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1093: A fascinating account of the Norman invasions and a woman the ward of one of the Norman kings
Conquest: Daughter of the Last King
What you need to know before your trail
Nest and Goronwy are the children of an 11th century Welsh King. They are playing on the beach in the shadow of their father’s fort when they suddenly see their home go up in flames. Things take a drastic turn for the worst, when Nest is kidnapped and Goronwy killed.
The rest of the story centres on Nest, who has been living in captivity ever since in a family of Norman lords in a Welsh castle. She is now the ward of the Norman King of England and her future is closely intertwined with his. These are also dangerous times outside the castle as the Norman invasions of England and Wales are well underway…
Travel Guide
Norman England
The sons of William the Conqueror fight with each other for control of the Anglo-Norman kingdom. These are dangerous times and life is uncertain and in turmoil for kings as well as the normal people who must suffer the consequences of the fighting and instability.
Women must face the brunt of the men who control every aspect of their lives. Nest in particular suffers a very precarious existence – she tries to retain some control over her life, but as a King’s ward, as well as a woman, she is sorely tested.
Life in Norman England was difficult in so many other ways and the detail in the book about daily chores such as cooking and hand washing, the amount of dirt and disease was detrimental to health and everything else in life.
This is history brought to life with maps and family trees at the beginning to set the scene before the final curtain opens and you walk back into the past.
Streetview Maps
C) Wales - Cardiff Castle
D) Wales - Pembroke Castle
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
I really enjoy going back in time via a book and this one really appealed. As the drawbridge came down and I ventured in, I was not disappointed. In fact I remember nothing of what happened in my every day life until I came out at the end.
The level of detail and care and attention which has gone into this novel is spellbinding but it never gets in the way of the plot at all. It strengthens and improves it explaining how life must have been, how daily tasks were carried out to how the ward of a king must behave. The story of Nest is complex and multilayered but reads like a charm. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this book will be heavy going given the subject matter, it’s not – it’s a brilliantly woven tapestry of historical intrigue where I felt as if I’d been part of the novel, and part of Nest’s life and I missed her for a while afterwards.
This is a rich feast for the eyes
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Conquest: Daughter of the Last King
Destination: Wales Author/Guide: Tracey Warr Departure Time: 1093
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