by Edoardo Albert (Author)
Debut historical fiction series vividly recreating the rise of the Christian kings of Nothumbria, England
In 604 AD, Edwin, the deposed king of Northumbria, seeks refuge at the court of King Raedwald of East Anglia. But Raedwald is urged to kill his guest by Aethelfrith, Edwin's usurper. As Edwin walks by the shore, alone and at bay, he is confronted by a mysterious figure--the missionary Paulinus-- who prophesies that he will ascend to greater heights than any of his forefathers.
Through battles and astute political alliances Edwin rises to power, in the process marrying the Kentish princess Aethelburh. As part of the marriage contract the princess is allowed to retain her Christian faith. But, in these times, to be a king is not a recipe for a long life.
This turbulent and tormented period in British history sees the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon settlers who have forced their way on to British shores over previous centuries, arriving first to pillage, then to farm and trade--and to come to terms with the faith of the Celtic tribes they have driven out.
The dramatic story of Northumbria's Christian kings helped give birth to England as a nation, English as a language, and the adoption of Christianity as the faith of the English.
Back Jacket
Edwin is a king. Yet he is about to be betrayed and butchered. Edwin, the long-exiled king of Northumbria thought he had found sanctuary at the court of King Raedwald - his friend, and now protector. But Raedwald faces the lure of riches and the treat of bloodshed, and Ewin fears that he will be abandoned to his enemies. As Edwin contemplates his fate, a mysterious messenger prophesies that he will ascend to greater heights than any of his forefathers. Can Edwin escape the fearsome warrior king who is calling for his blood? Do the Anglo-Saxon Gods of old, or the new god from across the sea, really have the power to raise Edwin above all other kings?
Author Biography
Edoardo Albert is a copywriter, editor and writer of short stories, features and books. His stories have appeared in Daily Science Fiction and Ancient Paths, and he has written features for Time Out, TGO and History today. He was the editor of the Time Out Cycle London Guide. He is the author of Northumbria: a lost Kingdom (History Press), The Northumbrian Thrones series (Lion Fiction), and London: A Spiritual History (Lion Books).