The King's Message

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Sandra Wagner-Wright

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Saxon Heroines

Literature & Fiction

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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.

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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

The King's Message

Abbess Hildeburg is about to host the Synod that made her famous among Christian saints, though fame is the furthest thing from her mind. King Oswy can no longer tolerate 2 Christian churches with 2 different dates to celebrate Easter, or so he says. Hildeburg knows Oswy has something else up his sleeve, a matter more about earthly power than heavenly peace. I imagine she sighed. Whatever his purpose, it would play out in her abbey at Streaoneshalh on the Whitby Coast. Does she sense the import of this meeting, or put it down as simply another king's power play?

Book Excerpt

Saxon Heroines

“My lady abbess, I have a message from the king.”

I send the messenger to the kitchen for a meal and break the seal on the heavy parchment. My eye runs to the bottom and King Oswy’s mark before I read the document.

King Oswy can no longer tolerate two churches in Northumbria. We must, his scribe writes, all follow the same calendar so that he and Queen Enfleda can observe the penance of Lent and the joy of Easter at the same time.

When I was a child, King Edwin said he followed God because God brought him victory. I smile. Woden didn’t depart without a struggle. All King Oswy worries about is a calendar, but he emulates Edwin’s example. He will convene a synod at Streoneshalh this fall. There will be chiefs, princes, and prelates from throughout Northumbria, and I am to play hostess.
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