The death of Robert, Earl of Gloucester, removes the Empress Matilda’s most important military supporter and makes Stephen’s victory in the Anarchy appear increasingly likely. Matilda returns to Normandy, while the Warlord of the North takes responsibility for the young Prince Henry and begins preparing him for the role his mother still believes he can claim.
Training a future king brings political danger as well as military duty. Rivals see the Warlord’s influence over Henry as a threat and move against his lands and followers. The novel follows the transition from Matilda’s failing campaign to the emergence of her son as a credible claimant, showing how the next phase of the succession struggle is built through education, alliances and survival as much as open battle.
Bernard Cornwell
57 books
M J Porter
49 books
K. M. Ashman
37 books
Cecelia Holland
20 books
Sharon Kay Penman
14 books