Catherine Curzon's Blog, page 10

George I: Murder, Marriage and Mayhem

I'm delighted to be visiting my esteemed publisher, Pen & Sword, to tell the story of the disastrous marriage of George I and Sophia Dorothea of Celle. When a loveless marriage erupted into violence and adultery, the stage was set for a scandal that sent the woman who could've been queen of England into captivity for thirty long years.

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Marie Antoinette: Dauphins and Dentistry

I'm delighted to be visiting my esteemed publisher, Pen & Sword, to tell the story of the making of Marie Antoinette, From hairdressers to dauphins to haberdashers, dauphins to dentistry, don't miss this glimpse into the creation of a queen!

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Sophia: Mother of Kings in Paperback

I’m thrilled to announce the paperback release of my new biography, Sophia: Mother of Kings. Sophia was famously the mother of George I but she was much, much more than that. As Stuart, Hanoverian and the Winter Princess, it’s been a real privilege to tell her story and I hope you'll enjoy reading it!

Buy it now

Sophia: Mother of Kings

Sophia, Electress of Hanover, was born to greatness. Granddaughter of James I and mother to George I, she was perhaps the finest queen that Britain never had.

As daughter of Frederick V of the Palatinate and Elizabeth Stuart, Sophia emerged from an impoverished, exiled childhood as the Winter Princess, a young woman of sparky intelligence, cutting wit and admirable determination. Once courted by Charles II, Sophia eventually gave her heart to Ernest Augustus, at whose side she became the first Electress of Hanover and the mother of the first Georgian king of Great Britain.

Sophia: Mother of Kings, brings this remarkable woman and her tumultuous era vividly to life. In a world where battles raged across the continent and courtiers fought behind closed doors, Sophia kept the home fires burning. Through personal tragedy and public triumph, Sophia raised a family, survived illness, miscarriage, and accusations of conspiracy, and missed out on the British throne by a matter of weeks.

Sophia of Hanover became the mother of one of the most glittering dynasties the world has ever known. From the House of Stuart to the House of Hanover, this is the story of her remarkable life.

Sophia: Mother of Kings £1.99 sale

The ebook of Sophia: Mother of Kings is currently just £1.99 from Pen & Sword. Sophia, Electress of Hanover, was born to greatness. Granddaughter of James I and mother to George I, she was perhaps the finest queen that Britain never had and she loved a bargain, so she'd appreciate this special offer!
Buy it now

Kings of Georgian Britain: 99p Sale

From George I locking up his wife to George IV knocking up other people’s, Kings of Georgian Britain is currently on sale for 99p. That’s just 25p per king - why not indulge yourself and get to know the four kings of Georgian Britain?

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George IV: The King's Most Extra Moments

I'm delighted to be visiting Pen & Sword books this week to discuss five of King George IV's most extra moments. From his love life to his coronation to his dedication to all things decadent, Prinny never did things by halves. 

Find out more at this link.

The Imprisoned Princess: Out Now

My new book, The Imprisoned Princess, is available to buy now. I'm so delighted to have written the biography of this remarkable woman!

When Sophia Dorothea of Celle married her first cousin, the future King George I, she was an unhappy bride. Filled with dreams of romance and privilege, she hated the groom she called “pig snout” and wept at news of her engagement.

In the austere court of Hanover, the vibrant young princess found herself ignored and unwanted. Bewildered by dusty protocol and regarded as a necessary evil by her husband, Sophia Dorothea grew lonely as he gallivanted with his mistress under her nose.

When Sophia Dorothea plunged headlong into a passionate and dangerous affair with Count Phillip Christoph von Königsmarck, the stage was set for disaster. This dashing soldier was as celebrated for his looks as his bravery, and when he and Sophia Dorothea fell in love, they were dicing with death. Watched by a scheming and manipulative countess who had ambitions of her own, it was only a matter of time before scandal gripped the House of Hanover and tore the marriage of the heir to the British throne and his unhappy wife apart.

Divorced and disgraced, Sophia Dorothea was locked away in a gilded cage for 30 years, whilst her lover faced an even darker fate.

Buy it now:

Pen and Sword
Amazon

The Ghost Garden Award Nomination News!

I'm thrilled to announce that  The Ghost Garden has been shortlisted for the RNA’s 2020 Romantic Novel of the Year Awards. Awarded each year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the RoNAs are the romantic fiction equivalent of the BAFTAs. And yes, we’re very pleased and very excited!

On This Day...

Each day on my Twitter at MadameGilflurt, I share a variety of stories of Georgians who were born, died or otherwise became notable #onthisday, under the hashtag #GloriousGeorgians.

Here's a particularly choice one, to kick you off - don't read whilst eating!


Antonio Maria Valsalva, pioneer of ear anatomy, died #onthisday 1723. He analysed bodily fluids by taste and observed, "Gangrenous pus does not taste good, leaving the tongue tingling unpleasantly for the better part of the day.”

Yum!

Being Mr Wickham: New Dates Added

I'm thrilled to announce that booking for Being Mr Wickham, starring Adrian Lukis, is now open at for three additional dates. There are also still a very limited number of tickets available for the show's two-night run in Bath next week. We hope to see you there!

Oundle Literature Festival, 14th March Click here to book 
Huddersfield Literature Festival, 21st March Click here to book (includes Q&A)
The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 1st July Click here to book (includes Q&A)

Written off as a rake and reviled as a rogue, join George Wickham on the eve of his sixtieth birthday to discover his version of some very famous literary events. From childhood games at Pemberley to a run-in with Lord Byron, via marriage to Lydia and just a little bit of matchmaking for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight.

This brand new production by Catherine Curzon and Adrian Lukis sees Adrian return to his celebrated role as George Wickham, Jane Austen's most quintessential trouble-maker.