The Queen's Blessing

by Madeleine A. Polland, William Stobbs (Illustrator)

After the Norman invasion, King Malcolm of Scotland sweeps through Northumbria leaving death, destruction . . . and orphans in his wake. He also finds a queen, Margaret, sister of Ætheling, who seeks to tame his vengeance and make reparation for the damage his sword has wielded. Two Saxon orphans, Merca and Dag, are adopted by her court, and while Dag accepts his new life and the safety it brings them, Merca is bent on revenge on the cruel King who ripped her old life from her. Merca stands in the shadow of the blessing cup that Margaret raises to the civilizing of the Scottish court. Will she learn forgiveness from her saintly Queen Margaret?

Genres: Historical Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1964

About the author

Madeleine Polland (who also wrote as Frances Adrian) was born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, on May 31, 1918.

Madeleine was educated at Hitchin Girls' Grammar School, Herfordshire, from 1929 to 1937.

After leaving school, she served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and shortly after leaving married Arthur Joseph Polland in 1946.

Madeleine Polland has written several books for children and many novels for adults. Her first book for young readers, CHILDREN OF THE RED KING, was published in the UK by Constable in 1960.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA or younger, historical novel in 11th century Scotland, the story of Merca and her little brother, Dag, learning to survive in a country ravaged by war, finding safety and love where they least expect it, from their enemies, Margaret and Malcolm.

[Ilsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the descriptive writing of this book. The one thing I didn't like so much was the grudge the elder sister held for so long against the king for killing their parents. From their tragic epidemic to their imediate success when the queen adopts her and her brother, Dag, she is always planning to find a way to kill him. Only when she sees an assasin creeping toward the king with a knife, she realizes that the king has changed from when he had raged war across their peacefull town. She lets loose a scream, alerting the king, and saving his life. She then returns to the castle changed and now much reformed from her always angry, tense self.