Skipton Castle Diary

Tower Hamlets Trayned bandes stage thier first Civil War event at Skipton Castle.

A wedding ceremony took place within the Banqueting hall. The first wedding to take place within the Castle grounds for 375 years.

CBBC are having a history week, looking at gruesome facts in medieval Britain. The Blue Peter presenters Andy Akinwolere and Joel Defries were trained in archery and medieval swordsmanship by two experts from the Royal Armouries. (Andrew Balmforth and Andy Deane). Gavin Barclay the producer said “Skipton Castle was chosen as a ideal site to stage the tournament where Andy and Joel competed to win the Fair Maiden's hand, presenter Helen Skelton

Young Henry Clifford, heir to vast estates in the North of England, is spirited away after the Battle of Towton for fear that the Yorkists will take his life in reprisal against his father`s actions. He is brought up as a simple shepherd boy so that his noble background does not betray his true identity. Narrated by the shepherd who raised him until it was safe to reveal his lineage and reclaim his birthright, this is a riveting tale contrasting a life on the run against an idyllic pastoral backdrop. It is a tale of identity, roots and nurture – one of an unbreakable and everlasting bond that develops between two people from very different backgrounds.  This book delves into one of the most extraordinary periods of English history and acts as a prism into the multi-faceted affairs of the time.  Based on a true story, that has been all but ignored for centuries, it is now bursting to be told.

Peter Algar was born and bred in Yorkshire and spent his formative years on his Auntie’s farm where his first friends were the livestock. He has always dreamed of owning his own farm.  He realised this dream almost forty years later and now tends to his sheep, goats and chickens when he escapes to his retreat in Normandy.  His wife won’t let him have a sheepdog, but he’s working on that.  He came upon this story whilst researching his family’s history and put aside a couple of hours every day before dawn to write it.  This is his first novel, but he is already planning a sequel.

ISBN 978-1-906561-96-3