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The Saxon Marriage
“On those days when it will feel as if half the nobles in the realm are against him, the loving and unquestioning support of a wife is a blessing like no other. Promise me, Eadgyth, you will always be that for my son.”
Eadgyth’s happy childhood as the adored daughter of King Edward of the Anglo-Saxons came to an abrupt end at the age of nine, when her mother was cast away. Distraught at the rejection by her father, she learnt to keep her heart closely guarded.
After ten years shut in a convent Eadgyth is commanded by her half-brother, King Athelstan, to go with her younger sister to the court of King Henry of Germany, where his son, the brave, young Otto will choose one of them as his wife.
Indifferent to her fate, she travels to Saxony where she is welcomed by King Henry and his wife, the beautiful Queen Mathilda. As her friendship with the Queen grows Eadgyth warms to her new life, while her relationship with Otto, little more than a boy at seventeen, takes a turn she had not anticipated. Despite the ever present threat of war on the nearby Slavic front, Eadgyth dares to believe she can be happy.
But beneath the surface of this contented family, tensions are building. Otto’s brothers harbour concealed ambitions, Mathilda’s love for her son seems strangely uncertain and Otto himself reveals an unexpected secret. And as Otto prepares himself to take the throne of Germany, the hostility boils over leaving Eadgyth facing a desperate struggle to hold her family together, terrified that yet again she could lose the man at the heart of it…
Eadgyth’s happy childhood as the adored daughter of King Edward of the Anglo-Saxons came to an abrupt end at the age of nine, when her mother was cast away. Distraught at the rejection by her father, she learnt to keep her heart closely guarded.
After ten years shut in a convent Eadgyth is commanded by her half-brother, King Athelstan, to go with her younger sister to the court of King Henry of Germany, where his son, the brave, young Otto will choose one of them as his wife.
Indifferent to her fate, she travels to Saxony where she is welcomed by King Henry and his wife, the beautiful Queen Mathilda. As her friendship with the Queen grows Eadgyth warms to her new life, while her relationship with Otto, little more than a boy at seventeen, takes a turn she had not anticipated. Despite the ever present threat of war on the nearby Slavic front, Eadgyth dares to believe she can be happy.
But beneath the surface of this contented family, tensions are building. Otto’s brothers harbour concealed ambitions, Mathilda’s love for her son seems strangely uncertain and Otto himself reveals an unexpected secret. And as Otto prepares himself to take the throne of Germany, the hostility boils over leaving Eadgyth facing a desperate struggle to hold her family together, terrified that yet again she could lose the man at the heart of it…
- GenresHistorical Fiction
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2017
163 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Anna Chant
14 books28 followersAnna is a writer, tutor and mother of three from South Devon, UK. She has a degree in history from the University of Sheffield. Her first novel, 'Kenneth's Queen' was published in April 2016 and her second, 'The Girl from Brittia' in July 2016. Anna has fallen in love with the Dark Ages, that fabulous period where legend and history collide, and especially the part played by the often uncelebrated and unrecorded women who lived through them. She hopes to tell the stories of as many as possible!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 22, 2021
A very nicely done Women of the Dark Ages book which seems to be historically correct. Archaeologists discovered that Eadgyth's tomb in Magdeburg Cathedral actually had her remains.
A bone sample was sent to the UK for DNA proving she was from chalky upland Wessex, and lived in a number of places in Wessex. Proven also was that she had radical diet change after the ages of 8-9 presumably when her mother was put aside by the King and she spent 10 years in a monastery.
As someone who works with DNA often I could not resist this book! The first part was very slow but the ending was very satisfying and enjoyable. I am now ready to read the next book about the second wife of Eadgyth's husband Otto the Great!
A bone sample was sent to the UK for DNA proving she was from chalky upland Wessex, and lived in a number of places in Wessex. Proven also was that she had radical diet change after the ages of 8-9 presumably when her mother was put aside by the King and she spent 10 years in a monastery.
As someone who works with DNA often I could not resist this book! The first part was very slow but the ending was very satisfying and enjoyable. I am now ready to read the next book about the second wife of Eadgyth's husband Otto the Great!
December 11, 2020
A sweet tale of love, family and conflict in an old time
When barely a woman, Eadgyth is sent from her family and home in England to marry the son of the King of Germany. After the rejection of herself, her mother and sisters, at her father’s hand, she fears falling in love and receiving the same treatment. In a time when a woman is felt useful, only if she can bear sons, Eadgyth gratefully finds her grace and poise assist her in receiving the respect of her husband and those around him.
This story is told entirely from the point of view of Eadgyth, so we only learn as much as she does about goings on, the feelings of others and their hidden agendas. Although this is an interesting technique, it can be frustrating when, for example, the men leave for war and we know nothing of what happened until they return and she is told of it. Also, there are several characters that leave her immediate surroundings that we never hear of again, and I found myself wondering what became of them.
Although set in a far-gone time, there is little, if any, violence. Being a little squeamish myself, I didn’t mind that. I was surprised by the King’s leniency in some scenarios given the time the book is set in, but as this story is weaved around factual information, it shows that some of our preconceived ideas of so long ago can be incorrect! However, many of those lenient actions do serve the characters later. I don’t want to give too much away.
In the last third of the book, we do see the action taking place where Eadgyth is and so hear it first hand, which makes it much more exciting.
If you want to relax and enjoy a simply told, sweet story of love, loyalty and family. This is the one for you.
When barely a woman, Eadgyth is sent from her family and home in England to marry the son of the King of Germany. After the rejection of herself, her mother and sisters, at her father’s hand, she fears falling in love and receiving the same treatment. In a time when a woman is felt useful, only if she can bear sons, Eadgyth gratefully finds her grace and poise assist her in receiving the respect of her husband and those around him.
This story is told entirely from the point of view of Eadgyth, so we only learn as much as she does about goings on, the feelings of others and their hidden agendas. Although this is an interesting technique, it can be frustrating when, for example, the men leave for war and we know nothing of what happened until they return and she is told of it. Also, there are several characters that leave her immediate surroundings that we never hear of again, and I found myself wondering what became of them.
Although set in a far-gone time, there is little, if any, violence. Being a little squeamish myself, I didn’t mind that. I was surprised by the King’s leniency in some scenarios given the time the book is set in, but as this story is weaved around factual information, it shows that some of our preconceived ideas of so long ago can be incorrect! However, many of those lenient actions do serve the characters later. I don’t want to give too much away.
In the last third of the book, we do see the action taking place where Eadgyth is and so hear it first hand, which makes it much more exciting.
If you want to relax and enjoy a simply told, sweet story of love, loyalty and family. This is the one for you.
January 18, 2019
This period in history, many of its locations new to me, was well worth reading about, viewed from the perspective of the heroine Eadgyth. She’s a likeable character, if at times a tad naïve to me even after years and years in the courts of European royalty. I found Mathilda a lot less likeable and I’m not sure I would have enjoyed being in her company - even if Eadgyth seemed to cope with Mathilda’s machinations. There was a lot of forgiving in the story which, I believe, would have been very difficult during the troubled situations explored in the plot. If you’re looking for an entertaining glimpse of society of more than a thousand years ago, without much of the seriously bloody conflict that was probably realistic of the times, and the fact that it is part of a series to highlight strong women of the eras, you’ll enjoy this novel.
September 25, 2020
Perfect
I truly enjoyed this book. No skipping ahead. No writing so graphic that I felt shocked or repulsed. A truly pleasant love story. With a warm ending and easy to read as an added bonus. Just a very good book that held my interest and I enjoyed every single word. In this time of stress and chaos in our country this book was exactly what I needed. I will be following this author and highly recommend this book!
I truly enjoyed this book. No skipping ahead. No writing so graphic that I felt shocked or repulsed. A truly pleasant love story. With a warm ending and easy to read as an added bonus. Just a very good book that held my interest and I enjoyed every single word. In this time of stress and chaos in our country this book was exactly what I needed. I will be following this author and highly recommend this book!
May 5, 2020
Terrific
I am running out of accolades for this author. Another terrific story about another remarkable woman. I rip right through her novels and savor every word. Her stories come to life and I find them hard to put down. If you haven't experienced Anna Chant yet you are missing out.
I am running out of accolades for this author. Another terrific story about another remarkable woman. I rip right through her novels and savor every word. Her stories come to life and I find them hard to put down. If you haven't experienced Anna Chant yet you are missing out.
February 27, 2021
Unexpected pleasure.
This story was truly a very enjoyable read. Lots of moving parts tied to royal family. The tie to history makes it that much better. Brothers fighting for land and power, bastard brothers spurned and accepted, supportive wife, arranged marriages and forgiveness, makes for an emotional read.
This story was truly a very enjoyable read. Lots of moving parts tied to royal family. The tie to history makes it that much better. Brothers fighting for land and power, bastard brothers spurned and accepted, supportive wife, arranged marriages and forgiveness, makes for an emotional read.
May 23, 2021
What a love story!
Being someone who loves romance, and historical fiction- this had it all for me!
There were only a few editing issues- nothing that really drew me out of the story. I was really impressed how I was drawn into the story so quickly, and it held my interest the entire way.
Being someone who loves romance, and historical fiction- this had it all for me!
There were only a few editing issues- nothing that really drew me out of the story. I was really impressed how I was drawn into the story so quickly, and it held my interest the entire way.
December 26, 2020
The dark ages
I have been reading about so much of Southern European dark ages that it was nice to read Northern literature. Reading about good women can be difficult, but this was not. I was happy at the end.
I have been reading about so much of Southern European dark ages that it was nice to read Northern literature. Reading about good women can be difficult, but this was not. I was happy at the end.
February 7, 2021
Wonderful book
I was so caught up in this book, I read it in one day. I could not wait to see what was happening next. I will follow Anna Chant, and read all her dark ages book. Absolutely fascinating.
I was so caught up in this book, I read it in one day. I could not wait to see what was happening next. I will follow Anna Chant, and read all her dark ages book. Absolutely fascinating.
March 29, 2021
Fascinating Story
I had never heard of Otto the Great or Eadgyth but was intrigued by the description. The story was well told, the writing was descriptive but not long-winded. I am looking forward to reading all of the books in the series.
I had never heard of Otto the Great or Eadgyth but was intrigued by the description. The story was well told, the writing was descriptive but not long-winded. I am looking forward to reading all of the books in the series.
July 3, 2021
My favorite so far in the Women of Dark ages series! I’m Astounded that I have not seen more hype around this author! The story telling , research, and woman she chose to write about is absolutely fantastic! I’m excited to pickup the next in the series!
September 2, 2021
Nice story
I enjoyed this story from the tenth century. To me, it is interesting to hear the women's view of life back in that time. It was certainly a very different time than today. I feel the author writes with a smooth flow to deliver her story, and it is worth reading.
I enjoyed this story from the tenth century. To me, it is interesting to hear the women's view of life back in that time. It was certainly a very different time than today. I feel the author writes with a smooth flow to deliver her story, and it is worth reading.
March 3, 2022
A Woman to Admire
Eadgyth truly inspired me to be a better wife to my own husband. The book helped me realize that genuinely supporting my husband was not a new or modern concept, but over 1000 years old, at least!
Eadgyth truly inspired me to be a better wife to my own husband. The book helped me realize that genuinely supporting my husband was not a new or modern concept, but over 1000 years old, at least!
March 5, 2022
Well researched and written his historical about Quenn Edith (Eadgth) of Germany, wife of Otto the Great. As in most royal families this is rife with intrigue and betrayal but is also a love story. Ms. Chant does a great job in character devoplment and plot. This was a great read.
December 19, 2022
Educated
I read this book with my interest growing with every page. I actually gave up a day of Christmas prep time. I look forward to reading more from the author Anna Chant!
I read this book with my interest growing with every page. I actually gave up a day of Christmas prep time. I look forward to reading more from the author Anna Chant!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews