Welcome to History in the Court 2023
Over the past few years, historical fiction and non-fiction has experienced an incredible surge in popularity, captivating long-term readers of the genre and drawing in a variety of new readers.
This genre has evolved, capturing the imaginations of both avid history enthusiasts and fiction lovers alike through enigmatic re-tellings, vivid explorations of untouched historical moments and places, and a huge range of important and diverse stories.
In light of this remarkable growth and with the success of our recent Fantasy in the Court event, we are thrilled to announce the return of History in the Court on the 5th October 2023.
Set in the enchanting Cecil Court, we want to unite passionate readers, talented authors, and dedicated publishers, creating a space for celebration of this beloved genre. Look forward to meeting your favourite authors, receiving goodie bags and meeting some of the team behind your favourite bookshop, Goldsboro Books.
**YOUR TICKET WILL BE REDEEMABLE AGAINST THE COST OF A BOOK ON THE NIGHT**
BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
Now introducing the confirmed attending authors...
Lucinda Hawksley: Get to know the lives and works of historical figures as Lucinda Hawksley’s narratives shed light on the art, culture and creativity that have helped shape our modern world.
Costanza Casati: Embark on a journey with characters that defy convention, as Costanza Casati brings to life the stories of those who challenged societal norms and left their mark on history.
Melissa Fu: Experience history through the lens of those who often go unheard, as Melissa Fu uncovers the untold stories of women whose courage and resilience defied the odds.
Ben Kane: March alongside the warriors of old, as Ben Kane skilfully resurrects ancient battles and epic clashes, making history’s heroes and their struggles leap off the page.
W. C. Ryan: Get ready for a haunting journey through history’s mysteries, where W. C. Ryan masterfully blends the eerie and the enigmatic, leaving your timbers shivered and your spines tingled.
Jennifer Saint: Delve into mythology and legend with Jennifer Saint’s spellbinding stories that intertwine the threads of ancient tales, breathing new life into timeless stories.
Elizabeth Fremantle: Enter the courts of royalty and the chambers of power, where Elizabeth Fremantle’s narratives reveal the hidden intrigues and passions that shaped kingdoms and destinies.
SJ Parris: Get ready to be transported to historical mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Stacey Thomas: Uncover hidden stories and lesser-known events that have left their mark on history, illuminating the past in a whole new light.
Suzie Edge: Immerse yourself in tales of ancient kingdoms, brave warriors and epic adventures that will make history unforgettable.
Charles Earl Spencer: Explore the annals of royalty, intrigue and power as we journey through the corridors of history’s grand palaces.
Kate Griffin: Dive into the realms of magic and history intertwined, where sorcery meets the events that shaped our world.
Anna Mazzola: Immerse yourself in gripping mysteries that will transport you to the heart of historical enigmas, challenging your wits and captivating your imagination.
Dan Jones: Discover history like never before through engaging narratives that make the past come alive with every turn of the page.
Essie Fox: Prepare yourself for spine-tingling tales that blur the lines between history and the supernatural, leaving you captivated by the eerie whispers of the past, echoing throughout the present.
Abir Mukherjee: Traverse continents and eras with stories that bridge cultures, capturing the essence of diverse worlds as they collide and shape the course of history.
Mandy Robotham: Embark on a journey through the pages of history with characters whose lives intersect with monumental events, evoking a spectrum of emotions that will resonate long after the last word.
Paul Fraser Collard: March onto the battlefields of history with characters who courage and determination mirror the heroes of yesteryears, reliving epic struggles through masterful storytelling.
Elodie Harper: Immerse yourself in the lush tapestries of historical settings, with narratives that intertwine lives and destines, weaving a spellbinding web of interconnected stories.
Gill Paul: Experience history’s most iconic moments through the eyes of those who lived them, as Gill Paul weaves tales of love, resilience and human connection against a backdrop of historical upheavals.
Sean Lusk: Dive into historical mysteries that will challenge your wit and captivate your curiosity, as you untangle enigmas from the past alongside unforgettable characters.
Laura Shepherd-Robinson: Unravel historical mysteries and conspiracies through Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s intricate storytelling, immersing yourself in suspense and secrets.
Conn Iggulden: Relive epic battles and legendary stories as Conn Iggulden paints vivid portraits of history’s heroes, plunging you into their triumphs and tribulations.
Susan Stokes-Chapman: Explore the natural world as it intertwines with history through Susan Stokes-Champan’s evocative tales, offering a unique perspective on the past.
Laura Purcell: Journey into the shadows of history with Laura Purcell’s haunting tales, where the past takes on an eerie and enthralling life that will linger in your thoughts.
Rosie Andrews: Prepare to be enchanted by narratives that whisk you through history’s corridors, unveiling untold tales that and hidden viewpoints that will leave you utterly captivated.
Vaseem Khan: Traverse continents and cultures with Vaseem Khan’s engaging narratives that weave mystery and intrigue into vibrant settings from around the world.
Sophie Keetch: Discover the remarkable stories of women who have shaped history with Sophie Keetch’s narratives that celebrate their achievements and contributions.
A. J. West: Delve into gripping historical mysteries that will challenge your intellect and keep you guessing until the very last page.
Caroline Lamond: Step into the shoes of characters from eras gone by, as they navigate the intricacies of life, love and society’s ever-changing norms.
Leonora Nattrass: Uncover forgotten stories and hidden voices from history, shedding light on the untold tales that have shaped our world.
Robert Dinsdale: Immerse yourself in enchanting narratives that seamlessly blend history and fantasy, creating worlds where the past and magical collide.
Anita Frank: Brace yourself for chilling tales that intertwine the supernatural with historical settings, sending shivers down your spine the further you read on.
Louise Hare: Experience the vibrant tapestry of history through the eyes of characters who navigate the challenges of their time, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Clare Whitfield: Plunge into stories that unlock the secrets and deceptions of the secrets and deceptions of the past, reminding us that history’s echoes continue to shape our present.
Featured
Disobedient
Rome 1611.
A jewel-bright place of change, with sumptuous new palaces and lavish wealth on display. A city where women are seen but not heard.
Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist. Motherless, she grows up among a family of painters - men and boys. She wants to experience the world, but she belongs to her father and will belong to a husband.
As Artemisia patiently goes from lesson to lesson, perfecting her craft, she also paints in private, recreating the women who inspire her, away from her father's eyes.
Until a mysterious tutor enters her life. Tassi is a dashing figure, handsome and worldly, and for a moment he represents everything that a life of freedom might offer. But then the unthinkable happens.
In the eyes of her family, Artemisia should accept her fate. In the eyes of the law, she is the villain.
But Artemisia is a survivor. And this is her story to tell.
- Signed & Numbered
- Limited Edition
- Sprayed Edges
- Hardcover
- UK First Edition, First Printing
Featured
Harlem After Midnight
1936, September 17th, 1am…
In the middle of Harlem, in the dead of night, a woman falls from a second storey window. In her hand, she holds a passport and the name written on it is Lena Aldridge…
Nine days earlier…
Lena arrived in Harlem less than two weeks ago, full of hope for her burgeoning romance with Will Goodman, the handsome musician she met on board the Queen Mary. Will has arranged for Lena to stay with friends of his, and this will give her the chance to find out if their relationship is going anywhere. But there is another reason she's in Harlem – to find out what happened in 1908 to make her father flee to London.
As Lena's investigations progress, not only does she realise her father lied to her, but the man she’s falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own. And those secrets have put Lena in terrible danger…
- Signed by the Author
- Hardcover
- UK First Edition, First Printing
Featured
Alchemy
Prague, 1588
A COURT IN TURMOIL
The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, wants to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and his court is a haven for scientists, astrologers and alchemists. His abiding passion is the elusive hunt for the philosopher’s stone and thus immortality. The Catholic Church fears he has pushed too far – into the forbidden realm of heresy – while the greatest powers in Christendom are concerned about the imperial line of succession.
A MURDERED ALCHEMIST
Giordano Bruno is sent to his court by Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth 1’s spymaster. His task: to contact the famous English alchemist and mystic John Dee, another of Walsingham’s spies. But Bruno’s arrival in Prague coincides with the brutal murder of a rival alchemist – and John Dee himself has disappeared.
AN UNFORGIVING ENEMY
Ordered by the emperor to find the killer, Bruno’s investigations bring him face to face with an old enemy from the Inquisition and he finds himself once more pitted against the might of the Catholic Church. When another murder takes place, Bruno is forced to re-evaluate everything he thought he knew. And he soon realizes that his own life is at stake…
- Signed by the Author
- Hardcover
- UK First Edition, First Printing
Featured
Once a Monster
London, 1861: Ten-year-old Nell belongs to a crew of mudlarks who work a stretch of the Thames along the Ratcliffe Highway. An orphan since her mother died four years past, leaving Nell with only broken dreams and a pair of satin slippers in her possession, she spends her days dredging up coals, copper and pieces of iron spilled by the river barges – searching for treasure in the mud in order to appease her master, Benjamin Murdstone.
But one day, Nell discovers a body on the shore. It’s not the first corpse she’s encountered, but by far the strangest. Nearly seven feet tall, the creature has matted hair covering his legs, and on his head are the suggestion of horns. Nell’s fellow mudlarks urge her to steal his boots and rifle his pockets, but as she ventures closer the figure draws breath and Nell is forced to make a decision which will change her life forever . . .
- Signed by the Author
- Hardcover
- UK First Edition, First Printing
Featured
Morgan is My Name
An atmospheric, feminist retelling of the early life of famed villainess Morgan le Fay, set against the colourful chivalric backdrop of Arthurian legend.
When King Uther Pendragon murders her father and tricks her mother into marriage, Morgan refuses to be crushed. Trapped amid the machinations of men in a world of isolated castles and gossiping courts, she discovers secret powers. Vengeful and brilliant, it's not long before Morgan becomes a worthy adversary to Merlin, influential sorcerer to the king. But fighting for her freedom, she risks losing everything – her reputation, her loved ones and her life.
- Signed & Numbered
- Limited Edition
- Sprayed Edges
- Hardcover
- UK First Edition, First Printing
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When and where is the event taking place?
History in the Court is taking place on the 5th October at Goldsboro Books London (23-27 Cecil Court, WC2N4EZ) from 5.00pm-9.00pm.
2. How can I purchase tickets for the event?
Tickets are available at this link: buy tickets here
3. What is the cost of admission?
Tickets are £5 but will be redeemable against the cost of a book on the night.
4. Will there be food and beverages available?
There will be drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available throughout the event, and some snacks.
5. Which authors are attending?
Attending authors are:
Abir Mukherjee, AJ West, Anita Frank, Anna Mazzola, Ben Kane, Caroline Lamond, Charles Earl Spencer, Clare Whitfield, Conn Iggulden, Costanza Casati, Dan Jones, Elizabeth Fremantle, Elodie Harper, Essie Fox, Gill Paul, Jennifer Saint, Kate Griffin, Laura Purcell, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Leonora Nattrass, Louise Hare, Lucinda Hawksley, Mandy Robotham, Melissa Fu, Paul Fraser Collard, Robert Dinsdale, Rosie Andrews, Sean Lusk, SJ Parris, Sophie Keetch, Stacey Thomas, Susan Stokes-Chapman, Suzie Edge, Vaseem Khan, and WC Ryan.
6. Can I get a refund if I can't attend the event?
If you have purchased a ticket but can no longer attend, please contact our lovely team at enquiries@goldsborobooks.com and they can assist you with a refund.
7. Will there be signed books or merchandise available?
There will be copies of all the confirmed attending authors available for purchase as well as many other goodies to be expected on the night!