Maori elders could still relate wonderful stories to you.
The boulders at Silverdale, the alignments in Auckland, the Moeraki Boulders and theories surrounding them; these are all objects and theories that are discussed and argued between academia and amateur historians. The Cross house existed.  So does the spy base at Waihopai.

My point is, the book is a story, but there is a lot of researched material behind the story. And yes, I hope you will have afew questions about NZ and what you really know when you reach the end.

I continue to add my research and references to this site. If you have questions about material used in the creation of The Spanish Helmet, and you can’t find answers here, please… just ask. I want my sources to get the credit they deserve.

So… Some of my Sources – These People Deserve Credit

Most importantly, I have to give huge credit to the late Professor Robert Langdon. No, not the character from Dan Brown novels… the real Professor Robert Langdon, a historian previously of the Australian National University and the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau.
Robert Langdon wrote a theory whereby the Spanish explorers on board the caravel San Lesmes, discovered New Zealand and partly colonised the Pacific, following their loss of the rest of the Loaisa expedition fleet. My idea for a large part of The Spanish Helmet plot is drawn from his theory, which can be read about in his two books: The Lost Caravel, and The Lost Caravel Re-Explored.

Further credit needs to be given to theories and articles which have been discussed (or presented online) by the following people:

• Dr. Robin Watt- Forensic Anthropologist: Information about the Spanish Helmet, the European skull, and discussion of alternative NZ history theories in general. Thanks for your time and help Robin.
• Gavin Menzies: His theory of the Chinese discovering NZ is discussed briefly

• Martin Doutré:

  A controversial amateur historian in New Zealand, whose vast website about theories of Celtic discovery of NZ (and similar) was widely browsed and provided some inspiration. Unfortunately, Martin doesn’t reference his work, so I could only use his theories as a kick start to some ideas and issues. Regardless, a must credit him for the sheer quantity of questions his site raises. I would love to see some serious academics actually take a good look at answering some of these questions, openly and without just wildly bashing his as a hack. As far as I cam concerned, his work at least deserves some attention. 10 points for commitment, Martin.

• Te Papa Museum

• Te Ara Encyclopaedia of New Zealand

• Dame Anne Salmond – Historian, Anthropologist, Author: The story of the strange fisherman on the East Cape comes from Anne’s work.

• Warwick Harris – Landcare Research New Zealand – For discovering and writing about a Pohutukawa tree in Spain.

• The ETH Bibliothek (and certain staff members), Whakatane High School (and certain past teachers), the University of Otago (and certain academic staff), and many other people that have provided inspiration for characters, their names, and their stories. You know who you are.

• Francisco de Hoces – Spanish Explorer: Where did you go?

I have likely left out many, many names. But I intend to come back and complete this list. Without the inspiration provided by hundreds of people, their stories, and past experiences with them, The Spanish Helmet would not exist. I couldn’t have written this book without all of you.

Thanks.