Hi all, I have a few snippets of news to share, so thought I would write a short post to make sure you are all caught up.

Book News:

Firstly, as you know, my next book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is going through the editing process and already has a gorgeous cover. I now have a release date – 30 March 2026 in the UK. I am still waiting for a date for the US release, but it is usually2 or 3 months after the UK. And it is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Here’s the blurb:

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest will explore the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time. Almost as interesting as the marriages these girls made are the ones that were never realised. Many English princesses were betrothed, or proposed as brides, three or more times before they were married. Their failed marriage proposals demonstrated their influence and worth on the international royal marriage market, as well as the changing allegiances between countries and the making and breaking of international friendships. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with someAboutme: outright refusing the husbands offered to them. Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.

Pre-order today: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest.

I am still working on the second book Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets, which will be winging its way to my editor by the end of August.

Talks news:

I have some talks coming up over the summer and I would love to see you there and say ‘hello’ if you are in the area.

Conisbrough Castle

Saturday 26 July 2025 and Saturday 23 August 2025, I will be back at ‘my local’ with two talks and a book signing.

The talks are:

11am The Warennes of Conisbrough Castle

The subject of my book, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey, the Warennes held the Honour and castle of Conisbrough from the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066 until the death of the 7th and last earl in 1347. A noble family at the heart of English government, the Warennes were closely related to the Plantagenet royal house and played leading roles in the government of the realm. They held lands stretching from Lewes in the south, through Castle Acre in Norfolk, to Sandal Castle in Wakefield.

1pm The Women of Conisbrough Castle

From Gundrada de Warenne to Maud Clifford, widow of Richard of Conisbrough, some remarkable women have called Consibrough Castle home. From heiresses to abandoned wives and duchesses accused of infidelity, their stories unfolded within the castle’s stout walls.

Tickets are free, but places are limited.

To reserve your place contact Conisbrough Castle:

Tel: 01709 863329

Email: conisbroughcastle@english-heritage.org.uk

Worcester Medieval Fest

Worcester Cathedral have put on a wonderful series of events in August to celebrate all-things medieval with a particular focus on King John. From Disney’s Robin Hood, to little old me. With a medieval market, crafts and talks, there’s something for everyone.

Thursday, August 14 · 6:30 – 8pm Ladies of Magna Carta

Tickets are £10 each.

Learn about the lives of the women of Magna Carta, including , Matilda de Braose, Nicholaa de la Haye and Isabel d’Aubigny.

Women from many of the great families of England were affected by the far-reaching legacy of Magna Carta, from their experiences in the civil war and as hostages, to calling on its use to protect their property and rights as widows. Among them, Matilda de Braose, Nicholaa de la Haye and Isabel d’Aubigny each played a part in the Magna Carta story.

Click here To Book your place.

Gainsborough Old Hall

Save the date: Tuesday 7 September 2025, 7.30pm

Heroines of Tudor Lincolnshire

I am so excited to be talking about some of my favourite Tudor women in one of the greatest Tudor manor houses in England – Gainsborough Old Hall – a building which some of the women called home. Highlighting the lives of Bessie Blount, Anne Askew, Katherine Willoughby, Katherine Parr and Rose Hickman.

More details to come…

Podcast:

If you haven’t yet, do have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Our most recent episode was a fascinating discussion with historian Helen Castor on Henry IV. And coming soon, we have bestselling thriller writer Scott Mariani talking about his new series set in the Third Crusade.

Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

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About me:

Sharon Bennett Connolly is the bestselling author of several non-fiction history books. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Sharon has studied history academically and just for fun – and has even worked as a tour guide at a castle. She also writes the popular history blog, http://www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval, alongside historical novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on women’s history, for historical groups, festivals and in schools; her book Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest is a recommended text for teaching the Norman Conquest in the National Curriculum. She is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television’s Who Do You Think You Are?

Her previous books include: Heroines of the Medieval World, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth-Century England, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey, King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye, Women of the Anarchy, Heroines of the Tudor World and Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From St Margaret to Margaret of Denmark.

©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS.