I know it is fun to write and watch page after page filling up, but when one writes a historical fiction, the historical part still needs to jive. I have always liked history, some more than others. Being an avid reader helps as well. Some times I have done a quick search, but it just doesn’t have the same depth that reading a good history book has. Libraries are full of them, as are self-publishing sites and so many people are addicted to the internet that many publishers are not accepting regular history books or even ones that are specific to a certain time period or event.
Knowing what is going on in a certain time period allows a writer to build the fiction around the events that happened in that era. I feel it gives it more credibility and helps to drive the excitement or the suspense to the final outcome of the story.