2015 harrogate history festival event guide

HARROGATEINTERNATIONALFESTIVALS

Celebrating Historical Writing

HARROGATEHISTORYFESTIVAL

In Associationwith theHistoricalWriters’Association

Tracy BormanLord Melvyn Bragg

Ken FollettMichael Morpurgo

Kate Mosse, Neil OliverHRH Princess Michael of Kent

www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com Box Office: 01423 562 303

OCTOBER 22 - 25, 2015The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate

Writing History - Creative Writing with Emma Darwin and Sally O’Reilly

Thursday 22 October | 3.30pm | £20

How do you root your fiction in history, without getting stuck in the mud? How do you make characters come alive across the centuries? How do you tell a great story when you have to look everything up?

In this practical and intensive 90 minute workshop, authors Emma Darwin and Sally O’Reilly will help you

learn how to make your readers believe in the story you want to tell. Together, you will explore imagining, researching and writing historical fiction, including thinking about what twenty-first century readers of all kinds are looking for, how to approach publishers, and what’s involved if you decide to self-publish. You should leave with plenty of new ideas, techniques and inspiration for all your future writing about the past.

Ticket cost includes refreshments

“Join us for the third year of our innovative Festival to meet, discuss and celebrate the authors and genre of historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. Delve into past worlds from way back in the time of King John and the Magna Carta through the 600 years of Beating the French as we celebrate the victories

of Agincourt and Waterloo to a lively debate discussing the legacy of World War Two and the role played by courageous women. From Kate Mosse to Melvyn Bragg, HRH Princess Michael of Kent to Michael Morpurgo and Ken Follett, we’ll be host to some of the biggest, best and most inspiring names in historical writing. Come and make friends, meet your favourite writers, open new doors and discover new avenues of fascination. Immerse yourself in history!”

Manda (MC) Scott, Chair of the Historical Writers’ Association

www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

Historical Fiction Awards and Opening Party Thursday 22 October | 8pm | £11

Welcome to the historical-writing world’s answer to the Oscars hosted by Mark Lawson. Which of the line-up will be taking home one of historical fiction’s most hotly-contended and prestigious literary awards, the Historical Writers’ Association Crown for Debut Historical Fiction? The contenders are The Good Italian: Stephen Burke, The Strangler Vine: MJ Carter, The Winter Pilgrims: Toby Clements, The Spring of Kasper Meier: Ben Fergusson, The Devil in the Marshalsea: Antonia Hodgson and Wake: Anna Hope.

We will also be presenting the Harrogate History Festival’s Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award to veritable giant of the genre, Michael Morpurgo.

Continue the celebrations and commiserations after the presentation at the official Festival Opening Party. Ticket price includes a glass of wine.

Special Guest: Michael Morpurgo Friday 23 October | 9am | £11

The former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo has written over 130 books. One of our best-loved storytellers, War Horse was adapted to film by Spielberg and stage by the National Theatre. War Horse has been hailed as the greatest anthem for peace.

War is a recurring theme in Morpurgo books, as seen in Private Peaceful, and his most recent novel, Listen to the Moon,

which centres on a survivor of the sinking of the passenger liner the Lusitania in 1915.

Morpurgo was awarded an OBE for his writing, which inspires children all over the world. His ‘love for the music of words’ was instilled by his own mother, who read books and poems to him as a child. He warns that we lose the eye-wideness of childhood at our peril. “When you write for children you write for open hearts and open minds.”

History is his inspiration – the combination of truth and the magic of storytelling, “speak to us personally and perhaps even have the power to change us as people.”

In Association with the Historical Writers’ Association

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

The Lengths They Will Go To Friday 23 October | 10:30am | £7

Most of the time, we live neatly within our comfort zones, but sometimes life can push us to the edges of ourselves – particularly in war when the rules of normal living have been suspended. For women, particularly, war can offer a form of liberation in extremis that peacetime doesn’t offer so that we can find the best and the worst

in ourselves. This panel brings together four authors – Elizabeth Buchan, David Ebsworth, Marina Fiorato and Clare Mulley – whose books – fiction and non-fiction – lead us along the paths that desperation and opportunity open up, into the lives of women who had the courage to follow where they led. Chaired by Emma Darwin.

Cloaks, Daggers and Masked Maurauders Friday 23 October | 12pm | £7

Cloaks and daggers are out of fashion in the 21st century but you don’t have to step far back into the past for them to be bang up to date. Harrogate is home to the best of Crime Writing and here in the History Festival, we have our own corner of historical crime bringing together some of the best loved names

with stars of the genre, Robert Goddard, Michael Jecks, Shona MacLean and Andrew Taylor, chaired by Imogen Robertson.

Not Just Bullets and BombsFriday 23 October | 2pm | £7

The Second World War is the last major conflict really to touch this island. We were shaped by it. Our politics and our culture has grown out of its aftermath. In this lively panel chaired by Robert Goddard, four authors, Jason Hewitt, Damien Lewis, Roger Moorhouse and Victor Sebestyen, explore the hidden

secrets and unacknowledged repercussions of the war that should have ended all wars.


Sponsored by

600 Years of Beating The FrenchFriday 23 October | 3:30pm | £7

They may have beaten us in 1066, and altered the nature of our constitution beyond all redemption, but at pretty much all of the rematches, we made mincemeat of the French. This year sees the anniversaries of two of our greatest victories: Agincourt and Waterloo. To commemorate both, we have brought together four expert authors in these two battles to explore and expand on how we came to be

the winning side. Join Tim Clayton, Michael Jones, Barney White-Spunner and chair Edwin Thomas.

Special Guest: Kate Mosse in Conversation with Manda Scott

Friday 23 October | 5pm | £11

Two towering pioneers of historical fiction promise to enlighten, enthral and entertain. Kate Mosse is the international bestselling author who declared our times a ‘golden age’ for historical fiction. Who better to discuss why ‘history is hot’ than with Manda Scott – the author and Chair of the Historical Writers’ Association. Scott is a passionate advocate of the genre that allows us to

‘live a thousand lives’. A novelist, commentator and screenwriter, her books have been short listed for an Orange Prize, nominated for an Edgar Award and translated into over 20 languages.

Kate’s historical adventure novels of the Languedoc Trilogy – Labyrinth, Sepulchre & Citadel - are published in 42 languages and have sold more than five million copies throughout the world. She’s also a number one bestselling author of Gothic fiction, a playwright, BBC broadcaster and the founder and Chair of the Board of the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. Kate received an OBE for services to literature in 2013.

Perfume: A Century of Scents Friday 23 October | 7.30pm | £9

Join Salon North’s Helen Bagnall and Lizzie Ostrom, aka Odette Toilette, as they explore the 20th Century through the scents that defined the decades. From the glamour of the 20s, the pungent 60s, to the power dressing 80s, explore the social and cultural histories that underpin the scents demanded by the times. A multi-sensory journey through history via your senses.


Special Guest: Neil OliverSaturday 24 October | 9am | £11

He’s the chap AA Gill described as the man with ‘post-Billy Connolly hair who presents Coast on the telly’ and who ‘girls get proper swoony’ over.

The Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer is the face of the BBC’s flagship series A History of Scotland and the award-winning Coast.

With a particular skill for taking audiences on a journey through time, his BBC shows include the story of Cleopatra, the Vikings, and the History of Celtic Britain – the epic story of how the beginnings of our world were forged in ice, stone and bronze.

The charismatic Neil Oliver is in Harrogate with his latest novel, Master of Shadows. Set in 15th century Constantinople, it’s a sweeping story of three protagonists who, as the Siege of Constantinople reaches its climax, must make a choice between head and heart, duty and destiny.

Expect Oliver’s trademark passion for bringing history to vivid life.

Special Guest:Tracy Borman – The Real Wolf Hall

Saturday 24 October | 10:30am | £11

In the lauded Hilary Mantel drama, actor Mark Rylance’s hypnotic portrayal of Cromwell helped us empathise with a man with a bad reputation, and even made him an unlikely pin-up. But what is the real story behind the man who wielded such power and influence?

We are a nation enthralled with Thomas Cromwell, the truth of his Tudor box office allure is unpicked by Borman in her definitive biography: Thomas Cromwell, The untold story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant.

Tracy studied and taught history at Hull University before going on to a successful career in heritage as joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust.

With new research and insights into Cromwell’s character, his family life and his close relationships, the author, broadcaster and public speaker lays bare the life, loves and legacy of the man who changed the shape of England forever.


Sponsored by

New BloodSaturday 24 October | 12pm | £7

You heard it here first! Every year, new writers hit the bookshelves; new names, fresh names, good names. The Historical Writers’ Association is in the fourth year of its Debut Crown Award for best debut historical novel. Here we have our pick of the best new novelists whose books cross eras and span continents. The New Blood panel brings you five of the best shortlisted authors, Toby Clements for The

Winter Pilgrims, Ben Fergusson for The Spring of Kasper Meier, Antonia Hodgson for The Devil in the Marshalsea, Anna Hope for Wake and Stephen Burke for The Good Italian.

These sparkling new talents will talk to HWA and Prize committee Chair, Manda Scott, about their books, their experience of life in the world of publishing, and their plans for the future.

Greg Jenner: A Million Years In A Day Saturday 24 October | 2pm | £9

Who invented beds? When did we start cleaning our teeth? Which came first: the toilet seat or toilet paper? What was the first alarm clock? How old are underpants? In this entertaining romp through human history, and drawing on material from his new book A Million Years In A Day, Greg Jenner (Historical Consultant to BBC Horrible Histories) explores the surprising evolution of our daily routines since

the Stone Age, focusing on the origins of all the things we do each morning.

Julie Summers: Jambusters and Women on the Home Front

Saturday 24 October | 3:30pm | £9

Julie Summers has become fascinated by the stories of women on the home front. In this beautifully illustrated talk she will introduce us to some of the extraordinary stories of bravery and determination by ordinary women who coped during the Second World War before taking us behind the scenes of Home Fires, the ITV drama series inspired by her book Jambusters, now on set for series two.


Sponsored by

My Era’s Better Than YoursSaturday 24 October | 5pm | £7

The past: a great place to visit but would you want to live there? We have brought together a panel of the people who know their eras backwards, inside, and outside who are here to convince you that if you were going to hop in the Tardis and take a jaunt back in time, you’d set the dial to their era. Come along ready to vote – and

then be prepared to change your mind! Fighting their corners please welcome Ben Kane (Romans), SJ Parris (Tudors), Janina Ramirez (Vikings and Edwin Thomas (Ancient Greeks). Antonia Hodgson - whose latest book is set in 18th Century London - will help keep the peace!

Special Guest: HRH Princess Michael of Kent Saturday 24 October | 8:30pm | Tickets £11

Royalty has always enthralled and been the most enduring subject for historical writing – fact and fiction - so who better than to welcome to the Harrogate History Festival than a bona fide Princess!

Alongside being a member of the British royal family, HRH is also a best-selling author, releasing five books including

the royal-inspired The Serpent and The Moon and The Queen of Four Kingdoms. For more than 25 years, the Princess has pursued a successful career lecturing on historical topics. She lives with her husband, Prince Michael of Kent, in Kensington Palace in London.

In Harrogate, she’ll discuss the third book in her Anjou trilogy following the Queen of Four Kingdoms and Agnes Sorel: Mistress of Beauty.

Bad King, Great CharterSunday 25 October | 10am | £7

Everyone knows that John I was a strong contender for the worst king in history, but at least he united the Anglo-Saxons and Normans in their hatred of him – and created the Magna Carta, which has survived (almost) to the present day.

Stephen Church and Toby Clements, both experts in the king and the charter, will explore the truths behind the

myths, and look forward to the charter’s value in the 21st century.


Special Guest: Melvyn BraggSunday 25 October | 11:30am | £11

Melvyn Bragg’s new novel is set in 1381 when the people of England marched on London to protest against unfair taxes, corruption and to demonstrate their complete loss of faith in authority. The Peasant’s Revolt was the biggest rebellion in English history.

Now Is The Time powerfully captures all the passion and patriotism of this extraordinary struggle between those in power and the apparently powerless.

Special Guest: Ken Follett Sunday 25 October | 1pm | Tickets £11

Global sales of all Ken Follett’s books stand at a staggering 150 million copies making him one of the world’s best-loved novelists. Magnificent, epic, momentous. He is the master storyteller readers devour.

Follett was only twenty-seven when he wrote the award-winning and international bestseller, Eye of the Needle.

After writing more successful thrillers he surprised everyone with the Pillars of the Earth, first published in 1989, the epic of family drama, violent conflict and vaulting ambition set around the building of a great cathedral. It has sold a staggering total of 25 million copies in thirty languages and became an 8-hour mini-series starring Ian McShane, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell and Matthew Macfadyen. World Without End was the long-awaited sequel and an international number one bestseller.

His most recent novels are Fall of Giants, Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity – (The Century Trilogy) – with sales of 17 million copies worldwide to date. His latest, Edge of Eternity was an instant international number one bestseller.


Sponsored by


Weekend Break PackagesTake a step back in time with our Festival Weekend Break Packages. Treat yourself to three nights at the Harrogate History Festival by booking a combined ticket and accommodation package. Packages are available now at the Old Swan Hotel, Crown Hotel and Majestic Hotel. Weekend Break Packages including 3 nights’ accommodation and ticket for all events over the weekend start from £359 per person for two people sharing a double/twin room, or £409 per person for singles. A Weekend Break Package includes: Three nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel

Delicious lunches at the Old Swan Hotel on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2015

A Festival goody bag

Your Rover ticket, giving you access to events across the weekend*

Weekend Rover Ticket£155 for all events throughout the weekend* Friday Rover Ticket£56 for all events on Friday 23 October 2015

Saturday Rover Ticket£63 for all events on Saturday 24 October 2015 *Weekend Rover Tickets DO NOT include WritingHistory on Thursday 22 October.

The Old Swan HotelDating back to the 1840s, the Old Swan Hotel is one of Harrogate’s oldest and most cherished hotels. The hotel’s Victorian splendor and traditional elegance is complemented by a modern and contemporary environment. If travelling by car, there is complimentary parking on site and designated disabled spaces. The parking is regulated by Harrogate Borough Council and if you wish

to park your car you must display a valid permit. Permits can be requested in advance at the time of booking or collected from the Reception desk on the day of arrival. All parking is subject to availability and operates on a first come first served basis.. If travelling by train, the Old Swan Hotel is located a five minute walk or a short taxi drive from the railway station.

Cédric Tiberghien, piano | 24 January

Navarra String Quartet | 7 February

Michael Collins, clarinet | 6 March

Hyeyoon Park & Benjamin Grosvenor,violin & piano | 20 March

John Lill, piano | 3 April

Plus don’t miss...

Simón Bolivar String Quartet Saturday 12 March | 7.30pm | Royal Hall, Harrogate

Box Office | 01423 562 303www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com


Cédric Tiberghien, piano | 24 January

Navarra String Quartet | 7 February

Michael Collins, clarinet | 6 March

Hyeyoon Park & Benjamin Grosvenor,violin & piano | 20 March

John Lill, piano | 3 April

Plus don’t miss...

Simón Bolivar String Quartet Saturday 12 March | 7.30pm | Royal Hall, Harrogate

SundaySeries2016Chamber concertsand coffee, 11am at the Old Swan Hotel

HOW TO BOOK

Phone: 01423 562 303Online: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.comIn Person: Harrogate International Festivals, 32 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DBOpeningTimes: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm

Payment: Payment can be made by cash, all major credit / debit cards (excluding American Express) or cheques. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Harrogate International Festivals’ and should be for the full value of your tickets and include applicable fees (see below). Postage & Transaction FeesIn order to cover the cost of postage, there is an additional £1 charge for postal orders, however you can choose to pick your tickets up on the door of the concert or at the office prior to the event.

Please note that all bookings are subject to a £1.75 booking fee, including door sales. Our fee per booking covers the cost of processing your transaction, debit and credit card fees, staffing, developing and maintaining our booking software.

Harrogate International Festivals Premier Partners

Other Literature events you may be interested in

Harrogate History Festival Sponsors

writing that brings history to life


2015 harrogate history festival event guide

Documents