In the first of their fundraising events for 2017, Beccles mayor Richard Stubbings and deputy mayor Elfrede Bramley-Crawshaw have invited acclaimed author and historian Alison Weir to return to the town and talk about her latest novel.
The event is the first of many aimed at raising funds for the Mayor's Appeal, supporting The Waveney Centre and Beccles Skate Park.
Alison will be visiting Hungate Church on Saturday, May 27, to talk about 'Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession'.
Mr Stubbings said: 'Alison is always a pleasure to work with, and when I asked her to come along and support us she eagerly agreed.
'She loves Beccles and has visited several times in the past, she's coming up early in the day too so she can enjoy the wonderful food festival in town! She has a huge fan base here and her events always are a success.'
In this fictional account of Anne Boleyn's life, Alison weaves new research into the dark, fascinating tale of Henry VIII's second wife - a woman ahead of her time, who dared to question traditional concepts of femininity, and whose ambition drove her to gamble with the fickle nature of a dangerous king.
Anne's own story is one of the most dramatic – and tragic – in English history. She was a woman who lived on the edge for much of her adult life. Well-born but not conventionally beautiful, at twenty-one, she arrived at the English court after spending seven years at the courts of Burgundy and France, where she was imbued with radical feminist ideas way ahead of her time. Her French manners, stylish dress, wit and charm made her an immediate success. By 1526, Henry VIII had fallen passionately in love with her, and the following year he resolved to set aside his chaste and devoted wife, Katherine of Aragon, who had failed to give him a male heir, and marry Anne. There followed six long years of frustration, with Anne refusing to become Henry's mistress in anything but the courtly sense, and the Pope stalling over granting an annulment.
Alison will be talking about her book in depth and taking questions from the audience. Afterwards she will be meeting readers and signing copies of her books.
The event will start at 6.30pm and tickets are £8 and available from Beccles Town Hall, Kulture Shock in Blyburgate or by calling 01502 797797.
Anyone who buys the book from Kulture Shock will get two free tickets for the event.
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