I was always interested in writing and won the form prize for English in ‘O’ level year when I was sixteen (rather a long time ago now!). For many years I was fascinated by science fiction – the Eric Von Daniken ‘was God an astronaut?’ type of stuff. However, publishers were definitely NOT interested in my amateur scribblings. Many years later I was working as a bus driver for what was then called PMT (now First). I wanted to turn to writing again, but my wife, who works at Hanley Library, persuaded me to turn my pen to another subject. As I spent my teenage years in Audley I had always been interested in Heleigh Castle and the Audley Barons who built it. Then there was the ‘legend’ of James Audley, local hero of the Hundred Years War and founder member of the Garter Knights. Mysterious happenings... There was also a mystery – mistaken identity? I researched the plot and came up with some information garnered by one of the Wedgwoods over a hundred years ago. There were two James Audleys at this part of the 14th century and it got them in trouble even then, with bills and military orders being sent to the wrong James! What emerged was a very powerful tale of James’ mother, Eve de Clavering. Married three times, no legitimate children, but five by her live-in lover of twenty years, James Audley senior. Confused? I was! But that was part of the fun. The story unravelled like a detective plot, over five years of research. After that, it took three years to commit it all to paper and make it sound feasible. Once again, no publishers were interested, but then I had established myself in other pastimes. Family The story arose once again when we had a family get together in Audley in 2000. I enlisted the help of relatives from America, South Africa, and Canada as well as in the UK to try and get the story in some kind of computer format. What we ended up with was a website and an interactive CD-Rom - which eventually led to a publishing deal. Just when I wasn't looking for a publisher - one came along! It's available through Webberley's bookstore in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent or most bookstores will be able to order it if you quote the ISBN number 1-4137-0709-2. Likewise, the book is available through Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and Cheshire
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