Girl of Many Crowns Review
- Vanessa Bettencourt
- May 15
- 2 min read
Historical
Medieval History, Facts, Events
How Judith was Queen of Wessex twice before 17 years old
4.75 stars
This is not a romantsy (I'm glad) but a dense and well-researched medieval history with confident facts, descriptions of daily life from servants to queens, including what was costume for men and women to perform, whether related to politics, family, or religion. We start with Judith reaching the age of 12 and being sent to Wessex to be a Queen. This is a time of Danes/Viking raiders, and there is much they have learned from the confrontations the English suffered already. It's a fast but well-organized lesson in Medieval history focused on Judith and her surroundings. We see Battle scenes, but also birth, death, but also marriage rituals filled with rules and religious superstitions. A read with body and a historical character filled with strength. I am glad to have learned so much about this young Queen as she rises to the task (many tasks) with bravery and sapience.
Trailer from the author's official site.
About the book
The true and inspiring story of a powerful knight and a run-away queen who unite to defy an empire.
King Charles, the first king of France, is beset by Vikings, rebel lords, and his brother, all seeking to take his kingdom. To strengthen his kingdom, King Charles marries his twelve-year-old daughter Judith to elderly, widowed Aethelwulf, King of Wessex. When Aethelwulf dies unexpectedly, Judith is pressed into marrying Aethelwulf's cruel eldest son. When her second husband also dies, twice-widowed Judith refuses to accept a third arranged marriage.
As punishment for her refusal, King Charles imprisons 16-year-old Judith in one of his palaces where she is visited by her brother, Louis, and his knightly companion, Count Baldwin “Iron Arm.” When Baldwin helps Judith escape, they are hunted by her father’s men and must flee for their lives. Can Baldwin and Judith hold on to each other and their faith as they face the fury of an empire?
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About the author
A native of San Diego, California, D. H. Morris has lived on four continents and traveled through many countries. She has four children and eleven grandchildren and currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Choral Music education and pursued graduate work in English at USU and law at the University of Utah. She is also a published playwright.
As a descendant of Judith and Baldwin, the author discovered their intriguing story while doing a genealogical project. This journey inspired her to research everything about the 9th Century – including food, politics, travel, war, education, clothing, jewelry, religion, holidays, marriage customs, and medicine. She loves talking about this remarkable time in history when the European countries we know today were being formed and fighting for their very existence.
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