Author Annie Garthwaite returns to Clare Church

for 1 hour
Clare, St Peter & St Paul
High Street Clare Suffolk, CO10 8NY, United Kingdom

Many of you will remember the wonderful event with had with Annie Garthwaite when she visited Clare Church in the summer of 2022. Annie talked about and read from her debut novel Cecily.
The historical novel was based on the real Cecily Neville who had links to our town of Clare in Suffolk.

1431 is a dangerous time for a woman to be defiant. England has been fighting France for 100 years. At home, power-hungry men within a corrupt government manipulate a weak king – and name Cecily’s husband, York’s loyal duke, an enemy. As the king’s grasp on sanity weakens, plots to destroy York take root… It will take all of Cecily’s courage and cunning to save her family. But when the will to survive becomes ambition for a crown, will she risk treason to secure it? Inside closed bedchambers and upon bloody battlefields, CECILY portrays war as women fight it.

I am delighted to report that Annie tells me that our event in the church is still one of her favourite events and has asked if she may return to talk about her brand new novel – The King’s Mother, which starts 30 years later as we return to the world of Cecily Neville…

1461 – Through blood and battle Edward has gained England’s throne as king by right and conquest – eighteen years old and unstoppable.
Cecily has piloted his rise to power and stands at his shoulder now, first to claim the title King’s Mother.
But to win a throne is not to keep it and war is come again. As brother betrays brother, and trusted cousins turn treacherous, other mothers rise up to fight for other sons.
Cecily must focus her will to defeat every challenge. Wherever they come from. Whatever the cost.
For there can be only one King, and only one King’s Mother. From the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition – of all they can build and all they can destroy.

Tickets just £5.00 and include a glass of something.

Tickets available now from Harris & Harris Bookshop (cash is preferred) Call 01787 277267 or pop in to collect your ticket.

The King’s Mother will be released on 11th July and reservations are always welcome, but not necessary as we will have plenty of copies of both books.

We shall be offering a discount of £2 off the price of the £16.99 book, making it a fabulous £14.99

Clare, St Peter & St Paul

Is it a great ocean liner afloat on the skyline? No, it’s one of Suffolk’s great churches with ‘a small tower for a fo’c’sle and two turrets for masts’ as author Simon Jenkins once put it. This beautiful building dominates the north end of the town, reflecting the prosperity of Clare in the Middle Ages when the main trade was cloth-making.

What's special?

The exceptional height of nave and the huge aisle windows where the light streams in through the lavish arcades. 

Look out for the gallery of 15th century roof faces and try out the handsome private pews, one bearing the emblems of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

The 18th century ringers’ gotch – that’s a beer jug. Beer was once the payment for the ringers. Clare’s ring of eight is said to be the heaviest in Suffolk.

How old is it?

The present church dates back to at least 13th century but after a visit by the image-breaker William Dowsing in 1643, the heraldic glass in the east window is all that is left of the 15th century glass that once might have filled the church.



gallery image

Get in touch

The Revd Mark Woodrow

The Vicarage
14 High Street
Clare
Suffolk

CO10 8NY
The Revd Mark Woodrow, Rector
01787 277515

Our website

What's on

Author Annie Garthwaite returns to Clare Church

for 1 hour
Clare, St Peter & St Paul
High Street Clare Suffolk, CO10 8NY, United Kingdom

Many of you will remember the wonderful event with had with Annie Garthwaite when she visited Clare Church in the summer of 2022. Annie talked about and read from her debut novel Cecily.
The historical novel was based on the real Cecily Neville who had links to our town of Clare in Suffolk.

1431 is a dangerous time for a woman to be defiant. England has been fighting France for 100 years. At home, power-hungry men within a corrupt government manipulate a weak king – and name Cecily’s husband, York’s loyal duke, an enemy. As the king’s grasp on sanity weakens, plots to destroy York take root… It will take all of Cecily’s courage and cunning to save her family. But when the will to survive becomes ambition for a crown, will she risk treason to secure it? Inside closed bedchambers and upon bloody battlefields, CECILY portrays war as women fight it.

I am delighted to report that Annie tells me that our event in the church is still one of her favourite events and has asked if she may return to talk about her brand new novel – The King’s Mother, which starts 30 years later as we return to the world of Cecily Neville…

1461 – Through blood and battle Edward has gained England’s throne as king by right and conquest – eighteen years old and unstoppable.
Cecily has piloted his rise to power and stands at his shoulder now, first to claim the title King’s Mother.
But to win a throne is not to keep it and war is come again. As brother betrays brother, and trusted cousins turn treacherous, other mothers rise up to fight for other sons.
Cecily must focus her will to defeat every challenge. Wherever they come from. Whatever the cost.
For there can be only one King, and only one King’s Mother. From the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition – of all they can build and all they can destroy.

Tickets just £5.00 and include a glass of something.

Tickets available now from Harris & Harris Bookshop (cash is preferred) Call 01787 277267 or pop in to collect your ticket.

The King’s Mother will be released on 11th July and reservations are always welcome, but not necessary as we will have plenty of copies of both books.

We shall be offering a discount of £2 off the price of the £16.99 book, making it a fabulous £14.99

Everyday faith

Discover how we can support you to find and follow God in your everyday life.

Find out more
Our Benefice

Safeguarding

The parish of Clare with Poslingford is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Benefice Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our Benefice Safeguarding Officer. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.

Read more