"...dramatically gripping novel...A captivating account of the lives of extraordinary women in perilous times." —Kirkus
Seventh century Northumbria, the damp kingdom north of the River Humber, is a land dominated by ambitious kings and conflicting gods struggling for dominance.
Four royal women using their wits and charm guide the warring kingdoms into the new Christian age. Queen Ethelberga encourages Edwin of Northumbria to convert to Christianity. Abbess Hild becomes the most powerful female church leader in Northumbria and sponsors the great Synod of Whitby at her abbey. Princess Enfleda weds King Oswy of Northumbria and supports the young church. Her daughter, the Abbess Elfleda, brings together one united Church in Northumbria.
If you enjoy books by Jayne Castel, you will enjoy reading about these royal women in Northumbria
Sandra writes historical fiction. Her latest book, "Ambition, Arrogance & Pride" focuses on 18th century Salem MA. Sandra also blogs about history, travel, and other topics that catch her attention. For more information about Sandra, visit her website https://www.sandrawagnerwright.com
The churchmen gather for the synod. Supporting the Columbian church are Abbot Colman of Lindesfarne, Bishop Oswald, & Abbess Hildegard who is present but, as a woman, is not allowed to speak. Bishop Agilbert leads the Roman party. With him is Wilfrid, a man Hildeburg doesn't trust. He came to the queen to get a position at Lindesfarne. Then he said he needed more knowledge, so the queen sponsored his journey to Rome. When he returned, he told Hildegard the Roman rites were more correct, and he would prove it. Now he is at the synod, a friend of Oswy's son Alhfrith. Hildeburg worries Wilfrid's argument will be far too clever for Abbot Colman to counter. Why has he come, she wonders. What does he want?
Book Excerpt
Saxon Heroines
Wilfrid is also in the party. I don’t trust him. As a lad, he appealed to Queen Enfleda because he wanted to go to Lindisfarne. No sooner was he praised for his humility and studious demeanor then he asked the queen to sponsor his trip to Rome. He went for vanity, and returned convinced of the Roman way. I think he found it more compatible with his love of status and pageantry. He quickly ingratiated himself with Alhfrith, and together, these two young men gathered enough support to push King Oswy into declaring this sham of asynod.
Comment on this Bubble
Your comment and a link to this bubble will also appear in your Facebook feed.