James Stuart, Duke of York – the truth about the brother of Charles II and future King

James II visited Ludlow in 1687, and the town’s civic regalia commemorates this. History paints James as stupid, licentious and stubborn. But did you know that he genuinely loved his wife? That he sincerely wished to establish religious toleration, and was friendly with William Penn, the Quaker? He was an affectionate father and a loyal brother. His relationship with Anne Hyde is a true love story, with several surprising twists and turns.

Following her novel, ‘Anne and James’, Caroline Willcocks examines his life, his career and his many loves, and suggests that in James’s case, history has been written by the victors, who had no reason to praise him.

Caroline Willcocks has worked in freelance journalism, the theatre and refugee charities. Now a full time writer she lives in Herefordshire with her husband the poet John Pare, a cat and a dog.

Tickets are available for £10 from Castle Book Shop, or on the door.