Villain or maligned? In this interview, historical novelist Wendy Johnson—a founding member of Philippa Langley’s “Looking for Richard” project—joins me to discuss her debut novel, The Traitor’s Son, which traces Richard III’s formative decade (1461–1471).

We explore:

• What being close to the 2012 discovery in Leicester changed for her as a writer and Ricardian
• Why start with boyhood—and what newcomers should unlearn about Richard
• Fact vs fiction: where the record ends and imagination begins
• Favourite sources for Edward, George, and Richard
• Places that shaped the story: Ludlow, Middleham, London
• Teasers for Books 2 & 3 in the trilogy

Plus: Wendy’s top Ricardian must-visit sites, the scene she’d film first, and one non-fiction pick to read next.

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