History is typically stranger than fiction, and in The Soulfast, Terrance Glasscock draws the distinction between historical fact and mystical myth until it is nearly impossible to say where history ends and fiction begins. From medieval England to modern-day Paris, The Soulfast is packed with historical tidbits, esoteric rituals, and cryptic legends that leave readers wondering where fact leaves off and fiction begins.

But how much of the book is fact? Let’s examine the historical influences that have gone into The Soulfast and separate fact from fiction.

The Soulfast Ritual: Was It Real?

Perhaps the most compelling feature of the book is the Soulfast ceremony, a supernatural ceremony that mingles two souls into a marriage for all eternity. The premise is strangely close to that of Handfasting, an existing medieval ritual which was used as a marriage under ancient custom before the Church legalised the ritual. Handfasting was standard practice among Celts and Vikings, and though not exactly a “soul-binding” wedding ceremony, it was an affirmation of serious devotion.

The novel also implies Druidic and pagan influences, as attested by historical records. The ancient European cultures believed in the transmigration of souls—the potential for lovers to be reunited in subsequent lives. Although there is no explicit historical evidence of a ritual identical to the Soulfast, its roots are well-established in actual spiritual practices.

L’Argent Castle: A Forgotten Relic of the Past?

In The Soulfast, Simon Sterling uncovers an illuminated manuscript and a painting that depict an ancient castle—L’Argent Castle, the home of Lord Tristan. While L’Argent Castle is imaginary, it’s based on the actual Norman forts constructed following the invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. Fortresses such as Dover, Rochester, and Arundel look very much like L’Argent, making its presence within the novel wholly believable.

Furthermore, the medieval Kent background of the novel is an actual time when Norman lords such as Tristan l’Argent owned big estates, making the book even more realistic.

The First Crusade: A Historical Background to a Fictional Drama

Tristan’s disappearance in The Soulfast has its roots back in the First Crusade (1096-1099), the core motif in medieval history. The majority of noblemen, actual human beings like Bohemond of Taranto and Godfrey of Bouillon, left behind their castles to fight for Jerusalem. The novel’s explanation of Tristan’s potential fate aligns with that in history—most knights did not come back, leaving behind abandoned territories and unresolved mysteries.

Illuminated Manuscripts & Forgotten Knowledge

Simon discovering a lit manuscript describing the Soulfast ritual is a historically accurate fact. Medieval illuminated manuscripts were painstakingly written down by scholars and monks and consisted of religious texts, mystical texts, and even coded messages. Although the particular manuscript in The Soulfast does not exist, there are literally hundreds of such real-life manuscripts from the Middle Ages yet to be found or deciphered, so the mystery in the book seems perfectly feasible.

Conclusion: Where Fact Meets Fiction

Terrance Glasscock’s The Soulfast is not only a novel—it’s a trip through history, mystery, and the unexplained. Though the Soulfast ritual and L’Argent Castle are fictitious, they take their cue from actual traditions, events from history, and medieval legend.