An Evening with Philippa Gregory

Join international bestselling author Philippa Gregory as she maps an alternative account of Britain’s past with her highly anticipated new book Normal Women.

One of our foremost historical novelists, Philippa Gregory, makes history.

We have fallen into the belief that women were absent from great events, and ineffectual in normal times.

Through a radical re-framing of the conventional eras of our history, Normal Women will tell the story of our nation – not with the rise and fall of Kings and the occasional Queen – but through social and cultural transition, showing the agency, persistence and effectiveness of women in society.

This is not another book about heroines. Instead, it is a book about millions of women, not just three or four. The ‘normal women’ you meet in these pages rode in jousts, flew Spitfires, issued their own currency and built ships, corn mills and houses as part of their daily lives. They went to war, tilled the fields, campaigned, wrote and loved. They committed crimes, or treason, worshipped many types of gods, cooked and nursed, invented things and rioted. A lot.

Through the stories of the soldiers, guild widows, highwaywomen, pirates, miners and ship owners, international traders, theatre runners and ‘female husbands’ Normal Women will redefine ‘normal’ female behaviour to include heroism, rebellion, crime, treason, money-making, jousting and sainthood. And much rioting.

Philippa Gregory has been working on this book for over ten years. It is the work of a lifetime from one of our greatest historical storytellers. Come and hear Philippa tell the story of our nation putting women centre stage.

Tickets £35 - book via Linghams 

NB Every ticket includes a signed hardback copy of Philippa Gregory’s new book Normal Women. Books will be available to collect at the event. There will be a Meet & Greet opportunity after the show.