Judith Arnopp

Peaceweaver Judith Arnopp

Eadgyth Ælfgarsottir's story begins when she is sold into marriage to Gruffydd ap Llewellyn, King of the Welsh; a man old enough to be her grandfather. At Rhuddlan she discovers both friendship and romance, but from a man who is not her husband. Ultimately she finds herself accused of treason, fornication and incest until a surprise night attack destroys Gruffydd's palace and Eadgyth is captured by the Saxons. After the betrayal and murder of Gruffydd, Eadgyth, separated from her sons, is taken to the court of Edward the Confessor. There, desperate to be reunited with her children, she befriends the queen and her feminine charms enable her to infiltrate the sticky intrigues of the Godwin family. An unexpected proposal of marriage from Earl Harold provides the opportunity she requires and, on his accession to the throne, she agrees to become his queen. However, her security is threatened as William the Bastard assembles his fleet in the south and Harald Hardrada prepares to invade from the North. The portentous date of October 14th 1066 looms. Eadgyth tells a tale of loss, betrayal, passion and war and highlights the plight of women, tossed in the tumultuous sea of feuding Anglo Saxon Britain. Chapters can be viewed on the youwriteon.com website.