In an age where loyalty is as powerful as steel, Gerald Warbow finds himself entwined in a web of intrigue and valour. Held against his will in Westminster, Warbow is once again drawn into the shadows of royal service when he is tasked with escorting King Edward to Canterbury, disguised and vulnerable. As whispers of conspiracy swirl, danger lurks in the dark corners where assassins lie in wait.
While the king grapples with the forces aiming to exile his controversial companion, Piers Gaveston, Warbow’s own battles are just beginning. A message from the indomitable Lady Hawise ferch Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn ignites his sense of honour, leading him to her besieged estate. There, amidst the echoes of a man's world, Warbow becomes her advocate, battling not just for her land but for her rightful place in history.
Set against the backdrop of medieval politics, Warbow intertwines themes of loyalty, love and the powerful struggles for women's rights that resonate through the ages. As Warbow and Lady Hawise forge an unbreakable bond, they challenge the ancient laws that threaten to bind her to a life of oppression. Together, they confront not only fierce enemies but also the very structures of a patriarchal society.
Experience a thrilling journey filled with heart-stopping conflict, cunning strategies, and unexpected romance. Will Warbow’s bravery and Hawise’s indomitable spirit rewrite their fate, or will the shadows of conspiracy extinguish their dreams?
Join them in this epic tale of courage and resilience, where every battle fought is not just for survival, but for justice and the liberation of the oppressed.
I was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
This is as much the tale of Lady Hawise ferch Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn as it is of the aging Sir Gerald Warbow as she struggles to regain the land she inherited from the grip of her rapacious uncles. The way the book ends there may yet be a 10th book in the series as the Lady's tale is yet to be fully told. I do enjoy Hosker books as you really get alongside the main characters. Griff's grammar can be unique at times and another thing is that you are not always sure just who is talking. The author's books are told, normally in the first person in an engaging way and contain so much of real life, such as Warbow's aches, pains and bladder issues as he has aged. This book has its battles and ambushes but also weddings, house building, sickness, hunting and family interactions in a detailed way that shews great insight and observation. One criticism I do have is that of young Jack. Hosker calls him Warbow's step son, but a step child is the child of one's husband, wife, or partner by a previous relationship. Jack is in fact his foster son. Oh well, I will wait a year and see if there is a follow up book that finishes the story of teh Lady Hawise.
I do enjoy this series as it was how I was introduced to Griff Hosker. As this series has progressed I loved reading about the use of the longbow. Is the series a bit predictable, a bit. It is still an enjoyable, yes. Seeing Gerald getting older & suffering the pangs of age is somewhat realistic. Enjoyed seeing his family grow.
A good continuation of the Warbow series. Getting very predictable in most of the storylines. There are only so many ways that you can describe sword fights and battles. Always good reads with some history lessons thrown in.
A very good book, Sir Gerald although getting old still enjoys a good battle, especially one he can win and does so for a lady, The way this story ended makes me believe there may be more to come for the War Bow/
So so good a read, very descriptive, could visualise it all. Love these books, the storyline and the writing, absolutely brilliant, a definite must read. Cannot wait for the next one now xx
This is one of the best books in the Warbow series.
Gerald Warbow stays true to king and country as he becomes an aging Baron in the thirteenth century! England is safe from Welsh incursions for the time being.