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A New Heaven and A New Earth: St Cuthbert and the Conquest of the North
The Harrying of the North...
In 1069 Northumbria is in revolt against Norman rule. William the Conqueror’s brutal reprisal devastates the province and brings untold suffering to its people. Caught between the Northumbrian rebels and their new Norman masters, the Community of Saint Cuthbert at Durham is struggling to survive.
But the mysterious influence of the Saint brings aid from the furthest corners of the kingdom—and from some of the least likely of his
Thorgot, an Anglo-Norse adventurer from Lincoln on the run from the Normans Edith, the repudiated wife of Durham’s dean Aldwyn, a visionary monk of Winchcombe Extraordinary twists of destiny draw the three together to bring about a new order from the ashes of the old. By the time the foundation stone is laid for a new cathedral at Durham, their lives have changed for ever and the survival of the shrine is assured.
A gripping story of violence, heartbreak and redemption that brings the trilogy of novels about Northumbria’s warrior saint to a dramatic conclusion.
In 1069 Northumbria is in revolt against Norman rule. William the Conqueror’s brutal reprisal devastates the province and brings untold suffering to its people. Caught between the Northumbrian rebels and their new Norman masters, the Community of Saint Cuthbert at Durham is struggling to survive.
But the mysterious influence of the Saint brings aid from the furthest corners of the kingdom—and from some of the least likely of his
Thorgot, an Anglo-Norse adventurer from Lincoln on the run from the Normans Edith, the repudiated wife of Durham’s dean Aldwyn, a visionary monk of Winchcombe Extraordinary twists of destiny draw the three together to bring about a new order from the ashes of the old. By the time the foundation stone is laid for a new cathedral at Durham, their lives have changed for ever and the survival of the shrine is assured.
A gripping story of violence, heartbreak and redemption that brings the trilogy of novels about Northumbria’s warrior saint to a dramatic conclusion.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 22, 2020
Loving Humanity should never be forgotten.
Even if, unlike me. you are not an avid reader of historical fiction, I recommend all three books in this stunning trilogy set in Anglo-Saxon England and In other counties at the time around 1000 AD. Cuthbert of Carne and A Place of Repose tel the life and death of Cuthbert who to this day lies in Durham Cathedral. This third novel tells of his legacy after the Normans invaded and the "the Harrying of the North", the effects of which, I believe, still affect us and is the basis of our class system.
This novel concentrates on Durham but we see Lincoln, Norway, and Melrose -in fact a wide section of Christianity and its followers, both men and women, high band low. I thoroughly recommended the trilogy which follow history closely but with loving humanity. My kind of fiction and highly recommended.
Even if, unlike me. you are not an avid reader of historical fiction, I recommend all three books in this stunning trilogy set in Anglo-Saxon England and In other counties at the time around 1000 AD. Cuthbert of Carne and A Place of Repose tel the life and death of Cuthbert who to this day lies in Durham Cathedral. This third novel tells of his legacy after the Normans invaded and the "the Harrying of the North", the effects of which, I believe, still affect us and is the basis of our class system.
This novel concentrates on Durham but we see Lincoln, Norway, and Melrose -in fact a wide section of Christianity and its followers, both men and women, high band low. I thoroughly recommended the trilogy which follow history closely but with loving humanity. My kind of fiction and highly recommended.
February 23, 2026
I adored this, I adored the whole series. What I loved about this book especially is how she's managed to make the characters seem more and more modern within each passing generation. I've never before thought about the cult of St Cuthbert as a CULT, a separate community with it's own rule and social hierarchy living alongside the other world.
I loved how she tied so many themes into a very simple and short book, misogyny, the destruction caused by the Conquest and the deliberate ripping up of the social fabric of Saxon Britain, faith vs religion vs spirituality. It was also so very refreshing to read a book about the middle ages that wasn't focussed in the lives of the Royal family but grounded in the reality of everyday people.
I will be pushing this series on a lot of people.
I loved how she tied so many themes into a very simple and short book, misogyny, the destruction caused by the Conquest and the deliberate ripping up of the social fabric of Saxon Britain, faith vs religion vs spirituality. It was also so very refreshing to read a book about the middle ages that wasn't focussed in the lives of the Royal family but grounded in the reality of everyday people.
I will be pushing this series on a lot of people.
December 28, 2021
A clever enjoyable novel woven around the bare historic bones given us by Simeon.
How did the change come about from the historic Community of St Cuthbert to the subsequent Benedictine monastery?
What was it like living through the harrowing of the north?
What happened to the rejected wives when priests were required to become celibate?
Katherine weaves possible answers to these and other historical questions into her narrative.
Particularly recommended to people who are interested in church or mediaeval history or the Celtic saints or anyone who lives in or loves Durham.
How did the change come about from the historic Community of St Cuthbert to the subsequent Benedictine monastery?
What was it like living through the harrowing of the north?
What happened to the rejected wives when priests were required to become celibate?
Katherine weaves possible answers to these and other historical questions into her narrative.
Particularly recommended to people who are interested in church or mediaeval history or the Celtic saints or anyone who lives in or loves Durham.
December 23, 2020
From a bit of history as bleak, cruel and unforgiving as they come, the author has teased out the singular thread of light which is St Cuthbert. Somehow, from beyond the grave, he holds and redeems it all.
And as for Edith... she gives voice to the thousands of unknown, unmentioned and yet thoroughly fabulous women, who would have had to live through the madness of those times...aren't we lucky to live in 2020!
And as for Edith... she gives voice to the thousands of unknown, unmentioned and yet thoroughly fabulous women, who would have had to live through the madness of those times...aren't we lucky to live in 2020!
January 30, 2026
This book was just a fascinating read, and also a tremendous gift of interpretation of some very old texts that lay out the events that form this story. I started at book #3. Now I have to go back and read the first two volumes! Thank you to Katharaine Tiernan for bringing this history to the forefront.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews