TV presenter, historian and author, Kate Williams, opened the Chipping Campden Festival on Tuesday, May 6, with a romp through the stormy lives and love affairs of Napoleon and Josephine.
An audience of more than 70 in the Garden Room at Dormy House listened to the true but incredible story of the famous lovers, the subject of her latest book, Josephine: Desire, Ambition, Napoleon.
The talk, followed by a two-course lunch and sell-out book signing session, was the first author event for the 5th Chipping Campden Literature Festival.
Vicky Bennett, founder and organiser, said: "As always, our festival celebrates the joy of reading, the art of writing, the beauty of books, and the sharing of ideas.
"In this centenary year of World War One, our chosen theme is War and Peace. It was wonderful to have Kate Williams take us through the incredible life of Josephine, with the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars and the French Revolution. Dormy House is a lovely venue for a literary lunch."
For Dormy House's new food and beverage manager Tim Healey, the talk coincided with his second day at the hotel.
He said: "We were delighted to be chosen as the opening venue of the literature festival. I can see I am going to have a lot of fun in my new role."
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