The King Is Dead

by Griff Hosker Book 7 in the The Anarchy Series series.

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As Henry I’s reign approaches its end, Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland, faces a succession of plots aimed at England and Normandy. Threatened invasions and assassination attempts force him to move between Scotland, England and the duchy, trying to protect a political settlement that depends heavily on the ageing king remaining alive.

The deeper danger is the unresolved succession. Henry has named his daughter Matilda as heir, but powerful nobles have their own ambitions, and every conspiracy exposes how fragile that arrangement is. Alfraed’s efforts take place in the final months before the king’s death opens the struggle between Matilda and Stephen that will become the Anarchy.

Historical Periods

Thomas Becket and Church–Crown Conflict1162–1170 CE Third Crusade1189–1192 CE First Battle of Lincoln1141 CE Norman Invasion of Ireland1169–1177

Historical people

Eleanor of Aquitaine1124–1204 Henry II of England1133–1189 Stephen, King of England1095–1154 Empress Matilda1102–1167 David I of Scotland1084–1153 Thomas Becket William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke1146–1219