Ismere: a story of "The Lady of the Mercians"

by Martin Wall

A story of a runaway slave boy, who finds protection from the Vikings with Lady Aethelfleda of Mercia.

148 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2009

About the author

Inherited a strong interest in history legends and mythology, and became precocious in this field, reading and "imagineering" from an early age. In later life I returned to West Mercia, and rediscovered this passion for "land magic", folk tales, and elemental stories. Gradually, out of felt need to preserve the ancient inheritance against the ravages of modern industrial/consumerist culture, I experimented with blending ancient folk tales with my own creations. I am a volunteer guide for several organizations, including the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition. I lecture to local groups on these themes.

Reviews

[Martin Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old fashioned adventure story set against the backdrop of a strife torn tenth century English midlands ---- "Ismere" is a homage to a lost land, Mercia, and its famous warrior Queen, the eponymous Aethelfleda, "Lady of the Mercians" who outwitted and outfought the savage Viking invaders from the Northlands. Told in the style of an Anglo-Saxon "Scop" or story-teller, these desperate and exhilirating times are portrayed through the eyes of Aneirin, a shepherd boy who learns from a cunning woman of a strange "Wyrd" or destiny for himself. This prophesy is fulfilled when he enters the service of the Lady, winning for himself not only the freedom he craves, but wealth, fame and status. But all this slips through his fingers, and by degrees he is reduced to penury and obscurity, until on a holy pilgrimage, his life's purpose finally reveals itself.