I found a first edition hardcover copy of this book at my local used book store for about $3. I was excited to read it having recently finished Helen Hollick's 'Forever Queen' and 'I am the Chosen King' which end with the Battle of Hastings. My lack of love for this novel is at least partially my fault. Expectations built on the writing of Hollick were disappointed by the very different take on events that Llywelyn imagines. Accepting that I do not really know the truth about the personalities of the people involved, I was also turned off by some of the scenes that should appear only in trashy romance novels and the Luke & Laura type 'romantic' feelings that takes place . I was also expecting this to be a story of what happened to Aldith after the Battle of Hastings, which is the scene that the novel begins with. Unfortunately, the rest of the novel is one big flashback covering Aldith's life up to that point.Aldith is born to be a political pawn, and she becomes one to the highest degree. First married off to the Prince of Wales when her father is named a traitor in England. She marries his killer, Harold Godwine, once he becomes King. Was her marriage to Griffith Llywelyn one of love causing her to be horrified when he was killed? Was he cruel and abusive resulting in her seeing Harold as a savior when he had Griffith beheaded? I don't know, but the author's decisions regarding Aldith's love-life set the tone for the entire novel. Once she finds herself married to Harold as England's Queen, she also has to overcome the hatred that she feels for him due to his campaign into Wales. Harold is presented as a cruel, selfish, intelligent, and ambitious man, which I suppose must be true of most men who get themselves named king. ** The following may be considered a spoiler ** I could have believed this version of events if Aldith did not suddenly (we're talking within a matter of months) forgive Harold for killing her husband, kidnapping her, separating her from her children, and raping her repeatedly. That is one forgiving lady, or a stupid one, or just a poorly written one.I hesitate to make the last accusation because Morgan Llweylyn cannot really be accused of being a poor writer. Her historical research is extensive and she does an excellent job of wrapping an interesting story around known events. This particular one just didn't pull me in. Maybe it was the line about Griffith's scrotum being the right size to be cupped in Aldith's hands. I admit, that's about the time I started acquiring an attitude against this book.The story of Harold's eventual downfall is well-written including the invasion of Tostig and his allies in the north closely followed by the cataclysmic landing of William of Normandy in the south. The battle scenes are described in just enough detail, even with the detriment of the novel being written in Aldith's first person point of view. Given that she was not present for most of this action, the author does an impressive job of believably fitting in this historical information.
While not the perfect novel, I quite enjoyed this story of Edith of Mercia, wife to the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn and later wife to Harold Godwineson, King of England who was defeated by William the Bastard at the Battle of Hastings.The novel is told first person from Edith's point of view and what little is known about her historically is still enough to fuel a modern soap opera. Married off to the Welsh King Llywelyn, he was killed by the English duke Harold Godwineson, who would eventually succeed Edward the Confessor as King of England. Despite killing Edith's husband, Godwineson actually ends up marrying Edith. One can only surmise how she felt about that.The best part of this novel, however, is the final scenes that include the Battle of Hastings. The battle is recreated through the eyes of Edith who - in this novel at least - watched the battle from afar.History doesn't tell us what eventually became of Edith, but her imagined fate in this novel is particularly fitting and appropriate. Well worth the read for a good understanding of who the primary players were at the time of the Norman conquest of 1066.
Do You like book The Wind From Hastings (2000)?
It wasn't the best of books that I read from this author. But I did enjoy it. Although it was fiction again Morgan Llywelyn twines the fiction and non fiction together. Interesting battle of the Normans and English on Hasting. I like how she tells it from Aldith's view. The romance of Griffith was a nice touch. So many times we don't read this. I would of like to read about how strong Aldith did turn out. But the message was there will be no fighting to be shown to her children. That they would grow up peaceful. Even with the status of her children with a crown in later life. It was said to be they will bring peace
—Sheila
Edyth (or Aldith) is the daughter of the Earl of East Anglia who manages to get himself banished when he ticks of King Edward. Her father marries her off in a political alliance to the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, and it is a happy one - until Harold Godwinson's soldiers arrive in Wales. The Welsh go into hiding, but are evntually betrayed and Edyth finds herself at Harold's mercy - and Harold may love his hand-fasted wife Edith Swanneck, but since he has higher aspirations than being a mere Earl, he needs to marry well and Edyth just might fit the bill - whether she likes it or not. Edyth makes the best of a bad situation and gradually warms to her husband, but William the Bastard starts rattling his sabers and arrives in England at a place called Hastings... This is a relatively short novel, but the author does manage to pack a lot into those 183 pages. It is written in the first person narrative (admittedly not a favorite of mine), but the author does a good job with it, keeping Edyth in most of the scenes and does so without the ever-so-annoying tactic of peeking through keyholes and cupboards. There were one or two spots with battles that she couldn't have witnessed first hand, yet the author was able to convey those back to Edyth without the endless exposition I've seen from other authors - two thumbs up for that. I still recommend Helen Hollick's I Am the Chosen King as the best novel on this period, but for those looking for a shorter take and from a female POV this just might fit the bill.
—Misfit
One of Llywelyn's best. This historical Novel takes place during the Norman Conquest in 1066 led by William the Conqueror at Hastings, probably the most significant battle in English history. Edyth, the main character, and who is based on a true person, tells the story of her own involvement in royal politics as well as her witnessing of the war. This isn't a very long book, but it's interesting, mysterious and informative. Reading this is a fun way to learn about one of the most interesting events in history.
—Linda Orvis
