{"product_id":"the-handfasted-wife-9781786157324","title":"The Handfasted Wife","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Moving, and vastly informative, a real page turner of a historical novel' FAY WELDON\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe\u003cb\u003e first instalment\u003c\/b\u003e in Carol McGrath's captivating \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Daughters of Hastings\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003etrilogy! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'This novel is \u003cb\u003ea marvellous mixture of historical fact and imagination\u003c\/b\u003e... I would heartily recommend this \u003cb\u003edelightful \u003c\/b\u003enovel. I couldn't put it down' \u003cb\u003e5* Reader review\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'This is a \u003cb\u003ebeautifully crafted\u003c\/b\u003e book which has been \u003cb\u003emeticulously researched\u003c\/b\u003e' \u003cb\u003e5* Reader review\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Fiction and history\u003c\/b\u003e are \u003cb\u003ewoven together almost seamlessly\u003c\/b\u003e' \u003cb\u003e5* Reader review\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'I found it an\u003cb\u003e engaging book \u003c\/b\u003eand I wanted to keep reading' \u003cb\u003e5* Reader review\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'A real \u003cb\u003epage turner\u003c\/b\u003e thanks to \u003cb\u003egreat characterisation\u003c\/b\u003e' \u003cb\u003e5* Reader review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e_____________________________ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn adventure story of love, loss, survival and reconciliation . . .\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eElditha avoids an arranged marriage with a Breton knight by which her son might or might not be given into his care. She makes her own choice and sets out through strife-torn England to seek help from her sons in Dublin. However, events again overtake her. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHarold's mother, Gytha, holds up in her city of Exeter with other aristocratic women, including Elditha's eldest daughter. The girl is at risk, drawing Elditha back to Exeter and resistance. Initially supported by Exeter's burghers the women withstand William's siege. However, after three horrific weeks they negotiate exile and the removal of their treasure. Elditha takes sanctuary in a convent where eventually she is reunited with her hostage son. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLove the novels of Carol McGrath? Don't miss \u003ci\u003eTHE SILKEN ROSE\u003c\/i\u003e, starring one of the most fierce and courageous forgotten queens of England!\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAND COMING IN \u003cb\u003eAPRIL 2022: \u003c\/b\u003eDISCOVER \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTHE STONE ROSE\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e: THE \u003cb\u003eSUMPTUOUS \u003c\/b\u003eAND \u003cb\u003eGRIPPING\u003c\/b\u003e NEW NOVEL FROM CAROL McGRATH \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eAVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW\u003c\/b\u003e!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarol McGrath is the author of the acclaimed \u003ci\u003eShe-Wolves Trilogy\u003c\/i\u003e, which began with the hugely successful \u003ci\u003eThe Silken Rose\u003c\/i\u003e and continues with the brand new \u003ci\u003eThe Damask Rose\u003c\/i\u003e. Born in Northern Ireland, she fell in love with historical fiction at a young age, when exploring local castles, such as Carrickfergus, and nearby archaeological digs - and discovering some ancient bones herself. While completing a degree in history, she became fascinated by the strong women who were silenced in record, and was inspired to start exploring their lives. Her first novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Handfasted Wife\u003c\/i\u003e, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Awards, and \u003ci\u003eMistress Cromwell\u003c\/i\u003e was widely praised as a timely feminist retelling of Tudor court life. Her novels are known for their intricacy, depth of research and powerful stories. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor more news, exclusive content and competitions, sign up to Carol's newsletter at: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFollow her on Facebook: \/CarolMcGrathAuthor1 \u003cbr\u003eAnd Twitter: @CarolMcGrath\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Headline Accent","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50450045075730,"sku":"9781786157324","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d4d36a12-f6f7-4000-aa75-0f99bd56bc63.jpg?v=1729750066","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-handfasted-wife-9781786157324","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}