To mark the bicentenary of Queen Victoria’s birth on 24 May, 1819, author and HWA member Miranda Carter examines Victoria’s lifelong conviction that she was always right – especially when she was completely wrong – and its often disastrous consequences.
The curiosities of history
How much research do I need to do? It’s a familiar question for writers of historical fiction. But author Robert Wilton has a confession…
Peterloo by Jacqueline Riding
On a hot late summer’s day, a crowd of 60,000 gathered in St Peter’s Field. They came from all over Lancashire – ordinary working-class men, women and children – walking to the sound of hymns and folk songs, wearing their best clothes and holding silk banners aloft. Their mood was happy, their purpose wholly serious: […]
Historia interviews: Alison Weir
Historia interviews author Alison Weir about her novel Anna of Kleve
Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior by Catherine Hanley
A life of Matilda – empress, skilled military leader, and one of the greatest figures of the English Middle Ages. By Catherine Hanley
The best historical books of 2018
2018 has been an exciting year for historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. With the holidays coming up, Elizabeth Fremantle asked fellow HWA members to choose three outstanding books each to recommend as the year’s highlights (and a few older favourites have popped up as well). We hope this selection inspires you, whether you’re looking […]
Writing popular history: Three lessons learned
Read everything you can. Get to know the place you’re writing about. Know when to stop researching and start writing. Those are three of the lessons I have learned in the last quarter century as a writer of popular history. My first book was an oral history of the Vietnam war based on interviews with […]
Historia interviews: Diarmaid MacCulloch
Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of the new biography Thomas Cromwell: A Life, is speaking at the Yorkshire Museum, York, on Friday, 14 December 2018. Tickets are £12 and available on their website. The event is presented by friends of the HWA, the York Literature Festival. Imogen Robertson, Chair of the HWA, spoke to him last week. I’ve […]