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LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2026

'I've been waiting for a book like this.' Florence Welch

'Hopeful and inspiring, Finding Albion is a vital quest for more authentic stories of Britain.' Caroline Lucas

'A profoundly inspiring meditation upon the lost soul of Britain. Haunting and magnificent, I loved every word.'
Matthew Green, author of Shadowlands

'Essential reading for everyone with an interest in the rituals, folklore and sacred places that define the continued interest in the folk culture of these isles. Finding Albion is the book we all need in 2026.' Weird Walk

Zakia Sewell is on a quest for another Britain. Traversing the length and breadth of our island from Somerset to Scotland, she's seeking out a different story - one that lies beyond divisive national myths and symbols.

In Finding Albion, Zakia uncovers an alternative spirit of Britain that is vividly alive today. It is found in otherworldly folk songs, ancient legends, Celtic seasonal rites and mystic stone circles that punctuate our landscape. Her journey begins as the sun rises on the spring equinox over Glastonbury Tor, where she meets neopagans reclaiming traditions from our pre-Christian past. At summer's peak at Notting Hill Carnival she hears cultural echoes that passed along the slave trade routes from the Caribbean. On All Hallow's Eve she encounters the ghosts of Empire that are still haunting the nation, and in the depths of a Cornish winter she asks if today's new folk revival could unite our increasingly divided country?

Finding Albion brings a hopeful story of Britain out from the shadows, giving us a deeper sense of who we are, and heralding the promise of a brighter future.

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Why were `blue' stones brought all the way from Wales? What is the secret geometry of seven eights? Packed with rare old engravings, clear explanations and exciting new research, this beautiful and enlightening little book for wizards of all ages by renowned author and lecturer Robin Heath will leave you fascinated, educated, amused and amazed. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. \"Fascinating\" FINANCIAL TIMES. \"Beautiful\" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. \"Rich and Artful\" THE LANCET. \"Genuinely mind-expanding\" FORTEAN TIMES. \"Excellent\" NEW SCIENTIST. \"Stunning\" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.",{"_812":831,"_814":844,"_785":1119},"Wooden Books",{"_812":831,"_814":819,"_785":847},{"_812":831,"_814":849,"_785":850},{"_812":831,"_814":1123,"_785":1124},"bic_subject","ARCHAEOLOGY; ANTHROPOLOGY",{"_812":831,"_814":855,"_785":1126},"2000-01-01",{"_812":831,"_814":858,"_785":1128},"57",{"_812":861,"_814":344,"_785":862},{"_812":861,"_814":865,"_785":833},{"_812":861,"_814":870,"_785":866},{"_812":861,"_814":872,"_785":1133},"12/01/2026",{"_812":861,"_814":878,"_785":1135},"16.0",{"_812":861,"_814":882,"_785":1057},{"_812":888,"_814":889,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":344,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":895,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":897,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":901,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":904,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":908,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":911,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":915,"_785":916},{"_812":888,"_814":920,"_785":921},{"_812":888,"_814":923,"_785":921},{"_762":1149},[1150],{"_765":109,"_766":-5,"_123":1151,"_203":1152,"_776":1156,"_782":1157,"_17":1098,"_786":1159,"_788":1160},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45980209250501",{"_769":1153,"_771":772,"_123":1154,"_758":1101,"_774":1155},"Stonehenge Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/41637507530949",1650,{"_778":779,"_780":1135},[1158],{"_745":746,"_785":1098},"9781904263029",{"_790":1161},[1162,1165],{"_793":1163},{"_795":109,"_126":1164},{"_745":341},{"_793":1166},{"_795":109,"_126":1167},{"_745":722},{"_123":1169,"_17":1170,"_735":1171,"_756":1172,"_809":1174,"_760":1223},"gid://shopify/Product/8521036464325","Mistress: A History of Women & Their Country Houses","mistress-a-history-of-women-their-country-houses",{"_758":1173},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-300-16381-0.jpg?v=1764806988",[1175,1176,1178,1179,-5,1181,1183,1184,1186,1188,1190,1192,1194,1196,1197,1198,-5,-5,1199,1201,-5,-5,1203,-5,1204,1205,-5,1206,-5,1208,-5,1210,1211,-5,1212,1213,-5,1214,1215,-5,1216,1217,-5,1218,1219,-5,1220,1221,-5,1222],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_785":1170},{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_785":1177},"FLETCHER ANTHONY & LARSEN RUTH M.",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_785":1023},{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_785":1180},"YALE",{"_812":813,"_814":828,"_785":1182},"WILE",{"_812":831,"_814":832,"_785":833},{"_812":831,"_814":17,"_785":1185},"Mistress",{"_812":831,"_814":837,"_785":1187},"A History of Women and Their Country Houses",{"_812":831,"_814":816,"_785":1189},"Anthony Fletcher; Ruth M. 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Grand houses can be found across the countryside of England and Wales. From the Stuart and Georgian periods to the Edwardian and Victorian, these buildings were once home to the aristocratic families of the nation. But what was life like for the mistresses of these great houses? How much power and influence did they really have?

Anthony Fletcher and Ruth M. Larsen explore the lives of country house mistresses. Focusing on eighteen women, and spanning five centuries, they look at the ways in which elite women not only shaped the house, household, and family, but also had an impact on society, culture, and politics within their estates and beyond. We meet Brilliana Harley, who defended her castle at Brampton Bryan; Frances Boscawen, who oversaw the building of Hatchlands; and Lady Mary Elcho, who preserved her secret life as mistress to Arthur Balfour. This is a fascinating account of the country house that puts women's experiences centre stage.",{"_812":831,"_814":1036,"_785":1193},"Scholarly & Professional",{"_812":831,"_814":844,"_785":1195},"Yale University Press",{"_812":831,"_814":819,"_785":1041},{"_812":831,"_814":849,"_785":1043},{"_812":831,"_814":852,"_785":853},{"_812":831,"_814":855,"_785":1200},"2025-11-10",{"_812":831,"_814":858,"_785":1202},"352",{"_812":861,"_814":724,"_785":862},{"_812":861,"_814":868,"_785":866},{"_812":861,"_814":870,"_785":866},{"_812":861,"_814":875,"_785":1207},"04/12/2025",{"_812":861,"_814":880,"_785":1209},"60.0",{"_812":861,"_814":885,"_785":883},{"_812":888,"_814":889,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":724,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":895,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":899,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":901,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":906,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":908,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":913,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":915,"_785":916},{"_812":888,"_814":918,"_785":916},{"_812":888,"_814":920,"_785":921},{"_812":888,"_814":925,"_785":921},{"_762":1224},[1225],{"_765":109,"_766":-5,"_123":1226,"_203":1227,"_776":1231,"_782":1232,"_17":1170,"_786":1234,"_788":1235},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45443287122117",{"_769":1228,"_771":772,"_123":1229,"_758":1173,"_774":1230},"Mistress Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/40261553651909",1331,{"_778":779,"_780":1209},[1233],{"_745":746,"_785":1170},"9780300163810",{"_790":1236},[1237],{"_793":1238},{"_795":109,"_126":1239},{"_745":722},{"_123":1241,"_17":1242,"_735":1243,"_756":1244,"_809":1246,"_760":1293},"gid://shopify/Product/8775910850757","Scotland","scotland-the-global-history-1603-to-the-present",{"_758":1245},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-300-27301-4.jpg?v=1774130959",[1247,1249,1251,1252,-5,1253,1254,1255,1256,1258,1260,1262,1263,1264,1265,1266,-5,1267,1269,1271,-5,-5,1273,-5,1274,1275,-5,1276,-5,1278,-5,1280,1281,-5,1282,1283,-5,1284,1285,-5,1286,1287,-5,1288,1289,-5,1290,1291,-5,1292],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_785":1248},"Scotland: The Global History: 1603 to the Present",{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_785":1250},"PITTOCK MURRAY",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_785":1107},{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_785":1180},{"_812":813,"_814":828,"_785":1182},{"_812":831,"_814":832,"_785":833},{"_812":831,"_814":17,"_785":1242},{"_812":831,"_814":837,"_785":1257},"The Global History: 1603 to the Present",{"_812":831,"_814":816,"_785":1259},"Murray Pittock",{"_812":831,"_814":842,"_785":1261},"An engaging and authoritative history of Scotland's influence in the world and the world's on Scotland, from the Thirty Years' War to the present day

Scotland is one of the oldest nations in the world, yet by some it is hardly counted as a nation at all. Neither a colony of England nor a fully equal partner in the British union, Scotland has often been seen as simply a component part of British history. But the story of Scotland is one of innovation, exploration, resistance--and global consequence.

In this wide-ranging, deeply researched account, Murray Pittock examines the place of Scotland in the world. He explores Scotland and Empire, the rise of nationalism, and the pressures on the country from an increasingly monolithic understanding of \"Britishness.\" From the Thirty Years' War to Jacobite risings and today's ongoing independence debates, Scotland and its diaspora have undergone profound changes. This groundbreaking account reveals the diversity of Scotland's history and shows how, after the country disappeared from the map as an independent state, it continued to build a global brand.",{"_812":831,"_814":1036,"_785":1193},{"_812":831,"_814":844,"_785":1195},{"_812":831,"_814":819,"_785":847},{"_812":831,"_814":849,"_785":850},{"_812":831,"_814":852,"_785":853},{"_812":831,"_814":1123,"_785":1268},"BRITISH & IRISH HISTORY_SCOTLAND; GENERAL & WORLD HISTORY_MODERN PERIOD, c 1500 ONWARDS; GENERAL & WORLD HISTORY",{"_812":831,"_814":855,"_785":1270},"2023-09-29",{"_812":831,"_814":858,"_785":1272},"532",{"_812":861,"_814":724,"_785":862},{"_812":861,"_814":868,"_785":833},{"_812":861,"_814":870,"_785":866},{"_812":861,"_814":875,"_785":1277},"26/01/2026",{"_812":861,"_814":880,"_785":1279},"31.0",{"_812":861,"_814":885,"_785":1057},{"_812":888,"_814":889,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":724,"_785":890},{"_812":888,"_814":895,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":899,"_785":740},{"_812":888,"_814":901,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":906,"_785":902},{"_812":888,"_814":908,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":913,"_785":909},{"_812":888,"_814":915,"_785":916},{"_812":888,"_814":918,"_785":916},{"_812":888,"_814":920,"_785":921},{"_812":888,"_814":925,"_785":921},{"_762":1294},[1295],{"_765":109,"_766":-5,"_123":1296,"_203":1297,"_776":1301,"_782":1302,"_17":1248,"_786":1304,"_788":1305},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45990185468101",{"_769":1298,"_771":772,"_123":1299,"_758":1245,"_774":1300},"Scotland Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/41654064808133",1335,{"_778":779,"_780":1279},[1303],{"_745":746,"_785":1248},"9780300273014",{"_790":1306},[1307],{"_793":1308},{"_795":109,"_126":1309},{"_745":722},"relatedProductsCollectionUrl","/collections/shop-all?shopify_products%5BrefinementList%5D%5Bmeta.categories.sub_merged%5D%5B0%5D=EUROPEAN+HISTORY","relatedProductsFirstSubCategory","city","columbus","actionData","errors"]

These Divided Isles

Britain and Ireland, Past and Future

by Philip Stephens