Shortlisted for the 2014 RONA Romantic Novel of the Year Awards – Historical Romantic Novel Category 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. This is an adventure story of love, loss, survival and reconciliation. Based on the historical story of Edith Swan-Neck, The Handfasted Wife tells the story of 1066 from the perspective of the royal women.”
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Wonderful’ look back into history
Loved this women centric, medieval story. I plan to read the other two in this trilogy.
Love this historical era of early England. This book portraits it perfectly.
This book gives a very good picture of England just at the time of the Norman invasion. It is written from the view point of the women who were wives, mothers and daughters of the historical figures of the time. A lot of the storyline is based on historical facts and also a good imagination for what could have taken place. I enjoyed the history and social issues of the day. It was a time of marriage being for power, gain of wealth or politics, but rarely for love. A time not depicted in fiction as often. I loved the perspective taken.
Well written historical fiction about an era not very well known
Although a novel Handfasted Wife had some historical facts which I enjoy reading about.
A great historical fiction tied to actual events and real people. A great look at noble life and traditions in 1100 England.
I learned about English history before the Battle of Hastings. I found it fascinating that King Harold put his wife aside so he could marry someone else, even though his first wife bore him six children. I learned that “handfasted” means a marriage not sanctioned by the church, but King Harold was legally married.
Great historical fiction.
I read this book last year. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to people!