So much to look forward to as summer wends its way onwards – and we in the UK watch the heavens for impending (and much needed) rain.
Seven years ago, on my first visit to the Bosworth Battle re-enactment weekend in 2015 when I was researching for The King’s Man, Sunday’s battle reached a climax just as a thunderstorm hit. It’s since become almost legendary that, just as ‘King Richard’ was struck from his horse, a huge thunderclap was heard and the heavens opened. Tears at the outcome? (There were a few shed, as ever, I suspect… Less so three years later, when an alternative ending was presented: see my blog on Bosworth 2018).
This year I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather – especially after the brisk winds and ultimate rainstorm at my most recent event at Shrewsbury Medieval Weekend. I worry that my modern gazebo won’t hold up to poor weather – though it has managed so far in windy Middleham Castle, despite various downpours during the Richard III Festival in July this year.
So please add your hopes to mine for my final two events of the summer – at the very least that the rain that England so desperately needs at the moment doesn’t fall precisely on the next two weekends.
On the weekend of 20-21 August I’m delighted to say that I will be returning to Bosworth for the commemoration of the battle and accompanying medieval festival (held for the first time since 2019). As usual I’ll be selling my own and other authors’ books – and offering readings on request. Although I can’t guarantee the amazing sound effects that accompanied me in 2018 when, just as the cannon fire began in my reading of the start of the battle from The King’s Man, so too did a gunnery demonstration in the main show field. The firing even synchronized perfectly with the blasts in the reading… It couldn’t have been timed better if actually choreographed!
https://www.facebook.com/BosworthBattlefield/videos/797606514928034/
And the following weekend – August bank holiday – 27-29 August – I’m back at our beloved Middleham – all three days if my stamina (and the weather!) holds out! I’m hoping to be joined there by one or two other authors (watch this space for details!), but either way, I’ll be selling the usual range of books, my own and others. As ever, the castle is a great day out for all the family – and a great place to browse a very relevant selection of books! Thanks, as ever, to manager Gill for inviting us along.
Hoping to see you at one or other of these places which proved so important in the life of King Richard.
Loyalty binds me
Alex Marchant is author of two books telling the story of the real King Richard III for children aged 10+, The Order of the White Boar and The King’s Man, and a third in the sequence, King in Waiting, which continues the adventures of the young members of the Order in the following years. A fourth book, Sons of York, was published in June 2022.
Alex is also editor of Grant Me the Carving of My Name and Right Trusty and Well Beloved…, two anthologies of short fiction inspired by King Richard, sold in support of Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK).
Alex has also published a standalone timeslip novel for readers aged 10+, Time out of Time, relating the adventures of Allie Turner through a doorway into history found under layers of old wallpaper at ancient Priory Farm.
Alex’s books can be found on Amazon at:
My Twitter handle and Matthew Wansford’s
Instagram: AlexMarchantAuthor
The Order of the White Boar 