Royal murder, mayhem and intrigue in historical Hertfordshire.

Pamela Shields's new book, a compendium of fascinating Hertfordshire facts, is an introduction to the county aimed at residents, visitors and tourists. Home to many 'firsts', such as the English Pope, the Garden City and the New Town, Hertfordshire was also home to many famous people, from King Offa to Laurence Olivier, George Orwell, Graham Greene and Henry Moore - all of whom are featured here. This is where England's crown was surrendered to WIlliam the Conqueror and where a Frenchwoman and a Welshman started the Tudor dynasty. Among the county's geniuses are Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, Sir Jon Sulston and Sir Stephen Hawking. Peculiar survivals such as the Hertfordshire Spike and Hertfordshire Puddingstone are included, as are urban myths, local legends and much more.

Royal murder, mayhem and intrigue in historical Hertfordshire.

Forced by Sir Robert Walpole into a distasteful marriage and then ruined by her husband, Lady Cecily Fitzhenry vows revenge on the Prime Minister and the creaking Hanoverian court. Lady Cecily turns her hand to highway robbery and spying for the Old Pretender while transforming her sole remaining asset, a ruinous tavern on the Great North Road, into a great coaching inn. But in trying to save her people from the notorious Black Acts and encroaching slavery laws, Cecily finds a new cause to fight for and she begins to doubt if the restoration of the Stuarts is really the answer. And eventually, Cecily saves her country and herself in ways she had never imagined... This gripping historical saga of intrigue and bravery is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Chadwick and Kate Mosse. ’Diana Norman always strikes gold’ The Times