Why did I love this book?
Having written a biography of the Warenne family, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey, I was intrigued to read Blessed are the Dead, a novel in which William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey and his castle at Conisbrough both play a big part.
It was a riveting read and I thoroughly enjoyed C.B. Hanley's version of Earl Warenne's attempts to get hold of Tickhill Castle for his niece, Alice de Lusignan. The author combines the known history, and an understanding of the gruff earl himself to weave an engrossing story of murder and betrayal. Edwin Weaver, the earl’s retainer, had his work cut out for him this time.
Unputdownable!
I love the way C.B. Hanley brings the Warennes to life. It's the little details, of Earl Warenne and Conisbrough Castle, that make Blessed are the Dead such an absorbing read.
Politics, family rivalries, and political tensions are all stirred up to create a thrilling adventure.
C.B. Hanley has used the history of early 13th century England, and of the Warenne family in particular, to weave a story that draws the reader in from the very first page. I loved it!
1 author picked Blessed are the Dead as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
'Politics, family rivalries and political tensions are all stirred up to create a thrilling adventure ... unputdownable!' - Sharon Bennett Connolly, historian, and author of Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey
April 1219: Edwin Weaver finds himself at Tickhill Castle under false pretences. Earl Warenne wants Tickhill for himself and is convinced that a royal order for the castle to be handed over has been hidden, so he's sent Edwin to find it and told him not to come back until he does. Frantic with worry about the danger to his…
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