Women of the Dark Ages Series by Anna Chant

She was present at the birth of a nation. Her descendants sit on the British throne to this day. But history does not even record her name… In ninth century Britain, the Picts and the Gaels fight for supremacy over the North. In one of their rare truces, a young Pict woman is reluctantly married to a Gael warrior, son of one of the great Chiefs of Dal Riata... moreShe was present at the birth of a nation. Her descendants sit on the British throne to this day. But history does not even record her name… In ninth century Britain, the Picts and the Gaels fight for supremacy over the North. In one of their rare truces, a young Pict woman is reluctantly married to a Gael warrior, son of one of the great Chiefs of Dal Riata. Leaving behind her family and the Pict lord she had hoped to marry, she travels west to the household of Alpin, where she is viewed with suspicion by many of her new kin. But it is the collapse of the truce and the indifference of her husband that leaves her position in her new land increasingly vulnerable, as war breaks out once again. Forced to forget her Pict heritage, she fears that one day she will be faced with an agonising choice between the victory of her husband or her father. Her journey takes her from the splendours of the Fortress of Dunadd to the tranquillity of the sacred Isle of Iona, where even greater danger lurks as the terrifying Norsemen plan their own attacks. However, it seems that her hardest battle will be to win the heart of her husband, the brave, cunning and often ruthless Cinaed as he fights his way towards a destiny that could be greater than anyone imagines… The man known to history as Kenneth Mac Alpin. less

The Women of the Dark Ages series are all stand-alone stories that can be read in any order... moreThe Women of the Dark Ages series are all stand-alone stories that can be read in any order. Meet Procopius’s Island Girl, Britain’s greatest unsung heroine! From the mysteries of the sixth century, discover a story that has it all – a brave and beautiful princess, several handsome princes, the wickedest of wicked step-mothers, an ambitious king, superstition, curses and environmental catastrophe! The Girl from Brittia – As a high ranking Wolf Child of Wotan, Edlin sets high standards in her expectations of a husband. Her dismissal of all possible suitors has her family in despair. A Varni Prince – Radigis and his family live in fear of their powerful Frank neighbours over the River Rhine. He is desperate to make an alliance that will keep his people safe. When Edlin and Radigis meet on the shores of Suffolk, it is love at first sight and their future seems bright. But as Radigis returns home to prepare for his bride’s arrival, he finds sinister events are afoot. The might of the Frank King Theudebert and his beautiful sister Theodechilde forces him into a heartbreaking decision. Back in Brittia, Edlin must survive disgrace and danger greater than she has ever known. And as disaster spreads across both lands, she reaches a fateful decision of her own. With the support of her devoted brother Wehha, she raises an army to help her fight for the happiness she deserves. less

A Frankish princess, a Wessex queen - discover the remarkable true tale of Judith of West Francia! As a daughter of King Charles of West Francia, Judith has always known that her destiny lies in a nunnery. But Judith longs for a very different life. She dreams of fine clothes, a household of her own, children and a handsome husband. Athelwulf the ageing, but kindly King of Wessex is far from the romantic figure she has dreamed of... moreA Frankish princess, a Wessex queen - discover the remarkable true tale of Judith of West Francia! As a daughter of King Charles of West Francia, Judith has always known that her destiny lies in a nunnery. But Judith longs for a very different life. She dreams of fine clothes, a household of her own, children and a handsome husband. Athelwulf the ageing, but kindly King of Wessex is far from the romantic figure she has dreamed of. But when he proposes marriage, Judith seizes her chance to escape the religious life. She takes her place at his side as Queen of Wessex, a role she is certain she will fulfil to perfection. At the Court of Winchester Judith’s life is dominated by her stepsons. She quickly forms a bond with the engaging Prince Alfred but finds very different emotions are stirred by his older brother, the rebellious and cynical Athelbald. She also finds that while marriage to a man nearly four times her age may not be exactly what she wanted, it has its advantages. He is both generous and indulgent. And he leaves her with the prospect of a long and often scandalous widowhood, as the determined young woman battles heartbreak and imprisonment while never giving up hope of finding happiness - no matter how far she has to travel to find it… less

“On those days when it will feel as if half the nobles in the realm are against him, the loving and unquestioning support of a wife is a blessing like no other. Promise me, Eadgyth, you will always be that for my son.” Eadgyth’s happy childhood as the adored daughter of King Edward of the Anglo-Saxons came to an abrupt end at the age of nine, when her mother was cast away. Distraught at the rejection by her father, she learnt to keep her heart closely guarded... more“On those days when it will feel as if half the nobles in the realm are against him, the loving and unquestioning support of a wife is a blessing like no other. Promise me, Eadgyth, you will always be that for my son.” Eadgyth’s happy childhood as the adored daughter of King Edward of the Anglo-Saxons came to an abrupt end at the age of nine, when her mother was cast away. Distraught at the rejection by her father, she learnt to keep her heart closely guarded. After ten years shut in a convent Eadgyth is commanded by her half-brother, King Athelstan, to go with her younger sister to the court of King Henry of Germany, where his son, the brave, young Otto will choose one of them as his wife. Indifferent to her fate, she travels to Saxony where she is welcomed by King Henry and his wife, the beautiful Queen Mathilda. As her friendship with the Queen grows Eadgyth warms to her new life, while her relationship with Otto, little more than a boy at seventeen, takes a turn she had not anticipated. Despite the ever present threat of war on the nearby Slavic front, Eadgyth dares to believe she can be happy. But beneath the surface of this contented family, tensions are building. Otto’s brothers harbour concealed ambitions, Mathilda’s love for her son seems strangely uncertain and Otto himself reveals an unexpected secret. And as Otto prepares himself to take the throne of Germany, the hostility boils over leaving Eadgyth facing a desperate struggle to hold her family together, terrified that yet again she could lose the man at the heart of it… less

The daughter of the King of Burgundy, Adelheid’s destiny has been decided at the age of two. She will marry the son of her father’s rival, the King of Italy, taking her place one day as its queen. As Adelheid grows up, she dreads her impending marriage, longing instead for a life of contemplation and devotion in an abbey. But aware it is her duty, she and King Lothair of Italy are wed... moreThe daughter of the King of Burgundy, Adelheid’s destiny has been decided at the age of two. She will marry the son of her father’s rival, the King of Italy, taking her place one day as its queen. As Adelheid grows up, she dreads her impending marriage, longing instead for a life of contemplation and devotion in an abbey. But aware it is her duty, she and King Lothair of Italy are wed. The marriage is as unhappy as it is brief, their lives dominated by Berengar, the true ruler of Italy and his vicious wife, Willa. Widowed young, Adelheid hopes she can at last take up the religious life she has always dreamed of. But tenth century Italy proves to be a treacherous land for the beautiful young queen. Berengar, now the King of Italy, is jealous of Adelheid’s popularity with the people. He plots to marry her to his own son, the odious Adalbert and he will not take no for an answer. Only one man can help her - Otto, the King of Germany and the most powerful man in Christendom. But Otto’s help will come at a price. A widower, whose heart lies in the grave with his beloved wife, he demands Adelheid’s lands and her beauty for his own… less

The sun is rising on the Dark Ages… “His name is Clovis and he will be the greatest man in all the world!” So says Saxon visionary, Basina as she foretells the end of the Empire of Rome. But what she does not tell her people is how she also feels a strong connection to this man and is certain, in some way, her destiny will meet his. Passions flare when King Bisinus of Thuringia comes to Saxony in search of a second wife... moreThe sun is rising on the Dark Ages… “His name is Clovis and he will be the greatest man in all the world!” So says Saxon visionary, Basina as she foretells the end of the Empire of Rome. But what she does not tell her people is how she also feels a strong connection to this man and is certain, in some way, her destiny will meet his. Passions flare when King Bisinus of Thuringia comes to Saxony in search of a second wife. Intrigued by Basina’s visions, he ignores the charms of her spoilt half-sister Menia and claims her as his bride. With love for her new husband growing, she eagerly makes the journey to her new land. Basina’s life as Second Queen of the Thuringii is full of challenges as she copes with the demands of her husband as well as the hostility of his beautiful first queen. When tragedy sends Menia also into Thuringia, the two women unite in their hatred of Basina. She gains a new friend, when Childeric, the disgraced King of the Salian Franks arrives in the realm, his own land taken from him by a ruthless Roman commander. But as the friendship blossoms into something more, Basina is faced with a choice – remain loyal to her husband or give in to her attraction to the handsome young Frank. But making a choice is hard when she is unsure if her destiny lies with either of those two men but with Clovis, the mysterious warrior who continues to haunt her dreams… less