THE BISHOP OF DURHAM ATTEMPTS TO SURRENDER THE CITY By: Susanna Clarke
Bloomsbury Publishing
October 2026
On Sale: October 20, 2026
96 pages ISBN: 1639739815 EAN: 9781639739813 Kindle: B0D1SKCNY5 Hardcover / e-Book Add to Wish List
From the bestselling and prize‑winning author of Piranesi, an enchanting, beautifully illustrated short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. 'He had already served three kings. He did not see why he should not be useful to a fourth.'
During the conquest of Northern England, the fairy host sweeps across the countryside. The city of Durham finds itself surrounded. But the encircling forces are not fairies, nor even other humans, but trees that trap the city within an eerie wood.
Ranulf, Bishop of Durham‑a consummate politician‑understands that the survival of the Northern English people depends on his finding a way to unite the two races, human and fairy. And he's not averse to improving his own position at the same time. With these aims in view, he sets off for the New Castle, in search of the new King‑the leader of the fairy host, rumored to be a mysterious human boy, no more than fourteen years old, who speaks no word of any human language.
Set 700 years before the events of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is a bewitching, must‑have addition to any fantasy reader's shelf, featuring beautiful illustrations throughout.
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