Join us for an evening of music, history and literary discussion at the launch of The Queen’s Lender. Acclaimed author Jean Findlay will discuss her historical novel about the eponymous founder of George Heriot‘s School, in the school’s majestic surrounds, with Head of English, Kenneth Simpson.

The novel takes in the court of James VI at a critical moment in history, through the eyes of his jeweller George Heriot. Spinning the tale of an extraordinary life and treading the boundary between biography and historical fiction, The Queen’s Lender has already been awarded the Hawthornden Fellowship 2018 and Lavigny International Writer‘s Fellowship 2019.  

It has been described by Sarah Fraser, author of The Prince Who Would be King, as;
‘a joy to read. In George Heriot… Findlay has found an everyman through whom we all get access to the weird world of royalty… Beautifully pitched between the homeliness and the haughtiness of the Shakespearean era – and often very funny.’  

Sunday Times bestselling author Richard Holloway has described the book as: 'A stunning novel about the birth of the United Kingdom that demonstrates the scholarship of the author, as well as her imaginative power'.

The launch will be hosted in the chapel at George Heriot‘s School, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ. There will be refreshments of Adelphi Whisky and soft drinks available, as well as the opportunity to get your book signed and ask questions.

You can pre-order your copy of The Queen’s Lender here to be signed at the event. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds going to the George Heriot Foundation, which provides places at the school for children who have lost a parent. This foundation was bequeathed, along with the school by George Heriot in 1624.

We look forward to welcoming you there.

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COVID-19 safety measures: Please be assured that the chapel is a large, airy building.

You are required by law to wear a face covering in all indoor public settings in Scotland. When indoors, please ensure that you wear a face mask, unless you are medically exempt.

Please do not come to the event if you test positive for Covid-19, if you are feeling unwell, or if you have any of the symptoms associated with Covid-19.

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