Book
Mixed Blessings
Mercia, eighth century. King Æthelbald has brought stability to his realm and now seeks influence over the neighbouring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. He relies on manipulation, military pressure and carefully managed generosity, presenting himself as a protector of the poor while refusing the dynastic restraints of marriage.
His sexual exploitation of religious women brings him into direct conflict with churchmen who condemn his conduct and threaten his reputation as a Christian ruler. The novel examines a reign divided between effective government and private abuse, showing how royal ambition, ecclesiastical authority and the demand for moral legitimacy become increasingly difficult to separate.
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