The Handfasted Wife by Carol Mcgrath
‘Moving, and vastly informative, a real page turner of a historical novel.’ Fay Weldon The Handfasted Wife is the story of the Norman Conquest from the perspective of Edith (Elditha) Swanneck, Harold’s common-law wife. She is set aside for a political marriage when Harold becomes king in 1066. Determined to protect her children’s destinies and control her economic future, she is taken to William’s camp when her estate is sacked on the eve of the Battle of Hastings. She later identifies Harold’s body on the battlefield and her youngest son becomes a Norman hostage. Elditha avoids an arranged marriage with a Breton knight by which her son might or might not be given into his care. She makes her own choice and sets out through strife-torn England to seek help from her sons in Dublin. However, events again overtake her. Harold’s mother, Gytha, holds up in her city of Exeter with other aristocratic women, including Elditha’s eldest daughter. The girl is at risk, drawing Elditha back to Exeter and resistance. Initially supported by Exeter’s burghers the women withstand William’s siege. However, after three horrific weeks they negotiate exile and the removal of their treasure. Elditha takes sanctuary in a convent where eventually she is reunited with her hostage son. This is an adventure story of love, loss, survival and reconciliation.
This is an era and a family that I can't get enough of reading and the author surely did them justice.. Carol McGrath has done impeccable research and is so very knowledgeable on these troubled times -- Kathleen Ingram, Reading the Ages
McGrath's research into the medieval quotidian is superb, and beautifully translated into a pastoral fiction in the tradition of Hardy * Historical Novel Society *
Moving, and vastly informative, a real page turner of a historical novel -- Fay Weldon
McGrath's research into the medieval quotidian is superb, and beautifully translated into a pastoral fiction in the tradition of Hardy * Historical Novel Society *
Moving, and vastly informative, a real page turner of a historical novel -- Fay Weldon
Carol McGrath is the author of the acclaimed She-Wolves Trilogy, which began with the hugely successful The Silken Rose and continues with the brand new The Damask Rose. Born in Northern Ireland, she fell in love with historical fiction at a young age, when exploring local castles, such as Carrickfergus, and nearby archaeological digs - and discovering some ancient bones herself. While completing a degree in history, she became fascinated by the strong women who were silenced in record, and was inspired to start exploring their lives. Her first novel, The Handfasted Wife, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Awards, and Mistress Cromwell was widely praised as a timely feminist retelling of Tudor court life. Her novels are known for their intricacy, depth of research and powerful stories. For more news, exclusive content and competitions, sign up to Carol's newsletter at: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk Follow her on Facebook: /CarolMcGrathAuthor1 And Twitter: @CarolMcGrath
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781909520479 |
| ISBN 10 | 1909520470 |
| Title | The Handfasted Wife |
| Author | Carol Mcgrath |
| Series | The Daughters Of Hastings Trilogy |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Headline Publishing Group |
| Year published | 2013-05-09 |
| Number of pages | 344 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |