From the Author of The Other Boleyn Girl: Normal Women – 900 Years of Making History.

The beloved historical novelist tells the epic story of ordinary British women doing extraordinary things – from rioters and jousters to highwaywomen, pirates, theatre impresarios, and saints.

For decades, Philippa Gregory has thrilled us with tales of the court and the machinations of kings, queens, and courtiers. Now she turns her attention not to the lives of our rulers but the ordinary women whose lives and accomplishments are missing from the national story: a hidden history of those who had no legal presence, no voice in government and no right to own property – but still ruled, governed, and made fortunes. 

With stories of heroism, rebellion, crime, treason, money-making, soldiering and much more, this talk with radically reframe the conventional eras of our history and show the agency, persistence, and effectiveness of women in society – from 1066 to the modern day. 

Highlighting the drive, ingenuity and vast contribution made, Philippa will put women back where they belong in our history – centre stage.

 Speakers:

Philippa Gregory is one of the world’s foremost historical novelists. She wrote her first ever novel, Wideacre, when she was completing her PhD in eighteenth-century literature and it sold worldwide, heralding a new era for historical fiction.Her flair for blending history and imagination developed into a signature style and Philippa went on to write many bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen.

Erica Wagner’s latest book is Mary and Mr Eliot: A Sort-of Love Story. She was the literary editor of the London Times for seventeen years and is a contributing writer for the New Statesman and consulting literary editor for Harper’s Bazaar; she is Lead Editorial Innovator for Creatd, Inc. She is the author of Chief Engineer: Washington Roebling, The Man Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge, winner of the Eccles Centre and Hay Festival Writer’s Award; her other books are Ariel’s Gift, Seizure, Gravity and she is the editor of First Light, a celebration of the work of Alan Garner.

Attendance is restricted to Conduit members

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