Ken Follett’s third novel in the hugely successful Kingsbridge series is out this month. It’s 1558 and princess Elizabeth is at Hatfield House about to become queen. At the stately home Sandra Deeble talks to the Knebworth author about walking in Elizabeth’s footsteps, female politicians, and how to write a bestseller
![Fuel For Follett's Fire](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10290/238485/59b1472d897e4/Fuel-For-Folletts-Fire.jpg)
‘I’m not very interested in the royal family.’ I’ve just asked Ken Follett if he watched the recent Elizabeth II biopic, The Crown, and he whispers his reply. It’s probably wise, given that we’re on hallowed ground – we’re in the Banqueting Hall of The Old Palace at Hatfield House. It’s where scenes from the Netflix series were filmed, and it’s the room where our queen’s Tudor predecessor and namesake held her first Council of State with William Cecil and other advisors after being told Mary was dead and she was queen of England.
Hatfield House is also one of the locations Ken chose for his latest novel, A Column of Fire, published this month. The main location is Kingsbridge, the fictional town that came to life through the story of the building of its cathedral in The Pillars of the Earth, first published in 1989. This was followed – not exactly swiftly – by World Without End in 2007. Ken has described how friends and his publishers initially questioned the logic of transferring his skills from writing war stories and thrillers to medieval tales. The Pillars of the Earth has sold 26 million copies in 30 languages and still sells 100,000 copies a year. The rest, as they say, is history.
So why Elizabeth I, and why now?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
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A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
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Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
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The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
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In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
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Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
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Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
![5 minutes with](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966e7112591/crp_5-minutes-with.jpg)
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week