Episode 15: A King and a Poet Recreated in Fiction

1666 and All That

From Philippa Gregory to Robert Harris, historical novelists are increasingly turning to the 17th century for inspiration. In this episode, writer Julie Maxwell joins Miranda and Paul to talk about her new book 'The Image of the King', which tells the story of Charles I's trial and execution from the dual perspective of the doomed monarch and of the great poet John Milton, a supporter of Cromwell and the Parliamentary cause.

Julie reveals how she went about recreating the lives and motivations of these two vivid and contrasting characters.

'1666 and All That' is presented by Paul Lay and Miranda Malins. Miranda is the author of two novels about Oliver Cromwell's family: 'The Puritan Princess' (2020) and 'The Rebel Daughter' (2022), both published by Orion Press. Paul's book 'Providence Lost: the Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate' was published in 2020 by Head of Zeus.

The producer is Hugh Costello. Original music by George Taylor. The episode is mixed by Alfie Thompson.

You can visit our website at www.podpage.com/1666-and-all-that/