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Peaceweaver
Eadgyth Aelfgarsottir's story begins when she is sold into marriage to Gruffydd ap Llewellyn, King of the Welsh; a man old enough to be her grandfather. At Rhuddlan she discovers both friendship and romance, but from a man who is not her husband. Ultimately she finds herself accused of treason, fornication and incest until a surprise night attack destroys Gruffydd's palace and Eadgyth is captured by the Saxons.After the betrayal and murder of Gruffydd, Eadgyth, separated from her sons, is taken to the court of Edward the Confessor. There, desperate to be reunited with her children, she befriends the queen and her feminine charms enable her to infiltrate the sticky intrigues of the Godwin family. An unexpected proposal of marriage from Earl Harold provides the opportunity she requires and, on his accession to the throne, she agrees to become his queen. However, her security is threatened as William the Bastard assembles his fleet in the south and Harald Hardrada prepares to invade from the North. The portentous date of October 14th 1066 looms.Eadgyth tells a tale of loss, betrayal, passion and war and highlights the plight of women, tossed in the tumultuous sea of feuding Anglo Saxon Britain.Chapters can be viewed on the youwriteon.com website.
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
62 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Judith Arnopp
49 books227 followers.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver
Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.
Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,
You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....
For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com
author.to/juditharnoppbooks
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver
Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.
Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,
You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....
For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com
author.to/juditharnoppbooks
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 27, 2010
“The old people used to say that three women, known as the Norns, wove human fate. They sat in the roots of a great, spreading tree, spinning the fragile threads of destiny into the complex fabric of life. When they grew peeved they worked misfortune and despair into the pattern. I sighed. My own fate trailed behind me like a worn petticoat, patched and mended with good intentions. What, I wondered, would those three women make of my future.” – Queen Eadgyth, Peaceweaver
History often recalls the hand-fasted wife of Harold Godwinson, last King of the English, but little is known about his queen, Eadgyth, daughter of Earl Aelfgar of Mercia. She was a descendant of the Lady Godiva of Coventry legend, and the child-bride of a Welsh King before becoming Harold’s queen. Author Judith Arnopp has weaved a wonderful tale of Eadgyth’s life, interspersing fact, and fiction. Her meticulous research and unique storytelling made Peaceweaver a delightful read.
When Eadgyth’s father barters her to the Welsh King, Gruffydd ap Llewellyn, she endures exile in an alien world with only her loyal servant Anwen for comfort. She submits to Gruffydd’s cold and cruel attentions, and bears children for a husband more than twice her age. But sons are not the only joy of Eadgyth’s life, when she finds a forbidden love. As unexpected as it is, another drastic change comes when her husband learns of the affair, just before his downfall.
Swept away to England by the charismatic Harold Godwinson, Eadgyth enters the English court of Edward the Confessor. Harold’s unabashed pursuit of her re-awakens a love she never thought to feel again, but specters of Harold past always intrude on their happiness. On the eve of Hastings, Eadgyth risks her safety to be a side of a man she never thought she would love, as he faces the greatest threat his kingdom has ever known.
The period before the Norman Conquest of 1066 is a favorite of mine. I found many things remarkable about Peaceweaver, the most important being that Queen Eadgyth was so young during this tumultuous period in England. She must have been a remarkable woman to bear the attentions of her first husband, and survive the difficult reign of her second husband. In the first twenty-one years of her life, she saw dramatic changes and lived through them. I was also surprised at how much this story touched me. In Peaceweaver, the love between the central characters is devout and palpable, and all of the characters, both real and invented, are fully fleshed out. In particular, Ms. Arnopp has made Harold Godwinson come alive on the page, a brave but flawed man. Although I know the story of his death as well as any English school child taught about Hastings, it always makes me very sad to read about it. Reading it from the perspective of his young queen, in Peaceweaver, was at times heartbreaking, but always a joy.
History often recalls the hand-fasted wife of Harold Godwinson, last King of the English, but little is known about his queen, Eadgyth, daughter of Earl Aelfgar of Mercia. She was a descendant of the Lady Godiva of Coventry legend, and the child-bride of a Welsh King before becoming Harold’s queen. Author Judith Arnopp has weaved a wonderful tale of Eadgyth’s life, interspersing fact, and fiction. Her meticulous research and unique storytelling made Peaceweaver a delightful read.
When Eadgyth’s father barters her to the Welsh King, Gruffydd ap Llewellyn, she endures exile in an alien world with only her loyal servant Anwen for comfort. She submits to Gruffydd’s cold and cruel attentions, and bears children for a husband more than twice her age. But sons are not the only joy of Eadgyth’s life, when she finds a forbidden love. As unexpected as it is, another drastic change comes when her husband learns of the affair, just before his downfall.
Swept away to England by the charismatic Harold Godwinson, Eadgyth enters the English court of Edward the Confessor. Harold’s unabashed pursuit of her re-awakens a love she never thought to feel again, but specters of Harold past always intrude on their happiness. On the eve of Hastings, Eadgyth risks her safety to be a side of a man she never thought she would love, as he faces the greatest threat his kingdom has ever known.
The period before the Norman Conquest of 1066 is a favorite of mine. I found many things remarkable about Peaceweaver, the most important being that Queen Eadgyth was so young during this tumultuous period in England. She must have been a remarkable woman to bear the attentions of her first husband, and survive the difficult reign of her second husband. In the first twenty-one years of her life, she saw dramatic changes and lived through them. I was also surprised at how much this story touched me. In Peaceweaver, the love between the central characters is devout and palpable, and all of the characters, both real and invented, are fully fleshed out. In particular, Ms. Arnopp has made Harold Godwinson come alive on the page, a brave but flawed man. Although I know the story of his death as well as any English school child taught about Hastings, it always makes me very sad to read about it. Reading it from the perspective of his young queen, in Peaceweaver, was at times heartbreaking, but always a joy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2020
I have always had a soft spot for Harold Godwinson - and this novel has just renewed and deepened it. Lovely, immersive storytelling! Looking forward to reading more novels by Judith Arnopp.
February 4, 2016
Another really good book by Judith Arnopp with our main character, Eadgyth, being wedded to the awful Welsh King Gruffydd at thirteen years old. But the Saxons come when she is eighteen to take her to England and just when she thinks her world might be at peace here comes William the Bastard and his Normans!
July 19, 2023
This was written in sparse prose, without much emotional depth. (Seemed Young Adultish?) Is dialog driven without description, and lots of listing of history without exploration. While not necessarily bad, there are MANY other historical fiction novels written in this time period that are MUCH better.
It is her first novel from 2009 so I will give this author another chance. (But only 1.)
It is her first novel from 2009 so I will give this author another chance. (But only 1.)
July 25, 2010
See my review at HNRO http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org...
Want to read
June 29, 2012free on kindle today 6/29/12
June 23, 2021
Reread this one.. Still wonderful! A.D. 1063. " This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the earl, as well with a land-force as a shipforce, into Wales" ~ Anglo Saxon Chronicle.
Harold then met Eadgyth and married her, although he had spent many years with Eadgytha Swanneck, the mother of his children.Both were Peaceweavers although each in a different fashion and in this tale they forge an alliance.
A wonderful book.I hated to see it end.Judith Arnopp is a fine historian and a masterful storyteller.
Harold then met Eadgyth and married her, although he had spent many years with Eadgytha Swanneck, the mother of his children.Both were Peaceweavers although each in a different fashion and in this tale they forge an alliance.
A wonderful book.I hated to see it end.Judith Arnopp is a fine historian and a masterful storyteller.
January 22, 2025
Informative and Entertaining
This book tells of a time in England's history that I knew little about. The records of the times are scarce and often vague, especially regarding women, regardless of their status. I enjoyed the way the author built upon recorded facts in order to develop her characters, especially of the women. The book gives what is probably a fair assessment of the lives of women and the general customs and living practices of that era. I enjoyed the book.
This book tells of a time in England's history that I knew little about. The records of the times are scarce and often vague, especially regarding women, regardless of their status. I enjoyed the way the author built upon recorded facts in order to develop her characters, especially of the women. The book gives what is probably a fair assessment of the lives of women and the general customs and living practices of that era. I enjoyed the book.
October 20, 2019
Read this in 2 days ....thats how much I enjoyed it could not put it down. Having read the authors Tudor novels I decided to give her earlier work a go, so glad I did. I'm unfamiliar with 11c history and even as a work of fiction this book for me captured the sights sound and smells of the time making it a credible story with good pace. I felt I understood a little more about the Norman invasion of 1066 which is the backdrop of the story.
January 28, 2017
A "Cannot put down till finished." book!
Mesmerizing. Loved it. The author herself admits it is sketchy on history. Does not matter to me. I know records back in those days were biased anyway. I still enjoyed every word. Worth keeping and reading again and again.
Mesmerizing. Loved it. The author herself admits it is sketchy on history. Does not matter to me. I know records back in those days were biased anyway. I still enjoyed every word. Worth keeping and reading again and again.
February 20, 2021
Fascinating
It is written of a time when women were little more than breeders. I think I would rather be a merchant's wife than one of nobility.
It is written of a time when women were little more than breeders. I think I would rather be a merchant's wife than one of nobility.
March 26, 2022
brilliant read.
It’s great to read about this period of history from a women’s perspective. It brought the facts of these time to life. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s great to read about this period of history from a women’s perspective. It brought the facts of these time to life. I couldn’t put it down.
October 25, 2023
Really enjoyed this!
July 7, 2024
I could not put this novel down . If you enjoy reading about English history mixed with fiction, read this book.
October 6, 2022
Little is known about the real Eadgyth, so the author was free to create a personality for this book's heroine, along with inventing believable situations that Eadgyth may have experienced.
Ms Arnopp also does a good job with her characterization of King Harold II. The child characters are also excellent.
It's a book of two-halves, with the first part being set in Wales, and the other in England, covering the years that build-up to the 1066 Norman Conquest. Most chapters are engaging, with just a few that are a little too slow paced.
Only two things to criticise. First, the dialogue at times sounds too robotic because little of it features contractions. I encounter this in a lot of historical fiction, and indeed in period TV dramas and historical films. I guess it's to give the speech an older feel, but I believe in contemporary language for a contemporary audience (minus modern-day slang), otherwise it sounds robotic, if not unnatural.
The one aspect I really didn't like was the prologue. Reason being, it's set after the main body of the story. It's a pet hate of mine when books, films, and TV shows open at or near the end of a story. This often robs one or more elements of suspense. It's not to big of a deal in 'Peaceweaver', but the novel would've benefitted more without this glimpse into the future in the opening pages.
In the most part, though, this is a commendable debut novel. I appreciate the author's storytelling skills.
Ms Arnopp also does a good job with her characterization of King Harold II. The child characters are also excellent.
It's a book of two-halves, with the first part being set in Wales, and the other in England, covering the years that build-up to the 1066 Norman Conquest. Most chapters are engaging, with just a few that are a little too slow paced.
Only two things to criticise. First, the dialogue at times sounds too robotic because little of it features contractions. I encounter this in a lot of historical fiction, and indeed in period TV dramas and historical films. I guess it's to give the speech an older feel, but I believe in contemporary language for a contemporary audience (minus modern-day slang), otherwise it sounds robotic, if not unnatural.
The one aspect I really didn't like was the prologue. Reason being, it's set after the main body of the story. It's a pet hate of mine when books, films, and TV shows open at or near the end of a story. This often robs one or more elements of suspense. It's not to big of a deal in 'Peaceweaver', but the novel would've benefitted more without this glimpse into the future in the opening pages.
In the most part, though, this is a commendable debut novel. I appreciate the author's storytelling skills.
August 30, 2014
A life anything but peaceful. That would sum up the lives of eleventh century Anglo Saxons, but here it pertains to one of the many unknown queens of England - Ealdgyth (Edith)of Mercia, the consort (briefly - nine, ten months at most) of Harold II of England. Ms. Arnopp plays fast and loose with historical fact in this entertaining story of the sister of two powerful northern earls used twice in political marriages of convenience and expediency: the first to Gryffyud, king of Wales, and then to Harold. Suspend credibility and the story is very good. If you know the history, then you really do have to suspend belief. Ms. Arnopp gives us a love match between Harold and Ealdgyth that is sweet and moving. Used and abused by her first husband she meets Harold, a giant, good-looking man (the chronicles all say he was very tall and very handsome) who is the richest and most powerful nobleman in England second to brother-in-law the King, Edward the Confessor. Her brothers want the marriage for their own political ambitions of wielding power as the brothers-in-law of a king and potential uncle of one. In this story, Harold suggests the marriage and it is assumed that he is smitten with Ealdyth but he also wants the marriage to lock in her brothers' loyalty in the coming struggle for control of England against both William of Normandy and Harald, king of Norway and Harold of England's own brother, Tostig. The political intrigue and conflict leading to that decision is covered well. We are shown the violent life Ealdgyth suffers, the brief respite of happiness - very brief - as Harold's wife. The author places both Harold's more Danico wife, Ealdytha Swannhaels (and his wife of twenty years) and his queen at the Battle of Hastings, where they tend to the wounded in the camp. We don't know where Ealdgyth of Mercia was at the time of the battle and some sources state she was pregnant, so that's a bold literary move that I really liked. It's illustrated well.
The dialogue is good, but there were sentences that sounded like they were straight out of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," and the characters slipped into folksy speech once in a while that seemed out of character.
There were only two issues that bothered me. First, the lack of editing, okay, proofreading. The digital version was a mess, with inconsistent formatting, duplicate words in sentences, misspellings ('recieved'), and punctuation missing. I know I said I would never gripe about this again because every book has a typo or formatting issue, but not this many. If Ms. Arnopp's writing and storytelling weren't so entertaining, I would have deleted the book from my Kindle. Second, the digital cover and book title. "Peaceweaver" is the title, and some explanation in the story of why it's called that would have been great - perhaps how Ealdgyth strove for calm in her life and tried to share peace with those around her. The androgynous figure holding a sword puzzled me and it reminded me of all those covers of embracing, shirtless, couples in jeans on some romance novels. The picture is there to suck you in.
If you want historical fiction that is more fiction and romance than sticking with the facts, this is a book that might interest you.
The dialogue is good, but there were sentences that sounded like they were straight out of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," and the characters slipped into folksy speech once in a while that seemed out of character.
There were only two issues that bothered me. First, the lack of editing, okay, proofreading. The digital version was a mess, with inconsistent formatting, duplicate words in sentences, misspellings ('recieved'), and punctuation missing. I know I said I would never gripe about this again because every book has a typo or formatting issue, but not this many. If Ms. Arnopp's writing and storytelling weren't so entertaining, I would have deleted the book from my Kindle. Second, the digital cover and book title. "Peaceweaver" is the title, and some explanation in the story of why it's called that would have been great - perhaps how Ealdgyth strove for calm in her life and tried to share peace with those around her. The androgynous figure holding a sword puzzled me and it reminded me of all those covers of embracing, shirtless, couples in jeans on some romance novels. The picture is there to suck you in.
If you want historical fiction that is more fiction and romance than sticking with the facts, this is a book that might interest you.
September 7, 2017
Peaceweaver tells the story of Eadgyth, king Harold's church wed wife. The book details her life and tells the story of the Battle of Hastings from a woman's perspective. I really struggled trying to rate this book. When I first started reading it I was tempted to not finish and move on to something else cause it wasn't keeping my interest. It was a bit slow to start and the speech of the characters kept annoying me. I feel like the author couldn't decide between having them speak in a modern way or adding accents onto the writing which I find tedious at times. Editing errors in the kindle edition were annoying as well. The story started to pick up for me and I decided to keep reading. Overall, I found it an entertaining read but not quite believable. I didn't believe the relationship between Harold and Eadgyth. I appreciate the author's note at the end of the story discussing what was true and what was fiction. I give this book 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. In my opinion, a better book that takes place during the same time period is Helen Hollick's I Am the Chosen King.
May 28, 2016
Perfection in a first novel. This is fiction following the limited historical information written about the women of the period leading up to the Norman invasion in general and Eadgyth, wife of two kings, in particular. I had not been a fan of King Harold's church-wedded wife but this book changed my mind. How anyone so young could survive the life chosen for her defies belief. Judith Arnopp has woven a wonderful tale, emotionally charged and heartbreaking (even when you know how it will end), that exemplifies how women were treated on one hand as property and on the other hand as cherished enough to secure alliances. And you won't have to be an expert on history to appreciate this one.
November 20, 2016
Reread this one.. Still wonderful! A.D. 1063. " This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the earl, as well with a land-force as a shipforce, into Wales" ~ Anglo Saxon Chronicle.
Harold then met Eadgyth and married her, although he had spent many years with Eadgytha Swanneck, the mother of his children.Both were Peaceweavers although each in a different fashion and in this tale they forge an alliance.
A wonderful book.I hated to see it end.Judith Arnopp is a fine historian and a masterful storyteller.
Harold then met Eadgyth and married her, although he had spent many years with Eadgytha Swanneck, the mother of his children.Both were Peaceweavers although each in a different fashion and in this tale they forge an alliance.
A wonderful book.I hated to see it end.Judith Arnopp is a fine historian and a masterful storyteller.
June 29, 2011
Peaceweaver is a wonderful read, rich with all the flavours, sights, sounds and intrigues of its time. Eadgyth's life is vividly portrayed and Arnopp's prose flows well. Although a work of fiction, the events of the novel follow historical fact where it is known. The reader is left with a sense of having lived through those times and with a better understanding of what it was like to be a woman in the Anglo Saxon period. I would certainly recommend Peaceweaver to other readers.
August 13, 2016
An enjoyable and informative story based in factual history around 1066. Could benefit from some proof reading where a few words have been joined together. Although it follows the history well, I felt that the final chapters were left very open ended and perhaps some artistic licence could have been used to close the book.
However, these comments are only minor compared to the whole story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
However, these comments are only minor compared to the whole story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book, though I did dread the end of it. Knowing history, and knowing that it cannot be rewritten, made the ending of this book more heartbreaking than I thought it would be. Reading about someone in a history book is a little different than actually reading a story crafted around that person, and this story was wonderful and I was invested in the characters.
I'm glad I read this, it is the first novel I've read about this time period and it was a great first read too.
I'm glad I read this, it is the first novel I've read about this time period and it was a great first read too.
December 20, 2014
Wonderful
Judith has done it again..this book is as good as Heledd..although I can't even begin to know how to pronounce all of the Welsh names,places,and other words...I plan on reading her other book as well..
Since Judith herself is Welsh,she might consider putting in a page on how to pronounce all of these strange looking,and probably strange sounding words...
Judith has done it again..this book is as good as Heledd..although I can't even begin to know how to pronounce all of the Welsh names,places,and other words...I plan on reading her other book as well..
Since Judith herself is Welsh,she might consider putting in a page on how to pronounce all of these strange looking,and probably strange sounding words...
November 7, 2012
Complete review available at http://darleneelizabethwilliamsauthor...
April 25, 2015
Great historical fiction
Arnopp rivals all the BEST FEMALE authors of this genre. The era is ancient but leaves much for a very good read!
Arnopp rivals all the BEST FEMALE authors of this genre. The era is ancient but leaves much for a very good read!
Read
May 22, 2016Kind of slow and bland, it also explains some of the political and familial relations at the time it was written for.
September 28, 2016
Peaceweaver
A good read, starts slow, picks up, slows some again, then near the end I couldn't put it down. If you like historical fiction this is a great book.
A good read, starts slow, picks up, slows some again, then near the end I couldn't put it down. If you like historical fiction this is a great book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews