Behind The Scenes

22 Jul 2023

On The Lydiard Archives this month we delve deep into Lydiard Park’s archaeology with a Special Collection devoted to excavations and findings over the past fifty years. The earliest archaeological… Continue reading From Evidence of a Roman Settlement to a 17thC Bowling Ball | Lydiard Park’s Fascinating Archaeology

22 Mar 2023

We’re celebrating a significant milestone! ‘The Lydiard Archives has reached over 1,000 groups of items!  Documenting the thousand-year history of Lydiard House, Park and surrounding areas, we have photos, maps,… Continue reading Over a Thousand Items in The Lydiard Archives! Come and Have a Browse.

22 Feb 2023

I’m excited about giving a talk to a local book club today – one of my favourite things to do. They’ve just read The Lady of the Tower, and I… Continue reading The Lady of the Tower | Historic Heroine Talk

17 Feb 2023

I was a bit nervous when I was interviewed – I was sure I’d rabbited on about all kinds of nerdy details, as only historical fiction authors can. But, so… Continue reading My 15 minutes of fame in the local paper…

4 Feb 2023

Ten years ago today the University of Leicester and Philippa Langley confirmed that the remains discovered in a parking lot were those of Richard III, killed at the Battle of… Continue reading Today’s the Ten Year Anniversary of the Confirmation of Richard III’s Remains

29 Jan 2023

Luce Hutchinson’s mother, Lucy St.John, dreamed of a prophecy that her daughter would be of eminence. She saw a star fall from the skies and land in her hand as… Continue reading On the Death of a King, and the Birth of a Republic | Memoirs that Inspired The Lydiard Chronicles

18 Jan 2023

I just returned from an absolutely wonderful time in England, hugging family and friends from the Peak District to the Cotswolds, long muddy walks, cosy country pubs, exploring palaces and… Continue reading San Diego Library Author Talks in January

1 Jan 2023

So, yesterday I woke up to two gold medals and a shortlist. Today, I woke up to winner, HFC 2022 Book of the Year. It’s been a very sloppy morning… Continue reading The Godmother’s Secret | HFC 2022 BOOK OF THE YEAR

31 Dec 2022

I just woke up to the news that The Godmother’s Secret has won TWO Gold Category awards and is shortlisted for Book of the Year with the Historical Fiction Company.… Continue reading WOW! What a way to start 2023!

1 Nov 2022

On this day 552 years ago, my ancestress, Elysabeth St.John Scrope, was in Sanctuary within Westminster Abbey with the deposed queen, Elizabeth Woodville. My Elysabeth had been ordered there by… Continue reading A Fragment Inspires a Novel | Happy National Author’s Day

18 Oct 2022

I’m on the road – but not out of the office – with The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Tour. Check out my stops, along with interviews, excerpts, posts and… Continue reading Blog Tour | The Godmother’s Secret travels to the US, UK, Europe and Australia

2 Oct 2022

https://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TGS_Launch-Video_60-Final_Mdm_Def_10_3_22.mp4 More information on Amazon: The Godmother’s Secret Continue reading NEW BOOK LAUNCH | The Godmother’s Secret | Renaissance Historical Fiction

29 Sep 2022

Exploring castles, houses, churches, lost gardens and hidden follies is all part of the fun of being a historical fiction author. England is full of such finds, and one of… Continue reading Imagining life beyond the ruins | A novelist’s journey

25 Aug 2022

Originally thought to symbolize the Black Death, this 15thC wall painting of skeleton posing as a sexton, complete with pick and shovel, is now identified as a Memento Mori. With… Continue reading A Memento Mori in an English Church | A Mysterious Family Connection

22 Aug 2022

A few weeks ago I was walking through the woods that lay between the Bosworth Battleground Memorial and the land where the battle was fought, where Richard III died and… Continue reading August 22: The anniversary of the death of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth

16 Aug 2022

Who else is fascinated by lost cities, hidden doorways and secret gardens? Parch marks reveal the lost #17thC gardens of Lydiard after being swept away 250 years ago! Suspecting that the prolonged… Continue reading Discovering Lydiard’s Lost Gardens | Parch Marks Reveal 17th Century Landscape

18 Jul 2022

My recent trip to GB felt like the Whacky Races – I drove 2848 miles (thanks Avis!) in 17 days as I zig-zagged across the island, hugging every family member,… Continue reading Finding Meg Catesby at home | Inspiration for my new book

16 Jun 2022

Find out more about the extraordinary woman behind the memoirs. I’m so excited to be speaking in Nottingham on June 27th at the Lucy Hutchinson Conference Family Ties: How Lucy… Continue reading Lucy Hutchinson’s Life and Family | Talk in Nottingham June 27th

24 Feb 2022

I’ve had such fun researching and creating my talk for The Village Garden Club of La Jolla on the Lost Gardens of Lydiard Park and the Tower of London. Fascinating research… Continue reading The Lost Gardens of Lydiard Park and the Tower of London

15 Feb 2022

“…Sir Walter Raleigh and Mr. Ruthven being prisoners in the Tower, and addicting themselves to chemistry, she (Lucy St.John Apsley) suffered them to make their rare experiments at her cost,… Continue reading The Vertues of Gilberts Cordial Water