Book review

Book Corner: 2 Books About Tudor Heirs

Sharon Bennett Connolly4 Comments

It is time for me to get back to some serious book reviewing. So, in order to catch up, I thought I’d do two reviews in one post. Both books are from the Tudor period and look into the heirs to the Tudor throne, and the impact of Henry VIII’s actions on those children. Each books provide a fascinating insight into the lives of prominent Tudors and shows a side of Henry VIII that is often overlooked.

Henry VIII’s Children by Caroline Angus

Of the five Tudor monarchs, only one was ever born to rule. While much of King Henry VIII’s reign is centred on his reckless marriage choices, it was the foundations laid by Henry and Queen Katherine of Aragon that shaped the future of the crown. Among the suffering of five lost heirs, the royal couple placed all their hopes in the surviving Princess Mary. Her early life weaves a tale of promise, diplomacy, and pageantry never again seen in King Henry’s life, but a deep-rooted desire for a son, a legacy of his own scattered childhood, pushed Henry VIII to smother Mary’s chance to rule. An affair soon produced an unlikely heir in Henry Fitzroy, and while one child was pure royalty, the other illegitimate, the comparison of their childhoods would show a race to throne closer than many wished to admit.

King Henry’s cruelty saw his heirs’ fates pivot as wives came and went, and the birth Princess Elizabeth, saw long-term plans upended for short-term desires. With the death of one heir hidden from view, the birth of Prince Edward finally gave the realm an heir born to rule, but King Henry’s personal desires and paranoia left his heirs facing constant uncertainty for another decade until his death. Behind the narrative of Henry VIII’s wives, wars, reformation and ruthlessness, there were children, living lives of education among people who cared for them, surrounded by items in generous locations which symbolised their place in their father’s heart. They faced excitement, struggles, and isolation which would shape their own reigns. From the heights of a surviving princess destined and decreed to influence Europe, to illegitimate children scattered to the winds of fortune, the childhoods of Henry VIII’s heirs is one of ambition, destiny, heartache, and triumph.

Henry VIII left a long shadow, especially for his children. Caroline Angus looks into the lives and experiences of Henry’s 3 legitimate children, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, alongside his only recognised illegitimate child, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond. And the other possible candidates to be Henry’s offspring, including Catherine Carey.

Henry VIII’s Children is a very easy and enjoyable read. You get absorbed into Caroline Angus’s love of her subject. Her research is thorough and all her arguments are supported by evidence. Where there is conjecture, the author presents both sides and lets the reader find their own conclusion, while presenting what she thinks most likely. I did not agree with all her conclusions, particularly when it comes to Catherine Carey – I am not convinced she was Henry VIII’s daughter, not that Henry’s relationship with Mary Boleyn lasted as long as some historians suggest. I just don’t think we have enough information. But it was interesting to read Caroline’s thoughts on the subject and see how she came to her conclusions.
It certainly gave me food for thought!

The Tudors are always a fascinating subject and Caroline Angus does a wonderful job of igniting the reader’s passion in her subject.

The strength of Henry VIII’s Children lies in its fascinating investigation into the lives of Henry’s 3 ‘legitimate’ children and how their fates were manipulated and directed by Henry’s obsession for a male heir, and his multiple marriages. Poor Mary I had 5 stepmothers! just imagine how she must have felt, watching her mother shunned and sidelined by the father she adored, not being allowed to visit her on her deathbed, nor being allowed to receive her mother’s comfort when she was ill and scared. The mind games Henry VIII played with his eldest child, in order to get her acquiescence, are something to behold.

And then there’s poor Elizabeth, her mother executed before her 3rd birthday, and yet she is the one who surpassed all Henry’s dreams for his children. Elizabeth is the one who had a golden age named after her. She is also the one who always lived in the shadow of her mother’s fate. Caroline Angus looks into all aspects of Elizabeth’s life, especially the childhood and adolescence that shaped her future.

And Edward! the golden boy. The heir who was so desired that his father broke with Rome to get. A boy who was the hope of a nation but died so tragically young.

Caroline Angus looks at them all with such enthusiasm and animation that they jump off the page.

An eminently readable nook that I have no hesitation in recommending.

To Buy Henry VIII’s Children

About the Author:

Caroline Angus is a New Zealand-based author raising four sons. Caroline studied history at Universitat de València, Spain, spending ten years dedicated to the Spanish Civil War and the resulting dictatorship. Caroline went on to study with King’s College London, specialising in Shakespeare and British royal history. After a decade of writing fiction, including the Secrets of Spain series, focusing on the lives of Valencian interviewees between 1939 and 1975, and the more recent Queenmaker Trilogy, eleven years of Thomas Cromwell and his fictional attendant Nicòla Frescobaldi, Caroline is now creating non-fiction works on the surviving papers of Thomas Cromwell.

Henry VIII’s True Daughter by Wendy J Dunn

The lives of Tudor women often offer faint but fascinating footnotes on the pages of history. The life of Catherine – or Katryn as her husband would one day pen her name – Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn and, as the weight of evidence suggests, Henry VIII, is one of those footnotes.

As the possible daughter of Henry VIII, the niece of Anne Boleyn and the favourite of Elizabeth I, Catherine’s life offers us a unique perspective on the reigns of Henry and his children. In this book, Wendy J. Dunn takes these brief details of Catherine’s life and turns them into a rich account of a woman who deserves her story told. Following the faint trail provided of her life from her earliest years to her death in service to Queen Elizabeth, Dunn examines the evidence of Catherine’s parentage and views her world through the lens of her relationship with the royal family she served.

This book presents an important story of a woman who saw and experienced much tragedy and political turmoil during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I – all of which prepared her to take on the vital role of one of Elizabeth I closest and most trusted women. It also prepared her to become the wife of one of Elizabeth’s privy councillors – a man also trusted and relied on by the queen. Catherine served Elizabeth during the uncertain and challenging first years of her reign, a time when there was a question mark over whether she would succeed as queen regnant after the failures of England’s first crowned regnant, her sister Mary.

Through immense research and placing her in the context of her period, HENRY VIII’S TRUE DAUGHTER: CATHERINE CAREY, A TUDOR LIFE draws Catherine out of the shadows of history to take her true place as the daughter of Henry VIII and shows how vital women like Catherine were to Elizabeth and the ultimate victory of her reign.

Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life by Wendy J. Dunn is a perfect accompaniment to Henry VIII’s Children. Focusing on the eldest child of Mary Boleyn and William Carey, Wendy J. Dunn investigates Catherine’s origins and the stories around her conception and birth – in particular, her mother’s relationship with Henry VIII. It has long been thought possible that Catherine was Henry’s daughter and that Mary Boleyn’s marriage to William Carey was arranged to conceal the king’s affair. Henry himself admitted he had slept with Mary Boleyn when he was once accused of sleeping with Anne Boleyn’s mother, replying along the lines of ‘the sister but never the mother.’

So, we know they had a relationship, but how long it lasted and whether Catherine was the result of that relationship is still uncertain. Wendy attempts to lift away that uncertainty and presents all the evidence and conjecture that has been gather over the years to give us her own conclusions.

But this book is so much more! Henry VIII’s True Daughter gives us insights into the life of a prominent Tudor woman. Whether or not she was the daughter of Henry VIII, she was still at the heart of the Tudor court, especially in the reign of her sister/cousin, Elizabeth I. Catherine was one of Elizabeth’s favourites and was loyal to the queen to the very end of her life. Wendy gives stunning insight into Catherine’s life and career, as well as her marriage and family.

Even if I don’t necessarily agree with all its conclusion, Henry VIII’s True Daughter by Wendy J Dunn is a wonderful, engaging book, giving the reader ample food for thought in her theories and explanations of the life and origins of Catherine Carey. It is a must-read for any fan of Tudor history.

To Buy Henry VIII’s True Daughter

About the Author:

Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder. Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally. Wendy is married, the mother of four adult children and the grandmother of two amazing small boys. She gained her PhD in 2014 and loves walking in the footsteps of the historical people she gives voice to in her books. Wendy also tutors writing at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. HENRY VIII’S TRUE DAUGHTER: CATHERINE CAREY, A TUDOR LIFE is her first full-length nonfiction work.

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My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

OUT NOW! Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Coming 30 January 2025: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

Available for pre-order now.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

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Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads and Instagram.

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©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS.

Book Corner: In the Shadows of Castles by G.K. Holloway

Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

It’s the 1060s, and William of Normandy is establishing a new and brutal regime in England, but there are those who would defy him. As Norman soldiers spread like a plague across the land, resistance builds, but will it be enough to topple William and restore the rightful king to his throne? The English have the courage to fight, but the Normans, already victorious at Hastings, now build castles seeking to secure their tenuous foothold in these lands.

And what of the people caught up in these catastrophic events? Dispossessed but not defeated, their lives ripped apart, the English struggle for freedom from tyranny; amongst them, caught up in the turmoil, are a soldier, a thane and two sisters. As events unfold, their destinies become intertwined, bringing drastic changes that alter their lives forever.

Firmly embedded in the history of the Conquest, ‘In the Shadows of Castles’ is ultimately a story of love, hope and survival in a time of war.

A few years ago I read and reviewed G.K. Holloway’s fabulous novel 1066: What Fates Impose. It was the story of the most fateful year in English history, of Harold II, William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest of England. The story revolved around the relationship between William and Harold and their ultimate, fatal confrontation at the Battle of Hastings. In the Shadows of Castles opens where 1066: What Fates Impose ended, with the English defeated and William the Conqueror receiving the submission of England’s earls and the atheling Edgar, who had hoped to take the crown himself.

In the Shadows of Castles feels more personal than did 1066: What Fates Impose. It is less concerned with the great events in history and concentrates more on the life and experience of Bondi, a housecarl who had been in the service of King Harold and was now a part of the English ‘resistance’. Bondi’s experiences in trying to halt the wholesale takeover of England contrast with King William’s systematic replacement of English lords with Norman ones and of handing out the lands, of those English killed at Hastings, to hie faithful followers.

In the Shadows of Castles follows the experiences of the English resistance, which culminates in the Harrying of the North over the winter of 1069-1070. The English fight back wherever and whenever they can against the relentless onslaught of the Norman army. Helped – and hindered – by the Danes, Bondi and his friends are forced to become fugitives after being separated from their forces. But there are lighter moments, where Bondi finds friendship and love in those surrounding him. And support from locals who risk everything to help the cause.

By mid-afternoon, everyone in London knew of the housecarls’ fate. People wondered if the future held the same in store for them. One of those unaware of the slaughter was Bondi Wynstanton. At the Blue Anchor, a small group talked animatedly at the bar.

‘The Normans set fire to Berkamsted barracks,’ one man said.

‘What?’

‘They burned down the barracks, and no one’s left alive,’ the man said.

‘Nobody? Are you sure?’

‘I am. I’d make myself scarce,’ the man said, looking at the dragon tattoos on Bondi’s arms. ‘Go to the great hall. Somebody might help you.’

Bondi was still coming to terms with the news as he slinked across London’s back streets. The town seemed divided. One half contained the English, sullen and resentful behind their walls. The other was a Norman city, composed of two motte-and-bailey fortifications. It was as if each part of the city held the other under siege. In this atmosphere, Merleswein called the thanes together in London’s great hall. Bondi arrived just as the meeting started. It was a heated affair, acrimonious and loud.

Merleswein stood up. ‘Thank you all for coming,’ he said. Gradually, the noise abated.

‘You’re all aware of what happened the other night,’ Merleswein said. ‘We need to decide what we are to do next. I, for one, will leave London at the earliest opportunity. If you want to come with me or join me in Lincoln, you’re welcome. If you meet any housecarls, bring them with you.’

‘What of Edgar and the earls? Why aren’t they here?’ an old thane said.

‘William is keeping them close, but don’t concern yourself. They will have word of what’s happening and know they can join us if they escape.’

‘So, they are prisoners, then?’ the old thane said. ‘What are we going to do?’

‘Those who are able should go to Lincoln. William won’t bother us there. He would have to send his entire army to bring us back, and he won’t do that. When we’ve formed up there, we’ll make plans.’

‘What if we can’t get away? Some of us have families and work here,’ someone yelled.

‘All I can do for now is offer hospitality in Lincoln. Everyone is welcome,’ Merleswein said.

There was a general stir as people discussed what to do.

Merleswein took his seat and turned to Waltheof. ‘Do you think many of them will accept my invitation?’ he said.

‘No. Not unless they’ve lost everything. Those who still have a home or a business will stay here, hoping it won’t happen again. It will be those who have nothing to lose who follow you.’

While they were talking, Bondi made his way over to them.

‘Excuse me, my lord.’

Merleswein looked down at him from the dais. ‘Bondi, isn’t it?’

‘That’s right, my lord.’

‘If I were you, I’d get as far away from London as possible.’

‘I’ve considered that, so I’m going to Ireland.’

‘Why Ireland?’ Merleswein said.

‘I was there with King Harold when I was a boy. I heard his mother, Lady Gytha and Edyth, his wife, were going there to join his sons. My guess is they’ll be coming back with an atmy, so I thought I’d join them.’

‘And avenge your fallen comrades?’

G.K. Holloway brilliantly captures the confusion among the English as the implications of their defeat at Hastings dawns upon them. He expertly captures the hope, despair and confusion that must have been rife among the conquered English. He does not shy away from the hard facts and more unpleasant aspects of war, nor of conquest, especially for the women. His knowledge of the history of the period has been used to recreate the world of 1066 and the years following.

Although the Normans are the bad guys in In the Shadows of Castles it was good to see William de Warenne, one of the subjects of my own research, given a prominent role among William the Conqueror‘s retinue. Indeed, G.K. Holloway has ensured that he used historical personages wherever possible and staying true to their story, which adds a sense of authenticity to the novel.

G.K Holloway takes us on a sweeping trek through England and even into Scotland and Denmark, following the story of the conquered English and triumphant Normans. The post-Conquest years were years of struggle and betrayal on both sides and In the Shadows of Castles draws the reader into this amazing story. The characters are authentic, deep and beautifully written. You can almost imagine yourself in the Yorkshire of a thousand years ago!

And entertaining and engaging novel, In the Shadows of Castles is an excellent read and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in the story, Fire in the Fens.

About the Author:

G. K. Holloway did several jobs after leaving school before taking A Levels at his local college and later a degree in History and Politics at Coventry University. Once he had graduated, he spent the next twenty years working in education in and around Bristol. After reading a biography about Harold Godwinson, he studied the late Anglo-Saxon era in detail and discovered a time of papal plots, court intrigues, family feuds, loyalties, betrayals, assassinations and a few battles. When he had enough material to weave together fact and fiction, he produced his award-winning novel, ‘1066: What Fates Impose’, the first in a series about the Norman Conquest. G. K. Holloway lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.

Visit G K Holloway’s website http://www.gkholloway.co.uk

GK Holloway’s books on Amazon

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

OUT NOW! Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. There’s even an episode on Robin Hood from Steven A. McKay. There are now over 40 episodes to listen to!

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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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: Sword of the Saxons by Steven A. McKay

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

A war to shape the future of a nation.

Betrayed by his kinsmen, his forces overrun by Danes, King Alfred of Wessex has retreated deep into the marshes of his homeland, lying in wait for his chance at redemption.

The scourge of the heathen horde that has ravaged the kingdom for decades is at its peak. Led by the fearsome Viking warlord Guthrum, the fate of the men, women, and children at their mercy appears all but sealed. But underestimate the great king at your peril…

Gathering allies and bannermen to his cause, and building a strategy that will hopefully ensure victory, Alfred sets out to undermine the strength of the complacent invaders, and establish Wessex as the greatest territory in the British Isles.

A final showdown awaits. Not only with Guthrum and his savage warriors, but with destiny. As the battle lines are drawn, the destiny of not just Wessex, but of every Anglo-Saxon in Britain, rests firmly on Alfred’s shoulders.

An utterly ferocious and gripping adventure, covering the fascinating middle years of Alfred the Great’s reign, one of Britain’s most influential monarchs.

War is coming!

At last! the second book in Steven A McKay’s new Alfred the Great series has arrived. To be fair to Steven, we haven’t had long to wait, even though it felt like an age. The problem was, we left King Alfred at the end of The Heathen Horde, rather down on his luck and looking like things could only get even worse. So it has been agony, waiting for Sword of the Saxons, to see how Steven would get Alfred out of it. We all know the history, Alfred is defeated and seeks shelter in the marshes of Athelney, burns some cakes in order to learn patience and then comes back with a vengeance. So we did know that Alfred’s defeat was not the end of the matter. However, when you get caught up in the story, you need more!

And leaving Alfred, defeated and a fugitive, was a difficult pill to swallow.

King Alfred is the hero who fought to defeat the Danish and Norse invaders – collectively known as the Vikings by many – and unite the disparate kingdoms of England under one king. The kingdom of England would not come to pass in his lifetime, but he started the fight that would be continued by his son and daughter – Edward the Elder and Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians – and completed by his grandson, Athelstan, the first King of England.

Sword of the Saxons picks up where The Heathen Horde left off and takes us on Alfred’s journey to not only survive in the marshes, but rebuild his army, renew alliances and begin the fight back. In Sword of the Saxons, King Alfred becomes the leader that England needed, and demonstrates the abilities, both martial and political, that justify his epithet of ‘the Great’.

‘I can almost – almost! – understand Ealdorman Wealdmar giving in to the Danes without a fight,’ Wulfric said to Alfred as they rode towards the little coastal village of Bryn on the outskirts of the Somerset marshes. ‘But his son, Diuma? Refusing to let us into the town when he knew the Danes were hunting us? Gods, I was starting to like the an, and I believed he was a fiercely loyal thane to you, my lord.’

Alfred cleared his throat and spat into the bushes on the side of the road, disgust twisting his features at the memory of the night Wulfric was referring to. ‘So did I,’ he growled. ‘But it seems Diuma was only ever loyal to himself.’ He shook his head and made a cutting motion with his hand. ‘I might possibly be able to forgive some of the men who’ve betrayed me, like Ealdorman Wulfhere. Perhaps they felt like they had no choice. But Diuma? I treated him like a friend. And Brycgstow? That was far enough away from any of Guthrum’s forces to be a target for them! No, Diuma has no excuse for what he’s done. I hope the sea-wolves bleed him and his father dry, and then, eventually, I’ll come face to face with them and hear their excuses before…’ He trailed off, jaw clenched, knuckles white as he gripped his horse’s reins.

There were only two other men with them that morning, for they were merely riding to collect a few supplies but, more importantly, to make sure the good people of Bryn knew that Alfred was still very much alive and hadn’t abandoned his kingdom despite Guthrum’s invasion. The king believed it did the people good to see him in person, rather than his hearth-warriors simply carrying word of his survival to the towns and villages located around Athelney’s marshes. He was a man, after all, not a myth.

‘When are we going to send out word to gather the fyrd, lord?’ The question came from one of the other riders who’d accompanied them, a small but sturdily built warrior called Dunstan. He’d been thane of a village in the north of Wessex which had been utterly destroyed six years earlier, by a party of Northmen led by Jarl Ubba. After that, Dunstan pledged himself to Alfred and now served as one of his fiercest hearth-warriors.

The fourth man in the small group was the sentry from the previous night, Aedan, and he too looked with interest at Alfred, wondering what his reply would be to Dunstan’s question.

The king shook his head slowly. ‘In truth, I don’t know,’ he admitted. ‘I’d like to make sure we have the support of as many people as possible in these nearby settlements. We need to know we can call upon a decent sized fyrd from the lands around Athelney before we look at enlisting people in towns further away.’ He noticed Dunstan and Aedan sharing uncertain glances. ‘I know you two are desperate to take the fight to Guthrum, but we can’t afford to act rashly. First, we build our foundation here in Sumosaete, and then we move on from there.’

With The Heathen Horde, it took me a few chapters to get into the story, to stop comparing Steven A. McKay’s version of King Alfred with the Alfred of Bernard Cornwell – and it took me a while to stop expected Uhtred of Bebbanburg to turn up and save the day, but in Sword of the Saxons Steven has made King Alfred his own. He portrays the great battles his way, has created a hero in Alfred that the reader can get behind wholeheartedly. He is much more likeable than Bernard Cornwell’s King Alfred! Less judgmental…

Alongside Alfred the Great and his family, Steven A. McKay has created a wealth of characters with varying degrees of loyalty to the king. All must be moulded together to fight Guthrum and his men. I have to admit, I love the portrayal of Æthelflæd, Alfred’s oldest daughter and soon to be the Lady of the Mercians. She is a young woman who knows her duty – but also knows her worth and her abilities. She is very much the Æthelflæd I imagine.

Sword of the Saxons is the beginning of the fight back against the invaders. It shows King Alfred coming into his own, becoming the great leader who we know today. He has setbacks, he has doubts, and he has to overcome illness. But this is the Alfred who will lead the reconquest of England that will be completed by his grandson. Steven A. Mckay achieves a wonderful balance, between telling the personal stories of his characters and presenting the great history that they are living through.

It is a gripping read. The fast-paced story leaves the reader breathless – and reading into the early hours! I have no hesitation in recommending Sword of the Saxons to anyone and everyone. Read it! you will not be disappointed.

Buy Sword of the Saxons

About the author:

Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977 and always enjoyed studying history. He decided to write his Forest Lord novels after seeing a house called “Sherwood” when he was out at work one day. Since then he’s started a new series, the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles. In 2021 the Xbox game HOOD: Outlaws and Legends was released, featuring his writing, which Steven says was just a fantastic experience. Steven used to be in a heavy metal band although he tends to just play guitar in his study these days. He did use those guitars to write the theme song for the podcast he co-host, Rock, Paper, Swords! with Matthew Harffy, though.

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

OUT NOW! Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. There’s even an episode on Robin Hood from Steven A. McKay. There are now over 40 episodes to listen to!

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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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath

Sharon Bennett Connolly3 Comments

1191 and the Third Crusade is underway . . .

It is 1191 and King Richard the Lionheart is on crusade to pitch battle against Saladin and liberate the city of Jerusalem and her lands. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine and his promised bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, make a perilous journey over the Alps in midwinter. They are to rendezvous with Richard in the Sicilian port of Messina.

There are hazards along the way – vicious assassins, marauding pirates, violent storms and a shipwreck. Berengaria is as feisty as her foes and, surviving it all, she and Richard marry in Cyprus and continue to the Holy Land. England needs an heir. But first, Richard and his Queen must return home . . .

The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King.

At last! Attention is being paid to Berengaria of Navarre, wife and queen of King Richard I (the Lionheart. There is an excellent new biography out, by my good friend Dr Gabrielle Story, entitled Berengaria of Navarre: Queen of England and Lord of Le Mans. And now there is a wonderful novel, The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath.

Carol expertly weaves fact and fiction together to bring us am engaging, entertaining and informative story on the life of the one queen of England who is said to have never set foot in the country (actually, it seems that she did, but only after Richard’s death).

The Lost Queen follows Berengaria from the moment she is collected by her future mother-in-law, Eleanor of Aquitaine, on her journey through the Alps and Italy, to her first meeting with her husband Richard I. She is then drawn into the grand enterprise that was the Third Crusade, with the conquest of Cyprus along the way.

Food tasters sampled every dish before offering Queen Eleanor the best of everything, placing small morsels on her plate when she inclined her head in assent. Don Sancho never took any chances in case a dish was spoiled – or worse, might contain poison. Only once the Dowager and Don Sancho were served was Berengaria able to make selections for her own plate. As she ate, carefully making sure not to appear greedy, she noticed that Queen Eleanor had a hearty appetite, sampling everything and complimenting Don Sancho on his well-presented feast. Lifting a goblet to her mouth and sipping daintily, she praised the Gascon wine served in her honour.

Over custard tarts, a speciality of the palace pastry cooks, the Dowager broached plans for their journey. She tapped the table with an impatient gesture. ‘Don Sancho, may I assume Berengaria will be ready by this week’s end with her baggage mules packed? She will need suitable clothing for travel to Sicily, along with her confessor and her ladies.’

‘Indeed. We shall provide a well-armed guard under Sancho’s command for the first part of the journey,’ Don Sancho said. ‘Berengaria and her ladies will ride. They are all of them fine horsewomen.’

‘We will need stout covered wagons and apothecaries in case of illness, though I expect none,’ the Dowager responded. Berengaria wondered if Queen Eleanor had ever been in need of apothecaries in her whole life, other than for childbirth. Suddenly she grew nervous at the thought that the arrangements thay had made for her wedding in Sicily might not be good enough.

Don Sancho nodded in assent, then added, ‘All is ready, including priests and two bishops who will travel with your train as far as Rome.’ He gave Eleanor a broad smile.

Berengaria looked at her father with a confidence she did not feel. ‘So my brother and his knights will escort us through French territories?’ she asked.

‘Not France, but the county of Toulouse. And indeed, my daughter, Sancho will ride with you as far as Les Baux. Arrangements have been made. travel passes have been granted.’

Her brother nodded. ‘My dear sister, I have business in Aragon, but I intend guarding you to the very borders of the German Empire.’

Berengaria loved her bear-like brother. ‘I am glad of your escort, dear Sancho.’

She looked over to see Eleanor’s reaction, but the Dowager simply thanked Sancho for his care of them. Her expression remained composed as she added, ‘We hope to have Philip of Flanders as our escort through the Alps and on to Sicily. The Count is intent on joining the Crusade.’

Carol McGrath recreates the world of the late 12th century, from medieval England to the Holy Land – you can almost feel that sand between your toes and the burning sun on your face. Neither does the author shy away from the more unpleasant episodes of the Crusades. Richard I’s execution of 3,000 prisoners is depicted through Berengaria’s eyes, and with the understanding of the constraints and political wranglings of the time. I love the depiction of Richard I’s relationship with his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Carol McGrath’s exploration of how this may have affected Richard and Berengaria’s marriage.

My favourite part of the book is Berengaria’s relationship with her sister-in-law, Joanna, dowager queen of Sicily and sister of Richard the Lionheart. Joanna is, as any regular reader will know, one of my favourite medieval women. And I love how Carol McGrath portrays the developing friendship between the two women, thrown together by necessity, but appreciating each other’s strengths and character.

Whilst the attention of the book is very firmly on Berengaria of Navarre, a more intimate, fictional story, of a young lady named Avelina, travelling to the Holy Land in search of her husband, offers the reader a more intimate experience of the non-royal crusaders and the lives of them and their families. As well as the dangers inherent in women travelling to far-off places. Carol McGrath uses Avelina’s story, and the stories of those around her, to demonstrate the different people and events – and personal tragedies – associated with the Crusades. It also serves to remind the modern-day reader that news travelled slowly in medieval times and that letters that were lost or waylaid could have a huge impact on people’s lives.

The characters portrayed in The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath are rich and vivid. They come to life on the page.

This is a must-read book for anyone interested in the Plantagenets!

To Buy The Lost Queen

About the Author:

Following a first degree in English and History, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London.The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS in 2014.The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy.Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020.The Silken Rose,first in a medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose.The Stone Rose was published April2022. Carol is writing Historical non-fiction as well as fiction.Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England waspublished in February 2022.The Stolen Crown2023 and The Lost Queen will be published 18thJuly2024. Carol lives in Oxfordshire, England and in Greece.Find Carol on her website:www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk.

Follow Carol on:

Amazon: @CarolMcGrath, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolMcGrathAuthor1, Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.co.uk/carol0275/the-handfasted-wife/ Twitter: twitter.com/carolmcgrath, website: scribbling-inthemargins.blogspot.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-mcgrath-906723a

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

OUT NOW! Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. In episode #43, Derek and I chat with Carol about Berengaria of Navarre and The Lost Queen.

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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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: Dark Frontier by Matthew Harffy

Sharon Bennett Connolly3 Comments

A thrilling historical western set in 1890s Oregon, from the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles. An English soldier turned policeman escapes to the American West for anew future, but life on the frontier proves far harder than he ever imagined…

A man can flee from everything but his own nature.

1890. Lieutenant Gabriel Stokes of the British Army left behind the horrors of war in Afghanistan for a role in the Metropolitan Police.Though he rose quickly through the ranks, the squalid violence of London’s East End proved just as dark and oppressive as the battlefield.

With his life falling apart, and longing for peace and meaning, Gabriel leaves the grime of London behind and heads for the wilderness and wide open spaces of the American West.

He soon realises that the wilds of Oregon are far from the idyll he has yearned for. The Blue Mountains may be beautiful, but with the frontier a complex patchwork of feuds and felonies,and ranchers as vicious as any back alley cut-throat in London, Gabriel finds himself unable to escape his past and the demons that drive him. Can he find a place for himself on the far edge of the New World?

I have to confess, I haven’t read a Western in years, but Dark Frontier by Matthew Harffy has certainly got me in the mood for more. And for an author used to writing about warfare with guns and axes in the early medieval period, he certainly knows his way around a six-shooter. Though he does manage to get a sword into the action at one point, which was pretty impressive!

Dark Frontier is the story of a man heading west to escape his past, and his demons, only to find his demons are not that easy to avoid. He also finds that trouble is just as present in the American West as it was on the streets of London. And, a policeman at heart, trouble is not something he seems to be able to walk away from. Dark Frontier is a fascinating adventure based around a ranch war between a sheep farmer and a cattle baron. The cattle baron wants more land – the sheep farmer doesn’t want to oblige.

Things turn nasty.

The man might be old, but Stokes had witnessed how deadly he was. As the boy ranted and screamed, the grey-haired man had watched, hand resting lightly on the butt of his holstered pistol. He didn’t move and had said nothing for a time until he uttered a few words that had sent the boy into such a blind rage that he had jerked his revolver out of its holster and fired wildly. The old man had not flinched, though there had been less than ten feet separating them. An instant later, his revolver, a gleaming Remington, had appeared to leap into his hand. It had barked once, silencing the boy and his frantic shooting forever.

“You son of a bitch!” shouted a long-faced man with pox scars on his cheeks who had followed the boy out of the billiard hall. “You killed Wyc.” His face was growing redder by the second. “You didn’t need to kill him.” His hand dropped to the dark wooden butt of the revolver he wore in a black leather holster on his right hip.

“Done a lot of things I didn’t need to,” said the old man who had shot the boy called Wyc. “Killing your friend ain’t one of ’em.” The barrle of his Remington did not waver as he pulled the hammer back with his thumb. He had fired only one shot, but the bullet had caught Wyc in the chin and exited from the back of his head, leaving a hole the size of a teacup saucer.

Several men came out of the billiard hall with Wyc, voices raised and joining in his brash insults, but Stokes noticed that none of them had been foolish enough to reach for their own guns. Most had already fled, running off as the shots were fired. The few that remained now edged away from the angry man who vented his ire at the calm, grey-haired shooter.

The pock-cheeked man swallowed, perhaps suddenly aware of his predicament. He was staring into the smoking barrel of a revolver in the sure hands of a proven killer. His fingers trembled above the butt of his handgun.

“Halt,” Stokes said, his voice cutting through the hubbub. “Both of you.” Everybody turned to look at him. Everybody except the old man with the Remington. HIs hand did not move and his gun remained trained on the red-faced cowhand. Stokes was used to having his voice listened to, but nobody here seemed inclined to obey him. He took a step closer and snapped his fingers.

With the West becoming more accessible with the expansion of the railroad, cattle barons are greedy for more land so they can fulfill government contracts. JT’s, the ranch belonging to Gabe’s best friend, John Thornford, is in the way of progress, as far one cattle baron is concerned. Throw in a murder mystery, budding friendships, violent attacks and a good fist fight or two – along with the odd pistol whipping and shoot-outs and you have the ingredients for a perfect Western novel.

What makes Dark Frontier such an incredible story is the breadth and range of characters. Gabe Stokes is the quintessential, broken Englishman who finds that the rules are few and far-between when it comes to the wide open plains of frontier America. Mary Ann Thornford is a widow, with 2 young children, left alone to take on the oily, powerful and determined cattle baron, Tom Grant. She has a handful of farmhands to help out, and Her husband’s old friend, Gabe Stokes.

With a fast-paced, engrossing story and characters the reader can get behind, Dark Frontier has all the ingredients for an exciting adventure. And it doesn’t disappoint. Matthew Harffy has certainly made the switch from early medieval historical fiction to the Wild Wild West with great aplomb.

Enjoyed it immensely!

I do hope there are more Westerns to come!

To Buy A Dark Frontier:

Amazon:https://geni.us/DarkFrontierBlogTour

About the Author:

About the author Matthew Harffy grew up in Northumberland where the rugged terrain, ruined castles and rocky coastline had a huge impact on him. He now lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.Matthew is the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles and A Time for Swords series, and he also presents the popular podcast,Rock, Paper, Swords!, with fellow author Steven A. McKay.

Matthew Harffy Social Handles: Twitter:@MatthewHarffy Instagram:@beobrand Website:matthewharffy.com

Aries/Head of Zeus Social Handles: Twitter:@AriesFiction Facebook:Aries Fiction Instagram:@headofzeus TikTok:@headofzeus Website:http://www.headofzeus.com

Blog Tour Hashtag: #DarkFrontier

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

OUT NOW! Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

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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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: Arthur by Giles Kristian

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

Years have passed since the clash of shieldwalls echoed across the land. The Saxons are now the lords of Britain. And yet the bards still sing of Arthur – ‘In our darkest time, when we need him most, shall he come again.’

Yet old Beran has no love of bards’ songs. Nor of people, unless they are paying him to steal or kill. He is a mercenary, in the employ of the cutthroat Nabor ap Nabor, and he has been ordered to murder a boy fleeing a burning city. No ordinary boy either. No, this boy is the son of King Constantine and the grandson of High King Ambrosius. And he could be the hope of Britain…if he lives.

Betraying his companions and returning to a world he thought he had left forever, Beran gives his word that he will take the boy to the one place that still holds out against the Saxons: Camelot.

Crossing a hostile land, they will meet the runaway lovers, Tristan and Isolde. They will seek the help of Guivret, called the Little King, and the Saracen, Palamedes, who once rode beneath Arthur’s banner.

Hunted by Saxons, Nabor ap Nabor, and Queen Morgana, this unlikely band must fight for their lives and for each other. For if there’s to be any hope for Britain, Beran must deliver the boy to Camelot. But to do that, he must also face his own past…

Wow!

Every now and then, a book comes along that stands head and shoulders above the rest. It draws you in. You cannot wait to finish it.

And yet…

Finishing it leaves you bereft.

That is Giles Kristian’s Arthur.

It is the third book in a series that was only meant to be a duology. After Lancelot and Camelot came out, I asked Giles if there would be an Arthur and he said, probably not – that he had covered Arthur’s story in the other two. He wasn’t sure there was anything more to add. And how could he do it? He would have to go back a rewrite Lancelot, but with Arthur as the focus. I understood his dilemma but it was disappointing that there would be no book dedicated to Arthur.

But then, he must have found inspiration from somewhere, because we now have Arthur. Lancelot was fabulous. Camelot was gripping. Arthur is on a whole other level. The premise of the novel is inspired. Continuing the story into the next generation, with flashbacks to Arthur’s early life and career. The new story is cleverly woven into the old legends. Morgana is a villain trying to get her hands on the heir to the throne. The tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde is woven into the narrative, as are other parts of the Arthurian legend. And Beran, the old soldier, is the reluctant hero, who reluctantly finds himself in the role of Prince Erbin’s protector.

‘I’m hungry,’ the boy said.

‘I told you, I don’t have any food,’ Beran replied, looking for the stars to make sure they were still walking west. Two bats tumbled and flitted above, across a patch of dark sky.

‘But I’m hungry,’ the boy insisted.

‘What do you expect me to do about it?’ Beran growled.

The boy’s face clenched in thought. ‘You must be good at setting traps,’ he said. ‘You outlaws live here in the forest, don’t you?’

‘I can feed myself. Didn’t ask for another mouth to feed.’

‘I’m a prince.’

‘A mouth’s a mouth.’

Beran could almost feel the boy frowning in the dark from two feet away. ‘We could set a snare like my father’s hunters do. They catch hares and polecats and pine martens that way.’

‘Not any more they don’t,’ Beran said. ‘Look, boy, if we stop to set traps, we’re more likely to catch one of the bastards who’s after us. Or a Saxon. Or one of Queen Morgana’s spearmen. We’ve got to keep moving.’

‘So, we’re going to Camelot?’ the boy asked.

The name struck Beran like a blow to the chest. He stopped and the boy stopped with him. ‘Why in Ban’s name would we go to Camelot?’ he asked.

‘Because that’s where Mother was taking me,’ the boy said, looking up at him, and Beran realized he had not even considered where the fugitives from Caer Colun had been bound with their treasures and this heir to the kingdom. It made sense, of course, for where else was safe in Britain for the son of Constantine the Battle King? The man who had modelled himself on the Roman generals who once ruled in the Dark Isles, and who had waged war against the Saxons for the last sixty years.

‘Lady Iselle wrote to my mother many times since my fatehr died, begging her to go to Camelot where we would be safe.’

Another name, another blow. ‘So why didn’t you?’ Beran asked. Your mother must’ve known Caer Colun could not hold out for ever. Even if the great Constantine had still been alive.’

‘Mother said we would never abandon the people. Lady Iselle could not take all of them to live within Camelot’s walls.’

‘Well, your mother’s people are slaves now, or dead. Or living beneath the sky like us,’ Beran said.

‘How long will it take to get to Camelot?’ the boy asked.

‘We’re not going to Camelot.’

Giles Kristian’s Arthur is a beautifully crafted story from start to finish, with twists and turns that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat and reading late into the night. And so you should. With enemies old and new, Beran has to avoid his former gang, stay clear of marauding Saxons and protect his charge from Queen Morgana’s men, who are hunting them relentlessly,

I do not want to ruin the reading experience with spoilers, I promise, but I will say endings are often not as good as you want them to be. They fail to live up to the promise.

That is not the case with Arthur.

The ending is spectacular.

They are everything you would expect of the legendary Arthur.

You ride with him.

You fight with him.

You are screaming his name as you charge the enemy.

It is perfection.

If there is only one book you read this year, make sure it is Arthur by Giles Kristian.

To buy Arthur on Amazon, click here.

About the author:

Family history (he is half Norwegian) and a passion for the fiction of Bernard Cornwell inspired GILES KRISTIAN to write. Set in the Viking world, his bestselling ‘Raven’ and ‘The Rise of Sigurd’ trilogies have been acclaimed by his peers, reviewers and readers alike. In The Bleeding Land and Brothers’ Fury, he tells the story of a family torn apart by the English Civil War. He also co-wrote Wilbur Smith’s No.1 bestseller, Golden Lion. His contemporary survival thriller, Where Blood Runs Cold, won the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. With his Sunday Times bestseller Lancelot, Giles plunged into the rich waters of the Arthurian legend. His epic reimagining of our greatest island ‘history’ continued in Camelot and draws to a breath-taking close with Arthur.
Giles Kristian lives in Leicestershire.
To find out more, visit http://www.glieskristian.com. You can follow him on X @GilesKristian and Facebook/Giles Kristian

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Coming on 15 June 2024: Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Out Now! Women of the Anarchy

Two cousins. On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

*

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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

*

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS.

Book Corner: Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? by Danielle Burton

Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

The Woodville family are synonymous with the Wars of the Roses. While much has been published on the family as a whole, especially Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV, Anthony Woodville – the favourite sibling of Elizabeth – has been largely overlooked by history. He is famed for his arrest and execution in June 1483, but there is much more to learn from his life. Woodville was a man with an important cultural role. He was a knight, had a successful jousting career, and worked with the printing pioneer William Caxton. He was the printer’s only long-lasting patron in England and acted as translator for him, using the books printed by Caxton to educate Edward, Prince of Wales, the future Edward V.

This book seeks to bring Anthony Woodville out of the shadows of history, giving him the recognition he deserves and challenging the negative perceptions around him by investigating his personality and personal achievements in military, diplomatic and literary capacities.

I have always had the impression that Anthony Woodville would have stood out in any period of history. A Renaissance man, he championed the arts, patronised the printing press, was a renowned jouster and so well respected by his king that he was entrusted with the education and upbringing of the Prince of Wales – the future King Edward V.

I do think Woodville would have stood out in any generation, but it didn’t hurt that his sister was Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of England.

Anthony Woodville, as the queen’s brother, was at the centre of events during the reign of Edward IV. He accompanied his brother-in-law into exile when Henry VI briefly reclaimed the throne in 1470-71. He appeared in tournaments to celebrate the marriage of the king’s sister, Margaret, to the future duke of Burgundy. He was a poet and writer and was a patron of William Caxton, the man who brought the printing press to England. Caxton printed and published Woodville’s English translation of The Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers. So why is there not a larger body of work on him?

Danielle Burton has rectified this omission with her fascinating, in-depth study, Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? She delves deep into Woodville’s life, family, loves and career.

The Woodville family are often viewed as grasping and power hungry. This is true of some of the family members, particularly Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset, who was the eldest son of Anthony’s sister Elizabeth by her first marriage to John Grey. However, Anthony, while of course benefitting from the advancement of his sister to the status of queen, notably avoided meddling wherever possible. His interests in piety, tutoring Edward, the Prince of Wales, jousting, and translating books let him play a background role in the Wars of the Roses.

While Anthony Woodville may have been a secondary figure in political terms, it is clear that he had a significant part in transforming English culture, especially through his patronage of William Caxton, as well as his tutelage of Edward. Prince of Wales, who resided at Ludlow Castle for around ten years. According to Dominic Mancini, and Italian visitor who stayed in England between late summer 1482 and July 1483, Anthony Woodville was ‘always considered a kind, serious and just man’ who was ‘tested by every vicissitude of life.’ It was for this reason that he had been entrusted with the ‘care and direction’ of the prince. Further to Mancini’s description of Anthony, he purposefully contrasts his character with that of other Woodvilles, who were ‘detested by the nobles.’ There is a certain amount of truth in this, for unlike some other family members Anthony preferred to stay away from court life, favouring more academic and religious pursuits.

As a debut work, Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? is very impressive. It is clear that Danielle Burton has done her research, thoroughly, using primary sources where possible. She uses her extensive knowledge of Anthony Woodville to suggest reasons for his actions and to fill in the gaps of our knowledge, clearly indicating her theories and supporting arguments. There are some minor errors, which other reviewers have highlighted, but nothing that changes the thrust of the arguments nor detracts from the enjoyment of reading. They certainly do not devalue the biography as a whole and are more a sign of the writer’s inexperience of the editing process. I certainly would not expect it to put a reader off.

I suspect Anthony Woodville is Danielle’s historical crush, but this adds to the passion in her retelling of his story. We all fall in love with our subjects, just a little bit. You cannot spend years studying a person without doing so.

Danielle Burton’s arguments are balanced and do not present Anthony Woodville and some flawless super hero. Rather, he is an accomplished knight who had his flaws and would often look to his own advantage. Who wouldn’t? He was, however, loyal to Edward IV and his nephew, Edward V. And, having been the younger Edward’s guardian since his early years, was probably a great influence on the teenage king. This would Explain why Richard, Duke of Gloucester – the future Richard III – saw him as a threat. In Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? Danielle looks into the events of 1483 in great detail, examining the relationship between Richard and Anthony and analysing what went wrong and why. Anthony Woodville’s execution at Pontefract Castle is a tragic consequence of the power struggle that followed the death of Edward IV and accession of Anthony’s charge, Edward V.

All in all, Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? by Danielle Burton is a much-needed addition to the study of the Wars of the Roses, highlighting a man of great influence who is often overlooked in favour of his royal contemporaries. It is an impressive piece of work.

Listen to: Danielle Burton talking about Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? with myself and Derek Birks on our podcast, on A Slice of Medieval.

To Buy the Book: Anthony Woodville, Sophisticate or Schemer? is available from Amazon or direct from Amberly Publishing.

About the Author: Danielle Burton has had a keen interest in the Wars of the Roses from a young age, including being a member of the Richard III Society since the age of 9. She has presented aspects of her research into the life of Anthony Woodville at various academic conferences, and works in the heritage sector.

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My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Out Now! Women of the Anarchy

Two cousins. On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Coming on 15 June 2024: Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and Elizabeth Chadwick, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

*

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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

*

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS 

Book Corner: Two Queenly Biographies from Joanna Arman

Sharon Bennett Connolly2 Comments

I am very fond of Joanna Arman as an author. She has a habit of bringing often-forgotten or ignored – or maligned – women to the fore and reassessing their role in history. Her biography of Æthelflæd, The Warrior Queen: The Life and Legend of Æthelflæd, Daughter of Alfred the Great, was an engaging and illuminating book, despite the challenges of writing about a woman who lived over a thousand years ago. Writing about any woman in history is challenging. Women are rarely mentioned in the chronicles. And when they are, contemporary sources are rarely balanced and often trying to advance a moral judgement of how women fell below the standard expected of them in their society. Which is why we need reappraisals of significant historic women, books which reassess their stories and apply the filter against the casual misogyny that women have suffered from throughout the centuries. Joanna Arman has set out to do that with books about two very different queens consort of England; Matilda of Scotland and Margaret of Anjou.

Matilda II: The Forgotten Queen

The wife of King Henry I and the mother of the Empress Maud is a woman and a Queen forgotten to history. She is frequently conflated with her daughter or her mother-in-law. She was born the daughter of the King of Scotland and an Anglo-Saxon princess. Her name was Edith, but her name was changed to Matilda at the time of her marriage. The Queen who united the line of William the Conqueror with the House of Wessex lived during an age marked by transition and turbulence. She married Henry in the first year of the 12th century and for the eighteen years of her rule aided him in reforming the administrative and legal system due to her knowledge of languages and legal tradition. Together she and her husband founded a series of churches and arranged a marriage for their daughter to the Holy Roman Emperor. Matilda was a woman of letters to corresponded with Kings, Popes, and prelates, and was respected by them all. Matilda’s greatest legacy was continuity: she united two dynasties and gave the Angevin Kings the legitimacy they needed so much. It was through her that the Empress Matilda and Henry II were able to claim the throne. She was the progenitor of the Plantagenet Kings, but the war and conflict which followed the death of her son William led to a negative stereotyping by Medieval Chroniclers. Although they saw her as pious, they said she was a runaway nun and her marriage to Henry was cursed. This book provides a much-needed re-evaluation of Edith/Matilda’s role and place in the history of the Queens of England.

Now, this is a book I have been waiting for!

And it is a book that has needed to be written for a long time. How useful it would have been when I was writing my own book, Women of the Anarchy. A complete biography of Matilda of Scotland – also referred to as Matilda II to distinguish her from her predecessor, Matilda of Flanders. As the wife of Henry I of England Matilda of Scotland is a woman often neglected and overlooked by historians. And yet, Queen Matilda was a truly remarkable queen and one who was well respected during her lifetime. Born as the eldest daughter of Malcolm III Canmore, King of Scots, and his saintly wife, Margaret of Wessex, and given the name Edith at birth, her name was changed to the more Norman name, Matilda, on her marriage to Henry I.

Joanna Arman expertly guides us through Queen Matilda’s life, from her childhood in a convent, supervised by her mother’s sister, Christina, through the various suitors who came calling to the controversy over her marriage to King Henry. Matilda II: The Forgotten Queen delves deep into the investigation into whether or not Matilda had ever been professed as a nun and presents the evidence and arguments for both sides. It is a fascinating study.

Queen Matilda’s role, as a queen, wife and mother, is examined in great detail, demonstrating her influence, both on her family and on England and Normandy. Matilda’s piety is shown as an anchoring force throughout her life, influencing the way she approaches problems and relationships. The queen is shown to be a deeply devout, kind and benevolent woman, with a strong sense of purpose and destiny.

Matilda II: The Forgotten Queen covers every aspect of the queen’s life, drawing on chronicles and charters to present what we know in a clear, engaging narrative that brings this often-overlooked queen to life. The book is accompanied by extensive notation and a through bibliography – I was flattered to discover my own book, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey, cited as a refence. It is an excellent biography, thoroughly researched and beautifully presented. I loved reading every word.

To buy Matilda II: The Forgotten Queen: Amazon

Margaret of Anjou: She-Wolf of France, Twice Queen of England

In 1445 a fifteen-year-old French girl left her homeland to marry the son of the great warrior Henry V. Sixteen years later, her husband had lost his throne and she had fled into exile. For a decade, she struggled to reclaim the throne of England before her final and shattering defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury. It marked the final destruction of the House of Lancaster by Yorkist King Edward IV and his brothers. Margaret lost more than her family: she was also vilified. Shakespeare cast her as a sadistic killer who murdered the noble Richard, Duke of York. History cast her as a manipulative seductress whose destructive ambition was a major cause of the Wars of the Roses. Margaret of Anjou remains one of the most notorious consorts in medieval history, the queen we love to hate. But is her reputation deserved, or was she simply caught between the machinations and rivalries of powerful men? By examining Margaret’s life and actions in detail, this biography reveals a new side to the last foreign-born queen of medieval England. Margaret came from a family of strong women. Faced with hardship in the first years of her marriage, Margaret’s choices arose from a conviction that it was natural for a woman to take control in the absence of male leadership. A wealth of records have been left behind, allowing historians to investigate Margaret’s career as a beloved wife and, later, as the leader of a political faction struggling to secure the crown for her family. If the course of history had run differently, would she instead be considered a heroic warrior queen today – perhaps even England’s Joan of Arc?

At last! A balanced, objective biography of Margaret of Anjou that does not just regurgitate the ‘she-wolf’ trope (despite it being in the title).Peeling away the centuries of misogyny, Joanna Arman takes a new look at the historical record and presents a version of Margaret of Anjou, the long-suffering wife of the mentally-fragile king, Henry VI, that is much closer to the living, breathing woman she was. This does not mean that Margaret’s actions are excused away, that she is suddenly assessed as a saint. Rather, Joanna Arman presents Margaret of Anjou’s actions against the backdrop of the times; the challenges she was facing, and the actions she had to take in order to preserve her husband’s crown and her son’s inheritance.

Margaret is presented as a human being, prone to making mistakes just like the rest of us. She is also a woman, challenged with holding her own in a man’s world – and in a time of war. Joanna Arman presents the complete queen; a woman, a wife, a mother. And a leading protagonist in the Wars of the Roses. The book is a fascinating analysis of this influential queen, of her life, decisions and struggles that eventually led to her losing everything; her son, her husband and her crown.

Told with empathy, balance and passion, I defy anyone to not feel moved and invigorated by this fascinating study of a woman who had fought hard to hold on to everything, but lost it all. Faced with her husband’s mental illness and military ineptitude, Margaret tried to fill the void, to be king and queen. The male dominated society of 15th century England would not permit it. One wonders what Margaret might have achieved had she been allowed to take the reins of government. Her deadly rivalry with Richard, Duke of York, however, meant court factions would always manoeuvre against her, even after York’s death at Wakefield.

Joanna Arman has taken great care to ensure that Margaret of Anjou: She-Wolf of France, Twice Queen of England, is a biography of the queen. It is not a Lancastrian whitewash, nor a Yorkist hate-filled pamphlet. Margaret of Anjou is the centre of attention, the woman held out for appraisal, for assessment, for praise and criticism. That it is at once balanced, critical and empathetic is testament to Joanna Arman’s skill as the queen’s biographer.

To buy Margaret of Anjou: She-Wolf of France, Twice Queen of England: Amazon

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My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Out Now! Women of the Anarchy

Two cousins. On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Coming on 15 June 2024: Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and Elizabeth Chadwick, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

*

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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

*

©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: Their Castilian Orphan by Anna Belfrage

Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

It is 1294 and Eustace de Lamont is back in England after five years in exile. He will stop at nothing to ruin Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor d’Outremer.

Robert’s half brother, Eustace de Lamont, has not mellowed during his absence. He is more ruthless than ever, and this time he targets Robert’s and Noor’s foster son, Lionel.

Lionel is serving King Edward as a page when Eustace appears at court. Not only does Lionel become the horrified witness to Eustace’s violent streak, Eustace also starts voicing his suspicions about Lionel’s parentage. The truth about Lionel’s heritage is explosive—should King Edward find out, all would be lost for Robert and Noor.

In October of 1294, Wales rises in rebellion. Robert must leave his family unprotected to fight the Welsh rebels on the king’s behalf, comforted only by the fact that Eustace too is called to fight.

Except that Eustace has no intention of allowing his duty to his king—or a mere rebellion—come between him and his desire to destroy Robert FitzStephan . . .

Bring tissues!

Whenever I hear there is a new Anna Belfrage novel coming, I know I am in for an emotional ride.

Anna Belfrage is back with the fourth and final instalment of her The Castilian Saga series, Their Castilian Orphan, and it is another tearjerker. Action-packed, Their Castilian Orphan has a riveting storyline set in England in the 1290s and Edward I’s campaign into Wales.

The two heroes, Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor d’Outremer, great-niece of Queen Eleanor of Castile, are faced with the dangers inherent in serving the king on campaign whilst having to fend off the nefarious machinations of Robert’s hate-filled half-brother Eustace de Lamont. And the spite of Eustace’s impressionable young wife. But Robert is not Eustace’s only target and he misses no opportunity to make life uncomfortable for their foster son, Lionel, who is beginning to suspect that his past is not the one he has been told…

Robert and Noor have certainly had their ups and downs. It has not been easy, serving Edward I and his formidable queen, Eleanor of Castile. They have their scars, both mental and physical. Robert has also had to deal with the stigma of illegitimacy and the malice of his jealous brother. Eustace might be legitimate, and a baron, but Robert is the better soldier who has earned the respect of his peers because of his abilities. That irks Eustace – especially when everyone is keen to compare the brothers and find Eustace wanting.

Intrigue, sibling rivalry and war, combined with Anna Belfrage’s engaging writing style means that Their Castilian Orphan has all the ingredients for an absolutely fabulous reading adventure.

He was halfway down the long flight of stairs leading to the hall when he heard someone call his name.

“Lionel!”

Mama came flying towards him, and moments later he was enveloped in her arms, his face squished against her bosom. She released him and clasped him by the shoulders. “Look at you – you’ve grown! You’re so tall!”

Nay, he wasn’t, but Mama was short. If he stood on his toes, the top of his head reached her brow.

“Lionel, lad.” Papa greeted him as effusively as Mama had done.

“How is your back?” Mama asked.

Lionel groaned. “It was nothing.” Of course, Roger Mortimer had to tell them!

“You did not send us word,” Mama said, her mouth wobbling for an instant. “We didn’t know, were not offered the opportunity to care for you.”

Lionel shuffled on his feet. “I…” A movement on the far side of the bailey offered an opportunity to change the subject. “Eustace de Lamont id back!” he blurted, pointing at the man in question.

“Aye, we know,” Papa said, sounding grim.

“I saw him -“

“Hush,” Papa said firmly. “We talk of such matters when we are alone.”

“He has wed,” Lionel said, pulling a face. “Soaking Sally says she may be comely but has the personality of an aggravated viper.”

“Well, they should suit, then,” Mama said. “Hopefully they bite each other to death.”

Lionel blinked. Never had he heard Mama sound so vicious. And then he saw how Papa settled his arm round her, whispering something in her ear, and her stance softened.

Lionel moved closer to her. Of course. Mama was afraid. With Eustace de Lamont back, she feared for her husband. Last time had left Papa with a nasty scar to his thigh and a slight limp. Next time… No, there could not be a next time because Mama was right: Eustace de Lamont was a serpent in human disguise.

Five years of exile and dire warnings from the king to stay away from Robert and his family fall on deaf ears when Eustace returns from his exile. With Robert drawn into Edward I’s wars, this time in Wales, and their foster son, Lionel, in service to the king as a page, the family are once again at the heart of events. And a focus for Eustace’s murderous intentions. He is determined to destroy Robert and take all that he has. And he knows how to strike at their heart, by targeting Lionel and the young man’s Welsh lineage, making Lionel question his place in is family.

Their Castilian Orphan interweaves the fictional story with the historical fact, transporting the reader to the last decade of the 13th century, to an aging king, duped by the French, with peace at home threatened by the Welsh, who are chafing against the harsh English yoke.

I love the way Anna Belfrage melds the domestic lives and worries of Robert and Noor with the concerns of England as a nation. Life and duty are inseparable. Anna makes you love her characters, draws you into their lives, makes you a part or their family.

Engaging, absorbing, fascinating, exciting. And emotional. Anna Belfrage will take the reader through the full range of emotions before they get to the end of the book.

To buy the book:

Their Castilian Orphan is now available from Amazon

About the author:

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a professional time-traveller. No luck there, so instead she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests; history and writing. These days, Anna combines an exciting day-job with a large family and her writing endeavours. Plus she always finds the time to try out new recipes, chase down obscure rose bushes and initiate a home renovation scheme or two.

Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga , set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy.

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. Her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty and love set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales in the late 13th century.

Her most recent release, The Whirlpools of Time , is a time travel romance set against the backdrop of brewing rebellion in the Scottish highlands.

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of several Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

If you want to know more about Anna, why not visit her website, https://www.annabelfrage.com

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My Books:

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Out Now! Women of the Anarchy

Two cousins. On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Coming on 15 June 2024: Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. It is is available from King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. 

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell and Elizabeth Chadwick, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

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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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

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©2024 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS

Book Corner: The Heathen Horde by Steven A. McKay

Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Northumbria, AD 864. Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come.

Mercia, AD 868. Alfred, son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last.

A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron.

One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great.

A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings.

Wow! Riveting start to what promises to be an excellent series. The Heathen Horde is a fabulous, gritty and entertaining story of how Alfred the Great became ‘Great.’

However…

I have to admit to a little trepidation when I started reading The Heathen Horde. Bernard Cornwell did such a fantastic job of recreating the period in his Last Kingdom series that I was not sure I was ready for another writer’s perspective. I was worried I would not warm to Steven A McKay’s version of the story.

How wrong I was!

And I am so happy that I gave it a go.

‘Look out, Alfred!’

The rider heard his brother’s warning just in time to raise his shield and the linden boards took the brunt of the axe which had been heading for his head, splinters flying as the wood shuddered, pain lancing through his arm. Baring his teeth in rage, Alfred swung his sword down, catching his attacker’s hand just as the axe had been about to strike again. There was a scream of pain as fingers were shorn through to the bone and then Alfred’s horse was past and cantering away from the battle.

‘Back,’ he grunted, tugging on the reins and bringing the horse around quickly. His heart was thudding in his chest and he felt light-headed but it was almost a joyful sensation. He was afraid, aye, but he was also excited, and eager to get back to the fight. He could see the axeman who’d tried to kill him, grimacing and eyeing his mangled hand as if he feared he might never hold a weapon properly again.

Alfred was charging back into the fight before he knew it, battle fever overtaking him at the realisation that he’d almost had his skull caved in. He headed straight for the axeman. The man had transferred his weapon to his left hand but could only wield it awkwardly and his wide eyes told of his fear at being forced to fight in such a manner. Alfred’s horse came alongside the Dane’s and, screaming an incoherent battle-cry, the young warrior smashed the edge of his blade into the enemy’s neck. The sheer force of the blow was enough to throw the man off his horse’s back despite the Dane’s long, mail neck guard. He lay on the ground, unmoving, as his mount bolted and the pounding hooves of the other combatants’ animals swirled around him.

Alfred grinned savagely, knowing that, if the Dane had somehow survived the attack and the fall, he wouldn’t last long before the weight of a horse crushed the life from him.

God be praised, one less sea-wolf to ravage Anglo-Saxon lands!

Admittedly, for the first 20 pages or so, I regularly found myself comparing Steven’s version of King Alfred to Bernard’s version. But I soon left The Last Kingdom behind and found myself enjoying The Heathen Horde for the fascinating story it is in its own right. Soon, I didn’t even notice Uhtred’s absence.

I love this version of King Alfred. His piety is evident, but not as all-consuming as Bernard Cornwell’s Alfred. His military and political prowess both play a greater role in the story. I even liked Alfred’s wife, Ælswith. The Heathen Horde starts when Alfred is merely a younger brother, not expecting to ever take the throne himself, serving his brother loyally and learning the art of war and politics. We see him grown into the role of military leader and develop his concept of a united kingdom – of England.

The story is rich in detail and brings the characters to life. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

It ends tooooo soon! I need to know what happens next – now! 

The Heathen Horde is one of those books that you can’t wait to need to finish but want it never to end. It is unputdownable! I highly recommend you give it a go.

About the Author:

Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977. He is the author of two previous series of historical fiction, following Robin Hood and the warrior-druid Bellicus in post-Roman Britain. He plays the guitar, is the co-host of historical adventure podcast Rock, Paper, Swords! along with author Matthew Harffy, and lives just outside Glasgow with his wife and children.

To Buy the book: The Heathen Horde by Steven A. McKay is now available form Amazon.

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.

Out now: King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye

In a time when men fought and women stayed home, Nicholaa de la Haye held Lincoln Castle against all-comers, gaining prominence in the First Baron’s War, the civil war that followed the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215. A truly remarkable lady, Nicholaa was the first woman to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Her strength and tenacity saved England at one of the lowest points in its history. Nicholaa de la Haye is one woman in English history whose story needs to be told…

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is now available from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Coming 15 January 2024: Women of the Anarchy

On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Both women are granddaughters of St Margaret, Queen of Scotland and descendants of Alfred the Great of Wessex. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, of the successes and failures of one of the most powerful families in England, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey is now available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org.

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword,  Amazon, and Bookshop.org.

Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org.

Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

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 Bernard Cornwell, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.

*

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.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter and Instagram.

©2023 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS