The Quest for historical accuracy

Most people don't pay attention to the historical accuracy in books and movies.  It's either not there, or too subtle to notice, or so glaringly obvious we feel like we're reading nonfiction. The fact that most people wouldn't know the difference makes it easy for us authors to tweak history here and there.
I'm pretty sure I'm guilty of that.
For the most part, however, I've tried to stay faithful to the past.  Here are a few historical truths that I've includedin the Clouds Aflame series:

• Potatoes, native to South America, were not introduced to Ireland until 1589 and are therefore not in Clouds Aflame.
• Before potatoes, the staple of the Irish diet was dairy.
• All Benedictine monks wore black, and still do today.  (Lukas wears a brown habit simply because he can't find a suitable black dye.)
• Stirabout is the authentic Irish term for oatmeal.

Now, I wish I could say I've been 100% accurate as far as history goes.  Not only is that impossible, it is also highly impractical.  Vikings didn't wear horned helmets, but I put moose antlers on Konar's to make him seem more imposing.
Historical accuracy is one thing, but natural accuracy is another.  In other words, are the laws of nature followed?  A plant called milfoil is used to stop bleeding at least once in the book.  Milfoil is a real plant, though it's more commonly called yarrow in the U.S., and its leaves really do stop bleeding.
Above all, I've tried to make Where the Clouds Catch Fire spiritually accurate.  Spiritual accuracy, unfortunately, is subjective.  But what I included in Where the Clouds Catch Fire is proved by what the Bible says.  There really is a God.  I've seen Him move.  I've seen His healing, in my own body as well as other's.  He really does love you, more than anyone on this earth can.  He loves you so much He sent His Son to die on the cross, taking the punishment for our sins so we didn't have to.  And we accept this precious gift of salvation, not by working for it, but by receiving it by grace through faith.
I wish you all a merry Christmas, and God bless you!