Just a quick post to let you all know that my latest book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is released today in the UK.
Unfortunately, Amazon don’t have their copies yet and so have changed the publication date, but they should get their books in the next couple of days. In the meantime, if you have ordered direct from my publisher, Pen and Sword, your books should be on their way shortly.
About the book:
Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time.
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with some outright refusing the husbands offered to them.
Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.
Huge thanks to Historical Writers Association, Moniek Bloks, Matthew Harffy and Tony Riches for spreading the news today – your support means everything to me!
You can read about Princesses of the Early Middle Ages at:
History of Royal Women; The Writing Desk and Historia Magazine
Rock, Paper, Swords and A Slice of Medieval
And if you are across the pond, don’t worry, there’s not long to wait. The US release is just 2 months away, on 30 May 2026.
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available from Pen & Sword and Amazon.
Coming 30 August: Princesses of the Later Middle Ages
‘My daughter wanted me to treat her more like a princess. So, I married her to a stranger to strengthen the alliance with Poland!’
The medieval princess has often been portrayed as a pawn in the political machinations of her father or brother, married off to distant lands for the sake of peace, or land, or both. Never to be seen or thought of again.
But was that really her fate?
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets examines the lives and experiences of England’s princesses, from the treasured daughters of Henry III to the children of Edward IV, whose lives were turned upside down when they were declared illegitimate.
What we see is a very different story, where a foreign marriage does not mean eternal exile, but a purpose in life, where a princess is a diplomat, an ambassador for England in her new country. She is the bond between allies – most of the time.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of these remarkable women.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages is now available for pre-order.
My Books
Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.
You can also find all my books on Amazon, Bookshop.org .
You can also order direct from my publishers, Pen and Sword Books and Amberley Publishing.
Podcast:
Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Ian Mortimer, Bernard Cornwell, Elizabeth Chadwick and Scott Mariani, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.
Every episode is also now available on YouTube.
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Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.
For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.
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©2026 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS
History... the interesting bits! 