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.”
more
Elidith was handfasted to Harold, her 3rd cousin. Handfasted marriages were not recognized by the church at the time. They had a loving marriage and 7 children. In 1056, the King dies and bequests his kingdom to Harold, who for political reasons, puts aside his marriage to Elidith in order to marry another. Harold fights with William The Bastard for the kingdom and ultimately loses his life, allowing Wiilliam The Bastard to take over England. Elidith’s 3 eldest sons are in Ireland to learn to be soldiers. The oldest was to be heir to the kingdom of England. Elidith’s daughters go off to live with relatives to become fine educated ladies. One child dies young and the youngest child, a son, Ulf stays with his mother until taken hostage by William The Bastard at age 6 and raised to manhood. Story covers Elidith as she escapes arranged marriage. Very easy to read. Interesting.
This was the story of Harold’s first wife, Edith, who was handfasted to him. Since they hadn’t married in the church he was able to cast her aside when he was chosen as king of England. After Harold is slain in battle, Edith must protect her children and her lands during the bloody Norman conquest. The details of life in England during the high middle ages are brilliantly brought to life.
enjoyable read
I picked up this book intentionally because, though I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, I had never read any about William the Conquerer. Though William is a peripheral character in this novel, his shadow obviously hangs over the book since it covers the years surrounding the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
This novel focuses on Edith, the handfasted (married but not by Christian clergy) wife of Harold Godwin who was briefly king of England after the death of Edward the Confessor.
Edith’s relationship with him, their children, and their collective fates are portrayed through a pro-Anglo Saxon, anti-Norman lens. And that was interesting to me since so much of England’s history is so often pro-Norman.
On the other hand, there are places where I was bored by tedious detail about the everyday lives of the time period. I’m sure this kind of detail about meals, travel, clothing, and customs would be gobbled up by some. But it detracted from the enjoyment of the read for me. I will however likely read McGrath’s two sequels to this novel — so I can learn more about the Norman conquest.
A beautifully spun historical yarn with multiple layers of fact interwoven with just enough fictional adornment to produce an utterly engrossing story.
Handfasted Wife is the script equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry. It depicts one of the most momentous happenings in British history: the brutal and bloody clash of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman worlds. Harold’s defeat at Hastings marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. Within that rift in the flow of history sits the story of Harold’s handfasted (today: common law) wife, Edith Swanneck. Her personal strife to preserve her pride and her family is compellingly conveyed. McGrath looks at the rapidly unfolding events through Edith’s eyes and responds to them through her actions and ingenious political manoeuvres. Edith comes across as a strong, intelligent and pragmatic woman who nevertheless is possessed of great passion for both her children and her husband. She understands and accepts the demands history places on them and at the same time fights for what she considers to be rightfully theirs. She makes great sacrifices and remains steadfast andfaithful to a husband-king who is obliged to reject her in the name of vital political alliances.
McGrath paints a vivid picture of the political intrigue immediately prior to the Norman invasion and thereafter. The cruelty of the victors, their savagery and greed are powerfully conveyed. The conquered nation is also shown are diverse and multi-dimensional: there are traitors aplenty as there are the most devoted servants, loyal to the bitter end. Women in particular hold the centre stage in this fantastic tale. History told from their perspective is no less exciting than its masculine version, but it is much more intimate and intricate.
I loved The Handfasted Wife and will read the rest of the trilogy. I would recommend it to anyone wishing to be swept away in the currents of history populated by living, breathing characters fighting for survival, power and dignity.
Very interesting tale of Edith Swanneck, wife of King Harold, who ruled England when William the Conqueror invaded. Very descriptive, compelling and a true struggle for survival, both herself and her family.
Fantastic female perspective on the Norman conquest of 1066. Touches on possible credible “authors” of the Bayeux Tapestry.
I enjoy historical fiction. This book didn’t dissappoint.
This is a grand combination of historical facts and persons, with a fictionalized story line of what might have transpired. Medieval woman’s histories are mostly undocumented or lost to time, the author gives a plausible plot to what happened to the characters after the Battle of Hastings. The book is one of three but each in the series can be read as a stand alone book.
I learned a lot about life during this period of history – the Norman invasion of England of 1066. The role of the women is emphasised. Were they really this emancipated? Some of the prose is a bit clunky, but I enjoyed this book enough to go on to read the other two in the trilogy – unusual for me because I usually get bored before book #3.
The history behind this novel is intriguing. I was less satisfied with the speculation about events and relationships.
This was an interesting read and believable.
Interesting historical novel. An insight into the destructive path of war and the fate of the women left in its wake.
The history was new to me and very interesting.
Interesting view from “the other side” of the Norman Conquest
It was very interesting. However I think the author got a little long-winded and repetitive. I think the editors could have helped to trim some
Brings the rich amazing art of the Bayeux tapestry to life, the fascinating cultures of the Saxons and the Normans. I found the details of 11th c life well researched and presented in this absorbing story.
good read
Expeced a more thorough treatment of characters within historical period. Too much emphasis on individuals without historical context
I enjoyed the book because it put a different twist on facts. A riveting read, page turner. I stayed up too long each night reading and while at work, couldn’t wait to get home to begin reading again. I recommend this book to read in between the time until the next season of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon begins.