Latest Title (Released Summer 2016):

A Palace For Our Kings – The archaeology & history of a Mediaeval royal palace in the heart of Sherwood Forest

by James Wright

In the heart of Sherwood Forest lies the picturesque, yet unassuming, village of Kings Clipstone. Between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries one of the very largest royal palaces ever to have graced the Mediaeval landscape stood there.

The palace was visited by eight kings who held parliament, Christmas feasts and tournaments; were visited by the king of Scotland, a papal envoy and traitorous barons; built a fortification, great hall and a stable for two hundred horses; went hunting, drank wine and conceived a prince; listened to storytellers, poets and singers.

This is the history of one of the great lost buildings of Britain and of the individuals that built, worked and lived there. Above all this is a story of the people whose lives have been shaped for centuries by an extraordinary structure standing in a remarkable landscape.

A Palace For Our Kings – The archaeology & history of a Mediaeval royal palace in the heart of Sherwood Forest will be available to pre-order during the summer of 2016 from here …

Read a free sample chapter from the book here: 

a_palace_for_our_kings_sample.pdf

About the authors

James Wright is a Senior Archaeologist at the Museum of London Archaeology. Formerly he has worked as a conservation stonemason. His previous publications include a book on the Castles of Nottinghamshire and several journal articles relating to castles and palaces. Alongside fieldwork at Mediaeval buildings such as the Tower of London, Knole, the Palace of Westminster and Southwark Cathedral he has researched the history and archaeology of Kings Clipstone for over twelve years.

Jonathan Foyle has contributed the foreword to the book. He is a broadcaster, journalist and historic buildings consultant with a background in heritage conservation, research and curating buildings such as Hampton Court. He is Visiting Professor in Conservation at the University of Lincoln and has authored monographs on the cathedrals at Lichfield, Lincoln and Canterbury.