Amy Jeffs - Arthur: A New Life

About

The Bookery is delighted to welcome bestselling author, artist and medievalist Amy Jeffs for an evening celebrating the publication of her remarkable new book Arthur: A New Life. Amy will be joined in conversation by Mark Norman for what promises to be a rich and enthralling discussion exploring the deep roots of the Arthurian legend, where myth, history and folklore meet.

Drawing on the oldest and wildest Arthurian sources, Jeffs revives a world of warlords, fairies, monsters, empire and enchantment, revealing a version of Arthur that is both ancient and startlingly alive.

From the sword in the stone and the magical building of Stonehenge to Avalon, wild hunts and lesser-known medieval tales, Arthur: A New Life mines the deep seams of a story many think they know, but few have encountered like this. Beautifully written and illustrated with Amys own dramatic linocuts, the book combines vivid storytelling with illuminating commentary on the political, cultural and imaginative lives of these enduring legends. Thirty original linocut illustrations map the inky Arthurian myth-scape, darkened by time, familiar as a dream.

Dr Amy Jeffs is the Sunday Times bestselling author of Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and the acclaimed books Wild, Saints and Old Songs. She holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Cambridge and has worked with both the British Museum and the British Library.

Mark Norman is a council member of the Folklore Society and founding curator of The Folklore Library and Archive. Appointed Recorder of Folklore for the Devonshire Association, he is internationally known for The Folklore Podcast, which has received over 2 million downloads.