Annie Garthwaite, acclaimed author of Cecily and The King's Mother, will reveal the powerful women at the heart of the Wars of the Roses while discussing her novels against the stunning backdrop of this ancient Cornish church, which has its own links to the Plantagenets.

The Wars of the Roses were fought between the Plantagenets of the House of Lancaster and the House of York in the 15th century, during a time of great political unrest. The wars came to an end with the defeat of Richard of York (Richard III) at the Battle of Bosworth, when Henry Tudor (Henry VII) claimed the throne. It was Henry who helped unite the houses of Lancaster and York with his marriage to Elizabeth of York, the younger daughter of Edward IV.

The decadence of St Torney's Church is breathtaking. But if you look up, you will find the badges and shields representing the Courtenay family, the Earls of Devon, who owned the local manor of Landreyne in the parish of North Hill, later sold to the Trebartha Estate. William Courtenay was to marry Katherine Plantagenet, the second youngest daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, and sister to Elizabeth of York and her brothers, known most famously as the Princes in the Tower. The church team have also located the Neville badge, which can only relate to Katherine's grandmother Cecily, the heroine of Annie's two novels.

This direct connection to the Plantagenets and the Wars of the Roses, makes St Torney's Church a very fitting venue for this special event. Annie will be in conversation with Sarah Latham Phillips MA, freelance lecturer and teacher in Art History and English Literature, exploring the women of the Wars of the Roses, who drove the action and risked their lives to secure the throne for their sons. From Cecily Neville, dominant matriarch of the House of York, to Margaret Beaufort, mother of the Tudor dynasty, Annie traces the risks these women took and the prices they paid. She will be answering questions and reading from The King's Mother, her most recent novel published last year.

Was Edward IV's marriage bigamous and his children bastards? Why were the children of great families married at such a young age and used as political pawns? Why did Edward order the execution of his brother George, Duke of Clarence, years after forgiving his treason? And in the year of the tenth anniversary of the reinternment of Richard III, did he really murder his nephews, the Princes in the Tower? The women were there - and they know the truth.

Annie says: 'This is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition - and of all the terror that families can inflict upon themselves.'

Shrew Books of Fowey will be there with copies of Annie's books to purchase. Annie will be signing books following her talk. Proceeds will be donated to St Torney's Church to ensure this venue can continue to thrive and host wonderful events for the community.

The event takes place on Thursday, 14th August, 7pm-8pm, doors opening at 6.15pm. Tickets are £10 and include a glass of wine. For more information and to book tickets, go to https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/annie-garthwaite