In 1215 the English barons, dissatisfied with the weak and despicable King John, decided that they needed a new monarch. They wanted a strong and experienced man of royal blood, and they found him on the other side of the channel. Astonishingly, the most attractive candidate for the Crown of England was Louis, eldest son and heir of the King of France. Bestselling medieval historian Catherine Hanley tells the captivating story of England’s least-known king.

From his 1216 invasion of Britain and proclamation as King she explores how after sixteen fruitless months he was never actually crowned. Come and hear the extraordinary life and times of ‘Louis The Lion’ – a colourful tale of power, personality and politics that brings a long-forgotten life out of the shadow of history.

Catherine Hanley is also the author of the critically acclaimed Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior (Yale). Writing as C B Hanley she has created a gripping series of six historical novels including Cast the First Stone: A Mediaeval Mystery (The History Press) published in June this year.