Chorleywood Bookshop Historic Success!

Historical novellist Philippa Gregory was the guest of Chorleywood Bookshop at a booksigning event last night on the eve of the publication of her new novel ' The Kingmaker's Daughter'.  In the beautiful surroundings of The Royal Masonic School, on a lovely summers evening - Philippa gave a fabulous talk on the new book, reading passages and sharing the royal and complex family tree that illustrated the convoluted, brutal and manipulative nature of the times.  More importantly she brings to life the much overlooked lives of the women.  By the nature of the history of the monarchy, politics and war very little is recorded or known of the lives of the women involved with the Royal Households and their courts at this time - Philippa has made it her lifes work to bring to life in glorious technicolour and almost in 3D, the details of how their lives played out, controlled and used as pawns in a huge and complex chess game of power and wealth.

This latest novel is the story of Anne Neville, eldest daughter of  Richard, Duke of Warick who came to a somewhat sticky end at the Battle of Barnet fighting to relieve Edward IV of his crown.  I shall not go into how she fits into the overall tree of the Royal Family of the time, as it is far too complex, and frankly they all changed sides so many times it would be far better for you to simply go and buy the book from Chorleywood Bookshop!  Oh, and by the way, they still have signed copies from last night - so HURRY!

Philippa is also, almost single handedly responsible for the building of around 160 wells in schools in the Gambia. Following a visit to The Gambia, having seen the difficulties the children suffer, she explained that she is aiming to put a well a month into the schools in this drought stricken area, teaching the children about sustainable living and farming.  You can see more about this at her website:
http://www.philippagregory.com/about-gardens-for-gambia/