Alice Loxton – författare

An extraordinary historical journey through England. From Alice Loxton, author of the acclaimed bestseller EighteenA Waterstones Best History Book of 2025‘Joyous. The perfect walk through history‘ – Sir Tony Robinson, actor, presenter and author'Whimsical, charming and cosy. Will make you want to take a long walk, look at some churchyards, and drink a lovely cup of tea' – Alice Winn, bestselling author of In MemoriamIn 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I, the warrior king. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where it stopped overnight, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses.More than seven centuries later, bestselling historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates.As Alice journeys in search of England’s forgotten Queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways. Lively and entertaining, Eleanor uncovers the extraordinary life and formidable character of this lesser-known royal, revealing her inspiring legacy and the hidden history of Britain.‘Beautiful, elegiac, honest and compelling . . . a modern-day pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of one of the great forgotten queens’ – Kate Mosse, bestselling author of The Map of Bones‘Loxton has the novelist’s skill of seeing the world through her characters’ eyes, and the historian’s accuracy of vision’ – Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women‘Eleanor is dazzling, alive with wit, elegance and insight. A book that makes history feel urgent, intimate and unforgettable’ – Rob Rinder, bestselling author of The Trial

AN ILLUMINATING HISTORY OF BRITAIN FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR ALICE LOXTONThe past is like a dark forest. Most of the details of our ancestors’ lives are forgotten, lost in the mists of time. Yet there are many sources – fireflies – that survive to illuminate our understanding of the past. In this case, those fireflies are paintings.In this vibrant and insightful book, Alice Loxton travels across Britain in search of twenty-one extraordinary paintings. From the wall art of St Cadoc’s Church near Cardiff and the exquisite detail of daily life portrayed by L.S. Lowry to landmark works including ‘The Rainbow Portrait’ of Elizabeth I and Millais’ ‘Ophelia’, Loxton creates a fresh, transformative history of Britain.Considering each piece from the viewer’s perspective, she explores how it feels standing before them, what they are trying to tell and what their real-life inspiration reveals about the period when they were created. Along the way, Loxton explores the lives of everyday people, unveils the historical, social and cultural shifts these paintings reflected and inspired, and challenges some of Britain’s most famous myths (who really was St George? Did the people of the Middle Ages think the world was flat? Why do Scots wear tartan? Why do us Brits love going to the pub?).This sweeping history reminds us that there are incredible stories to be discovered all across Britain, if only we take the time to look.

The Instant Sunday Times BestsellerBlackwell's Book of the YearShortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year'The star of her generation' – Dan Snow, host of History Hit'Utterly, utterly brilliant' – Tracy Borman, author of The King's WitchWhat happens if the First World War breaks out while you’re at university?How does a young woman born without arms or legs make a living in Georgian London?What turns a rugby-obsessed teenager from a Welsh mining town into Richard Burton?In this witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain’s past, exploring the country through eighteen inspiring figures at the formative age of eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor facing deadly intrigue at court to Empress Matilda already changing the fate of nations, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history.'Brilliantly original, wonderfully perceptive and full of rich insights . . . Loxton has confirmed her place as one of our most exciting and talented young historians' – James Holland, bestselling author and historian'Bursting with ideas and images' – Philippa Gregory, author of The Other Boleyn Girl

The Instant Sunday Times BestsellerBlackwell's Book of the YearShortlisted for Waterstones Book of the YearHistorian, presenter and bestselling author, Alice Loxton, gives a scintillating new history of Britain, told through eighteen figures in British history at the age of eighteen.'The star of her generation' – Dan Snow, host of History Hit'Bursting with ideas and images' – Philippa Gregory, author of The Other Boleyn Girl'Utterly, utterly brilliant' – Tracy Borman, author of The King's WitchAt eighteen, your life is full of what-ifs and why-nots. You have everything to look forward to – unless you've got the plague . . .What happens if the First World War breaks out while you're at university?How does a young woman, born without arms or legs, make a living in Georgian London?What turns a rugby-obsessed teenager from a Welsh mining town into Richard Burton?In this unconventional and witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain's past, exploring the country through eighteen notable figures at that most formative age of eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor facing deadly intrigue at court, to Empress Matilda already changing the fate of nations, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history.Filled with fascinating stories of royalty, explorers, writers and entertainers, Eighteen asks what lessons we can learn for modern Britain.'Brilliantly original, wonderfully perceptive and full of rich insights . . . Loxton has confirmed her place as one of our most exciting and talented young historians' – James Holland, bestselling author and historian

An extraordinary historical journey through England. From Alice Loxton, author of the acclaimed bestseller EighteenA Waterstones Best History Book of 2025‘Joyous. The perfect walk through history‘ – Sir Tony Robinson, actor, presenter and author'Whimsical, charming and cosy. Will make you want to take a long walk, look at some churchyards, and drink a lovely cup of tea' – Alice Winn, bestselling author of In MemoriamIn 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I, the warrior king. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where it stopped overnight, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses.More than seven centuries later, bestselling historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates.As Alice journeys in search of England’s forgotten Queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways. Lively and entertaining, Eleanor uncovers the extraordinary life and formidable character of this lesser-known royal, revealing her inspiring legacy and the hidden history of Britain.‘Beautiful, elegiac, honest and compelling . . . a modern-day pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of one of the great forgotten queens’ – Kate Mosse, bestselling author of The Map of Bones‘Loxton has the novelist’s skill of seeing the world through her characters’ eyes, and the historian’s accuracy of vision’ – Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women‘Eleanor is dazzling, alive with wit, elegance and insight. A book that makes history feel urgent, intimate and unforgettable’ – Rob Rinder, bestselling author of The Trial

**A brilliant new history of Georgian Britain through the eyes of the artists who immortalised it, by one of the UK's most exciting young historians**'Alice Loxton is the star of her generation ... the next big thing in history' DAN SNOW'Vivid, pacey and endlessly engaging, this brilliant debut brings the late Georgian period dazzlingly to life. Irresistible stuff' TRACY BORMANLondon, 1772: a young artist called Thomas Rowlandson is making his way through the grimy backstreets of the capital, on his way to begin his studies at the Royal Academy Schools. Within a few years, James Gillray and Isaac Cruikshank would join him in Piccadilly, turning satire into an artform, taking on the British establishment, and forever changing the way we view power.Set against a backdrop of royal madness, political intrigue, the birth of modern celebrity, French revolution, American independence and the Napoleonic Wars, UPROAR! follows the satirists as they lampoon those in power, from the Prince Regent to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Their prints and illustrations deconstruct the political and social landscape with surreal and razor-sharp wit, as the three men vie with each other to create the most iconic images of the day.Alice Loxton's writing fizzes with energy on every page, and never fails to convince us that Gillray and his gang profoundly altered British humour, setting the stage for everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Private Eye and Spitting Image today. This is a book that will cause readers to reappraise everything they think they know about genteel Georgian London, and see it for what it was - a time of UPROAR!