Forty questions all about history, which honestly I took a LOT of time over Last month I hosted a History Quiz at the Groucho Club in London. It was sold out and great fun. Which was just as well, because I spent absolutely ages writing the questions (and then rewriting them when my pal Elizabeth Day sent me a text in BLOCK CAPS saying THIS IS WAY TOO DIFFICULT).
Back from my holidays! Let's goooo Hello everyone,
(And now you can stay nearby in true medieval splendour) This week I stayed in the newly refurbished Mayor’s Parlour at the Maison Dieu in Dover, which has been restored in Victorian Gothic Revival style and is now available to book via The Landmark Trust. You can read more about the property (and book to stay in it)
I’m thrilled and honoured to have been appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces. I’m thrilled and honoured to have been appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces.
Or is that a super dumb question? Before I unwind my essay about the BBC’s new 1066 drama, I want to let you know that my new novel, Lion Hearts, is out now in the UK - and is very nearly out in the USA.
Here is the best history and historical fiction I've read this season so far... Before we get onto autumn books, two exciting things.
A thing that happened About a year ago I went to see a doctor who stuck a camera tube up my nose and down my throat, then made a funny face.
Which of my books would you like to see in Broken Binding format next? My friends at The Broken Binding have a new history imprint called Millennia Books.
From Tudor art to Renaissance medicine to self-betterment through Stoic virtues The books land on my doormat by the half dozen at the moment. That’s what this bit of the autumn is like. Some of these books I ordered months ago when I first heard about them. Some I didn’t order at all, but kind authors and diligent publicists send them my way.
…and the Tower of London In 1252 Henry III took delivery of a white bear, sent to him as a gift from King Haakon IV of Norway. He decided to keep it in the Tower of London. The bear was either too big or too exciting to be taken to Oxfordshire, where there had been a royal menagerie at Woodstock since Henry I’s reign. What’s more, it needed to fish.
...one last lecture for this year... and more Hello, I’ve been writing a lot these last couple weeks - and doing a lot, I suppose.
A lecture from Southwark Cathedral Christmas books!
