June 30, 2024
Essex Book Festival
The Essex Book Festival is making a grand return, and we at Layer Marney Towers are over the moon to be your hosts for this vibrant celebration of literature and history. Prepare to be inspired and captivated by a lineup of distinguished authors sharing their insights and stories amidst the stunning backdrop of our historic venue.
Event Schedule:
12:00 PM - Ysenda Maxtone Graham: Jobs for the Girls
Kick off your day with Ysenda Maxtone Graham, the renowned author behind British Summer Time Begins. In her latest work, Jobs for the Girls, Ysenda delves into the dynamic and evolving landscape of women’s work in post-war Britain. Through personal interviews and vivid storytelling, she paints a poignant picture of the mid-20th century British workplace, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by women across various industries.
2:00 PM - Estelle Paranque: Thorns, Lust and Glory
Journey back to the Tudor court with historian Estelle Paranque. In Thorns, Lust and Glory, Paranque sheds new light on Anne Boleyn, from her rise to prominence to her dramatic downfall. Known for her compelling narrative style, Estelle provides a fresh perspective on one of history’s most enigmatic queens. This session promises to be engaging and interactive, with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and delve deeper into Boleyn's life and legacy.
4:00 PM - Simon Heffer: Sing As We Go
Conclude your literary adventure with Simon Heffer as he presents the final installment of his acclaimed historical series. Sing As We Go takes us through pivotal moments in British history, from the Victorian era to the dawn of World War II. Heffer’s masterful exploration of events like the General Strike of 1926 and the Abdication Crisis of 1936 offers profound insights into the social and political fabric of the time. Join us for a compelling discussion on the forces that shaped modern Britain.
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a day of thought-provoking discussions and storytelling. Whether you’re a history buff, a literature lover, or simply looking for an enriching experience, the Essex Book Festival at Layer Marney Towers has something for everyone.
Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
BOOK A VISIT
- Ticketed event FROM £14.00
All 3 events will include an audience Q&A. After the event there will be an opportunity to get your book signed by the author.
Tickets cost £14 per author or all three events for £36
Your ticket includes access to Layer Marney Tower and gardens, open from 11am to 5pm.
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MORE ABOUT THIS LOCATION
LAYER MARNEY TOWER
Experience the breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the tower, explore the historic collection of 45 crowns and crests from the Knights of the Garter, and marvel at the intricately designed large dolls' houses.
Layer Marney Tower
This incomplete Tudor tower is the best example in Britain, and rather beautiful in its own inimitable way, built of brick and terracotta. Layer Marney was built by Henry Marney, 1st Baron Marney who died in 1523, and so the project was taken on by his son John. When he too died two years later, the project was never finished. Nevertheless, Layer Marney has long been a comfortable family residence, having housed 11 families in it 500-year history.
With John Marney dead, his daughters became wards of the powerful Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk who sold Layer Marney to Sir Brian Tuke, treasurer to the Royal Household.
In 1667, the tobacco merchant Nicholas Corsellis bought the estate for £7,200, and his family stayed for six generations before in 1835 the estate was sold to Quintin Dick, MP for Maldon. By 1884, during the Great Earthquake, the Peache family owned Layer Marney, which was damaged to such an extent that, as a contemporary report described, ‘the outlay needed to restore the tower to anything like a sound and habitable condition would be so large that the chance of the work ever being done appears remote indeed’. Nevertheless, repair work commenced at the hands of Alfred Peache who reroofed the gatehouse and built up a handsome garden. Later, James Peache added bathrooms, electricity, and central heating.
In 1901, the stockbroker Walter de Zoete bought the house and continued its modernisation, employing 13 domestic staff there and living it up through the Edwardian period. De Zoete extended the gardens and built a folly, converting the stables into a gallery to house his furniture and art collections. When he lost money out in the Japanese stock market crash, Layer Marney was sold to the Campbell family. In 1959 the house was put up for sale again and on a romantic whim Gerald and Susan Charrington, who had been married in the church at Layer Marney, bought the house. Their family have lived there ever since.
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