Why a Booktrail?
1164: A tale of war, death, lust, and scheming, set in the starkly beautiful landscapes of medieval Ireland and Wales.
Swoardland
What you need to know before your trail
Robert FitzStephen is a warrior down on his luck. Arrogant, cold, but a brilliant soldier, FitzStephen commands a castle – yet although his mother was a princess his father was a lowly steward. When a Welsh rebellion brings defeat and a crippling siege, his highborn comrades scorn him, betraying him to the enemy. A hostage of his cousin, Prince Rhys, FitzStephen is disgraced, seemingly doomed to a life of obscurity and shame.
Then King Diarmait arrives …
Diarmait is the ambitious overlord of an Irish kingdom. Forced to flee by the High King of Ireland, he seeks to reclaim his lands by any means possible – and that includes inviting the Normans in. With nothing left to lose – and perhaps a great deal to gain – FitzStephen agrees to lead the Irishman’s armies, and to drive Diarmait’s enemies from his kingdom. His price? Acceptance, perhaps … or perhaps a kingdom of his own?
Travel Guide
Wales
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county in Mid Wales. In the Middle Ages, it was a minor kingdom also known for a time as Seisyllwg. This is where the novel opens and where Einion prays at the priory and even before anything happens in the novel the candles are “casting a hellish flickering shadow battle on the stone wall of the church” This is the site of Arthur the Warlord and here “wonders were commonplace”
River Teifi
The Norman Army, gaudy against the greys and greens of rain-soaked Dyfed, marhed towards the fast flowing River Teifi. They strode with smiles upon their faces, the smirks of men who knew that victory was imminent.
“One decisive encounter and the kingdoms of Ceredigion, Deheubarth, and Gwynedd would lie open to conquest”
Ireland
Dublin
It takes its name from Dubhlinn which was a Viking city on the south bank of the River Liffey built around a blackpool from which it takes its name
Dubh – Tir
A Woodland area once known as Duffrey in modern county Wexford
Teamhair na Ri
Translated as Hill of The Kings which is present day Tara in county Meath
Tuaim da Ghubainn
The burial mound of the two shoulders which is modern day Tuam in County Galway where Ruaidhri Ua Conchobair had his chief fortress
Laighin – Leinster
The kingdom ruled by Diarmait Mac Murcharda which includes Counties Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Carlow, Wicklow, Laois, Kildare and South Dublin
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
I knew nothing of medieval history before reading this novel but I do feel as if I’ve had a lesson without realizing it. It certainly doesn’t read like one but this novel is a good history lesson as the level of research stands out from the very first page. The names of medieval Welsh and Irish places are tricky to follow but a glossary more than helps.The attention to detail is very impressive and the narrative is strong and battle filled – old castles play a starring role and the landscape seems at once ravaged, visceral and deadly – rocks, rivers and other natural obstacles to fell armies if the arrows and spears of the invaders don’t get you first that is.
These are really brutal times and having read it I feel as if I’ve now got a good overall picture of the violence of those times, the blood, gore and guerilla warfare of the time. How land was as valuable as jewels and the reputation of a fighter was all that he really had.
I feel suitably more educated on medieval Wales and Ireland now and it’s a fascinating world!
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Swoardland
Author/Guide: Edward Ruadh Butler Destination: Wales, Ireland Departure Time: 1160s
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