Alison Weir's Preferred Hobbies Include Reading, Playing Scrabble, Card Games, and the Companionship of James Norton, Accompanied by a Few Glasses of Wine
Alison Weir, a renowned British historian and author, was born in Westminster, London in 1951. Her journey into the world of literature began in 1989 with the publication of her first book, Britain's Royal Families. This was just the beginning of a prolific career that has seen her delve into the lives of Medieval English Queens, Henry VIII, and each of his wives.
Weir's works include The Six Wives of Henry VIII, published in 1991, Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England, Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and his Scandalous Duchess, and Mary Boleyn: The Great and Infamous Whore, among others. Her latest book, 'Queens at War', is currently on sale and she will be speaking at the Stratford Literary Festival, which runs from October 30-November 2. Tickets and more information can be found on their website.
In 1971, Weir met her husband, Rankin, at a Battle of Britain Dance. They shared a life together in Surrey and had two children. Rankin passed away two years ago.
Weir's personal interests are as diverse as her writing. She has a penchant for books, jigsaw puzzles, jewelry, and music CDs. Her curated playlist boasts over 11,000 songs, including tracks by John Lennon, Rolling Stones, The Killers, ABBA, Creedence Clearwater Revival, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Eric Clapton, and Electric Light Orchestra. However, she does not work to apple music while writing.
When it comes to music, Weir's favourite painting is Giovanni Bellini's The Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan, which is in the National Gallery. Among authors, Norah Lofts is her hero.
If she were to be stranded on a desert island, Weir would take lots of books, Scrabble, a pack of cards, James Norton, and some wine. The Lords Of The Manor Hotel in Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds served the most memorable meal she has ever had. Another hotel she would go back to repeatedly is the Château de Saint Paterne, near Alençon in Normandy, France.
Interestingly, Weir has never listened to podcasts, including
