Eleanor

I loved this beautiful, elegiac, honest and compelling book - a modern-day pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of one of the great forgotten queens. This is history as it should be done, connecting the real people of the past with the people we are now. Storytelling at its finest – Kate Mosse, bestselling author of The Map of BonesEleanor is dazzling, alive with wit, elegance and insight. A book that makes history feel urgent, intimate and unforgettable – Rob Rinder MBE, bestselling author of The TrialAlice Loxton takes us on a highly engaging 200-mile trek that resonates with history and shows why a rather amazing 13th-century queen was remembered so poignantly by her heartbroken husband. Written with energetic zest and originality by a natural storyteller – Charles Spencer, bestselling author of The White ShipThe perfect walk through history – great queens and small inconveniences, magnificent architecture and crippling blisters. A joyous read! – Sir Tony Robinson, actor, author of The House of Wolf and presenter of Time TeamA delightful book. A brilliant fusion of history and geography, or perhaps history and geography fused by love – Sir Simon Jenkins, columnist and author of A Short History of EnglandCaptivating … Eleanor is a reminder of the beauty and intrigue all around us on this storied island – Luke Sherlock, bestselling author of Forgotten ChurchesBrilliantly entertaining and informative, Alice Loxton’s Eleanor will no doubt inspire a new generation of readers to lace up their walking boots and set out to discover Britain’s history for themselves – Flora Carr, author of The TowerLoxton 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 WomenAlice Loxton is the star of her generation … the next big thing in history – Dan Snow, historian and author of On This Day in HistoryLoxton is the leading historian of her generation – Dan Jones, bestselling author of The TemplarsPowerful, vivid, fascinating and truly life giving, Alice Loxton’s brilliance, empathy and superb research here wonderfully showcased. A magical journey into history and the rich tapestry of the past lying under our feet. Marvellous – Kate Williams, historian and author of England’s MistressIn Loxton’s hands, a story about following in the footsteps of Eleanor of Castile’s funerary procession feels like nothing short of an epic quest, and Loxton is the perfect companion — interested, erudite and entertaining. I laughed out loud and learnt so much – Luke Pepera, author of MotherlandAlice Loxton brings Eleanor of Castile’s story to life via an atmospheric winter pilgrimage through medieval and modern England. Eleanor is history at its most human; a story that resurrects a queen and her kingdom with wit, warmth and wonder – Andrew Ziminski, stonemason and author of The StonemasonEleanor is a beautifully written, effortless read. Alice Loxton illuminates the story of a fascinating and forgotten queen, whose memorials are no less than Britain’s answer to the Taj Mahal. With a gift for making history come alive, Alice has written a book both irresistible and surprising – Sam Darymple, author of Shattered LandsAlice always manages to tame the wild pages of history, and serves it on a plate for the modern mind. Eleanor is a forgotten Queen no more! – Charlie Eve, British historian and presenterLoxton’s approachable written style has the feel of an open-minded, playful pilgrim, seeing the world as it is now, whilst simultaneously existing in the parallel dimension of Eleanor’s time and soul. Loxton made a very good move by fastidiously scheduling her pilgrimage to the exact timings of the actual procession of Eleanor’s body all those centuries ago, an act of writerly magic that creates a compellingly multi-dimensional story with chance encounters and happenings at every turn. Her youthful passion for history and life shines through as she dives into the royal love story in this fully embodied way. I hope that many more historians take Loxton’s lead, and start walking their talk through the land, to access the deeper truths of their stories – Dr Guy Hayward, Co-Founder and Director, British Pilgrimage TrustEleanor is a wonderfully refreshing take on history — Alice Loxton is changing how we read the past – Katie Kennedy (@thehistorygossip), author of The History GossipA muddy, eventful romp that shines a light on love, loss, and those journeys that unite us – Cosima Carnegie, presenter, writer and historianA thrilling journey through England’s past … Loxton makes history come to life with charm and pizazz – Georgiana Davies (@hrhgeorgiana)A gripping and entertaining account of the greatest love story in English history – Luke Tomes, historianA thrilling adventure through the life and legacy of one of the most overlooked queens in British history. This is a journey which makes the past come vividly to life and inspires you to get outside and discover the history waiting to be discovered on your doorstep – Ruby Gray, historian and creator of @too.long.didnt.readdA wonderful tale we didn’t realize we needed to know, carried by Loxton’s sharp-eyed narrative – Matthew Rice, author of Rice’s Architecitural PrimerAn uplifting celebration of the past, reminding us how much history there is to discover in the world just beyond our doorstep – Violet Manners, founder of Heritage ExploreEleanor is a sparkling, joyful read. Alice Loxton’s account of her journey retracing Edward I’s journey in honour of his wife, interspersed with reflections on medieval conceptions of grief, the splendour of the humble iced bun, and the sheer amount of mud in England, brings Eleanor of Castile’s life story vividly to life. Engaging, funny, personal and insightful, this book deserves a place on every history lover’s bookshelf. It might just inspire you to dust off (or break in) those hiking boots – Katherine Pangonis, author of Twilight CitiesEleanor is a whimsical love letter to England, as charming and cosy as a Jerome K. Jerome novel. 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 Memoriam

Alice Loxton is one of Britain’s most exciting young historians. She has a loyal following of 3 million across Instagram, TikTok and X. She is an experienced writer and broadcaster, as seen on Sky Arts, Channel 5, the BBC and History Hit.

Loxton is the author of the acclaimed book UPROAR!, which was longlisted for Blackwell’s Book of the Year. Her second book, Eighteen, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller, was named Blackwell’s Book of the Year and was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year.

Eleanor is her third book.