The morning gift

A gripping tale of a Norman heiress's fight for her independence in warring medieval England.

A Norman marriage is a transaction, with a wife sold to the highest bidder. And only the first of Matilda de Risle's husbands gives her anything back. His is the customary Saxon 'morning gift' - the present to a wife if her lord finds her pleasing on their wedding night.

Matilda's morning gift is Dungesey in the Fens, a place of safety, somewhere to hide should trouble come.

And come it does. As the war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda in the 1140s tears England apart, Matilda de Risle has to fight for her land, her son's safety and her own life.

An epic historical adventure, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Chadwick and Kate Mosse.

'Diana Norman always strikes gold' The Times