In seventh century Powys at the hall of King Cynddylan of Pengwern, the princesses, Heledd and Ffreur attend a celebratory feast where fifteen-year-old Heledd develops an infatuation for a travelling minstrel. The illicit liaison triggers a chain of events that will destroy two kingdoms and bring down a dynasty. Set against the backdrop of the pagan-Christian conflict between kings Penda and Oswiu The Song of Heledd sweeps the reader from the ancient kingdom of Pengwern to the lofty summits of Gwynedd where Heledd battles to control both her own destiny and that of those around her. Judith Arnopp has carried out lengthy research into the fragmented ninth century poems, Canu Llywarch Hen and Canu Heledd, and the history surrounding them to produce a fiction of what might have been.
Author
.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself. Her novels include: A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn The Song of Heledd The Forest Dwellers Peaceweaver Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing. Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023, You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram. Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot.... For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com author.to/juditharnoppbooks
