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Thyra: Forgotten Women of History
The story of an English princess, a Danish king, and a wall.
Before she became a legend she was just known as Thyra, the unimportant daughter of the English king. She was no fool and knew what her future held for marriage or a nunnery. Neither option particularly appealed to her.
Then an offer for her hand is made by a mischievous looking lord from across the sea. Despite her family's wishes she refuses to sell herself short. She agrees to marry him but in exchange he must give her a kingdom. After all, if she is going to tie her fate to a stranger, she might as well be a queen.
In time she would be called the Pride of Denmark but for now she is just Thyra . . .
Before she became a legend she was just known as Thyra, the unimportant daughter of the English king. She was no fool and knew what her future held for marriage or a nunnery. Neither option particularly appealed to her.
Then an offer for her hand is made by a mischievous looking lord from across the sea. Despite her family's wishes she refuses to sell herself short. She agrees to marry him but in exchange he must give her a kingdom. After all, if she is going to tie her fate to a stranger, she might as well be a queen.
In time she would be called the Pride of Denmark but for now she is just Thyra . . .
Audible Audio
Published December 20, 2022
137 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Anne R. Bailey
23 books114 followersAnne is a novelist, entrepreneur and when she can find the time: wife.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 14, 2024
I'm sorry I'm Disney stupid once my daughter reached maybe beauty and the beast? I can't remember but I know she did not see Brave I think it was called? So I'm asking y'all is this girl the same girl in that movie? The same basic premise?
This book is the first that I learned of an interesting series but I'm not sure what age range is. I'll still read them I just want to be prepared. It's like my brain approaches YA ish books differently. But so far this is cute. I like how the authors found important yet somewhat unknown women in history to bring back to light.
This book is the first that I learned of an interesting series but I'm not sure what age range is. I'll still read them I just want to be prepared. It's like my brain approaches YA ish books differently. But so far this is cute. I like how the authors found important yet somewhat unknown women in history to bring back to light.
July 11, 2024
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by this author about forgotten women of history and it’s definitely my favourite. The pacing of it felt a lot better and less rushed. Such a heartwarming story about two kingdoms coming together. Love love love.
June 15, 2023
Audiobook. Twenty years ago I might have rated this higher… four stars as a YA book?
Characters are likable, they grow, but fairly simplistic adventure/romance with some linguistic anachronisms that felt distracting.
Characters are likable, they grow, but fairly simplistic adventure/romance with some linguistic anachronisms that felt distracting.
March 9, 2021
A delightful and very readable story of a woman who lived long ago and what is known of her life. I very much enjoyed reading this novel of her life, much of which is known to history.
Thyra, in this tale had a long romance with Gorm before they married and she went to his country to live.. History is not clear on who she was, quite possible an English noblewoman. That she lived is pretty certain as a rune stone dedicated by her son Harald stands in Jelling Denmark in honor of his parents, as does one to Thyra erected by Gorm.
Thyra was said to have been strong, brave and defended Denmark. The stone erected to her says this:"“King Gorm made these runes in honour of his wife Thyra, the pride of Denmark”.
Very pleased to have gotten this book by an author I follow.
Thyra, in this tale had a long romance with Gorm before they married and she went to his country to live.. History is not clear on who she was, quite possible an English noblewoman. That she lived is pretty certain as a rune stone dedicated by her son Harald stands in Jelling Denmark in honor of his parents, as does one to Thyra erected by Gorm.
Thyra was said to have been strong, brave and defended Denmark. The stone erected to her says this:"“King Gorm made these runes in honour of his wife Thyra, the pride of Denmark”.
Very pleased to have gotten this book by an author I follow.
September 21, 2021
Great page turner, interesting story...
May 18, 2021
Thyra
Thyra is fascinating reading about an ancient Danish queen, who transformed from English princess into a warrior queen. She is perhaps a forgotten queen, but in my country she is well known as the queen who built the southern wall to degend against the tribes in the south. Remnants of the wall still stand to this day. The book gives an insight into her life and into the society around her, as far as possible to account for events taking place so long ago. A true fascinating tale.
Thyra is fascinating reading about an ancient Danish queen, who transformed from English princess into a warrior queen. She is perhaps a forgotten queen, but in my country she is well known as the queen who built the southern wall to degend against the tribes in the south. Remnants of the wall still stand to this day. The book gives an insight into her life and into the society around her, as far as possible to account for events taking place so long ago. A true fascinating tale.
August 19, 2021
Would Have Had 4 Stars if…
Would had given this 4 stars but the ending was terrible. I rechecked it three times to make sure there wasn’t another chapter. Where is the part about the Jelling stones raised to Thyra? This is an interesting story with some historical goodies for curious readers such as how the women created blue dye from woad and how wool is carded. I also think this was a far more accurate representation of the repression women felt from the Christian clergy as well as the severe expectations of Christian society. So kudos there.
Thyra’s character is well drawn and it’s an enjoyable story (until the end). Then there is the dialogue, argh, another star off. Do authors understand how jarring it is to read a book taking place in the 10th century and come across words such as “pots and pans, pants, doctor (19th cent)” etc etc and say sentences that are similar to contemporary expressions? Obviously not.
Would had given this 4 stars but the ending was terrible. I rechecked it three times to make sure there wasn’t another chapter. Where is the part about the Jelling stones raised to Thyra? This is an interesting story with some historical goodies for curious readers such as how the women created blue dye from woad and how wool is carded. I also think this was a far more accurate representation of the repression women felt from the Christian clergy as well as the severe expectations of Christian society. So kudos there.
Thyra’s character is well drawn and it’s an enjoyable story (until the end). Then there is the dialogue, argh, another star off. Do authors understand how jarring it is to read a book taking place in the 10th century and come across words such as “pots and pans, pants, doctor (19th cent)” etc etc and say sentences that are similar to contemporary expressions? Obviously not.
November 3, 2022
Quick & Enjoyable Read
While most of this story is fiction, the main characters are not. And while Thyra’s exact origins are unknown, she definitely existed and the backstory is believable.
Thankfully, there are much fewer than usual grammatical errors in the book. And while some dislike the use of titles (there were no queens yet in England & likely Denmark) and objects (like forks) that were nonexistent at this time as well as the modern language, I found that to be one of the more charming aspects of this historical novel; it’s impossible to write this type story accurately anyway, and I’d rather not have stilted language and oddly-used words thrown in just to make it more “historical.”
I do believe that the book could have been lengthened as I, personally, would have enjoyed more words written about the time after Thyra becomes a mother. The ending just seemed rushed. Otherwise, great book.
While most of this story is fiction, the main characters are not. And while Thyra’s exact origins are unknown, she definitely existed and the backstory is believable.
Thankfully, there are much fewer than usual grammatical errors in the book. And while some dislike the use of titles (there were no queens yet in England & likely Denmark) and objects (like forks) that were nonexistent at this time as well as the modern language, I found that to be one of the more charming aspects of this historical novel; it’s impossible to write this type story accurately anyway, and I’d rather not have stilted language and oddly-used words thrown in just to make it more “historical.”
I do believe that the book could have been lengthened as I, personally, would have enjoyed more words written about the time after Thyra becomes a mother. The ending just seemed rushed. Otherwise, great book.
January 30, 2021
Dramatic, thrilling, Thyra
I didn't want to stop reading! I love reading about the forgotten women of history and this was a fantastic read. I was immediately swept away to Denmark ready to battle invaders as the strong and fiery Thyra did.
I didn't want to stop reading! I love reading about the forgotten women of history and this was a fantastic read. I was immediately swept away to Denmark ready to battle invaders as the strong and fiery Thyra did.
February 13, 2021
An amazing woman
I truly love these books. They are easy to read and always intriguing. Even though not much is known about this seemingly remarkable woman, you will come to like and admire her though the author's storytelling.
I truly love these books. They are easy to read and always intriguing. Even though not much is known about this seemingly remarkable woman, you will come to like and admire her though the author's storytelling.
November 17, 2023
Thyra as a bratty girl got really annoying after a while and it took pretty much toward the end to watch her grow out of it. Other than that it was a cool read about a relatively unknown queen of Denmark.
May 6, 2025
This is the third in Anne Bailey's Forgotten Women of History and the best yet in my view. Transitioning from British princess to the wife of a Viking and the queen of early Denmark is a study in courage and endurance. Loved it!
March 5, 2022
Good book
I would prefer to not write a review. Thank you
It was an enjoyable read, but the end was too abrupt.
I would prefer to not write a review. Thank you
It was an enjoyable read, but the end was too abrupt.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews