Nicola Cornick | Pride and Patronage: Jane Austen and her Connections in the Vale of the White Horse

2025 is the 250th anniversary of the novelist Jane Austen’s birth, and a number of events are taking place nationally to celebrate. Whilst Steventon, Bath and other places are well known for their connections to the famous writer, the Vale of the White Horse is not! Yet Jane was related to the Craven family of Ashdown Park and one of her suitors – to whom she was engaged for one night – owned an estate at Woolstone. A number of her characters are said to have been inspired by members of the Craven family, and there are names and places in the Vale that are mentioned in her books. In this talk, historian and author Nicola Cornick reveals the links between the famous author and the Craven family and uncovers the truth behind Jane Austen’s local inspiration.

Nicola Cornick is a writer and historian known for her historical romance novels and time-slip mysteries. She holds degrees in Medieval and Public History and is a Service Dog Trainer for the Visually Impaired.

The event will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing.

You may also like the following events from Wantage Literary Festival:

• This October, 25th October, 11:00 am, Christina Strang | Hidden Stories in Handwriting - A Handwriting Analysis Workshop in Wantage
• This October, 25th October, 11:00 am, Harry Sidebottom | Those Who Are About To Die in Wantage
• This October, 25th October, 01:30 pm, Christina Strang | Graphologist | 10-minute session 1-2-1 Personal Analysis in Wantage

Also check out other Arts events in Wantage, Literary Art events in Wantage.