Dudley author releases latest book

Robert Aston, from Coseley, has released the latest instalment of his medieval adventures called 'Jack O'War' centred on Jack - a man in an unhappy marriage who goes to be an archer at Dudley Castle.

The book, set in the 1300s, uses the old Middle English language in parts - a vernacular thought to be closely associated with the dialect of the Black Country.

Mr Aston said it was a relief to get the book released after a frustrating period dealing with publishers.

The 78-year-old said: "It's been a struggle to get these books out, with company's going bust, back and forth with the editors with the wrong use of dashes and semi-colons, but I'm deeply indebted to them as the stories have developed over the extra waiting period."

Mr Aston has spent most of his life in the Black Country, although he was born in Oxford after his Black Country parents moved there for work.

His mother died when Mr Aston was six-years-old and his father soon left to go to Australia leaving Mr Aston under the care of his grandmother in a poor area of Dudley.

He started work on the latest Jack O'Dudley book in 2014 and it follows on from Jack O'Beans and Jack O'Knaves.

The books have all been inspired by and take place primarily in Dudley, with a focus on the castle, including other significant landmarks, notably the old priory and church, which date back to when the books are set.

Dudley Library also played a significant part in the development of the books by Mr Aston.

He added: "My grandmother used to make Dudley library opened my eyes and gave me a curiosity that's never left me.

"I also did a creative writing course there when I retired in 2003, which is when the Jack character was developed - it's all stemmed from there."

The Jack O' Dudley series is available on Amazon and in select local book stores.