We were delighted to welcome bestselling author, artist and medievalist Amy Jeffs to The Bookery for a fascinating evening celebrating her remarkable new book, Arthur: A New Life. Joined by the ever-engaging Mark Norman, Amy took us on a journey far beyond the familiar Arthurian legends.

After thanking customers for their continued support of our author events, we were pleased to introduce our new audio system, helping ensure everyone could enjoy the conversation in comfort. Amy and Mark quickly drew the audience into a rich exploration of myth, history and folklore, examining Arthur not as the polished king of later legend, but as a figure emerging from some of Britain’s oldest and wildest stories.

We enjoyed hearing about Amy’s own creative journey. Having completed her studies at Cambridge and initially imagining a future in academia, life took an unexpected turn when she moved to Somerset. Opportunities to write and illustrate led to the creation of the foundations for her bestselling Storyland, with Amy generously acknowledging the support of historian Dan Jones and the skilled craftspeople of Frome who helped her develop her distinctive linocut style.

As the discussion turned to Arthur: A New Life, it became clear just how radically Amy has reimagined one of Britain’s most enduring figures. Drawing on medieval texts and early sources, she explored stories that many readers will never have encountered, including traditions in which Arthur is raised by fairies rather than his parents. Through these tales, Amy invites readers to consider how such an upbringing might have shaped Arthur’s character, relationships and leadership. The conversation moved through vivid stories of warlords, feasts, violence, magic and political ambition, presenting a version of Arthur that feels far removed from the familiar medieval romances while remaining rooted in historical sources.

The audience was particularly captivated by Amy’s description of her research process. Working with manuscripts hundreds of years old, preserved by librarians and universities, she spoke of the privilege and responsibility of bringing these voices from the past into contemporary storytelling. Her talent lies not only in meticulous research but in weaving scholarship into compelling fiction that breathes new life into ancient narratives.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation came when Amy discussed another aspect of her creativity. Music plays an important role in her writing process, with themes and ideas often emerging while she plays the piano. These musical explorations have even developed into original work with her band, ‘Soft Lap’, demonstrating the breadth of her artistic imagination.

Following thoughtful audience questions and a busy book signing, guests left with a renewed appreciation not only for Arthur’s many lives, but for Amy Jeffs’ extraordinary ability to bridge scholarship, art and storytelling. Through her creativity, research and imagination, Arthur has been given a compelling new life indeed.