An extraordinary journey that uncovers historical secrets about England’s forgotten Queen. With thanks to Keighley_Reads for a fabulous review and Pan Macmillan for the early copy.
What’s not to love about this book. A walk through the British countryside, following the route the procession carried Eleanor’s body from Lincoln to London. And history, lots and lots of history.
The beginning of the book hinted at comparisons between Eleanor and Queen Elizabeth II, and this theme continued throughout. I am a massive fan of the Royal Family, especially QEII, so this first part of the book was extremely moving as the author retold her memory of the death and being part of the queue to view the Queen laying in state.
I loved how immersive this book felt, I really did feel like I was walking, and breaking in the walking boots, with the author and it’s made me want to go and view some of the places she visited and areas she walked through.
It’s amazing to know some of the Eleanor Crosses still survive today, which is a testament to Edward’s love for his wife. I am definitely planning on my next trip to London to find the plaque by Charing Cross Station!
The photos (which were black and white in the ARC) were amazing and such a great addition to the book. I loved how most of them included the author posing in different locations, which made the journey seem even more real. There was a particular photo in Chapter 5 which gave me flashbacks to my time working in the field as an archaeologist!
The characters we meet during the authors journey just adds to the charm of the book, where we get little snippets of conversations had and opinions on Eleanor’s burial and journey to London.
Overall, this book was a great read. If you love immersing yourself in history and having the added bonus of following a walking journey, this book is perfect.
About the Book
In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone.To mark the places where her cortege rested, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses.
More than seven centuries later, bestselling historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates.
As Alice journeys in search of England’s forgotten Queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways. Lively and entertaining, Eleanor uncovers the extraordinary life and formidable character of this lesser-known royal, revealing her inspiring legacy and the hidden history of Britain.
About The Author
Alice Loxton is one of Britain’s most exciting young historians. She has been a pioneer in bringing history to new audiences through social media, and has a total following of over 2 million across Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. She is an experienced writer and presenter, regularly presenting documentaries on History Hit, Channel 4 and the BBC. She is the author of the acclaimed book UPROAR: Scandal, Satire and Printmakers in Georgian London, nominated for Blackwell’s Book of the Year.
Purchase the Book
This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box. Signed copies available whilst stocks last.
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