"Have Courage"

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Sandra Wagner-Wright

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Saxon Heroines

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis
Seventh century England is a hodgepodge of warring Anglo-Saxon states filled with shifting alliances and treacherous grabs for royal power. Kings rise and fall, depending on Woden's Luck. Northumbria, the damp kingdom north of the River Humber, is a state riven with rivalries and kings determined to expand at any cost. Women have no obvious role in a warrior society, but by using their wits, four women—two queens and two abbesses—make monumental changes. One woman marries a pagan king and successfully converts him to Christianity before he dies in battle. One becomes the most powerful abbess in Northumbria and holds the Great Synod at Whitby Abbey, which brings the kingdom back to the Roman Church. Another becomes queen and keeps political alliances strong despite different religious denominations. The fourth woman ushers in a new age by negotiating with kings and churchmen to establish one united church in the Northumbrian kingdom. Based on true events and people, this is the story of Northumbria through the eyes of the most important women of their time.

bio

Author Biography

Sandra writes historical fiction. Her latest book, "Ambition, Arrogance & Pride" focuses on 18th century Salem MA. Sandra also blogs about history, travel, and other topics that catch her attention. For more information about Sandra, visit her website https://www.sandrawagnerwright.com

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Author Insight

"Have Courage"

On the one hand, Princess Hildeburg must be relieved. The boats are moving south. The people have enough food to subsist. There's is an unhappy routine to the day. But it's such a struggle. No wonder Hildeburg thinks it would be easier if the boats just sank. In such a situation, the admonition to 'have courage' offers hope. And if Hildburg has hope, she can bail for one more day.

Book Excerpt

Saxon Heroines

At twilight, we pull the boats ashore, because the fishermen won’t sail at night. We disembark and search for whatever we can find: firewood, edible vegetation, the occasional small animal or bird we can catch with our hands. During the day, we run fishing lines off the sides of the boat. We’re wet, sick, and terribly afraid.

At first light, Paulinus quickly leads us in prayers, and we launch the boats as soon as the tide allows. I almost wish our puny vessels would sink and relieve us of this desperate journey. But they struggle on in their wobbly dance upon the sea. I stop bailing seawater from the bottom of the boat to look at the horizon.

A voice in my ear. “Have courage.”

It’s Hud. The man we forced to come with us. I move away from him.
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