The handfasted wife: the story of Edith Swan-Neck, beloved of Harold Godwin - 1

Shortlisted for the 2014 RONA Romantic Novel of the Year Awards - Historical Romantic Novel Category

‘Moving, and vastly informative, a real page turner of a historical novel.’ - Fay Weldon

The Handfasted Wife is the story of the Norman Conquest from the perspective of Edith (Elditha) Swanneck, Harold’s common-law wife. She is set aside for a political marriage when Harold becomes king in 1066. Determined to protect her children’s destinies and control her economic future, she is taken to William’s camp when her estate is sacked on the eve of the Battle of Hastings. She later identifies Harold’s body on the battlefield and her youngest son becomes a Norman hostage.

This is an adventure story of love, loss, survival and reconciliation. Based on the historical story of Edith Swan-Neck, The Handfasted Wife tells the story of 1066 from the perspective of the royal women.